Community
World War II Veteran and Last Charter Member of VFW Post 9148 Celebrates His 100th Birthday
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| The Markel family with La Mirada resident and World War II veteran Arthur Markel celebrating his 100th birthday this past Sunday at the VFW Post 9148. |
La Mirada~Friends, family and guests gathered this past Sunday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9148 in La Mirada to celebrate the 100th birthday of resident and member Arthur Markel.
A La Mirada resident, Arthur is the last surviving charter member of the La Mirada based post that was chartered on May 23rd, 1959 and originally met at Gardenhill School.
Arthur is a 54-year resident and is the devoted husband to Jean Markel, who is no longer with us. They were married for over 60 years.
Arthur served in World War II as a tank operator and named his tank "Jenny" after his beloved wife.
Relay for Life La Mirada May 20-21 at Splash!
The Relay for Life La Mirada will take place May 20-21 at Splash! Regional Aquatics Center.
The 24-hour event is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event where the community gathers for one day. Teams are formed and the members take turns walking through the duration of the event. Live entertainment, games, food, and raffles take place throughout the day.
A celebration of the lives of our survivors through a victory lap and a free breakfast is provided by local restaurants. In the evening a path is lit by the luminaria bags that represent someone that has passed on or is fighting cancer. These bags represent that there is still light in the darkest moments.
Special attractions at this year's La Mirada event at Splash! include a Ride the Slide & Buccaneer Bay Wading Pool Fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Relay for Life helps support the free services, research and advocacy that the American Cancer Society provides.
For more information about the Relay for Life La Mirada contact Silvia at (213) 700-7485 or visit the event website here.
“4 La Mirada Kids” Carnival May 5-7 at Benton
The annual “4 La Mirada Kids” Community Carnival is fast approaching and pre-sale tickets are now on sale. Tickets may be purchased for $15 by contacting local schools and athletic groups or by visiting the La Mirada Resource Center. A percentage of the proceeds collected from ticket sales will be returned to local schools and other organizations.
The carnival will take place from Friday May 5 through Sunday, May 7 at Benton Middle School, located at 15709 Olive Branch Drive. Guests can expect a fun-filled weekend with family and friends enjoying amusement park rides, food, and entertainment. Exciting rides and amusements will be available for those seeking thrills. Milder rides for younger children will also be offered.
The “4 La Mirada Kids” Carnival is sponsored by the La Mirada Community Foundation to raise funds for youth groups and community organizations that provide educational, cultural, and extracurricular opportunities in La Mirada.
Individuals or organizations wishing to volunteer or become event or booth sponsors at the Community Carnival should contact Community Services at (562) 943-7277.
Latest Community Event News
Arts Colony of La Mirada to Host Art in the Garden Tour
The Arts Colony of La Mirada presents its Art in the Garden Tour on Sunday, April 23 from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the rear parking area of the Activity Center.
Four home gardens will be viewed that showcase various gardening styles and artwork from members and students. Light refreshment will be served.
For more information, call (562) 941-4116 or visit here.
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
A great selection of quality secondhand hardcover and paperback books, as well as audio and video materials will be available for purchase at bargain prices during the semi-annual Friends of the La Mirada Public Library Book Sale!
The book sale will kick off with a “members-only” pre-sale on Friday, April 28 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the La Mirada Activity Center. Non-members may purchase a membership for $10 during the pre-sale to take advantage of the early bird shopping event.
The book sale is open to the general public on Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The popular “three-bucks-a-bag” clearance sale will begin at 1:30 p.m.
For more information about the book sale, call (562) 943-0277.
La Mirada Know Your Roots Tree Scavenger Hunt
Join in the fun! The City of La Mirada will be hosting its first tree scavenger hunt in celebration of Arbor Day on Saturday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Neff Estate, 14300 San Cristobal Drive. Community members will use the arboretum guide to find some of the oldest trees in La Mirada, many planted by La Mirada pioneer Andrew McNally.
For more information, contact the La Mirada Activity Center at (562) 902-3160.
Easter Egg Hunt and Kiwanis Duck Race April 15th
The City of La Mirada invites the community to attend the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at La Mirada Regional Park.
