Worldâs Largest Swim Lesson at Splash! La Mirada
The Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center will join aquatic facilities around the world for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on Friday, June 24. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the event kicks off at 10 a.m. The free event aims to promote the importance of teaching children to swim and the message that “Swim Lessons Save Lives”.
Statistics indicate drowning is the second leading cause of unintended, injury-related deaths for children ages 1-14. The World’s Largest Swim Lesson was created to support drowning prevention and water safety. Community members of all ages and swimming abilities are encouraged to take part in this event.
World’s Largest Swim Lesson spokeswoman, and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Janet Evans will kick off the event. Participants will take part in a free swim lesson which helps send the message that “Swim Lessons Save Lives” Following the lesson, participants age 13 and under will receive free admission to the Splash! Buccaneer Bay Waterpark with a paid adult.
To register for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson or for more information, call (562) 902-3191 or visit www.splashlamirada.com. Pre-registration is encouraged but participants may also come early and register on the day of the event. Splash! is located at 13806 La Mirada Boulevard.
Traditional Japanese All-You-Can-Eat Buffet May Take Former China Star Spot
La Mirada~A new restaurant may be coming to La Mirada, occupying the empty building at the southeast corner of La Mirada Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue in the Theatre Center adjacent to the La Mirada Theatre for the Peforming Arts.
City Planner Gabriel Bautista told the La Mirada Blog that Shabuya, featuring all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu, has submitted plans for tenant improvements with the intent to remodel the inside of the building located at 15028 Rosecrans Avenue.
The La Mirada Chamber of Commerce has also also reported in their newsletter that Shabuya “has recently signed a lease with the property management company 
Kimco.”
Shabu-shabu is a traditional Japanese dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables served at the dining table hotpot style-quickly boiled in water and accompanied with dipping sauces when finished. Seafood, chicken and lamb can also be used. The beef is usually rib eye or top sirloin and is traditionally served with shiitake and enokitake mushrooms.
We have tried to reach the owners of Shabuya, but so far our calls have gone unreturned. They currently operate the Shabuya in Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard and their website touts, “we pride ourselves as a traditional shabu-shabu establishment.”
The building has been vacant since China Star Buffet (also known as Asian Palace Buffet at one time) closed its doors in September of 2013.
Other Development News
Plans seem to be continuing for The Habit to take over the former Starbucks located at the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard. There seems to be indications that permits will be pulled relatively soon in relation to this project.
552 Graduate at La Mirada High’s 55th Commencement Ceremony
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| Some of the 552 ex-students of La Mirada High School anxiously wait in line to receive their diplomas from district officials at the school's 55th commencement ceremony Friday at Goodman Stadium. Photo (c) 2016 La Mirada Blog, Alondra Urizar |
La Mirada~Once the gates to La Mirada High School's Goodman Stadium opened at 5 p.m., friends and family packed the bleachers to the brim to attend the 55th annual commencement ceremony.
The lines to enter both gates extended around the corner onto Foster Road until most were settled in after the beginning of the ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Traffic was also affected in the surrounding communities with heavier traffic in both La Mirada and Norwalk.
The graduating class of 552 seniors were introduced by the high school's graduation band before 2015-2016 class president, Nestor Guerrero, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The valedictorian, Lawrence Koh, received the National AP Scholar award and gave his address after the national anthem sung by the La Mirada Chamber Choir.
After the jazz ensemble played "One Love" by Bob Marley, Princeton-bound salutatorian Vittorio Reynoso-Avila, gave his address.
“The best grad speech I've heard in a long time,” said head basketball coach and teacher at La Mirada Bryce Jones via his Twitter account.
The ceremony finished at approximately 8:30 p.m. where graduates walked away from the stadium and met overjoyed families and friends outside.
