Lcn january 2016

Lakewood

News

Community

Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce

Volume 33 Number 1

www.lakewoodnews.org / www.lakewoodchamber.com

January 2016

Lakewood Chamber looks back at 2015 Networking…

From lunch in the afternoon to appetizers and cocktails in the evening, a variety of networking opportunities are available for busy Chamber Members.

Business Connections…

The Chamber also hosts several special events that bring together community leaders as well as business professionals.

The Annual Business Forecast Luncheon addresses issues that are most likely to affect the business community. The Business Expo brings the business community together at the Lakewood Center. Businesses are given the opportunity to display and sell their products and services to the public. The Chamber also assists new local businesses with Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies in order to help get the word out about their new business within the community.

For the sports enthusiasts in your organization the Chamber hosts it’s own Softball League.

The teams consist of various businesses… so don’t be shy, any Lakewood Chamber members feeling up to the challenge of putting together a team and joining the league are welcome.

(Cont’d on Pg. 3)

A woman of strength is a State of the woman of worth City tickets on sale now

Teri Kelsall was recently honored at a distinguished awards ceremony hosted by L’Oréal Paris on December 1st in New York.

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

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Teri Kelsall, wife of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Kelsall, was a recent winner of the 2015 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth award, recognizing extraordinary women making a difference in their communities. Teri was recognized for her outstanding work with The Jonas Project, her organization that aims to help veterans become entrepreneurs by teaching them how to build a business, from developing business plans to seeking angel investors. Teri is one of 10 women,

selected from thousands across the country, to receive the prestigious Women of Worth honor, joining an impressive group of 100 Honorees recognized over the past 10 years.

“I’m beyond proud to be honored as a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth,” said Teri Kelsall, founder of the Jonas Project. “To be able to give back to those who courageously serve our country is a fulfilling accomplishment. This donation will be used in our efforts to help these veterans, who have an entrepreneurial spirit, start their (Cont’d on Pg. 4)

Lakewood’s annual State of the City Luncheon is set for Monday, January 25 from 12 noon to 1:30pm at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. Attendees will hear what Lakewood’s leaders are saying about the city’s upcoming opportunities and challenges. This annual event is sponsored by the City of Lakewood, Rotary Club of Lakewood and Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are for sale online at a cost of $25 at www.lakewoodcity.org/ sotctickets.

The program will review the accomplishments of the past year and feature the first showing of Lakewood’s always informative and entertaining annual report video, which will be played in the weeks following the event on CityTV Channel 31.

The deadline to make reservations is Tuesday, January 19. For more information, call or email Nanette Davis at 562-8669771, extension 3123; ndavis@lakewoodcity.org.

LakewoodToday

Page 2

Big year ahead for Lakewood in 2016

By Mayor Jeff Wood

These final days of December are a good time to reflect on what’s happened in the year gone by, and to look ahead to all that we want to accomplish in the New Year.

As mayor of Lakewood, I can tell you that 2015 was a busy year for our city. We had park openings, new businesses and wonderful community events, including a bigger, expanded holiday tree lighting event that even brought snow flurries to

Lakewood. (You can still see the 24-foot-tall decorated tree through January 3 in front of city hall. It’s lit with music every night from 5pm to 10pm) There are more new happenings on the horizon for 2016, which will make life even better in Lakewood.

Our city is in the midst of one of our biggest park improvement eras since our founding in the 1950s.

In 2014, we built Home Run Dog Park and the new pumpkin playground at San Martin Park.

In 2015, we developed a new leg of the Nature Trail and renovated and expanded our Veterans Memorial Plaza at Del Valle Park.

By the end of spring in 2016, we’ll install a new playground and adult fitness area at Rynerson Park and a new airplane-themed playground in Del Valle Park.

Lakewood residents love their parks. Keeping them updated and in good shape continues to be a top priority for the city council,

January 2016

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and I’m very happy about that.

Another enduring top priority for the city council and our residents is public safety. One of Lakewood’s high technology tools for public safety is our Sky Knight helicopter patrol, which provides an “eye in the sky” to support deputies on the ground and find fleeing criminals. In 2016, start looking for a new, bright blue Sky Knight helicopter flying over Lakewood.

