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La Mirada~A special thank you goes out to Christian Covarubias, 13-year old 8th grader from Los Coyotes Middle School who provided us with daily updates from his east coast trip he recently concluded with some of this classmates.

Having two sons of my own who took these trips, I realize that these trips literally keep the kids running from the moment they touchdown.

I know how tired Christian was every evening, but he provided us with his daily journal, regardless, providing us with a unique insight.

Christian's enthusiasm for America-its history, culture, values-speaks volumes for his generation. 

From the La Mirada Blog Network Family, Christian, thanks again, and keep up the good work! We're watching you!

La Mirada~Wow!  From the moment I walked in to the theatre I knew I was in for a treat.   The set on stage was breathtakingly beautiful.   I felt like I was actually in a beauty salon, the only thing missing was the strong smell of hair solutions.

I can only be talking about the production of Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling and directed by Brian Kite.  Presented by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Emtertainment in association with The Welks Resorts Theatre, it runs through October 18th.

THE CAST...

       M'Lynn Eatenton........................................................................CATHY RIGBY

       Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie......................................................AMY SLOAN

       Truvy Jones................................................................................CHRISTA JACKSON

       Clairee Belcher..........................................................................ROSINA REYNOLDS

       Annelle Dupey-Desoto.............................................................EMMA FASSLER

       Ouiser Bordreaux......................................................................MICHAEL LEARNED

I tip my hat to the actresses for allowing me to feel the very emotions that they performed on stage.  Funny, sincere, and completely enjoyable.  The likeness these actresses portrayed in comparison to those of the movie were right on. 

I was able to picture in my mind the 6 different lives of these women. How they live, where they live, what their spouses were like. What lifestyles they each lived and what their spiritual choices were. I truly enjoyed getting to know them. The underlying strength and love, along with the respect that they shared for one another, was envious.

I strongly recommend that you grab your sister, your mother, your best friends, and your neighbor and head on over to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts to enjoy this high-flying performance.

Thank you to all those involved, you all did a great job.

Frustration, Joy, Despair; All in One Day

La Mirada~A friend, we'll call him MP, recently told me, "Tony, you have to write a La Mirada book someday."

Well, add another chapter.

An opinion piece, me? I don't do these any more, but I absolutely feel compelled in this instance.

Finally after over two weeks, I am able to write this story. As I said, over two weeks has passed now, and this year's 3rd of July event is now fading into distant memory for most.

Not so fast.

This 3rd of July started unlike any other. The annual event, which is kind of a watered-down, politically-correct version of the popular Regional Park shows of the 70's, is a very well attended event and is a lot of fun for everyone.

Well, this year, me in my infinite wisdom, thought it would be cool to park my full-size van along "motor home row" and enjoy the festivities. After all, I would be there most of the day, so why not? Those of us who have lived in La Mirada for dozens and dozens of years-we know the routine.

Now, personally I've been humiliated before, so I know what it feels like. I'm kind of used to it, but the iron-fist developments that were about to take place, even surprised La Mirada's #1 fan.

To make a short story as short as possible: Got up early to get good spot; some kind of misunderstanding about red curbs; 'no-parking' signs were covered up; recent years procedures were changed. You get the picture. Despite my best intentions and early morning rising-not only did I not get a good spot, I was given a $45 ticket from the city-not the sheriff.  I know LM is not getting any street-sweeping parking violation revenue for July, but c'mon, give me a break.

In fact, give us all a break. Oh wait, too late.

Here is how it stacks up. I don't think anyone got up that morning intentionally to violate parking restrictions, so obviously there was some kind of misunderstanding about the parking this year. Some rules were changed, the no parking area was increased, and perhaps curb that wasn't red last year was painted red this year. Ok. Whatever the reason, there was clearly a misunderstanding between the residents and the city. No big deal, just ask everyone to move, right?

Wrong.

Why threaten to tow? Why the heavy handed approach? Why give residents/customers a citation on Independence Day; and ruin their fun? In the patriotic sense of things, couldn't the city just simply ask the residents to move?

And moreover, I'm a member of the city's NEAT committee; I'm part of the La Mirada family. So now I can personally attest, we don't play any favorites in this town. At least that's one less thing to worry about.

Oh, the day got off to a great start all right, but little did I know, the worst had yet to come.