Lakewood Community News

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Lakewood Community 30,000 delivered to Lakewood and portions of Long Beach

Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce

www.lakewoodnews.org

Volume 28 Number 8

August 2012

Red, White, and Blue…15th Annual Car Show has lots in store for you!

Do you carry a deep appreciation for our military, past and present? Do you also love the nostalgia of old vintage cars?

Then the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has just the event for you. The Chamber’s 15th Annual Summer Stampede Car Show is being held on Sunday, August 19th from 9am to 2pm, at Mayfair Park in Lakewood, and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser! The theme for this years car show is “A Salute to our Military and Veterans…

Show your Colors.”

This car enthusiast, commerceproducing, family-oriented event is free to the public and will be an event to be remembered. As a salute to our veterans, there will be two Navy F/A-18 jets fly over the park, the Marine Corps band will play music, military vehicles and vessels will be on display, and the fire department will be there to demonstrate their jaws of life. But wait! We also have big plans for all the old car buffs in the community - Mayfair Park will be full of beautiful, shiny, classy cars to feast your eyes upon. Gourmet food trucks are all the rage these days; people will line up to taste the various gourmet delights. There will be (Cont’d. on pg. 8)

Lakewood Community Newspaper is an award winner!

The Lakewood Community News (LCN) has been a part of Lakewood for years, the first official Lakewood Community Newspaper debuted on October 1, 1986, and 26 years later, we are still producing a valuable resource to the community.

The LCN has been recognized with the APEX Award for Publication Excellence. T h e Apex Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence.

The LCN, published by The Lakewood Community News #24 Lakewood Center Mall Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 531-9733

Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce with a 30,000 distribution to Lakewood homes, and bulk drops to area businesses, entered the category for One to Two person-Produced Magapapers & Newspapers. We are very excited to have received a 2012 award for that category! We also received awards in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011.

“We are very proud to provide the community with a quality newspaper dedicated to the community of Lakewood.

Throughout the pages are PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Santa Fe Spgs, CA PERMIT NO. 29

articles covering education news, upcoming events, helpful tips, health information, legislative news, Lakewood happenings, and much more,” says Robin Vanderwerff News Editor.

The Lakewood Community News would like to thank the people that helped make this award possible…

• Our advertisers - area businesses that help make the Lakewood Community News what it is. They are here to supply residents with any product or service you need.

So please use their coupons or services, as they are here to help you.

• Our readers – It is you, our readers, who are the heart of our success.

Jodee Kilroy, Publication/ Graphics Manager and Robin Vanderwerff, Editor, are thrilled about the award and will continue to strive to produce a newspaper that the community can be proud of.

‘Restaurant Row’ forking it over for family fun!

Lakewood restaurants are serving up discounts in support of family fun. While the kids are fed and entertained at the Lakewood Youth Center at Del Valle Park, five Restaurant Row eateries will give parents a chance to “Savor the Flavors” along Candlewood Street for “Parents Night Out, Kids Night In” on Friday, August 10.

In “Shop Lakewood” fashion, East Side Mario’s, Outback Steakhouse, Marie Calender’s, Red Lobster and Souplantation are pitching in to give moms and dads an affordable couple’s night out.

The event is part of the city’s “Finally Its Friday” family fun program www.lakewoodcity.org/ FinallyItsFriday. While parents dine, Youth Center staff will entertain kids with a night of games, pizza and snacks -- for ages 3 and older (children must be potty trained). Cost for the kids is $5 per person and preregistration is required at 562866-9771, extension 2408.

“Lakewood merchants getting (Cont’d. on pg. 5)

LakewoodToday

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New budget has Lakewood staying on a good course

By Mayor Diane DuBois

These are tough, challenging times for many cities. We hear regularly about cities having to reduce service or even declare bankruptcy.

Fortunately, Lakewood continues to be a good-news story for a city budget and city services. The Lakewood City Council recently voted to approve a budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2012 that maintains full city services for residents.

As a long-time Lakewood resident (since 1960), I’m pleased that we’re able to keep giving our residents high quality services in an economically sustainable way, which is key in dealing with the challenging times, now and in the future. Also key is that we stay focused on the core functions of operating a city government, and delivering on those core functions in the best possible way.

We’re fiscally cautious and careful in Lakewood. We traditionally target our revenues and expenditures to the middle of the economic curve. We don’t ramp up spending when the economy does well. That way, when the economy temporarily heads downward (which is inevitable in business cycles),

we don’t have to quickly cut services. We still face challenges from a long-term tough economy, but we have a cushion built in to help us through some lean years.

Lakewood’s tradition of careful budgeting is really showing its value in these difficult times. It is especially evident as we and other cities are experiencing the loss of local redevelopment dollars, recently taken by our state legislators to try to solve Sacramento’s budget problems.

Here are a few areas of our 2012-2013 Lakewood budget that impress me the most.

We’re able to continue with tree planting and trimming, sidewalk repair, and code enforcement to deal with problematic homes that have become neighborhood eyesores. These are basic but important services that many cities have had to cut recently.

We’ll continue paying for high-level service from the Sheriff’s Department and for our traditional add-on programs that enhance safety in Lakewood.

These include Sky Knight helicopter support, a vigorous Neighborhood Watch program, and fingerprinting at non-violent crime scenes (which pays off in criminal apprehension and crime reduction). We’re one of the few cities in the region to still do that.

Lakewood residents love their parks and recreation programs.

We’ll continue to provide our full range of award-winning recreation programs for residents of all ages, including our free youth sports programs and full hours at city parks—again, services that some cities have sadly had to curtail.

These are tough economic times for cities—especially with the blows that our state legislators keep sending our way.

