Lakewood Community News - January 2021

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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 41 Number 1

Meet the residents serving on city commissions

Community Safety Commissioners (clockwise from upper left) Linda Quarto, Ben Maleki, Lourdes Baez, Erin Stibal, Sarah Mendoza.

Like most California cities, Lakewood has several commissions composed of residents who advise the City Council and perform some of the initial reviews of resident requests on particular matters. In Lakewood, each commission has five members, with the five City Council Members each appointing one commissioner.

The Community Safety Commission studies traffic control and related issues and reviews resident requests for disabled parking spots in front of their homes.

The Community Safety Commissioners are: • Linda Quarto, who has lived in Lakewood for 31 years, and with her husband

Bob owns Foggia Italian Market & Deli. Linda is the current Chair of the Commission.

• Ben Maleki, who has lived in Lakewood for 25 years.

He’s an Aircraft Load Planner for FedEx Express. Ben is the current Vice Chair of the Commission.

• Lourdes Baez, who has lived in Lakewood for 24 years. She’s employed as the Registrar at St. Anthony High School in Long Beach.

• Erin Stibal, who has lived in Lakewood most of her life. She, her son and her mom all graduated from Mayfair High School. She is the Administrative Services Manager for the L.A. Coun-

ty Sheriff’s Department’s Facilities Services Bureau.

• Sarah Mendoza, who has lived in Lakewood for all of her 24 years. She recently completed college and graduate school, and was working at Fox Sports in the Spanish Department prior to being furloughed when COVID hit. She volunteers with several Lakewood community groups, including the Pan Am Association and Rotary Club.

Coming up in future editions will be spotlights on the members of Lakewood’s Planning and Environment Commission and Recreation and Community Services Commission. ♦

January 2021

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 Jan. 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 888-807-2111 for forms and additional information. ♦

Virtual Lakewood Run is right around the corner!

The Lakewood Run returns on Saturday, March 6, 2021 in a brand new way, given COVID-19 restrictions. The 2021 race will be virtual, with 30 days to complete it.

Here’s how the 2021 Virtual Lakewood Run will work: • All registration must be done online in advance as there is no on-site registration currently planned. Register at www.lakewoodrun. com and check for updates closer to race day.

• Participants will download a virtual “race map” from the Lakewood Run website in March. The race begins on March 6, 2021 and participants have 30 days to visit 30 local businesses for fun giveaways and discounts.

• Registered participants

will receive their choice of a specially designed T-shirt or half zip (see registration details).

• Every participant will receive a medal, but those who have participated for five years in a row will receive a special legacy medal to mark their achievement.

Registration pricing: Early bird (register by Jan. 31, 2021): T-Shirt - $35 Half Zip - $45 Feb. 1 through March 5, 2021: T-Shirt - $45 Half Zip - $55 As always, proceeds support Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach and the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station and their many charity efforts in our community.

Businesses that are interested in sponsorship opportunities and participating in the virtual race day map can contact Joy Janes at joyjanes@outlook.com.

For details and to register, visit www.lakewoodrun. com. ♦

Today

Lakewood

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What’s ahead in Lakewood for 2021?

By Mayor Todd Rogers

These final days of December are a good time to reflect on what’s happened in the year gone by and to look ahead to all that we want to accomplish in the new year.

The year 2020 was like none other in recent American history, with COVID grabbing the headlines and our attention for much of the year, and tragically bringing sickness and death to hundreds of thousands of Americans.

We are all hoping that 2021 is a much better year…with one or more vaccines becoming widely available and eventually putting an end to this horrible pandemic and returning us back to normal lives.

What does 2021 hold for us right here in Lakewood?

First, the City of Lakewood will continue to focus on ways to help our residents and businesses suffering from the impacts of COVID, including economic losses.

We’ll continue to partner with Meals on Wheels and community non-profits to provide help to our seniors and others who rely on those services ever more so during this pandemic.

We’ll continue to look for ways to create our traditional warm community feeling in Lakewood, even if we can’t yet get together physically as in the past. Drive-In Movie Nights at Lakewood Center mall are one example, and we’ll keep looking for other ways too.

The city will lobby our federal legislators for more COVID relief funding. Lakewood provided two rounds of funding totaling over $600,000 to 168 restaurants and small businesses in 2020 and we’ll look to do more when additional relief funds hopefully become available in the new year.

