Lakewood
News
Community
30,000 delivered to every home in Lakewood - and portions of Long Beach Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Volume 33 Number 8
www.lakewoodnews.org / www.lakewoodchamber.com
Here’s lookin’ at you kid! The Summer Stampede has something for the whole family!
Hold on to your seats! The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is drivin’ back to Mayfair Park for their Summer Stampede Car Show! The lush green grass and beautiful shade trees make the perfect back drop for this much anticipated event. The Chamber’s 19th Annual Summer Stampede Car Show is right around the corner on Sunday, August 14th from 9am to 2pm, at Mayfair Park, 5720 Clark Ave in Lakewood.
The kids may be too young to drive, but bring them anyway! The Chamber has a lot of fun in store for all the little ones and they’re sure to get a kick out of the obstacle course, game booths, face painting, water balloon toss, watermelon eating contest, and a scavenger hunt… phew! What a way to finish off the summer! There will be a wide variety of vendor booths, raffle prizes and award-winning opportunities to all custom, street rods and
restored classic car entries. If you’re hungry after all this excitement, they’ll be some tasty food trucks to take care of your cravings. Sponsorships and vendor booths are still available, and we are also accepting raffle prizes or goodie bag donations. For more information call the Lakewood Chamber office at (562) 531-9733, or email info@ lakewoodchamber.com. u
August 2016
Thank you for the help! You’re ‘da b mb!
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce’s fireworks booth was a huge success! Local businesses came out to help man the booth and the Chamber wants to blast out a fountain of appreciation to those Lakewood small businesses:
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is the central hub for local businesses; we’re here to help your business grow and succeed. If you would like to learn more about joining the Lakewood Chamber give us a call at (562) 531-9733. u
Shop Lakewood and help Project Shepherd get kids back to school
Go to Pages 8 & 9 for more CAR SHOW details...
Kids, get ready to zip through Bolivar Park!
An exciting 75-foot zip line for children is among the many new features coming to Bolivar Park this fall. Lakewood Community News #24 Lakewood Center Mall Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 531-9733
The improvements to Bolivar include two new play areas, three new picnic shelters, upgrades to the irrigation system, and an innovative PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Santa Fe Spgs, CA PERMIT NO. 29
storm water capture project. The new playgrounds will come first, with work expected to start the week of August 15 and be completed by early November. The new “tot lot” for children under five will feature 10 swings, including an “expression swing” that allows a parent and child to swing face-to-face. The school-aged playground for children five to 12 will include a 75-foot-long zip line—the longest in Lakewood—that will allow kids to travel across the entire play area. You can see artist’s renderings of both playgrounds at www. lakewoodcity.org/bolivarplayground. The Lakewood City Council approved the new playgrounds in June. The total cost will be $589,572, but with $300,000 of the funding coming from the L.A. County Regional Park and Open Space District through the support of County Supervisor Don Knabe. The other improvements coming to Bolivar Park stem from a grant
(Cont’d. on Pg. 8)
Lakewood Project Shepherd is collecting “Back to School” backpacks and school supplies for low-income families with schoolage children in Lakewood through August 8. The start of school is only weeks away and many kids in the community could use some help. New backpacks and school supplies appropriate for all ages will be accepted at Lakewood City Hall during regular business hours or at the Burns Community Center at 5510 Clark Avenue from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, call 562-9257512. As you help Project Shepherd, consider that Lakewood has some of the nation’s most popular and value-oriented back-to-school retailers…including Costco,
Marshalls, Home Goods, Target, Office Max, Dollar Tree, 99¢ Only Stores, Walmart, Kohl’s, Forever 21, JCPenney, Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack and Big 5. Did you know that as a Lakewood resident you benefit each time you make a purchase at a Lakewood store, restaurant or gas station? A portion of your sales tax dollar stays right here in Lakewood. That pays for parks, roads, law enforcement and all the features that make for a good quality of life here in our community. This back-to-school season, keep your hometown in mind, and Shop Lakewood…Stay Lakewood Loyal. And check out Shop Lakewood’s home on Facebook for coupons and updates at www.shoplakewood.org. (You don’t have to be signed up on Facebook to use the site.) u
LakewoodToday
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Happy Fiscal New Year Lakewood!
