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Official publication of the GreaterOfficial Lakewood Chamber of Commerce | 30,000 Circulation - Delivered to every home in Lakewood publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
9 Volume 33 Number 11
www.lakewoodnews.org / www.lakewoodchamber.com www.lakewoodchamber.com
Don’t get into a frenzy...Lakewood Center has plenty of holiday deals!
Hard-core deal hunters should know that dozens of the mall stores are opening earlier this year on the evening of Thanksgiving Day. Typing “Black Friday Lakewood California” into Google brings up pages of local Lakewood deals and “door busters” from Best Buy to Target, and Home Depot
to Forever 21. Lakewood Center is opening at 6pm Thanksgiving Day and closing at Midnight. Then opening at 6am to 10pm on “Black Friday.” While there don’t forget to enter Lakewood Centers’ Holiday Sweepstakes for the chance to
win $10,000 from HGTV toward your holiday expenses. Don’t feel like cooking? Some Restaurants on Restaurant Row are open on Thanksgiving Day. *All stores are opening at 6pm Thanksgiving Day. Some store’s hours may vary, as they may open earlier than 6pm. u
Tough times calls for a little holiday help from Project Shepherd
The holiday season can be tough for some Lakewood households, including those who have faced unemployment or underemployment for many months. If you are a Lakewood resident facing tough economic times, your Lakewood neighbors want to help. The registration period to receive help from Project Shepherd runs from Lakewood Community News #24 Lakewood Center Mall Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 531-9733
November 7 to November 20 at the Burns Community Center and Palms Park Community Center. Registered families will be notified in December of the time and place to pick up assistance. For more information, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ProjectShepherdRegistration. Eligibility requirements: • Lakewood residents only. • Those who are low income, PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Santa Fe Spgs, CA PERMIT NO. 29
unemployed or on public assistance. To register, bring the following: • A current utility bill and a valid driver’s license or government award letter. • Identification for each person in the household, including children. Registration hours at the Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave., are Monday through Friday, 10am to 6:30pm, and Saturday 8am to 11am. Closed Sunday. Registration hours at the Palms Park Community Center, 12350 E. 207th St., are Monday through Friday, 2pm to 5pm. with extended hours on Tuesday until 8pm. Weekend hours are Saturday, 1pm to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm. For more information, call the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512 or Palms Park Community Center at 562-865-6414. Project Shepherd would like to thank Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Macy’s, Lakewood Regional Medical Center and EDCO for their generous support this holiday season! u
September2016 2016 November
Have a heart for Lakewood...shop “Small Business Saturday”
The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lakewood are encouraging shoppers to embrace “Small Business Saturday” on November 26. News reports say Small Business Saturday resulted in $14 billion in spending at small businesses nationwide last year, up from $1 billion in 2010, the year the campaign began. Small Business Saturday was created to support small local businesses, as an alternative to Black Friday, which brings lines of shoppers out the day after Thanksgiving. “We want to remind Lakewood shoppers that shopping local
is important to the community. Consider the hundreds of small businesses on corners throughout Lakewood and throughout Lakewood Center,” said Chamber President and CEO Joshua Castellanos. Lakewood Mayor Ron Piazza has signed a proclamation declaring November 26 as Small Business Saturday in Lakewood and throwing the city’s support behind the effort. “There are some excellent small businesses here in Lakewood,” said Piazza. “You’ll get service with a personal touch and support a small business. That’s good for our community.” u
Historic photo exhibit opens at city hall A gallery of over 30 large Lakewood historic photographs from the city’s archive now lines the main hallway at city hall. Visitors can see Lakewood’s history unfold – from a map showing the land purchased in 1949 by the Lakewood Park Corporation, through the construction of Lakewood in the early 1950s, to scenes of contemporary life. The exhibit was assembled by Don Waldie, Lakewood’s historian emeritus. Lakewood City Council Members recently presented Don with a special “I Made A Difference” Lakewood lapel pin in honor of his work on this and other projects over many years that have told the Lakewood story. “Some photographs are displayed for the first time,” said Waldie, “although long-time residents are sure to recognize many familiar landmarks and events. This exhibition gives visitors a sense of the city’s remarkable history and distinctive quality of life.” The images in the exhibition can also be seen at www.lakewoodcity.org/thisislakewood. Visitors are welcome any time city hall is open, which is 7:30am to 5:30pm. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30am to 5pm on alternating open Fridays. City hall is closed the other Fridays. A list of open and closed Fridays is available at www.lakewoodcity.org/calendar or by calling 562-866-9771. u
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The ‘thankful season’ is upon us By Mayor Ron Piazza
We should pause a little bit every day to be thankful for all that we have been blessed with. I’m also glad that there’s a season of the year when we have special moments and timeless rituals to focus our hearts and minds on being thankful. We’re starting to enter that season now. One of the things I am very thankful for is living in Lakewood… and I hope you are, too. Lakewood is a city with a special history, and we’re proud and thankful of it here.
