Lakewood Community News - February 2019

Lakewood

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Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce | 30,000 Circulation - Delivered to every home in Lakewood www.lakewoodchamber.com

Volume 37 Number 2

Mayfair High School's Girls Varsity Volleyball Team honored

February 2019

Bellflower Board of Education Recognizes Undefeated Mayfair High School's Girls Varsity Volleyball Team.

The Mayfair High School Girls Varsity Volleyball team, under the guidance of 2nd year Head Coach Kenny Ma, was recognized and honored at the Bellflower Unified School District board in their November 2018 meeting for their huge season accomplishments. The Girls Varsity team had another successful season, winning and bringing home their 4th Suburban League title in a

row and reaching a new league record of 50-0 over the past four years.

They fought hard throughout the season to retain the title of league champions and made it to the 2nd round of CIF playoffs. The team was led by three strong and positive seniors: Joy Umeh, Emma Kailiponi, and Tiana Vaifanua.

In addition to the team successes, Joy Umeh was chosen as the over-

all MVP for the entire Suburban League.

The Certificate of Recognition was accepted on behalf of the team

by Varsity Freshman player Ashlyn Riddle, who was extremely honored to accept the award presented by the district board and looks forward repeating history again next season.

Great job, Mayfair High School Girls Varsity Volleyball team! ♦

The Lakewood Run is fun for the whole family

Avid runners, fitness athletes, families and kids are all welcome.

The Lakewood Run returns the morning of Saturday, March 2, 2019 when deputy sheriffs, recreational runners, families and kids gather at the starting line in front of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station to run the event’s 5K/10K course for time, or do the 1K “Fun Run” or a 5K walk.

Lakewood’s tree-lined residential streets provide the backdrop. The flat, “runner friendly” course is “fast” for practiced runners and comfortable for fitness fans and family members.

Check out the new Lakewood

Run website at www.lakewoodrun. com and register online now or download the PDF sign-up form to sign up a group or pay by check at www.lakewoodrun.com/registration.

Participants directly support Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach and Lakewood Sheriff ’s Station charity efforts in this family-friendly event, including the Su Casa Domestic Abuse Network, Pathways Volunteer Hospice, and uncovered expenses for the families

of wounded or deceased deputies.

Early registration will be $35 until Jan. 31, $40 from Feb. 1 through March 1, and $45 the day of the race.

The 1K Fun Run pre-registration rate is $20 and $25 on race day. On the day of the event, registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The 5K and 10K runs start at 8 a.m. The Fun Run begins at 9:30 a.m.

Professional timing will be used.

Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each category of the 5K and 10K running events. All finishers for the 5K/10K will receive finisher medals.

For participants and spectators, the day includes a fitness expo and displays of public safety equipment and programs. There is also live entertainment and special giveaways from Lakewood-area businesses.

To inquire about group rate entries or to get more event information, email info@lakewoodrun.com.

Major sponsors include Lakewood Center, Piazza Family McDonald’s Restaurants, TLD Law, Kenny’s Auto Service, Back to Life Chiropractic, CJ Construction and the City of Lakewood. ♦

Lakewood's State of the City annual luncheon

Lakewood's annual State of the City Luncheon is set for Wednesday, Feb. 6 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at The Centre. Attendees will hear what Lakewood's leaders are saying about the city's upcoming opportunities and challenges.

This annual event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lakewood, Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and City of Lakewood.

The deadline for reservations is Friday, Feb. 1. Seating is not guaranteed after that date.

Reservations may be purchased online at www.lakewoodcity.org/

sotctickets.

If you are unable to attend, the State of the City presentation will be recorded and available for viewing on the city’s website on Feb. 25.

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.

For more information, call the city’s Community Relations Office at 562-866-9771, extension 3123. ♦

Today

Lakewood

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Are suburbs like Lakewood under attack?

By Mayor Steve Croft

An effort is heating up in the state legislature in Sacramento to force city governments to approve more condominiums and apartments instead of single-family homes, especially in areas close to high-volume bus and rail transit lines. The wishful thinking is that by forcing cities to increase the density of housing (i.e., the number of housing units in a given space), more housing will become available and affordable. The aim is to build those dense condominiums or apartments close to job-rich areas so people theoretically can walk to work (if they happen to have a good-paying job in that job-rich area), or close to transit stops so people can commute by bus or rail instead of a car, lessening roadway congestion and greenhouse gas and air pollution.