By Mayor Ron Piazza
We’re still many months away from celebrating the calendar new year on January 1, but most cities in America, including Lakewood, have just turned the page to start a new budget year on July 1. My city council colleagues and I spent many hours poring over the details in reviewing our city’s new $177 million budget for the two fiscal years starting July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2018. Lakewood traditionally crafts a two-year budget to allow for better long-term planning. On behalf of my council colleagues, I’m pleased to report to you that Lakewood is in good financial condition and we’re able to carry out a reasonable number of new projects to keep our city modernized and in good shape for the future. Some of the new projects, such as for parks and community buildings, are ones that you as a resident will easily see and appreciate. Others, such as for our water system, may be underground or not easily seen, but are very important for maintaining our infrastructure and keeping Lakewood a good city for all of us to live in. Here’s what’s new in the
budget, and what I’m very pleased to say remains the same. For Bolivar Park, we approved some major improvements, including two new playgrounds and new picnic shelters. For more details, see the story about Bolivar elsewhere in this newspaper. For the Burns Community Center, where many senior programs take place, we approved the construction of a new elevator, expanded space for building users, new flooring and restroom renovations. In keeping with our commitment to keep Lakewood streets in top-notch condition, the council approved the repaving of Woodruff Avenue, which is expected to be done in late 2016 to early 2017. We also approved an innovative stormwater capture and irrigation project at Mayfair Park. The city won a $15 million grant from the State of California to pay 100% of the project costs. That’s the second state grant our city staff has won for a project like this (the other is for Bolivar Park), and I want to congratulate our staff for their great work on bringing that funding to Lakewood! In our new budget, Lakewood will continue the modernization of our city water system to keep it safe, reliable and sustainable, with projects focused on drilling a new well and upgrading pumps, neighborhood water mains and residential meters. To fund that modernization effort, the average water bill will increase by $2.50 a month from its current level of $33 a month. Lakewood’s city water rates will remain affordably right in the middle range of those charged in the region. While I wish no water rate increase at all were
required, it does cost money to maintain our water system and keep it in the good shape we all expect and appreciate. We don’t want to short-change our water system and see it degrade to the point that we suffer the kinds of major blow-outs that we’ve seen elsewhere in recent years. I am pleased to say that trash rates will see only a small inflationary increase of 31 cents a month from their current level of $19.43. What will remain the same in our budget? We will continue to fully fund law enforcement services from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and also fully fund Lakewood’s awardwinning recreation programs for all ages. Overall, I’m very optimistic as we start our new fiscal year. Lakewood continues to be fiscally sound with a well-deserved reputation for being well-run. In the fiscal year ahead, we will continue to maintain and enhance our beautiful parks and smooth streets. And with the support of all of us as residents, we’ll continue to sustain our great community values, with lots of fun activities that bring us all together. u
C i t y Spotlight Kids have no reason to be bored this summer Exciting youth and family opportunities are happening this summer in Lakewood. For daily activities, check out the Lakewood Summer Recreation Catalog at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog or call Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2408. Here are just a few examples: • McCormick Pool, at 3300 Del Amo Blvd. and Mayfair Pool, at 5720 Clark Ave., features themed swim nights each Friday from 6:30pm to 8pm for Lakewood residents for a cost of $3 per person. • Bring the entire family out to Monte Verde Park and enjoy an evening of free family fun and movie entertainment with Movie Night Under the Stars with an animated feature “The Good Dinosaur” on August 12. Pre-movie festivities begin at 7pm with the feature beginning
August 2016 at 8:15pm. Guests can bring chairs and a picnic dinner, or purchase dinner from The Grilled Cheese Truck, which will be on hand beginning at 7pm. Sales will help benefit the Lakewood Teen Board. In addition, the Lakewood Teen Board will be selling drinks and candy. To help us plan a memorable experience, preregistration is required at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog. Sorry, no pets or alcohol are allowed at the park. To learn more about The Grilled Cheese Truck, visit www. thegrilledcheesetruck.com. • On August 26, parents get a much-needed break with Parents Night Out, Kids Night In. Bring the kids to the Lakewood Youth Center 6pm to 10pm and the highly qualified Youth Center staff will supervise your children while parents enjoy a night off. Kids will enjoy pizza, snacks, games and more! Preregistration is required and the cost is $5 per child. For ages 3 and older (children must be potty trained). Go to www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog to register. FUN-Tastic Family Night Bring the whole family on Friday, August 19 from 6:30pm to 8pm for a wild adventure with John Abrams’ Animal Magic Show at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. Kids and adults alike will definitely enjoy John’s zany blend of magic, comedy, music and animals. The fee is $8 per person ($5 for children age
3 and under) and includes a light dinner of chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, lemonade and dessert prior to the show. Pre-registration is required. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or register online at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog using class #42381. Tot Lot registration coming up 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 5 and again on Friday, August 19, between 9am and 12pm both days at Del Valle and Mayfair Parks. Tot Lots meet Monday - Friday, 9:30am to 11:30am in the fenced, preschool play area of the two 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. Members may register an additional child for $25. Insurance is $5 per person and is required for each participating child and volunteer worker. For more information, call 562-8669771, extension 2408. Youth Sports sign-ups at all city parks Lakewood youth can sign up for free sports leagues at their (Cont’d. on Pg. 14)
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August 2016
Business
Celebrating 50 Years in Lakewood. Thank you for your trust all these years.
