Scouts to Race at Pinewood Derby
La Mirada~More than 40 Cub Scouts in Pack 919 will be participating at the Pinewood Derby event Saturday, January 19th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in La Mirada.
This annual event is the highlight of the scouting year when the Cub Scouts demonstrate craftsmanship and sportsmanship through friendly competition as they race personally crafted cars on an aluminum track.
Scouts work with their parent’s weeks before race day, collaborating on the design and construction of their cars. Even siblings and parents are encouraged to participate in a race of their own. “Parents and scouts take this race very seriously and it shows with the end product,” said Moses Covarrubias, Pack 919 Cub Master. “In my six years of Cub Scouting, I’ve seen some spectacular vehicles!”
The Pinewood Derby is open to the public for this fun-filled day and seeing the scout’s race car masterpieces in action.
ABOUT PACK 919
Pack 919 is a Cub Scout unit chartered through Community Presbyterian Church La Mirada assigned to the Los Angeles Area Council serving areas of La Mirada, Whittier, La Habra, Buena Park and surrounding cities. Cub Scout Pack 919 La Mirada has been serving the community for almost 50 years. Boys in first through fifth grade can join Pack 919 anytime. Den and Pack meetings are held September through May with additional fun events throughout summer. For more information on Pack 919 La Mirada, contact Moses Covarrubias at pack919info@pack919.org or visit their website at www.pack919.org.
ABOUT CUB SCOUTS
Scouting has had more than 100 million members since its inception in 1910. Cub Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision making skills for boys in the first through fifth grade (or who are 6 – 11 years old). Activities emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.
La Mirada Symphony Offers Free Concert
The La Mirada Symphony will present a “Celebration of Dance” concert January 12, 2013 8 pm at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Music Director Robert Frelly of Chapman University will conduct selections including “The Emperor Waltz” by Johann Strauss II, “Slavonic Dance” by Antonin Dvorak, and the “Three Cornered Hat” by Manuel de Falla.
Admission and parking is free. Donations are encouraged. The La Mirada Theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. For more information visit LaMiradaSymphony.com.
Contestants to Compete for the Crown of Mr. La Mirada
Ten Students to Battle for Scholarship Funding
La Mirada~Presented by the Girls League Club of La Mirada High School, the community is invited to the 2nd annual Mr. La Mirada pageant to be held Saturday, January 12th on the school campus from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Ten nominated male seniors will compete for the crown of Mr. La Mirada, based on their personalities, talent, fashion and more.
First-place prize is $200 in scholarship money, with second and third place receiving $100.
Three judges will decide the winner. Scheduled judges to appear are La Mayor Mayor Gabe Garcia, La Mirada Blog Editor Tony Aiello, and the La Mirada Fire Station 49 Battalion Chief Douglas.
Tickets are $5 with an ASB card, $8 without, with tickets being sold the night of the event for $8.
EXCLUSIVE: Standard Protocol for Career Politicians; Wendy Greuelâs Official Calendar Shows Years of Campaigning for LA Mayor on Taxpayerâs Dollar
(Copyright Los Cerritos Community Newspaper, La Mirada Lamplighter, La Mirada Blog. All Rights Reserved. Republishing Granted With Proper Attribution)
Cerritos~A six month investigation by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper (LCCN) into the official activities of Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel has shown that, in possible violation of the Los Angeles Governmental Ethics Commission Ordinance, she has spent an overwhelming majority of her official schedule for the past three years attending lavish dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and social events in an effort to advance her 2013 mayoral campaign.
Greuel is in a heated four-way campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles in the upcoming March 5th Primary Election against fellow city councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Jan Perry, and former Federal Prosecutor Kevin James.
LCCN released more than 640 pages of Greuel’s “official city appointment calendar” that was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Those FOIA requests went unanswered for more than five months by Greuel and her office.
“We had received tips from inside her office that Gruel was campaigning on county time, so LCCN requested copies of her 2009-2012 daily calendar,” Hews said. “LCCN was able to conquer a bureaucratic maze created by the Controller’s Office that included being told more than 15 times that our request was being “gathered” by personnel in her office.”
“The process to obtain the records was extremely arduous and involved. As a public official, whose calendar is open to the public, I expected this process to be simple, and for city staff to be helpful rather than adversarial toward releasing information about a public employee, especially to a community newspaper,” Hews said. “This treatment certainly raised some red flags.”
According to the California Public Records Act (PRA) [GOVT. CODE 6250 - 6276.48] the responding agency of the government must fulfill the request for public records within approximately 24 days. Further extensions can be requested but should not go longer than three months.