Our 20-year-old Sikorsky helicopter had been getting increasingly difficult to find parts for. Our new Robinson R-44 helicopter will have state-of-theart crime-fighting capabilities, including heat sensors to locate people hiding at night and a Lo-Jack system to find stolen vehicles.

Also coming in 2016 will be new LED street lights on over 5,000 poles throughout the city.

The new lights will last longer and use less electricity, providing a significant cost savings over time to all of us as taxpayers.

Lakewood will continue to be an attractive place for new businesses to locate. In 2016, Orchard Supply Warehouse (OSH) will open at South Street and Palo Verde Avenue. A giant Hobby Lobby store will replace the former Vons at Lakewood Boulevard at Hardwick Street. A Grocery Outlet store will open where the Fresh & Easy market was on South Street and Woodruff Avenue. And the popular H&M and Rue 21 clothing stores will come to Lakewood Center.

Businesses like these provide jobs and shopping opportunities

for residents. Many of them also give back to our community by supporting city events, youth groups and other local activities.

If you know of a business that gives back to the Lakewood community, let me know so the city can show them our appreciation. Send us a few details at www.lakewoodcity.org/ GiveBack or call city staff at 562866-9771, extension 3123.

As you can see, there are a lot of exciting developments ahead for Lakewood in 2016. On behalf of all my colleagues on the Lakewood City Council, our best wishes for a happy, healthy and exciting new year for you and your family, too.

C i t y Spotlight Spring recreation catalogs are ‘in the mail’ Resident mail-in registration and online registration starts when catalogs go out in the mail in late December. General registration for the public, including phone-in and walkin registration, begins Tuesday, January 5 at 7:30am at city hall.

Most classes and activities begin the week of Monday, February 1. Online registration is fast, easy and convenient at www.lakewoodcity.org/ recreation.

Call city hall at 562-8669771, extension 2408 for additional information.

Afterschool Activity Zone begins in January Lakewood parks offer free after-school activities beginning the week of January

4. Activities include homework help, crafts, and sports instruction. Students will have a variety of things to participate in while parents can be assured that their children are properly supervised in a safe and creative environment.

Program schedules are available online at www. lakewoodcity.org/afterschool and can be picked up at Lakewood City Hall, all parks and city libraries.

Hours of supervision at all city parks beginning on January 4 are: • Monday to Friday: 3pm to 5pm.

• Saturdays: 9am to 5pm.

• Sundays and holidays: 12noon to 5pm.

Parks are open additional hours for scheduled programs and permits. Call your local park for more information regarding supervision hours and the Activity ZONE program. Park phone numbers are at www.lakewoodcity.org/ recreation.

“Gross Icky Bug Show” for FUN-TASTIC Family Night Play along in this dramatic, interactive and improvisational presentation about insects on February 5 at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. 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 price of admission includes a kid-friendly dinner of chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, lemonade and dessert.

Admission is $8/person, $5/ child aged 3 and under, and children under 1 are free.

Seating is on a first-come basis.

Doors open at 5:45pm. Last day to register is February 2 or until filled. Register at www. lakewoodcity.org/recreation using class #41704.

Adult sports registration Adult sports information packets and roster forms will be available starting Tuesday, January 5 at Lakewood City Hall for upcoming adult sports programs. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information.

Your

Minding

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January 2016

There’s a new Sky Knight in town

“Chamber’s Year in review” (Cont’d. from Pg. 1)

Call Frank Cardiel at (562) 5319733 for more information. If you’re not a current Chamber member there’s still time to join, give us a call so you’re ready for opening day.

Business Page 3

Edward Jones adds Financial Advisor

Events…

Aside from networking opportunities, in 2015, the Lakewood Chamber held many great events such as the muchanticipated Annual Summer Stampede Car Show. Car lovers from all over California came together to display their old cars for the community to admire.

The start of a New Year is the perfect opportunity to get involved, what are you waiting for? Become a member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. Give us a call at (562) 531-9733 to learn more about how your local Chamber of Commerce can help your business grow and prosper.

New Robinson Sky Knight helicopter with chief pilot, Sonny Maliski.

Lakewood holds a special place in aviation history as the first American city, starting in 1966, to fly a law enforcement helicopter patrol. Lakewood’s Sky Knight program became a model nationwide, showing the benefits of having “an eye in the sky” for the safety of residents and law enforcement on the ground.

