Lakewood Community News - January 2020

News

Lakewood Community

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

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www.lakewoodchamber.com

January 2020

New Year’s resolutions made easy Greater Lakewood CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Meet our new Board of Directors for 2020 Brad Crihfield

Board Chair The Sweat Shop Gym

Mike Hedges Vice Chair Pacific Trux

Monica Goel Secretary TLD Law

Glen Patrick

Treasurer Gold Star Manor

Travis Jackson

Immediate Past Chair WERE Real Estate

Jose Solache

President/CEO Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce

“Resolution season” has many looking inward with hopes of losing weight, getting more organized or paying down debt. In Lakewood, there are also opportunities for looking outward to help others.

Consider adopting resolutions like giving back to the community and volunteering.

Options in Lakewood range from spending one morning joining with hundreds of neighbors this spring at Volunteer Day, to spending a few evenings a month at a park coaching neighborhood kids, or getting active on your own block in Neighborhood Watch.

Residents pitching in have improved the quality of life in Lakewood for over 60 years.

If you want to help but don’t know what’s the right fit for you, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/volunteer or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. City staff can help match your interests with over 35 activities and community groups.

Meals On Wheels The Lakewood Meals On Wheels program (MOW) has been making life easier for elderly residents and shut-ins of all ages since 1975. MOW volunteers range in age from teens to seniors and help with everything from making sandwiches and packaging meals to driving and delivering meals to dozens of Lakewood clients.

The nutritious meals are important, of course, but daily contact with a caring volunteer is just as important. Meals On Wheels is a non-profit community agency sponsored by the members of Lakewood/Long Beach Soroptimist Club and the City of Lakewood.

How to help: More information is at www.lakewoodcity.org/MOW. To volunteer, call 562-925-8747.

Volunteer Day On Saturday, April 25, 2020, hundreds of Lakewood residents will fan out across the city to spruce up the yard or home exterior of fellow Lakewood residents in need. This will be the 25th year that Volunteer Day has been making a positive difference in Lakewood.

Individuals and teams of volun-

Meals on Wheels volunteering just takes a little time, but makes a big difference. teers from scout troops, schools, businesses, clubs and religious congregations assist residents in need who are unable to maintain their properties themselves.

How to help: Suggestions for sites and offers to volunteer can be made online at www.lakewoodcity.org/volunteerday or by calling the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512.

Project Shepherd This homegrown Lakewood effort was founded in 1972 and has operated successfully ever since, providing help during the holiday season to residents suffering economic hardship. Project Shepherd also provides a limited amount of

assistance outside of the holiday season for emergency household hardships.

How to help: Find out more at http://www.lakewoodcity.org/ projectshepherd.

While volunteers are primarily needed during the holiday season, donations are always appreciated.

Additional volunteer opportunities include: • Lakewood Youth Sports coaching • Weingart Senior Center • Pathways Volunteer Hospice • Friends of the Lakewood Libraries •Neighborhood Watch • Lakewood Education Foundation ♦

“Measure L” will be on March 2020 ballot in Lakewood Lakewood residents have been hearing about the city’s budget problems for several years now, and about how those problems will impact Lakewood’s quality of life if no action is taken.

The problem faced by Lakewood: the state government has taken over $30 million from Lakewood in the past eight years, and the state continues to take over $2 million every year moving forward.

This has forced Lakewood to cut its budget for public safety and park and facility maintenance and to freeze 11 vacant positions. There’s the threat of more extensive reductions in the future if the city’s budget problem is not resolved.

The state takeaways have affected almost every city in California, with most of Lakewood’s neighbors facing the same budget difficulties now.

The city has extensively solicited views from residents on the problem over the past year. Nearly 2,000 residents provided input. A citizens Budget Advisory Group also studied the city’s financial future.

In response to the community feedback, the Lakewood City Council unanimously voted to place Measure L, “The Lakewood Public Safety/Local Control Measure,” on the March 3, 2020 ballot.