“But in this case it took the Controller’s office six months and several phone calls to provide LCCN with Greuel’s calendar. That being said, whether or not the controller’s office is in compliance with the California Public Records Act is definitely a big question,” Hews said.
Vehicle Burglaries Lead LM Crimes; La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 12/10/12-12/16/12
CRIME REPORT
Aggravated Assault -A fight was reported near Duffield Ave. and Ratliffe St. A male at the location was assaulted by two unknown males.
Vehicle Burglary-Six vehicle burglaries were reported last week. A window smash burglary to a semi-truck was reported on the 16800 block of Trojan Way. It is unknown if items were taken. Cash and school supplies were reported stolen from a vehicle on the 13700 block of Biola Ave. Two window smash burglaries were reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. A laptop and other items were stolen from one vehicle. A leather bag stolen from another vehicle was recovered nearby. A burglary was reported on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Identification and miscellaneous clothing were stolen from the vehicle. A burglary also occurred on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary to a business occurred on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. Cartons of cigarettes and electronics were stolen.
Grand Theft -Steel shelving was reported stolen from a business on the 14700 block of Artesia Blvd. A grand theft was reported on the 14200 block of Firestone Blvd. The incident is currently under investigation.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A utility trailer was reported stolen from a business on the 14700 block of Artesia Blvd.
La Mirada Blog Calms Community as News Agencies Trip Over Themselves
La Mirada Blog First to Report Situation at La Mirada High; Uses Social Media to Reassure Parents
La Mirada~Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies help secure La Mirada High School Friday morning after an unspecified threat was made against the school according to the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
Captain Pat Maxwell said they were dealing with unsubstantiated rumors only, "At this point of the investigation, there is no specific information that the threat is credible, or to identify the source or wording of the alleged threat. It appears to be spoken concerns only," he said in a press release issued by the Sheriff's Department about 8:20 a.m. Friday morning, about ten minutes after the first La Mirada Blog followers were already tweeting us letting us know that there was some kind of police activity at the school.
At 8:10 a.m. follower @MaryRandall8 tweeted, "Anyone know what is going on at La Mirada High? LOTS of police activity." Eight minutes later and two minutes before the sheriff press release follower @MimsyYamaguchi reported, "My son said there were threats at La Mirada High, so there's an increased sheriff presence on campus and the park,"
Yesterday was the last day of school for students before beginning winter break and sheriff's deputies continue to work closely with school officials to ensure the safety of the students on the heels of the events in Connecticut last week, and to help deal with the ramifications of the tragedy that has affected many schools across the nation.
Deputies on the La Mirada campus yesterday encouraged students to ask questions and/or comment on what was, or is, on their mind in regards to school safety.
Officials from schools continue to grapple with numerous threats and the copycat syndrome that seems to follow in such tragedies. Earlier in the day deputies entered the Diamond Ranch High School campus in Pomona after two telephone threats that morning against the school. A similar security alert also occurred at South Pasadena High earlier in the day.
Shortly after the sheriff press release, at 8:37 a.m., the La Mirada Blog informed its readers of the situation by linking to the sheriff press release on its Twitter feed. With over 1000 followers in the La Mirada area, the service allows for messages to get out into the community almost immediately.
Within that same hour hour we already had parents tweeting us, on-scene at the school, letting us know that everything was under control, messages we were able to relay to followers. At 9:20 a.m. LM Blog fan @Crab_Apel tweeted "only a few police units out front. Things seem to be normal at the school. Nothing serious." Again, a message we were able to get out into the community almost immediately.
La Mirada student @LeviFrafjord tweeted, "every where I looked I saw a cop."
Throughout the day, news stations continued to blast the "breaking story" of the "police presence" at La Mirada High, giving the impression something was wrong, even though most in the La Mirada community already knew there was no story, as early as 9:30 a.m. they knew, thanks to our Twitter feed.
La Mirada Blog fan @ipadsforautism tweeted, "Numerous High Schools in the area had similar events this week, everyone is understandably jumpy given recent events."
Even into the early evening the news stations led with the "big story" at La Mirada High, but most parents in La Mirada already knew, since early in the morning, there was no story.
Kick off the New Year by Plunging Down the Waterslides at Splash! Buccaneer Bay Waterpark
La Mirada~Join the crowd for the 5th Annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center.
The event will be held at the Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center on Tuesday, January 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. Adventurers will receive a photo of the plunge, hot chocolate, and admission to recreational swimming in the heated 25-yard pool from noon to 5 p.m. This exciting adventure is offered for $5 and free to 2013 season passholders. 2013 Buccaneer Bay Season passes are available at a special holiday price of $49 and include a free Splash! Holiday Bear.