I want to say how fortunate I feel

August 2012

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here in Lakewood that we have had the solid economic base, city management, and council vision and oversight through the years so that we’re able to preserve the good things in our community.

In these tough times, preserving the good things we have is a challenge, but it’s one that we’re continuing to meet in Lakewood.

C i t y Spotlight Kids have no reason to be bored this summer Youth and family opportunities, events and excursions are happening through the summer in Lakewood. For daily activities, check out the Lakewood Summer Recreation Catalog at www.lakewoodcity.org/Catalog or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

There are excursions, including going to Disneyland on Wednesday, August 1, from 9am to 9pm. All ages are welcome, and the cost is $59 per person. And there will be an excursion to Universal Studios on Wednesday, August 15, from 8am to 8pm. The trip is for ages 3 to17, with a cost of $42 per youth. Anyone below the age of 8 must be accompanied by a paid adult.

Movie night/family swim night at McCormick Park is on Friday, August 3, from 7pm to 9pm for Lakewood residents.

The movie is “Happy Feet” and the cost is $3 per person.

The Summer Ice Festival comes to Mae Boyar Park on Friday, August 17, from 2pm to 5pm. It includes icy contests, games, wintry crafts and icy carnival games like ice blocking down a hill, and it’s free.

Celebrate Nature, which

lets youngsters discover nature in their own backyard, will be featured on Sunday, August 26, from 5pm to 6pm at Monte Verde Park. This event is free.

Tot Lot registration begins Friday, August 3 Tot Lot is a parent cooperative program for 2-5 year olds and takes place during the school year. Registration for the program will be held on Friday, August 3, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at Del Valle and Mayfair Parks.

Most Tot Lots meet Monday Friday, 9:30am to 11:30am in the fenced preschool play area of the three parks. Parents are responsible for each Tot Lot’s operation and members select activities and excursions.

Up-to-date immunization cards, including TB tests, and proof of age are required at the time of registration. TB testing is mandatory for all new Tot Lot children and working adults. The registration fee is $45 for residents and $55 for non-residents. Insurance is $5 per person and is required for each participating child and volunteer worker. For more information, call 562-8669771, extension 2408.

FUN-Tastic Family Nights continue Bring the whole family on Friday, August 24, from 6:30pm to 8pm for “The Chameleons” at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. The entertainers will present a collection of short mime plays using sound effects, music and illusions.

The fee is $8 per person ($5 for children age 3 and under) and includes a light dinner of Teriyaki chicken, steamed rice, lemonade and dessert prior to the show. Registration

by August 21 is required in advance. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or register online using eCatalog at www. lakewoodcity.org/recreation.

Adult softball registration begins Monday, August 13 Adult softball leagues for

the fall season will play from September 26 to December 10.

Men’s and women’s leagues play night games beginning at 6:30pm. Co-recreation teams play Thursday evenings or Sunday afternoons.

Games are played at various Lakewood parks.

Registration information packets are available in the recreation department inside Lakewood City Hall or at w w w. l a k e w o o d c i t y. o r g / recreation. Fees and other details are available in the packet. Registration dates for Lakewood resident teams are August 13 to 23. Registration for other teams is August 21 to 23.

Swim lessons continue at both pools Mayfair and McCormick Park pools will feature swim lessons throughout August. Classes are held Monday through Friday for two-week sessions for 30 minutes each day. Session 4 lessons take place August 6 to 17. Participants can register at the pools beginning Saturday, August 4, from 11am to 4pm.

Residents planning ahead for Session 5 lessons taking place Monday through Friday, August 20 to 31, registration can be completed online until August 13. For aquatic information call Mayfair Pool at 562-804-4256 or McCormick Pool at 562421-3343.

Youth Sports sign ups at all city parks Lakewood youth can sign up for free sports leagues at their local park. The award winning Lakewood Youth Sports (LYS) program is offering Flag Football and Girls Volleytennis this fall. Signups will take place August 18-25 at all Lakewood parks. Players must bring a birth certificate and signed registration card. There is no fee for Lakewood residents with proof of residency. A nonresident registration fee of $20 is payable at registration.

The Flag Football program will offer two divisions.

The Competitive Division is for youth ages 8-15 and the Smurf Division, for ages 6-7, offers boys and girls a fun introduction to flag football fundamentals using a Nerf football and modified rules for fun with minimal competition.

Teams practice and play league games on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings from September 4 to November 10.

The Girls Volleytennis program is a fast-moving game played like volleyball with a modified format. Girls ages 8-17 are assigned to park teams in four divisions for league play and city championships. Teams practice and play on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings from September 4 to November 10. Playoffs for both programs conclude by November 17.

Free Family Play Day at the Parks Bring the entire family to the (Cont’d. on page 13)

August 2012

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Senior Fair attendees offered a free ride from Weingart Senior Center Sabrina Junkin, the senior center coordinator. “For lots of routine needs, the city’s DASH transit service is free to Lakewood residents 60 years of age or older without their own transportation and to disabled residents of any age.”

DASH is a reservation-only service that travels in and around Lakewood. For help in becoming a DASH rider, call 562-924-0149.

Users of the service must meet some eligibility requirements.

DASH vans keep Lakewood’s seniors mobile and independent.

The Weingart Senior Center is offering to do the driving for any Lakewood senior wanting to attend Congresswoman Linda Sanchez’ 10th Annual Senior Fair coming to nearby Cerritos on Tuesday, August 14 from 9am to 12noon. The Senior Fair is free, and lunch will be provided.

The event includes free health screenings; health education; and information on food assistance programs, veterans’ assistance, consumer protection, housing assistance, job training programs, utility assistance programs, and elder law/rights. For more information, please contact Congresswoman Linda Sánchez’ district office at 562-860-5050.