You can certainly see the laudable goals there. But there’s a real question about what the specific methods being discussed in Sacramento would do to existing communities of singlefamily homes, like Lakewood.

Imagine in a community like Lakewood, if a developer buys up two or three homes side-by-side on

a residential block near a street with a high-volume bus line and builds a three-story, 16-unit apartment complex. Or perhaps the developer buys a commercial strip mall that adjoins a residential neighborhood and builds a similar or larger apartment building.

Under the new proposal being considered in Sacramento, a city government would lose the right to say no to such a development—even in a single family-zoned neighborhood— and the city would also lose the right to require sufficient on-site parking for the apartment complex. The proposed state law would require onsite parking for only one car per two units of housing. So a 16-unit apartment building might have only eight parking spaces on site.

The “hope” in Sacramento would be that most of the new apartment residents would not have cars and would instead rely just on transit, but that’s just a hope. The more likely reality is that the adjoining neighborhood would become the de facto parking lot for the apartment complex. The quality of neighborhood life there would suffer from traffic congestion, disagreements over parking, etc. In addition, the character of the community would change over time as apartments and condominiums popped up along single-family residential streets.

Now, some cities might welcome such real estate developments, or they might welcome them in some circumstances. But the residents of those cities—expressing their majority voice through their locally elected city councils—have the right to determine if that’s a good fit for their

community. There should not be a one-size-fits-all mandate from Sacramento that takes away the power of local residents to shape their community.

What’s ironic in this current state proposal is that, in 2012, Sacramento took away from local cities a positive tool they had to promote the building of more housing in ways that fit within a city’s overall plan. That tool was “redevelopment” funding.

Now, instead of providing a positive financial tool and incentive to cities to build more housing, the state is considering simply forcing cities to allow more housing…and more dense housing at that…and to remove local government planning and zoning control over dense housing developments. Sacramento has moved from a carrot to a stick approach.

Lakewood used redevelopment funding to incentivize (and maintain local zoning and planning control over) the creation of senior and affordable housing in the years before 2012. And even without that incentive, Lakewood approved the creation of 125 apartments, condominiums and houses between 2012 and 2018.

I recently traveled to Sacramento with other city leaders to express Lakewood’s longstanding concerns on this issue to our legislators. We’ll continue to stay active on this matter.

I welcome efforts to make housing more affordable for more people in California. But surely we can find a way to do that without harming the quality of life for existing homeowners and without removing the ability of local cities to have reasonable decision-making over the future of their neighborhoods and communities. ♦

February 2019

City Spotlight Family Movie Night Featuring Incredibles 2 On Friday, February 1, bring your family out to Palms Park for an outdoor viewing of the Pixar blockbuster, Incredibles 2. The first in a series of new monthly Friday evening events at Palms Park will provide an enjoyable night of fun for the whole family. Begin your night with the youngsters participating in themed craft and recreation opportunities, including face painting, in the picnic shelters. Be sure to stop by the informational booths provided by city departments, and bring your appetite as popular food trucks will be a staple at our Friday night events. Arrive at 6 p.m. for the pre-movie fun and to get a good seat for your viewing of Incredibles 2, starting at 7 p.m.

To help us plan a memorable experience, pre-register using activity #13860 at www.lakewoodcity.org/ ecatalog. Sorry, no pets or alcohol allowed at the park.

Women’s Health Series Lakewood Regional Medical Center and the City of Lakewood have teamed up to offer a Women’s Health Series of lectures at the Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave., Lakewood. Women of any age can learn tips and tricks to stay healthy and pain-free! Lectures are free and are from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in February: • Feb. 6 Treating Hip and Knee Pain • Feb. 13 Women and Heart Disease • Feb. 20 Foot Pain Treatment • Feb. 27 Stroke Screening FUN-Tastic Family Night featuring Paramount Pet Entertainment Come get wild as Paramount Pet Entertainment introduces their slithery friends. Participants will get the chance to have handson experiences with a variety of snakes, lizards, insects, arachnids, amphibians, and tortoises ranging from in size from four inches to 14 feet.

