A Message From New Lamplighter Publisher
After 24 years , the Newspaper That Evolved With the City, is Coming Back
Dear La Mirada residents:
Welcome to your new-only in age-La Mirada Lamplighter.
As President, Publisher and Owner of Hews Media Group, we are very excited about the Lamplighter and hope to carry on the tradition that Dick Hurley started years ago. We have recruited local resident Tony Aiello as Associate Editor, and he will have a few other writers covering La Mirada. The paper will feature (in the beginning) La Mirada stories on the front page and two to four center pages, with a mix of community news (including La Mirada) from other cities that we cover-cities that are neighbors to La Mirada. News coverage will include City Council/Planning Commission meetings, local events, school news, club news, feature columns, sports, and we will have an Opinion page where residents are encouraged to discuss and debate local issues.
Here is a quick rundown on of the HMG personnel:
Most of us were born with ink in our veins. I am part of a third generation newspaper family and have been in the community newspaper industry for over 30 years.
My grandfather started Wave Newspapers in Los Angeles which grew to the largest community newspaper in the nation during the 1990's, having 280,000 circulation, over 840,000 readers each week.
I purchased Los Cerritos Community Newspaper in 2002 which now publishes 40,000 papers per week, 120,000 readers, and is home delivered to seven cities: Cerritos, Artesia, Lakewood, Hawaiian Gardens, Pico Rivera, La Palma, and Norwalk.
REVIEW: “The 39 Steps” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
La Mirada~"The 39 Steps" is a pure mixture of imagination and creativity, bringing the audience into a realm of fantasy where over one hundred and fifty characters are played by a cast of only four.
It is a constant rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns- incorporating laugh out loud comedy, a thrilling adventure of suspense, and even a dash of romance.
Patrick Barlow creates a masterpiece, based off of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film of the same name. The play features spies, mysteries and thrills strewn together in an adaptation perfect for any age.
The plot is a gem- but it doesn't stop at that! The cast is an absolute delight and the scene changes are executed flawlessly; from trains, planes, to automobiles!
Cast member Dana Green steals the start of the show with her charm and perfect accent playing the character Annabella Schmit, and continues to wear many hats throughout the show. Fellow actor, Andrew Borba, is convincing playing the witty and comical, Richard Hannay.
The La Mirada Theatre pulls off a great show and it's no surprise that 39 Steps has already won two Tony Awards. This is a show that you won't want to miss!
The 39 Steps runs through February 12th. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the box office at (562) 944-9801
Iconic La Mirada Newspaper Makes Its Return
La Mirada~The La Mirada Lamplighter newspaper is returning to La Mirada after a 24-year hiatus.
The new La Mirada Lamplighter will debut Friday, January 27th, 2012 according to Los Cerritos Community News publisher, Brian Hews, who has resurrected the paper.
Hews' network of newspapers currently serves readers in Cerritos, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens, Norwalk, Lakewood, and La Palma.
According to the Library of Congress, the paper started in 1955 as part of the Buena Park News the Weekender. In 1964 it became a twice weekly, ending in 1988.
Dick Hurley, the Lamplighter's popular managing editor, ran the newspaper from 1955-80.
The paper peaked in the 70's and has become a very popular, almost cult-like memory for this nostalgia-craving town.
The new edition is expected to be printed weekly on Fridays, being delivered to drop-spots at key locations throughout La Mirada, with a circulation of 15,000 and an estimated readership of 42,000.
At this time, home delivery will not commence until the first weekend following the Friday print issue, with plans calling for all La Mirada homes to receive an issue, free of charge.
Yours truly has been named the Associate Editor, working alongside Editor-in-Chief, Jerry Bernstein. Send your press releases, news stories, and comments to me at news@lamiradablog.com.
Visit us on our Lamplighter Facebook page and tell us how happy you are to have the La Mirada Lamplighter back: http://tinyurl.com/87tfmgj
Photo: The La Mirada Volunteer Center is excited, after reading the Lamplighter trial edition in December.
Look for the new La Mirada Lamplighter at these and other fine area establishments:
Amy's Cafe 14228 Imperial Hwy
Asian Palace Buffet 15028 Rosecrans Avenue
Beauty Supplies Too 15864 Imperial Highway
Best Care Dental 15651 Imperial Hwy
Bestway Supermarkets 12721 Valley View
Bonjour Bagel Cafe 15010 La Mirada Blvd
Breezewood Village Senior Apts 16000 Grayville Dr
Camping World 14900 Firestone Blvd
Carriage Coffee Shop 14871 Imperial Hwy
Family Orthodontic Center 14930 Imperial Highway
IHOP Restaurant 15140 La Mirada Blvd
La Mirada Community Dental 14930 Imperial Highway
La Mirada Family Dentistry 15071 East Imperial Highway
La Mirada Golf Course 15501 East Alicante Road
La Mirada Landmark Adult Community 13710 Avenida Santa Tecla
La Mirada Council Passes Resolution to Postpone Redevelopment Dissolution; New Community Commissioner Named
La Mirada~The city council on Tuesday passed resolution 12-06 to support legislation, along with other area cities of SB 659, which will temporarily postpone the dissolution of redevelopment agencies in the state.
