April LCN 2024

LAKEWOOD CHAMBER OF

Wood, Arellano Expected to Win Council Races

April 11, 2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce in the City of Lakewood.

Incorporated with the State of California on April 11, 1949, five years before the City of Lakewood incorporated as the state's 16th largest city, according to Donald Waldie, Lakewood's historian emeritus, the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, originally named the Lakewood Village Chamber of Commerce, was founded by John Todd.

LAKEWOOD OF COMMERCE

The Lakewood Village Chamber of Commerce started on May 6, 1935, then reorganized as a business association in 1938. The Chamber incorporated in 1949, then re-incorporated as the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce in 1956.

From their inception, Chambers of Com-

merces have been essential catalysts for eco nomic growth and development within communities, including the City of Lakewood, which was originally known as Lakewood Park.

For over seven decades, and after Lakewood Center was built, the City of Lakewood's growth has been a beacon and a model for economic empowerment for the entire region.

"To learn that the one of the founding

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As the Lakewood Community News goes to print on March 28, Jeff Wood leads Ariel Pe by a wide margin of 2,391 to 1,771 votes (or 57-43%) in the race to represent Council District 3, and David Arellano leads Vicki L. Stuckey, also by a wide margin of 2,565 to 1,491 votes (or 63-37%) in the race for District 4.

For the most current election tally, go to results.lavote.gov and use the drop-down menu on the right to scroll to Lakewood.

By state law, the L.A. County Registrar of Voters must certify the election results by April 5, and the Lakewood City Council is expected to accept the results and have the winning members begin their four-year terms of office at the council’s meeting on Tuesday evening, April 9.

Council Member Jeff Wood has served on the Lakewood City Council since 2011, and prior to that served on the city’s Recreation & Parks Commission for 12 years. He has served as Lakewood’s mayor twice. Professionally, Wood has extensive career experience in risk management, business continuity, occupational safety and health, and emergency management. He and his wife Mary Jane, who grew up in Lakewood, have two daughters.

David Arellano grew up in Lakewood and attended schools in the area, graduating from Lakewood High School. He has been active in the community, vol-

(Continued on Pg. 14)

Young athletes honored by Hall of Fame

he Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame event held Feb. 26, 2024 at The Centre honored Athlete of the Year Chaz Gilbreath, along with the 2023 Hall of Fame inductee class of more than 60 performers of the year, special achievement honorees and championship teams.

In 2023, Chaz put up outstanding numbers on offense with 84 receptions totaling 1,468 yards and an average of 17.5 yards per reception, scoring 12 touchdowns.

Chaz was ranked eighth in receiv-

ing yards for the state of California. On the defensive side of the ball, he claimed 42 unassisted tackles and assisted on 15 more, for a total of 57 tackles on the season. He also retrieved four interceptions.

Chaz’ efforts helped fuel the Mayfair Monsoon’s successful run for the CIF Southern Section Division VII Championship, the school’s third all-time and first since 2001. The Monsoons would continue their winning streak, capturing their first ever CIF Southern

California Regional championship in Division 3-A, before falling short at the school’s first CIF State championship game against Marin Catholic. This historic run will forever be cherished in the Monsoon history books.

In recognition of his achievements, Chaz was named First Team All-CIF Division VII, First Team All-State, First Team AllGateway League, and Team MVP.

Chaz received recognition from the Long Beach Press-Telegram,

Jeff Wood David Arellano

Mayor Ariel Pe

Farewell to the City Council

Hello Lakewood. This will be my final Mayor’s Column to you.

I will be leaving the Lakewood City Council on April 9 when the results of the March election are certified.

While the election results were not what I was hoping for, that is life in a democracy. You have to be willing to lose and acknowledge the decision of your fellow voters in an election. And I do.

I wish the very best for the winner in the election, my colleague Jeff Wood.

I also wish the best for the newest member of the council, incoming Council Member David Arellano.

special shopping trips for seniors and the disabled with the city’s DASH buses, and even a toilet paper distribution effort coordinated through Meals on Wheels. Remember when toilet paper was an extremely valu-

I know that they and the other three returning members of the council (Cassandra Chase, Steve Croft and Todd Rogers) are all talented, with good intentions, and will do their very best to keep Lakewood a great place to live, and I wish them the very best in that important work.