Transportation will leave from the Weingart Senior Center for the event at the Cerritos Performing

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Publication Manager/Graphics Designer Jodee Kilroy Editor-in-Chief Robin Vanderwerff Sales Ruby Cure Published by the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce #24 Lakewood Center Lakewood, CA 90712 P: (562) 531-9733 * F: (562) 531-9737 advertise@lakewoodchamber.com news@lakewoodchamber.com This publication is delivered to homes & businesses in Lakewood, and portions of Long Beach, with a circulation of 30,000.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $20/yr in Orange & L.A. Counties; $25/yr in all other counties. Payable in advance.

Contents of the Lakewood Community News (“LCN”) may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to revise, edit, reject or suspend publication of any content germane to any addition without prior notice.

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Opinions expressed in the letter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, members, staff or the LCN. The LCN reserves the right to refuse or edit editorial content, without notice, for the reasons of, but not limited to, length, grammar, clarity or for the potentially libelous statements.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: There is no guarantee of return of photographs. © 2012 Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced or transmitted - by any means - without the publisher’s written permission

Arts Center at 12700 Center Court Drive. Shuttle space may fill up. Call Sabrina Junkin at the Weingart Center at 562-630-6141 to reserve a seat.

“We’re excited to get Lakewood’s seniors to this event.

We want them to know they don’t need to be housebound,” says

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Advertise in the AWARD-WINNING Lakewood Community News.

Call (562) 531-9733 or email advertise@lakewoodchamber.com

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August 2012

New battle over flood insurance ends well for Lakewood Long-time Lakewood residents may have thought the fight over whether to require residential flood insurance in our region was settled once and for all in 2002.

At that time, a $210 million, multi-year project was completed to raise 21 miles of levees and install extra walls 2-to-5-feet high along the lower Los Angeles River and Rio Hondo. The new construction provided protection to hold back a “100-year flood”—

the level of security that negates the need for flood insurance on federally-backed mortgages.

Flood insurance would have cost the average homeowner about $300 a year.

The City of Lakewood helped form a coalition of cities in 1991 that worked with the county and Army Corps of Engineers to speed up work on that flood protection project. Lakewood leaders worked the halls of

LA River flood protection improvement construction in early 2001.

Congress and the State Capitol to prevent misguided legislation that would have delayed or even prevented flood protection improvements, which would have exposed Lakewood residents to the threat of catastrophic flooding and more years of federal flood insurance requirements.

All that work paid off in 2002 when the flood control project was finalized and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a “Letter of Map Revision” for Lakewood and other communities and lifted the mandate that lenders require mortgage borrowers in the flood zone to have flood insurance.

However, the federal flood insurance specter reared its head again recently when legislation began moving in the U.S. Senate to require flood insurance on federally-backed mortgages in areas located behind levees and other flood control measures with 100-year flood protection-in spite of that high level of protection.

Lakewood and communities around the nation were shocked.

All the local and federal money and time previously spent to improve levees to 100-year levels seemed for naught if flood insurance would still be required in those areas. The proposed new

requirement seemed instead like an effort to bring in extra funding for FEMA’s insurance fund (depleted by recent disasters) on the backs of regions around the country, like Lakewood and southeastern Los Angeles County, that have modern flood control construction in place.

The City of Lakewood got to work fast, firing off letters and phone calls to the city’s U.S. Senators and Congresswoman.

Senator Diane Feinstein cosponsored an amendment favorable to Lakewood and our region. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez continued her longstanding support for Lakewood’s position and voted for a Houseversion of the bill that did not require flood insurance for communities like Lakewood with 100-year protection already in place. Fortunately in the end, the legislation in the Senate was modified and the final bill that passed both houses of Congress did not include the flood insurance requirement for communities with 100-year flood protection.

Convenient ‘dump’ and recycling facility opens Lakewood’s trash contractor, EDCO, has opened a customerfriendly dump transfer station and recycling facility just a few miles away at 2755 California Avenue in Signal Hill. The phone number is 562-997-1122.

The new facility accepts large and oversized amounts of brick, used lumber and other material that can’t be put in residential trash or green waste cans or be left for Dial-A-Dump pick-up.

“This is a good local resource when residents are doing home projects, yard makeovers or garage clean-ups and have that extra amount of waste to get rid of,” says Lakewood Public Works Director Lisa Rapp. “Now we have a facility right in our backyard that’s open seven days a week.”

Dump fees do apply at the new facility. EDCO charges a flat rate of $33 for loads under 800 pounds, and $59 a ton for large loads.

Residents can also drop off large amounts of greenwaste at the new EDCO site, and it is appreciated if the plant and tree material is not contaminated with other materials. If clean, it can be recycled and turned into reusable mulch. Dumping fees apply for the greenwaste.

Used motor oil and electronic waste can also be dropped off at the EDCO facility. Plans are in the works to accept household hazardous waste sometime in the future.

The public waste disposal facility is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 4:30pm, and Sunday 9am to 1:30pm. The CRV buy-back area is open Tuesday to Saturday between 8am and 4pm, and is closed Sunday and Monday.

August 2012

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When the weather warms, keep wines cool

By David White

Most of the nation is still recovering from a brutal heat wave that shattered thousands of records and forced millions to stay indoors and crank up the air conditioning. The impact of such weather on wine was on full effect recently, when I attended an outdoor party on a 100-degree day.

I arrived to the event a few hours early, as my friend had asked if I could bring a few cases of wine.

When I pulled in, I was thrilled to spot the caterer, who was already filling large coolers with ice.

She quickly took the white wines and threw them in the coolers. The reds, though, remained on a table, baking under the hot sun. So I asked how I could help, offering to put the reds in a refrigerator or toss them in a different cooler.