If approved by Lakewood voters, Measure L would create a ¾ cent Lakewood-specific sales tax

that would provide local funds just to Lakewood that the state cannot legally take away. The city could use those funds to address the priorities the Lakewood community has identified over the past year, including: ✓ Maintaining 911 emergency response ✓ Maintaining Lakewood Sheriff’s patrols that prevent property crimes, like thefts and burglaries ✓ Protecting the city’s long-term financial stability ✓ Keeping Lakewood parks and public areas safe and clean ✓ Protecting local drinking water sources ✓ Maintaining streets/repairing potholes Measure L also includes strict accountability requirements such as a Citizens’ Oversight Committee and independent audits.

See the “Lakewood Today” article in this edition of the Lakewood Community News for more details.

Residents can also find out more about Measure L at www.lakewoodcity.org/MeasureL and get important information about new ballot format and voting locations that L.A. County will be using starting in March 2020 at www.lakewoodcity.org/Election. Lakewood voters will also be selecting City Council representatives in the March 2020 election. ♦

Today

Lakewood

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Protecting public safety, community… and property values

By Mayor Todd Rogers

As a fellow Lakewood resident, I am proud of my record of being a strong guardian and caretaker of our tax dollars. Some people asked me why the council unanimously vote to place Measure L, the “Lakewood Public Safety/Local Control Measure,” on the March 2020 ballot for voter consideration.

Our #1 job on the Lakewood City Council is to protect the quality of life of Lakewood residents. I feel strongly that giving our residents the opportunity to determine the future of their city and their quality of life is the right thing to do.

Over the past eight years, the State of California has taken $30 million in local funds away from the City of Lakewood…and the state continues to take $2 million every year.

The cumulative effect of those state takeaways has caused Lakewood’s once-healthy fiscal condition to transform to where our city is now facing a $5 million deficit next year, growing to a $10 million deficit a few years after that. That’s very significant for a city with an approximately $50 million annual budget.

To keep our budget in balance the past two years, the Lakewood City Council cut $3 million in spending, including freezing vacant positions, deferring most major repairs and maintenance to our parks and community buildings, and even making an initial cut to public safety accounts.

But those cuts will seem rather insignificant if our budget situation

does not improve.

Lakewood’s parks and community buildings are a source of great pride to residents, but many were built in the 1950s and 60s and need regular repair and maintenance.

Some are already showing bad signs from the past two years of budgetary cutbacks. They will deteriorate even further and become more expensive to repair if we do not find the funds for that work.

Lakewood’s smooth, well-maintained streets—also a source of pride to our community—will also begin to deteriorate without adequate funding in the future.

And last but not least, Lakewood’s longtime reputation as a safe community will be at risk if our fiscal situation deteriorates. In Lakewood, we spend approximately $13 million a year on a team of patrol deputies, detectives, and special assignment officers to patrol and keep our neighborhoods and property safe, but we will certainly have to cut our number of deputies with a $10 million a year deficit.

In short, the Lakewood we know and love will change rapidly if our fiscal situation does not turn around.

People often ask me, if the state caused this mess by taking money away from Lakewood and other cities, why don’t we just make Sacramento give us our money back?

Fair enough question…and believe me, we tried! We and other cities tried legislatively, and even through the courts. But the state prevailed.

We are not alone in the situation caused by the state’s takeaways.

Voters in 39 cities in Los Angeles and Orange counties have now enacted a local sales tax that, by law, the state cannot take away. Several others, including Bellflower, Cerritos and Paramount, are proposing to do so in 2020. If Lakewood voters approve Measure L, our businesses would still be competitive with our neighbors.

A ¾ cent Lakewood-specific measure would generate approximately $10 million a year for our

January 2020

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city. That’s the amount of money needed to keep Lakewood’s budget in good shape and “keep Lakewood being Lakewood” now and well into the future, with funds the state cannot legally take.

What’s also important is that, by state law, our sales tax cannot be increased by more than ¾ cent at this point. If the voters of Lakewood don’t vote to approve Measure L, then another entity, like L.A. County, can come along and try to do so. County measures typically lead to little funding or attention to Lakewood. If a majority of county voters--not just Lakewood voters--approve a county measure, the maximum cap will be reached in Lakewood, and that money will go towards county, not Lakewood needs.