We were founded by young families in the early 1950s, many of whom included recent veterans of World War II and Korea, who were eager to create their own city. They didn’t want to be annexed to become a small part of a larger neighboring city. Those original residents crafted something innovative that came to be known as the “Lakewood Plan,” in which the city secured public services from a variety of sources, including private sector contractors; other levels of government, such as L.A. County agencies; or with their own Lakewood city employees. That versatility gave our new city options and the ability to get the highest quality service for the best price. We should still be thankful today for those early innovations and decisions made by our original residents. We now get to live in a city filled with beautiful parks; wellmaintained, tree-lined streets; and neighborhoods full of homes that have inspired generations of families to come to Lakewood, be part of a
community and build lives. Our city is also well run, with a well-deserved reputation for having balanced budgets and being stable and reliable. We’re a city where residents value the service of those in public safety--with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department--who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. We’re also a city that celebrates and honors those attributes of a good community; we don’t just take them for granted. I was pleased to see hundreds of Lakewood children and parents celebrating at the October 15 reopening ceremony of the new playgrounds at Bolivar Park. L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, who will be retiring at the end of this year, joined us there, giving Lakewood residents a chance to thank him. Don secured county funding to help with Bolivar’s renovation, just like he’s helped with so many beneficial projects in Lakewood during his 20 years of service. Another celebration took place on October 22, when Lakewood Center put on Community Appreciation Day. The mall, which has played such an important role in our city since our founding, treated shoppers of all ages to free food, games and a chance to win a two-day Disneyland trip for four people plus a $500 gift card. Hundreds of Lakewood residents and local shoppers turned out for all the fun. You should have seen the smile on the face of that lucky winner!
Thank you Lakewood Center for a great day at the mall! We will have another chance soon to express our appreciation when the Award of Valor Luncheon returns on November 16. That’s when we get to thank the public safety professionals and community volunteers who work hard to protect and serve us. For information on attending the luncheon, go to www.lakewoodcity. org/aovtickets or call 562-866-9771, extension 3123. And this is the third year that the City of Lakewood is sending greeting cards and letters to members of the Armed Forces serving our country overseas during the holidays. Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ ThankaServicemember or call the number above to learn how you can do so, too. As we enter this year’s ‘thankful season,’ I am definitely appreciative of what Lakewood has given me during my lifetime here and of the opportunities that exist to say “thank you” in our community. On behalf of my fellow Lakewood City Council Members, I wish you and your family a very happy and meaningful Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season ahead. u
Fall Back One Hour Nov. 6th
November 2016
C i t y Spotlight Free ‘Medicare 101’ information session for seniors Medicare expert Samuel Schwartz will speak at the Angelo Iacoboni Library at 2pm on Monday, November 7. His topic is “Medicare 101” and is intended to teach seniors about the four parts of Medicare, how each work, who is eligible, plus the specialneeds plans that are available. The event is free. Call 562866-1777 for additional information. LYS Basketball Registration Sign-ups for Lakewood Youth Sports Basketball will take place November 12-19 at all Lakewood parks. The coed Smurf Division, for ages 6 and 7, emphasizes instruction using a smaller ball and modified rules to promote fun and minimize competition. The Competitive Division is for ages 8 to 17. Players must bring a birth certificate and submit a signed registration form. There is no registration fee for Lakewood residents, but proof of residency is required. Non-resident registration is $20 and takes place at Palms, Del Valle, Mayfair and Bolivar parks on Saturday, November 12 from 9am to 1pm, Wednesday, November 16 from 5pm to 8pm, and Saturday, November 19 from 9am to 1pm. Teams practice weekday evenings and Saturday mornings, beginning December 5. League play begins January 14 and concludes March 11. For more information, call Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2408. Lakewood Youth Sports volunteer coaches needed Volunteer coaches are needed for basketball teams for the upcoming season at Lakewood parks. Although parents of players make great coaches, it’s not required to have a child playing to be a volunteer. Volunteering to coach is a rewarding experience, and anyone that wants to be involved is welcome. No coaching experience is necessary. City staff will provide the appropriate training. Inquire at any Lakewood park for complete details or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. u