The program continues today, 49 years later, serving Lakewood and Cerritos in a two-city, jointly funded effort.

Parts for the Sikorsky helicopter used by Sky Knight for over two decades are becoming increasingly hard to obtain. So Lakewood, which manages the program, recently procured a newer Robinson R-44 helicopter to become the lead Sky Knight airship.

The new, bright blue Robinson helicopter is equipped with stateof-the-art public safety equipment that the older Sikorsky doesn’t have, including a: • “Forward Looking Infrared” camera to detect the heat signatures of a person or object, especially at night; • moving map system for the quicker determination of a target location and improved situational awareness; and • a LoJack connection to help recover stolen vehicles.

Lakewood

News

Community

...Since 1984

Publication Manager/Graphics Designer Jodee Kilroy Editor-in-Chief Robin Vanderwerff Published by the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce #24 Lakewood Center Lakewood, CA 90712 P: (562) 531-9733 * F: (562) 531-9737 advertise@lakewoodchamber.com news@lakewoodchamber.com Contents of the Lakewood Community News (“LCN”) may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to revise, edit, reject or suspend publication of any content germane to any addition without prior notice.

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Last but not least, the R-44 is manufactured by a company based locally in Torrance that’s known for its commitment to good service and parts for its customers.

“All of us on the Lakewood City Council are excited about the new helicopter and what it means for the sustainability of the Sky Knight program that serves our community,” said Mayor Jeff Wood.

“Lakewood is considered a safe community, but no community, including ours, is immune from

crime,” said Wood. “To stay as safe as we can, we need a combination of dedicated, welltrained professionals from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department, the best technology we can get, such as our new Sky Knight helicopter, and a community full of caring, committed and supportive residents. Fortunately, we have all of those ingredients in Lakewood.

It’s what helps to keep life good here.”

Carol Otters, Edward Jones Financial in Lakewood.

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Carol Otters announced today that a second financial advisor, John Arens III, will join her office in Lakewood on January 23, 2016.

John will work alongside Carol for several months then will continue serving investors throughout the area from his branch office.

The branch office is located at 4010 Watson Plaza Dr, Suite 235 in Lakewood. For more information call (562) 804-7994.

&Financial

Business Page 4

Advertise in the Lakewood Community News. The ONLY newspaper dedicated to the city of Lakewood. (30,000 circulation) For more information, call or email us at: (562) 531-9733 advertise@lakewoodchamber.com.

www.lakewoodnews.org

Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame tickets on sale

Tickets for the 35th annual Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be on sale at Lakewood City Hall starting January 18. The awards banquet is scheduled for Monday, February 29 at 6:30pm at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza and will honor the 2015 Athlete of the Year and more than 25 other deserving athletes and coaches.

If purchased by February 10, discounted tickets are $28 for adults and $18 for students; if purchased between February 11 and 17, ticket prices are $34 and $24 respectively. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information or to purchase tickets.

January 2016 “Teri Kelsall - Woman of Worth” (Cont’d. from Pg. 1)

own companies. We are excited to help them in a greater capacity by providing more resources to educate and support them as they embark on this new chapter in their lives. ” Teri Kelsall started The Jonas Project (TJP) with her husband, John, in 2013 in honor of their son, Jonas, a Navy SEAL who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan in 2011.

The Kelsall’s noticed how difficult it was for returning veterans to join the work force or start businesses due to the negative notion that veterans “lack real-world skills.” The Jonas Project helps veterans with the drive to become entrepreneurs develop formal business plans, obtain advice from mentors and prepare proposals for start-up capital. In just three years, the organization has provided comprehensive assistance to 18 veteran-owned start-up companies across the country, four of which are now open for business.

Additionally, The Jonas Project is working to persuade Congress to pass the Credit Reporting Act for Military to increase protections for servicemen and women. In the meantime, although TJP does not invest equity in the new businesses, it does offer veterans some start up assistance.

The project has also built a network of veterans who are successful entrepreneurs and business professionals who provide comprehensive mentorship to motivated servicemen and women.

Veterans are welcome to apply for The Jonas Project. They should have at least a working draft of a business plan, some marketing research, and working knowledge of the industry they wish to enter.