Original Lakewood Office
Current Lakewood Office
When our doors opened in 1966, F&M Bank’s Lakewood Office was located at 4700 Candlewood St. The office moved to its permanent home on Lakewood Blvd. in the 1990s. Longtime F&M employee Susie reflects on the original Lakewood Office “you had to walk upstairs in the dark to turn the lights on for the entire branch.” We’re proud to say that Susie is still part of the F&M Family today.
Though our location changed, our core focus as a community bank remained the same. The Lakewood Office supports the Rotary Club of Lakewood, Lakewood Project Shepherd and Lakewood Family YMCA. “We always have and always will support the Lakewood community. Lakewood is our home and we consider its residents part of our extended family,” said Juan Arreola, SVP and Regional Manager of the Lakewood Office.
1966
2016
Celebrate with us. Stop by our office July 30 - August 5, 2016 to guess:
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5101 Lakewood Blvd. (at Hardwick St.) (562) 602-8378
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NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Entrants must be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, who are 18 years of age or older. The winner(s) is/are solely responsible for paying all applicable federal, state, and local taxes, and all other expenses associated with the acceptance of prize. Limit one (1) entry per person, multiple entries submitted by the same person will be disqualified. Employees of F&M Bank and F&M Trust Company, and their spouses, immediate families and persons living in their households are ineligible. Please refer to OFFICIAL RULES on display at the Lakewood Office for complete details. Member FDIC | fmb.com
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&
Business Financial Page 4
Grant awarded to prepare a new generation of teachers
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) have been awarded a grant by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to expand practice-based training for new
K-8 teachers in implementing the state’s math and science standards. The California State University (CSU) prepares 10 percent of all the nation’s teachers and CSULB prepares the largest number of elementary, secondary
www.lakewoodnews.org and special education teachers in the entire system. CSULB is among 11 CSU campuses earning S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation grants. The $1.5 million grant, in partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District, will expand the Teacher Network developed in phase one of the work to ensure that all elementary and special education teacher candidates are placed in high quality teaching placements. Candidates will engage in structured and sequenced early field experiences with teachers skilled in the new standards and adept at delivering high-impact research-based instructional practices. “We applaud CSULB and LBUSD for this bold effort that will benefit students across the entire region for decades to come,” said Loren Blanchard, CSU executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. u
August 2016
Low-cost auto insurance offered by State of CA
If you have a driver’s license and drive a vehicle, state law requires that you have auto insurance. It’s the right thing for you, and it is the responsible thing to do to protect your fellow drivers. The state government is now sponsoring a program to make basic auto insurance more affordable, helping more people drive responsibly and legally.
For basic liability coverage, annual premiums in this new state program range from $241 to $556—that’s only $20 to $47 a month! Qualifying drivers must have a valid CA driver’s license; own a vehicle valued at less than $25,000; be at least 19 years old; and meet income eligibility requirements, which range from a maximum income of $29,700 for an individual to $60,750 for a family of four. To protect yourself and your passengers, you may also purchase Optional Uninsured Motorist coverage ranging from $33 to $69 annually and Optional Medical Payment coverage from $23 to $37 annually. For more information, go to the state website at www. mylowcostauto.com or call 866602-8861. u
www.lakewoodnews.org
August 2016
Families that play together stay together!
Enjoy a free day of fun and food on Family PlaytDay!