November 2016
Your
Minding
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Lakewood City Council votes to City service changes for November holidays Lakewood City Hall will be delayed by one day. That means enforcement will be normal on the oppose Measure M closed on Friday, November 11 in pickups normally scheduled for Monday through Wednesday of observance of Veterans Day. DASH service will not be available, but trash and street sweeping will continue as usual. Lakewood City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday, 11/24 and 11/25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. NO trash pick-up will occur on Thursday, 11/24. Trash pickup for Thursday and Friday will be
Thursday will happen Friday, and Friday’s normal pickups will occur on Saturday. There will be NO residential street sweeping Thursday and Friday 11/24 and 11/25 and no makeup sweep. Therefore, there will be NO residential streetsweeping parking tickets issued during those two days. Street sweeping and related parking
At its meeting on September 27, the Lakewood City Council voted unanimously to oppose Measure M on the November 8 ballot. The council’s resolution stated that Measure M would increase the sales tax by another 1/2% to fund transportation projects in L.A. County, but would focus too little on projects in Lakewood and the Gateway Cities region. Council members expressed concerns that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) structured Measure M to favor projects in West L.A. and the San Fernando Valley over projects in the Gateway Region that have been in planning for years, such as modernizing the 5 and 710 freeways. For example, under Measure M, Metro rail projects in West L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley would be finished in about 8 years, whereas work on the 5 and 710 freeways would not be completed for 25 years. Cities throughout the Gateway and South Bay region have begun to express opposition to Measure M over its perceived funding unfairness to southern L.A. County. Lakewood residents would pay $7 million a year more in sales tax from Measure M, according to the city, but Lakewood would receive only $1 million in transportation funds from the measure. u
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Thanksgiving week. DASH Transit will be closed on 11/24 and 11/25. For emergency city service requests, like downed tree limbs or water main leaks, please phone 562-866-9771 and follow the recorded instructions to page a city emergency staff worker. If your request is a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1. u
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What’s in a name: Del Valle and Mayfair parks...and more By Don Waldie ~ Lakewood Historian Emeritus
Last month, in part one of What’s in a Name, we looked at the names behind Biscailuz, Bloomfield, Bolivar and Mae Boyar parks. This month, we look at the names connected with two popular Lakewood community centers and more parks. • William J. Burns Community Center. Newspaperman, security consultant and original Lakewood resident William J. Burns was elected to serve on the first city council in 1954. The William J. Burns Community Center, adjacent to Mayfair Park on Clark Avenue, was dedicated following his death in 1976. The Burns Center is home to the Nifty After Fifty fitness gym, Meals On Wheels and other community services and events. • Candleverde Park. This 2.2-
acre lawn and small park takes its combination name from its location--the intersection of Candlewood Street and Palo Verde Avenue. • The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. The Centre’s name takes note of the grove of sycamore trees planted around the civic center campus on Clark Avenue. The facility includes conference and activity rooms, the city’s cable television studio, and the Weingart Ballroom, which commemorates Ben Weingart, one of the team of three developers of Lakewood in the early 1950s. The Centre was dedicated in 1985. • Cherry Cove Park. This 3-acre neighborhood park was dedicated by the developers of the Cherry Cove housing tract in 1968 and acquired by the city in 1971.
