LCN February 2016 by Lakewood Community News

Lakewood

News

Community

Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce

www.lakewoodnews.org / www.lakewoodchamber.com

Volume 33 Number 2

Hall of Fame event set to honor local youth athletes

February 2016

Know a business that “gives to the community?”

Walgreens staff at volunteer Day in Lakewood in 2015.

Savannah DeMelo of St. Joseph High School (right) shoots for a goal against Yorba Linda High School during a CIF playoff soccer game. Photo courtesy of OC Register. Savannah DeMelo from Saint Joseph High School will be honored as the 2015 Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year at the Hall of Fame’s 35th annual induction banquet on Monday, February 29 at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. At just 18 years old, DeMelo is already an established international soccer star. In 2015 she captained the U.S. Women’s National U20 (under 20 years old) Team through World Cup Qualifying in Honduras.

Her leadership drove the team to the CONCACAF Championship overtaking Canada in the finals with a hard-fought one-to-nil victory. The forward/midfielder was selected as an all-star for the tournament, being named as one of the top eleven players in the entire competition. Closer to home, DeMelo tallied four goals and assisted on five more in just five matches for the Saint Joseph Jesters. As a member of Beach Futbol Club and the

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The Centre at Sycamore Plaza

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Turn to page 15 for Registration form Call or email for more information: 562.531.9733 • info@lakewoodchamber.com Lakewood Community News #24 Lakewood Center Mall Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 531-9733

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Southern California Developmental Soccer League, she was named a Champions Team Member. She’s been offered a scholarship to the University of Southern California, among other notable colleges. At the Hall of Fame banquet on February 29, DeMelo will headline a class of nearly 40 performers of the year, special achievement honorees and championship teams to be inducted for the 2015 season.

Turn to page 9 for list of award recipients.

Lakewood is fortunate to have a vibrant business community that provides lots of local shopping opportunities, jobs and an added bonus--support for community programs and services. “It’s hard running a business,” said Mayor Jeff Wood. “Owners and managers of businesses work long hours and often face a lot of stress in a very competitive business climate. Despite those challenges, many businesses in Lakewood find the time and the money to give back to our community in ways that benefit all our residents. “The City of Lakewood wants to recognize businesses that give back to the community through their charitable efforts,” said Wood. “If you know of one (or own one), please give us the details so we can thank them.” Nominate a business at www. lakewoodcity.org/giveback or call 562-866-9771, extension 2140 to request that a form be mailed to you.

At that website you can see a list of over 40 Lakewood businesses that give back to our community. “And we know there are even more out there,” said Wood. “They may sponsor a Little League team; donate money, products or expertise to schools and nonprofit groups; or volunteer for clean-up projects or teach a skill to youth. Let us know so we can recognize them.” Honorees will be featured in upcoming issues of Lakewood Connect, the city’s weekly e-magazine, www.lakewoodcity. org and www.ShopLakewood.org.

Meet Lakewood’s own Dustin Plunkett at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Tickets are now available for Lakewood’s 39th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30am. This year’s keynote speaker is Dustin Plunkett, a longtime Lakewood Special Olympics star athlete who then became a 2015 World Games Board Member and ESPN analyst. Dustin will share how he overcame tremendous difficulties in his life with both courage and compassion. The public is invited to join with Lakewood Mayor Jeff Wood and the Lakewood City Council, along with a diverse gathering of religious leaders, members of local churches and synagogues, civic and business leaders, representatives from community

organizations, as well as local school officials as they come together in a celebration of faith, unity and community spirit. The morning program will also include inspirational music. The event will be held in the Weingart Ballroom of The Centre at Sycamore Plaza, 5000 Clark Avenue. Tickets are $20

per person and tables of nine are available for $180. Advance reservations are required by Friday, February 19, 2016. Reservations can be made online at www.lakewoodcity.org/ mpbtickets, in person at city hall or by mail. To order by mail, send the name of the attendee(s), as well as organization/title (if appropriate), address, phone and e-mail, along with a check made payable to the City of Lakewood to the Community Relations Office, City of Lakewood, 5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90712. For more information, call Nanette Davis at 562-8669771, extension 3123.

LakewoodToday

Page 2

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The state of our city: strong and caring By Mayor Jeff Wood

As I write to you, I’m putting the final touches on the speech I’ll give at Lakewood’s State of the City luncheon on January 25. The city’s informative and humorous annual report video, which will precede my speech, will make fun of the “selfie” photos that have become so popular. I’ll play off that theme and talk about how Lakewood certainly is a community where there’s plenty of photogenic people and places. I’ll even show a few selfies I took this past year. This has been my first year serving as mayor, and I wanted to remember it in pictures. There’s so much that I’m proud of in Lakewood…and

that I think the residents are proud of, too. For example, there’s our parks. We’ve got beautiful parks spread across our city, and we added to them in 2015 with an extension of our nature trail and a renovation and expansion of our Veterans Memorial Plaza. We’ll continue enhancing our parks in 2016 with a new airplanethemed playground at Del Valle Park and a combined play area for children and fitness area for adults at Rynerson Park. I join our residents in also being proud of all the wonderful community events Lakewood has. The Tree Lighting event in December was attended by over 4,000 residents, who got to experience snow flurries in Lakewood for the first time in recent memory. And over 7,000 people came out to Memorial Day ceremonies to re-dedicate our Veterans Memorial Plaza. That was a day and night to remember in Lakewood history. In recent years, we’ve been using a phrase to describe Lakewood that I think is very fitting. And that is that Lakewood is a “strong,

