La Mirada Business to Host Turkey Giveaway
Community

La Mirada Business to Host Turkey Giveaway

La Mirada~IQAir North America/La Mirada will host a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway at its headquarters on Friday, Nov. 21, from 8-11 a.m. (or until supplies run out).

Individuals and families are welcome to stop by the company’s headquarters during the event to receive a free turkey. The company will give away a total of 100 turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis. The limit is one per household.

“As a member of the La Mirada community, IQAir is honored to have this opportunity to give back to our neighbors,” said Glory Dolphin, CEO of IQAir North America, Inc. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have and to share our gifts with others.”

As a family-owned business, we view this as an opportunity to reach out to other families in our community, especially to those who may be in need, said Dolphin.

Any leftover turkeys will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for distribution to hungry and needy people throughout Los Angeles County.

La Mirada to Honor Veterans at Observance Event
Community

La Mirada to Honor Veterans at Observance Event

La Mirada~The City’s 10th annual Salute to Veterans Event will be held on Monday, Nov. 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd.

This free event is open to all ages and will honor the courageous men and women who have served in the armed forces throughout this nation’s history, along with special recognition of La Mirada service members.

The event reception will include a special patriotic ceremony which will pay tribute to the veterans. Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #9148 will post the nation’s colors. There will be a veteran slideshow and a presentation of retired military banners to service men and women who have returned home.

The Military Vehicle Owners of Orange County will have a military vehicle display and Jeremiah Pauley from the Wounded Warrior Project will be the guest speaker. Local veterans will also be present to share their stories, photographs and memorabilia in the Theatre lobby and Veteran attendees are encouraged to wear Service Dress, Class B or equivalent attire.

On the following day, Veterans’ Day, the VFW Post #9148 will host a Veterans observance in the La Mirada Civic Center Plaza at 11 a.m.

Associated Students of Cerritos College Hosting Veterans Event
Community

Associated Students of Cerritos College Hosting Veterans Event

Norwalk~The Associated Students of Cerritos College will honor and show gratitude to the men and women who sacfrifce so much for our country by hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony Monday, November 10th at 11:00 a.m.

The event will take place on the steps of the Burnight Theater on the school campus.

Speaking at the ceremony will be Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Cerritos College Board of Trustee President Carmen Avalos, Associated Students of Cerritos College President Miles Aiello, and many student Veterans.

Additionally, there will be life performances by the Cerritos College Concert band and a silent auction by the Artist Society of Cerritos College.

Afterwards, visitors are invited to stop by the Veterans Resource Center for an open house from 12:30-1:30.

For more information contact Cynthia Chavez at cchavez@cerritos.edu.

Area Residents Invited to Participate in Free Tire Recycling Event
News

Area Residents Invited to Participate in Free Tire Recycling Event

La Mirada~The cities of Cerritos, Downey, La Mirada, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, and Santa Fe Springs are hosting a FREE used tire collection event this Saturday November 8th from 9am-1pm at La Mirada Community Gym Parking Lot.

All residents of these cities are welcome with proof of residency required.

You can help ensure that all used tires are collected safely and recycled. Residents can transport up to 9 tires maximum per trip and multiple trips are okay. Please bring passenger and light truck tires only. NO semi-truck, construction equipment or agricultural tractor tires are accepted.

Tires from businesses and non-profits will not be accepted. ALL tires must be removed from the rims.

Help keep our cities clean and green. For more information about this event please call 562-902-2385 or 562-944-4766.

The La Mirada Community Gym is located at 15105 Alicante Road in La Mirada.

Measure G Barely Passes
Schools

Measure G Barely Passes

Norwalk~Needing 55 percent of the vote to pass, Measure G was approved by voters with unofficially, 56.33 percent of the tally.

Totals indicate 7,043 people (56.33%) voted yes on the measure and 5,461 (43.67%) voted no according to the County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder office.

Dulles Elementary Staff Recognized for Rescuing Choking Second-Grader
Schools

Dulles Elementary Staff Recognized for Rescuing Choking Second-Grader

La Mirada~The quick-thinking staff members at Dulles Elementary, including one teacher’s aide who performed the Heimlich maneuver, are being hailed for rescuing a second-grade boy who began choking while eating his lunch in the school cafeteria this month.