The free event is perfect for the whole family to enjoy and features crafts, games, music, and the popular Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt is for children ages 10 and under and begins promptly at 10:15 a.m. The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance at the event and is available for photos for a small fee.
Support the La Mirada Kiwanis Club as they will be serving a pancake breakfast before the egg hunt.
For more information, contact the La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
Immediately following the hunt, head on over to Splash! as the Kiwanis Club will host their 10th Annual Going Quackers for Kids Derby Duck Race.
This fun–for-all-ages event will take place at Splash! Bring a blanket, and enjoy some family time. All kids’ games and activities are FREE! The Duck Race is sponsored by La Mirada Kiwanis and benefits multiple La Mirada community groups.
Purchase your duck today for your chance to win big. Fifty percent of duck sales go directly to the selling groups. With $3,500 in cash prizes, and many other prizes, your odds are better than the lottery, and more fun! There is a corporate race and the main race with over 5,000 ducks.
Individual ducks for main race are $5.00 or 6 for $25.00, visit the Duck Race web site for more information including how to be a duck sponsor.
We’ll see you and your family Saturday, April 15th at Splash! after the Easter Egg Hunt!
La Mirada High Sophomore Receives NASCAR Award Recognizing Racing Skills
La Mirada~Zooming across a black-and-white checkered finish line at 140 miles an hour in a 400-horsepower car is not unusual for La Mirada High School sophomore Ryan Vargas, who’s been racing since he was 11.
“Growing up, I always loved monster trucks, demolition derbies and Thomas the Tank Engine,” Ryan said. “When my dad took me to a NASCAR event at Irwindale Speedway, I found out that kids could actually race cars and saw it as an opportunity to do something I loved.”
Since then, Ryan has tied for national championships in the Bandolero division in 2014, set five track records across Nevada, California and Arizona, and earned Rookie 
of the Year in 2015 at The Bullring at Las Vegas. In 2016, he competed in 27 races, placing in the top five 12 times and top 10 25 times, along with reaching fifth place in the California state standings.
Most recently, he was awarded the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award by NASCAR, which recognizes a high-performing minority or female driver contributing on and off the track in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“I’m just really, really thankful,” Ryan said. “Being selected to receive this amazing award is such an honor in my life and in my career.”
La Mirada Arts Colony Home Garden Tour April 23rd
The Arts Colony of La Mirada will hold their next meeting on Monday, April 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Resource Center located at 13710 La Mirada Blvd
Watercolor artist Jim Shalchak will demonstrate his technique by emphasizing the importance of selective vision through simplification and focus. The meeting is free to the art appreciating public.
The Arts Colony will be presenting its Art in the Garden Tour on Sunday, April 23 from 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the parking area east of the Activity Center at 13810 La Mirada Blvd.
Four home gardens will be viewed that will showcase various gardening styles and artwork from members and students. Light refreshments will be served. For information call 562-760-3175, 562-944-4535. Art entry forms for garden tour available here.
3rd Annual La Mirada Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast April 7th
La Mirada~ A morning of inspiration is promised at the 3rd Annual La Mirada Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, Friday, April 7th at the Holiday Inn.
The keynote speaker will be La Mirada resident Tony Corrente, former Neff and La Mirada High School social science teacher, current NFL referee and throat cancer survivor.
Tickets are $20 and includes a buffet breakfast, musical entertainment and of course, prayers.
For more information and to purchase tickets direct, visit the event website here.
Newly Renovated La Mirada Library Ready to Open
La Mirada~The newly renovated La Mirada Library will fully open for business on Monday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to visit the library for an open house and fun activities from 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served by the library’s support group, the Friends of the La Mirada Library.
Benton Student to Sing National Anthem at Staples
La Mirada~Britanny Fisheli will be singing the National Anthem at the Lakers/Clippers game April 1st at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The 13-year old La Mirada resident and Benton Middle School student is an aspiring singer, dancer, actress and songwriter with ten short and full-length films to her credit including, A Glitter of Hope (2016), The Dark Tapes (2017) and Beyond Approval (2016).
She has recently appeared in the Nickelodeon series “Henry Danger." Check out her website here.
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