caring community.” During 2015, our community continued to show its strength and its caring nature with efforts from many non-profit organizations in town. Thousands of Lakewood residents take part in activities with these organizations, which help our fellow residents and make Lakewood an even better place to live. On behalf of my city council colleagues, I want to thank every one of you for what you add to the state of our city. Lakewood is also strong because of the business growth we saw in 2015. Construction permits grew by 27%. New businesses added over 700 jobs and more opportunities to “Shop Lakewood.” That growth is a sign of the faith and confidence in Lakewood that businesses—large and small—have with their valuable investment dollars, and it speaks volumes about the solidity and the future of our community. As you can see, many good things happened in Lakewood in 2015 that were worth taking photos of….even selfies of. And there is much more on the horizon thanks to the efforts of our amazing residents, businesses, non-profit groups, city staff, and my wonderful colleagues on the Lakewood City Council. I’m very optimistic about the state of Lakewood in 2016 and in the years ahead. I feel that way because of the great legacy that’s been passed on to us from our community’s past leaders, and because of the people in Lakewood today who are committed to our city and to our future.

February 2016

C i t y Spotlight Free emergency-prep workshop

Lakewood’s free “Survive for 7” workshop returns with a one-evening “jump start” for emergency preparedness efforts. The session educates residents about actions they can take to protect their family and teaches skills needed to survive in the first week following a catastrophe. Learn more at www.lakewoodcity. org/7days. The free program is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 from 6pm to 7pm at the Burns Community Center adjacent to Mayfair Park. Register at www.lakewoodcity. org/recreation. The program is course #41739. Call 562866-9771, extension 2408 for additional information.

FUN-Tastic Family NightIcky Yucky Gross Bug Show

Play along in this dramatic, interactive and improvisational presentation about insects at the Centre at Sycamore Plaza, 5000 Clark Ave., on Friday, February 5 from 6:30pm to 8pm. Participants will get an up close look at some of the world’s most fascinating, and to some, disgusting creatures, such as hissing cockroaches, a tarantula, a tomato frog and a ball python. The cost for this fun family event is $8 per person, $5 for children 3 and under, children under 1 are free. Fee includes

a delicious dinner of chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, lemonade and a dessert prior to the show. Seating will be on a first-come basis, doors open at 5:45pm. Register online with e-catalog at www.lakewoodcity.org/ recreation using class #41704 or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information.

FUN-Tastic Family Night- The Wacko Show

“The Wacko Show” is coming to The Centre at Sycamore Plaza on Friday, March 4 from 6:30pm to 8pm. Wacko was named L.A.’s Best Family Show Entertainer by Los Angeles Magazine, and has performed his hilarious comedy and incredible magic for royalty, celebrities and the troops overseas. The cost is $8 per person, $5 for children 3 and under, children under 1 are free. Fee includes a delicious dinner of bean and cheese burritos, Spanish rice, lemonade and a dessert prior to the show. Seating will be on a first-come basis, doors open at 5:45pm. Register online with e-catalog at www.lakewoodcity. org/recreation using class #41705 or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information.

Spring recreation classes begin

The City of Lakewood’s spring recreation classes begin in February. If you have not received your copy of the popular catalog, pick one up at any Lakewood park, community center, library or city hall or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 to request one by mail. Or view online at www. lakewoodcity.org/recreation. The new spring catalog lists over 600 classes and activities offered for area residents as well as many new programs. Customers can register online using eCatalog at www.lakewoodcity.org/ recreation. You can also search for classes by park and find out what classes take place at the park closest to your home.

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February 2016

Advertiser “Quick Reference” Guide Name:

Your

Minding

Advantage One Home Loans

American Bev. Assoc.

Bloomfield Animal Hospital

BookOff

Candlewood Smiles

Coldwell Banker

College Park Realty

DB Plumbing

Downey Plumbing & Heating

Eagle Scouts

EDCO Waste & Recycling

Edward Jones Investments

Essex Mortgage

Fantastic Sam’s

First City Credit Union

Good Earth Recycling

Hap’s Auto Parts

Hear USA

Hire-Me Plumbing

Insurance Solutions

K.E.Y. Design

Kathy Apples-Berkshire Hathaway Home Properties

L & J’s Company (Painting)

Lakewood Regional Medical Center

Life Center Church

Long Beach Maytag

Massage Envy Spa

McLaren Tax Services

Me & Ed’s Pizza

Melinda McCoy’s Flowers

Milk Barn

MVW Services

Nguyen Dental

Pete’s Plumbing

Piazza McDonald’s (Donated to Hall of Fame)

Pioneer Medical Group

Prime Lending Corp.

Reed Family Dentistry

Scott Howard Termite Control & Construction

SeaHawk Cocktails

Seth Shimono, D.D.S.

So. Cal Gas Company

Strong Builders

Suttons Barber Shop

The Rinks-Lakewood ICE

Van Wig & Assoc.