In the four years I was on the City Council, I got an up-close view of a strong and caring city in action, and I enjoyed being able to contribute to the team effort in my own modest way.

I was sworn into office in April 2020, just as Lakewood and the world were dealing with the start of the COVID pandemic. I got to see how our community came together to help those in need, with actions like a drive-through assistance event at Lakewood Center,

able commodity?

I was also able to help with decision-making on how to allocate our precious local tax dollars that residents provided through Measure L.

We kept the promise made to Lakewood voters by devoting those funds to city facility improvements, like the renovated tot-lot and picnic shelters at San Martin Park, new restrooms at Rynerson Park, and the upcoming HVAC, electrical and roofing improvements at park buildings throughout the city.

I was honored to spend a year on the council’s Public Safety Committee, where we had monthly meetings with Lakewood Sheriff’s Station deputies and senior city staff working on ways to continually keep Lake-

wood one of the safest communities in our region. Thanks to Measure L, the City Council has been able to expand the hours of Deputy Sheriff patrol time, including Traffic Safety Deputy Sheriffs, and enhance our nighttime safety with Security Guard Patrols who add more eyes and ears on Lakewood streets overnight.

One of my favorite projects that I was honored to be part of was the creation of the Lakewood Leadership Academy, where the city is mentoring and training young adults (and people of any age) who are interested in learning how our city operates and how to become part of the next generation of Lakewood residents who lead our city.

Mentoring and developing future leaders in Lakewood is key to making sure that the blessings that have been bestowed upon us from our predecessors in this city continue into the future, so that Lakewood remains a great community to live in…for generations to come.

I was also honored to represent our city on a wide range of regional commissions that oversee efforts to find joint solutions to problems in our area that extend beyond just our city borders and that are too expensive for any one city to solve.

I was pleased to represent Lakewood on the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (serving as president of that board), the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the League of California Cities (L.A. County Division and L.A. County City

Selection Committees), and the L.A. County Sanitation Districts that serve Lakewood, to name just a few.

But probably the best part of my time on the City Council has been seeing our community come together so often at events, large and small, throughout our city. That includes events like the Civic Center Block Party, Concerts in the Park, Tree Lighting, Lakewood Celebrates, Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Award of Valor and sporting activities almost every day and night in our parks.

That spirit of a community coming together to have a good time or to respectfully remember those who have given so much to our city and nation is something I will always cherish about Lakewood.

As I leave office, I want to express my deep appreciation to my council colleagues, our city staff, and most of all to our amazing residents and business community members who make Lakewood the special place that it is.

Those who know me know that I have been a lifelong volunteer helping with causes around me. My parents just raised me that way. It’s in my DNA, and I thank them for that. I will be taking a little time now to consider how I can continue to give and contribute to the community and be as involved and helpful as I can.

I look forward to seeing you again on the streets, in the parks, in the supermarket or wherever in the days and months ahead. My best wishes to everyone.

And remember: One Community, One Family. Live, Love, Lakewood.

City Spotlight

Spring Break Day Camp

Spring break day camp is a program for children ages 6-12, and will be offered at Bolivar, Mayfair, Boyar and Palms parks. Camp will take place beginning Monday, April 1 and ending Friday, April 5. The program will provide supervised activities from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a 1:12 staff-tocamper ratio. Programmed activities will include a variety of arts and crafts, outdoor sports, indoor games and specialized activities. The fees for camp will be $200 for Lakewood residents and $215 for non-residents and will include a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm on Wednesday, April 3. Register now at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog and search “camp.” For more information, call 562-866-9771, ext. 2408.

LYS baseball/softball/ T-ball signups

Signups for Lakewood Youth Sports baseball, softball and T-ball teams will take place April 27-May 11. T-ball teams are for children ages 4-5 and coach pitch teams are for ages 6-7. Baseball and softball teams are for ages 8-17. Registration is available at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog, under activities-sports league. There are no registration fees for Lakewood residents. Proof of residency is required. The non-resident registration

Looking for a family-friendly mix of amusement rides, live music with dancing, crafts for sale, and food trucks? Then, mark your calendar for the Mother’s Day weekend of Thursday, May 9 through Sunday, May 12.