The event is held Friday, March 1 at The Centre. The cost of the show is $8 per person, $5 for children

one to three years old (children under one are free) and includes a meal of orange chicken, white rice, lemonade and a dessert. Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first come basis. Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog to register and use activity #13059. The last day to register is Feb. 25 or until filled. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information.

Travel Trip Dodger Stadium Tour Join us on Saturday, Feb. 16 for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of baseball’s third-oldest field, Dodger Stadium. This private tour lets fans visit some of the most restricted and non-public areas of the beautiful and historic stadium, receiving a view from a completely new perspective. This is a one-ofa-kind opportunity to peek inside the Dodger Clubhouse, the Dodger Bullpen, the Interview Room, the Dodger Weight Room, and Batting Cage and much more! Top off the tour with a boxed lunch on the Top Deck before heading home.

Please arrive at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave., Lakewood, at 9:30 a.m. for check-in.

The bus will leave promptly at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to return to Burns Community Center at 3 p.m.

The cost of this trip is $60 per person. An adult must accompany children of all ages. Last day to register is Monday, Feb. 4 or until filled.

Advanced registration is required, through eCatalog at www. lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog using class #13099.

Spring recreation classes begin The City of Lakewood’s spring recreation classes begin in February.

If you have not received your copy of the popular catalog, pick one up at City Hall or any Lakewood park, community center or library. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 to request one by mail, or view online at www.lakewoodcity.org/catalog.

The new spring catalog lists over 600 classes and activities offered for area residents as well as many new programs. Customers can register online using eCatalog at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog.

To register, use the activity number provided in the event description and call 562-866-9771, extension 2408, or online at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog.

Your

Minding www.lakewoodchamber.com

February 2019

Lakewood Chamber's Softball League is gearing up for another season

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 26th season of their co-ed softball league.

Back in the spring of 2006, Frank Cardiel, ambassador for the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, helped to assemble a softball league. This effort was met with much enthusiasm from the local business community.

Now going into their 26th season, the venture has been a huge success!

In past years, players and local Lakewood businesses make donations to several organizations in need of funds: Lakewood Education Foundation, SuCasa Ending Domestic Violence and the Department of Child and Family Services. This year we will be donating to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

The League would like to thank last season’s sponsors: The RinksLakewood ICE, Chase Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings, Best Buy, Fuddrucker’s Round Table Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen, Round 1 Entertainment,

& The Finest Barber Shop. A special thank you to our Major Sponsor Lakewood Family YMCA! We would also like to thank our Softball League Commissioners: Erika Mejia, Ron Cratty, Aaron Ahlswede, Crystal O'Neal, Araceli Cardiel, Victor Castro & Chris Lopez.

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

Call Frank Cardiel at (562) 531-9733 for more information. If you’re an individual that would like to play, we can possibly place you on an existing team looking for players.

Opening day will be held on Wednesday, February 20th at 6pm at San Martin Park in Lakewood. Bring your family and some lawn chairs and join in on the fun. This is a familyfriendly environment and the local businesses would love support from the community. Cheer your favorite team on to victory! ♦

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Like opossums and raccoons, coyotes have adapted over the years to suburban life throughout California and the nation.

While Lakewood doesn't have the level of coyote problems of many communities near foothills or large open spaces, coyotes can venture into residential areas in our city and become problematic, especially if people are feeding them (intentionally or unintentionally) by leaving pet food out overnight, tree fruit on the ground, or trash unsecured.

These coyote attractants create a threat to pets, as coyotes coming into neighborhoods see them as potential prey. Coyotes will kill cats and small dogs who are left unattended or stray off your property.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which has jurisdiction over urban wildlife in our state, provides helpful tips for communities and asks for our cooperation. The City of Lakewood recommends that residents follow these guidelines to prevent attracting coyotes into our community.

Tips to safeguard your pets • Feed pets inside. Don’t feed feral cats, ducks or pigeons. They attract coyotes to your neighborhood, putting pets at risk.

• Never feed coyotes! (When humans have been bitten by coyotes it is often because someone nearby is feeding them and it breaks down their natural fear of humans.)