Weingart-Lakewood Family YMCA (Donated to Community Run)

Windsong Enterprises

WPM General Contractors

Page 3

“Selfie” photos are fun theme at State of the City

crime trends and the effects of Proposition 47, including the rise in burglaries and property crime in communities across Southern California, including Lakewood, over the past year. Re-broadcasts of the State of the City video, including remarks from speakers, will run on CityTV Channel 31 from January 31 to February 27 (on Sundays and Thursdays at 12am, 12pm, 7:30am and 7:30pm). CityTV can be seen on channel 31 on TimeWarner Cable and Verizon FiOS and streaming live on the city’s website at www.lakewoodcity. org/citytv. Starting February 1, the annual report video can be viewed 24/7 at the website.

Page#:

A Roger’s Vacuum

Business

CityTV’s “selfie madness in Lakewood” annual report video. The popular trend of “selfie” photos was used for good-natured fun at Lakewood’s annual State of the City luncheon on January 25 at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. The luncheon included the premiere showing of Lakewood’s always fun and informative annual report video produced by the city’s award-winning CityTV team. This year, the video documented a pretend outbreak of “selfie madness” in Lakewood, in which hundreds of residents quit school or their jobs to constantly take photos of themselves at parks,

events and other happenings throughout Lakewood. Mayor Jeff Wood followed with remarks that played off the theme, showing selfie photos he’s taken with residents around town during his first year as mayor. See a condensed version of the mayor’s remarks in the “Lakewood Today” column on page two of this Lakewood Community News. The full version of his remarks is at www.lakewoodcity.org/sotc. Lakewood’s new Sheriff’s Station Captain Allen Castellano also spoke, providing details about

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Project sites sought for Volunteer Day

One of Lakewood’s enduring traditions is Volunteer Day, where residents help their neighbors in need and make their community a better place. The Volunteer Day program is looking for project sites for its Saturday, April 16 cleanup and fix-up event. Recipients of Volunteer Day aid can be seniors or persons of any age who, because of a disability or limited means, need some neighborly help to make their Lakewood yard or home exterior a little nicer. Work can include gardening, yard cleanup or minor painting. The proposed project sites are reviewed by city staff for eligibility and suitability. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from a Volunteer Day cleanup project and meet the selection criteria, please go to www. lakewoodcity.org/volunteerdaysite to submit an application online, or call the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512.

February 2016

In case of an emergency be prepared

Lakewood residents wanting advanced disasterprep training should join FEMA-certified instructors and L.A. County Fire Department personnel this February for the “Basic CERT” training. It’s an indepth 21-hour program over three days. CERT educates residents about disaster preparedness and response skills for dealing with serious crisis situations. The goal is to help residents become more selfreliant and better prepared for the aftermath of a serious emergency like a major earthquake. The free training will be held at the Weingart Senior Center at 5220 Oliva Avenue on Friday, February 5 from 5pm to 8pm, Saturday, February 6 from 8am to 5pm and Sunday, February 7 from 8am to 5pm. Topics include search and rescue, triage, fire safety, team organization, disaster medical operations, and working with public safety personnel during a major crisis. The program is part of Lakewood’s “Survive for 7” efforts. Disaster guides and how-to checklists are online at www.lakewoodcity. org/7days. Pre-registration is required. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for information. Participants must attend all three sessions to receive certification. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Register online at www. lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog using class #40923.

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

February 2016

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Take a close look at Social Security in 2016 By Nathaniel Sillin

If you’re not close to retirement age, it’s easy to ignore what Social Security is doing. However, some significant announcements late last year make now a very good time to pay attention. What follows is a summary of notable changes to Social Security at the start of 2016 and ways to ensure you’re making the right retirement planning and claiming

decisions based on what’s ahead: 2016 Social Security payments won’t increase. In late October, Social Security announced that there wasn’t enough inflation in 2015 to create a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to monthly benefits this year. It’s only the third time payments were frozen in the past 40 years since automatic COLA adjustments

began, but here’s the rub – all three occasions occurred after 2010. In short, most seniors will have to live with an average monthly payment of $1,341 with married beneficiaries receiving a total of $2,212. Married and divorced individuals may have to rethink the way they claim benefits. Also last October, Washington settled a federal budget battle in part by closing some notable loopholes in Social Security law that allowed certain married couples to substantially increase their benefits over time and certain divorced individuals to claim benefits from former spouses under certain circumstances. These new restrictions on socalled file-and-suspend and restricted-claim strategies go into effect this coming May. In short, if you’re close to age 62 (the earliest age you can start claiming Social Security benefits) getting

qualified advice has never been more important. Other COLA-related issues. When there’s no cost-of-living adjustment, there’s no change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, which will stay at $118,500 in 2016. This means earnings above that level aren’t subject to the Social Security portion of the payroll tax or used to calculate retirement payouts. Some benefits are going down – a little. The highest possible Social Security payment for a 66-year-old worker who signs up for Social Security this year will be $2,639 per month, down $24 from $2,663 in 2015. The reason? Social Security noted that despite no cost-of-living adjustment there was an increase in the national average wage index, one of the statistical guideposts the agency uses to calculate benefits. Service changes. If you haven’t

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February 2016 created a My Social Security account, do so for two reasons: First, there have been reports of ID theft related to thieves attempting fraudulent signups for such accounts. Second, the agency is making more detailed account data available online such as estimates of monthly payments at various claiming ages. Also, Social Security expanded office hours in some of its field locations in 2015, so if you need face-to-face assistance, check hours of operation at your closest local office. Bottom line: Social Security froze benefit amounts for the coming year, and that has an impact on both current and future recipients. You can’t fully understand your retirement without understanding how Social Security works, so now’s the time to learn.