Bring the entire family to a Lakewood park for a free Family Play Day event on Saturday, August 6 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. Sack races, sidewalk chalk contests, Frisbee golf, playground obstacle course and pickleball game are also scheduled. 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 lunch. The passes allow entry to Mayfair or McCormick pools on August 6 during the recreation swim hours of 1pm to 2:30pm or 2:45pm to 4:15pm. After lunch, the activities continue with outdoor games and a refreshing popsicle treat. Youngsters ages 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. Bring your friends and neighbors and plan to attend one of the Family Play Day events. It’s a great opportunity to visit your neighborhood park, meet the staff and find something fun to do. Remember, play can be enjoyed by “kids” of any age. u
Affordable, fun travel excursions
Stoppages The Burns Community Center is the hub for Lakewood travel excursions and active senior programs. The convenient trips typically include the cost of travel AND admission in one price. Trips range from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano. Recent trips have included runs to the Getty Villa, whale watching, top Tony-award winning musicals, the Hollywood Bowl and Presidential museums. Guests park and check in at the Burns Community Center and then leave the driving to a bus driver. It’s an affordable and convenient way to take a trip to unique activities like the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach or visiting the Nethercutt Museum in San Fernando Valley without having to drive. Upcoming trips are announced three times a year in the city’s main recreation catalog at www.lakewoodcity.org/travel. You can also register for travel excursions online at www.lakewoodcity. org/eCatalog. Space is limited, so register early. Food and beverages often can be purchased at eateries in or nearby your destination or you can bring your own snacks to many destinations. The bus leaves from the Burns Community Center promptly, and guests should plan to arrive on time to check in. An adult must accompany children of all ages. Check the details for each trip regarding accessibility. To register, or for registration questions, call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. For trip details, call 562-924-0149. u
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It’s normal to have growing pains By Emory Chang, M.D., Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Pediatric Orthopedic Center, Miller’s Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Long Beach
Growing pains are one of the most common childhood musculoskeletal conditions, causing countless visits to health care professionals. Growing pains are an aching or throbbing that can be felt in both legs,
especially in the front of the thighs, calves or behind the knees. Children as young as 3 to as old as 12 can be affected. The pain is usually felt in the late afternoon, evening or during bedtime. Some
children may wake up during their sleep because the pains can be too uncomfortable. Although these symptoms are referred to as “growing pains,” there is no actual evidence that growing is painful. There is no known scientific cause for growing pains, but doctors speculate that they may be caused by overusing muscles throughout the day from running, climbing and jumping – activities that can be hard on a child’s musculoskeletal system. Children are more likely to experience growing pains after a full day of physical activity. These pains can last for months, but some also experience them for years. The pains come and go, and eventually children outgrow the pains within a few years. Treatment for growing pain depends on how much pain your child is experiencing. Tips to help ease discomfort or help prevent your child from experiencing growing pains: Massage the legs gently. This will help alleviate tense muscles. However, some children would rather be held or cuddled. Place a warm cloth or heating pad on sore legs. Heat helps soothe sore muscles. Put a heating pad on a low setting or a warm cloth on your child’s legs before bedtime and remove once your child falls asleep. Taking a warm bath before bedtime also can help. Stretch leg muscles. Stretching
August 2016 leg muscles during the day can help prevent pain at night. See your doctor to learn some stretching exercises that can help. Take a pain reliever. If growing pains are severe, consult your doctor about giving your child over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or child ibuprofen (Advil®, Children’s Motrin®). Do NOT give your child aspirin, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome – a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain. Additional symptoms combined with the symptoms of growing pains can be a sign of a serious problem. Consult your pediatrician if your child’s pain is: • Persistent • Only on one leg • Present in the morning • Severe enough to interfere with your child’s normal activities • Located in the joints (Observe if your child notions that pain is in the hips, knees and/or ankles) • Associated with an injury • Accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling, redness, tenderness, fever, limping, rash, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue Most children who experience growing pains won’t need to see a doctor. However, if the pain is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, you may want to bring it to the attention of your family physician. u
Miller Children’s patients take flight over Long Beach
Cael, 11, buckled in and ready for takeoff on his next adventure.
Pediatric rehabilitation patients from Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach were given the opportunity of a lifetime to soar over Long Beach by co-piloting planes. Sitting beside experienced and professional pilots, patients were taught basic safety rules and tricks of the piloting trade before throwing on headsets and setting off towards the sky. “My favorite part was when the pilot would let us do a ‘roller coaster,’ where the plane moves up and down,” said Romero, 11. All pilots donate their own time and skills to give patients detailed hands-on training, and many have participated for more than 10 years. u
Green
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August 2016
Living
Patriot Day in Lakewood - a time of remembering
• Super Mex and Mr. B’s Kettle Corn will provide concessions throughout the program. Dogs and alcohol are prohibited at all city parks. For more information, call Lakewood city staff members at 562-866-9771, extension 2408. u
Youth groups provide a spectacular flag ceremony at Patriot Day. Lakewood has commemorated Patriot Day every year since the tragic events of 9/11/2001. City residents stop to remember and
honor those lost in the terrorist attacks on our nation and those public safety officers and military personnel who are still on the
front lines in the struggle against terrorism. This year’s Patriot Day commemoration will take place on Sunday, September 11, from 6pm to 8pm in the concert grove at Del Valle Park (Woodruff Avenue at Arbor Road). Patriotic music will be performed by the 300th Army Band, an orchestra ensemble from Los Angeles, CA, and the Golden Sands Chorus, Lakewood’s award-winning women’s chorus. Parking will be at a premium around Del Valle Park. Those who live near the park are encouraged to leave their car at home and walk to the event. Parking will be available at MacArthur Elementary School via Centralia Street. • Bring a blanket or low-rise lawn chair for seating.
