Cerritos Speech and Debate Team to Visit La Mirada High
La Mirada~The Cerritos College Speech and Debate team will be visiting the campus of La Mirada High School on Friday, May 17th at 11 a.m.
The Cerritos team will demonstrate and inform the students about the opportunities and benefits that can be obtained from Forensics, which is the overall objective of their visit said member Miles Aiello.
“We will be giving students information that is essential to any individual who is determined to becoming a confident and collective speaker,” Aiello added, “Furthermore, students will learn the benefits of scholarship money that is available to collegiate students who excel in Forensics.”
In addition, the team will be conducting several demonstrations of some of the skills they work on such as dramatic interpretation and impromptu, persuasive speech.
Forensics is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your public speaking skills and the club believes it is valuable to any individual who wants to become a poised and intelligent speaker, which is exactly what they hope to relay to the students at La Mirada.
La Mirada SeniorNet Helps Keep Everyone Up to Speed on the Web
La Mirada~SeniorNet's dedicated group of volunteers are at the heart of the La Mirada SeniorNet Learning Center Program; instructing, coaching, and always working in the background.
SeniorNet was started in 1986 as a research project and has grown to over 80 learning centers worldwide. Each center helps adults age 50+ enter the "Information Age.”
At the La Mirada SeniorNet Learning Center, each student will use a desktop computer, a flat screen monitor, and an optical mouse. Students receive help as needed. Our classes are small and taught by volunteer instructors and coaches (usually 50+).
Our comfortable, well lit classroom uses an overhead projection system with an 8'x 8' screen and a sound amplification system. Please note that enrollment is subject to certain prerequisites.
Specialized programs offered by La Mirada SeniorNet include:
WORKSHOP-“Personalize Your Computer” Learn simple changes to your PC to make it easier to use and make it look the way you like it.
WORKSHOP-“Find Your Stuff” Learn the difference between files and folders and how to create them. Organize your information so you can find it when you need it. You will also learn how to drag and drop files and folders from one location to another.
SEMINAR-“Tablets and E-Readers” This 2-hour seminar will provide an overview of the types of tablets on the market and the types of e-readers. An Android tablet, Kindle e-reader, and an Ipad all will be demonstrated.
The next registration opportunity is Friday, May 31st, 2013.
For more information call (562) 902-3177 and leave a message or visit the La Mirada Activity Center, La Mirada Blvd., 13700 La Mirada, CA 90638 and pick up a brochure or visit www.lmseniornet.com
MAY REAL ESTATE REPORT: Low Inventory of Homes for Sale in La Mirada
REAL ESTATE
Looking at the last three years, 494 homes sold in 2012, 424 sold in 2011 and 439 sold in 2010.
Prior to the financial melt down that lead to this recession, one could expect an average of 610 properties selling each year to new home owners-about 50 homes sold per month.
Today, we are down to 35 homes per month.
We have a tad over 15,000 homes in the city. With the exception of the Hillsborough homes on the East side of town. Most homes were built in the late 50’s and early 60’s.
I want to share this basic information about the city housing units because unlike the media that is basically ignoring and/or trying to put a positive spin on the National and Southern California real estate market, the reality is that the old real estate adage “Location, Location and Location” is still the best base-line to determine what is happening to property values.
The Median household income in La Mirada is about $83,000, while the State’s median income is just under $59,000 dollars. I mention this because in reviewing the foreclosure activity for this report, I discovered that there are more foreclosures in the Hillsborough part of town than in the Foster Park area where the average median income level is much lower.
Since the beginning of the year, a full 28% of La Mirada homes have been sold due to a financial crisis (foreclosure). It is interesting to note that the Hillsborough area has seen more foreclosures than the Foster Park area.
Currently there are 93 properties in some stage of the foreclosure process. Again, Hillsborough leads the foreclosure activity with 14 foreclosures compared to the Foster Park area with only 10 Foreclosures. This should easily reveal to all residents that the economic recession is hitting the high income earners as well.
The most expensive property so far to be closed in La Mirada is on Placid Dr., which sold at a foreclosure auction on March 28, 2013 for $1,108,622 dollars.
Finally, 73 properties are pending sales in La Mirada and 20 properties have been canceled.
That’s the big picture for all of us to see. Now what does that mean to the individual home owner?
It means that the inventory of homes for sale in La Mirada is at an all time low!