Tax help is available for those in need

Volunteers are available at Weingart Senior Center to assist low-income families, individuals and seniors in preparing their basic tax returns. Appointments are for Mondays and Thursdays beginning February 1 and running through April 14. Reservations are required. Call 562-630-6141 to make an appointment. If you are filing a joint return, both husband and wife must come to the appointment. The Weingart Senior Center is located at 5220 Oliva Avenue in Lakewood. Individuals with appointments should be prepared to bring in their tax information (W-2 or 1099 forms) and last year’s tax return. The returns generally take about two hours to prepare, and every return is reviewed by a second tax preparer before they’re filed. The service is a nationwide AARP Foundation program called “Tax-Aide.” Through a cadre of trained volunteers, Tax-Aide has helped low- to moderate-income individuals for more than 40 years across the nation. The program helps taxpayers receive applicable tax credits and deductions. Tax-Aide is free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide. The Internal Revenue Service website has a section with information specifically for seniors at www.irs.gov/ individuals/retirees. It includes tips, FAQs and Social Securityrelated information.

Green

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February 2016

Living

Page 7

Clever ways to reuse Learn to keep the earth beautiful your old tires at Lakewood’s Earth Walk event Source: Earthtalk

America is overrun with tires. They are one of our biggest disposal headaches. Approximately 1 billion tires are manufactured yearly, while far fewer ever get recycled. They present problems due to their size, weight, and materials. Many end up in a landfill. A pile of tires will collect water and become a great breeding ground for mosquitoes. Other vermin, such as snakes and rats, will habit these tires. They also are a target for vandalism; if set on fire, they emit dangerous gases into the atmosphere and this fire is very difficult to extinguish. Even hosing a tire fire will cause dangerous runoff. What can you do with these tires? When you buy new tires, make sure the old ones are disposed properly. For a small fee, the dealer will often send them to a recycling factory. Many states require this. Disposal sites and transfer stations often have an amnesty day where you can drop off your old tires for no charge. If you are industrious, you can create a business collecting these old tires and selling them to a retreading business. What else can you do with old tires? You have undoubtedly seen a tire tied to a tree to create a swing. Apart from the nostalgia of that, think of some adaptations. Cut the tire in half or a third for a swing seat. Fasten the tire with chains bolted to the two sides. You can also hang the swing horizontally, fastening chains to the two sides and “back.” Consider painting or decorating the tire. Your kids will love a tire jungle. Stack various size tires randomly on each other, decorated or painted in different colors. You may want to fill some with dirt to provide a “floor” inside the tire. More conventionally, turn various size tires into a sandbox. Design a bike rack: cut several tires in half, place them upside down, and join them together with strips across the bottoms front and back, slightly spaced apart. Alternately, bury half of the tire in the ground or in sand. Cut a large tractor or truck tire in two, fasten a board across the flat cuts and suddenly you have a teeter-totter. For still one more inventive reuse, build a climbing wall. Place tires around the yard or in the garden and use as planters. Let your creativity come to the fore by decorating these tires to either fit in or stand out

artistically. Mount them on legs for an even more striking look. You can also fasten tires to an outside wall, fill the bottoms with dirt and start growing some hanging plants. Elsewhere around the garden, you can make old tires into rubber chairs and tables. Whatever way you recycle a tire, you are doing the environment a favor. Put your creativity to work and design something functional or artful. You not only will have fun, you will end up with something useful or decorative for your home.

Lakewood’s free Earth Walk event returns this spring with an interactive experience for kids and adults on Saturday, March 12, from 10am to 1pm. The event will be held at rustic Monte Verde Park, which is the trailhead to over three miles of landscaped walking trails and the San Gabriel River Parkway. Activities will move into the park’s S. Mark Taper Lodge or under canopies if there’s rain. Monte Verde Park is located at 4626 N. Shadeway Road. Participants will learn what they can do to help keep the earth beautiful and protected. Adults and children are invited to take a nature walk, plant seeds, create nature-themed crafts, make s’mores and learn about recycling. The park features many California native plants. “Woody the Tree,” Lakewood’s “Tree City, U.S.A.” mascot, will

be in attendance. He will help teach visitors about Lakewood’s “urban forest.” Participants can visit the stations along the trail and get their passport stamped with specialty Earth Walk stamps. With a completed passport, participants will receive

a special Earth Walk gift. This free event is a fun and educational day for family members of all ages. For more information, call 562-866-9771, extension 2408, or go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ GreenLiving.

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Community Page 8

The little things...