She looked at me like I was insane.

“I’ve been doing this for years, and I’ve never heard of chilling reds,” she declared, incredulously.

I politely noted the sweltering heat, and suggested that guests would prefer cool wine - which would quickly warm once poured - to wine that had been sitting in the hot sun all day.

“Well, you’re the expert,” she answered, proceeding to put the reds on ice. “But I’ve always been told that red wines are served at room temperature.”

And there it was, the world’s most pervasive wine myth. The notion that reds should be served at room temperature is why most people - and even most bars, restaurants, and caterers - serve red wines too warm.

If you’re drinking a red wine, pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. If you’re drinking a white wine, pull it out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before you’re going to drink it.

Temperature doesn’t just matter when serving wine; it also matters when storing it.

If you’re looking to hold onto a special bottle for a long time, most experts agree that it should be stored somewhere cool and dark - wine cellars are typically kept at about 55 degrees. This allows a wine to develop slowly and predictably, hopefully becoming more complex and interesting over time. Wines stored at higher temperatures will

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age more quickly and can develop off flavors and aromas.

It’s also worth noting that wine is perishable and can spoil very quickly when exposed to extreme heat.

Like ice cream, wine can be destroyed when left outside - or even worse, in a car - on a hot summer day. If a wine is just slightly “cooked,” the damage will be hard to perceive - it will just seem a bit dull. When a wine is more noticeably heat-damaged, it’s marked by aromas of stewed fruit and burnt sugar. When heat damage is severe, the wine will expand inside the bottle -pushing out the cork and breaking its seal, thus spoiling the wine by exposing it to too much oxygen.

Already, it looks like this might be the hottest summer in history.

So keep cool. And don’t forget to chill your wines.

“Restaurant Row” (Cont’d. from Pg. 1)

involved in helping the Lakewood community is a long-time tradition,” said Lakewood Mayor Diane DuBois. It’s reflected in the 15 businesses that helped make the Block Party’s ‘Taste of Lakewood’ a winner again this year in providing great support to our local libraries.”

Finally Its Friday is an affordable series of family events running through the end of this month featuring events like outdoor movie nights, Shakespeare by the Sea and the Summer Ice Festival.

Upcoming Finally Its Friday events:

• August 3 at 7pm - Family Swim Night at McCormick Pool - $3 per person (Lakewood residents only) • August 10 at 6pm - Parents Night Out, Kids Night In at the Lakewood Youth Center - $5 per person • August 17 at 2pm - Summer Ice Festival at Mae Boyar Park, for ages 8 to 13 – free.

• August 24 at 6:30pm - FUNTastic Family Night at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza, featuring pantomimes The Chameleons - $8 per person; $5 children for children 3 and under (cost includes a light dinner).

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Tell us what you would like to read in the Lakewood Community News.

Email your ideas to: news@lakewoodchamber.com or send it by mail to: P.O. Box 160, Lakewood, CA 90714

10:00 am

ChamberNews Page 6

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For more information about the Chamber’s Softball League, or if you want to register to play you may contact Frank Cardiel at (562) 531-9733

Ireland Trip Orientation Meeting

Monday, August 6th/5:30pm LOCATION: Chamber Office: #24 Lakewood Center

(Next to See’s Candies) FOR MORE INFO, CALL (562) 531-9733 Deadline to register:

AUGUST 31, 2012

August 2012

Welcome New Member!

Bellflower Soroptimist Club P.O. Box 301 Bellflower, CA 90707 (562) 866-8899

Member Renewals With their renewal, the following businesses have celebrated another year as members of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

27 Years Lakewood Dental Arts

2 Years SA Recycling

Thank You!

Women in Business Council

Wednesday August 8th Location:

SELACO WIB 10900 E. 183rd St. Cerritos, CA 90703 (Bring your lunch!)

Call Marjean for more information: (562) 402-9336 x1252

Green

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August 2012

Water Wise rebates are waiting for residents We can’t control the weather or how much rain we get, but we can control how much water we use.

Lakewood’s Water Resources Department is offering customers up to $915 in credit on their water bill if they take voluntary action to reduce outdoor water use. It’s easy to save water, and it’s easy to collect!

The program offers two types of rebates. The first type of rebate is for installing watersaving devices. Homeowners can earn $5 to $50 toward the cost of water-saving tools like rotor sprinkler heads, hose end timers, moisture sensors, drip irrigation kits, irrigation timers and drip-line emitters.

Purchase and install one of these affordable, easy to use water-saving devices and you will reduce your water usage and put cash back in your wallet.

Lakewood Water Resources customers can apply for rebates more than once, as long as the rebate application is for a different type of device. Just save your receipts.

Lakewood water customers can receive additional savings when they purchase approved water saving devices in Lakewood!

Just visit the ShopLakewood. org website, print the Lakewood Department of Water Resources coupon and include it with the device rebate application and original receipt. An additional $2.50 credit will be applied to your water bill for the purchase of devices priced between $25 and $49.99, and $5 credit can be earned for a purchase totaling $50 or more (before sales tax).

The second type of rebate is for turf removal landscape makeovers. Lakewood customers can earn rebates of up to $800 for the removal of water-thirsty grass landscaping and the installation of new water-wise landscape, irrigation and water-permeable surfaces (with a pre-approved plan and application).

At the rate of $1 per square foot of turf removed, this onetime rebate is paid for preapproved landscape projects up to a maximum of 800 square feet.

The Water Wise Rebate rules are online and will give you guidelines and rebate applications that must be submitted prior to the start of the project to qualify. For more details visit www.lakewoodcity. org/waterrebates.

Choose the program that works best for your yard and lifestyle.