Those not interested in plunging into the chilly pool are invited to swim in the heated 25-meter pool from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children. Free parking and complimentary use of lifejackets are always offered. Hot cocoa, coffee, and mochas will be available for purchase.
Splash! is located at 13806 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, CA 90638. For more information call Splash! at (562) 902-3191 or visit www.splashlamirada.com.
Give the gift of fun and adventure with a 2013 Splash! Buccaneer Bay Waterpark season pass
For a limited time season passes are on sale for just $49. Receive a
free holiday Splash! Bear with each purchase. Pass holders receive a
number of special offers including free admission to the 5th annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day.
The Splash! Buccaneer Bay Waterpark offers families a fun-filled day
with 3 two story waterslides, a zero depth play structure for the little
ones, a lazy river, warm water spa, and ample room to play and enjoy
time with friends and family. Splash! is the family-friendly waterpark
your family will want to return to time and time again.
Splash! also offers year-round swim lessons for all ages in the
heated 25-yard pool, your Buccaneer Bay season pass includes special
coupons for swim lessons. Free parking and complimentary use of
lifejackets are always offered.
Splash! is located at 13806 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, CA 90638. For more information call Splash! at (562) 902-3191 or visit www.splashlamirada.com.
City Council Helps La Mirada Landmark Resident Celebrate Her 90th Birthday
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council recognized and congratulated Jeannette Murphy on her 90th birthday at a recent council meeting, and presented her with a certificate to commemorate the occason.
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| La Mirada Mayor Gabe Garcia shares a laugh with Jeanette Murphy while presenting her with a certificate for her 90th birthday photo Joelle Lai |
Ms. Murphy was born in Nebraska in 1922, and married Theodore Murphy after meeting him while working at the Health Department in Lincoln in May of 1942.
Theodore served in WWII and afterward, he and Jeanette purchased their first home in East Los Angeles in 1947. They then lived in Whittier in prior to moving to La Mirada 1989.
She currently volunteers some of her time making pillows for the Pediatrics Department at Whittier Presbyterian Hospital, where she also worked in the Accounting Department for eight years at one time.
She also spends time playing cards with her friends and neighbors, and has enjoyed living at La Mirada Landmark for over 23 years.
She joked with Mayor Gabe Garcia as he presented her with the certificate on behalf of the City Council, all part of the city's Birthday Recognition Program.
REVIEW: Walking in a Winter Wonderettes Wonderland at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~Christmas is all about reflecting on past holidays and creating new memories and if you are looking for a cheerful evening of Christmas entertainment, “Winter Wonderettes” is a delightful and buoyant musical enjoyable for all ages.
Created and directed by Roger Bean with choreography by John Vaughan and musical direction by Brian Baker, The Wonderettes are a joyous quartet of ladies who celebrate Christmas of 1968 with jubilant enthusiasm, wit, humor and verve.
The two act musical is more than a nostalgic jukebox musical with familiar and lesser known Christmas songs from around the world. “Winter Wonderettes” has an established plot
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| The Wonderettes at curtain call last Saturday at La Mirada. Now playing through December 30th. photo broadwayworld.com |
with clever writing.
Set in a beautifully decorated and brightly lit hardware store, The Wonderettes are the entertainment for the employee Christmas party. And how they entertain! Outfitted in lovely and vibrant vintage dresses, the gals act, sing, dance and engage the audience from beginning to end.
Each Wonderette has a distinct and well developed personality. Misty Cotton (Missy), Shannon Warne (Cindy Lou), Bets Malone (Suzy) and Julie Dixon Jackson (Betty Jean) shine and sparkle like baubles on a Christmas tree. Starting with “Mister Santa,” a Christmas version of “Mr. Sandman,” and finishing with “Winter Wonderland,” “Winter Wonderettes” is a nonstop frolic and perfect for anyone who needs a little Christmas.
“Winter Wonderettes is now playing through December 30th at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada. Click here for ticket information.
Matadores Lose Webb in Victory Over Lakewood
La Mirada~The La Mirada High School Boys Basketball team beat Lakewood last night 70-46 in the opening round of the North Orange County Championships at Sonora High School.
Charlie Reid had 17 points as the Matadores (6-1), playing their fifth game in six days, led after the first quarter, 29-9.
The victory didn't come without a price however, as star point guard Taelin Webb fractured his lower tibia and is "expected to be out at least eight weeks," said La Mirada head coach Bryce Jones.
Webb is averaging 25 points a game for the Mats, and has spurred the team to their quick start in the 2012-13 campaign.
The Mats next play vs. Capistrano Valley at Sonora High, Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
La Mirada is scheduled to play 15 games in the month of December before opening league play January 2nd at home against Bellflower.
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