It’s just the little homely things, the unobtrusive, friendly things, the “Won’t-youlet-me-help-you” things that make our pathway light. And it’s just the jolly, joking things, the “Never-mind-thetrouble” things, the “Laugh-withme-it’s-funny” things that make the world seem bright. For all the countless famous things, the wondrous record-breaking things, those never–can-be equaled things that all the papers cite, are not like little human things, the every-day-encountered-things, the “Justbecause-I-like-you” things that make us happy quite!

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February 2016

Pathways’ ‘Have a Heart’ campaign

Once again, Pathways is teaming up with our friends at Foggia’s Italian Market & Deli and Casa Gamino to host the “Have a Heart” campaign in support of Pathways’ services. “Being a giving part of the community is important to us. We live here and this is a special part of our business. We’re just one of any number of local merchants who believe giving back to the community is important in the long run,” said Foggia’s owner Bob Quarto. The donation campaign will run throughout the entire month of February. Foggia customers can make a small donation at the deli’s checkout counter to Pathway’s “Have a Heart” campaign or they can make a donation online and be entered into a special drawing for a $50 Foggia’s gift certificate (www.pathwayshospice. org). Casa Gamino customers can purchase a heart and then add it their Casa walls. This fundraising event will help support the much-needed services provided to the community through Pathways. As a non-profit organization, Pathways offers services for the frail, elderly, terminally ill and grief support for children and families. To learn more about Pathways Volunteer Hospice please call (562) 531-3031, or visit www. pathwayshospice.org for more information on our programs and volunteer services. Foggia Market & Deli is located at 5522 Del Amo Blvd. (Corner of Bellflower Boulevard) and Casa Gamino is located at 8330 Alondra Ave. in Paramount.

Contact Sheriff’s Department first, not social media

The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station has noticed a troubling trend of people posting information about crimes or suspicious activity on Facebook and social media sites instead of contacting the Sheriff’s Department. Lakewood officials ask that you please contact the Sheriff’s Department first with any information. That enables Sheriff’s personnel to check out the problem right away. Sheriff’s staff does not monitor social media sites constantly, so posting information on those sites can mean it never gets brought to the attention of the professionals in our community who are trained and tasked with keeping our community safe. For a crime in progress, always call 9-1-1. To ask a question or report something that happened in the past, you can call the 24-hour business line of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at 562-623-3500. To ask about joining or forming a Neighborhood Watch group in your area, contact Lakewood city crime prevention staff at 562-866-9771, extension 2114 or at crimeprevention@ lakewoodcity.org.

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February 2016

“Hall of Fame” (Cont’d. from Pg. 1)

Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame 2015 Award Recipients:

Athlete of the Year

• SAVANNAH DeMELO, Saint Joseph HS – Soccer

Performers of the Year

Baseball

• Ryan Hare, Lakewood HS

Basketball

• Kendall Small, Mayfair HS

Cross Country

• Ryan Vreeke, Valley Christian HS

Football

• Jeremiah Paulo, Lakewood HS

Golf

• Ali Morallos, L.B. Wilson HS

Gymnastics

• Taylor Tiscareno, Lakewood HS

Lacrosse

• Daisy Haas, Los Alamitos HS

Soccer

• Clay D’Amico, Valley Christian HS

Softball

• Kylie Lundberg, Lakewood HS

Swimming

• Daniel McArthur, Lakewood HS

Tennis

• Ellee Vikram, Lakewood HS

Track and Field

• Jahleel Norwood, Lakewood HS • Justin Parker, UC Riverside (Mayfair HS)

Volleyball

• Monique Awanyai, Mayfair HS • Chelsee Sauni, Coppin State (Lakewood HS)

Water Polo

• Michael Talag, Lakewood HS

Wrestling

• David Zavala, Lakewood HS

Distinguished Nominees

Baseball

• Andrew Quezada, Mayfair HS

Basketball

• Ariel Augustine, Mayfair HS • Stefanie Berberabe, St. Joseph HS • Dontae Smith, Artesia HS

Cross Country

• Sarah Hernandez, Lakewood HS • Jacob Marsh, Lakewood HS • Kaitlyn Natividad, St. Joseph HS

Football

• Jordan Benoit, Artesia HS • Brian Holm, Calvary Chapel Christian School

Golf

• Justin Collins, Lakewood HS • Anna Dong, St. Joseph HS

Softball

• Anessa Cepeda, Lakewood HS • Sarah Parten, Mayfair HS

Swimming

• Nick Bustamante, Lakewood HS • Michael Talag, Lakewood HS • Tim Valdez, Lakewood HS

Track and Field

• Jaydon Logan, Artesia HS • Kaitlyn Natividad, St. Joseph HS • Tamia Prince, Mayfair HS

Volleyball

• Shelbie Dobmeier, Lakewood HS • Destynie Viliamu, Lakewood HS

Water Polo

• Emma Noble, St. Joseph HS

Wrestling

• Alex Michel, Lakewood HS • Cristian Rodriguez, Artesia HS

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Scholar Athlete of the Year • Monique Awanyai, Mayfair HS • Sarah Berberabe, St. Joseph HS • Amanda Fernbach, Lakewood HS • Alex Linao, Artesia HS

