AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
In tough times, there will always be beauty BECCA SCHMIDT BALDWIN PARK LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt has lived in Baldwin Park since 2005 and has the pulse on neighborhood social gatherings. Check out the Groups and Gatherings section of baldwinpark.net for a list of Baldwin Park-based groups. You can also find Baldwin Park Groups and Gatherings on Facebook. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com if you’d like to start a new group or have questions about how you can meet your neighbors.
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his past month, I’ve could sit out on their balcobeen doing a lot of nies or open up their winpeople-watching dows for a few Beatles songs here in Baldwin Park, and even an emotional renand the hundreds of dition of Jeff Buckley’s vergestures I’ve seen among sion of “Hallelujah.” Lynch’s neighbors have moved Facebook concerts are held me beyond words. to raise awareness and funds What I’ve noticed in for the Front Line Appreciathis period of “social tion Group, whose mission distancing” is that is to purchase food from Baldwin Park neighbors local restaurants and provide have diligently pledged meals to first responders to stay physically apart. and medical teams. However, they are finding Several Baldwin Park unique ways to continue seamstresses have been important connections. busy cranking out fabric I’ve witnessed countless face masks and sharing neighbors doing grocery them — many of them at runs for one another, no cost — to friends and pulling in trash cans, neighbors. Way to go! walking dogs for one Meanwhile, Baldwin Park another, checking on older businesses are shifting gears residents who are practo serve their customers in ticing quarantine, sharing innovative ways. Customers Courtesy photo are responding by supbirthday celebrations by This cool bear rocked his shades in the window of Baldwin video and lots of friendly porting their downtown Park Eye Care in the Village Center. waves and smiles — all merchants by purchasing from at least 6 feet away! food to go, gift cards, In tough times, there will windows, on balconies and even and online services and prodalways be beauty. Look at the in the trees! Bears were in scrubs, ucts. Let’s keep that going! happy chalk-art drawings and in glasses, hats and even in This month, we launched a messages on our sidewalks, workout attire! Baldwin Park busi- new Facebook group just for the teachers’ parade, the flags nesses Mighty Girl Fitness, Saor residents who want to connect — and the bears. The bears Boutique, Baldwin Park Eye Care with clubs and gatherings here have been a highlight for me! and Huntington Learning Center in the neighborhood. If you are The bear project launched after showed off their bear spirit! Bears a Facebook user, go to Baldwin two residents reached out via were everywhere, and dozens Park Groups And Gatherings, tell email asking us to coordinate a of Baldwin Park kiddos filled out me your street name to join the neighborhood project based on their Bear Hunt Bingo cards for group, and follow the activities the book “We’re Going on a Bear a special bear-themed prize. posted on the page. Find cooking Hunt” by Michael Rosen. Before And, finally, residents who demonstrations by the cooking we knew it, the “hunting for a live in the townhomes and club, photos around the parks, bear” project evolved into a giant apartments on Meeting Place bears in windows, book sugges“Bear Hunt Bingo” scavenger hunt were treated to several acoustic tions by our book clubs, gardenwith hundreds of residents showconcerts by local musician, Mike ing ideas and much, much more. ing support for our kids. Stuffed Lynch, who was performing on Keep connecting! bears of every size and color Facebook Live from his balcony started appearing on porches, in above CVS Pharmacy. Residents
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | MAY 2020