“I’m extremely proud of their quick and calm response to this life-threatening situation,” said Dulles Elementary School Principal Robin Padget. “I’ve always known of their dedication to students, but this serves as a wonderful example of how they will go above and beyond to ensure that our children are safe.”

On Oct. 2, Kevin Sandoval was eating his lunch when he began choking and hit his hands on the table. Caryn Cerda, a teacher’s assistant who works with the school’s special education students, including Kevin, noticed that Kevin was turning red. She and fellow teacher’s assistant Jimmy Perez immediately responded, with Perez calmly performing the Heimlich maneuver multiple times until the food was dislodged from his throat. The two staff members were assisted by custodian Juan Lara.

“I am very glad that Mr. Jimmy was there next to my son because he saved my son’s life,” said Kevin’s mother, Lucy Sandoval, adding that Kevin is a happy and outgoing kid who loves to ride his bike and give lots of hugs. “I love my son so much and I don’t even want to think about what might have happened if Mr. Jimmy wasn’t there.”

Norwalk-La Mirada Voters to Decide Whether or Not to Fund Schools, Again.
Schools

Norwalk-La Mirada Voters to Decide Whether or Not to Fund Schools, Again.

Norwalk~Tomorrow, voters in Norwalk and La Mirada will decide if they again want to subsidize the school system and approve a bond on the November 4th ballot.

The Board of Education of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has placed a $375 million dollar bond on the ballot they say is needed to modernize the schools-just 12 years after they asked for $165 million in 2002.

Opponents say:

-We are still paying for Measure S in 2002 and residents will essentially be “double-taxed” for the next 23 years.

-Measure G upgrades and proposals were supposed to be accomplished in 2002 with Measure S bond.

-La Mirada residents paid for the construction of La Mirada Stadium why should they pay for two proposed stadiums at Norwalk and John Glenn High for $100 million?

-There is insufficient room at Norwalk and Glenn campuses for new stadiums.

-Measure G is a “blank check” with the allocation of the bond proceeds possibly altered in the future by State actions and other variables.

-Of the $375 million asked for, only $160 million is for urgent infrastructure needs-the rest are “feel-good” wish list projects.

https://www.facebook.com/VoteNoOnMeasureG

Proponents say:

-The bond will pay for the repair of deteriorating classrooms, fix leaky roofs and bathrooms and remove asbestos paint.

-Will pay for the upgrade of science and computer labs and physical education facilities.

-Will fund improvements to campus security including fencing, fire proofing, smoke alarms, and communications systems.

-Includes tough accountability provisions and safeguards, every penny is required by law to be spent locally.

-Will provide air-conditioning in all adequate spaces on campuses.

-Will provide instructional technology and wiring projects at every school.

www.facebook.com/NorwalkLaMiradaVoteYesonG.

If Measure G passes, homeowners will pay $60 per $100,000 assessed value on their homes per year for the next 52 years. The assessed value is usually 50% or lower of the market value.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.


OBITUARY: Giant La Mirada Community Member and Original La Mirada Business Owner
News

OBITUARY: Giant La Mirada Community Member and Original La Mirada Business Owner

OBITUARY: GERALD PEEBLER

La Mirada lost a giant in the community last Monday as Gerald Peebler, owner of Olive Lawn Memorial Park passed away this past Monday at the age of 96.


Gerald Peebler at the La Mirada Blog Fest August 21, 2012 where he was honored as a "La Mirada Legend."

He was a member of La Mirada Kiwanis, a former president of the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and long-time community servant.

He was the lore of La Mirada in every sense of the word.

He was born September 20, 1918 in Canada and first arrived in La Mirada in 1928 when his dad Byron Peebler and a partner eventually took over an abandoned cemetery at Luitwieler (LM Blvd) and Alicante (at that time an extension of Rosecrans). The cemetery original opened in 1924.

His first memory of La Mirada was as a a fourteen year-old kid in 1932, saying in 2012, “There were solid olive tree groves across the street (today’s Biola University), scary groves, dark groves.”