Most Outstanding HS Career • Daniel McArthur, Lakewood HS

All-Round Performer

• Kaitlyn Natividad, St. Joseph HS

News

Community

• Michael Talag, Lakewood HS

Outstanding Youth Team

• Lakewood Hustlers – 12U Youth Softball • Annoying Oranges – Bocce, Lakewood Special Olympics High Division • Lakewood Unified Golf Team, Lakewood Special Olympics High Division

Special Olympics Athlete of the Year

• Naveed Manjra, Lakewood Special Olympics

High School Varsity League Champions

• Lakewood HS Baseball • Lakewood HS Gymnastics • Lakewood HS Softball • Lakewood High School Boys Volleyball

Anthony Rendon elected State Assembly Speaker Assemblyman Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) was recently elected the 70th Speaker of the California State Assembly. “I thank my colleagues for the confidence they have placed in me and for this immense privilege to serve,” Rendon said. “We as policymakers have a great deal of work ahead of us to meet the challenges Californians demand we address.” Rendon will assume the office of Speaker on March 7. “With the annual budget process underway, my immediate priority is working with my colleagues to negotiate a budget that represents the values of the people of California,” Rendon said. “Moving forward, the Assembly has a tremendous opportunity to address not only short-term goals but also the lingering long-term issues facing our state.” Rendon represents the 63rd Assembly District, which includes the cities and communities of Bell, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, North Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, and South Gate.

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ShopLakewood Page 10

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February 2016

Shop Lakewood...

Get ready Lakewood! Orchard Supply Hardware is now open!

Home improvement store options have increased in Lakewood. On January 26, 2016, Orchard Supply Hardware opened it’s doors, and on Saturday, February 20th, they will celebrate their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting. The popular home improvement chain, with 75 stores throughout California and Oregon, has been on a major expansion mode since retail giant Lowe’s purchased it in 2013. The Lakewood store, at the southeast corner of South Street and Palo Verde Avenue, will be 30,630 square feet and will incorporate wide aisles, enhanced lighting, colorful signage, and a broad array of high quality merchandise. The attached nursery will be 12,000 square feet. Stop by and welcome OSH to Lakewood!

Don’t miss the upcoming Preschool Information and Family Fair

The MOMS Club® of Lakewood, CA (MOMS Club) will host its annual Preschool Information and Family Fair on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 9am to 12pm at the Youth Center at Del Valle park (4658 Woodruff Ave., in Lakewood. Registration is open for local preschools, community programs, vendors, and sponsors. Free and open to the public, the fair is a community event that offers parents in Lakewood, and surrounding areas a forum to receive information about local preschools and arts, education, and sports programs for kids. Families can ask questions of school and program representatives, and sign up for classes and tours. Kids will enjoy a wide variety of entertainment and crafts sponsored by local businesses, including face painting, parachute play, performances and demos. The fair also will feature door prizes/raffles and childand family-oriented vendors, with the proceeds benefitting Children Today, a local charity that provides free services and

education to homeless families. To obtain more information about the free Preschool Information and Family Fair or to be a sponsor, please contact Catherine Liu at cmchao@ hotmail.com or 562-618-2298.

...Stay Lakewood Loyal

Affordable health screenings coming to Lakewood

Residents living in and around Lakewood can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. Christ Presbyterian Church will host this community event on February 23rd. The site is located at 5225 Hayter Avenue in Lakewood. Screenings can check for: The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for heart disease, stroke and overall vascular health. HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels Diabetes risk Bone density as a risk for possible osteoporosis Kidney and thyroid function, and more Screenings are affordable, convenient and accessible for wheelchairs and those with trouble walking. Free parking is also available. Packages start at $149, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at www. lifelinescreening.com. Preregistration is required.

February 2016

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ShopLakewood Page 11

Shop Lakewood...

One of many reasons to live in Lakewood By Toshiko Okawa, Lakewood resident

Round 1 arcade, located at Lakewood Center.

I moved to Lakewood from Beverly Hills in 2001. Honestly, in the beginning, the city of Lakewood was too quiet for me and I missed Beverly Hills a lot. Most of my clients and friends would ask me where Lakewood was located? I would reply, Lakewood is next to Long Beach, and at the time had a population

of 80,000. It has easy access to the 405, 91, 605, and 710 freeways. I have come to realize Lakewood has all we need and it’s a great city to live in. Lakewood Center hosts some of the best shopping around. They have a Macy’s, Target, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Nordstrom Rack to name a

few popular stores. Lakewood City Hall has a huge event room for weddings, Japanese Ikebana, Karaoke and more. At 2,093,006 square feet, the Lakewood Center is ranked among the largest retail shopping malls by gross leasable area in the United States. In 2013 Round 1 was opened inside the shopping center. Hopefully you’ve had the opportunity to visit, play some Japanese video games, bowl a few rounds, or sing some karaoke. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Round 1 was a Japanese amusement company. I noticed that the “how to play” was written in Japanese on the game machines. When I heard the familiar sound of bowling and game machines it brought me back to the time I lived in Japan. I stop by Lakewood Center often to play a few games at Round 1, and I’m reminded of the sights and sounds in Japan. I see many groups and families enjoying their time bowling, playing games, having birthday parties and celebrating anniversaries. I have grown to love Lakewood; it’s a city that makes everyone feel like they’re at home. For me, a little essence of Japan at Round 1 is a reminder of my Japanese heritage in Lakewood.