• Pick up fallen fruit (another food source for coyotes and for animals and rodents that attract coyotes).

• Keep trash lids securely closed. Don’t overfill trash cans so they can’t close fully. Coyotes can reach in and get food. This teaches them to come to your home.

• If you compost, use enclosed bins. Do not compost meat, dairy or egg products.

• The safest place for cats and small dogs is inside. Coyotes can jump over fences 6-10 feet high. While coyotes generally hunt between sunset and sunrise, they have been sighted at all hours of the day.

• While walking dogs, keep them on a leash 6’ or shorter. If you encounter a coyote while walking your dog, remain calm, take control of your dog by picking it up if possible and back away slowly, keeping your eyes on the coyote. Look for another pedestrian to assist you.

• Use negative reinforcement (“hazing”) to train coyotes to stay away. If you see a coyote, let it know it’s not welcome in your neighborhood by making loud noises to frighten it away. You’re helping the coyote by keeping it wild…and you’re helping protect your neighborhood.

• Don’t ignore or run away from a coyote. You need to scare it away, but don’t injure it or it could become unpredictable.

Trapping coyotes is not a long-term solution. State law prevents the relocation of trapped coyotes because doing so upsets the wildlife ecosystem where the coyote is transported. Routine trapping and euthanizing of coyotes, even when pets have been attacked, is also not a viable option because if food and water sources remain, new coyotes will simply move in and continue the cycle. Government agencies generally limit the trapping and euthanizing of coyotes to certain narrow situations, such as when coyotes have attacked people.

The best way to prevent problems in the first place is to remove coyote attractants, safeguard your pets, and haze and train any coyotes you see to stay away from humans.

For more information and further guidelines, or to report a coyote sighting, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/coyotes or call 562866-9771, extension 2140. ♦

& Financial

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February 2019

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Lakewood Block Party canceled for 2019 because of budget deficit The city’s Budget Advisory Group held its third monthly meeting on Jan. 14, hearing presentations and asking questions about Lakewood’s $50 million annual municipal budget. The 15-member group includes Lakewood residents and members of local community and business groups.

Group members got an update on ways the city is keeping costs low to keep the city’s budget balanced. Budget reduction measures previously enacted include freezing hiring for nine vacant city staff positions and reducing janitorial maintenance at City Hall and other locations. At the Jan. 14 meeting, group members learned that the city has also decided to not hold the Civic Center Block Party this summer. The cost of the Block Party, including its professional

fireworks show, is $125,000. The city will review the decision on the block party next year, including whether to redesign the event in a way that is less costly.

The Budget Advisory Group also received a briefing on a recent facility engineering study of the city’s building repair needs over the coming 10 years. The study determined that many of Lakewood’s park structures and community buildings (a majority of which were built from 1954 to 1979) need significant repair to remain in usable condition for the future. The cost of those repairs over the next

10 years was estimated at $31 million, or about $3 million a year.

“This study was very valuable for us,” said City Manager Thaddeus McCormack. “It detailed the condition of our facilities and gave us a good ballpark estimate of repair costs. It gives us a good roadmap to use to prioritize and budget for building repairs over the coming decade. The study of course doesn’t provide the funding for those repairs, but it tells us what we need to plan on budgetwise to keep Lakewood’s facilities in usable condition.”

The Budget Advisory Group will meet again in February, and the City Council will continue with its budget analysis and deliberations leading up to July 2019 adjustments to the FY18-20 twoyear city budget. The Budget Advisory Group was created by the City Council to inform community leaders, solicit input about the issues related to the city’s deficit and maintain community understanding, trust and consensus. ♦

News

Community

February 2019

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Tax help at Weingart

Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame tickets on sale

AARP Tax-Aide booking now at Weingart Center.

Volunteers are available at Lakewood’s Weingart Senior Center to assist low-income families, individuals and seniors in preparing their basic tax returns. Appointments are required and are available Mondays and Thursdays from Feb. 4 through April 15.

Call 562-630-6141 to make an appointment. The Weingart Senior Center is located at 5220 Oliva Avenue.

If you are filing a joint return, both husband and wife must come to the appointment. Individuals with appointments should bring in their tax information (W-2 or 1099 forms) and last year's tax return.