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Lakewood, CA 90714
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August 2016
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Don’t miss out on Lakewood Chamber’s 19th Annual Summer Stampede Car Show... CLASSIC CARS
LOCAL VENDORS
5720 Clark Ave, Lakewood CA 90712 | Sunday August 14, 2016 | 9:00am - 2:00pm
“Bolivar Park”
(Cont’d. from Pg. 1)
Lakewood won from the State of California to install an innovative storm water capture system beneath the park. That system will take water from a nearby flood control channel, clean and treat the water to a level safe to be used for irrigation, and then use the water throughout the park for irrigation. It’s estimated that over 95% of Bolivar’s irrigation needs can be fulfilled by this system. Bolivar currently uses drinking water for 100% of its irrigation needs. Because the construction of the storm water system will impact Bolivar’s picnic shelters, the state grant will also pay for new shelters to be installed after the construction. The storm water project is currently in the design phase, with construction expected to begin in early 2017 and be completed by mid-2018. Bolivar’s ball fields and pool will not be disturbed by the construction. u
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August 2016
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...It’s going to be a fun-filled day for the entire family! KIDS ACTIVITIES
ENTERTAINMENT
There will be many raffles prizes
Twist and shout as Concerts in the Park wraps up with a Beatles Tribute s cer t Con he In t ! Park
A Beatles tribute band is the grand finale to the 2016 Lakewood Concerts in the Park series. The series runs every Thursday evening through August 11 at Del Valle Park from 6:30pm to 8pm. Visiting gourmet food trucks offer different foodie fun each evening including grilled cheese, specialty tacos, hot dogs, sandwiches, spicy Cajun, lobster rolls, gourmet burgers, BBQ and sweet desserts. Mr. B’s Kettle Corn will also be on site selling kettle corn and shaved ice. A percentage of the proceeds benefit local community groups. Bring your picnic blanket and lowback chairs and dine with your friends and neighbors while listening to great sounds. Please remember that dogs, alcohol and barbeques are not allowed at Lakewood parks. Concerts in the Park are solely supported by generous area businesses and concert patrons. Platinum sponsors are Glory Days Sports Grill, Kenny’s Auto Body-Towing, Marisa Perez—Cerritos College Trustee, Pan American Association and VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital. Gold sponsors are Rotary Club of Lakewood and The Rinks Lakewood ICE. Silver sponsors are Allen Tire Company, EDCO, Mr. B’s Kettle Corn and Piazza Family McDonald’s Restaurants. Bronze sponsors are In Memory of Mrs. Linda G. Plooster and TGIS Catering. For more information and to find a list of the tasty food trucks and food concessionaires for each concert, call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or go to www.lakewoodcity.org/concerts2016. u
Date
Band Wanted
Bon Jovi Tribute
Aug. 4th
Knyght Ryder
80’s Tribute
Aug. 11th
Hard Day’s Night
Beatles Tribute
Jul. 28th
Style
COUPON FOR A
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For the first 100 guests with coupon
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August 2016
Shop Lakewood...
Tag & Target for summertime fun TAG & TARGET, located at 4007 Paramount Blvd #109 in Lakewood is proud to offer the coolest alternative to paintball and airsoft for the whole family. TAG & TARGET is the first-of-its-kind sports arena for shooting air-blasted
foam darts using the most popular Nerf toy guns. TAG & TARGET creates an awesome combination of gadgets and sounds to deliver a gaming experience unlike any other. Stop by or give them a call at (562) 377-5777 to learn more. u
Hobby Lobby moving ahead on Lakewood Store
Hobby Lobby is continuing its $1 million remodeling of the former Vons grocery store on Lakewood Boulevard, across from the Lakewood Center mall. The Oklahoma-based chain of over 600 arts and crafts superstores estimates that it will open its new 48,000-square-foot Lakewood site in October. New concrete flooring is going into the facility, along with many other building improvements. u
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August 2016
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Shop Lakewood...