The Pan Am Fiesta is returning to Mayfair Park with its classic mix of new attractions combined with Lakewood traditions.

Here are some of the features of the 2024 Pan Am Fiesta: Food trucks and food booths; Exhilarating attractions…and lots of carnival rides; and Live music Friday and Saturday night!

A complete schedule is available at www.lakewoodcity.org/ fiesta. With questions, call 562866-9771, ext. 2408.

Traditional elements of the Pan Am Fiesta will include the flag presentation ceremony of the United States and all the countries of the Americas, children’s cultural booth, Pan Am Fiesta historical display, and plenty of arts and crafts. Discount carnival ride tickets will be on sale at City Hall April 29 through May 8.

fee is $20. Birth certificates must be presented to the office of the park you register for before the start of play. For more information, call 562-866-9771, ext. 2408.

Lakewood Youth Sports volunteer coaches needed

Volunteer coaches are needed for baseball, softball and T-ball teams for the summer season at Lakewood parks. Although moms and dads of players make great coaches, it’s not necessary to have a child playing to enjoy the volunteer experience. No coaching experience is necessary. City staff will provide the appropriate training. Inquire at any Lakewood park for complete details or call 562-8669771, ext. 2408.

Whale Watching Travel Trip

Join us on Saturday, April 27 as we

travel to Newport Landing for a whale watching trip. This trip has been voted an annual favorite by travel program participants. Each spring, thousands of Gray Whales leave the warm waters of Baja California where they mate and give birth and then follow the California coastline as they venture back north with their newborns to the Arctic seas for summertime feeding. Newport Landing is ideally positioned to take advantage of this annual migration. You will see giant mammals in their splendor as we cruise along the Laguna Beach coastline. Watch and learn firsthand as whales, dolphins and other marine life put on one of the best shows on Earth. Bring a snack, camera, binoculars, sunscreen and a light jacket. After the whale watching tour, patrons can enjoy the beach, shops and restaurants (on your own) around Balboa Island. Please arrive at

Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave. at 8 a.m. for check-in. The bus will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. Cruise time is 10 a.m.

The cost of this trip is $68 per person. An adult must accompany children of all ages. Last day to register is Monday, April 22 or until filled. Use activity #27274 for registration.

Adult Softball and Volleytennis signups

Registration for Lakewood’s Adult Softball and Volleytennis summer league will take place April 29-May 17. Softball leagues play on various evenings (M-F) and Sunday afternoons. Volleytennis plays Monday evenings. All ability levels are encouraged. Team registration is available at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog, under activities-sports league. Registration packets including fees and further

information are available now at www. lakewoodcity.org/sports or by calling 562-866-9771, ext. 2408.

FUN-Tastic Family Night Featuring The Imaginators: Magic Show and Balloon Twisting

Join The Imaginators on Friday, April 26 at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave., for their family-friendly, closeup magic and balloon twisting show. Kids will also have an opportunity to take home a balloon sculpture from an experienced balloon artist. Chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, lemonade and a dessert will be served prior to the show. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 per person, $12 for children 1-3, and children under 1 are free. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ecatalog and use activity #27188 to register by April 18.

Community Invited to Mega Family Movie Night to Celebrate City of Lakewood’s 70th Anniversary

On April 16, 1954, Lakewood--America’s largest planned community at the time--officially became a city, one month after residents voted by a 60-40% margin to incorporate and govern themselves.

Through the innovative “Lakewood Plan,” residents and their new local government used a combination of city employees and contract public and private sector agencies to ensure the most effective and successful delivery of services. Now, 70 years later, Lakewood continues to be known as one of the most successful, family-friendly and affordable communities in Southern California.

To celebrate Lakewood’s 70th birthday, the city is organizing a free Family Movie Night that will feature a showing of the classic “Back to the Future”

along with free popcorn, giveaways, carnival games, surprises and plenty of photo opportunities with 70th Anniversary backdrops and the city’s 70th Anniversary mascot, Woody the Tree.

The fun happens at Mayfair Park (on Lisa Fernandez Field) on Saturday, April 20 from 6 to 10 p.m., with the movie starting at sunset at 7:30 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets, and pack a picnic dinner or enjoy one of the food trucks on site.

