La Mirada Blog
Articles by Tony Aiello
La Mirada Wins on Game Ending Fumble, 27-24; Advances to CIF Final For the First Time Since 2001
La Mirada~La Mirada beat Laguna Hills tonight 27-24 in a semifinal contest, sending the Matadores to the final for the first time since 1992.
When Ralph Gramajo intercepted a Laguna Hills pass midway through the third quarter, it seemed La Mirada was on its way to a victory, leading 24-10.
However, Laguna came back, scoring two touchdowns within a span of around three minutes, including a recovered on-side kick, tying the score at 27 and sending into overtime.
The La Mirada defense, seemed dazed, tired, confused, like a prize fighter up against the ropes in the last rounds.
Matadore Hoopsters Start a New Quest
La Mirada~The La Mirada Boys Basketball squad opens the regular season tonight in a non-league contest vs. Tustin High at Matadore Gym.
The Mats are coming off a very succesful campaign in which they won the Suburban League title and advanced to the CIF Southern Division quarterfinals.
This will be the first game the Matadores are playing in their totally refurbished gymnasium. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
Sick Ducks Delay Fishing Derby
La Mirada~The annual Knabe Fishing Derby, a mainstay in La Mirada for many, many years, has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 21st, 2009-but do you know why?
This very popular event is hosted by County Supervisor Don Knabe and is in its thirteenth year.
Originally scheduled for August the event was postponed because many of the ducks became ill at Regional Park, and some even died. The cause has been determined to be a wildlife bird disease called Avian botulism.
According to the Wildlife Disease Information Node website, Avian botulism is a paralytic, often fatal, disease of birds caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is widespread in soil and requires warm temperatures, a protein source and an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment in order to become active and produce toxin. Decomposing vegetation and invertebrates combined with warm temperatures can provide ideal conditions for the botulism bacteria to activate and produce toxin. There are several types of toxin produced by strains of this bacteria; birds are most commonly affected by type C and to a lesser extent type.
Wildcats Exhibition Schedule Ends; Mark Your Calendars Now
La Mirada's Derrick Williams Rings in the New Year in His Return to So. Cal
Tuscon, AZ~La Mirada High School Superstar Derrick Williams will be returning to Southern California when his Arizona Wildcats play USC and UCLA this New Year's weekend.
Williams, who led La Mirada to a CIF Southern Section quarterfinal berth last season, will play the team he intended to play for, USC, at the Galen Center on New Year's Eve at 4 p.m.
Williams left USC this past spring, after the Tim Floyd meltdown.
Then, on January 2nd, Williams and the Wildcats will play UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in a nationally televised morning contest beginning at 10 a.m., broadcast on CBS.
Last night, Arizona wrapped up its exhibition schedule with a 96-55 romp over Div. II Western New Mexico. Williams scored 12 points, going 6 of 7 from the field in 14 minutes.
On November 4th, against Augustana College, Williams scored 14 points in 13 minutes including; 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 7 from the stripe. He also had four rebounds.
This season the Wildcats are playing with seven true freshmen on the team and a rookie head coach, Sean Miller. Their season opener is November 15th vs. Northern Arizona at 3 p.m.
Check out the Universities website for the basketball program available at http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/ariz-m-baskbl-body.html. This site is really nice. Everything you need to know about the Wildcats basketball program. They have box scores, photo galleries, webcasts, and an abundance of information at your fingertips to follow Derrick all season long.
In the sites recent write-up about the game with Western New Mexico, check out the YouTube insert in the article. You can see Derrick back-peddling after a layup in the very short video spot.
Here We Grow Again?
BREAKING NEWS
Norwalk~Just like four years ago when John Johnson won a seat on the NLMUSD Board, simply because he put the word "teacher" under his profession, we may have a new school board member replacing Johnson, under the same circumstances.
Margarita Rios, unknown in the community, may win a seat on the board, simply because she used the words "police officer" under her profession. The fact of the matter is, she is a "police officer" for the dysfunctional Los Angeles Unified School District. A big difference, than being a real police officer.
