Tony-Award Winning and Legendary CATS Opens at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Arts & Entertainment

Tony-Award Winning and Legendary CATS Opens at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

La Mirada~La Mirada theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the fourth production in its 2013-1014 season of shows with one of the most popular musical events of all-time, the Tony award-winning, CATS, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, with musical direction by John Glaudini and directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando.  CATS will feature Kelly Provart as Grizabella and Todrick Hall (whose hilarious YOUTUBE video parodies have been seen by millions of viewers) as Rum Tum Tugger.

Based on the universally popular poetry of T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story, in song and dance, of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats at which time one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer. A true musical theatre phenomenon, CATS opened at London's New London Theatre on May 11, 1981 and ran for a record-setting 21 years. CATS' London success was nearly matched on Broadway where it ran at the Winter Garden Theatre for just over 18 years.

CATS will preview on Friday, April 18, 2014 (with a press opening on Saturday, April 19) and run through Sunday, May 11, 2014.

Performances will be 7:30pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays; 8pm on Fridays; 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays; and 2pm on Sundays. (with two added Sunday evening performances;  May 4 and May 11 at 7:00pm).

There will be no matinee performance on Saturday, April 19.  Talkbacks with the actors will be on Wednesday, April 23 and Wednesday, May 7.

Tickets range from $20 - $70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior and group discounts are available.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue where the 91 and 5 freeways meet. Parking is free.

Annual Derby Duck Race Follows Easter Egg Hunt at Splash!
Community

Annual Derby Duck Race Follows Easter Egg Hunt at Splash!

La Mirada~Community groups and individuals are invited to participate in “Going Quackers for Kids”, a Derby Duck Race at SPLASH! Regional Aquatics center at the County Park in La Mirada on Saturday, April 19, 2014 following the City’s Easter Egg Hunt in the A.M.

Ducks can be “adopted” to race for a Grand Prize of $2500, a first Prize of $1000, 2nd & 3rd Prizes of $250 and many other great prizes! Individual adoptions include one duck for $5.00, 6 for $25, 10 for $100. Sponsorships for groups  start at $250. All profits will be returned to the community for non-profit groups and service projects.

Detailed descriptions and contact information may be obtained  at www.lamiradakiwanis.org,  and click on the Duck! Fun for the whole family!

It’s Time for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Community

It’s Time for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt

La Mirada~The City's annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held this Saturday, April 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at La Mirada Regional Park.

Bring your family and enjoy games, crafts, music, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and an Easter Egg Hunt.  Special photos with the Easter Bunny will be available for a nominal fee.

The Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 10 and under will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m.  Hunt areas will be separated by age groups.  Participants should arrive at their Egg Hunt area based on their age 15 minutes prior to the event.

Children and parents can enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Easter Egg Hunt hosted by La Mirada Kiwanis for a nominal fee.  The Kiwanis Duck Derby will be held at Splash! following the event.

For additional information, call (562) 943-7277.

EXCLUSIVE: City of La Mirada Chosen as Host Town for 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles
News

EXCLUSIVE: City of La Mirada Chosen as Host Town for 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles

La Mirada~The City of La Mirada has been officially chosen to be one of the Host Towns for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games coming to Los Angeles in July of next year, the La Mirada Blog has learned.

It will be the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held in the U.S. in 16 years and the “LA2015” event marks the second time that the World Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. The Summer Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984 were also hosted in L.A.

Community Services Director Lori Thompson told the LM Blog that this will be the” largest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.”

The Host Town Program is a special 3-day program that takes place prior to the Opening Ceremony. At their Host Towns, athletic delegations from around the world will be welcomed and celebrated.

As a Host Town, La Mirada’s schedule of events for the athletes will include meeting community members, taking part in unique cultural activities, and practicing for the games, all while making friends for life.

Thompson said the city partnered with Biola University and this endeavor could not have been accomplished otherwise, “They will provide much-needed services including housing and food for the athletes.”

There will be a special announcement ceremony at one of the city’s upcoming outdoor summer concerts, with the exact date still to be determined.

With 7,000 athletes representing more than 170 countries, along with 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, running July 25–August 2, 2015 will be the largest sports-and-humanitarian event anywhere in the world next year.

Valley View Grade Separation Project Continues to Move Forward Ahead of Schedule
News

Valley View Grade Separation Project Continues to Move Forward Ahead of Schedule

The northbound lanes of Valley View will be open soon and will be used for both directions of traffic while the southbound lanes are completed and the detour road is demolished. photo Tony Aiello

Originally slated to be completed in early 2015, lack of rain provides for an Autumn 2014 complete opening

La Mirada~The Valley View Grade Separation Project continues to make steady progress and is on track to be completed by early September.

With the railroad tracks successfully installed on the new bridge structure crossing over Valley View Avenue, crews have been busy completing excavation work to create the underpass. More than 103,000 cubic yards of dirt have been excavated from the site. The excavated dirt was transported and used as fill material on a separate construction project at the Port of Los Angeles.