Lakewood voters have an important decision in March 2020. Do we vote to enact a local measure to provide local funds for our local needs, or do we let our city’s condition decline and risk letting the county or a regional agency pass a measure to fund their programs, even if they are not focused on Lakewood’s needs?

Residents have also let me know that they realize that their own property values are affected by whether their local community is financially stable and able to provide good city services.

I was as initially reluctant as the next person about a local sales tax. But I also value the community I live in and the need to keep our community…and our property values…in good shape for the future. After studying the issue, and after reviewing the great feedback from the nearly 2,000 Lakewood residents who filled out our service priority survey, as well as the views of our citizen-led Budget Advisory Group, I voted to place Lakewood Measure L on the March 2020 ballot. I hope you will study the facts and participate this March.

Learn more about the “Lakewood Public Safety/Local Control Measure” at www.lakewoodcity.org/ MeasureL,♦

City Spotlight Play at Palms: Movie Night Under the Stars featuring Dumbo (2019)

Bring the entire family and enjoy an evening of FREE family fun and movie entertainment under the stars at Palms Park, 12305 207th St., from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. Guests can bring chairs and a picnic and enjoy a fun evening with their families. Check in begins at 6 p.m. with the movie scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. If you would like to purchase dinner, a food truck will be on site. Sorry, no pets or alcohol allowed at the park. For more information call the Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

Community CPR Class Register now for the Community CPR class at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave., on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Through lecture and hands-on skill sessions, participants will learn CPR (for adults, children and infants), first aid skills, and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator.) Participants must be able to kneel on the floor to demonstrate correct CPR skills, as well as pass the written exam. Certification will be through the American Red Cross and is valid for two years. Participants must arrive on time, as late participants will not be allowed to enter the classroom. Call 562-925-7512 for more information.

Lakewood Special Olympics is accepting new athlete registration The City of Lakewood partners with Special Olympics Southern California to provide a year-round athletic program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, the program is accepting new applications for the Spring Season. Basketball and Bocce Ball are offered in the spring.

Practices are held every

Thursday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bloomfield Park. Miscellaneous tournaments are also provided each season. Program registration and medical clearance is required prior to participating. Applications can be obtained from Bloomfield Park, 21420 Pioneer Blvd. There will be a Spring Season Program Meeting on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Bloomfield Park. Call 562-865-1717 for more information.

Whale Watching Travel Trip Join us on Saturday, Jan. 25, as we board a ship to go whale watching. The ocean near Los Angeles and Orange counties is one of the few destinations in the world that has a thriving year-round whale population.

During the winter months, thousands of gray whales leave the cold Arctic Sea and follow the coastline to the warm waters of Southern California. Sightings of minke, humpback and even killer whales have been reported, in addition to several species of dolphins, sea lions and other types of marine life. Bring a camera, binoculars, sunscreen and a light jacket. Light concessions and beverages are available onboard or bring your own snack. Please arrive at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave. at 10:30 a.m. for check-in.

The bus will leave promptly at 11 a.m. and will return at 3:30 p.m.

The cost of this trip is $34 per person. An adult must accompany children of all ages. This trip is not ADA accessible. Participants must be able to walk up steps and board the ship on their own or bring an attendant to assist. Last day to register is Monday, Jan. 13 or until filled. Use activity #16041 for registration.

Spring Adult Softball Registration Register your team to play in the upcoming adult softball season. Adult softball leagues are organized and scheduled as follows: • Men’s Single Wall Bat- Friday evenings • Co-ed Single Wall Bat- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons • Bat Provided- Wednesday evenings (Men’s) and Thursday evenings (Co-ed) • Wood Bat- Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons; Registration dates are: • Spring season registration dates: Jan. 6-17 • Summer season registration dates: April 27-May 8 Online registration is available for all adult sports leagues. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog, click on Activities-Sports League.