Latest Crime Report: Alicante Road Hit With Multiple Window Smash Burglaries
The following is the crime report for May 30th-June 12th 2016 as reported by the City of La Mirada:
Aggravated Assault- A male adult was assaulted by two suspects using a BB gun after a verbal altercation on the 13900 block of Imperial Hwy. The victim was transported to the hospital for an eye injury. Residential Burglary-Two gaming systems were reported stolen on the 14800 block of Mercado Ave. A laptop, jewelry and coin jar were stolen on the 14400 block of Watkins Dr. The garage door had been left open. An incident occurred on the 14300 block of De Alcala Dr.
Other Structure Burglary-A vacuum was stolen from a storage shed on the 15100 block of Cordova Rd.
Grand Theft-A backpack was stolen from a vehicle during a window-smash burglary on the 15100 block of Rosecrans Ave. A rammer tool was stolen from a construction site on the 14400 block of Alondra Blvd. An ATM machine was stolen from a business on the 14100 block of Imperial Hwy. The incident is remains under investigation.
Vehicle Burglary-Three window-smash burglaries were reported on the 15800 block of Alicante Rd. Items stolen included a tool bag, a box of tape, a music stand, and a bag with various items. A window-smash burglary was reported on the 14300 block of Alicante Rd. It is unknown if there was any loss in the incident. A purse was stolen during a window-smash burglary on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. A tool bag with various tools was stolen on the 15900 block of Golva Dr. A window-smash burglary was reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. A briefcase and backpack were stolen. Jewelry, phone charger and golf clubs were stolen on the 15900 block of Glazebrook Dr. A purse was stolen during a window smash burglary on the 12000 block of Santa Gertrudes Ave. A third-row seat was stolen on the 15600 block of Hesse Dr.
Spring Beautification Winners to be Presented With Awards
The winners of the annual La Mirada Spring Beautification program will be announced tonight.
The program recognizes the efforts of homeowners, schools, and businesses who enhance and preserve the beauty of the community. Property owners who have achieved a measure of excellence in the exterior maintenance and landscaping of their property are honored through this program.
Spring Beautification reinforces the high standards of the City and the spirit of neighborhood pride, which is the foundation of a well-kept community. Well-kept homes increase neighborhood property values and preserve La Mirada as an attractive community.
For this year’s program, volunteer judges reviewed homes in La Mirada from March 14 through March 25 for excellence in landscaping and exterior maintenance.
Award recipients will be honored at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on Monday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. The “Most Improved” and “Most Outstanding” award recipients will be shown during a slideshow presentation and winners will be presented with awards. Over 200 residents will receive recognition.
Kiwanis Awards $1000 to Five La Mirada High School Seniors
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| Fom right to left: President Steve Jones, Dante Gonzales, Michael Caplan, Vittoria Reynoso-Avila, Tori Pflanzer, Madison Friend, Scholarship Chair Pat Ruiz |
La Mirada~The winners of the 2015-2016 La Mirada Kiwanis Senior Scholarships were honored at the May 18th breakfast meeting of the club. Each will receive a $1000 award which will be deposited in their student account at the college of their choice.
All of the awardees are senior students at La Mirada High School graduating in 2016. Dante Gonzales will study Environmental Science at UC Berkeley. Michael Caplan will seek a career in Law at UCSB. Vittorio Reynoso-Avila will study for an Engineering Degree at Princeton U. Tori Pflanzer will study Psychology at Biola University. Madison Friend will attend UC Davis to become a Veterinarian.
In the past few years, Kiwanis has distributed over100 computers which were brought up to standard by Chris Staples, Kiwanian and owner of Advanced Network Consulting. They were distributed to children at Elementary Schools in La Mirada for their home use. Also, children with special needs were thrilled to get 10 IPads for their classroom use.
This year, $5000 was allocated to Middle School teachers who applied for the grants for projects or equipment to benefit students in their classrooms, their MP Rooms or their grade level studies. Teachers from Benton, Los Coyotes and Hutchinson Middle Schools benefitted from this special grant program from Kiwanis.
Kiwanis President, Steve Jones, said, “We are proud of the projects that La Mirada Kiwanis night and morning groups have chosen to fulfill the motto of Kiwanis International “Serving the Children of the World.” These projects have enriched the lives of the children of La Mirada in sports, in schools, in Scout groups, in the arts and more.”
