La Mirada Blog
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Restaurant Chain Based in La Mirada Closes Four Units
The La Mirada-based chain Elephant Bar Restaurant will close all four of its San Fernando Valley locations this week due to low traffic, resulting in the loss of up to 250 jobs.
The locations in Burbank, Northridge, Simi Valley and Valencia will close by Thursday, said Leslie Liberatore, a spokeswoman for the restaurant chain.
The company also announced recently that it was halting plans to open a Huntington Beach location this spring.
After the closures, the 34-year old dining chain will have 29 locations in California and six other states.
It’s Official: La Mirada to Open Doors as âHost Townâ for the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015
La Mirada~City officials announced tonight that the community has been officially selected to participate in the Special Olympics World Games “Host Town” program from July 21 – 24, 2015.
Before the Special Olympics World Games begin on July 25, 2015, more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will be welcomed to Southern California through the “Host Town” program. One hundred communities from San Luis Obispo to San Diego will have the honor of being selected as an official Host Town.
“The Host Town program is an exciting way for Southern California locals to open our doors and show the athletes and coaches from around the world our hospitality and our culture,” said Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee. “This is an important part of the World Games experience and a truly meaningful way for different communities to be part of the Games and create lasting memories for our visiting athletes.”
As a Host Town, La Mirada will partner with Biola University and house the athletes at the university’s residence halls. The school will also provide food for the athletes, while the City will provide transportation and access to community events to ensure a rich and unique experience. Biola University, the alma mater of professional athletes in both baseball and tennis, has historically maintained a culture of athleticism and sportsmanship.
“We look forward to meeting all of these fine athletes and individuals and showcasing our city to their family and friends,” said Larry Mowles, mayor of La Mirada.
"We are happy to serve the community through our partnership with the City of La Mirada in hosting 100 athletes for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games," said Barry H. Corey, Biola University president. "This is a unique opportunity to showcase our campus and offer our unique resources to these great athletes. We are honored to be a part of it."
La Mirada of course, is home to the Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center and the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, two highly regarded venues in the area.
La Mirada Resident to Walk 39.3 Miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
La Mirada~Tammy Ostrowski of La Mirada will join thousands of women and men in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Santa Barbara, raising funds and awareness that will help defeat breast cancer and support those facing the disease. She is on the team The Pink Ribbon Gemz and together they will participate in the non-competitive event. Each walker will complete a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend of September 6-7th.
“Every year, thanks to thousands of participants like Tammy, we are able to save lives by providing significant funds for vital breast cancer research as well as access to care, screening, support services and education,” said Carol Kurzig, president of the Avon Foundation for Women, the public charity that produces the events. “For the past decade, tens of thousands of dedicated women and men took personal action to help others through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. We are truly inspired by our participants’ passion and enthusiasm.”
The Avon Walk Santa Barbara is one of eight weekend walks taking place in 2014. The complete 2014 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston (April 12-13), Washington, DC (May 3-4), Boston (May 17-18), Chicago (May 31 -June 1), San Francisco (July 12-13), Santa Barbara, Calif. (September 6-7), New York City, (October 18-19), and Charlotte, N.C. (October 25-26).
Tammy was inspired to take part in the Avon Walk Santa Barbara because she wanted to make a difference, “This will be my 3rd year walking and the first year with The Pink Ribbon Gemz. The first year was to challenge myself and I walked every bit of the 39.3 miles. I was so inspired by hearing all the stories from people walking and cheering us on I knew I would be walking again and again and again, for as long as I’m able.
As I prepared for my second Avon walk I learned several women I knew (Baseball mom, my sons first grade teacher, Girl Scout mom) was fighting this disease. I was even more determined to walk and raise awareness and funds needed to help in the fight against breast cancer. This year I am not walking alone I am proud to be a part of The Pink Ribbon Gemz team and I’m walking for all the girls in my life.”
NLMUSD Schools Dominate at Orange County Pentathlon
Norwalk/La Mirada~Students in the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade represented Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District and brought home several medals and placed in their divisions at the annual Orange County Academic Pentathlon, where students throughout the region were tested in their essay, language arts, science and math skills.
Corvallis Middle School eighth-graders placed second in their division with Benton and Hutchinson teams taking the third- through-sixth-place spots. Teams from Los Alisos, Los Coyotes and Waite also placed in their divisions.
Natalie Wachen Returns to La Mirada to Teach Musical Theatre and TV/Film Classes This Summer
STAR OF HBO’S BOARDWALK EMPIRE, RENT WILL INSTRUCT THE THEATRE TROUPE SHE GREW UP WITH, IN THE CITY SHE WAS RAISED IN; PHANTOM PROJECTS ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE SERIES OF CLASSES: AGES 10+ INCLUDING A SUMMER OF SHAKESPEARE, DANCE, TV/FILM, MUSICAL THEATRE, AND MORE.
La Mirada~Before joining the cast of Martin Scorsese’s Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning HBO series BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and before starring as Mimi Marquez in the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway revival of RENT, Natalie Wachen was a member of the La Mirada-based Phantom Projects Theatre Group. Now, Ms. Wachen returns not as an actress and director, but as a teacher.