As you can see from the chart, the blue line is rising and the green bar is falling. You can also see by the slope of the blue line that the gap is increasing quickly and we may have a mini-boom in property values this summer. But it will not be due to any economic recovery. It will be due to the lack of inventory of homes to sell in the city.
Banks continue to hold their REO (Real Estate Owned) inventories in their pockets or are selling them to long term investors to hold for at lest three years. La Mirada home ownership used to be over 87% it’s now down to 79% with many homes renting for over $1600/month.
How long this will go on is anyone’s guess.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report; Vehicle Stolen From Talbot Drive
The following is the La Mirada crime report for April 29 - May 5, 2013
Residential Burglary-Four residential burglaries were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 15000 block of Leffingwell Rd. Cash, jewelry, and electronics were stolen from the home; An incident was reported on the 16000 block of Orsa Dr. The location was under the fumigation process when the incident occurred; A burglary was reported on the 15400 block of Alondra Blvd; An incident was reported on the 15300 block of Pastrana Dr; The suspect was subsequently taken into custody after being involved in a traffic collision nearby.
Other Structure Burglary-Two commercial burglaries were reported last week. The locations were two separate businesses located on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. A cash box containing a small amount of currency was taken from one of the businesses.
Vehicle Burglary-A window smash burglary was reported on the 12000 block of La Mirada Blvd. A purse was stolen from the vehicle.
Grand Theft-One grand theft was reported last week on the 15500 block of Talbot Drive. A catalytic converter was stolen from a Honda Accord.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A vehicle was reported stolen from the 13200 block of Flemington Court. The vehicle was recovered several days later by the Industry Sheriff's Station, two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
New Company Provides Fashionable Service for Women
A new fashion and beauty service is available for women in the comfort of their own home.
Fashionable Fete, based in La Mirada, and founded by Beauty Director Erin Benke and Creative Director Susie Mederios, is a service that hosts parties, providing beauty and fashion consulting.
Along with a third associate, Stylist Manager Caryn Valdeserri, they teach the everyday woman the importance of skincare, and techniques such as how to apply foundation properly and how to create a “smoky eye”, and so much more, but they turn the beauty lesson into a party format.
They also offer personal shopping services such as assistance with pulling complete outfits and accessories at stores and personal styling services such as creating complete outfits by assessing what the client already has in her closet.
Their goal is to have every woman leave their parties feeling beautiful, refreshed and having learned fashion and beauty tips that she can use in her everyday world.
Benke, who has years of experience in Hollywood as a personal stylist, told the La Mirada Blog that they offer the service keeping household budgets in mind, “With my years of experience in Hollywood on the red carpet and movie sets, I decided to bring my fashion and beauty expertise to the home and for a minimal fee.”
“Women deserve to be appreciated and respected. When a woman feels beautiful, she emanates happiness and she becomes more confident,” Benke said, “When a woman is more confident she gets more respect at work and at home. She is more daring and self-assured and realizes she can conquer the world-one lipstick at a time!”
There is no sales pitch at any of the parties Fashionable Fete hosts.
To schedule an appointment or to get more information on everything Fashionable Fete has to offer call (562) 896-2819, email info@fashionablefete.com or browse their website at fashionablefete.com.
Things Are Going Swimmingly for La Mirada High
La Mirada~ Qualifiers for the 2013 CIF Southern Section Championships were learned recently for high school swimming, with La Mirada High garnering a number of spots.
The event will take place at Riverside Community College with preliminaries on Wednesday, May 8th and the Finals taking place on Friday, May 10th.
In boys, La Mirada had at at least one swimmer qualify in each individual event: boys 200 free (Shane Chambers, Anthony Melero), 200 IM (Christian Park) , 50 free (Evan Klansek), 100 fly (Ryan Poff, Sean Lundin) and 100 free (Evan Klansek).
Also, in the 500 free (Sean Lundin, Shane Chambers, Trent Beauchamp-Sanchez), 100 back (Trent Beauchamp Sanchez) and 100 breast (Ross Jasso)
Girls that qualified in individual events include: 500 free (Barbara Chumsatya) and 100 back (Jillian Peart).
Also, all relay teams made to CIF for La Mirada who will be competing in Division 4.
Real time race results Wenesdy and Friday can be found here: http://www.swimphone.com/mobile/meets/meet_menu.cfm?smid=4729
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Mayfair Win Streak Halted by Bellflower Setting up Showdown with La Mirada for Suburban League Crown
La Mirada~Here we go again.