Lakewood Regional Medical Center appoints new CEO Lakewood Regional Medical Center has appointed John Grah as its new chief executive officer, effective Jan. 18. He joins the Lakewood administration team with extensive hospital operations and leadership experience, having most recently served as CEO of Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, MO, where he was responsible for the strategic, operational and clinical activities of the 143-bed hospital. Previously, Grah was chief operating officer of Providence Memorial Hospital in El Paso, TX. He has also served as corporate vice president of Scripps Health and CEO of Scripps Memorial Hospital in Chula Vista, Calif. Additionally, he has been CEO at several hospitals within Appalachian Regional Healthcare, based in Lexington, KY. Grah earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Saint Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He also holds an executive juris doctorate degree from Concord Law School.

Happy e’s Valentin Day!

Seahawk Cocktail Lounge Happy Hour Weekdays

4-7:00PM $2 Domestic Bottles and $2 Well Drinks!

Full Bar Pool & Darts Internet Juke Free Wi-Fi

OPEN DAILY 8AM - 2AM 4103 Candlewood St. Lakewood, 90712

facebook.com/seahawkcocktails

...Stay Lakewood Loyal

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Community Page 12

Tax help is available for those in need

Call 562-630-6141 to make an appointment. If you are filing a joint return, both husband and wife must come to the appointment. The Weingart Senior Center is located at 5220 Oliva Avenue in Lakewood. Individuals with appointments should be prepared to bring in

www.lakewoodnews.org their tax information (W-2 or 1099 forms) and last year’s tax return. The returns generally take about two hours to prepare, and every return is reviewed by a second tax preparer before they’re filed. The service is a nationwide AARP Foundation program called “Tax-Aide.” Through a cadre of trained volunteers, Tax-Aide has helped low- to moderate-income individuals for more than 40 years across the nation. The program helps taxpayers receive applicable tax credits and deductions. Tax-Aide is free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/ taxaide. The Internal Revenue Service website has a section with information specifically for seniors at www.irs.gov/ individuals/retirees. It includes tips, FAQs and Social Securityrelated information.

Looking to travel? The Lakewood Chamber can help! Go to www. lakewoodchamber. com, then click on the “Trip Opportunities” tab to see all of the trips we’re currently offering. You can also call or email us to have a brochure mailed to you: (562) 531-9733 / advertise@lakewoodchamber.com.

February 2016

Local flooring company celebrates opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Floor & Decor, located at 8925 Apollo Way in Downey, recently celebrated their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Floor & Decor, a leading specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring, has recently opened the doors to its new Downey location. The 73,000-square-foot Floor & Decor retail store and design center, located in the new promenade of Downey on Lakewood Landing, opens with a team of about 40 employees led by Bryan Audiss, the new store’s Chief Executive Merchant. “Floor & Decor is thrilled to open our doors in Downey,” said Audiss. “With the launch of our fifth store in the state, we are committed to providing Californians with an extensive array of flooring products at unbeatable prices, and we look forward to forming relationships with this great community, one shopper at a time.” $5,000 Makeover Giveaway To celebrate the new store in Downey, Floor & Decor is inviting guests to register for a special makeover giveaway, with a $5,000 gift card to be awarded to one lucky recipient. Registration at the Downey location concludes February 19. Floor & Decor Downey store recently hosted an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Representatives from area chambers of commerce – including those for Downey, Pico Rivera, Greater Lakewood, Paramount, Montebello, Norwalk, and the City of Commerce Industrial Council – were in attendance. Additional company information can be found at

www.flooranddecor.com and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ flooranddecor).

February 2016

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Make your first impression a lasting one Within the first few seconds of meeting someone, an opinion is immediately formed that can last forever. This encounter often sets the tone for the relationship that follows. So how can you make your first impression a positive one? Here are some tips to help you knock your first meeting out of the park: • Take pride in your presence Physical appearance is the first thing people observe before an introduction. Always dress appropriately for the occasion, whether it’s a casual lunch or a formal business meeting. A go-to suggestion is to maintain a clean and crisp appearance for most events because you can’t go wrong - think business casual. This look can be trendy and professional and will position you in a positive light. Being mindful of your appearance will give you more confidence to help make a great first impression. • Showcase your positive attitude For people who get nervous when interacting with others, it is essential to sustain a calm attitude and optimistic outlook. Go into the meeting with an open mind and learn something new. Contribute to the conversation and maintain engagement. Showing attentiveness is often contagious, as the person you meet catches on and reciprocates. • Be conscious of your body language Body language is a crucial element in daily human interaction. From the way you walk to a meeting, to the hand gestures used while you speak - body language is just as important as the words you say. Start by standing tall, making appropriate eye contact and giving a firm handshake. Demonstrate open body postures by keeping your head up and relaxing your shoulders. Crossed arms and legs make you appear closed off and unapproachable, so be mindful of how you might appear to others. • Be yourself Being true to yourself is the best way to be presentable to others. Be comfortable with your personality. If nervousness kicks in, take a few deep breaths and remember to be

Lakewood Chamber’s

Young Professional Council

Sponsoring:

“Speaker Series”

MAKING THE MOST OF BUSINESS IN 2016 Presentation by

Allison Tutoring Allison Castellanos

Tuesday, Feb. 2nd 8:00am - 9:00am

Cost of Admission: Buy some food from our host DENNY’S RESTAURANT 5520 South St, Lkwd 90712

To RSVP call or email John Kelsall at:

562.531.9733 john@lakewoodchamber.com

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Community

calm and confident. A composed demeanor will put anyone at ease, sealing the deal on an excellent relationship as you move forward. Making an everlasting first impression is simply about being at peace with who you are and being ready to meet others. Try some of these above tips at your next meeting, networking event or job interview.