“Each year, the most frequent requests we receive from our audiences, are for classes. Now, we’re answering that request in a very big way. We’re making it possible for every young person to learn, whether it’s acting, dancing, singing, getting a better understanding of Shakespeare, or even if they’ve never even stepped on stage before. Having Natalie return and join our roster of wonderful teachers and working professionals is a huge asset for our new and returning students,” commented Phantom Projects’ Producing Artistic Director Steve Cisneros.
Stock up at La Mirada Library Spring Book Sale
La Mirada~The annual Spring Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the La Mirada Library will be held on Saturday, May 3 at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Boulevard (behind the Fire Station), from 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM.
This is an excellent chance to stock up for your summer reading. Most paperbacks are $0.50 each and up. Children’s books start at $0.25. All proceeds benefit the La Mirada Public Library.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report; Storage Facility on Alondra Robbed
The following is the La Mirada crime report for December 9-15, 2013:
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 13400 block of Heflin Dr. Two subjects were detained in connection with the incident and most of the stolen property was recovered by Deputies.
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 12800 block of Larrylyn Dr. The remains unknown if there was any loss in the incident.
Other Structure Burglary-An incident was reported on the 16700 block of Trojan Wy. Rims and tires were stolen from a storage room at the location. A burglary to a storage unit was reported on the 15000 block of Alondra Blvd. A tool box containing various tools was taken. An incident was reported on the 11800 block of La Mirada Blvd. Various items were stolen from an office at the location.
Vehicle Burglary-A burglary was reported to a motor home on the 15200 block of Las Flores Ave. There was no reported loss from the vehicle.
Grand Theft-A handgun was reported stolen from the trunk of an unlocked vehicle on the 14800 block of Telegraph Rd.
Grand Theft Vehicle-An older model Honda was reported stolen from the 13700 block of Avenida Espana.
Officers Nab Biola Apartment Bike Thief
La Mirada Sheriff's Deputies and officers from Biola Campus Safety arrested a male suspect on December 4th for stealing a bicycle from a student apartment complex adjacent to the campus.
In response to a series of bike thefts from nearby apartments, the Biola Campus Safety team began a surveillance program designed to curb bicycle thefts. The month-long operation proved effective when a male suspect was observed exiting an apartment complex with a bicycle believed not to be his.
The ensuing investigation by Deputies from the La Mirada Public Safety Team resulted in the suspect admitting he stole the property, ultimately leading to his arrest.
Keeping Tradition Alive; La Mirada Rotary Club Lends a Hand to Families During the Holidays
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ROTARY ASSISTS GOOD SAM PANTRY – La Mirada Rotary Club President Sean Bracey presents $700 worth of turkeys, canned goods and other items to Carmen Rawson of the Good Sam Pantry at Beatitudes Church in La Mirada. The donation was one of several Rotary activities during the holiday period to assist needy families in the local area. |
La Mirada~The Rotary Club of La Mirada has been serving the community for over 50 years, and this year is no exception as the club is conducting three activities during this holiday season to assist local needy families.
The first two projects were held in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and the third will be held prior to Christmas.
Rotarians donated $700 in turkeys, canned goods and other food items to the Good Sam Pantry at Beatitudes Church in La Mirada. Rotarians purchased the food at the new Walmart Neighborhood Market, located at Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard, on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 21. The food was distributed to needy families that afternoon by volunteers at the Good Sam Pantry.
Rotarians also arranged for the purchase of $750 worth of turkey dinners from Polly’s Pies located at Beach Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue in La Mirada. The food was served by youth volunteers to hundreds of local residents at the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Foster Road Elementary School. The project was a joint effort by La Mirada Rotary, Kiwanis, Living Faith Church, Calvary Chapel and Polly’s Pies.
Foster Road Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner for Community
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| THANKSGIVING MEALS – Hundreds of local residents enjoyed a early Thanksgiving meal at Foster Road Elementary School in La Mirada. The Rotary Club of La Mirada joined with several other organizations to provide funding for the dinner |
La Mirada~Foster Road Elementary School hosted a Thanksgiving dinner last Thursday, Nov. 21 for about 500 residents of La Mirada, including the school’s students and their families.
La Mirada Mayor Steve De Ruse, Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence Mowles, Councilman Steve Jones and City Manager Jeff Boynton were all on hand to welcome families to the 15th annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Principal Dr. Jean Maddox said the dinner is Foster Road’s way of saying “thank you” to the community that supports the elementary school year round.
“This dinner is really about thanking the community for supporting us,” Maddox said. “It also teaches students about service and modeling gratitude for what we really do have.”
Students from El Camino High School and Southeast Academy acted as servers to the guests, who dined on turkey, mashed potatoes and corn. The Foster Road PTA was also selling delectable desserts, such as pumpkin pie, as a fundraiser.
Maddox said the dinner started 15 years ago as a way for the school to recognize their students and parents. The event started to grow, however, when the students – who moved on to middle and high school – came back for the annual feast.
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