COMMUNITY

La Mirada~When celebrating Independence Day this year with safe and sane fireworks, you have a choice of where to purchase your fireworks, and ultimately supporting the group or organization of your choosing.

The La Mirada City Council and staff continue to review the sale of safe and sane fireworks on a year-to-year basis. Because of the integrity of city officials and La Mirada residents, this family tradition remains and thus, fireworks must be purchased.

This is a major fund-raiser for many organizations in the community who provide valuable services. 

Whittier~Two concerts will be featured in the 2009 Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl season, an annual event sponsored by the City of Whittier Community Services Department, the Cultural Arts Commission and the Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl Committee.

The first concert, Saturday, August 15, 2009 will be "Tchaikovsky Spectacular with FIREWORKS.  The second concert, Saturday, September 5, 2009, will be "John Williams and the Music of the Movies." 

Buses leave from City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, promptly at 6:30 p.m.  The concert will begin at 8:30 p.m.  Concert goers may pack their own meals to each at their seats prior to the concert, or food is available for purchase at the Bowl.

Three ticket prices are available this summer.  Tickets for Section F/K are $54, Section M/N are $46 and seats in Section L/P are $42.  Ticket prices include transportation.  The deadline to purchase tickets for the Tchaikovsky Spectacular is June 12 and July 10 for the John Williams concert.

A Whittier tradition for many years, the Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl program has become a popular summer event where groups and organizations, families and individuals fill the buses without having to worry about freeway traffic or parking.  For those who love the Bowl in the summer, but hate the traffic, Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl is the answer.

This year, the Hollywood Bowl Committee has selected two concerts sure to please the whole community.  The Tchaikovsky Spectacular with FIREWORKS features the Los Angeles Philharmonic Conductor Christian Knapp and the USC Marching Band.  John Williams and the Music of the Movies will have memorable scores and his dynamic use of the orchestra will make movie audiences cheer, bring them to tears, and keep them on the edge of their seats.

For more information about Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl, call the Community Services Department at (562) 464-3360.

COMMUNITY
Whittier~Whittier's new miniature horse will celebrate his first birthday Saturday, June 27.  The birthday party will begin at 11 a.m. at the Parnell Storybook Zoo, 15390 Lambert Road.

A highlight of the event will be the naming of the little brown horse, who arrived in Whittier on April 27 to take up residence at the Zoo.  A naming contest for children 12 years and younger was held earlier in June, and the winning name will be announced at the party.

"The little horse has settled in nicely at the Zoo," said Fran Shields, Director of Community Services.  "He is lively and feisty, and popular with Zoo visitors."

She added that there have been approximately 200 name submissions in the contest.

The birthday will feature a Cowboy Western theme, with "Cowboy Bill" doing fancy rope tricks and refreshments

"We would like to invite residents to a fun afternoon at Parnell Park to welcome the miniature horse to the community," Shields said.

The miniature horse was purchased by the Whittier Community Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage, facilitate and develop funding for community activities in response to the community's needs.

For more information on the miniature horse's birthday party, call the Community Services Department at (562) 464-3360.

NEWS

Unknown at This Time if  La Mirada Site Will be Affected

La Mirada~Boy, talk about bad timing.

The Associated Press is reporting that Extended Stay Hotels LLD filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, citing massive debt stemming from a 2007 acquisition, and a sharp drop in business travel.

Regionally, Extended StayAmerica operates three locations in Long Beach, Carson, and La Mirada. It is unclear at this time if this action will affect the La Mirada location, if at all.

A night manager contacted by phone at the La Mirada site said "he has not heard anyhting about it". Efforts to reach the general manager of the location have so far proven to be unsuccessful.

Recently, a increase in the city's hotel bed-tax was approved by the city council and is about to go into effect. If the hotel closes, it will lead to an additional loss of revenue, and a empty building to boot.