The John Sanford Todd Community Center at Mayfair Park honors the “Father of the Lakewood Plan.” Cherry Cove gets its name from its location, being bordered on the west by Cherry Avenue. • Del Valle Park. José del Valle (1780–1834) wrote a declaration of independence for Central America and was acclaimed as the liberator of Honduras. Lakewood is the home of the Pan American Association, which for over 60 years has organized an annual fiesta and other events
in celebration of the friendship between the United States and its Latin American neighbors. In 1957, the association asked that the 12-acre park (at Woodruff Avenue and Henrilee Street) and two others in Lakewood (Bolívar and San Martín) be named in honor of Latin American heroes. All three parks were dedicated on a single day that year. Many parks in other parts of the world are named after
November 2016 American heroes as a similar show of international friendship. Mayfair Park. Dedicated in May 1951 as a county facility, the 18-acre Mayfair Park (at the corner of South Street and Clark Avenue) takes its name from the surrounding housing tract—one of the first in Lakewood—which was known in the 1940s as Mayfair. Originally located further north on Clark Avenue opposite what is now Craig Williams Elementary School, Mayfair Park was relocated to its current location during World War II to make room for a junior high school that was later closed, with the land converted to housing use. Lisa Fernandez Field at Mayfair Park was named after the threetime Olympian and member of the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame. The naming of the ball diamond in 2001 recognized Fernandez’s remarkable record in softball, which began at Mayfair Park. The John Sanford Todd Community Center in Mayfair Park honors the “Father of the Lakewood Plan” that led to Lakewood’s incorporation in 1954. Todd served for fifty years as the city attorney. The activity rooms and pool pavilion at the park were named for Todd in 1991. The portion of the 605 Freeway that runs through Lakewood was also named in honor of Todd following his death in 2008. Next month in What’s in a Name: More local heroes, an original incorporator of Lakewood and a homerun for dog owners. For more Lakewood park information, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/about/ mapsinfo/profiles. u
November 2016
“Light up a Life” and leave a legacy
Pathways is inviting the Lakewood community to participate in a very special tree lighting ceremony. “Light Up A Life” is a signature program traditionally promoted by hospices across the U.S. that Pathways participates in every year. A donation of $20 provides a light on the “Light Up A Life” holiday tree. In addition, the name of the person being honored or memorialized is listed on the “Light Up A Life” scrolls displayed by the trees during the month of December at libraries in Lakewood, Cerritos, Paramount and Long Beach. On Monday, December 5th from 7 – 8pm a meaningful tree lighting ceremony will take place at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood. This touching ceremony provides an opportunity to honor and remember those we love and those who have passed on. It’s open to anyone who would like to attend, free of charge and no reservation is required. For more details, please contact Pathways at 562/5313031 or visit their website at www.pathwayshospice.org. u
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Largest small baby program opened at local hospital
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach announces the opening of the largest Small Baby Program in Los Angeles and Orange County. The Small Baby Program is designed to care for the tiniest premature infants, often weighing less than 2 lbs., in a serene environment that mimics a mother’s womb. During pregnancy, a baby follows a set developmental path to term age of 40 weeks. When born premature, they are more likely to experience an interruption to this path which results in immediate and long term medical and developmental struggles. These struggles require the ongoing support of a NICU to assist every baby to help reach their greatest potential.
The Small Baby Program takes the unique approach of attending to the medical needs of these premature newborns in conjunction with developmentally appropriate environment. The level III regional NICU at Miller Children’s cares for more than 1,400 premature and critically ill children each year. A feature unique to this facility is its proximity to its delivery center. Most children’s hospitals do not have a birthing center on the same campus, which means that if an infant needs neonatal specialty care they are often transported to another hospital rather than staying with their mother. Miller Children’s is the only hospital in the region to offer a birthing center and NICU under the same roof. u
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November 2016
Green
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November 2016
Did anyone ever figure out what has been killing all the bees, and is there anything we can do about it? - Gerry Sanders from Wichita, KS
By now, we’ve all heard about bees dying across the U.S. and around the world. This isn’t just bad news for beekeepers: these amazing insects pollinate upwards of two-thirds of our food crops—all at no cost to farmers or consumers. All we need do is keep them around, which is proving to be more and more difficult. A third of all beehives in the U.S. have disappeared in the last decade alone, a situation that has been dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder. Experts say several factors are at play. However, perhaps the biggest threats to bees are some of the pesticides routinely used in agriculture, particularly neonicotinoids. Commonly referred to as neonics, this increasingly popular class of insecticides is meant to eliminate pests, but has been proven to have an equally devastating impact on bees. Today, seeds are engineered with neonics from the start, so this harmful chemical is present in the plant, pollen and nectar. This chemical, approximately 6,000 times more toxic to bees than DDT, devastates bee central nervous systems and makes it impossible for them to relocate their hives. Those bees that survive a first encounter aren’t off the hook. They remain dazed and inefficient. Neonics have an addictive quality similar to that of nicotine for humans, so surviving bees inevitably return to treated flowers until their death.