Stoppages

Page 13

Small Steps! Big Change! Most of us, if not all, aspire to make changes in our lives, whether they are personal or career-related. There’s usually one aspect of our lives that we wish was different. When we decide we are ready to make that change, we feel confident and excited. We are fueled by hope and a newfound energy. It’s not unusual, then, to take on more than we can chew. The key to any success is in taking small, consistent steps. The smaller steps are manageable, making it easier to keep on going. And if we keep going, we are more often than not, going to accomplish our goal. Don’t take on too daunting a task--a task you won’t be able to complete because of its overwhelming nature. Instead, break down the steps into little

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doable moments. And then persist. No matter what! The change can happen, and will! Whatever you want to change is possible. Give yourself the luxury of achieving it by taking those baby steps. It’s patience, persistence, and small, doable steps that will

make it so. Submitted by Rossana Snee, MFT. Follow her on Twitter @ askjoshsmom, Askjoshsmom.com, and https://www.facebook.com/ askjoshsmom. She is available in a therapeutic capacity, and also for speaking engagements. Ask about An Afternoon with Josh’s Mom!

Town

Around

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February 2016

Pick up your

Around Town in February pencil and lets Arlene Roos, 863-4933, one Lakewood • The Lakewood Women’s Club will hold it’s luncheon meeting on Tuesday, February 16, at Sycamore Centre, 5000 Clark Av., with reception at 10:30am, meeting at 11am, luncheon at 12noon, and program at 1pm. For reservations for lunch, call

week ahead, by Monday, February 8. • On Thursday February 25 the Lakewood Garden Club will be meeting at 11am at Del Valle Park Youth Center. The program speaker will be Jorge Ochoa. He will be talking about wild flora and fauna of Griffith Park.

play Sudoku!

Congratulations to Debra Therrio! She is the lucky winner of the January Sudoku contest. To be eligible, print your name, address and phone number on a letter size (8½ x 11) piece of paper, 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 Monday, February 22, 2016. The winners will be drawn on Tuesday, February 23, 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 March issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle.

“Welcome to Lakewood”

Flyers due Feb. 27th for March Mailing

Want to know a great way you can reach “new” Lakewood residents to let them know about your business? Supply us with 250 flyers/coupons for your business, and we include it in the “Welcome” packet we send out. (Cost is $100) Call 562-531-9733 for more information

We’re happy to announce a new

Sudoku Sponsor!

News

Community February 2016

Stay calm, cool and collected when ordering wine

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so right now is the perfect time to brush up on your dinner date skills. No matter the budget, ordering wine for that special someone goes hand in hand with a romantic evening out. However, some guys and gals don’t know the difference between a Chardonnay and a Merlot. Believe it or not, there isn’t a wine that doesn’t pair well with any type of traditional food. From hot wings, pizza, mac & cheese and more. Confused? Don’t be. Follow these tips, tricks and wine basics and it will be a romantic Valentine’s Day to remember. Choosing Wines Knowing how to navigate both a wine list and a wine shop can be intimidating, but here are some tips: • In restaurants – Stay cool and don’t forget that help is a good thing. Ask the waiter or the restaurants wine expert, the sommelier (“So-Mel-Yay”), for a suggestion; they will make you look good. • In wine shops – Have an idea of what you’re hungry for before you enter the store, and ask for

help here, too. If you work the odds and bag a mixed case of wine, chances are good you’ll find something the two of you will like. Don’t forget, you can easily find great wines for under $10. Pairing Wine and Food You’re with your date, and not sure what to serve? Like a red wine, you have to practice breathing-wine can be paired with pretty much anything. Here are some suggestions: • Pizza with meat – Merlot • Burgers, BBQ or anything grilled – Zinfandel • Asian food – Zinfandel or Sauvignon Blanc • Mac and cheese – Chardonnay • Wings – Cabernet Sauvignon • Salad (she’ll want to have some greens) - Sauvignon Blanc Talking the Talk Let’s face it; sometimes you need to fake knowing more than you actually know. Here are a few terms of the trade to help you impress your date: • Appellation – A way to say “where the grapes are grown” while sounding like you have a 180 IQ. • Terroir – A fancy French word for a vineyard’s growing conditions. Generally France, Italy and California are known for good terroir, while Siberia and Antarctica are not. • Mouthfeel – A pompous way of describing the “texture” of wine. Think light beer vs. stout-they taste and feel different. Now that you’ve gained a little wine wisdom go out and select the perfect bottle of wine.

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February 2016