F&M Bank celebrates 50 years in Lakewood
In 1966, F&M Bank opened their doors in Lakewood on Candlewood Street (where the current HomeTown Buffet is located) at Lakewood Center. They moved in 1996 to their current location at 5101 Lakewood Boulevard, and have become an intricate part of Lakewood’s banking history ever since. The bank has grown exponentially since then, because of the loyalty of Lakewood residents. Regional Manager, Juan Arreola says, “Lakewood is a close-nit community, and F&M Bank has become part of that fabric.” F&M Bank is all about giving back to the community in which they serve. They get involved with non-profit organizations such as Lakewood YMCA, Project
Shepherd and the Lakewood Rotary Club. Their second and third generation clients are all like extended family. F&M Bank will be kicking off their 50th anniversary on July 31st with a guessing game, which will run through Saturday, August 6th. The objective is to guess how much money is in a jar; the person coming the closest will win the jar of money. Official rules are located in the Branch. Juan Arreola adds, “F&M Bank is a one-stop shop for all your banking needs. The employees wear many hats and the goal is to build life long relationships.” Stop by F&M Bank at 5101 Lakewood Blvd. in Lakewood or give them a call at (562) 6028378 and congratulate them on fifty years in Lakewood! u
Coaches needed for youth sports programs
Advertise in the Award-Winning Lakewood Community News! Call us at (562) 531-9733, or email: advertise@lakewoodchamber.com.
Adult volunteers are needed to coach Lakewood Youth Sports flag football and volleytennis teams this season. Teams will practice and play league games on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings from September 1 through November 12. Coaches volunteer an average of 3-4 hours per week. There are 1-2 practices and 1-2 games per week. No experience is needed. Coaches will receive training. Coaches are required to go through a mandatory background screening using Livescan. Check with your local park for details on how to get involved, or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. u
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Summer draws to a close and Lakewood schools start in August
Drivers and students need to take care as Lakewood’s school districts open their doors again for the new school year in mid to late August. Helping get the community’s 15,000 students back to school safely each fall is a big job that the City of Lakewood has assisted with since the 1950s. Lakewood’s back-to-school effort has four elements: the city’s “Suggested Route to School” maps, classroom instruction, Sheriff’s traffic enforcement and safety reminders for the public. Maps located at www. lakewoodcity.org/backtoschool show the location of traffic signals, stop signs and crossing guards. Lakewood is fortunate to have experienced crossing guards, some
of whom have worked for the city for over 20 years. Parents should spend time going over the route with their children, pointing out the crosswalks and intersections they’ll encounter on
the way to school. Even better, parents should walk the route with their children. Safety tips for children: • Always stop, look all four ways and listen before crossing the street. • Cross the street only at corners and crosswalks, not between parked cars. • Walk or ride with a group of people; there is safety in numbers. • When walking on sidewalks, look out for cars pulling out of driveways. • Always wait for a crossing guard to control traffic before starting to cross the street. Safety tips for drivers: • Reduce vehicle speed to 25 mph or slower when driving in school zone.
• Double parking for a quick dropoff is very hazardous for small children, who are invisible behind an SUV or van until they dart in front of oncoming traffic. • Do not let your children exit a car on the traffic side of your vehicle. Be aware, drivers can be cited for unsafely loading or unloading children near schools. • The only safe way to drop off your youngsters is to pull up to the curb in front of the school or at a safe location where youngsters can walk to the end of the block and cross to school through an intersection controlled by a stop sign, signal or crossing guard. u
2016 School Start Dates Paramount USD Wed, August 17th
ABC USD
Mon, August 29th
(Fri, August 26th for Carmenita, Fedde, Haskell, Ross and Tetlaff MS, 7th grade students only)
Bellflower USD Mon, August 29th
Long Beach USD Wed, August 31st
August 2016
Don’t let the warm weather bugs bite!