Policy changes must address this issue by rewarding farmers for sustainable practices and banning neonicotinoids for use as pesticides. Unfortunately, big agri-chemical companies like Dow Chemical and Syngenta make huge profits selling neonics and as such are reluctant to withdraw them. The European Union took steps to ban the use of neonics in member countries in 2013, although that ruling is currently under review. Meanwhile, in the U.S., a few cities and states have taken at least symbolic action to reduce neonics, but without a federal ban on the books such piecemeal efforts can’t do much to help. In Spring 2016, Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate calling for new policy initiatives and interagency coordination to
restore and enhance pollinator habitat across the U.S. Key provisions of Merkley’s Pollinator Recovery Act include setting aside three million acres of public land as expanded acreage for “forage and habitat” for pollinators, grant funding for R&D to develop crops to resist pests without neonics, financial incentives and technical assistance for farmers that adopt pollinator-friendly practices, and expanded health monitoring and population tracking for bees and other key pollinators. Concerned Americans should urge their Senators to co-sponsor or support the Pollinator Recovery Act. After all, protecting bees isn’t just important to environmentalists but to anyone who enjoys avocados, almonds or any of the countless fruits, vegetables or nuts pollinated by our little black and yellow friends. u
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Get your flu vaccinations at Weingart Center Flu season is here, and a walk-in flu shot clinic is set for Tuesday, November 8 from 1pm to 3pm at the Weingart Senior Center. The clinic is free, and is sponsored by the L.A. County Health Department and the City of Lakewood. It is geared toward adults over age 50, but anyone age six months and older may receive a shot, while supplies last. The address is 5220 Oliva Avenue, near Lakewood Boulevard and Candlewood Street. No reservations are required. For additional information call the Weingart Senior Center at 562-630-6141. u
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Most business-Friendly City awards Lakewood has been selected again as one of 10 finalists by the prestigious L.A. County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) for its 2016 Most Business-Friendly City award from among the 88 cities in Los Angeles County. The winner will be announced at the 21st Annual Eddy (as in “economic development”) Awards on November 10. For details on the event, visit www.
laedc.org/eddy-awards. The awards recognize cities that proactively promote business-friendly programs and services that spur job creation. Lakewood’s strengths, as highlighted by the LAEDC, include welcoming and facilitating business growth through a fast and efficient planning and permitting process. “Helping businesses succeed in Lakewood is a priority for us on the city council and in city government,” said Lakewood Mayor Ron Piazza, “and it’s very gratifying to have our efforts recognized.” u
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November 2016
Run, walk or slide - it’s time to get on base for Project Shepherd!
Residents are being asked to get on base with Project Shepherd by playing in or sponsoring a softball team in the 3rd annual “Turkey Tournament,” hosted by the City of Lakewood. The co-ed games will be played Saturday, November 19 at San Martin Park beginning at 9am and running throughout the day. Registrations are due by November 16. Call the city Recreation Department for more information or to inquire about signing up as a team or sponsor at
562-866-9771, extension 2408. signing up as a team or sponsor at 562-866-9771, extension 2408.
Teams
• Team fee is $350 • 3-game guarantee • ASA Bats • Custom jerseys will be given to the 1st place team
Sponsors
• Sponsors get a field sign for $100, highlighting your business in front of 120 ball players and fans. In its 44th year, Project Shepherd provides food and gifts during the holiday season and throughout the year to Lakewood residents in need. The City of Lakewood and the Rotary Club of Lakewood organize the efforts of volunteers and the donations of food, toys, clothing and cash to make Project Shepherd a success. Over 400 families, including 1,500 youth and adults, were helped in 2015. u
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November 2016
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Hang out and have some fun after school at Lakewood’s teen centers
Kids get to zip and swing at Lakewood’s new playgrounds
Lakewood’s two teen centers get lots of activity.
The opening celebration for the two new Bolivar Park playgrounds was held on October 15. The 75-foot zipline (shown in this photo) was a big favorite. Also getting a lot of interest in the tot-lot for smaller kids was the new “expression swing,” which allows an adult and child to swing while facing each other. To see photos of opening day at Bolivar, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/communitygallery. u
The Lakewood Youth Center, located at Del Valle Park, is open Monday through Thursday from 3pm to 7pm and on Friday from 3pm to 8pm. The Teen Resource Center, located at Bloomfield Park, is open from 3pm to 6pm. Monday through Friday, and from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays. u
Lakewood’s two teen centers offer safe, fun and positive ways for teens to spend their free time after school. At both the Lakewood Youth Center and the Teen Resource Center at Bloomfield Park, they can socialize with friends, do homework, and play video games while in the company of outgoing and responsible recreation staff. Each center offers different Friday or Saturday night social events for teens, such as movie nights, flag football tournaments, gaming tournaments and excursions. On Saturday, November 19 from 7pm to 10pm, the Lakewood Youth Center will host a pizza party and friendly gaming competition against the Teen Resource Center. Call 562429-7472 for more information. Teen centers offer educational opportunities, too. The Teen Resource Center has weekday programs including the Microsoft Office Workshop, Job Assistance, Homework Assistance and the TRC Book Club. Call Bloomfield Park at 562-865-1717 for each program’s days and hours. Teens interested in volunteering can get an application and project information at either teen center. Teens must be at least 12 years of age, willing to follow through
on a volunteer commitment and interested in helping the community. Teen volunteers work through the city’s recreation department.