Food truck names and other details are at www. lakewoodcity.org/70 or call 562-866-9771, ext. 2408. To add to the 70th fun, every Saturday leading up to April 20, the Lakewood Connect eMagazine is featuring a Lakewood history story and quiz where residents who answer three questions correctly can enter a drawing for free, limited-edition 70th Anniversary prizes. Sign up for the eMagazine at www.lakewoodcity.org/subscribe.

These three photos can be found on the City of Lakewood's website, under historical galleries; all three of these images represent a part of Lakewood history, from its incorporation in April 1954, to its geographical layout. Lakewood was one of the first cities in California to incorporate and was immediately followed by an immense population and development boom. In honor of its 70th Anniversary, the City of Lakewood is taking residents on a trip to the past with a screening of "Back to the Future" at Mayfair Park on April 20th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Happy 70th Birthday City of Lakewood!!!!

Pre-registration is required for the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station tours on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 20 residents.

Registration is required. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ConnectwPSStationTour to sign up.

Community Meetings: May 1 at Mayfair Park; May 21 at Burns Community Center; June 18 at Boyar Park; July 24 at Palms Park.

"We

With over 35 years of combined experience in the funeral profession, the owners of Snow Funeral Services believe that trust is built on openness and honesty - and are committed to helping families create individualized and personalized tributes for their loved ones.

"We are here to help you and your family make the necessary choices in planning of the burial or cremation services," said Robin Snow, owner of Snow Funeral Services in Bellflower. "We realize that all families are unique and have personal wishes."

To ensure that all of a family's needs are met, Snow and her team are committed to answering a family's questions in a clear and understandable manner.

Snow and her team will also make sure to answer all of a family's questions about prices and payment methods as clearly as possible.

service to your family and are available 24/7, " Snow said. A

Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Member, Snow Funeral Services is

90706.

information, call (562) 804-1414.

Empowering Businesses for 75 Years

fathers of the City of Lakewood, was instrumental in laying the foundation for a Chamber of Commerce that still exists today, since 1935, is astounding," said Joanie Dixson, current chair of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. "This means that the vision of our founders to support businesses has existed for 89 years, not 75 years."

Dixson said that she is honored to serve as the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce's Chair during its 75th year milestone. Dixson, who is also the first African-American to serve as chair of the Chamber of Commerce, is also Vice President of the Farmers & Merchants Bank.

"Through my work at F&M Bank, I immediately learned that a business needs to be involved in the community that it's serving," Dixson said. "History proves that the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has been rooted in the economic development and empowerment of this

than its been incorporated. As Chair of the Chamber this year, I am deeply humbled to learn that I carry a baton that has historically empowered our business community - one that helped shape the formation of this great City."

The City of Lakewood's economic boom has been credited to the ground breaking of the May Co. department store - deemed the world's largest suburban center by the Los Angeles Times in an article published on October 15, 1950. Lakewood's May Co. was the fourth May Co. store in the greater Los Angeles area. At the time, there were only 7,000 homes built in Lakewood.

Very little history about the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce or about the Lakewood Village Chamber is available, in historical documents or online. Even Waldie said there isn't much on the Chamber that he could cite. Other than a timeline of certain events that the Chamber organized in Lakewood over the years, the photo on the front page of the

Lakewood Community News was the only photo found that named the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

GREATER LAKEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

"Lakewood wouldn't be a City without its Chamber of Commerce," said Ron Piazza, a McDonald's franchise owner. Piazza, a longtime Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce member, bought his first McDonalds in 1981 on Paramount and Carson boulevards. "That McDonalds was built in 1962, and when I bought it, it was already a member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce."

"A City can't be successful without a strong business community," said Piazza. "A Chamber in a City is huge, it cannot be understated enough what a strong chamber means to a quality city."

Jose Luis Solache, has been President & CEO of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce for six years, come this Spring.

