La Mirada Garage Band Rockers From the 70’s Still Making Noise; Musician From La Mirada Opens For His Favorite Band
Profile of one of the Many Musicians from the La Mirada Garage Bands of the 1970's
La Mirada~The culture shock and tumulus times of the 1960's and 70's in our Nation, brought with it the rise and influence of rock and roll music in our society. Back then, garage bands were seemingly everywhere in La Mirada. Many of these performers, once kids growing up in La Mirada, now perform today as adults, mostly for the love of it. This is the story of one of those people:
When someone fulfills one of their lifelong dreams, it can't help but a put a smile on your face.
That's exactly what musician Don Brennan did this past February 24th, when he opened for his all-time favorite band America at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
"It was a dream come true, a huge thrill," said Brennan, in a recent phone interview with the La Mirada Blog.
Don Brennan was born and raised in La Mirada with his siblings Billy, Tom, Don, Edward and Jane. His parents, watched the progress of their home being built on Rio Blanco Drive in 1955, and they still live there today.
Brennan reflected on being raised in La Mirada, "As a kid, I didn't know any different at the time, but looking back, growing up in La Mirada was just great. Back then it was a new suburban community, but still had rural areas and wide-open spaces. It was the perfect balance of family homes, parks, family run businesses, and open fields to play in."
"The La Mirada Mall was great and is where I met my wife of almost 29 years now. I have so many good memories of La Mirada, like going on Saturdays to see the latest beach movie at the "Walk-In" as we called the theater back then. Also, we loved riding bikes to the La Mirada Bowling Alley, passing the construction site and anxiously awaiting for that new Love's Restaurant to open, the smell of the "Karmel Korn", watching Marlo Thomas light The Angel Tree, Engineer Bill at the Market Basket, and playing in Regional Park before it was a park," he recalls.
He attended St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School for first through eighth grades, and, in 1970 attended Neff High School, graduating in 1974, "Going to Neff from St. Paul was definitely a culture shock," he said.
He was saddened when Neff was shuttered in 1981 and ultimately demolished, "I rode my moped over and grabbed a brick of what was the left of the administration office. I still have it around here somewhere," he said from his home.
Today, Don lives in Chino with his wife Pam-they met at the old Woolco department store in La Mirada.
St. Paul of the Cross to Raffle a Honda “Fit”
La Mirada~On March 24 and 25, St. Paul of the Cross Parish will initiate its ‘Win a Car Campaign” to benefit the needs of the Church and School.
For over 50 years the St. Paul of the Cross school and church have served the spiritual needs of the Catholic residents from La Mirada and, according to the parish advisory boards, the Church and School are seeking the support of its community members and friends to continue to fulfill its mission.
Following each mass on Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25, the Honda “FIT” car will be displayed. Opportunity tickets will be $20 each and, for this weekend only, purchase 5 and get one free!
Tickets will be available from the parish center and school and following all weekend masses with the drawing to be held on October 14, 2012 at the annual Parish Fiesta.
Call (562) 921-2914 or visit splamir@msn.com for more information.
UPDATED: Assault on Police Officer Sparks Short Pursuit
La Mirada~A La Mirada man led authorities on a brief pursuit through Buena Park and La Mirada last evening, ultimately crashing his car and being taken into custody.
The crash occurred on Stage Road about 7 p.m. just west of Biola Avenue, and shut down the road for approximately two hour
s as officials investigated.
Jeremy Cass, 25, of La Mirada was booked at the Buena Park Police Department for striking a police officer with his vehicle-a felony.
Lt. Gary Worrall of the Buena Park PD told the La Mirada Blog, "A motor officer noticed a small truck being driven erratically in the area of Beach Blvd and Artesia. When the officer attempted to make contact with the driver, he rammed the officer with his vehicle, striking him twice. A pursuit then ensued through the north end of Buena Park and portions of La Mirada. He is being held for assaulting a police officer."
The pursuit lasted about ten minutes, with the vehicle crashing on Stage.
The Biola Chimes is reporting Cass stole the vehicle from his girlfriend earlier and that also a technique to end the pursuit was executed by the Buena Park PD.
Lt. Rivera of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station said the vehicle was not officially reported as stolen. He said La Mirada units were involved once the pursuit entered the city limits.
Rivera said, "We have arrested this individual in the past. Also, the Whittier Police Department had some "activity" with him earlier in the day regarding a family disturbance."
