Dames Says Collaboration Can Bring Bigger and Better Service
La Mirada~Pete Dames conducted his first meeting as President of the La Mirada Kiwanis Club for the 2014-1015 year on October 1st at the Holiday Inn Select in La Mirada. His major focus this coming year will be on collaboration with the City of La Mirada and with other service organizations in the area.
Dames retired from City Council in 2011 after over 17 years of service.
Regarding the La Mirada Kiwanis Club, Dames stated, “There is a wealth of talent and energy within the numerous organizations in our community including: our service
clubs and faith, education and business communities. Collaboration with each other and the City of La Mirada can bring bigger and better service to the ‘needs’ of our community in ways that make a real impact in the lives of others, particularly children.”
The Kiwanis Club consists of a weekly morning breakfast meeting on each Wednesday of the month at 7:15 a.m. at the La Mirada Holiday Inn Select at 14299 Firestone Blvd.
In addition, an evening group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Volunteer Center at 11900 La Mirada Blvd. Both sessions collaborate on all projects and provide opportunities for adults of all ages to be a part of the Kiwanis mission in the community.
La Mirada Library Getting First-Time Major Renovation
La Mirada~The public library in town will be renovated for the first time in its 45-year history with construction expected to begin next year.
The 15,704 square foot branch is part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library System and was constructed in 1969 around the same time as today’s city hall and has relatively remained unchanged since then with the exception of some minor interior improvements over the years.
As part of Supervisor Don Knabe’s “Operation Libraries” project, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors recently approved $45 million into the restoration of County libraries in the fourth district-with $4 million being allocated to La Mirada.
The County of Los Angeles Public Library is the 6th largest public library system in the United States with 85 branches.
A lease agreement is being finalized between the City and the County. Although the facility is owned and operated by the County; the City would manage the design and development of the project.
The renovated library is expected to include: adult, teen and children’s reading areas, a family early childhood area, self-check-out machines, staff work area offices, group study rooms, Wi-Fi, public access computers, library collection, displays, and a community meeting room with an enhanced audio-visual system.
Under the plan, interior renovation considerations would include modifications to the lighting, ceiling, and heating; improvements to electrical, mechanical and telecommunications infrastructure; installation of new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and signage; and ADA upgrades.
Exterior improvements would include modifications to the building entry and a civic art component.
A temporary library would be set up at a still undetermined location while the renovation is taking place.
The project is expected to commence in mid-2015 and be completed in 2016.
City Hosting Neff Estate Beautification Event
La Mirada~Community members ages 13 and over are invited to lend a helping hand to assist with beautifying and sprucing up the Neff Estate as the La Mirada Historical Preservation Advisory Council will participate in a Neff Estate Beautification event on Saturday, October 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Neff Estate covers 10 acres and consists of the three structures, all of which are registered on the National Register of Historic Places. The Neff Mansion built by La Mirada founder Andrew McNally dated 1892, the Carriage Barn 1894 and the George House 1895.
McNally built the “country home” for his daughter Nannie and new son-in-law Edwin Neff shortly after they were married. Neff was to manage McNally’s Windermere Ranch.
The City along with the Historical Council takes great pride in the estate and aims to preserve the location.
DOG EVENT: Bring Your Friend to Bark for Life Saturday at Neff Park
La Mirada~Bring your best canine friend and help the American Cancer Society save lives as Relay For Life of La Mirada hosts the 2nd annual Bark For Life Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Neff Park from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
You can show off your canine’s best Halloween outfit and trick and also enjoy the entertainment, raffles and vendors.
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and is $20.00 for the first dog and $10.00 for each additional dog per owner.
The Survivor Walk starts at 10:00 a.m. and there is a maximum of two dogs per person on the relay walk.
All dogs must be on leash and please be ready to clean up after your four-legged friends. Canine must be up to date on immunizations.
For more information email Joyce Herbon at jtherbon@yahoo.com, call (714) 813-1458 or visit www.relayforlife.org/barklamiradaca.
Freelance Photographer Featured on Discovery Channel Program to Guest at LM Arts Colony Meeting
La Mirada~The Arts Colony of La Mirada will hold their October meeting on Monday the 6th at 6:30 PM at the La Mirada Resource Center, 13700 La Mirada Blvd in the Civic Center.
The guest demonstrator will be Pamela Fall, a freelance photographer and artist based in Southern California. She combines her love for art and photography and has chosen to take a number of her images to a new level.
Her works are in collections around the world and were featured on a Discovery Channel program.
The art appreciating public is welcome to join us. For information check the Arts Colony website, www.acolm.com or call 562-941-4116.
Senate Candidate Mario Guerra to Speak at Chamber Breakfast
La Mirada~State Senate candidate Mario Guerra will be a guest speaker at the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce monthly Tuesday Breakfast at the Holiday Inn, 14299 Firestone Boulevard.
Guerra, 55, a Republican and a member of the Downey City Council will go up against Democrat Tony Mendoza for the 32nd state Senate District seat in the November 4th statewide general election.
