La Mirada Blog
Articles by News Services
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Graduations Celebrate Academic Excellence
Norwalk/La Mirada~Nearly 1,500 graduates from the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Class of 2015 received diplomas as family members cheered their academic achievements during six commencement ceremonies held throughout the District this week.
Each ceremony featured student speakers who recounted the joys and struggles that constituted their scholastic journeys, and expressed appreciation to the friends, family and instructors who kept them focused on their studies and on the path to success.
Southeast Military Academy and Law Enforcement High held the first of the six commencement ceremonies on June 15, followed by John Glenn High that evening with 320 grads. On June 16, El Camino Continuation High celebrated its 91 grads and La Mirada High held a ceremony for its 510 grads. On June 17, Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School held commencement exercises for 54 grads followed by Norwalk High with 460 grads.
La Mirada Library Hosts Author Panel
La Mirada~Join the La Mirada Library as they celebrate National Library Week with an event sure to sing to a romantic heart: Romance is… an Author Panel. On Saturday, April 25, 2015; 2:00 – 4:00pm, authors will share their adventures of writing one of the most popular genres in the literary world - Romance.
Sabrina Sol is the chica who loves love. She writes steamy romance stories featuring smart and sexy Latina heroines. Sabrina lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, three kids, two Beagles, one Bulldog and is part of a larger, extended Mexican family whose members are definitely not the source of inspiration for some of her characters. At least, that’s what she’s been telling them.
Jill Sorenson is the RITA award nominated author of more than a dozen romantic suspense novels, including the Aftershock series by Harlequin. She lives in the San Diego area with her family. She’s a soccer mom who loves nature, coffee, reading, twitter and reality TV.
Genevieve Turner writes historical romance fresh from the Golden State. In a previous life, she was a scientist studying the genetics of behavior, but now she’s a stay at home mom studying the intersection of nature and nurture in her own kids. She lives in beautiful Southern California, where she manages her family and homestead in an indolent manner.
City Reacts to Increase of Massage Establishments; Passes Moratorium
La Mirada~In October 2011, the State of California enacted a law (AB 619) that eliminated the City’s ability to regulate massage establishments. It also created a new regulatory entity, the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), which was given tremendous oversight authority over these businesses.
Since the creation of CAMTC, many cities, including La Mirada have experienced a significant increase in the number of massage establishments in their communities. The number of massage establishment’s in La Mirada increased from one in 2011 to eight currently operating.
“Instead of professionalizing massage therapists, the legislation unfortunately created a way for massage establishments to proliferate because cities were effectively prevented from regulating them.” says Senior Administrative Analyst Mark Rounds.
In response to local government leaders calling on State Legislature to repeal the 2011 law, the State enacted Assembly Bill 1147, which restored some of the land use used in regulating massage establishments. The bill became effective January 1, 2015.
The new changes must be made in the form of municipal code amendments, which require additional time for consideration. As a result, the City Council recently approved a temporary moratorium, which will expire in approximately 10 months, on the establishment of any new massage business until the necessary code amendments can be made.
Vehicles Burglarized on Fairhope; Suspects Arrested
La Mirada~Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies arrested multiple suspects in La Mirada for burglary on Monday evening.
On April 6, the La Mirada Public Safety Team received a call of a possible vehicle burglary in progress. When Deputies arrived, they immediately detained a male on the 15400 block of Fairhope Drive. Shortly after, two other males and a female were detained nearby.
During the investigation, six victims were located. Of the six victims, four were parked on Fairhope Drive, one was parked on Harshaw Place, and one was parked on Bluefield Avenue. Each of the suspects were in possession of property stolen from the vehicles. Deputies also recovered property from the suspects that may have been involved in other incidents. The adults were subsequently arrested and the juvenile was detained.
The arrest is a great example of residents remaining vigilant and calling the Public Safety Team when they see a possible crime in progress. To report crimes against property or a suspicious person in your neighborhood, call the La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station at (562) 902-2960. Call 911 to report an emergency or crimes against persons.
Free Tours at La Mirada’s Historic Neff Estate
La Mirada~Bring your family and take a trip back in time to learn about La Mirada’s historic Neff Estate at Neff Park. The Neff Estate covers 10 acres and is home to the Neff Mansion, George House and Neff Barn built in the 1800s.
Built in 1892, the Neff Mansion is a two-story, fully decorated mansion that contains many historical artifacts.
The free tours provide information on La Mirada history and are conducted by members of the La Mirada Historical Preservation Advisory Council. Tours are offered on the third Saturday of every month beginning April 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Donations are welcome and benefit restoration efforts on the Neff Estate.
“We encourage all La Mirada residents and their families to take a tour of the Neff Estate,” says Community Services Director Lori Thompson. “It is a great way to spend quality family time and learn something about local history.”
