La Mirada Blog
Articles by Tony Aiello
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.
Free Business Seminar: What Other Retailers are Doing to Survive the Economy
Presented by The Retail Smart Guys, learn which marketing efforts are working, which ones aren't, and why, during the current economic climate. How can a retailer expand their reach into the community? How can a retailer make it 'safe to shop' again? Which expenses do you cut, when and how? How can you partner and leverage your existing business relationships? What is the secret to cash flow in a down economy?
Space is limited so call (562) 464-3380 to RSVP.
Reality Check for La Mirada
This reporter is booted off field, even with press pass
La Mirada~Reality set in tonight as the La Mirada Matadores varsity football team took a beating in losing to one of OC's top teams, La Habra 54-13.
There were glimmers of hope however, as the Mats played respectable against an obvious powerhouse. The energy is there, and expect the Mats to improve each week.
Trying to get a glimpse of what was going on seemed to be the biggest challenge of the evening.
La Mirada Football web-site operator Matt Piazza, who has spent the last six years covering LM Basketball, just as many covering LM baseball, and had VOLUNTEERED to run the football site this season, was not allowed in and was told to by the principal to go get in line. Piazza is the ultimate La Mirada High cheerleader, and has brought more interest to LM sports, via the media, than anyone alive. Piazza has always made sure a bright, positive light shines on La Mirada ahletes in their endeavors.
By the time he waited in the long line, the game had started, and he was behind in his work for the evening.
.....more to come
New ID Policy at La Mirada High Begins Today
New ID policy has some concerned
La Mirada~Students attending La Mirada High School beginning this year, will be required to wear an ID around their neck at all times, while on campus.
The lanyards, with a plastic badge holder attached at the end, hang around the students neck to display their ID.
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| Incoming La Mirada freshmen Julian Hernandez and A.J. Aiello show off their new ID lanyards. |
Michelle Millan, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of the School District told us, " This is a school-based decision. La Mirada is the only high school out of the four, to implement such a policy at this time".
Ron Carroll, Assistant Principal/Discipline at La Mirada, sat down with us recently, "The ID must be appropriately displayed at all times. This will help us with daily operations. The purpose in having students display their ID is to assist in providing our students with a more safe and secure environment."
When asked what the student's response has been, Carroll replied, "Very positive".
Seniors seem to be having the biggest issue with it, since they have went three years without having to wear something around their neck, and now they have to. A lot of students are expressing dismay, but that is usually the case when there is change.
"This is actually nothing new. We have always had an ID policy in place. Students have always been required to carry their ID's on them", said Carroll.
Some wonder if this is an impossible policy to enforce, fearing the school administration will be spending much of their time dealing with lost and forgotten ID's.
"I have heard those concerns", said Carroll, "but we are confident after a period of time, everyone will settle in. There is a demerit process-that has always been in place-for violators".
Most parents we talked to seemed to be in favor, "Anything that makes my son safer, or give the perception he is safer, is ok by me", said parent Maria Perez.
According to the student handbook, the policy will allow school personnel to easily identify those who should be on campus and those who are unauthorized.
I asked Carroll if there was an issue of not having enough security to handle the huge student population, and this was just a way to make securities job easier. "Absolutely not, the security personnel at La Mirada have always had complete control. This just gives them another tool"
At this time the school is "requesting" that teachers wear the lanyards. The school is looking into union/legal complications of requiring the teachers to wear them.
Carroll did not indicate whether the ID's would be required at after-school events.
Time to Say Goodbye to an Old Reliable Friend
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| Mike and Lupita Lopez say goodbye to a car that has been with Mike-in La Mirada-since 1954. |
La Mirada~ Mike Lopez of La Mirada summed it up in a few words, "Boy, I sure hate to see her go."
The "her' he is referring to is his beloved 1951 Studebaker Starlite, which has called Lopez' La Mirada garage, home, for 55 years.
Lopez says he literally, "bought the car from a little old lady in Pasadena. I then drove it to work and back for the next 20 years."
After purchasing the automobile in 1954, Lopez bought his then brand-new La Mirada home in 1956, and the car has been with him every step of the way, until now.
The car with its legendary "panoramic view" back windows, has been a familiar sight in this La Mirada neighborhood for many years,especially when it was in its prime.
"She never once broke down on me during all of these years", Lopez said.
It has had a few paint jobs over the years, and remains in excellent condition; and it still runs.
However, the last 10 years or so, the car has mostly had garage duty, with only occasional outings.
Now, his daugter Marcy and her husband Richard of Corona, have purchased the car and it's time for it to move on to a new generation within the family.
Deadly Station Fire Providing Spectactular Views for LM
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A plume of smoke from the Station Fire in the Angeles Forest can be seen from Marquardt Avenue in La Mirada on Sunday |
La Mirada~If you have lived in Southern California long enough, you must have wondered at one time or another; what if the Angeles Forest really caught on fire some day.
That day seems to have arrived, let's just be thankful that so far, wind has not been a factor.
The deadly-still out of control-Station Fire, which originated in La Canada on Wednesday, has now consumed more than 85,000 acres, as it continues to travel wildly, in all directions.
Two LA County firefighters lost their lives Sunday, and 21 homes have burned. Another 10,000 homes are currently in danger, including homes in the Sunland and Tujunga areas.
The fire continues to threaten Mt. Wilson, which can be seen from La Mirada, year-round on a clear day. Mt. Wilson is the home of radio, TV, and emergency transmission towers, communication equipment, and the Mt. Wilson Observatory.
This fire has provided La Miradians with a sight few have seen.
"I have lived here for 55 years", said La Mirada resident Edgar Macias, "And I have never seen a fire like this one. Yesterday, it looked like a volcano erupted."
With little wind in the Southern California area the last few days, La Mirada has not been affected with smoke by this fire, so far. Officials continue to advise residents to stay indoors however, and avoid outdoor activity, if possible.
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