Teams may also register in person at the Recreation and Community Services Department at Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Ave. Registration/Information packets are available online at www.lakewoodcity.org/sports. Teams may also obtain registration packets at the Recreation and Community Services Department, or call 562866-9771, extension 2408. Fees and other details are available in the packets. ♦

Your

Minding January 2020

Think smaller!

The New Year has finally arrived! An entire year has come and gone— almost in the blink of an eye. During this time, most of us tend to reassess our lives—what we’re leaving behind, and the possible future looming before us.

In the future we imagine, we see all we’re going to do; to accomplish in the next 12 months. And on Day 1 of the first of the year, possibilities abound. The fatigue hasn’t yet set in; our energy is strong, and our vision clear, unmuddied by obstacles and challenges.

As we look at the big picture, however, it’s good to remember that no matter how grand the fu-

ture, it takes many little steps to complete it. The problem with why most of us fail to attain our goals is because we think too big. We get lost and overwhelmed, and then tired and discouraged, and nothing comes to pass. And then another year is gone.

But what if we thought smaller?

What if we took tiny steps? Nothing crazy or overwhelming, just achievable steps that eventually create the picture we imagine? Everything would be doable, right?

We can have the future we want.

I’m in. Are you?

Submitted by Rossana Snee, MFT, author of The Healing Alphabet, 26 Empowering Ways to Enrich Your Life.

Follow her on www.youtube.com/channel/UCcigu_joKqgIelc6jhvecsw, Twitter, Instagram (@therapyXpress). Visit her at www.rossanasnee.com. She is available in a therapeutic capacity, and also for speaking engagements. ♦

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Business Page 3

Use a TAP card on Long Beach transit and Metro Rail

Use a TAP card on Long Beach transit and Metro Rail.

You can now easily pay for your trip across town or across the county with exact change, a TAP card or the new LBT smartphone app when boarding Long Beach Transit buses.

TAP is a program that allows you to get where you need to go across L.A. County on public transit without the hassle of carrying coins. Once you get a TAP card, you can load it electronically with transit passes, Stored Value (cash amount) or transfers.

(Cash is no longer accepted for transfers between transit agencies.) When you board a bus or train, simply tap your card on the TAP target to pay the fare, quickly and easily.

There are four ways to buy or reload a TAP card: • At Metro Rail stations using a TAP vending machine • Online at www.taptogo.net/ TAPPurchase • By phone at 866-827-8646 (866-TAPTOGO) • In person at a TAP vendor (find one by city or zip code at https:// www.taptogo.net/TAPLocator2) In Lakewood, you can reload TAP cards and obtain LIFE discount coupons at the Angelo Ia-

coboni Library, 4990 Clark Ave. For more information on the LIFE coupons for low-income residents, contact Human Services Association at 562-8060250 or www.hsala.org.

The TAP card system works across many transit systems.

Each system offers reduced fares with different requirements.

The newest option for payment is the LBT app. You can download it at www.way.com/ downloadtransitapp or through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Long Beach Transit offers

reduced fares for seniors (minimum age 62), customers with disabilities, K-12 students and college/trade school students.

To learn more about the fare discounts, visit www.ridelbt.com/ fares.

Lakewood seniors and disabled residents can get help preparing the reduced-fare application at Weingart Senior Center, 5220 Oliva Ave. Call 562-6306141 to request an appointment with the TAP case manager.

For more information, visit the TAP website at www.taptogo. net. ♦

News

Community Page 4

www.lakewoodchamber.com

City to directly manage trash and water billing

Starting in late December, there will be a largely behindthe-scenes change to Lakewood’s internal process for taking care of customer bills for water and trash service.

Fathom, the company that Lakewood had been contracting with to prepare trash and water bills and provide customer service about the bills, will be going out of business.

To replace Fathom, the city has decided to manage the process itself and use the same team of specialty subcontractors that Fathom used.

“That continuity means our bills and water-use website will look the same, and any hiccups in the transition will be kept to a minimum for our residents,” said Lakewood City Manager Thaddeus McCormack.