In what seems like an annual ritual, La Mirada and Mayfair will once again battle for a league championship this season after a miscue went La Mirada’s way in a game they weren’t even playing.
The two teams will square off (both at 9-1), in the final two games of the season Tuesday and Thursday of this week.
This past Friday, a mishandled throw at first base after Frank Armenta of Bellflower laid down a two-strike sacrifice bunt in the eighth inning, allowed the Buccaneers to beat Mayfair 3-2, ending the Monsoons 23-game Suburban League winning streak dating back to 2010.
The Soons last loss was to La Mirada on May 6, 2011 when the Mats beat them 5-3.
Mayfair (19-7, 9-1) is looking for their third straight league championship after sharing the league title with La Mirada in 2011.
Prior to that, the Matadores won the title four of the five previous seasons. Actually, no school has claimed a title in Suburban League baseball the last seven seasons other than Mayfair or La Mirada.
The Mats (18-9-1, 9-1) are riding a eight-game league winning streak of their own, last losing to Bellflower 1-0 on March 26th.
The home-and-home series begins Tuesday at La Mirada, and shifts to Mayfair on Thursday. Game times are 3:00 p.m.
Klansek Breaks La Mirada School Swimming Mark
La Mirada~La Mirada senior Evan Klansek broke a school record during the Suburban League swimming preliminaries this past Tuesday at Splash!
The Berkley-bound Klansek had a time of 1:52.50 in the 200-yard freestyle competition, with many Matadores setting personal best times as well.
The schools competing are La Mirada, Cerritos, Bellflower, Artesia and Mayfair.
The swimmers are trying to qualify for the CIF-SS Division 4 Championships next week, May 6th-10th at the Riverside Aquatics Complex.
Some swimmers have qualified for CIF at other meets, some have or will with automatic-in times today, and still some will be considered, and they will find out Saturday if they are in or out.
Here is a list of La Mirada swimmers who have qualified or have been considered:
Evan Klansek: automatic in 50yd free, 100yd free, 200yd free, consideration in 200yd IM; Shane Chambers: consideration in 200yd free, 500yd free and Trent Beauchamp-Sanchez: automatic in 100yd back, consideration in 500yd free.
Also, Sean Lundin: automatic in 500 free, consideration in 200yd free, 100yd fly; Ryan Poff: consideration in 100yd fly; Anthony Melero: consideration in 200yd free; Ross Jasso: consideration in 100yd breast
Also, all three boys’ relays and all three girls’ relays for La Mirada have qualified for CIF.
The Suburban League Finals are today at 3:00 p.m. at Splash! with free admission.
Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: Burglar Prys Door Open on Lawnhill
The following is the La Mirada Crime Report for April 22-28, 2013
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15800 block of Lawnhill Dr. The suspect gained entry by prying the doors.
Other Structure Burglary-An attempted burglary to a business was reported on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. No loss from the business was reported.
Grand Theft-An incident was reported on the 15900 block of Lorca Rd. Catalytic converters were stolen from a vehicle parked on a residential driveway.
Young People Use the Stage to Discuss Teen Drug/Alcohol Usage Through Performance and Open-Forum Discussion
"Out, Out Brief Candle" features all-youth cast on May 16th
La Mirada~The staggering statistics on teen drug and alcohol use will be in the spotlight on May 16th as a cast of 15 teens/young adults takes to the stage to perform and speak on a subject that effects every teen at one point in their life.
On May 16 at 10AM and 7PM, Phantom Projects Theatre Group will continue its 2012/2013 Season offering a youthful perspective and emotional support through a powerful production called Out, Out, Brief Candle at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
The newly revised drama by Bruce Gevirtzman, directed by Steve Cisneros, will be performed on May 16 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets from $7 to $20 are now available by calling 562-944-9801 or going online to phantomprojects.com.
Though a dramatic scene confronting a rape scenario featuring a teen girl was written 5 years ago, it is early reminiscent of the situation in Saratoga, CA when a 15 year-old-girl was driven to suicide last September after three teens allegedly sexually abused her while she was unconscious from alcohol at an unsupervised house party.
“Out, Out, Brief Candle is designed to help teen audiences have a healthier view of who they are and who they can become,” said Steve Cisneros, Phantom Projects’ Producing Artistic Director who founded the company in 1996 at the age of 17. “It’s drama based on real life. And because the teen cast is the same age as much of the audience, the post-show discussion is always candid.”
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