Update: According to records, it appears Cass was sentenced to 180 days in jail on November 17, 2011 at Downey Municipal Court for an unknown felony charge. It appears he served apporoximately 110 days and was released last month on February 12th. He currently remains housed in the Central Mens Jail without bail, awaiting his arraignment Wednesday March 15th in Santa Ana.
Photo: Buena Park and La Mirada police personnel at the scene of the crash moments after it occurred.
Continous Book Sale at La Mirada Library
Besides its two annual full day book sales, there is a continuing sales location just inside the entrance to the Library. There you will find books and magazines at very low prices. Stop by and see what’s available on a continuing basis.
La Mirada High Parents Forming New Group to Focus on Academics
As Seen in the La Mirada Lamplighter; Concerned Parents Battle Convoluted Reputation of School
La Mirada~Hoping to provide fresh new ideas, and keep La Mirada school kids in La Mirada, about 30 parents conducted a meeting at La Mirada High School this past Thursday night, attempting to form a new club, focusing on academics.
"We have a booster club for all the sports and other groups on campus, but none for academics," said Edward Eng, who along with teacher David Drago is spearheading an effort with other members of the school's Shared Decision Making Committee (SDMC) to form the Academic Booster Club-a group made up of parents, teachers, and students who hope to fill the perceived gap between the high school and the community.
The meeting was also attended by Principal Bill Seals and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District (NLMUSD) School Board member Chris Pflanzer.
Hoping to place more emphasis and focus on academics and achievement, the group wants to propose new initiatives, and concentrate on four areas: have La Mirada High become a California Distinguished School (there are only two in the district); look for grant opportunities; implement an Annual Career Day; and create a broader outreach program to middle schools in La Mirada-to retain students.
According to the Department of Education website, in order for a school to be eligible to apply to be a California Distinguished School , "schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements."
The unit also wants to form a committee to plan and execute student activities, to raise funds, inquire about donations/grants, and sponsor future school and community events.
"When my child was attending Los Coyotes (Middle School)," said Eng, "It was amazing to hear all the constant announcements about the success of the soccer team, or the track and field team, but nothing ever about the success we had there in academic competition."
The issue is, according to many who attended the meeting, is that La Mirada High School lacks the incentives and not sufficient enough to retain academically aggressive students, currently attending middle schools in La Mirada.
La Mirada Students Shine in the Municipal Spotlight
La Mirada~This year's version of the La Mirada Youth in Government again featured some of La Mirada High School's best and brightest students at the City Council Meeting this past Tuesday night.
Established in 1960, the city's Youth in Government program partners with the La Mirada Ebell Service Club and La Mirada High School to give students an opportunity to work with city officials and learn about municipal government. These students are given the assignment of reviewing community issues or existing programs and services, and then developing alternatives and providing recommendations for enhancing services and programs.
As part of the Youth in Government program, the Student City Council and staff are paired with their city counterparts at a special La Mirada City Council meeting where they conduct business just as a regular city council meeting would be conducted, serving as mock City Council members and staff, presenting their reports on local issues.
In the past, the Youth in Government program has actively contributed, and has seen recommended projects come to fruition, including the development of the La Mirada Community Gymnasium and the installation of left-turn signals at busy intersections.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Ruth Perez was on hand to watch the student give their presentations, along with School Board members Jesse Urquidi, Chris Pflanzer, Ed Hengler, and Daryl Adams.
This year's group of youngsters recommended two projects for review and discussion: utilizing social media by creating a mobile app for the city's website to better communicate and serve its residents and; upgrade La Mirada playgrounds to meet new ADA standards.
Each year, members of Congress and the State Assembly and Senate recognize the efforts of the Youth in Government students at the program's annual concluding ceremony.
This year's Youth in Government participants included Sunny Khokhor, Priscilla Lee, Sam Khattar, Jessica Duron, Matthew Alvarez, Brooklynn Ackerman, Olivia Tang, Janice Jang, Justin Rhee, Mark Sologuren, Breanne Flores, Christy Pflanzer , Eva Gaye, Mauricio Pavano, Mario Matal, Kevin Lim, Jorge Martinez, Nathan Decker, Marina Alvarez, Leticia Fonseca, Vanessa Ramirez, Uzair Mumtaz, and Brian Hanst.