Residents will still write and mail checks to the “City of Lakewood.” Credit card numbers and banking information used for auto-payments with Fathom will still be valid— and in fact the credit card and bank data will be handled by the same company that was

used by Fathom. So, that data has been securely held and will not be transferred as part of this transition in billing vendors.

There will be no interruption in trash or water service to Lakewood residents. EDCO will continue to provide trash service city-wide, and the Lakewood Water Resources Department will continue to provide water service to its 20,000 customers who live west of the San Gabriel River. This change will not affect billing or service from Golden State Water Company to its 3,600 water customers who live east of the San Gabriel River in Lakewood.

“Having a contractor announce they are going out of business is obviously a cause for concern,” said Lakewood City Manager Thaddeus McCormack. “However, city staff worked hard to find a solution to the problem that will minimize any inconvenience to Lakewood residents and be cost neutral. We believe we’ve found that solution. We’ll continue working hard on this issue as we make the transition

and resolve any hiccups along the way.

“It is possible that there will be some hiccups along the way, such as times when the online system for making a payment is temporarily down. But please know that Lakewood city staff stand ready to work with our residents on any questions or problems they may have,” said McCormack. “The same phone number that connected to Fathom customer service will now connect to Lakewood city staff for customer service at 1-855785-4021. Customers can also contact City Hall via our direct number at 562-866-9771 or at Service1@lakewoodcity.org.

Questions about trash service itself can be directed to EDCO Disposal at 562-531-3054 or www.edcodisposal.com/lakewood.”

The first new bills to be issued by the city without Fathom are expected to arrive in early January, and may arrive a few days earlier or later than usual for the first billing cycle of 2020. But customers will still have the standard 33 days to pay after the bills have been issued.

It is possible that in the future, some changes will require action by residents, but McCormack said the city will work hard to minimize or prevent those changes and will notify residents well in advance of any action needed. ♦

January 2020

Changes to trash pickup and city services for January Lakewood City Hall will be open Dec. 30 to Jan. 3, except for Wednesday, Jan. 1. Here are trash and other city service details for that week: • Trash pick-up will not change for Monday and Tuesday trash customers. But for all other customers, your trash pickup will be delayed by one day. That means that Wednesday Jan. 1 pickups will happen on Thursday, Thursday pickups on Friday, and Friday pickups will happen on Saturday. Trash service will return to a normal schedule the week of Jan. 6.

• Street sweeping in residential areas will not occur Dec. 30Jan. 3. And there will be no street-sweeping related parking enforcement during those weeks. Street sweeping will resume on Monday, Jan. 6.

• DASH Transit service will not be available on Jan. 1.

On Monday, Jan. 20, Lakewood City Hall will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, but trash pickup and street sweeping will occur as usual.

When City Hall is closed, here is how you can report a non-emergency issue: • Call and leave a message for the customer service staff at 562866-9771, extension 2140 or send an email to service1@lakewoodcity.org. They will answer messages on the next business day.

• Submit a non-emergency service request online at www.lakewoodcity.org/service.

• Use the Lakewood Connect app for your smartphone to report an issue, ask a question or give input to the City of Lakewood.

The app is available for free from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

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 24-hour city emergency staff worker.

For questions or requests regarding trash and disposal services, contact EDCO Disposal at 562-531-3054. ♦

News

Community

January 2020

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‘Thank a Servicemember’ wraps up on a big note

Smiling alongside her brother and sister-in-law Dale and Linda Manis, Vickie Manis (center) displays some of the 100 hand painted cards she made for Lakewood’s Thank a Servicemember campaign.

Nearly 4,500 holiday greeting cards for U.S. military servicemembers stationed overseas were collected this year from Lakewood residents, businesses and community groups.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to write out a holiday greeting,” said Mayor Todd Rogers. “And an extra big thankyou to the people and organizations who collected large numbers of cards.”