If someone is interested in donating to The Jonas Project, they can visit their website.

Or simply text JONAS to 41444.

All donations are tax deductible.

Looking to travel?

Lakewood Chamber is currently offering the following trips: • Feb. 1st / A Taste of the South Pacific • Mar. 14th / Timeless Amalfi • Mar. 16th / The Essence of Eastern Europe • Mar. 29th / Paris to Normandy (Seine River Cruise) • Apr. 6th / Holland Tulips & Rhine River Castle • Apr. 11th / Treasures of Ireland

Call or email us for a brochure: 562-531-9733 info@lakewoodchamber.com

News

Community

January 2016

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Page 5

The New Year brings new opportunities to make a difference in Lakewood

“Resolution season” has many looking inward with hopes of losing weight, getting more organized or paying down debt. In Lakewood there are also opportunities for looking outward to help others. Consider adopting resolutions like giving back to the community and volunteering.

Options in Lakewood range from spending one morning joining with hundreds of neighbors this spring at Volunteer Day, to spending a few evenings a month at a park coaching neighborhood kids, or getting active on your own block in Neighborhood Watch.

Residents pitching in have improved the quality of life in Lakewood for 60 years.

If you want to help but don’t know what’s the right fit for you, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ volunteer or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. City staff can help match your interests with over 35 activities and community groups Meals On Wheels The Lakewood Meals On Wheels program (MOW) has been making life easier for elderly residents and shut-ins of all ages since 1975. MOW volunteers range in age from teens to seniors and help with everything from making sandwiches and packaging meals to driving and delivering meals to dozens of Lakewood clients.

The nutritional meals are important, of course, but daily contact with a caring volunteer is just as important. Meals On Wheels is a non-profit community agency sponsored by the members of Lakewood/Long Beach Soroptimist Club and the City of Lakewood.

How to help: More information is at www.lakewoodcity.org/ MOW. To volunteer, call 562925-8747.

Volunteer Day On Saturday, April 16, 2016,

Meals on Wheels volunteering just takes a little time, but makes a big difference. hundreds of Lakewood residents will fan out across the city to spruce up the yard or home

exterior of fellow Lakewood residents in need. This will be the 21st year that Volunteer Day has

been making a positive difference in Lakewood.

Individuals and teams of

volunteers from scout troops, schools, businesses, clubs and religious congregations assist residents in need who are unable to maintain their properties themselves.

How to help: Suggestions for sites and offers to volunteer can be made online at www. lakewoodcity.org/volunteerday or by calling the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512.

Project Shepherd This homegrown Lakewood effort was founded in 1973 and has operated successfully ever since, providing help during the holiday season to residents suffering economic hardship.

Project Shepherd also provides a limited amount of assistance outside of the holiday season for emergency household hardships.

How to help: To donate or volunteer, please contact the Burns Community Center at 562925-7512 or e-mail service1@ lakewoodcity.org.

Chamber News Page 6

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January 2016

Lakewood former foster youth receives support on journey to independence

Joseph Ragsdale (far right) picking out the perfect mattress from Ashley Furniture.

Most young adults have parents who will support them through their transition into adulthood, and often beyond – whether it is helping them open a checking account, applying for their first job, or driving them off to college with a car full of necessities. However, for many in foster care, the scenario can be quite different.

While this new chapter in the lives of these individuals should be a positive experience, the sad reality is about 5,000 18 to 21 year-olds in California transition from the foster care system into independent living unprepared for the responsibilities that lie ahead. The statistics illustrating what life after foster care is like for these young adults are even more disheartening - about 65 percent leave foster care without a place to live, less than 60 percent graduate high school or obtain their GED, and less than 5 percent will attend college.

With many arms of support around him, Lakewood resident, Joseph Ragsdale proves that success is not always measured by getting it right the first time, but by the strength and internal energy it takes to get back up from deterrents

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and impediments, as well as the willpower to keep moving forward.

Joseph Ragsdale is among the emancipated youth from the foster care system. Instead of going it alone, he’s made choices to accept transitional services that will better prepare him to face and deal with the difficulties and challenges of young adulthood.