I'm not saying she's not a great person or unqualified-I'm just saying, you now what I mean.
As usual, the few that do vote, are uninformed,and vote for "their own kind". People get giggly when they see the words "teacher" or "police officer"-both tax-payer funded jobs. Their judgement suddenly becomes clouded, and common-sense thinking takes a back seat..
Welcome to the world of American politics.
We Like Adams, Pflanzer, & Urquidi
Norwalk~With surprise winner from four yours ago John Johnson deciding not to run again, this ensures the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education will have at least one new member.
But does anyone really care? Traditional voter turnout seems to indicate no, but what's more important than our schools? Is it the nine percent of people that vote, who do all the moaning and groaning between elections; saying we have a lethargic school system?
Actually, it is almost a lame duck position. What can one person do to make a difference in a entrenched machine? Name one achievement by any individual school board member over the last ten years. What has Karen Morrison, Lorraine Neal, Pauline Deal, or Ed Hengler done individually, that stands out, over this last two years? Everything is collaborative.
Car Slams Into Cabo Taco Baja Grill, Injuring Four
La Mirada~An elderly woman slammed her Toyota sedan into Cabo Taco earlier today around 1:00 p.m.
The restaurant, located in the La Mirada Theatre Center, is now closed and is expected to reopen next week.
The driver. who witnesses say looked around 80 years old, was very shaken and had little to say, if anything.
Owner Kenny Yowell said, " I saw her coming and thought she was going to stop, but she didn't. A customer who was dining was able to just twist out of the way of the car. And he ended up pinned between a wall, the table, and the car."
Waitress Sandra Zavala had just finished serving a table that was taken out and was walking away, "It's a miracle nobody was killed. The large table saved the mans life."
The vehicle entered the restaurant smashing through booths and tables and sideswiping patrons, creating a chaotic scene.
Four patrons were taken to the hospital complaining of back, rib, shoulder injuries, but none seem to be life threatening. The unidentified elderly woman and her passenger were also taken to the hospital.
It is unclear at this time what caused the driver to enter the restaurant, but age does seem to be a factor.
La Mirada Football Wins Thriller
Norwalk~La Mirada High, down 26-7 in the second quarter, rallied to win tonight 42-33 over Norwalk and take over sole possesion of first place in the Suburban League..
The win keeps La Mirada (7-1, 4-0), undefeated in league play with two games remaining. Norwalk (7-1, 3-1), suffered its first loss of the season.
La Mirada trailed by twelve on two separate occasions in this game-and once by 19 when it was 26-7.
Trailing 26-14 at the half, La Mirada scored two touchdowns in less than two minutes and went ahead 28-26. Norwalk answered back and made the score 33-28, but the rest was all La Mirada as they scored two more TD's to secure the victory.
Pflanzer to Host Meet-and-Greet and Fund Raising Golf Tourney
La Mirada~Chris Pflanzer, one of six candidates vying for four spots on the Norwalk-La Mirada School Board next month, has two campaign events next week.
On Thursday, October 8, Pflanzer will be hosting a meet-and-greet, where the community will have a chance to learn more about the candidate. The event will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 12138 Front Street in Norwalk.
On Friday October 9th, Pflanzer's campaign will be hosting a Golf Tournament/Fund Raiser at the Fullerton Golf Course in Fullerton. Shot gun start at 1:00 p.m. Prizes and raffle opportunities will be provided. Hole sponsorship will also be available.
For more information call (714) 553-6770 or visit www.pflanzerforschoolboard.com.
Adams Hosts Fundraiser Tonight
Norwalk~Incumbent Darryl Adams is hosting a fundraiser tonight, Thursday October 1, 2009 at Frantone's Italian Restaurant, located at the intersection of Imperial Hwy. and Norwalk Blvd. in the city of Norwalk.
Ther are four seats up for bid on the Norwalk-La Mirada School Board in next months election.
Along with Adams-who is seeking his fourth four-year term- incumbents Ana Valencia, Ed Hengler are also bidding for re-election. Challengers include Chris Pflanzer, Margarita Rios and Jesse Urquidi.
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