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November 2016
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It’s not a bug’s life when it’s Dunrite!
Dunrite Pest Control owner, Sean Day.
Sean Day, Owner of Dunrite Pest Control in Lakewood, has seen every bug, rodent, spider, and creepy crawler you can think of. Sean spent many years working for a large pest control company and recently decided to go solo and start his own bug killin’ business. Sean’s pet peeve is the big pest control companies that have no skin in the game. They come out, leave traps, bait, or spray, and then leave. Sometimes they come back and check the traps or call to follow up on a flea infestation, sometimes not. Sean wanted to do things a little differently, keeping up with the good ole’ fashioned “Lakewood values.” He’s lived in Lakewood for the past 7 years and values our close-knit community. He strives to provide a more personal pest control experience. That means he’s on the case. If you have vermin of any kind, he’ll see it through until they’re eradicated. Sean’s a trustworthy, Lakewood kinda guy… easy going, leave your side gate open so he can spray for bugs kinda guy. He won’t charge you an arm and a leg either, and he’s not big on signed contracts, a handshake seals the deal. Sean’s motto is “There’s no worries when it’s Dunrite!” Got bugs? Give him a call at (562) 607-6488, or check out his Facebook page. u
Phenix Hair Salon celebrates with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Phenix Hair Salon, located at 4091 Hardwick Street in Lakewood, recently celebrated their grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony. Some of the attendees included City Councilmember Jeff Wood, the Chief Operating Officer of Phenix Salon Suites, Gina Rivera (from Undercover Boss), the President/CEO of Lakewood Chamber Joshua Castellanos, as well as other members of the Lakewood community. Welcome to Lakewood! u
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November 2016
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Bloomfield Animal Don’t miss the opportunity to honor Hospital receives honor Lakewood’s finest from Lakewood Mayor
Some of the Award of Valor winners from 2015.
Bloomfield Animal Hospital staff are honored with ‘I Made A Difference’ Lakewood lapel pins from Mayor Ron Piazza. Piazza and other Lakewood City Council Members have given over 800 of the pins to Lakewood residents and business community members so far this year, with more to come. “Bloomfield Animal Hospital gives a lot to our community,” said Piazza, “such as free food every week for the pets of Meals on Wheels clients, and an annual free Pet Vaccine Clinic for low-income seniors. They really make a difference in Lakewood.” u
Advertise in the AWARD-WINNING Lakewood Community News. Call (562) 531-9733 or email advertise@lakewoodchamber.com
Every November at the Award of Valor Luncheon, Lakewood takes the time to recognize Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, paramedics and residents who have demonstrated heroism and outstanding service to the community. This year will follow that tradition, with a luncheon at noon on Wednesday, November 16 at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. The RSVP deadline is Monday, November 7. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby and Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell will speak and join the Lakewood community in a show of support and appreciation for our public safety personnel and local
heroes. Retired longtime KOCETV news anchor Ed Arnold will
...Stay Lakewood Loyal
serve as Master of Ceremonies. Reservations are required. Tickets are $30 each and tables of nine are available for $270. Checks should be made payable to the City of Lakewood and mailed to: Lakewood City Hall, c/o Community Relations Office, 5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California 90712. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.lakewoodcity.org/ aovtickets. Contact Lakewood’s Community Relations Office at 562-866-9771, extension 3123, for more information. u
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November 2016
Our servicemembers are waitin’ on letters from home this holiday season
Lakewood’s 2016 Thank a Servicemember campaign kicked off on September 11th at the city’s Patriot Day Commemoration and comes to a close on Monday, November 14, right after the
Veterans Day weekend. Holiday greetings and letters of thanks to U.S. troops deployed overseas are being collected now at city hall and other locations around town. Free Lakewood commemorative
postcards are available to fill out, or people may drop off their own cards or letters (please, no envelopes) in the flag-themed boxes at the locations below: • Lakewood City Hall (5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood) The Centre at Sycamore Plaza (5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood) • Burns Community Center (5510 Clark Avenue, Lakewood) • Weingart Senior Center (5220 Oliva Avenue, Lakewood) • Palms Community Center (12305 207th Street, Lakewood) • Angelo M. Iacoboni Library (4990 Clark Avenue, Lakewood) • George Nye, Jr. Library (6600 Del Amo Boulevard, Lakewood) • Lakewood Chamber of Commerce (24 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood) • Lakewood Center Mall Office