Aspiranet’s THP Plus Foster Care is a placement option for nonminor dependents (NMDs), such as Joseph Ragsdale, who wish to stay in extended foster care. This placement option helps “bridge the gap” for those NMDs who will no longer live in a foster care home.

The goal of the program, with the assistance of a life coach and county worker, is to provide a safe and supportive living environment for the young adult to experience more independent living.

Joseph was ready to make the transitional move into an apartment in Lakewood, and shares it with a roommate. Ashley Furniture, which is partnering with Aspiranet, has donated all the furniture and helped make Joseph’s new apartment a home.

Looking ahead, Joseph has big plans. He will start school at Long Beach City College at the end of January. He’s excited to pursue football, a sport he loves, with his long-term goals of transferring to a University, where he hopes to continue playing football.

Joseph offers some words of wisdom for other young people that may be going through a difficult time, “Not all authority is wrong, if you get an opportunity, take it and turn it into something positive.”

With hard work, resilience and a lot of support, these statistics do not have to define the path of a young adult coming out of the foster care system. Joseph says, “You’re going to be hearing my name in the community, I’m going to do big things!”

Green

January 2016

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Living

Page 7

Residents Thank a Soldier in a BIG way! Volunteer Day seeks project sites in Lakewood

A young Lakewood resident gives Mayor Jeff Wood her “Thank a Soldier” card.

Lakewood residents tripled the number of “Thank a Soldier” notes bound for U.S. troops overseas this year. The total reached 10,607 cards of appreciation when a final batch was collected at the city’s Tree Lighting event on December 4. Over 3,400 cards were collected last year.

“We had great interest from our schools and churches,” said Mayor Jeff Wood. “We had seniors from our two community centers, people visiting libraries, shoppers at local businesses, and even a resident who took one of our collection boxes to her work at Boeing and got colleagues there involved.”

Lakewood was founded in the 1950s largely by young World War II and Korean War veterans and their families, and an appreciation for military service has been a continuing value in the city for decades since.

The effort was designed to send a brief note of appreciation and thanks during the holidays to American troops serving far from home. The city designed a special holiday postcard that could be used, and people could also write their own card or letter.

Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ thankasoldier for a list of the schools, businesses, churches and community groups that helped, and to see photos and a CityTV video of the card-signing campaign.

Hundreds of Lakewood residents and businesses help on 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.

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January 2016

CERT emergency training Lakewood residents wanting advanced disaster-prep training should join FEMA-certified instructors and L.A. County Fire Department personnel this February for the “Basic CERT” training. It’s an in-depth 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 self-reliant 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,

SKIPTHE ER WAITING ROOM GO to LakewoodER.com select a designated time Complete online forms Arrive at the ER at your designated time.

Be seen by a Triage Nurse within 15 minutes of your projected treatment time**

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For a Medical Emergency Dial 911

SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE BARCODE READER

(562) 531-2550 3700 E South Street, Lakewood Located on the corner of South Street and Downey Avenue in the city of Lakewood ** If conditions allow - meaning there are not emergent or critical patients requiring care first.

...Stay Lakewood Loyal

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 howto 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.

Prepare for El Niño rains

Are your vehicles prepared?

• Make sure your wiper blades, tires and brakes are in good shape.

• Remember to drive extra carefully when it rains.

• Are your home and yard prepared?

• Clear your rain gutters. Fix roof leaks.

• Fix and paint broken wood trim and windows.

• Check yard drainage. Check trees that may have weak limbs that could fall in a storm.

• Garages are the most vulnerable to flooding. Raise valuable items off the floor. Keep sandbags on hand if you think your garage or groundlevel rooms are at risk.

To report a fallen tree, traffic signal outage, clogged storm drain catch-basin or other city services emergency, call city hall at 562866-9771 during business hours.

After hours, call the same number but follow the prompts to page a 24hour emergency services worker.

If power is out citywide for an extended period of time, city staff will broadcast emergency information on Lakewood’s KLWD 1620 AM radio station. The station can be heard on your car radio.

It’s also another reason to have a supply of batteries and radio at home as part of your emergency kit.

January 2016

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Page 9

Captain Vic’s has just the cup o’ joe for you!

If your morning simply doesn’t begin until you’ve had that first cup of coffee, you’re not alone.