With the passing of recent bill ABX1 26, the state has essentially told city redevelopment agencies to shut down shop.
“This is a travesty”, City manager Tom Robinson said, “The state is eliminating organizations that do a billion dollars worth of good.”
Many city agencies are scrambling to react and hope to postpone the shutdown to at least April 15th-which SB 659 will provide.
A series of events must take place in the State Legislature by February 1st however, to make that happen, including a call for a special session.
With that February 1st deadline looming, the city redevelopment agency may have performed its last action as an official body. The Lamplighter has asked several area city managers, including our own Tom Robinson to comment on the end of redevelopment. Their comments can be found on page 7.
NEW CITY COMMISSIONER NAMED
La Mirada native, Kenny Meyer was sworn in as the city’s latest commissioner.
Kenny will serve on the Community Services Commission for an unexpired term ending in June 2013.
Kenny was born and raised in La Mirada, and has been very involved in youth sports programs over the years.
He has served as an assistant for the La Mirada High School freshmen football for ten years, and initiated a study session program for the players.
Congress Passes Sánchez Legislation Honoring Former La Mirada Councilman
Congresswomans' Bill Renames La Mirada Post Office for Wayne Grisham
Recently, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 2158, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) which honors the accomplishments of long-time civic leader and public servant, the Honorable Wayne Grisham (R-La Mirada).
H.R. 2158 designates the U.S. Post Office located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, CA, as the “Wayne Grisham Post Office.”
“Wayne Grisham was a man of principle and great personal integrity who believed in a civil political discourse,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Every public servant should show the same dedication as Wayne showed for our local community. Wayne truly believed in helping people and his hard work as a member of La Mirada City Council, the California State Assembly, and Congress has left an enduring impact on the community.
I look forward to the day when people will be able to see the Wayne Grisham Post Office and be reminded of the dedication of a true public servant.”
Improvements in West La Mirada Continue
La Mirada~The second phase of the Foster Park Improvements project continues in the area bounded by Imperial Highway to the north, Milan Creek to the south, Clearwood Avenue to the east, and Marquardt Avenue to the west.
Storm drain piping and catch basins have been installed to prevent street flooding and redirect the water to underground storm drains. Relocation of water and sewer pipe, street tree removal, and replacement and resurfacing of all streets continues within the project area.
The $4.8 million project is funded with Redevelopment and Community Development Block Grant funds.
"The current state of the project reflects a completion level of approximately 55 percent," says Public Works Director Steve Forster. "The third phase of improvements is being finalized and should be ready to bid by the time Phase 2 is complete by spring 2012."
Work currently in progress includes reconstruction of Marquardt Avenue, and parkway landscape repairs. Work south of Foster Road is expected to begin in the beginning of next year, however, with recent developing news regarding redevelopment agencies being eliminated by the state, this final phase could be in jeopardy.
For more information, call Public Works at (562) 902-2385.
Beatitudes to Host Annual Open House
La Mirada~Beatitudes of Our Lord School will hold its annual Open House on Sunday January 29th from 9:00am to 12:00pm. All are welcome to tour the school and learn about the outstanding education and extracurricular programs Beatitudes offers kindergarten through eighth grade students.
In addition, the Beatitudes School Choir will perform during the 10:00am mass and at the continental breakfast that will be served in Marron Hall following Mass.
Local Restaurant to Host Fundraiser for Elementary School
Whittier~A fundraiser will be held Tuesday, January 24th between 4-9 p.m. for Scott Ave Elementary School in Whittier.
The host site will be the KFC in Whittier at 16161 Leffingwell Rd (Leffingwell Rd & First Ave).
The school will receive 20% of all pre-tax sales when presented with a flyer to a store salesperson. Grab some dinner and help Scott Ave Elementary raise money to assist kids in their education.
The flyer can be downloaded online at http://ewcsd.org/schools/scottave/ or at www.facebook.com/kfcwhittier. For additional information contact KFC Whittier’s Richard Hopkins at rhopkins03@verizon.net or (562) 943-1818.
City Shopping Campaign Continues Through January 31st
La Mirada~The holidays may be a distant memory, but the City of La Mirada's eligibility deadline for its holiday shopping program goes through January 31st.
For every $300 shoppers spend in La Mirada, they can redeem their receipts for a $5 voucher valid toward the purchase of Splash! and Theatre tickets or city recreation classes. Shoppers can redeem up to $1,500 in receipts for a maximum of $25 in vouchers.
This program encourages community members to shop La Mirada whenever possible, year-round, including gas and groceries, to help boost sales tax dollars -the city's single largest revenue source.