(500 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood) Scout groups, youth groups and schools are encouraged to organize card collections, too. Group collections must be delivered to city hall along with a special transmittal form. Organizers may visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ThankAServicemember or call 562-866-9771, extension 3123 for details. “You can help,” said Lakewood Mayor Ron Piazza. “Take the time to fill out a card and drop it in a collection box before
November 14. We may not know their faces or their names, but we should take every opportunity to thank our military personnel for all they do for us.” Not sure what to write? Here are some tips: - Start your letter with a salutation, such as “Dear Hero” or “Dear Brave One” - Express your thanks for their selfless service - Avoid politics completely and religion in excess, however saying you pray for them is wonderful - Share a little about yourself, your hobbies and life back home - Adults: Include your contact information so the servicemember may reply - Children: First names only and no addresses - Handmade cards with drawings are welcome – but do not use glitter. - Please, no envelopes! Cards and letters only. The city will send all submissions collected to U.S. servicemembers overseas through the military support group, Operation Gratitude. u
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November 2016
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Light up the tree and let it snow in Lakewood! A new toy would bring a smile as it will be used for the event. There will be plenty of other to the face of a child in need opportunities to enjoy good cheer
Lakewood residents are cordially invited to join in the city’s 3rd annual tree lighting ceremony and community gathering on Friday, December 2 starting at 6pm outside The Centre at Sycamore Plaza at 5000 Clark Ave., next to city hall. Snow machines will add to the seasonal festiveness, along with Dickens carolers and carnival games. More food trucks will be
Stoppages
on hand this year too! The event also offers wonderful and free family holiday photo opportunities. Costumed characters will help with several holiday photo scenes, including one with Santa Claus. No reservations are required. Just come on down. Parking will be available in the rear Centre-City Hall parking lots. The parking lot in front of city hall will be closed
License #: 971888
Water Heaters
Garbage Disposal
Sewers & Drains
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around the Lakewood tree if you can’t make the tree lighting on December 2. From December 3 through December 31, the tree will be on display in the plaza, providing an animated light show that changes colors to music continuously from 5pm until 10pm each night. Stop by and enjoy the splendor of the winter holidays! If it is raining in the late afternoon and early evening of December 2, the event will be cancelled, but the tree will still be lit for the first time at 6:30pm that evening. If any rain stops by 3pm the event will go on, although some activities may be limited. For more information, including weather-related updates on December 2, visit www. lakewoodcity.org/treelighting or call city staff at 562-866-9771, extension 2140. Call extension 3123 on December 2. u
Many of the 2,000 residents that Lakewood Project Shepherd serves during the holidays are kids—kids who could really use a toy for the holidays. Teddy Bear Trees are displayed at city hall as well as all parks and community centers beginning November 21. Visitors may select an ornament with a child’s name, age and wish (for a reasonably priced toy or clothing) and then shop for the gift that will fulfill that wish. Bear ornaments, along with their accompanying gifts, can then be returned to the Rotary Club booth in the Center Court at Lakewood Center on the weekend of December 3. Rotary volunteers, many of them Lakewood business and civic
leaders, will help mall visitors new to the program choose a paper bear from the tree there and accept the affordable gift items returned to the booth. Gifts can also be dropped off at most City of Lakewood facilities during business hours prior to Monday, December 5. The unwrapped presents go to children registered through Project Shepherd, which is Lakewood’s homegrown charity to assist local families in need. Project Shepherd is operated by the Rotary Club of Lakewood and the City of Lakewood. For more information about Project Shepherd, call 562-925-7512, or visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ProjectShepherd. u
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Lucky winner of the Lakewood Around Town Center Disneyland giveaway in November
At Community Appreciation Day at Lakewood Center on October 22, Adam Thompson (shown with his family) was the winner of the big raffle drawing for a two-day Disneyland Park Hopper pass for four people and a $500 gift card. Thompson, who was among several hundred local shoppers taking part in the festivities, told the crowd, “I really like Lakewood Center, and I shop here every weekend.” u