"The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has a great history in this City to celebrate come April 11," he said. "All of our businesses, and our Chambers, overcame a world-wide shut-down that devastated the small

TIMECAPSULE PHOTOS from the City of Lakewood's historical archive galleries, see their website for more, shine a light on how much of an impact the business community had on the founding of Lakewood, including the building of the May Co. Department Store, which has served as an anchor for economic development in Lakewood since it broke ground in October 1950. The top-Center photo shows hundreds of business men attending the ground breaking.

business community fabric of our nation, and of our small, yet mighty City of Lakewood. This April 11, there is so much to celebrate and to be thankful for, in particular, our continued and intertwined history with the City of Lakewood. Our businesses depend on both of us, working together - just as our founding fathers intended it to be."

Historical photos on the internet showcase how the City of Lakewood became a City, and how much the building of the May Co. Department Store helped the City grow and prosper. While there was almost no mention of the Lakewood Village Chamber of Commerce in any of the photos, or old newspaper articles, the business community, business owners and headlines highlighting the economic boom of Lakewood Park, aka, the City of Lakewood, was very present and front in center during the birth

of Lakewood, CA.

"Throughout the region, the City of Lakewood has served as an example of economic empowerment," said Marisela Santana, the GLCC's Director of Business Development & Member Value.

"In celebrating the Chamber's 75th Anniversary this year, we are not just celebrating the Chamber, we are celebrating the history and the footprint that this Chamber has had on this great City. The effect that a quality chamber has on a community is immeasurable. Seventy-five years is a great feat for a Chamber and for the City that it serves; it should be celebrated for the historical imprint that it has had on this great community and its businesses over the years."

Left: From the City of Lakewood's archives, here is a photo of the Groundbreaking of the May Co. Department Store in 1950.

Right: Photo of a billboard announcing the original Pacific Lakewood Cinerama. The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce's 75th Anniversary Gala will be hosted by the Starlight Cinemas, who reopened the theater last year after being closed for three years. The theater building is actually one of Lakewood's most iconic buildings and still features chandeliers identical to the ones that are featured in the billboard to the right, prior to being built 61 years ago. Join the Chamber of Commerce as it Celebrates its imprint on Lakewood History at Starlight Cinemas in Lakewood, on April 11, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Show mom how much you appreciate her with an unforgettable, all-you-can-eat Mother’s Day brunch experience provided by TGIS Catering at The Centre in the Lakewood Civic Center on Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Centre’s highly acclaimed, in-house caterer is one of the premier cuisine and event-planning teams in Southern California. In addition to a delightful brunch buffet, there will be a complimentary photo booth, and gift bags for moms. Guests can also surprise their mother with a special personalized greeting that will be displayed on the big screen during the brunch.

without prior notice.

The Centre is Lakewood’s leading location for community banquets, meetings, events, weddings and receptions for every season of the year. Bring your family to celebrate this special occasion honoring our amazing moms!

Space is limited, so reser vations must be made early. Contact TGIS Catering at 562-804-4434 or events@ lakewoodcity.org.

TGIS’s Mother’s Day

Menu Includes:

•Bottomless Champagne and Mimosas

•Chocolate Fantasy Fountain

•Traditional Breakfast Buffet

•Waffle Station

•Southern Comfort Station •And much more!

Menu subject to change

The cost is $46.95 for adults, $41.95 for seniors age 60+ and $31.95 for children age 10 and younger.

NOTE: 10.25% Sales Tax & 15% Gratuity will be added to all Parties/Reservations. A 3% Credit Card Convenience Fee will also be added to all Parties/Reservations.

Pricing is subject to change without prior notice.

Friends of Lakewood Libraries book sale

The Friends of the Lakewood Libraries (FOLL) book sale is set for Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Angelo M. Iacoboni Library at 4990 Clark Ave. in the Lakewood Civic Center.

Visitors will find plenty of paperback bargains plus hardback books for $1 and up on used nonfiction, novels, children’s and large-format books. Please bring your own shopping bags to the event.

Proceeds from the sale support Lakewood's two libraries in many ways, including: Purchases of additional books, books on CDs, DVDs and periodicals; Programming funds to bring professional performers and workshops for a variety of educational events; and Incentives for the children’s Summer Reading Program.

Friends of Lakewood Libraries is also seeking volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board meets the first Thursday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. Stop by the FOLL bookstore in the Iacoboni Public Library or email 90712FOLL@ gmail.com to learn more.

