La Mirada Lamplighter Publisher Under Fire for Fake News Story
Los Angeles~In a startling departure from traditional standards of journalism, Los Cerritos Community News and La Mirada Lamplighter publisher Brian Hews claims the ability to read the minds of people with whom he has neither met nor spoken with.
In a series of sworn statements made under oath, Mr. Hews made several astonishing admissions regarding the fake news story that he authored and published falsely accusing Central Basin Municipal Water District Board Member Leticia Vasquez and Montebello City Councilwoman Vanessa Delgado of attempted bribery and extortion.
The June 26, 2016 article states that during a meeting with Cook Hills Properties LLC officials, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Delgado attempted to extort money from and solicit bribes from officials of the Newport Beach real estate development company.
Cook Hills’ officials, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Delgado have all provided sworn statements in Ms. Vasquez’s Los Angeles Superior Court defamation lawsuit (Case No. BC658053) against Mr. Hews denying the allegations and stating that the whole story is fabricated.
La Mirada Library Hosting Halloween Events for Kids and Pets
Great ways for kids and pets to celebrate Halloween are on slate for the La Mirada Library this month.
October 27th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Practice your reading skills with a friendly and gentle dog! Read to a trained therapy dog and volunteer handler from the Pet Prescription Team. Recommended for school age children. Parent permission and sign-up is required.
October 28th at 10:00 a.m. Meet and greet dogs, cats, and rabbits of various breeds and colors. Come meet and greet the stars of this amazing library tour. Keep the fun going with the on-site adoption opportunities. All ages welcome!
October 28th at 10:00 a.m you can have fun designing your own mask. Wear it for Halloween or just for fun. There will be several themes to choose from.
October 31st Celebrate Halloween at the La Mirada Library! Come dressed in your Halloween costume and enjoy an afternoon of Swazzle’s Musical Monster Mash-Up puppet show from 6:00-6:45 p.m followed by a tasty treat. All ages are welcome to attend. Recommended for children 5 - 10 years-old and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the La Mirada Library.
For more info view the event flyers here.
Rosecrans/Marquardt Separation Project Community Meeting at Resource Center
La Mirada~Residents are invited to the Rosecrans/Marquardt Separation Project community meeting to be held Tuesday, October 17 at the La Mirada Resource Center from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with presentations at 4:30 and 6:00.
Long recognized as the most hazardous rail crossing in the state by regulators, construction is expected to begin in just over a year on a project that will grade separate the Santa Fe Springs intersection above the BNSF railroad tracks.
Three deaths and 20+ incidents have occurred there from 2013-2015, many we reported right here. The railroad tracks cross through the intersection diagonally, apparently making it more difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see oncoming trains.
The industrial intersection is located about a football field south of the La Mirada city limits. The southwest corner was a haven for West La Mirada teenagers and their dirt bikes in the 70’s when it was just a huge dirt lot, as this writer can personally attest to.
La Mirada area residents have been hearing the train horns well before incorporation since the tracks were laid in the late 19th century.
The Metro Transportation Authority (Metro) will oversee the $137 million+ funded project and along with Caltrans, they have studied ways to improve the crossing.
In March 2016, Metro identified a preferred alternative to grade separate Rosecrans and Marquardt from the railway after two community meetings were held in La Mirada to discuss various options.
Since then, the project team has been working on refining the alternative, completing the environmental process, and getting the project ready for construction.
At the upcoming community meeting on October 17, residents will learn more about the status of the environmental and design process and the anticipated next steps leading to the construction phase and be able to provide feedback.
Oh, and those train horns.
Just up the tracks to the east, the Valley View Avenue Separation Project was completed in 2014. So, when the Rosecrans project is complete, train horns will not be heard in this area for the first time in over 120 years.
Construction is expected to begin in 2019 and be completed sometime in 2021.
Latest La Mirada Ticker
Tickets are now on sale for “The Magic of Christmas” by the Young Americans, a spectacular show playing again at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this holiday season.