With temperatures rising and people heading outdoors for picnics, parties and gatherings, insectinduced risks are fully in-season. With disease-carrying bugs buzzing around, it’s time to take the proper steps in protecting your lawn so that you can enjoy living life outside to the fullest and get the most out of your backyard this summer. Warm-weather bugs, such as fleas and ticks, are a big problem for pets if left untreated. Fleas thrive in warm, dry periods of summer and can be difficult to control. Once your pet starts scratching and biting, and you notice a few fleas, most likely you already have a full infestation. Other lawn pests including chiggers, ants and spiders can be an irritation for families playing in their yard. Taking proper preventive measures can help protect your family and your yard from these and other nuisance pests. The Centers for Disease Control recommend the following tips: • Clear tall grass and brush. • Mow frequently and keep leaves raked. • Remove vegetation or trash from around any source of standing water that cannot be changed, dumped or removed. • Screen windows, doors and other openings with fine mesh and keep doors and windows shut to prevent entry. • Have pets treated for flea and tick control and keep them on a regular regimen. • When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus on exposed skin. u
News
Community www.lakewoodnews.org
August 2016
West Nile virus mosquitos return to local area
Just as it has in every other recent summer, West Nile virus mosquitoes have been found again in Lakewood. There are a total of 24 communities in Los Angeles County that have had West Nile mosquito samples so far this year, including nearby Bellflower and Cerritos, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. Last year, over 50 communities in the county had positive West Nile mosquito samples. The new 2016 samples are a reminder for Lakewood residents to take precautions during the summer months. See the Lakewood CityTV video interview of a Lakewood resident who contracted West Nile virus in the past. The segment also gives insight into what you can do to protect yourself: www.lakewoodcity. org/WestNileVideo. It’s normal to see an uptick in West Nile virus reports during the summer. According to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) this year is no different. Summer’s longer days and warmer nights mean more outdoor activities for you and your family. It also means more exposure to mosquitoes potentially carrying the West Nile virus. Although the West Nile disease isn’t severe in healthy individuals, often passing unnoticed, those with weakened immune systems and the chronically sick can be hit with a devastating illness. GLACVCD, at http://www. glacvcd.org urges residents to follow these precautions: • Clear your yard of containers (even the smallest) that might hold water where mosquitoes can breed. • Install or repair window and door screens so mosquitoes cannot get indoors. • Drain kids’ pools regularly, and check pool and vehicle covers that might hold water for excessive periods of time. • Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when engaging in outdoor activities at dawn and sunset, which is when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
Women in Business Council “Human Resource Law Update for Small Business” Frantone’s Restaurant 10808 Alondra Blvd., Cerritos $20 @ the Door (Cash only) Wed., August 10th 11:30am-1:00pm RSVP ceo@norwalkchamber.com or info@lakewoodchamber.com
• When outside at that time, consider applying approved insect repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. West Nile precautions also include being mindful how you water. Stagnant water accumulating in ditches, drains, gutters and backyard containers and pools is ideal for mosquito breeding. Untreated swimming pools can be reported to Lakewood City Hall by calling 562-866-9771, extension 2140, or emailing service1@ lakewoodcity.org. The statewide website following the topic is http:// www.westnile.ca.gov.Residents finding any dead birds or squirrels can report them on that website or call the West Nile Virus Dead Bird Hotline at 877968-2473. u
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Congresswoman Sánchez visits Lakewood
Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA) visited Lakewood Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, July 20th. During her visit, the Congresswoman from the 39th district, met with John Grah, CEO of Lakewood Regional Medical Center, as well as with the hospital leadership team. Mr. Grah facilitated the conversation and updated the Congresswoman on the opportunities and challenges facing healthcare providers in Lakewood and surrounding areas. Mr. Grah also reported on the success Lakewood Regional Medical Center has experienced through community outreach and by matching up uninsured patients with health plans offered through the Affordable Care Act/Covered California. Linda Sánchez represents California’s 39th Congressional
John Grah, CEO of Lakewood Regional Medical Center pictured with Representative Linda Sánchez. District which includes: Artesia, Cerritos, Florence, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La
Mirada, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, South Gate, Watts, Whittier and Willowbrook. u
Town
Around
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“City Spotlight” (Cont’d. from Pg. 2)
local park. The award-winning Lakewood Youth Sports (LYS) program is offering Flag Football and Girls Volleytennis this fall. Sign-ups will take place August 13-20 at all Lakewood parks. Players must bring a birth certificate and signed registration form. 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. 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. 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 in both programs practice and play on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings from August 29 to November 5. Playoffs for both programs conclude by November 12. Canned Drive for a Dive Family Day On Saturday, August 20 from 5pm to 7pm. Lakewood residents and swim lesson participants who have taken any swim lesson during the summer, and their families, can bring in one canned food item per person and receive free admission at McCormick Pool, 3300 Del Amo Blvd. or Mayfair Pool, 5720 Clark Ave. Lakewood residents should bring proof of residency and swim lesson participants should bring lesson cards to receive admission for their entire family. Fall/Winter Recreation Registration Begins Watch for the new Fall/ Winter catalog of recreation and community services that will be arriving Labor Day weekend at Lakewood homes. The new catalog is packed full