Memberships start as low as $5 for seniors, $10 for individuals and $15 for a family. Visit FOLL’s website at www.lakewoodlibraryfriends.org.

Hall of Fame Winner

(Continued from Pg. 1)

being named First Team Dream Team and All Purpose Player of the Year.

Chaz is about more than just football. He continues to excel in the classroom with a grade point average of 3.3, receiving honor roll recognition for his academic achievements.

Chaz will have the chance to continue to break records and win championships with the Monsoons for two more years before graduating in 2026. Following high school, he aspires to continue his career at the collegiate and professional level. He currently has four NCAA Division-1 offers from Colorado State, Washington State, San Diego State and Brigham Young University.

Visit https://www.lakewoodcity.org/HOF2024 to view the event and Athlete of the Year videos, as well as the photo gallery and complete list of winners.

BUSD Superintendent's Student Advisory Council Practice Career Ready Standards

This week, student leaders representing Bellflower, Mayfair, Las Flores, and Somerset High Schools convened for their March meeting alongside district leadership. Under the guidance of Mrs. Whitney, Interim CEO of CalAPS, the students participated in a group Lego design activity.

Split into two teams, they recreated an image of Mario following the instructions of their “lead builder” without ever seeing the image. This activity demonstrated some of the Standards for Career Ready Practice such as- technical skills, clear communication, problem solving and teamwork. Career Ready Practice Standards are part of our CTE Courses ensuring our students are prepared for college and careers. Mrs. Whitney followed up with a presentation highlighting the district's CTE and CalAPS pathway courses.

TK-8th Grade

June 17th-August 2nd

For more information call (562) 634– 6310

Summer Program Applications due by May 1st

3601 St. Pancratius Place Lakewood, CA 90712

We are now accepting applications for the 2024 -2025 school year.

Please call the school office at (562) 634-6310 if you are interested in enrollment or a campus tour.

Small Class Sizes

Spanish, Music, PE

Christ Centered Curriculum

Financial Aid Available

Voted Lakewood’s Best Elementary School!

donations for Camp Pendleton Families Needed

The Lakewood Rotary Club is seeking donations from the community to help Camp Pendleton Young Marine Families.

Jon Gotz, current president of the Lakewood Rotary Club, said this will be the second year that the Lakewood Rotary Club adds this program to their roster of community activities.

"When I learned that it will help our young military families, it struck a chord in me that said we need to be helping the families of our service men and women," said Gotz. "These are our men and women out there defending our country, donating items that they need is the least we can do to help them."

Aside from asking the community to come forward and donate, Richard Chavarria, a member of the Lakewood Rotary Club, is also looking for other local nonprofit organizations to contribute to the collection. Chavarria added that the Rotary Club would like to collect new and gently used baby, child, and household items for the young families.

Suggested items are diapers, diapers and more diapers, baby and young children’s clothing, toys, books, bathtubs, strollers, cribs, dishes cookware, meal preparation tools, bedding, and gift cards ($25) from Target and Walmart.

Monetary donations (tax deductible) can be coordinated by contacting Chavarria at (562) 253-6090. The Lakewood Rotary Club will be collecting donations for one day only, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lakewood City Hall parking lot., at Clark Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard.

For more information, call Gotz at (562) 400-5098.

Social media is a great way for neighbors to communicate but not the most efficient way to get help when you notice a streetlight out, graffiti, speeding cars or items dumped in the parkway.

The quickest way is to reach out to the City of Lakewood’s customer service liaisons by phone, email or through the city’s app, LakewoodConnect (download from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store). They can quickly route your request to the right department or provide contact information for the appropriate agency.

For urgent city issues that occur after hours, such as a downed tree limb or traffic signal outage, call City Hall at 562866-9771 and follow the recorded instructions to page a 24-hour city emergency staff worker.

Here are the most common issues reported by residents and who to contact for help:

Call City of Lakewood at 562866-9771, ext. 2140 to report:

Discolored water.

Dumped items in alley or on public property.

Flood control concerns.

Graffiti.

Parking concerns (between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.).

Power line down.

Speeding vehicles (ongoing).

Street lights out (individual or a string).