Or, take advantage of both rebate programs. For additional information call 562-866-9771, extension 2700.

Dear EarthTalk: We’ve been hearing for years how producing red meat is bad for the environment, while consuming it is bad for our health. How do other types of meat, fish, dairy and vegetable proteins stack up in terms of environmental and health impacts? ~ Julia

Not all forms of protein are created equal as to the environmental and health implications of raising and consuming them. A 2011 assessment by the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that “different meats and different production systems have varying health, climate and other environmental impacts.”

The quantity of chemical fertilizers, fuel and other “production inputs” used, the differences in soil conditions and production systems and the extent to which best practices such as cover cropping, intensive grazing or manure management are implemented all affect the amount of greenhouse gas emissions a meat product is responsible for generating. With that being said… lamb, beef, cheese, pork and farmed salmon raised “conventionally” (e.g. with inputs including hormones and antibiotics and feed derived from crops grown with chemical pesticides and fertilizers) were determined by EWG to generate the most greenhouse gases.

On the health front, EWG reports that “eating too much of these greenhouse gas-intensive meats boosts exposure to toxins and increases the risk of a wide

variety of serious health problems, including heart disease, certain cancers, obesity and, in some studies, diabetes.”

Besides cutting out animalderived proteins altogether, the best thing we can do for our health and the environment is to cut down on our meat consumption and choose only organic, humane and/or grass-fed meat, eggs and dairy.

For more information check out EWG’s free online “Meat Eater’s Guide at www.ewg.org/ meateatersguide.

Living

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“Car Show”

(Cont’d. from Pg. 1)

plenty of food trucks at the park to choose from, so grab a bite to eat, and enjoy music by DJ Ken. As if that’s not enough to fill your day, there will be business-promoting vendor booths, raffle prizes and award- winning opportunities to all custom, street rods and restored classic car entries.

Every year Summer Stampede brings thousands of community members, car show aficionados and business to the City of Lakewood, and while presented by the Chamber, this event would not be possible without the involvement of our Chamber Members. This year’s major sponsor is George Chevrolet.

We can’t thank them enough for their contributions!

Vendor booths are still available,

along with raffle or goodie bag donations. Also, there are still sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information call (562) 5319733.

It only takes a few moments to show your gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. So stop by Mayfair Park on Sunday, August 19th and salute our veterans!

Please help us spread the word that there will be two (2) Navy F-18 jets flying very low over Mayfair Park (around 1500 feet) on Sunday August 19, 2012, between 9:00-10:00 A.M. The jets are part of this year’s festivities and will be extremely LOUD! ~ Thank you!

August 2012

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Take a bike ride, it’s good for the mind and body

The annual Tour de France bike race in Europe is one of the ultimate tests of strength, endurance and tenacity. Just completing the race is a life accomplishment for most riders.

But recently, scientists who have been studying the effects

of biking on the brain and body have found biking can improve brain health as well as having physical benefits.

We were designed to work and exert energy through exercise, but can biking really be good

for your brain? The brain needs to be exercised, so research has demonstrated that as fitness levels increase, depression levels can be reduced and wellbeing improves.

With a daily 30-minute bike ride of medium intensity, you can improve your mood and wellbeing, and most importantly, reduce stress. Just like the heart, the brain needs to be active and fit to perform at optimum levels.

Riding a bike regularly may have many benefits that we’re just beginning to understand.

One thing that is known is that biking, like other aerobic activities, helps to stimulate the brain, and reduce the burden of stress.

One concentrated study at Tohoku University in Japan looked at motorcycle use and it’s the effects on the brain. They studied Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and found that riding activates prefrontal areas of the brain. These prefrontal areas are stimulated as the brain zips signals to the body to steer the bike.

The Department of Functional Brain Imaging found that riding helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains.

The study found an area called the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) was activated while riding. When these areas are simulated, they positively affected cognitive functions, stress reduction, memory, and concentration. These studies also suggest similar results will be found with bike riders.

It is common knowledge that inactivity, lack of exercise or poor sleep can lead to feeling a low level of energy or mental stamina.

We now understand how important sleep is to our overall mental and physical health.

Many variables contribute to poor sleep, from diet to daily exercise.

Current research is studying the connection between sleep and memory.

But research has shown that quality sleep in older adults may help repair some of the damage from aging brain cells. This damage may contribute to memory problems, concentration and other important mental tasks.

Like muscular strength, brainpower is a “use it or lose it” proposition. The more you work out your brain, the better you’ll be able to process and remember information. Like any form of exercise, giving your brain a boost means you’re keeping it healthy and fit.

Mark Underwood is a neuroscience researcher, president and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience, a biotech company located in Madison, Wisconsin focused on the discovery and development of medicines to treat age related memory loss and the diseases of aging.

August 2012

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Shop Lakewood Page 9

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Support the sponsors who make the Concerts in the Park happen Concerts in the Park has been a summertime tradition in Lakewood since 1987.

“The concerts have been one of the city’s longtime, successful efforts to foster a sense of community among residents,” said Lakewood Mayor Diane DuBois. “The music’s good, the atmosphere is festive, and people really enjoy getting together in one of our beautiful parks and enjoying an evening together.”

Since the 1990s, sponsors have played an important role in keeping the music alive in the Del Valle Park grove. “I can’t say enough about the support we get from local businesses,” said DuBois. “It really helps. I hope residents will do what they can to return that business support and patronize them whenever possible.”

This year’s “Platinum Sponsors” of the concert series include Piazza McDonalds, State Farm Agents of Lakewood, Kenny’s Auto Body

Enjoying a summer’s evening at Del Valle Park. and Towing, The Lakewood Pan American Association and Willow Urgent Care. “Gold Sponsors” include Lakewood Center, Mr. B’s Kettle Corn, the Independent Physicians of Lakewood IPA, and

August 2012

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the Rotary Club of Lakewood.