We’ll also use our city voice to lobby the county and state to try to make sure COVID restrictions on businesses are based on science and are not more restrictive than necessary. We want everyone to be safe…and we want our residents to have jobs and businesses so they are able to maintain their livelihoods. We know it’s a tough balancing act, but we will continue to fight on behalf of our residents and businesses on both the public health and economic fronts.

The city will also work hard to ensure that the Lakewood community is fully considered when decisions are made about vaccine distribution. If we can be of help in using city staff or facilities to get the vaccine out quickly to our residents, we want to do that.

Measure L that Lakewood residents passed in March came along at a very fortunate time for our city. It has truly helped Lakewood weather the financial storm of COVID. Many other cities around us are having to cut services to residents and lay off employees because of COVID-related revenue losses. Lakewood has been able to maintain full services to residents, including seniors and others who especially need the help from their local government now.

In 2021, the city will start fulfilling even more of the promises made to residents as part of Measure L. We’ll begin construction projects to upgrade community infrastructure that had fallen

into disrepair in recent years as the state took away our local funds.

We’ll also have the resources to maintain and enhance our longstanding focus on having a safe community.

We’ve just hired several new civilian public safety staff who will provide extra support services that free up Deputy Sheriffs to spend more time on patrol and answering calls for service. The civilian staff will also expand our community engagement efforts. Until COVID is passed, some of that engagement work will require creativity, and you can expect to see more virtual community meetings with our Deputy Sheriff personnel, facilitated by our civilian staff.

The coming year will also see continued work by the city and our residents on the Community Dialogue, the effort started in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. We’ve received input from several hundred Lakewood residents in the past few months, with many recommendations, and we will be continuing the dialogue with residents and implementing the most feasible of those recommendations in the new year. The overall effort is designed to build on all the good in Lakewood and make our community the safest and most welcoming place it can be, for everyone.

I imagine a lot of people share the view that we can’t wait for 2020 to be over…to give it the boot if you will… and for us to start 2021 with the hope that we will have a much brighter, happier year ahead and a return to normalcy before the year is out.

On behalf of my Lakewood City Council colleagues, I wish you and your family the very best for a happy, prosperous, safe and much more normal New Year! ♦

January 2021

City Spotlight Spring Recreation Catalog online The new Lakewood Recreation and Community Services Spring Catalog will be posted online over Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend at www.lakewoodcity.org/catalog. The new catalog features virtual and outdoor activities for participants of all ages.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Lakewood is committed to providing programs and services to the extent allowed by the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

The catalog’s availability through the city’s webpage allows for the most up-todate information. As always, many classes are free or low cost.

Residents can register for classes and programs online starting Jan. 15, 2021 at www.lakewoodcity.org/ ecatalog, or by calling City Hall at 562-866-9771, extension 2408. For details and to register for classes, visit www.lakewoodcity. org/ecatalog and enter the activity number from the catalog description. Nonresident registration begins Jan. 25, 2021.

Spring recreation programs will begin on Monday, Feb. 1 and run through June 2021.

Virtual Travel Trips Take a trip from your living room! We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has limited in-person social, recreational, leisure, and cultural experiences with

quarantining, social distancing and venue closures.

That has been no exception for the City of Lakewood’s day travel program.

Until venues are allowed to reopen and day trips can return, we are happy to provide our community with links to Southern California venues providing virtual experiences with online tours, educational programming, online performances, interviews and other unique opportunities. Virtual travel trips include links to visit the Huntington Museum, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and California Science Center. For links to these virtual experiences, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ travelprograms. Programs at each venue change frequently so go back and visit often!

Distance-learning support for kids The city’s Park Alternative Learning Sites (PALS) program offers weekly sessions at three locations to support Lakewood families who have elementary school-aged children in distance learning.

PALS is offered at Boyar Park, Lakewood Youth Center and Mayfair Park Monday through Friday (except designated school holidays) for children in first through fifth grades from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 4-29, 2021.

For Lakewood residents, the rate is $130 per week.

Tuition assistance is available on a limited basis (Cont'd. on Pg. 3)

Your

Minding www.lakewoodchamber.com

January 2021

Heroes honored with special ceremony and video

Mayor Todd Rogers with AOV honoree Dr. Reverend Candace Kelly.