Street/sidewalk/curb/gutter in need of repair.

Street sweeping. Tree emergencies or requests.

Call the LA County Sheriff’s Department at 562-623-3500 to report:

Homeless encampments/disturbances.

Parking concerns (after city business hours).

Street vendors.

Environmental issues:

Chemical/unknown smell in air: Call Air Quality Management District at 800-CUT-SMOG / 909396-2000).

Gas smell: Call SoCal Gas at 800-427-2200.

Neighborhood power outage: Call SCE at 800-611-1911.

Trash skips/cart replacements: Call EDCO at 562-5313054.

For more information or questions, contact City Hall customer service staff at 562-866-9771 ext. 2140 or email Service1@lakewoodcity.org.

Why the Living Trust is so IMPORTANT

Living Trusts are an efficient and effective way to transfer property, at your death, to the relatives, friends or charities you’ve chosen. Essentially, a Living Trust performs the same function as a Will, with the important difference that property left by a Will must go through the probate court process.

In probate, a public court proceeding, the deceased’s debts are paid. Then after a year or more at tremendous expense to your heirs, the remaining property is finally distributed to them.

By contrast, property left by a Living Trust can go promptly, privately and directly to your heirs.

Living Trusts are created while you’re alive and are “revocable.” You can revoke or change them at any time, for any reason. You can abolish the Trust, alter its terms or change the beneficiaries.

As the original trustee, you can do whatever you wish with your assets - manage them, sell them, or give them away. Upon your death, the successor trustee takes over the estate immediately without going through probate, then distributes the assets and terminates the Trust.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Vozzella

Attorney at Law (562) 426-9876 www.vozzella4law.com

City Election

(Continued from Pg. 1)

unteering as a coach over the years with youth sports. A leader with the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, he recently served as Chairman of the Chamber Board. Arellano is the owner of Preferred Auto Design in Bellflower, a collision repair center that also specializes in classic car restoration. He and his wife Melina, who also grew up in Lakewood, have two school-age daughters.

Starting in 2022, Lakewood has been converting from its traditional system, where all five council members were elected at-large by the entire city, to a new district system where each council member is elected by the residents in one of five districts in the city.

Residents in newly created Districts 1, 2 and 5 elected council members in the June 2022 election. Voters in Districts 3 and 4 elected their new district-based council members

in this most recent March 2024 election. Maps of the districts and additional information about the new district election system is at www.lakewoodcity.org/districtelections.

The change to district elections was necessitated by a state law, the California Voting Rights Act, that has led to hundreds of small and mid-sized cities and school districts having to make the transition to district elections. In the past, the district system was used primarily in large cities.

Are you new to Medicare and living with Diabetes?

“Crime Stoppers” uses anonymous tips and rewards

Circumstances can occur where a person is aware of a crime and a suspect but has reasons to want to remain anonymous.

In most circumstances, you should feel secure reporting a crime and a suspect through normal channels.

The L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers organization was set up to enable people to make tips about suspects while remaining anonymous and to receive an award of up to $1,000 if a suspect is arrested.

www.scanhealthplan.com/EdRamos Calling this number will connect you to a licensed insurance agent/broker. Reduce

But on those occasions where you may feel insecure about identifying a suspect, the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station encourages you to use the anonymous Crime Stoppers process.

If you have diabetes, keeping your medical costs manageable doesn’t have to be a challenge. SCAN Health Plan® offers comprehensive medical coverage, lowercost prescription options, and more, to help you live with and manage diabetes.

Call the SCAN representative listed below.

Ed Ramos

Phone: (562) 508-5681

License: #0C38956

1You won’t pay more than $0 for a one-month supply of each insulin product covered by our plan on our “Drug List” (Formulary), no matter what cost-sharing tier it’s on. You won’t pay more than $35 for a one-month supply of each insulin product covered through a coverage determination, appeal, or transition. Only Humalog®, Humulin®, Lantus®, Levemir®, Lyumjev®, Soliqua®, Toujeo® and Tresiba® are available. SCAN Balance (HMO C-SNP) is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SCAN Health Plan depends on contract renewal.

Over 4,000 arrests have been made region-wide through the successful program.

Learn more at www.lacrimestoppers.org.