The Shakedown-2:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m.-Matt Zwish, Mith Crowder, Brent Fullington, Mike Arhndt, and Andy Heise. A charter band for us, playing at all three Blog Fest events. Members grew up in La Mirada in the nineties. Three of the five graduated from La Mirada High, the other two, La Serna.  From a 60’s psychedelic rock background, The Shakedown have established themselves with some of their folk-style songs as a rising musical act. They captivate audiences where ever and whenever they may be playing. Watch for them at bars and venues all around Southern California.

Scheduled La Mirada Legends

Alice Palicz-11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.-She found a large lot in March of 1953 in La Mirada, watched her home be built, and moved in September of that same year, and still lives there today. In January of 1954 she was hired as the Postmaster’s assistant at the old train station. This began nearly 39 years with the La Mirada Post Office retiring Oct. 2, 1992. Along with her husband, they were one of the couples who founded the original La Mirada Lamplighter Newspaper. When the city was incorporated in 1960, she was appointed City Treasurer. She served in that position twenty five years without pay. She was also on the Historical Committee for La Mirada. She

Don Brennan, seen here opening for America at the Coach House earlier this year, will join The Groovetones and The Shakedown, rounding out the La Mirada talent.

knows more about La Mirada’s history than most people you will ever know.

Lou Piltz-12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.-Born in Chicago, raised in Cleveland, Ohio, went into volunteered in US Air Force 1943, and graduated as a Navigator-Bombadier in Texas, 1945. He was stationed in Panama, 2 1/5 years.  He moved to La Mirada from Long Beach in 1964, to manage the Hirams' Supermarket, which later became Lucky Stores, and eventually Albertson’s today. Bought La Mirada Orange Julius franchise in 1966, and what most people remember. His wife Sylvia ran the stand and they served the best quality hamburgers and hot dogs. Many La Mirada kids worked there over the six years the Piltz’s owned the stand. Appointed to the La Mirada City Council in 1978, to fill the position of Wayne Grisham, who was elected to Congress that year. Served 16 years as City Councilman, (retired 1994) and 8 years (1970-1978) on the Planning Commission. Received a degree from Fullerton College in 1995 at the age of 73. Involved with in the past: The Chamber of Commerce, Fiesta De Artes Committee, La Mirada Community Hospital Board. Today: Temple Beth Ohr, Kiwanis Club of La Mirada, Meals-On-Wheels and SeniorNet, a program for teaching computers to Seniors. Married to Sylvia for 70 years, two children, five grandchildren. Sylvia, was recently diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease.

Jerome (Mr. O) Oxman-1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m.-Founder of Oxman’s Surplus. Jerome O. Oxman was born in Duluth, Minnesota on June 23, 1915. He served in the United States Army during WWII in the Persian Gulf Command. After the war he married Miriam Averbook of Superior, Wisconsin. In 1947 they came to California on their honeymoon and never went back. Mr. “O”, as all his friends and family call him, worked for Palley’s Surplus in Vernon, California. In 1961 he opened his own mail order business in the garages on Rosecrans that used to be the auto service center for Big A. The Military and Aircraft items that were being processed for sale got so much attention that Mr. “O” had to open the doors to the public. Oxman’s Surplus was born. Oxman’s now encompasses the garages and the adjacent 7,500 square foot building. He is a two time past president of the Associated Surplus Dealers, a national organization. He is a past president of both the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and La Mirada Meals on Wheels. He served on the Board of Trustees for the La Mirada Community Hospital. He sponsors beauty pageant contestants, Little Miss Softball, as well as soccer for youngsters of the area. On May 1, 2005, at Dodger Stadium, in a pre-game ceremony, he was honored for 40 years of La Mirada Little League sponsorship. Oxman’s is still under the watchful eye of Mr. “O” and Miriam, while their sons Murray and Jason have made Oxman’s Surplus their careers. Oxman’s has a magnificent museum of Military Memorabilia. Customers can sit in a B-17 cockpit, gaze at ejection seats, and much more. 2012 is their 51st year of business at Oxman’s.

Gerald Peebler-2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m.-Olive Lawn Memorial Park has been in the Peebler family since 1932. Gerald’s dad Byron purchased the abandoned Olive Lawn Memorial Park in 1932 formerly known as Graceland. He and his wife Harriet took over operations of the cemetery in 1977 after continuing the family cleaning business in the Coachella  Valley for many years. They are credited with inventing the first drive-thru full scale cleaners. Gerald and Harriet have been married over 70 years-since 1941. For their 70^th wedding anniversary they traveled cross-country in their automobile visiting friends and family and were featured in the Orange County Register. Mr. Peebler has been very active in the La Mirada community over the years. He is the past President of the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the La Mirada Kiwanis. As Hal Malkin once said, “The cemetery is one business you don’t want to be a customer of.”