• Join Los Altos United Methodist Church for their annual Craft Fair on Saturday, November 5, from 9:30am to 3:30pm. This event is not to miss! Vendor tables are still available as well, contact the church office for more information at 562-598-2451, or Office@ LosAltosUMC.org. • Friday, November 11 will be a free HAT (Hearing Assistive Technology) Demonstration from 10am to 12noon at the Weingart Center, 5220 Oliva Avenue. For information, please call 562-630-6141 or visit www. hlalongbeachlakewood.org. • Lakewood Women’s Club will meet on November 15 at the Centre at Sycamore Center. Meeting at 11am with lunch at 12noon, followed by the program “Patroits and Paws,” training dogs for Veterans. For reservations call Arlene Roos, 562-863-4933. • The Lakewood Garden Club will meet on December 1 (the Thursday after Thanksgiving) at 11am at the Youth Center - Del Valle Park in Lakewood. The speaker will be Sue England, President of the Downey Rose Float Association. Downey enters a float every year in the Rose parade. u
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
November 2016
Congratulations to Aaron Morris, Nicola Steinkellner, and Leann Yoho! They are the lucky winners of the October Sudoku contest! To be eligible, print your name, address and phone number on a letter size (8½ x 11) piece of paper, and then tape the puzzle onto the paper. Mail entries to: Lakewood Community News, P.O. Box 160, Lakewood, CA 90714. Or drop it by the Chamber office at #24 Lakewood Center Mall (right next to See’s Candies). The winners are drawn by random. One entry per household; the answers must be postmarked no later than Friday, November 25, 2016. The winners will be drawn on Monday, November 26, 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 December issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle. u
THANK YOU to our Sudoku sponsors!
News
Community November 2016
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Ease in to making a twist to the traditional holiday favorites If preparing the holiday feast falls upon you, the pressure is on to get it just right. Whether you’re faithfully replicating treasured family recipes, or want to put a new creative spin on seasonal culinary customs, achieving success with the food you offer can define a happy holiday experience for all. Want to try a menu item that’s completely new? Don’t choose the morning of your gathering to attempt replacing everyone’s favorite pumpkin pie with that new pumpkin crème brulee recipe. Make sure you’ve mastered any new dish before springing it on your guests. If you’re going to create a new tradition, you need to be prepared to knock it out of the park. If food that’s entirely new and unexpected is too risky for you to attempt, or just not acceptable
for the traditionalists around your table, you might try livening up classic standbys in a subtle, yet transformative way. Try something a little different from the classic recipes that everyone loves: • Transform turkey with an herbed basting butter, or use ready-made spice blends such as curry, barbecue, or southwest chili seasoning as dry rubs, or for
adding stealth-flavor updates to your gravy. • Roast your meat entree on a bed of seasonal vegetables including carrots, parsnips, shallots and fall mushrooms - this will add moisture and flavor that may rival hours of traditional butter-basting. When the meat is done, puree the roasted vegetables to create a healthier take on traditional gravy, or try serving them whole
right along your entree as a timeand oven-space-saving side dish. • Elevate the flavor of plain white russet potatoes by including buttery turnips, creamy-textured celery root, sweet fennel bulb, nutty cauliflower and seasonings such as parsley, garlic and chives in the mash-up. • For dessert, use a bit of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and sugar or a dusting of clove, nutmeg and sugar to create a flavored whipped cream for the traditional pumpkin pie.
All traditions evolve, but if something derivative is still too extreme, slip in a subtle twist that improves upon the original. Every traditional food or recipe has likely gone through many incremental changes, even to the point that the dish has probably changed substantially over time. It makes perfect sense to question old-school preparation techniques or unhealthy ingredients, so don’t be afraid to slip in your own subtle twists to any time-worn recipes. u
Shop the Annual Holiday Boutique
brought to you by the Women in Business Council
Thurs., Nov. 17th 4:00-7:00 pm KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL
11231 Rives Ave. Downey, CA 90241 *No Entrance Fee*
RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW!
Chamber Members $25 Non-Chamber Members $40 Call/email for more info:
562.531.9733 info@lakewoodchamber.com
STARTING SALARY
$59,717
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2 CERRITOS COLLEGE 11110 Alondra Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650 Social Science Room SS138
Workshop at 5:00 pm Entrance Exam at 6:30 pm Attend the workshop to get the facts about a career with the LAPD. Have your questions addressed before starting the hiring process. For more information contact: Officer Capilouto, LAPD Recruiter E-mail: 37371@lapd.lacity.org Call me directly at 213-473-3419
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November 2016