The cemetery formerly known as Graceland, was renamed Olive Lawn-named after those many trees nearby from the McNally Ranch.

While they were helping run Olive Lawn part-time, the Peebler kids including Gerald, helped their parents Byron and Ethel, run the Coachella Valley’s first successful laundry business in Indio from 1927-47.

In 1947, Byron Peebler and Ethel moved to La Mirada full-time to run Olive Lawn as they took over full ownership of the cemetery.

In 1946, Gerald and his wife Harriet opened and operated the “first drive-through cleaners in the country” in Santa Ana until 1972.

Gerald and Harriet were married in in 1941 after meeting in 1939 when Harriet was a sophomore at a high school in Indio.

Gerald and Harriet took over full operation of Olive Lawn Memorial Park in 1977 until recently as their son Scott has now taken over operation and ownership.

In 2011 to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, Gerald, 93, and Harriet, 90, traveled across the country alone in their automobile to visit relatives in Connecticut and places in-between with Gerald driving all 9,000+ miles himself over the 50-day trip.


Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Peebler at their home at Olive Lawn being interviewed for the the La Mirada history book, "Reflections from McNally's Mirror" -June 21, 2012.

Mr. Gerald Peebler is survived by his wife of 73 years, Harriet;  Sister Betty Mitchell, Mountain View, AK; Son Scott, La Mirada; Daughter Jan Delmonte, CT; Granddaughter Heather & her husband Andy Bevilacqua, Millford, CT; Granddaughter Kayse & her husband Jon Pratt, Elkgrove, CA; Grandson Seth, La Mirada; Great Grandchildren, Emily, Nathaniel, Jennifer, Jeff, Jillian, and Joseph.









GERALD PEEBLER MEMORIAL SERVICES:

Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014

Chapel of Memories, 12626 Woods Avenue, Norwalk.


1:00-2:00 p.m. Viewing

2:30-3:30 p.m. Memorial Service

4:00-6:00 p.m. Reception-La Mirada Activity Center

League Title Game  Moved to Goodman Stadium
Sports

League Title Game Moved to Goodman Stadium

La Mirada~One game will decide the 2014 Suburban League Football Championship and it has been moved to Goodman Stadium at La Mirada High.

The La Mirada Matadores (5-0, 8-1) will play the Norwalk Lancers (5-0, 7-2) this Friday November 7th with both teams undefeated in league and a title on the line.

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Excelsior Stadium (Norwalk’s home field), but it was likely moved because La Mirada features a better turf and facilities.

The Matadores will be on the visitors side of the field. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

OBITUARY: Former Manager of Chamber of Commerce and Active Community Member
News

OBITUARY: Former Manager of Chamber of Commerce and Active Community Member

OBITUARY: EVELYN LEONARD

She was office manager for the Greater La Mirada Chamber of Commerce when it was considered one of the most prestigious in all of Southern California

Evelyn R. Leonard was born on August 4, 1925, in Wilmington, California, to George and Ruth (Smith) Hendrickson. She passed away last month on October 10, 2014 in Whittier, California at the age of 89. She was a second generation "native" and was raised in Inglewood, California.

Evelyn graduated from Inglewood High School and Los Angeles City College, with a major in International Relations.

She met and married, Robert “Bob” Leonard, who also is another second generation “native.”

She is also survived by her two sons, Paul and Matthew, who were born before the 1960 move to the present home in La Mirada.


The history of La Mirada caught Leonard's eye as seen in this 1965 drawing.

Evelyn was involved in the activities of their new community, La Mirada, an involvement that has been shared by the couple during their 54 year residence in La Mirada.

She was the first director of the La Mirada Youth Employment Service in 1968, and two years later, the office manager of La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.

Evelyn and Bob are also Life Members of the Friends of the La Mirada Library. She was very active with the library and actually spent nights at the library watching the books that were on sale at the annual book sales back when the events were held outside the building.

Mrs. Leonard was also very active in helping with the preservation of La Mirada’s history.

She left the Chamber in 1984 to become a "full time" volunteer, enjoy her family, travel and take care of a home that was always open to international guests.

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