Ducks Invade Splash! Aquatics Center
Popular Community Event Continues to Grow With Change of Venue
La Mirada~The 4th Annual "Going Quackers for Kids" Duck Race is happening on Saturday, April 23, 2011 after the city's Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast.
The first heat will start around noon at Splash! Aquatics Center, in Buccaneer Bay. The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada is spearheading the event, but has welcomed several local non-profit organizations and schools to earn money for their own projects. The grand prize is $2500. You can adopt a duck to compete in the race for just $5-or get 6 ducks for $25.
The community selling groups receive 50% of all duck/sponsor sales they take in. To find out what groups are participating, log on to the race website. Sponsors and selling groups are also given the opportunity to put up a tent at the race to explain their programs and needs.
SPONSORING THE RACE
There are various sponsorship levels (starting at $250). Each sponsor receives a duck in a special corporate sponsor race along with at least 50 ducks in the main race. Number of ducks for each race depends on the level of sponsorship. All sponsors are listed on the race website at www.duckrace.com/lamirada.
You can adopt ducks directly online or the Kiwanis Club will be happy to mail you an adoption paper. If you're interested in becoming a selling group, sponsoring the event or wanting more information, contact Debbie Scheibel (Head Duck) at (714) 670-0186.
Beatitiudes School to Hold its First Annual Spring Fundraiser
La Mirada~ Beatitudes of Our Lord School will hold its first annual spring fundraiser event called BLISS on April 9th, 2011 at the Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel. BLISS stands for Beatitudes Leading Its Successful Students. The event will include cocktails, dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions.
"The Beatitudes of Our Lord School BLISS Gala is nearly sold out and it is with great joy that we announce that the Most Reverend Oscar Solis, San Pedro Regional Bishop, will be our special guest of honor that evening." said Jim Young, BLISS Co-Chair. "We are also very thankful for all the Beatitudes families and La Mirada businesses like Gondola Pizza who have contributed their support to help make our event a success."
Learn How to Sketch Landscapes in Whittier Class
Whittier~Artist/instructor Jeanne Lazo will teach plein air sketching and painting techniques starting Thursday, April 7th (City of Whittier's Adult Education Program).
Students will meet 2 days a week-Tuesday mornings outdoors at local parks and Thursday afternoons in the classroom at Parnell Park-for a total of 9 class sessions.
Class fee is $90/22.5 hours of instruction. Contact the City of Whittier at (562) 464-3436, or register online at: www.cityofwhittier.org.
Disney Artist to Provide Free Art Demonstration
La Mirada~Juan "Magoo" Valencia, a fine arts graduate from the University of the Philippines, will demonstrate watercolor landscape painting at the monthly Arts Colony of La Mirada meeting on April 4th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Mr. Valencia's work is well known; he is a portrait and caricature artist at Disneyland and California Adventure.
The public is invited to attend the free art demonstration at the meeting to be held at the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Blvd.
For more information, call Madeline Thomas at 562-941-4116 or Paula Newman at 714-994-3535.
Little Known Restaurant Offers Extensive Menu
RESTAURANT REVIEW-Amber Waves
Mention the La Mirada Blog and receive 10% off your bill!
Buena Park~If you’re like me, you've probably driven past this restaurant a dozen times on Beach Boulevard, but were too mesmerized by all of the towering Knott’s Berry Farm roller coasters to even spot the restaurant!
Many nearby residents haven’t heard of this restaurant, as it is tucked away inside the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.
But don’t let that “hotel restaurant vibe” keep you from trying it out! This restaurant is decorated in a classy American theme with sections of the restaurant resembling states; California, Hawaii, and New York, just to name a few. The menu is a mix of California Cuisine with a fusion of Southwest, Asian, and American, all tied in together.
The food consists of comforting classics, and the menu always focuses on seasonal cooking. The head chef, Shannon, is an absolute gem, and has spent six years cooking and creating dishes at Amber Waves. “We love to play," says Shannon. "We love special requests--ask for anything you want!”
Living Faith Church Recognizes Community Leaders
La Mirada~Living Faith Church gave out their first annual community awards at their Sunday service on March 13.
Pastor Jack Miranda first gave an award to Dr. Jean Maddox for her 13 years service as Principal of Foster Road Elementary School. She was given a Foster Road street sign that was obtained from the City when they changed out the street signs some years ago.