Construction of the roadway has begun and will occur in two phases. The first phase will see construction of the northbound lanes. Once that is complete, phase two construction of the southbound lanes will begin. During this time, all traffic will be moved onto the newly built northbound lanes, with two lanes in each direction, and the current temporary detour road will be closed for removal.

See all of our photos from this story on our Flickr feed here.

Local Resident Picked for U.S. Paralympic National Team
Community

Local Resident Picked for U.S. Paralympic National Team

Buena Park~Local resident Shea Cassidy was recently selected to represent the United States on the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team.

The U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team is an elite level program that selects players from across the United States in preparation for International standard competition.

The 22-year old Shea has TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and was only given a 5% chance of living after a skateboard accident a few years ago.

Not only did he obviously survive, he will now travel around the world to represent the United States.

To qualify to be on the team, players must have had a Stroke, have Cerebral Palsy or have had a Traumatic Brain Injury/Acquired Brain Injury.

Team USA trains at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista and the StubHub Center in Carson.

In addition to friendly matches and invitational tournaments, the National Team competes in the following events:  the Intercontinental Cup, Copa America, the World Championships, Parapan American Games and the Paralympic Games

The La Mirada Blog and the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Shea and the Cassidy family on this accomplishment and wish him the very best while he travels around the world representing the United States of America. Way to Go Shea!

La Mirada Kiwanis Scholarships Available
Schools

La Mirada Kiwanis Scholarships Available

La Mirada~The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada is now accepting applications for scholarships. Graduating high school students must be residents of the City of La Mirada and be pursuing an education at a college, university or accredited trade school.  Applicants will be required to provide documentation prior to the deadline and will then participate in an interview with the Kiwanis Scholarship Committee members.  Awards will be based on grades, merit, civic involvement, and financial need.

Application forms may be obtained at the high schools, on the Kiwanis website, or by emailing to info@lamiradakiwanis.org.   They may also be obtained by request to Kiwanis Club of La Mirada,  P.O. Box 116, La Mirada, CA, 90637. All applications must be returned to the P.O. address by Monday, April 21, 2014, or they are scanned and emailed to the address indicated above.

Interviews will be conducted on Saturday, May 3, 2014.  Applicants will be contacted the week prior to schedule an interview hour.  Results will be sent by mail approximately one week after the interview, and award presentations will be coordinated with the school event schedule.

Fire Destroys Vehicles at Mattress Factory
News

Fire Destroys Vehicles at Mattress Factory

La Mirada~Residents were awakened in La Mirada to the sound of sirens early this morning around 3:00 a.m. after a fire erupted at the Ortho Mattress Factory Showroom at Valley View Avenue and Artesia Boulevard along the Cerritos border.

When firefighters arrived on the scene they were greeted by three bobtail trucks fully engulfed in the parking area of the building. The three trucks and two private vehicles appeared to have been destroyed.

NBC4 is reporting that fire officials are saying the incident is suspicious, yet they are are still calling it accidental at this time, as arson officials continue their investigation.

Fire units quickly doused the flames and no structural damage was reported.

City Receives Grant for Noise Study Along Railway Corridor
Community

City Receives Grant for Noise Study Along Railway Corridor

La Mirada~The City of La Mirada has received a $100,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to conduct a noise study in residential neighborhoods along Stage Road located near a 1.8 mile segment of the BNSF Railway tracks.

At a recent board meeting, Metro approved the funding for the study. The funds will come from LA County’s 2008 Measure R..

The action was spurred by the organization of a group of residents, led by former Norwalk-La Mirada School Board Member Nancy Jenkins, who live in the Neff Park area that is adjacent to the railroad tracks.

It was reported first on this website in August of 2012.

The group had become growingly concerned about the increase in noise associated with the operations of BNSF Railway and its auxiliary tracks that run parallel to Stage Road.

On October 23, 2012 City Council received a petition with more than 700 signatures submitted by the group expressing their concerns with future and current impacts from the BNSF tracks located near their homes.

Lady Matadores Finish Second at Woodbridge Tournament
Sports

Lady Matadores Finish Second at Woodbridge Tournament


After beating some of Orange County's top-rated teams in the Woodbridge Softball Classic, the Lady Matadores of La Mirada High are all smiles showing off their second-place plaque last night in Irvine.

Irvine~The La Mirada High Softball team lost last night 9-0 to M.L. King of Riverside finishing in second place after an exciting run in the annual Woodbridge Softball Classic at Bill Barber Park in Irvine.

The Lady Matadores won their previous four games in the tournament including a 1-0 win over No. 4 Marina High and a 4-0 victory over Edison High, along with victories over Capistrano Valley and Fountain Valley.

Valerie Alvarado, Stephanie Baro and Jaslin Rivas earned all-tournament honors for La Mirada.

The next game for the Mats is against league rival John Glenn on April 15th. The game will be played at La Mirada High beginning at 3:15 p.m.

Valerie Alvarado, Stephanie Baro and Jaslin Rivas of La Mirada were chosen for the all-tournament team.


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