Sales of dinner and refreshments at each concert aren’t just for the convenience of music lovers. Every concert gives local non-profit community organizations a way

to raise funds and give residents a chance to learn more about their contribution to the community. This summer has featured Lakewood’s Tot Lots, the Rotary Club of Lakewood and the Pan American Association.

The popular summer concert series runs for eight Thursday evenings at 6:30pm from June through August. It features a variety of music styles at Del Valle Park at the intersection of Woodruff Avenue and Arbor Road.

Remaining August dates include the R & B sounds of Stone Soul on August 2, and the country sounds of Brian Lynn Jones & the Misfit Cowboys on August 9. Attendees may bring their own picnic dinner and low-back lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. They’re asked not to bring their pets, barbecues and alcoholic beverages.

For more information about the concerts go to www.lakewoodcity. org/concerts. For sponsorship information call 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

Local spa becomes belly friendly

The dog days of summer are here! With the hottest months of the year upon us, the time is ripe for a program catering to common discomforts of expecting moms. Belly Friendly helps spas to provide the very best in pregnancy services through a one-ofa-kind education program.

Studio Cie is featuring this program at their new location in Lakewood, 4117 Woodruff Ave. Consumers interested in Belly Friendly services at Studio Cie can call (562) 4219200.

To make sure they are providing the very best in prenatal services at affordable prices, Studio Cie offers expecting moms the following membership packages: Three-month program ($81/ month) One 60 minute massage each month plus 20% off additional services Six-month program ($76.50/ month) One 60 minute massage each month, one 30 minute Belly Facial each month plus 20% off additional services.

Nine-month program ($72/ month) One 60 minute massage each month, one complimentary postpartum body treatment plus 20% off additional services.

Benefits of Meditation Are you enjoying the benefits of meditation? Mainstream magazines tell us an ongoing meditation practice provides physical, psychological and spiritual benefits. A few minutes a day makes a difference and it costs absolutely nothing.

Physical benefits include lowering of blood pressure, improved sleep and a decrease in stress.

Psychological benefits include feeling calmer, more focused and able to concentrate. Opening your heart is a spiritual benefit of a meditation practice. As your capacity for love and compassion develops, you will begin to see situations from a different perspective and relationships improve.

If you can breathe, you can learn to meditate! Every conscious breath is a meditation.

Victoria Sciarra is a Lakewood resident. To learn more about her beginning meditation class call her at 562-420-3002 or visit her website at victoriasciarra.com. Victoria is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience.

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August 2012

Local high school students named President’s Scholars

Local high school graduates Michael Oscarson and Quiana Sanchez have been named President’s Scholars with the fall 2012 incoming freshman class at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and as such each has been awarded a full, four-year scholarship from the university worth about $70,000.

Oscarson was a valedictorian for this year’s graduating class at Lakewood High School. The son of Malcolm Oscarson of Long Beach, Michael has declared a major in kinesiotherapy with an eventual career goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Michael Oscarson Sanchez was recognized as a National Achievement Finalist during her senior year at Mayfair High School in Lakewood. The daughter of Beverly Sanchez, Quiana is planning to major in the health care area.

The CSULB President’s Scholars Program was created in 1995 in an effort to bring valedictorians and national scholars from California high schools to the Long Beach campus. It is recognized as the premier program of its kind in the state, and since its inception, more than 1,000 students from throughout the state have been selected for the program.

Quiana Sanchez Oscarson and Sanchez were selected for the program from an applicant pool of close to 700 high achieving students statewide.

They will be among 26 new President’s Scholars joining the university when fall classes begin Aug. 27.

Congrats!

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Kids find a summer of hope Local credit union is collecting school supply donations and fun-filled activities

Children from Long Beach and surrounding areas waved with excitement as the first buses headed to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times prepared to drive off.

More than 30 Long Beach youths (ages 9-18) with cancer and their siblings recently kickedoff their 2012 summer season by boarding the first buses headed to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®. The children gathered at the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House® to board the Camp buses.

“This is the first year that the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House participates in the summer camp program, and we are overjoyed that children of this city and surrounding areas now have the opportunity to enjoy this experience,” said Rob Parker, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California.

“Our camp offers children with cancer an opportunity to process

their diagnosis while learning to be self-reliant in the great outdoors.”

Located on a 60-acre site near the mountain community of Idyllwild in Riverside County, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times lets kids with cancer just be kids by allowing them to participate in activities such as arts and crafts, horseback riding, swimming, hiking and the traditional activities of camp, modified to meet their special needs. The program offers life-changing, self-esteem and character-building skills to the campers. At camp, children share common bonds and experiences with other kids who have or had cancer.

LBS Financial Credit Union is collecting school supplies for three local school districts in the Greater Long Beach area this summer. The Credit Union is working with ABC Unified School District (ABCUSD), Bellflower Unified School District (BUSD) and Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to adopt schools and provide needed school supplies. This year, Hamilton Middle School was selected by LBUSD and Tracy High School by ABCUSD to be the credit union’s adopted schools for 2012. BUSD will be distributing supplies to several of their schools.

LBS Financial is requesting support from area residents that are interested in helping the local schools. With the continuing state budget crisis and less support for the schools, teachers and families of students are often charged with purchasing their own school supplies. Wish lists for items needed are located on the LBS Financial website at www. lbsfcu.org and at each of their Greater Long Beach locations (Long Beach, Cerritos and Lakewood). Donations can be dropped off directly at any LBS Financial branch location through August 24, 2012.

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Pathways gets ready to tee off!

