La Mirada Blog

Articles by Tony Aiello

Former Mayor Pete Dames passes away
Community

Former Mayor Pete Dames passes away

Former Mayor Pete Dames passed away this morning at 12:40 a.m. MST in Arizona after apparently suffering a stroke there last week while visiting family.

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I am having to report this as I sit here staring at my keyboard upon hearing the news.

He was involved in so many civic, service and educational organizations that it would be impossible to list them all here.

Mr. Dames was on the La Mirada City Council from 1994-2010, serving as mayor four times.

He also was the freshman coach for La Mirada High for many years; past-president and a charter member of the La Mirada Athletic Council, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Knights of Columbus; the 605 football classic and board member of the La Mirada Youth Foundation and a main organizer of the "4 La Mirada Kids" carnival for the Kiwanis Club of La Mirada. (more)

Latest results for Norwalk-La Mirada School Board race
News

Latest results for Norwalk-La Mirada School Board race

The Los Angeles Registrar Recorder's Office released more numbers today as tabulation of the November 8th election continues.

Today's and this past Saturday's release were not initially scheduled-the registrar’s regular post-election update schedule is normally every Tuesday and Friday.

In the NLMUSD race, only 311 votes separate the top four candidates, with that pack seemingly pulling away from the field.

It is unclear how many ballots are left to be counted; four seats are up for grabs.

The registrar is tentatively scheduled to certify the election by Dec. 5. (more) 

La Mirada News and Happenings
News

La Mirada News and Happenings

Active shooter training

Temple Beth Ohr La Mirada is hosting an active shooter and response training meeting on November 14th, 2022 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Protective security advisor Brian L. Keith (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), will speak about security awareness for soft targets and crowded places. This event is free, but space is limited-pre-registration is required here.

Temple Beth Ohr is located at 15721 Rosecrans Avenue in the City of La Mirada. 

Outside looking in

With its loss to Downey in the final scheduled game of the season, La Mirada High was left out of the CIF-SS playoffs for the first time since the mid-eighties. Meanwhile, work continues on the new football stadium at the school with hopes of it being ready for the 2023 campaign.

The La Mirada Pop Warner Football 12U team, headed by Manny Rodriguez, recently competed at So-Fi Stadium against the La Habra 12U team. (more)

Three La Mirada Veterans Events and Information
Community

Three La Mirada Veterans Events and Information

New flag walk added this year

The City of La Mirada and the La Mirada VFW Post 9148 cordially invites military personnel and the community to three separate free events to honor, recognize and celebrate veterans, active military service personnel, and members of military families.

The annual Salute to Veterans Event will take place on Monday, November 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The Event will include military memorabilia displays, veterans’ resources, and a patriotic ceremony with military presentations, musical performances, and guest speakers. (more)

This Day in La Mirada History-Arlie F. Hutchinson
Nostalgia

This Day in La Mirada History-Arlie F. Hutchinson

Arlie F. Hutchinson passed away this day October 24 in 1953.

The Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle School (formerly Hutchinson Intermediate School), opened its doors September 21, 1956 and commemorates a La Mirada pioneer-an ordinary fellow-who nonetheless placed his mark in the annals of La Mirada history.

Hutchinson was orphaned at birth in Kansas in 1879. He was reared by his grandparents who moved to Clearwater (now Paramount) California in 1888. They arrived in La Mirada in 1893, coincidentally, the same year La Mirada founder Andrew McNally constructed a mansion on his Windermere Ranch, now known as the Neff Mansion at Neff Park.

Hutchinson would remain in La Mirada for the rest of his life (60 years). (more)

La Mirada News and Halloween Happenings
Community

La Mirada News and Halloween Happenings

Art Show opens November 14th at the Activity Center

All are invited to attend the “Mirrors of Your Mind” Art Show presented by the Arts Colony of La Mirada.

The art exhibit will be open to the public starting on Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the La Mirada Activity Center. An award reception will conclude the art show on Saturday, November 20 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The La Mirada Activity Center is located at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard. (more)

Fireworks stands now open in La Mirada
Community

Fireworks stands now open in La Mirada

As America prepares for Independence Day, fireworks stands are now open in La Mirada. The stands provide a major fundraising opportunity for the groups that participate in the selling each year.

Booths are open July 1 through July 3 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

If you plan on purchasing fireworks this year, use the guide below as a way to support your favorite group. 

Be safe and have fun from all of us here at the La Mirada Blog! (more)


House fire erupts on Alicante Road
News

House fire erupts on Alicante Road

A house fire occurred earlier this afternoon around 1:30 p.m. along the 15200 block of Alicante Road In La Mirada.

The fire was knocked down with 30 minutes as units from area Los Angeles County Fire Department stations in Cerritos, Norwalk and Whittier responded. (more)

Memorial Day Service at Olive Lawn

Memorial Day Service at Olive Lawn

The City of La Mirada and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9148 invite the community to its 62nd Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m. at Olive Lawn Memorial Park, 13926 La Mirada Boulevard.

The Service will include vocal and other special tributes to fallen soldiers, guest speaker Major Ed Choi and the placing of memorial wreaths and flowers by the VFW Post 9148 and Auxiliary, the City of La Mirada and community organizations including Ebell, Kiwanis, Rotary, and Union Army of the West. (more)

The rediscovery of Andrew McNally’s Windermere Ranch olive crusher
Nostalgia

The rediscovery of Andrew McNally’s Windermere Ranch olive crusher

Considered the Crown Jewel of La Mirada History

Campo~Although the Dichiara family was based in La Mirada for only around 20 years, they will forever hold an integral part of its history.

La Mirada city founder Andrew McNally created and built his olive oil empire, the first industry in La Mirada, beginning in the late nineteenth century and well into the twentieth.

The factory where he processed the fruit was located on his Windermere Ranch and at one time produced some of the finest, purest oil available in the world.

When the Long Beach earthquake struck in 1933 it damaged the building and production was halted. (more)