Volume 43 Number 12
December 2023
The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Chair, Vice Chair for 2024
Deena Henry, left, and Joanie Dixson, right, are ready to usher in the New Year as the Vice Chair and Chair of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce will usher in the New Year with Joanie Dixson, and Deena Henry, as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Dixson, who served as the GLCC's Vice Chair for 2023, has named Henry as Vice Chair of the Chamber's Executive Board, along with long-time Chamber Member Travis Jackson as Treasurer, and Sherry Daisey, as Secretary. "I am excited to lead our Chamber into 2024, it's going to be a great year," said Dixson. "This past year has been a year of growth for our Chamber on so many different levels, where I just see us doing
bigger, greater things for our members and our community." Joanie Dixson, who is First Vice President of the Lakewood branch of Farmers and Merchants Bank, is the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce's first African-American to serve as its Chair. "Every New Year brings new ideas, new perspectives and newfound friendships and connections," Dixson said. "When you become a member of our Chamber, you become family and in our family, no one gets left behind." Deena Henry, is the Director of Property Management for Lakewood Center.
More Inside
Lakewood Center receives Award of Valor from City The Lakewood Center's Management Team was recently recognized by the City of Lakewood during its annual Award of Valor Luncheon, for their immediate response to a social media post announcing plans for 'youth mob' to descend onto the mall intended to create havoc and havoc. Back in September, a member of the Lakewood Center's Security received a tip about the 'youth mob' post naming the Lakewood Center as the point of arrival. The Sheriff's Department was immediately called and just as suspected, over 200 youth descended onto the Lakewood Center on that given Saturday. Lakewood City Manager extended his deep appreciation to the Sheriff's Department, to mall security and to the City's
Marking his first visit to the City of Lakewood, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna joined Lakewood Mayor Ariel Pe to recognize the Lakewood Center's Management Team at the annual Award of Valor Ceremony last month.
Public Safety staff for teaming up to safeguard the Lakewood Center and eliminate the problem quickly and as safely as possible. "That teamwork makes Lakewood Center consistently one of the safest malls in our area, despite the challenges that shopping centers everywhere face," he said. Every year, the City honors local residents, deputies, firefighters and security personnel for their acts of courage and heroism. With over 300 people in attendance, including Sheriff Robert Luna, the City this year, recognized dozens of individuals with an Award of Valor.
Santa's Elves
Santa Claus arrived at the Lakewood Center with his elves in tow to conduct an Elf Academy in the mall's Center Court, where kids received their very own elf hat, and enjoyed an evening of holiday cookie making, face painting, dancing with the elves and photos with Santa. Santa will be at the Lakewood Center through Christmas before heading back to the North Pole.
Disclosure: Small children probably shouldn't read this feature.
Santa Claus lives in Lakewood
Did you know that Santa Claus lives in Lakewood? Surprisingly, Ed Hatz , a Lakewood resident for 22 years, says he's not even the only one - "there are others," he says. "I'm estimating there's three of us who live in Lakewood." But Lakewood is not alone. In fact, according to Hatz, Southern California has the highest population of real-bearded Santas in the county. "There's more than 5,000 of us in the United States, and surprisingly, most of us live here, in sunny SoCal." Hatz says it could be the weather, but the consensus amid other other Santa's, is that the clientele pool is much larger here in sunny California. "I'm originally (Cont'd. on Pg. 4)
Update: City Hall renovations, public counter is open during construction Lakewood’s Community Development and Public Works customer service counter at the north end of City Hall recently completed renovation. Work has begun on the next phase, which involves remodeling the Finance & Administrative Services counter nearby in the same portion of City Hall. As a result, the current temporary service process to assist residents will continue until early spring 2024. Once the remodeling is complete, residents will enjoy a more efficient and pleasant experience. As a reminder: •The north doors of City Hall will remain closed during the construc-
tion, so please enter from the south end of City Hall. •You will check in at the Public Information counter for service from the Community Development, Public Works, or Finance & Administrative Services departments. Staff from those departments will help you with mak(Cont'd. on Pg. 19)