People everywhere love their joe, and research shows 37 percent of American workers can’t even get dressed for work without their first cup of coffee. Nearly half of Americans consume at least three cups of coffee each day.

Thus, in honor of the favorite morning (or anytime) drink you can share these five amazing coffee facts with your friends and family over a cup o’ joe at one of Lakewood’s finest coffee joints, Captain Vic’s.

• People everywhere enjoy a good cup of coffee. Americans love their coffee and research shows they spend about $40 billion each year on this delicious morning beverage. But the love of joe isn’t exclusive to the United States. Across the world, an estimated 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed every single day, so drink up; you’re in good company.

• A drink with a rich history.

Coffee’s history far predates its use in modern America. Arab traders were recorded to have brought coffee beans back from Africa as far back as 1,000 A.D. Even then these traders understood the power of coffee’s morning kick. When the beans were brought back they were boiled for a drink called qahwa, which literally translates to: “that which prevents sleep.”

• A cup or more is good for a man’s health. In 2011 the Harvard School of Public Health released the findings of a comprehensive 22-year study regarding men’s health and coffee consumption.

The study, which included nearly 48,000 men, found those who drank six cups of coffee a day, or more, were 60 percent less likely to die of prostate cancer.

• A commitment to excellence.

That cup of coffee you’re holding is the product of lots of care and hard work. In fact, when you factor in the water needed to grow coffee beans and process them, it takes about 37 gallons of water to create just one single cup of coffee.

• It’s not just for people. Human beings may be the only species that enjoys coffee in its warm, blended, liquid form, but they are not the only ones who savior the taste of coffee. In fact, coffee cherries, the fruit where coffee beans come from, is actually a favorite treat of elephants.

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...Stay Lakewood Loyal

News

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Award of Valor recognizes Lakewood heroes

Mayor Jeff Wood and Sheriff Jim McDonnell honoring Lakewood resident Ahmed Aabouzid (center) at the Award of Valor.

Each fall, Lakewood’s Award of Valor Luncheon recognizes Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and residents who have demonstrated heroism and outstanding service to the community. The tradition was kept alive this year, honoring 34 men and

women who showed a commitment to public safety.

Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ aov to learn about this year’s award recipients and their actions.

On November 18, over 400 people, including Lakewood civic

and business leaders, public safety professionals, block captains, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station volunteers, Volunteers on Patrol and residents attended the event at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza.

Heroes included L.A. County Fire Department personnel who responded quickly and with expert emergency medical skills to a serious traffic accident in Lakewood earlier this year with six injured victims, including one trapped inside a bus. Another award recognized Sheriff’s deputies who used excellent communication skills and de-escalated a potentially dangerous situation inside the sheriff’s station visitors lobby.

The Award of Valor event also recognized numerous Lakewood residents who saw crimes taking place over the past year and took action to stop the suspects. Long-time volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours of their time

Stoppages

January 2016 to public safety in Lakewood enhancing the service that our community receives were also given recognition.

“We do everything we can in Lakewood to keep our community safe and family friendly,” said Mayor Jeff Wood in remarks at the event.

“And Lakewood gets a lot of help from a lot of people in that effort.

To all of our friends who protect and serve our community, please know that the people of Lakewood truly appreciate your dedication, your courage and your hard work.”

A final honoree of the event was a surprise to most attendees, including the honoree himself, event emcee Ed Arnold. Joined

by L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell and L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, Mayor Wood presented Arnold with a Distinguished Service Award for his work as the event’s master of ceremonies for the past 19 years.

The L.A. Emmy and Golden Mike Award-winner retired in 2014 after 60 years in broadcasting, but continues to make the Lakewood Award of Valor one of his annual community events.

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Lakewood resident’s creativity is award worthy

Georgina Guzman, has been a Lakewood resident for 25 years. She graduated from St. Josephs High School and went on to graduate from Cal State University Long Beach.

Guzman was recently awarded the 2015 American Graphic Design Award. Guzman, a Graphics Designer for Babilon Arts, located in San Juan Capistrano, was selected out of roughly 9,000 entries. This awards program honors and encourages recognition of, the power of design to shape commerce, culture and communications across all media.

Congratulations!

What’s Behind Door No. 2016?

