Lakewood
Community
30,000 delivered to Lakewood and portions of Long Beach
News y ! pp ys Ha ida l Ho
Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Volume 29 Number 12
www.lakewoodnews.org / www.lakewoodchamber.com
Lookin’ to score a deal? Let Lakewood guide you to the hot spots!
Tracking bargains for Lakewood shoppers is what ShopLakewood. org is all about. During the holiday season the Facebook site is updated several times a day by veteran bargain hunter Paolo Beltran and his staff. “I’ve used websites like
‘Fat Wallet’ and ‘Slick Deals’ for years and really appreciate a good buy,” said Beltran. “It’s important that our local site feature discounts for residents. ‘Shop Lakewood . . . Stay Lakewood Loyal’ means savings.”
Beltran grew up in Lakewood, and now as a father of three he’s finding he’s particularly motivated to unearth good buys. Recent ShopLakewood.org postings have highlighted 2-for-1 deals at local eateries like the new Pieology
I wish I may, I wish I might...have this wish, I wish tonight
Over 930 toys reached Lakewood children through Teddy Bear Trees last year. Caring Lakewood shoppers filled the Christmas wishes of 934 local kids in need last year. They did it by picking a little paper bear ornament Lakewood Community News #24 Lakewood Center Mall Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 531-9733
off a “Teddy Bear Tree” and purchasing the affordable gift written on it. The opportunity to make a difference returns to Lakewood PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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Santa Fe Spgs, CA PERMIT NO. 29
Center the weekend of December 7 and 8. The wishes of dozens of local kids will adorn a Teddy Bear Tree in the mall’s center court. Rotary Club of Lakewood volunteers, many of them Lakewood business and civic leaders, will help guests choose a paper bear from the tree. Rotarians will be on hand later to accept the unwrapped gift items returned to the booth. Gifts can also be dropped off at most City of Lakewood facilities during business hours prior to Tuesday, December 10. Project Shepherd helped 517 families and nearly 2000 individuals last year. For more information about Project Shepherd, call 562-925-7512, or visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ProjectShepherd.
along with coupons and giveaways at grand opening events held by ULTA Beauty and Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies. “Facebook is mobile-friendly and PC-friendly. Postings are a quick scan away and easily shared. Gathering all these Lakewoodspecific offerings will help build relationships between Lakewood shoppers and Lakewood businesses so when people make a choice they will choose to shop locally,” said Beltran. Shop Lakewood reminds the community that purchases made locally means sales tax dollars stay in Lakewood for park programs, law enforcement services, beautiful trees, well-maintained streets and more. Run by the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City of Lakewood, the program highlights both large chains and local mom-and-pop shops and professional services.
December 2013
VA medical bus coming to Lakewood
The City of Lakewood has been able to arrange for the Long Beach VA Hospital to bring its Mobile Medical Bus to Lakewood to provide free health screenings and benefits assistance to local veterans. The bus will be staffed by a VA doctor and other health care and benefits personnel. The medical bus will be at the Weingart Senior Center at 5220 Oliva Avenue on Saturday, December 7 from 11am to 3pm. “The day of the VA medical (Cont’d. on Pg. 2)
Lakewood students are honored to perform at the Rose Parade
Pasadena City College’s (PCC) Tournament of Roses Honor Band has proudly accepted Lakewood High School students Victor Ochoa, Valerie Lobato, and John Justice to perform in the Pasadena’s Annual New Year’s Tournament of Roses Parade. These students are all heavily involved in the LHS Music Department. The PCC Marching Band welcomes all high school students in the Southern California area to apply and audition for the Tournament of Roses Honor Band, an extension of the Pasadena City College Marching Band, to perform as the premier marching band of the traditional event. They will proudly exhibit Lancer Pride through song, and march their way to success this New Year’s Day!
Lakewood group gives $43,165 to local school projects The Lakewood Education Foundation (LEF) marked its 11th year of service on November 12 with a reception at Monte Verde Park where 95 grants were distributed to local schoolteachers for classroom improvements and other educational
enhancements. Recipients included teachers from each of the four public school districts serving Lakewood, including ABC Unified, Bellflower Unified, Long Beach Unified and Paramount Unified.
Grants, usually for $500 each, will fund art supplies, unique field trips, and iPads and Apple TVs that teachers can use in the classroom for the improved display of educational material. (Cont’d. on Pg. 4)