Photos by City of La Mirada: above, 2012 Youth in Government Participants, right, Christy Pflanzer makes presentation with Marina Alvarez looking on.
Giant Rock’s Path Will Take it Through La Mirada
Mammoth Marvel Will "Park" in La Mirada Monday March 5th
La Mirada~The Great Granite is coming to La Mirada!
The 340-ton granite megalith that will form part of Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is scheduled to arrive in La Mirada in the early morning hours tonight after traveling through the Whittier Hills, down Colima Road during the night.
It will be “parked” at La Mirada Blvd and Leffingwell Road all day Monday, March 5th.
Then, late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, the Great Granite will continue its trek, continuing westbound on Leffingwell Road, turning left and traveling southbound on Valley View Avenue, then making a right at Rosecrans Avenue. It will travel westbound on Rosecrans, turn southbound on Carmenita Road in Norwalk, then on to its next “parking spot” in Cerritos.
You can follow the Bodacious Boulder's every move and get some great viewing tips by utilizing the excellent “Gawker's Guide” from the LACMA, which provides continuous updates.
After months of delays, the mammoth marvel left its quarry in Riverside County on February 28th and will make its way across four counties, 22 cities and 110 miles of s
urface streets to its home at LACMA. The journey for the rock will take a total of eleven nights, traveling about 8 miles per hour and only during the hours of 11:00pm and 5:00am.
The Rock will also be tweeting while it moves across the area, providing you with traffic updates and looking for things to do while it is not in transit during the day!
You can follow on Twitter @LACMARock to interact with the megalith or simply use the hashtag #LevitatedMass.
Photo LACMA
Motorcyclist Killed in Traffic Mishap
La Mirada~A motorcyclist was killed in a rush-hour accident at Valley View Avenue and Bora Drive in La Mirada yesterday morning about 8:00 a.m.
The motorcycle was traveling southbound on Valley View Avenue when it collided with the van, driven by Virginia Gomez. of La Mirada.
Gomez was making a left turn from eastbound Bora Drive to northbound Valley View Avenue.
The southbound traffic on Valley View was backed up, as it usually does at busy times, from the Rosecrans Avenue traffic signal.
Gomez said traffic was letting her through when she was hit by the motorcyclist broadside.
We have still been unable to obtain the victims name, however we have unconfirmed reports he was a local man.The man appeared to be in his 50's.
One of our La Mirada Blog tweeters Kat (@torirosey), reported he was due to get married this summer.
Neighbors at the scene say this has long been a very dangerous traffic spot, with many similar incidents happening over the years.
A makeshift memorial is now at the scene, put there by family and friends.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Norwalk Sheriff's Station at (562) 863-8711.
Photo left: Makeshift memorial now at scene; right, photo by La Mirada Blog tweeter (@moonsunstaroflm) moments after incident.
UPDATE: LAPD Guns Down Murder Suspect in La Mirada Neighborhood
BREAKING
"Hail of Bullets" Rattles La Mirada Neighborhood; We Have Exclusive Video with Eyewitness to Shooting
La Mirada~A man,allegedly a murder suspect, was shot and killed this morning in a quiet La Mirada neighborhood by LAPD.
The incident hap
pened about 8:43 a.m. at the corner of Escalona and Chesire.
Escalona School was temporarily placed on lock down.
We have exclusive video from an eyewitness here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SEK9Nhk0Js
UPDATE: The LAPD/FBI Task Force were serving warrant for November double-homicide in East LA area. The suspect fled out of his home and jumped on the roof of a neighbors house, and according to police, began firing at them with his firearm.
Photo by Tony Aiello: 12:34 030112-Authorites continue to collect evidence
Truck Crashes into Frontier Park
La Mirada~A delivery truck veered out of control and crashed into Frontier Park Wednesday afternoon during rush hour traffic.
Nobody was hurt at the park, and the driver was hospitalized with moderate injuries.
A firefighter on the scene said the man was "very lucky to be alive."
An unidentified employee at the Frontier Park Community Center said she heard others say the conscious driver did not know what happened, saying he just lost control of the truck.
The truck came to rest just short of an unoccupied picnic bench, slamming into a pine tree and disenegrating the front of the vehicle.
Luckily, even though the park was busy at the time, nobody was injured.
See a short video of the incident on our YouTube channel here: http://tinyurl.com/7b3hvf8
See an additional picture of the crash here: http://twitpic.com/8npq2m
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