“A lot of cards were filled out

by Lakewood seniors,” said Rogers, “including 101-year-old Alleen Cooper, who writes letters to servicemembers almost every day and has written nearly 8,000 during her life. Those cards and letters will be brightening a servicemember’s day far, far away in just a few weeks.”

Another special participant in this year’s campaign was Vickie Manis, who took the time to hand paint 100 lovely cards. Her brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Linda Manis, have been Lakewood residents for 50 years and are active in the community.

Inspired by their involvement with Lakewood, Vickie got in the spirit this holiday and not only participated in this card-

collection campaign, but with volunteering with Project Shep-

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herd as well.

Rogers and Lakewood City Council members joined hundreds of residents at a “Lakewood Celebrates” reception on Dec. 10 to wrap up this year’s program.

This is the sixth year in a row that the City of Lakewood has organized the holiday greeting effort as a show of appreciation for U.S. servicemembers. The city designed a special holiday postcard that could be used, and people also used their own cards and letters.

Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ TAS for a list of the schools, businesses, churches and community groups that helped. ♦

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January 2020

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Volunteer Day seeks project Some Lakewood parking reminders sites in Lakewood

City employees enjoy volunteering together to help the community.

One of Lakewood’s enduring traditions is Volunteer Day, where residents of all ages help

their neighbors in need and make the community a better place.

The Volunteer Day program is looking for project sites for its Saturday, April 25, 2020 cleanup and fix-up event. More than 500 volunteers will fan out on that day to locations throughout Lakewood to donate a morning’s work to help their neighbors in need. Teams of volunteers 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 project and meet the selection criteria, please go to www.lakewoodcity.org/volunteerdaysite or call the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512. ♦

Remember when parking your car in your driveway and driveway apron to NOT block or overhang the sidewalk. That causes a hazard for pedestrians, especially disabled pedestrians, and is a violation of the American with Disabilities Act and the Lakewood municipal code.

Parking is not allowed in alleys as they are considered a passage way and parked vehicles inhibit

traffic flow. You will not see any “No Parking” signs posted, as they are not required under California law. You may temporarily park in an alley only on your streetsweeping day. Please move your vehicle back into the street by the end of your street-sweeping day in the neighborhood track.

For more information, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/Parkingtips ♦

Green January 2020

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Living

Don’t tolerate illegal dumping!

Call to report illegally dumped items.

To keep Lakewood clean and attractive, the city encourages residents to report anyone dumping in alleys and parkways. It’s a violation of the law, and the city will pursue illegal dumpers.

If you see dumping in action, get the license plate number and description of the perpetrators, and call the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station business line at 562-6233500. To report material that’s already been dumped, call City Hall at 562-866-9771, extension 2140.

“The city is implementing a number of new efforts to crack down on illegal dumping…and to keep Lakewood beautiful,” said Mayor Todd Rogers.

“Lakewood residential trash customers have plenty of options for disposing of large and bulky items free of charge, so there’s no reason for anyone to illegally dump. It’s irresponsible, against the law, and costs our city taxpayers time and money to pick up,” said Rogers.

Residential trash customers can call Lakewood’s disposal contractor, EDCO, at 562-531-3054, before 3:30 p.m. at least one day prior to your regular trash collection day for a free Bulky Item Pickup.

It’s a convenient way to get rid of large, unwanted household items, including mattresses, water heaters, sofas and chairs. Lakewood customers get six free Bulky Item Pickups a year of up to six items each time. Lakewood residents are fortunate because most cities pro-

vide fewer pickups a year. Lakewood’s Bulky Item Pickup service resumes on Jan. 9.

The City of Lakewood encourages residents to consider giving unwanted items a second life by having them re-used rather than disposed. There are numerous local shelters, non-profits, repair shops and thrift stores that may be willing to take unwanted household items. Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/bulkystuff for a list of local agencies that welcome donations. Some even pick up for free.

E-waste, such as TVs and computer equipment, can also be disposed of for free through a Bulky Item Pickup or at EDCO’s transfer station at 2755 California Ave., Signal Hill on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hazardous waste like paint, oil and household chemicals can also be dropped off at EDCO’s transfer station. Go to

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www.lakewoodcity.org/specialtrash for more information. Ewaste and hazardous waste should not be placed in your regular trash.