The popular La Mirada “Dollar Theatre” at Adelfa and Rosecrans has apparently has been bought by the AMC theater chain and is now the AMC Classic-La Mirada 7. At one time, admission for the dollar theatre was actually $1.00 when it debuted way back when. Grapevine rumors are indicating AMC plans call for a major remodel that will include ultra-reclining seats and a bar with food entrees. Stay tuned.
Speaking of beer, after a long process, right next door to AMC, Cabo Taco Baja Grill appears to be another step closer to the city allowing them to serve beer and wine in their remodeled patio. It’s long overdue-good news!
Last chance to enjoy Buccaneer Bay for the season is Saturday, October 14th. For additional information, call (562) 943-7277 or visit splashlamirada.com.
The La Mirada Symphony recently announced their new Board of Directors-David Derks, President; Hiten Ratanjee, Treasurer/Director of Finance; Pilar Graves, Secretary; Chris Kawate, Director of Ways and Means and Antoniette Saunders, Creative Director.
Reunited and It Feels So Good; Theatre Piano Used By Bennett in ‘77 Restored by Same Piano Man for Special Reunion Concert in La Mirada
By Brooklynn Ackerman
La Mirada~As you may or may not know, this year marks the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Art’s 40th anniversary and in celebration of this milestone, Tony Bennett is returning to the stage where he performed back in September of 1977 for the Theatre’s grand opening night.
On Thursday night October 12, 2017 the theatre is not only welcoming back Bennett, but also welcoming back its old piano, the same piano Bennett played on 40 years ago. But the chain of homecomings doesn’t stop there.
The piano Bennett played on that opening night in 1977 was installed and tuned by a man named Ed Whitting. Mr. Whitting prepared the piano for opening night and had the pleasure of meeting Bennett. After all these years the piano was retired and replaced, as it was in need of major repairs and adjustments to get it back into its old tune.
In preparation for this big night, the city financed the piano’s restoration and so Mr. Whitting was called upon to work his magic and prepare the piano once again. Mr. Whitting will complete the restoration of the Theatre’s old piano just in time for Bennett’s show.
This grand reunion adds to excitement of the night as well as to the extensive history of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Stories such as these truly highlight how theatre has been and will continue to be such vital part of our community.
Free Mulch Distribution, Paper Shredding, and E-Waste Collection Event
The City of La Mirada and EDCO Disposal will be sponsoring a free mulch distribution event for La Mirada residents on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. in the parking lot at the La Mirada Community Gymnasium, 15105 Alicante Road.
Mulch is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil cool, and make the garden bed more attractive. This is a self-serve, self-loading service, and residents must bring their own cans/bags and shovel. There will be a limit of three cans/bags per vehicle. Bring a tarp to cover the material if hauling in an open truck or trailer.
Residents can also protect the security of their confidential information by shredding personal documents. Certified shredding trucks will be present during the event and all items will be shredded on-site. Quantities are limited to three bankers boxes (10”x12”x15”) per household. Unwanted electronics waste (e-waste) will also be collected including TVs, computer monitors, printers, fax machines, VCRs, etc.
This event is limited to La Mirada residents only. Please bring proof of residency (i.e. CA Driver's License or utility bill). Residents are asked to enter the Community Gymnasium parking lot from Alicante Road. Household Hazardous Waste will not be accepted at this event.
For additional information, contact the Public Works Department at (562) 902-2385.
Over 300 Attend La Mirada Senior Health Fair
La Mirada~On Wednesday, September 13th the City of La Mirada hosted a senior health fair at the Activity Center to educate residents on wide array of topics to help maintain good health.
From 9am to 12pm around 300 residents attended the fair and received free health screenings and information, as well as cooking demonstrations to encourage healthier habits.
Several local vendors and organizations contributed to make this event possible. Biola’s Nursing Department provided glucose and cholesterol screenings and New Age Dental provided dental screenings.
In addition to health information, attendees were also offered lunch on behalf of Café on the Green and salsa lessons from Nifty after Fifty. This event is expected to be held again next year on September 12th, 2018.
Continuing their commitment to serving our community, The City of La Mirada, with the help of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, will also be hosting a flu clinic and providing free flu shots on October 31st from 9am to 11am.
