Reality Check for La Mirada
This reporter is booted off field, even with press pass
La Mirada~Reality set in tonight as the La Mirada Matadores varsity football team took a beating in losing to one of OC's top teams, La Habra 54-13.
There were glimmers of hope however, as the Mats played respectable against an obvious powerhouse. The energy is there, and expect the Mats to improve each week.
Trying to get a glimpse of what was going on seemed to be the biggest challenge of the evening.
La Mirada Football web-site operator Matt Piazza, who has spent the last six years covering LM Basketball, just as many covering LM baseball, and had VOLUNTEERED to run the football site this season, was not allowed in and was told to by the principal to go get in line. Piazza is the ultimate La Mirada High cheerleader, and has brought more interest to LM sports, via the media, than anyone alive. Piazza has always made sure a bright, positive light shines on La Mirada ahletes in their endeavors.
By the time he waited in the long line, the game had started, and he was behind in his work for the evening.
.....more to come
![Seniors: Come Improve Your Health, For Free!](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
Seniors: Come Improve Your Health, For Free!
La Mirada~The City of La Mirada will be hosting a senior health fair on Wednesday, September 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Various organizations will be providing information on topics such as healthy living, health screenings, and more. This event is free to the public.
For more information please call the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org.
![Auditions Set for “Bye-Bye Birdie” at Whittier Junior Theatre](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/theatre-grace.jpg)
Auditions Set for “Bye-Bye Birdie” at Whittier Junior Theatre
Whittier~Whittier Junior Theatre will hold auditions on Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, for the musical "Bye-Bye Birdie". In this exuberant 1960's musical, rock and roll star Conrad Birdie travels to Sweet Apple, Ohio to give one last kiss to Fan Club President Kim MacAfee on "The Ed Sullivan Show" before being drafted into the army.
Pre-Auditions will be held at Whittier Community Center Gym, 7630 Washington Avenue, on Friday, September 11, with the following age schedules: 5 to 8 years, 6 to 7p.m.; 9 to12 years, 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; and 13 years through adult, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Auditions will be held at the Whittier Center Theatre, Saturday, September12, with the following age schedule: 5 to 8 years, 10 to 11a.m.; 9 to12 years, 11:15 a.m. to12:15 p.m.; and13 years through adult, 12:30 to1:30 p.m.
Performance dates will be October 16 through 25 at the Center Theatre.
For information audition and ticket information, call the City of Whittier Community Services Department at (562) 464-3430.
![Public Invited to Attend Free Art Demonstration](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
Public Invited to Attend Free Art Demonstration
La Mirada~Adrienne Medrano, graphic designer for La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, will discuss a new art program titled Young Rembrandts at the La Mirada Arts Colony meeting on Monday, Sept. 14th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Blvd.
Young Rembrandts employs local artists to teach drawing skills to children (ages 3-12) in La Mirada and surrounding communities. Medrano will discuss the program and give a free art demonstration.
The public is invited, and artists may submit resumes for teaching positions. For more information, contact Madeline Thomas at (562) 941-4116.
![New ID Policy at La Mirada High Begins Today](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/blog/NLMUSD_w_Linda_Sanchez_3_14_23.jpg)
New ID Policy at La Mirada High Begins Today
New ID policy has some concerned
La Mirada~Students attending La Mirada High School beginning this year, will be required to wear an ID around their neck at all times, while on campus.
The lanyards, with a plastic badge holder attached at the end, hang around the students neck to display their ID.
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Incoming La Mirada freshmen Julian Hernandez and A.J. Aiello show off their new ID lanyards. |
Michelle Millan, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of the School District told us, " This is a school-based decision. La Mirada is the only high school out of the four, to implement such a policy at this time".
Ron Carroll, Assistant Principal/Discipline at La Mirada, sat down with us recently, "The ID must be appropriately displayed at all times. This will help us with daily operations. The purpose in having students display their ID is to assist in providing our students with a more safe and secure environment."
When asked what the student's response has been, Carroll replied, "Very positive".
Seniors seem to be having the biggest issue with it, since they have went three years without having to wear something around their neck, and now they have to. A lot of students are expressing dismay, but that is usually the case when there is change.
"This is actually nothing new. We have always had an ID policy in place. Students have always been required to carry their ID's on them", said Carroll.
Some wonder if this is an impossible policy to enforce, fearing the school administration will be spending much of their time dealing with lost and forgotten ID's.
"I have heard those concerns", said Carroll, "but we are confident after a period of time, everyone will settle in. There is a demerit process-that has always been in place-for violators".
Most parents we talked to seemed to be in favor, "Anything that makes my son safer, or give the perception he is safer, is ok by me", said parent Maria Perez.
According to the student handbook, the policy will allow school personnel to easily identify those who should be on campus and those who are unauthorized.