Lakewood apartment residents should talk with their property managers about programs they have in place to dispose of bulky items. Apartment residents and others can take mattresses and other bulky items to EDCO’s transfer station in Signal Hill for a reasonable fee. The station is open seven days a week for these disposals.

For hours and other details, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/EDCOtransferstation. ♦

News

Community Page 8

Sign up your business for the Lakewood Chamber softball league

Established in 2006, the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Co-Ed Softball League is a family-oriented league that brings together local businesses to play slow-pitch softball. Games are held on Wednesday evenings at San Martin Park in Lakewood during both spring and summer seasons, and all are invited to this community event.

Registration for the Spring 2020 Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Co-Ed Softball League is starting soon, and new teams are always welcome! If you’re a member of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and are interested in signing up your team (or joining one), please contact the Chamber office at (562) 531-9733 or email info@ lakewoodchamber.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for interested businesses or organizations. ♦

www.lakewoodchamber.com.

January 2020

Lakewood Thousands see Lakewood Youth Sports snowfall and tree lighting Hall of Fame tickets on sale Tickets for the 39th annual Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be on sale at City Hall starting Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The awards banquet is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at The Centre and will honor the 2019 Athlete of the Year and more than 25 other deserving athletes and coaches.

Awards include the "Larry Van Nostran Future Star Award" which honors a freshman athlete with the most outstanding achievements in a sport. The award is named after Lakewood's longest-serving council 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. 6, discounted tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students; if purchased between Feb. 7 and 14, ticket prices are $36 and $26 respectively.

Reservation deadline is Feb. 14.

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

Tree and sleigh provide festive holiday backdrop for photos.

On Dec. 6, more than 2,000 residents braved the initial wet weather and gathered for Lakewood’s 6th Annual Tree Lighting outside The Centre.

Though the afternoon rain did greet guests at the kickoff of the event, the skies cleared up in time for official program and countdown to the first lighting of the season for the 24-foottall tree.

“Snow” flurries whirled high above and slowly descended down to the delight of children of all ages. Ten gourmet food trucks, face painting, free carnival games and photo stations with colorful backdrops and costumed characters engaged attendees. Dickens carolers

also provided a festive seasonal assortment of vocal melodies.

Santa Claus arrived by fire truck, courtesy of Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 45, who brought him in a big hook and ladder truck and delivered him to an enthusiastic crowd. The newly selected Greater Lakewood Court escorted Santa to the stage, joining the Lakewood City Council and Lakewood Center Senior Property Manager Deena Henry to partake in the tree lighting countdown.

The Lakewood CityTV video of the festivities can be viewed at www.lakewoodcity.org/treevideo. ♦

Lakewood Women’s Club

The Lakewood Women’s Club’s next monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at the Sycamore Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. Members will be celebrating the club’s 67th birthday.

Meeting will be at 11:00 am, lunch at 12:00 pm, and the program at 1:00 pm. This month’s program will feature entertainment by singer Joe Tater. For lunch reservations, call Arlene Roos at 562-863-4933.

The Women’s Club concentrates on civic projects to help improve the lives of others in the area and we welcome others to join us! We support many organizations and this month, the members will meet to create Valentine cards for the patients at the Long Beach VA Hospital.

For more information on The Lakewood Women’s Club, as well as their evening meetings held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm, feel free to call Sandra Reprogle Richardson at 562-866-8410.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! ♦

January 2020

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Community

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SH P LAKEWOOD

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on the piano every Fri. • Free Banquet Room (20-100 people)

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Phone: 562-421-8908

January 2020

Unlock your full potential with Toastmasters

Are you interested in improving your communication and building leadership skills? Do you have difficulty expressing yourself in your personal and workplace relationships?

Since 1924, Toastmasters International, a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills, has helped millions of men and women become more confident when communicating with their peers.