For more information or to register for the flu clinic please contact the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160.
REVIEW: La Mirada Theatre Kicks Off New Season in 40th Year
The La Mirada Blog is very pleased to announce the addition of Brooklynn Ackerman to our team of contributors.
As the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts celebrates its’ 40th anniversary this year, it kicks off the season with the lively, jazz musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, a tribute to the famous musician Thomas “Fats” Waller.
This rendition of the original Tony awarding-winning production in 1978, not only showcases Waller’s great musical talents, but his knack for entertaining the crowd with his great personality.
The cast, Frenchie Davis, Thomas Hobson, Boise Holmes, Natalie Wachen, and Amber Liekhus, flawlessly perform hits such as, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “The Joint is Jumping”, “Squeeze me”, “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Black and Blue” and what seemed to be the crowd’s favorite, “Your feet’s too big”.
From beginning to end, the cast captivates the audience with a combination of bold, entrancing vocal performances and comedic duets and interludes. Upon returning from a brief intermission, the audience is able to appreciate the music from the band before the show resumes.
Whether or not you are familiar with Waller’s music, or the swing-jazz era as a whole, this show is guaranteed to keep your feet tapping and shoulders swaying in your seats throughout its entirety. Together, the cast’s performance, stage set, and wardrobe bring the jazz era to life and leave the audience in awe.
This production will be at the La Mirada Theatre until October 8th, so don’t miss out on your chance to see this phenomenal show while you can!
Performances are 7:30pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays; 8pm on Fridays; 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays; 2pm on Sundays. There will be no performance on Saturday, September 16 at 2pm. There will be an Open Captioned performance on Saturday, September 30 at 2pm and an ASL interpreted performance on Saturday, October 7 at 2pm. Tickets range from $20 - $70 and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website, www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior and group discounts are available. $15 Student Tickets available for the first 15 performances of the production.
Coffee With Captain Tatreau Set For September 21st
La Mirada residents and business owners are invited to meet Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Captain Jim Tatreau at Starbucks located at 15220 Rosecrans Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 a.m. Captain Tatreau serves as the Captain of Norwalk Sheriff’s Station, which serves La Mirada.
“I invite our community members to join us, and share their ideas and concerns,” says Captain Tatreau. “By having this event, we hope to build trust and transparency between the La Mirada Community Sheriff’s Station and local residents and businesses.”
Captain Tatreau will be available to answer questions, provide crime prevention tips, and discuss neighborhood concerns.
For additional information, call the La Mirada Community Sheriff’s Station at (562) 902-2960.
Cub Scouts Expand in La Mirada With New Pack
There’s a new Cub Scout pack in La Mirada and it’s ready for YOU!
Cub Scout Pack 815 recently opened up its’ membership to boys attending Gardenhill, Escalona, and Foster Road Elementary schools. Although not limited to this area, Pack 815 is working alongside the long running pack, Pack 919, in La Mirada to offer their scouting program to more youth in the area.
“Often as parents, we think the only extra-curricular activity our boys have is sports related. But my oldest son wasn’t a big sports lover. He was the kid that loved Legos and building things more so than being part of a competitive team sport,” explained Sandra Green, the new Cubmaster of Pack 815. “I never imagined that by my son joining Cub Scouts he would be exposed to the rich diversity amongst boys his own age but also learn how to take on challenges as an individual and part of a team.”
Green, who was part of Pack 919 for nearly seven years, took on the challenge herself to start a new pack in La Mirada. “I volunteered for years in Pack 919. Whether it was organizing our annual popcorn sales or helping with our Scouting for Food campaign, every aspect of it I loved! A big part of my heart still lies within Pack 919 as so many good friends are still leaders there."
She continued, "Our Cubmaster, Louis Garcia, inspired me to lead and we will continue to help lead our youth at community events. When the opportunity presented itself to start a new pack, I couldn’t pass it up. Pack 919 has over 80 families and we want to continue supporting our local boys so this smaller sized pack seemed the best way to still deliver the scouting program.”
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