The returns generally take about two hours to prepare, and every return is reviewed by a second tax preparer before they're filed.

The service is a nationwide AARP Foundation program called “TaxAide.” Through a corps of trained volunteers, Tax-Aide has helped low- to moderate-income individuals for more than 40 years across the nation.

The program helps taxpayers receive applicable tax credits and deductions. Tax-Aide is free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Volunteers WILL: • Prepare simple forms, including sale of homes and rental property (NO depreciation).

• Prepare Schedules A, B, C & D. • Prepare K-1 (Interest & Dividends only).

• Refer technical questions/returns to the IRS or other professional assistance.

Volunteers WILL NOT: • Prepare complicated returns such as rental property with depreciation.

• Prepare business returns or complicated K-1.

• Answer technical questions for which they have not been trained.

• Refer taxpayers to any firm.

• Accept fees. ♦

member, who in 1980 founded the Hall of Fame in conjunction with local business owner and current Council Member Ron Piazza. Van Nostran passed away in 2012.

If purchased by Feb. 7, discounted tickets are $28 for adults and $18 for

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students; if purchased between Feb. 8 and 15, ticket prices are $34 and $24 respectively. Reservation deadline is Feb. 15.

Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information or to purchase tickets. ♦

Tickets for the 38th annual Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be on sale at City Hall starting Tuesday, Jan. 22. The awards banquet is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at The Centre and will honor the 2018 Athlete of the Year and more than 25 other deserving athletes and coaches.

New this year is the "Larry Van Nostran Future Star Award" which will honor a freshman athlete with the most outstanding achievements in a sport. The award is named after Lakewood's longest-serving council

loomfield Animal Hospital Dr. Jose E. Arambulo, DVM FULL SERVICE VETERINARY HOSPITAL EcoFriendly

• Quality, Reliable & Affordable Vet Care for Over 25 Years • Comprehensive Dental • Vaccinations/Spay/Neuter • Digital X-Rays • Pet Grooming • Laser Therapy

Since September, 2011, we have donated over 2,000 lbs. of pet food to the Lakewood Meals on Wheels for the “Pets of the Homeless,” a non-profit group that helps with vet care & pet food for their furry friends.

Any help would be appreciated. We accept both dry & canned food for cats & dogs.

Thank You!

Office Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:30am-1:00pm 3:00pm-5:30pm Saturday 8:00am-2:30pm

Please Call for an Appointment:

(562) 402-9717

Bring in this ad for a

FREE EXAM! New clients only Expires 2/28/19

20927 Norwalk Blvd.

Lakewood, CA 90715 www.bloomfieldvet.com

News

Community Page 6

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February 2019

Green February 2019

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Earth Walk event returns to Monte Verde Park

Earth Walk gives kids a close look at nature.

Lakewood's free Earth Walk event returns this spring with an interactive experience for kids and adults on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at rustic Monte Verde Park, which is the trailhead to over three miles of landscaped walking trails and the San Ga-

Project sites sought for 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 13 cleanup and fix-up event. More than 500 volunteers will fan out that day to locations throughout Lakewood to donate a morning’s work to help their neighbors in need. Teams of volunteer workers from scout troops, schools, clubs, businesses, organizations and religious congregations will assist residents who are unable to maintain their properties themselves.

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. ♦

briel River Parkway. Activities will move into the park’s S. Mark Taper Lodge or under canopies if there’s rain. Monte Verde Park is located at 4626 N. Shadeway Road.

Participants will learn what they can do to help keep the earth beautiful and protected. Adults and children are invited to take a nature walk, plant seeds, create nature-themed crafts, make

s’mores and learn about recycling.

The park features many California native plants.

“Woody the Tree,” Lakewood’s "Tree City, U.S.A." mascot, will be in attendance. He will help teach visitors about Lakewood’s “urban forest.”

For more information, call 562866-9771, extension 2408, or go to www.lakewoodcity.org/EarthWalk. ♦

Living

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SH P LAKEWOOD Page 8

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SH P LAKEWOOD

February 2019

Be prepared with a free emergency-prep workshop Lakewood’s free “Survive for 7” workshop returns with a one-evening “jump start” for emergency preparedness efforts. The workshop educates residents about actions they can take to protect their family and teaches skills needed to survive in the first week following a catastrophe. Learn more at www. lakewoodcity.org/7days.