Upper Crust, the local Lakewood branch of Toastmasters, is inviting new members to discover the benefits of improving their interpersonal communication in a supportive and interactive environment. Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings at 11:30 am at the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, 24 Lakewood Center Mall, next to See’s Candies.

For more information on Upper Crust, please visit their website at www.uppercrust.toastmastersclub. org or call Rick Harenburg at (714) 478-4529. ♦

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 August 2019, we have donated 2 tons of pet food through the Grandpaws Foundation 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:

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Happy New Year from the staff at Nguyen Dental!

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A new year means renewed benefits for most insurance. Call us and we can help you understand your benefits.

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

Advertise in the Lakewood Community News! Call or email for our New Year’s advertising rates!

(562) 531-9733 advertise@lakewoodchamber. com

SH P LAKEWOOD January 2020

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SH P LAKEWOOD

State of the City tickets on sale

Lakewood’s annual State of the City Luncheon is set for Wednesday, Jan. 22 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 early-bird deadline for reservations is Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. Reservations are $32 per person, and tables of nine can be reserved for $288 if purchased by 5 p.m. on Jan. 9. From Jan. 10 through Jan. 15, reservations are $42 per person. Seating is not guaranteed after Jan. 15, 2020.

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 Jan. 29.

The program will review the accomplishments of the past year, the challenges ahead, 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. ♦

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

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Record number of funds and grants for Lakewood classrooms

Riley Elementary School teachers who won grants, with LEF President Todd Rogers, far right, and Vice President Steve Croft, far left.

The Lakewood Education Foundation recently gave out its 2019 classroom improvement grants to 22 Lakewood schools, and LEF was able to fulfill 117 requests totaling $55,615. That’s a record for the organization in its 17 years of giving in Lake-

wood.

LEF funds classroom teaching tool requests from Lakewood teachers up to $500 each. This year, LEF saw an increase in the number of requests for Raz-kids reading software program and educational field trips to aquari-

ums, museums, the opera, Catalina, and the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

“We want to extend a huge ‘thank-you’ to everyone who donated to LEF this past year,” said LEF President Todd Rogers and Vice President Steve Croft.

“Your generosity of any amount over the past year really does make it to classrooms where it provides a positive boost to our kids’ education.”

An annual fireworks stand, Columbus Day golf tournament, and hundreds of individual donations raise the annual support funding. After very modest expenses, 100% of donations reach kids in Lakewood classrooms.

See a video about LEF at www. lakewoodcity.org/LEFvideo.

Donating can be done year round at www.lakewoodcity.org/ donateLEF. ♦

Pick up your pencil and put your brain to work Congratulations to the winner of the December Sudoku puzzle, Trudy Hollmann! 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 winner will be drawn on Monday, January 20, 2020, 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 February issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle. ♦

Thank You to our Sudoku Sponsor!

Save money on your annual property tax The Office of L.A. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang is reminding residents to file for the “Homeowners’ Exemption” to save $70 a year on their property taxes. An owner only needs to apply one time, and the exemption is then deducted from your property taxes every year automatically.

To receive the $70 exemption, you must own the home and it must be your principal residence on January 1. Apply using Form BOE-266 (Claim for Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption) from the County Assessor’s website at https://tinyurl.com/savehometax.

New property owners will automatically receive a Claim for Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption. Homeowners’ Exemptions may also apply to a supplemental assessment if the prior owner did not claim the exemption. Further instructions are included with the claim form.

Call 213-974-3211 or 888807-2111 for forms and additional information. ♦

News

Community January 2020

Lakewood Run is just around the corner!

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

Rain or shine, the Lakewood Run returns the morning of Saturday, March 7, 2020 when Sheriff’s deputies, 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 Lakewood Run website 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.

All participants will be supporting Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach and Lakewood Sheriff’s Station charity efforts while they pursue their personal best in the 5K/10K for time, or run or walk for fun in this family-friendly event.

Early registration will be $35 until Jan. 31, $40 from Feb. 1 through March 6, 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. ♦

www.lakewoodchamber.com

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