The Neff Mansion is located at Neff Park at 14300 San Cristobal Drive in La Mirada. For more information on Neff Park tours, contact the La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
La Mirada Kiwanis Offering Scholarship Funds for High School Seniors Residing in La Mirada
La Mirada~High School seniors who reside in La Mirada are invited to apply for scholarships to attend colleges, universities or accredited trade schools of their choice.
One of the objectives of the Kiwanis organization is to serve the youth in the community. La Mirada Kiwanis has provided computers and Ipads to students in need, has served pancake breakfasts as fundraisers for local youth sports groups, supports Kiwanis youth leadership groups in two high schools, two middle schools, two elementary schools, at Cal State Fullerton College, and has raised over $10,000 each year for scholarships for graduating seniors.
Pat Ruiz, Chair of the La Mirada Kiwanis Scholarship Committee said, “The deadline for accepting applications for this year’s scholarships is on Monday, April 27. Interested students may receive the application packet by downloading the material at our web site or through the counselors at their school.
Applications can be downloaded here or you may call (562) 941-5779 for more information.
Interview for applicants will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015. Awards of $1000, $500 or $250 will be sent to the student’s account at the school of their choice for a jump start for their college career.
La Mirada Streetlight Poles Replacement in Progress
La Mirada~Southern California Edison (SCE) is currently installing over 1,800 concrete streetlight poles throughout La Mirada. This is in an effort to upgrade the aging steel poles in the community which, on average, are over 50 years old.
The project is a result of a mandate from the State Public Utilities Commission. SCE is investing over $7 million in the project.
“It was a high priority to make sure the new streetlight poles could withstand different weather conditions such as the high winds, heat and rain,” says SCE Rep Eddie Marquez. “They are also more aesthetically pleasing and have a more modern look to them.”
Contractors are currently removing the existing steel poles and installing the new concrete poles. In some cases, the poles must be replaced in the exact same location, resulting in an interruption of service. SCE has attempted to keep interruptions to a minimum.
SCE is approximately 50 percent complete with most of the neighborhoods north of Rosecrans finished. The entire project is expected to be completed by May.
For more information on the street light replacement project, please contact the City’s Public Works Department at (562) 902-2385 or Southern California Edison at (800) 655-4555.
La Mirada Relay for Life Scheduled for May 16th and 17th
La Mirada~The La Mirada Relay for Life / Classic Car Exhibit & Parade will be held on May 16 through 17 at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center. Relay for Life is a 24-hour community gathering designed to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and raise funds for cancer research, services and advocacy.
The day begins on May 16 at 9:00 a.m. with a “Survivors Lap” during which cancer survivors are honored. The following lap the Survivors are joined by their family and caregivers. Fun activities will be held throughout the event including riding down the Splash! Buccaneer Bay waterslides on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and the cost is $5 per person, or free to 2015 Buccaneer Bay season pass holders. The day is intended to be spent as a community with games, a classic car exhibit, festivities and food trucks.
At 9:00 p.m. Luminarias are placed around the track for those being honored for surviving, those who are currently fighting cancer and those who are being memorialized.
The event closes on May 17 with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club followed by a “Fight Back Ceremony” where the community and individuals pledge to work to eradicate cancer.
Admission to Relay for Life is open to the public, don’t miss this opportunity to help fight back against cancer! For more information or to join the event please contact Relay for Life Specialist, Silvia Constanza at (213) 700-7485.
Neff Park Playground Gets Facelift
Take a look at Blog fan Henry V's video from the air during the construction here.
La Mirada~Andrew McNally would be very happy as improvements to the property at his former residence, the Neff Park playground, equipment and walkways, are now complete.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday at Neff Park in La Mirada to mark the milestone.
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| La Mirada Mayor Pauline Deal is joined by her City Council counterparts and local children to unveil the new Neff Park playground. |
This project adds new swings, slides, climbers, ladders and other play features to the park. Musical themed equipment, such as chimes and drums, were also included. The play area offers two separate structures; one for children ages 2-5 and the other for children ages 6-12.
Additional improvements include resilient rubberized accessible playground surfacing, new benches and a drinking fountain. A cement path connecting the playground to the restroom and parking lot was also added for improved accessibility.
“Neff Park among La Mirada’s most popular parks,” says Mayor Pauline Deal. “The new playground will be enjoyed by children for many years.”
New City Council Elected; Deal Selected as Mayor
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council selected Pauline Deal to serve as Mayor at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Councilmember Steve De Ruse was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem each serve one-year terms and are elected by the City Council..
Mayor Deal has served on the City Council since 2011. She has been a resident of La Mirada for over 30 years and currently serves as the Assistant Controller for an area business. This will be her first term as Mayor.
Prior to serving on the City Council, Mayor Deal was active in local youth sports leagues and served as the Treasurer/Board Member and Coach for the La Mirada Girls Softball Association for seven years. Mayor Deal has also been active with the Parent Teachers Association.
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