Matadores to Play in 49th 605 All-Star Classic
Whittier~Paul Tully and AJ Rivas from La Mirada High School will participate in the 49th 605 All-Star Football Classic Friday, June 3rd.
The game, pitting schools on the east side of the 605 freeway against teams on the west side, was started in 1967 by the Whittier Kiwanis Club and showcases high school seniors many playing in their last game.
This year, the game has been moved to Pioneer High's new Titan Stadium. Game time is 6:05 p.m.
La Mirada Paramedic Unit Collides With Vehicle
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| The paramedic unit from LA County Fire Station 49 in La Mirada collided with another vehicle this afternoon at La Mirada Boulevard and Oakwood Drive. Photo La Mirada Blog Twitter feed @LaMiradaBlog via Joe Flores |
La Mirada~A paramedic vehicle from L.A County Fire Station 49 in La Mirada collided with another vehicle today at the intersection of La Mirada Boulevard and Oakwood Drive.
The incident occurred about 1:30 p.m.
La Mirada Blog fan Joe Flores reported the paramedic unit was traveling northbound on La Mirada Boulevard. A female was driving southbound on La Mirada and attempted a left turn on to Oakwood.
It is unclear was caused the mishap. It is also unclear if the emergency vehicle had its lights and siren on at the time of the incident.
No injuries were reported at scene.
La Mirada Community Members Remember Our Fallen Heroes
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| La Mirada community members line up for the Presentation of Colors Monday at Olive Lawn Memorial Park as Reverend Richard Bergquist addresses the crowd. The park has been hosting the ceremony since 1961. Photo Alondra Urizar |
Approximately 200 community members attended the annual observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m held at Olive Lawn Memorial Park. The park has hosted the event each of the last 55 years-since 1961.
To commemorate the event, American flags were placed on gravestone markers of fallen service men and women by members of the Veteran Foreign Wars, the Boy Scout troops 438 and 919, and Cub Scout pack 919. The VFW post 9148 has served La Mirada and veterans for 57 years.
Cathy Moreno has led troop 919 as Scout Master for two years and previously led Cub Scout Pack 919 for four years. She has attended the event for nine years.
“This weekend is really special to us because it’s a lot of service. We provide to the veterans and the fallen veterans and families and so it’s kind of a work week for us but our boys don’t mind it and they get up early and do what they have to do,” Moreno said.
The Boy Scouts troops 438 and 919 and Cub Scout pack 919 gather at 7 a.m. to place flags on the gravestone markers. Flags are placed on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to allow others to observe and respect the veterans. The troops and cub pack also placed 3,000 flags at Rose Hills Memorial Park at 5 p.m. the day prior.
Post chaplain of Gold and Blue Star Families and Reverend Richard Bergquist welcomed and introduced speakers before the posting of colors, flag raising and pledge of allegiance was given.
Chaplain major Kenneth S. Valardi of the United States Air Force Reserve gave a passionate Memorial Day address, reminding members of the La Mirada community why veterans should be remembered.
Memorial wreaths were placed by La Mirada City Council and Mayor Steve DeRuse, the Ebell Club, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Olive Lawn Memorial Park, Rotary of La Mirada, VFW Post 9148, VFW Auxiliary and past commander and president club.
Safely Dispose of Hazardous Waste for Free This Saturday at Regional
La Mirada~There will be a free Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste Recycling Roundup for La Mirada area residents on Saturday, May 21, at La Mirada Regional Park, in the Tennis Court Parking Lot on Adelfa Drive, in La Mirada from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Safely dispose of household hazardous waste such as antifreeze, unused pharmaceuticals, car batteries, used motor oil, paint, pesticides, home-generated sharps waste, e-waste, and more. It's a free and easy way to safely dispose of items that are too toxic to trash.
For more information, contact the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works at 1(888) CLEAN LA or www.CleanLA.com or the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County at 1 (800) 238-0172 or www.lacsd.org.