Next, Christine Albanese, Deputy District Attorney was awarded the Angel's Wings Award for all she does "under the radar" as she teaches a 5th grade class on life issues.
Newly reelected councilman Steve Jones was given an award in recognition of the fine leadership of our City Council. Retiring City Council members (after 17 years of service) Hal Malkin and Pete Dames were given awards in appreciation of their service to La Mirada.
Members of the local service clubs including Ebell, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Foster Road PTA, La Mirada Community Services and El Camino High School Positives Alternative Club were all recognized for their community service.
The chair-persons for Relay For Life and La Mirada Calvary Chapel were given awards for their tremendous service to the Community.
Lou & Sylvia Piltz, and Gerald & Harriette Peebler were given awards for seventy years of marriage.
It was a great recognition of those serving the Community and we look forward to many more of these programs.
ADVISORY: Coyote Sightings Being Reported in La Mirada
La Mirada~A dog was killed March 4th in La Mirada, in the Santa Gertrudes/Foster area, by a coyote, witnessed by its owner.
When Valerie Griego-Hirsch let her pet Chihuahua Pismo, out to use the grass for what dogs use it for, a coyote came out of nowhere and snatched the dog. When Valerie screamed, the coyote was startled and dropped the dog. However, Pismo was injured and died in her arms.
There has been an outcry from the community for authorities to address the issue of coyotes in La Mirada. There is also a checkered history of coyote attacks in the city. Read the multiple postings of residents on our Facebook page available at www.facebook.com/lamiradablog. You do not have to be a member of Facebook to read the postings.
There was also a sighting of two younger coyotes in the 13900 block of Mansa Drive early in the morning of March 12th around 3 a.m.
We are advising residents in La Mirada to be especially vigilant when it comes to preventing coyote attacks-especially those residents living near the Coyote Hils, Coyote Creek, La Mirada Creek, Milan Creek, and the La Mirada Golf Course.
Near the end of the winter season coyotes are more desperate for food, They are usually active in neighborhoods from 2-5 a.m. Small children and small pets should be especially guarded at all times.
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Church to Acknowledge Community Members
La Mirada~Living Faith Church will host its first annual "Celebrate Community" event Sunday, March 13th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Foster Road Elementary School in La Mirada.
The church will be acknowledging individuals and orginazations for their contributions to the community.
Scheduled to be honored are: Mayor Pete Dames and City Councilman Hal Malkin, both retiring after 17 years on the council.
Also acknowledged will be Cristine Albanese, Deputy District Attorney for La Mirada who on her own, teaches a fifth-grade class at Foster Road on life skills; and Dr. Jean Maddux, principal at Foster Road.
Also, Gerald & Harriet Peebler, longtime La Mirada residents who own and operate Olive Lawn Mortuary. They have been in La Mirada since the mid-50's and are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this month; and Lou and Sylvia Piltz, also celebrating their 70th in June. Lou is a former City Councilman and Mayor.
Calvary Chapel will be presented as the "MVC" (Most Valuable Church), for "all they have done" for the community including supplying shoes and hoodies for elementary school children in La Mirada and much more.
The church will also acknowledge service groups in La Mirada including Kiwanis, Ebell, Rotary, and the Foster Road PTA, for its annual Thanksgiving Dinner.
La Mirada City Council Election Results
Today is the Municipal Election for La Mirada City Council. There are three seats open. Check back here tonight for results. We will have immediate results of the absentee count on our Twitter feed around 8:45 pm. And ultimately the unofficial count by end of evening posted here. You can check our Twitter feed on the badge below, or go direct to twitter.com/lamiradablog
Unofficial Final Results LM City Council | |
Steve Jones | 2526 |
Steve DeRuse | 1494 |
Larry Mowles | 1429 |
Paul Brown | 1267 |
Andrew Sarega | 1141 |
See video update here: http://tinyurl.com/4p263ok
Watercolor Artist Demonstrates New Techniques
La Mirada~The public is invited to attend the Arts Colony of La Mirada meeting on March 7th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Watercolor artist Lillian Maglione will demonstrate the art of building surfaces to create collage techniques in watercolor based on the teachings of artist/author Gerald Brommer.
The meeting, open to the public free of charge, will be held at the La Mirada Resource Center, 13710 La Mirada Blvd.
For more information, call Madeline Thomas at 562-941-4116 or Paula Newman at 714-994-3535.