The free program is sched-

uled for Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Youth Center, 4658 Woodruff Avenue.

Register at www.lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog using activity #13355, or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for additional information.

There are six emergency basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid sup-

plies, clothing, bedding, tools and emergency supplies/special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-tocarry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container with wheels, a camping backpack or a duffle bag.

How successfully Lakewood responds in the days and weeks after a major disaster depends in large part on how well the community stays informed. In the event of a disaster, the city’s radio station 1620 AM will broadcast Lakewood-specific information about emergency services. Be prepared to tune into KLWD 1620 AM using a portable crank disaster kit radio or car radio. Emergency information will also be posted on the city website at www.lakewoodcity.org and on Lakewood CityTV channel 31. ♦

Lakewood Women's Club The Lakewood Women's Club's next monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 19th at Sycamore Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. Meeting begins at 11:00 am. Lunch is at 12:00 pm and the program begins at 1:00 pm.

This month's program's topic will be “Pre-Trial Officers.” For lunch reservations, call Arlene Roos at 562-863-4933.

The Lakewood Women's Club concentrates on civic projects to help improve the lives of those in the area, and we welcome other women to join us. For more information on the club, as well as their evening meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 at the American Legion - 5938 Parkcrest Street, Long Beach, call Sandra Reprogle Richardson at 562-866-8410.

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

SH P LAKEWOOD February 2019

www.lakewoodchamber.com

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SH P LAKEWOOD

A fresh take on art classes comes to Lakewood

The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce had the honor of welcoming their newest member, Painting With A Twist, to the Lakewood family of businesses on Wednesday, January 9th with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Painting With A Twist is a take on the popular “paint and sip” art classes

President's Day city service information

City Hall will be closed on Monday, February 18 in observance of Presidents’ Day. Trash service will not be interrupted. There will be no street sweeping on this day and no makeup sweep. DASH Transit service will not be available.

Residents can make a non-emergency service request by calling 562-866-9771 extension 2140, or by clicking to www.lakewoodcity.org/service.

For other emergency 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 member.

If you would like to obtain an RV/Trailer permit, you can also contact the Lakewood Sheriff's Safety Center at 562-623-3583. For questions or requests regarding trash and disposal services, you may contact EDCO Disposal at 562-531-3054. ♦

where participants paint on canvas with the help of an instructor while enjoying a selection of wine and beer.

The studio is open to guests 21 and older and is available to rent for private parties.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Painting With A Twist! ♦

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

News

Community Page 10

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February 2019

Citrus trees in Lakewood at critical risk

The Asian citrus psyllid insect spreads the disease among citrus trees.

The devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB) was recently found in a residential citrus

tree in Lakewood. Once a tree is confirmed with the disease, it will die and must be removed to limit

its spread. An insect called the Asian citrus psyllid spreads the disease as it feeds on leaves.

Lakewood residents can play a critical role in stopping the spread of HLB by searching for signs of the pest and disease on their citrus trees and cooperating with agricultural officials when they visit residential properties to inspect citrus trees. For more information on what to expect, see the flyer at www.lakewoodcity.org/Citrus.

HLB is an imminent danger to California’s iconic citrus trees, both residential and commercial.

The disease has been detected in L.A., Orange and Riverside counties. The number of HLB cases has skyrocketed in Southern California, with over 600 in 2018 alone; the highest amount of detections recorded in one year. Other local cities with HLB-infected trees include Cerritos, Norwalk, Pico Rivera and Whittier.

Lakewood residents should stay vigilant in looking for HLB symptoms, which include: • blotchy or yellowing leaves • yellow shoots • lopsided, small and bitter fruit • premature and excessive fruit drop.

If you see suspicious symptoms of HLB, act quickly and call the state of California’s free hotline: 800-491-1899.

In Lakewood, state and federal agriculture officials are going door-to-door to inspect for the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB. Agricultural officials will not ask to enter your home; their focus is to ensure backyard citrus trees

in Lakewood get the utmost care and attention. More information about what to expect from an agricultural official can be found by visiting CaliforniaCitrusThreat. org.