From L to R: Wayne Piercy - former City of Lakewood Mayor, Glen Patrick Weingart-Lakewood Family YMCA, Joe Esquivel - former City of Lakewood Mayor and Kurt Kurtz - Rotary Club of Lakewood.

The 18th Annual Pathways Volunteer Hospice Charity Golf Tournament will be held on August 20, 2012 at the Recreation Park Golf Course in Long Beach. At the helm this year are tournament co-chairs Brenda Olmos and Vince Torres from AppleCare and the City of Paramount Community Services and Recreation department.

Vince is a long time supporter of Pathways and currently serves on the board of directors. Brenda is new to the Pathways board and brings with her a fresh enthusiasm and expertise in community involvement.

The Pathways tournament is still one of the best values in town.

For only $150 per golfer, or $600 per foursome, participants receive a complimentary barbeque lunch, food and beverages on the course and a banquet buffet dinner, in addition to their round of golf with a cart. Opportunities to win some of Pathways ever-famous raffle prize baskets and auction items top off the day.

The tournament begins with a 12:30 p.m. shot gun start. For reservations or more information, please contact Pathways at (562) 531-3031, or visit our website at www.pathwayshospice.org.

Walk for Kids raises big money for Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House Charities速 of Southern California (RMHCSC) announced that more than $1.8 million was raised through its recent Walk for Kids fundraiser.

Money raised

will be used to fund overnight stays at Ronald McDonald Houses, one of which is located in Long Beach. Ronald McDonald House offers lowcost, and often free, temporary housing to families of seriously

ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals and medical centers. The funds will also be applied towards weeklong trips for children with cancer and their siblings to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, which provides sick children an opportunity to process their diagnosis and restore their self-esteem while learning independence and self-reliance in the therapeutic environment of the great outdoors.

Additionally, the monies will go towards Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which serve as an oasis inside the hospital for parents with children in the pediatric intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit.

For more information on RMHCSC, visit rmhcsc.org.

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‘Just the facts’ and services at the Sheriff’s Community Safety Center

Community Services Officer Adela Biddle creates a ‘LiveScan’ computerized finger print.

Residents get a lot more than “Just the facts, ma’am,” at the Lakewood Sheriff’s Community Safety Center. The mall’s public safety storefront offers services ranging from LiveScan fingerprinting to city parking permits. It’s also an information portal for City of Lakewood recreation programs and services.

The center holds dozens of public safety and consumer information classes for kids and homeowners throughout the year. Many are free.

Their public safety focus would do legendary TV detective Joe Friday proud.

Topics reflect issues in the news and are discussed by deputies.

Identity theft, crime trends and vehicle theft will be spotlighted in three evening seminars in coming weeks. Session leaders are members of the Team Lakewood Special Assignment unit.

• Financial Crimes and Identity Theft Wednesday, August 15, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

• Current Crime Trends Thursday, September 13, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

• Vehicle Security Tuesday, September 18, 6:30pm

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to 8:30pm.

Lakewood’s recreation catalog features two full pages of “Safety & Crime Prevention” programs which are based out of the center. Details are at: www. lakewoodcity.org/safetyclasses.

“The facility also offers training and information through partnerships with community groups, such as the American Red Cross,” says Lakewood Deputy City Manager Carol Flynn Jacoby. “Along with safety classes, residents can register for Neighborhood Watch, Lakewood Auto Watch, emergency preparedness training and even Lakewood recreation classes.”

This month, the Lakewood Sheriff’s Community Safety Center, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, is holding a blood drive on Thursday, August 2, from 12noon to 6pm.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made easily online at www.redcrossblood. org, or at 800-448-3543.

The center is a 3,000-squarefoot storefront in the “Target wing” of the mall (north of the Macy store). It’s a direct link to the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station for law enforcement service and allows Lakewood community

groups to schedule meetings and hold community events.

And, the safety center’s staff can assist residents with bicycle licensing, the filing of crime reports and using the sheriff’s online resources and registering for recreation classes. When city hall is closed, it’s a resource for RV parking permits.

The safety center is open during extended mall hours, from 9am to 9pm weekdays, Saturdays from 10am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm. For information and scheduling assistance, call the Lakewood Sheriff’s Community Safety Center at 562-623-3583.

City Spotlight (Cont’d. from Pg. 2)

park for a free, Family Play Day event on Saturday, August 11, from 10am to 1pm. Residents of all ages will enjoy the friendly competition of scheduled games and family activities at Mayfair, Bolivar, Palms and Del Valle parks.

The morning will begin with a “parents vs. kids” softball game. Recreation staff will be organizing sack races, sidewalk chalk contests, Frisbee golf, a playground obstacle course and a volleytennis game.

Participants can also enjoy a free barbecue lunch of hot dogs, chips and punch followed by more games in the afternoon.

For those wanting to cool off, free recreation swim tickets will be given out during lunchtime.

The passes will allow entry to Mayfair or McCormick pools on August 11 during the recreation swim hours of 1pm to 2:30pm or 2:45pm to 4:15pm. After lunch,

Ants * Fleas * Bees Rats * Termites * Bed Bugs ...and more!

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the activities continue with basketball games, the Slip–nSlide, a water balloon game and a refreshing popsicle treat.

Youngsters age 3-7 can also keep cool in the wading pools at San Martin, Del Valle, Mae Boyar, Mayfair and Palms parks. After the event, children can also play at the playground and explore their neighborhood park.

Save the Date of September 11 for the Patriot Day Concert Lakewood’s 2012 Patriot Day commemoration will take place on Tuesday, September 11 at 6pm in the concert grove at Del Valle Park. This annual concert, featuring live entertainment, commemorates the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and those lost in the terrorist attacks.

It also honors those public safety officers and military personnel who are still on the front lines in the struggle against terrorism. Mark your calendars to attend this special community event.