I asked Carroll if there was an issue of not having enough security to handle the huge student population, and this was just a way to make securities job easier. "Absolutely not, the security personnel at La Mirada have always had complete control. This just gives them another tool"
At this time the school is "requesting" that teachers wear the lanyards. The school is looking into union/legal complications of requiring the teachers to wear them.
Carroll did not indicate whether the ID's would be required at after-school events.
![Fund-Raiser for La Mirada Teen Today](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
Fund-Raiser for La Mirada Teen Today
La Mirada~A fund-raiser will be held all day today at the Elephant Bar Restaurant for La Mirada teen Blake Browning, who was injured in a football field accident in 2007.
Print out the flyer on this web-site, bring it in, and the restaurant will donate 15% of your bill to the Blake Browning fund.
Through fundraisers, gracious donations and loving support, Blake has been able to remain in extensive physical therapy so that someday, he can regain full use of his hands and ultimately walk again.
Visit www.faith10.com for more about Blake's story.
Restaurant is located at 14303 Fiorestone Blvd., La Mirada.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Third Annual Blake Browning Charity Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, October 9, 2009 at West Ridge Golf Course in La Habra. 100% of the proceeds raised will go towards Blake's medical expenses.
For more information visit www.faith10.com or for golf information contact Jorge Ruvalcaba at (714) 401-3689, or Ken Taylor for silent auction donations at (562) 896-1589.
Please make check payable to: Be Perfect c/o Blake 10 Recovery Fund #501 C 3 26 1485814
Suburban League Week 0 Recap; Week 1 Preview
Suburban League Week 1:
Week 0 Review: Well I was right on picking five of the seven winners from this past weekend games. There was no shortage of close games. It started with La Mirada vs. St Paul on Friday night, and it came down to the final few minutes with the visiting Matadores prevailing. Then, to round out the first week of games, Glenn held off a furious comeback by the host Santa Ana Valley Falcons at the Santa Ana Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
Week 0 Results:
Norwalk 63 South El Monte 3: Norwalk got its double-wing attack rolling as they rolled passed South El Monte.
La Mirada 15 St. Paul 7: La Mirada suffered a few injuries, but they look to continue their charge toward another league title. Backup Shane Blood stepped in and helped lead the Mats to a huge victory; the school's first against St. Paul.
Glenn 28 Valley 26: The Eagles showed grit and determination as they fought themselves to a victory. They were led by QB Jose Escobar who looked very comfortable in the pocket, threw for 3 TDs, and added another rushing.
Montebello 14 Bellflower 0: The host Buccaneers never got themselves on track as they fell to the visiting Oilers from Montebello
Chino Hills 30 Mayfair 6: The Host Huskies could have made the lead larger if not for a few miscues during the game.
Beckman 31 Cerritos 13: Cerritos is still searching for their first win in over 12 games. They looked over-matched in this game.
Edison 36 Artesia 0: The pioneers speedy offense was neutralized by the attacking defense of the host Chargers.
Week 1 Preview:
La Mirada Pricks host Swordsmen for the First Time
Santa Fe Springs~With its two most acclaimed players sidelined by apparent serious injuries, the zebras throwing flags against it at about a 3-1 ratio and a scoreboard operator who suddenly forgot to start the clock with 29 seconds left and St. Paul out of timeouts, La Mirada survived with tons of heart in Friday evening's heartstopping victory, 15-7, over the host Swordsmen.
The triumph spoiled the return of legendary Marijon Ancich, tied for the all-time winningest high school coach in California history, and marked the biggest win for the Matadores in perhaps a decade, certainly a major hurdle in their attempt to return to prominence.
![Time to Say Goodbye to an Old Reliable Friend](https://www.lamiradablog.com/assets/lmb/resorce_center-grace.jpg)
Time to Say Goodbye to an Old Reliable Friend
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Mike and Lupita Lopez say goodbye to a car that has been with Mike-in La Mirada-since 1954. |
La Mirada~ Mike Lopez of La Mirada summed it up in a few words, "Boy, I sure hate to see her go."
The "her' he is referring to is his beloved 1951 Studebaker Starlite, which has called Lopez' La Mirada garage, home, for 55 years.
Lopez says he literally, "bought the car from a little old lady in Pasadena. I then drove it to work and back for the next 20 years."
After purchasing the automobile in 1954, Lopez bought his then brand-new La Mirada home in 1956, and the car has been with him every step of the way, until now.
The car with its legendary "panoramic view" back windows, has been a familiar sight in this La Mirada neighborhood for many years,especially when it was in its prime.
"She never once broke down on me during all of these years", Lopez said.
It has had a few paint jobs over the years, and remains in excellent condition; and it still runs.
However, the last 10 years or so, the car has mostly had garage duty, with only occasional outings.
Now, his daugter Marcy and her husband Richard of Corona, have purchased the car and it's time for it to move on to a new generation within the family.
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