HLB can affect all citrus trees, including orange, lemon, lime, mandarin, pomello, kumquat, grapefruit, tangerine and more.

If you have any of these plants in your backyard, inspect them monthly, or whenever watering, spraying, pruning or tending trees.

If you spot psyllid insects, visit your local nursery or garden center to get advice on products that can protect your tree. To protect other trees, be sure to dry out citrus clippings and double bag them before removing the plant material from your property. You can also obtain citrus care advice at the University of California Extension IPM website at http://

ipm.ucanr.edu/. Taking proper care of your citrus trees will encourage healthy citrus growth and protect the tree from HLB. The main way the psyllid spreads throughout the state is by people transporting infested plants or plant material. Due to the quick nature of its spread in Southern California, all residents should avoid moving citrus from their property. California residents should only purchase citrus trees from reputable, licensed nurseries in your area. Diseased trees need to be removed in order to protect other citrus trees on the property, neighbors’ trees and the state’s vibrant commercial citrus industry. ♦

Town

Around February 2019

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Scam from solicitors offering home repairs

Maybe its time...

Be wary of door-to-door solicitors.

According to the Lakewood Sheriff ’s Station, the scam works like this: a fake “contractor” knocks on the door of a house. He offers a free estimate for low-cost home repairs and asks the resident to do a walk-around of the home’s exterior and backyard so the resident can point out areas that need repair.

While the homeowner is away from the front door and distracted, the solicitor’s unseen partners quickly walk into the open front door. They are experts at stealing valuable items in just one minute.

After the walk-around the solicitor gives the homeowner a fake business card and leaves, promising to follow up with an estimate. By the time the homeowner figures out he or she’s been burglarized, the thieves have driven away.

Tips to prevent this kind of scam: • The safest course of action is to

Lakewood Garden Club The Lakewood Garden Club’s next meeting is on Thursday, February 28th at 11:00 am at Del Valle Park.

After a light lunch, the program will begin at 12:30 pm featuring Jorge Ochoa from Long Beach City College. This month’s topic is fruit trees that grow in this area.

not answer your door for solicitors…or tell the solicitor to leave your property. If they do not listen, call the Lakewood Sheriff Station at 562-623-3500.

• If you choose to speak with a solicitor, never step outside your home to do so.

• Never allow solicitors into your home.

• If you are in the market for home improvement projects, thoroughly vet contractors before you allow them into your home. Ask for references from friends and neighbors so you know you are working with a legitimate business.

• If you experience a solicitor offering free estimates or free services, report them to the Lakewood Sheriff Station. Deputy Sheriffs will appreciate your help in trying to apprehend the recent burglars. ♦

I was in my car when the Bradley Cooper song, Maybe It’s Time to Let the Old Ways Die, came on. I started thinking about the way we hold on to things, ideas, people. We hold on because it’s all we know, because we’re scared to let go.

We hold on to certain items because they once meant something to us. Even if now all they do is sit in the back of a drawer, forgotten, but still somehow significant because they remind us of days gone by.

We hold on to beliefs that, right or wrong, were fed to us when we were too young to question. Yet years later we fight for that belief as though our lives depend on it.

We hang on to people, even when they don’t treat us right, for fear of being lonely.

We don’t think enough of ourselves to be present, to let go of what no longer serves us, of those who don’t deserve us.

We can all discover the gem that we are, by letting go of the things that no longer fit.

Maybe it’s time…

Submitted by Rossana Snee, MFT. Follow her on Twitter @askjoshsmom, Periscope. com, and www.rossanasnee.com. She is available in a therapeutic capacity, and also for speaking engagements.

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Pick up your pencil and let's play Sudoku Congratulations to the winner of the January Sudoku puzzle, Marie Sardinha! 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 4111 South St. in Lakewood. The winners are drawn by random.

One entry per household; the answers must be postmarked no later than Thursday, February 21, 2019. The winner will be drawn on Friday, February 22, 2019, and a call to the winner 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 winner will be published in the March issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle. ♦

Thanks to our Sudoku Sponsor

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www.lakewoodchamber.com

February 2019