Around

Town

with Robin Vanderwerff

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Summer fun in Lakewood...

FREE Summer Ice Festival fun returns to Mae Boyar Park on Friday, August 17 at 2pm.

August 2012

www.lakewoodnews.org See the smiling faces and fun from this summer’s Concerts in the Park, Civic Center Block Party, and LYS Opening/Public Safety Expo at www.lakewoodcity.org/ communitygallery.

There’s still time to get your share of the Lakewood fun this summer with: • Concerts in the Park on August 2 and 9. Details at www. lakewoodcity.org/concerts.

• McCormick Pool and Mayfair Pool, open seven days a week through September 2. For details on pools and swim programs, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ aquatics.

• Family Play Day. On Saturday, August 11 from 10am to 1pm, residents of all ages can enjoy the friendly competition of scheduled games and family activities at Mayfair, Bolivar, Palms and Del Valle parks. For questions on any of these activities, call your Lakewood city staff at 562-8669771, extension 2408.

Around Town in August Lakewood

• Lakewood Life Center will host Vacation Bible School, “SonSurf Beach Bash” from August 13 – August 17. There will be games, group competitions and lots of fun! Lakewood Life Center is located at 6022 Candlewood St. For more information call Emily Clowes at (562) 810-1011.

Cerritos • Congresswoman Linda Sanchez will host her 10th Annual Senior Fair, which will take place on Tuesday, August 14 from 9am to 12noon at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court. For more information call (562) 860-5050.

Long Beach • Iowa by the Sea is celebrating its 112th picnic on Saturday, August 11 at Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club House, 1109 Federation Dr. Setup and registration will start at 9:30am. Please bring a dish to share with others, eating utensils and beverages. For more information call (562) 421-0726.

Thanks to our JULY Sudoku Sponsors Outback Steakhouse Foggia’s Italian Market & Deli Souplantation Congratulations to Allan Dobbins, Eric Scholte, and Janice Harman! They are the lucky winners of the July Sudoku. Out of 100 entries, they won a meal. Allan Dobbins, will enjoy Outback Steakhouse, Eric Scholte, Foggia Italian Market and Deli and Janice Harman will enjoy The Souplantation. What are you waiting for? Pick up your pencil and put your brain to work!

To be eligible, print your name, address and phone number on a letter size (8 ½ x 11) piece of paper, tape the puzzle cut out from the newspaper with all the answer boxes completed onto the paper.

Mail entries

to: Lakewood Community News P.O. Box 160, Lakewood, CA 90714. Or drop it by the Chamber office at 24 Lakewood Center Mall (right next to Sees Candies) The winners are drawn by random, so if you’ve been a previous winner, continue to play, you just might win again.

One entry per household; the answers must be postmarked no later than Monday, August 20, 2012. The winners will be drawn Tuesday the 21st; the call to the winners will be made the same day. If a message is left, the prize must be claimed by return phone call within 48 hours (business days) or a new winner will be chosen. The name of the winners will be published in the September issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle.

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Lakewood taps the sun’s power with new project

Lakewood City Council Members help start up Lakewood’s newest solar project.

Lakewood is once again getting help from the sun. The city has just completed the installation of a 266-panel solar array on a Water Resources Department maintenance roof that will generate enough power to meet the daytime needs of the water department’s administrative offices, workshops and warehouse, and the city’s Graphics and Copy Center.

“The solar project makes some of our facilities electrically selfsufficient during daylight hours--a peak demand period. Excess power we generate will feed the regional electric grid to strengthen power service during critical hot summer days. Everyone comes out ahead,” notes Jim Glancy, Lakewood’s Director of Water Resources. “The city gets a good deal on power, residents have a more reliable water system, and Southern California Edison customers have another

Can You Exercise Too Much?

By Dr. Larry Omo, D.C.

Few people would dispute it, but the simple statement that “exercise is good for you” can be taken to the extreme.

Many people think if a little exercise improves health, then more must really improve health. Well, some researchers are now saying this thought process may be very, very flawed.

Researcher Dr. James O’Keefe, a cardiologist at the Mid America Heart Institute of St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, reported in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings that strenuous exercise to extremes, like marathon running, might actually harm your heart. Dr. O’Keefe said, “Physical exercise, though not a drug, possesses many traits of a powerful pharmacologic agent. A routine of daily physical activity can be highly effective for prevention and treatment of many diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, and obesity.

It is important to note that Dr. O’Keefe mentioned long-term, vigorous exercisers have a lower death and disability rate than non-exercisers. If the information in the report is accurate, exercising like crazy is better than not exercising at all but…moderate exercise is better than over-doing it to the extreme.

source of greenhouse gas-free electricity.”

The new photovoltaic solar system covers approximately 4,000 square feet of the Water Maintenance Yard Warehouse roof.

The project is the second “green” power addition to the Arbor Road facility.

In 2009, the city covered the top of the main water storage reservoir

www.lakewoodnews.org with 1,342 solar panels powering a 300 horsepower water pump system. That cut the city’s carbon dioxide emissions by more than 425,000 pounds a year.

Residents considering installing solar power at home should start with some basic research.

“Go Solar California” at www. gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov is California’s portal to home energy innovations. Since 2007, the program has put over 1,000 megawatts of solar panel on homes and businesses.

The cost of solar systems has dropped in recent years making it more accessible to homeowners.

Experts urge consumers to weigh carefully the cost of adding a solar system against the financial benefits of “going off the grid” by generating their own power. There may also be federal tax credits available.

Any solar installation is a major construction job. Call the Lakewood Community Development Department at 562866-9771, extension 2300, to discuss Lakewood’s permit and design requirements.

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