Included in the district are the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Buena Park, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Lakewood, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier along with unincorporated areas of Hacienda Heights, Los Nietos and South Whittier
Guerra came from Cuba at the age of six and was raised locally. After majoring in economics he co-founded Scanlon-Guerra-Burke Insurance Brokers and has been serving as president. His firm was recently named one of the Top 10 largest brokerage firms in Southern California by the Los Angeles Business Journal..
The breakfast is open to the public and the cost is $15. For more information contact the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce at (562) 902-1970, visit the chamber website at http://www.lamiradachamber.org/ or email the chamber at info@lamiradachamber.org
La Mirada Rotary Plans Active Year in the Community
La Mirada~A busy slate of activities for the coming year is being planned by the Rotary Club of La Mirada, according to President Sean Bracey.
The projects and activities are contained in budget plans approved recently by club members.
“Rotary intends to be very active in La Mirada,” says Bracey. “Rotary has gained momentum locally in recent years, and we plan to increase our level of activity as we go forward.”
Rotarians recently volunteered at the fifth annual La Mirada Olive Fest held last month at Regional Park. Members assisted festival organizers in the setting up of the festival and the tear-down.
The Rotary Club is partnering with the Walmart Neighborhood Market to provide funding to support the Good Sam Pantry food distribution program at Beatitudes of Our Lord church. Rotary provided complete Thanksgiving meals through the pantry last year, and worked with Walmart’s Community Grants programs to expand support of the pantry during the holiday season. Rotary will also join with other service organizations, area businesses and local churches to support the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Foster Road Elementary School.
Jersey Mike’s Opening October 8th in La Mirada
La Mirada~Jersey Mike's is the latest eatery to open at the Croosroads Center and will open for business Wednesday, October 8th.
Franchise owner Alvaro Garcia will hold a grand opening and free sub fundraiser through Sunday October 12th to support various community schools and organizations including: Eastwood Elementary PTA; Heights Christian Schools; the La Mirada Soccer Association; Los Coyotes Middle School, and Biola University.
The new restaurant, located at 14873 Telegraph Road, is circulating 30,000 flyers throughout the community containing various coupons. For each coupon that is 
redeemed, Jersey Mike’s will donate $3 to the respective beneficiary. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible.
“Working with a variety of local organizations for our grand opening fundraiser is an opportunity to raise money and invite customers to try Jersey Mike’s highly authentic product,” said Garcia.
Started in 1956, Jersey Mike’s now has 1,300 restaurants open and under development nationwide. In just three years, the company has nearly doubled in size.
The La Mirada store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. You can contact the location directly at (562) 944-2088.
RIBBON CUTTING
The La Mirada Chamber of Commerce will host an official ribbon cutting for the new Jersey Mike’s/La Mirada Tuesday, October 7th at 11:45 a.m.
Expected to attend are chamber members, the La Mirada City Council & staff, members of the local police and fire departments and Jersey Mike’s officials.
Fire Erupts at Santa Fe Springs Warehouse Filling La Mirada Skies With Smoke
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| Smoke fills La Mirada skies at 5:09 p.m. an hour after a Santa Fe Springs fire began as seen in this photo sent in by LM Blog fan @behindthelens5 |
Santa Fe Springs~A huge fire broke out earlier this afternoon at a small warehouse, apparently storing paint, located at 12927 Sunshine Avenue in Santa Fe Springs filling La Mirada skies with thick smoke for several hours.
Santa Fe Springs fire officials say dispatch received the call shortly after 4:00 p.m. The department was joined by other neighboring fire agencies as the blaze eventually became a 4-alarm call.
As the fire roared, many small explosions were reported being heard near the scene including by the editor of this website on our Twitter feed.
La Mirada Blog fan @ClarissaAlcala1 reported the fire at 4:17 p.m. followed by fan @Usc_MahBoy at 4:18 p.m.
We reported the incident at 4:30 p.m. and you can read the posts as the event unfolded at twitter.com/lamiradablog.
No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.
Many streets were closed in the adjacent Sunshine Acres neighborhood of South Whittier.
La Mirada NJB Registration Now Open
La Mirada~ Registration is now open for winter league play for the La Mirada chapter of National Junior Basketball is a non-profit youth sports organization for boys and girls.
The program offers league play for grades 3-8. Teams will be formed and practices begin by late October and games are played starting in mid-November through February.
The program offers the opportunity for kids of all skill levels to play and enjoy the game of basketball.
Teams usually hold two to three practices per week during November, and no more than two practices per week beginning in December through the end of the season.
Practices are typically held at La Mirada High School, La Mirada Community Gym, or Los Coyotes Middle School. Most games are played at either La Mirada High School or the La Mirada Community Gym on Sundays.
Priority will be given to La Mirada residents registering with their La Mirada Address. La Mirada NJB must be made up of 75% La Mirada residents and 25% non-residents. This is done on a first-come first-serve basis. Players registering first will be guaranteed placement on a team. Once the league fills up all others will be placed on a waiting list.
For more information and registration, please visit the La Mirada NJB website at http://www.lamiradanjb.com or email us at lamiradanjb@hotmail.com.
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