August 2016
of fun programs and activities to make life better for all ages. You can register for classes and programs online starting September 3 at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog, or by calling city hall at 562-8669771 extension 2408. Over 500 classes will be offered, with many old favorites and lots of new classes. Fall recreation programs will begin on Monday, September 26 and run through January 2017. u
Adult sports kicking off: Softball, kickball and volleytennis
Pick up your pencil and lets play Sudoku! Signups for Lakewood‘s adult softball, kickball and volleytennis summer leagues will take place between August 8 and 19. • Softball leagues play on various weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons. • Kickball is offered on Tuesday evenings and Saturday/Sunday afternoons. • Volleytennis plays on Monday evenings. All ability levels are encouraged. Signups are taken at city hall. Registration packets including fees and further information are available now at www.lakewoodcity.org/sports or by calling 562-866-9771, extension 2408. u
Congratulations to Maria Davis, Shelli Santos, and Bob Silk! They are the lucky winners of the July Sudoku contest. To be eligible, print your name, address and phone number on a letter size (8½ x 11) piece of paper, and then tape the puzzle 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 See’s Candies). The winners are drawn by random. One entry per household; the answers must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, August 23, 2016. The winners will be drawn on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, and 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 (two 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. u
THANK YOU to our Sudoku sponsors!
News
Community August 2016
www.lakewoodnews.org
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Don’t hold your breath, Use commonsense - don’t leave your there’s still plenty of time to dog in a hot car! Public safety and animal control Pets should have plenty of swim in Lakewood officials urge residents to never risk fresh water on hand, and when
Still plenty of time to enjoy the pools! Daily open recreational swimming at Mayfair Pool and McCormick Pool (located in Bolivar Park) takes place from June 18 through August 28, with sessions from 1to 2:30pm and 2:45 to 4:15pm. Resident fees are $1 for ages 17 and under, $1.50 for adults (age 18+). Lessons are available. For details go to www.lakewoodcity. org/aquatics or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. Register online at www.lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog. Aqua Zumba classes take place from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at McCormick Pool on Mondays or Wednesdays. Shallow Water Aerobics class will be held 6:30 to 7:30pm on Tuesdays/Thursdays at Mayfair Pool. Sign up at www. lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog. The Mayfair Park wading pool for ages 3 to 7 will be open daily from 11am to 4pm through August 24. The wading pool at Palms Park is ADA accessible and is also open daily. For complete information, including the wading pool
Are you stuck in the past?
It seems that for a lot of people a great deal of time is spent thinking about the past—something that can’t be changed, or the future—something that can’t be predicted. Where does that leave them? Stuck in a web of unhappiness. The past and the future are Time Thieves! They continuously rob us of the present—the only thing over which we have any control. Let’s face it, life is not that long. Yes, while young it seems like it’s forever. But it’s not! It’s very limited. That’s why we have to use the time wisely. A lot of sadness comes from thinking about a wrong that was done to us (in the past). A lot of stress comes to us due to predicting an imagined hurt or a horrible scenario that more than likely will never come to pass. Neither of those leaves a lot of options for happiness. So what’s the solution? Stop focusing on the Past and the Future. They have no place in the Now, where you are fully equipped to handle whatever situation you’re experiencing. Then after you’re done, go enjoy your Life! You just have this one. u Submitted by Rossana Snee, MFT. Follow her on Twitter @askjoshsmom, Periscope.com, and https://www.facebook.com/askjoshsmom. She is available in a therapeutic capacity, and also for speaking engagements.
schedule at other Lakewood parks, please call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. u
their animal’s safety by leaving them in a locked car--even with the windows cracked. Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. That can be a deathtrap for an innocent dog. When the weather heats up, Lakewood’s animal control provider SEAACA urges us not to forget about taking care of our four-legged family members. We keep ourselves well hydrated when exposed to heat and sunshine, and we should remember to do the same for our pets.
outside they should also have a shady refuge to go to. Each year, SEAACA responds to numerous heat-related complaints, usually of dogs locked in hot cars in shopping center parking lots. If you see an animal locked inside a hot car, call 9-1-1 immediately. Police will contact SEAACA or another appropriate animal rescue agency. For additional questions
regarding animal control, call SEAACA at 562-803-3301 or www.seaaca.org. u
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July 2016