What do you want it to be?

With 2016 fast approaching, a new beginning looms close. This can be both exciting and scary because not knowing what’s on the way can sometimes be stressful.

During this time you may begin to re-evaluate your life and come up with New Years resolutions. This can be a set up for failure. Why? Because if you had a year and didn’t do it, why now? It’s important to find your true motivation.

Don’t make a huge list. Just choose one thing on which you’d like to work. Keep it simple. Be patient; change takes time. Don’t assume that just because it’s a new year, it will be easy and magical to make a big lifestyle change.

Perhaps 2016 can be your initial springboard. But in order to stick to something new, you’ll have to invest time and effort beyond the early stages of excitement.

If you can start, you can continue.

Don’t let your resolutions become dead promises. Ask yourself what you want to find behind Door No. 2016, and then make it happen. Not because it’s a new year, but because it’s what you want in your life.

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 January 2016

Around Town in January Lakewood

• The Lakewood Garden Club will meet on January 28 at 11am at Del Valle Park. The program will have guest speaker Kim King of H & H Nursery. He will be talking about shade plants and dark places.

There will be a light lunch before the program. A plant sale will end the meeting. For more information, call Gwen Travis at (562) 867-0516.

• The Lakewood Women’s Club will hold it’s monthly meeting and luncheon, celebrating the club’s 63rd birthday, on Tuesday, January 19 at Sycamore Centre.

This will also honor Past Presidents, who will be special guests at this meeting. Reception is at 10:30am, meeting at 11am, lunch at 12noon and program at 1pm. Reservations for lunch should be made one week ahead (by Jan. 11) by calling Arlene Roos, 562-863-4933. On Wed. Jan 6, the members will be making “Valentines for the Vets” at Mae Boyar Park Activity Room, starting at 9:30am. All are welcome to join them.

Pathways Volunteer Hospice Presents...

The Moustrap

Each year Pathways Volunteer Hospice invites you to join them for a special night out with family and friends at the Long Beach Playhouse to enjoy a show and help raise money to continue their good work with those suffering illness and loss. They will be hosting a private performance of Mousetrap on Monday, January 28. Tickets include admission, complimentary beverages before the show and complimentary coffee, wine and dessert during intermission. The doors open at 7pm and curtain call is 7:30pm.

Ticket prices are only $25 dollars and all proceeds go to benefit the many programs and services offered by Pathways at no charge to the local community.

Please call Pathways for more information, tickets and reservations-562-531-3031 or visit our website at www.pathwayshospice.org.

www.lakewoodnews.org

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Pick up your pencil and lets play Sudoku!

Congratulations to Laura Gordon and Ed Weyer! They are the lucky winners of the December Sudoku contest.

To be eligible, print your name, address and phone number on a letter size (8½ x 11) piece of paper, cut the finished puzzle from the newspaper and tape 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 Thursday, January 21, 2016. The winners will be drawn on Friday, January 22, 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 February issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle.

Thanks to our Sudoku Sponsors!

The Biggest Loser Community Challenge

An exciting, national wellness initiative is launching across the country in February, and the Lakewood community is invited to join the MOVEment! NBC and The Biggest Loser are launching ‘The Biggest Loser Community Challenge’ in February. Teams of four are invited to join this eight-week, online health & wellness community challenge.

The challenge is for people of all fitness levels and is designed to get the community moving, eating better and having fun!

Businesses are encouraged to register teams of employees to represent their company in the challenge. For only $100 for a team of four, this exciting wellness offer is an affordable and fun way to kick start the New Year for employees.

Past contestants of The Biggest Loser will guide teams through eight weekly challenges.

Challengers will also receive weekly motivation and nutrition tips from trainer, Dolvett Quince.

Participants will earn points for each minute of activity they engage in, as well as additional points for completing weekly tasks and logging additional challenge activities designed to improve nutrition and overall wellness. Each participant will have access to their own private wellness account and mobile app, where they will journal challenge activities, access weekly health guidance and keep their eye on friends and competitors on live leaderboards.

Prize drawings will be made each week, with over 10,000 prizes to be won across the country!

More information, online registration and key dates can be found online at www. biggestlosercommunity.com.

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www.lakewoodnews.org

January 2016