Every November, Lakewood honors the brave acts of heroism demonstrated by the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department, as well as good Samaritans and volunteers from Lakewood who protect and serve our community.

While the Award of Valor event traditionally draws over 400 people to a luncheon, the current pandemic spurred the City of Lakewood to reimag-

ine the event for this year.

Instead, with everyone masked and physically distanced, several dozen honorees met individually with Lakewood City Council Members at a small, private outdoor ceremony with staggered appointments.

The Bridge Builder Award was a new award presented this year, recognizing a Lakewood resident, organization or program creating community partnerships, enhancing

the sense of safety in the city, and working to ensure that Lakewood is a welcoming place to live, work and visit.

The award was recommended by residents at an online town hall that was part of the ongoing Community Dialogue in Lakewood. The 2020 recipients of the award are the members of the city’s Interfaith Council, a group of religious leaders from Lakewood working with the City Council on issues related to racial equity and dialogue in addressing community concerns.

The community reaction to the looting that occurred in Lakewood on May 31 led to several groups and individuals being honored for helping the city maintain order, prevent further destruction and loss, and clean up the following day. Honorees included the men and women of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station who made 20 arrests on the night of May 31 and deterred many other potential looters, the Greater Lakewood Chamber

of Commerce and their volunteers for clean-up work, and staff from the City of Lakewood involved in quickly boarding up businesses and installing water-filled barriers and supporting the Sheriff’s Station in its work.

The final award of the ceremony was a surprise from City Council Members to Mayor Todd Rogers for his actions over many hours on the night of May 31 when he stood guard at several businesses to prevent them from being looted and when he took part in the overall effort to protect the city.

Lakewood CityTV filmed the awards being given out and produced a compelling video that showcases the honorees and describes all the acts of heroism and outstanding service. It is hosted by KABCTV news anchor and reporter Veronica Miracle. You can view the video at www.lakewoodcity.org/AOVvideo.

The City of Lakewood thanks Lakewood Center, Soroptimists International of Lakewood/Long Beach, and the Rotary Club of Lakewood for their cosponsorship of the Award of Valor. ♦

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City Spotlight (Con't.d from Pg. 2)

through the Lakewood Project Shepherd program. The non-resident rate is $145 per week.

For more details, see the flyer at www.lakewoodcity. org/PALS. PALS offers a safe atmosphere for children to complete their schoolwork and participate in virtual learning while in a group setting of one adult to ten children.

Participants must provide their own laptop or tablet with webcam, but each site will provide ample bandwidth to support all the devices on the network simultaneously.

Face coverings and daily temperature checks are required for safety.

Space is limited. If registration minimum is not met, participants may be transferred to another site.

Visit www.lakewoodcity. org/ecatalog and enter PALS in the search box to register.

For more information, including applying a 10% sibling discount for a second child, call City Hall at 562866-9771, extension 2408. ♦

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January 2021

January 2021

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January 2021

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How to Make Kids’ Birthdays Why now is the best time Special While Social Distancing ever to learn to play piano

(StatePoint) While some of the traditions of a typical birthday are not possible these days, parents can find new ways to celebrate these important milestones. Here are a few ideas for making your child’s upcoming birthday feel special: • Host a Virtual Party: Use video conferencing tools to host a party for your child. Consider

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picking a theme or activity for the event. Start with a meet and greet and then dive right in -- from painting and pottery to sing-alongs and science projects, there are many fun themes that work well from a distance.

Remember to tell all your guests in advance what they will need to participate or even drop off pre-made goody bags with supplies and snacks to celebrate.

• Plan a Drive-by Birthday Parade: These days, drive-by celebration parades are all the rage for graduations, birthdays and more -- and this is for good reason. What better way to honor a special occasion than by seeing everyone you love? Tell friends and family what time to drive by, encouraging participants to

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use signs, music, balloons and banners to make a splash.

• Give Fun Gifts: Don’t forget the presents! Colorful, interactive toys will brighten the occasion, making your child’s birthday and year to come special. Consider Myla’s Sparkling Friends from VTech, a new collection of interactive toys that talk, sing and light up with a kaleidoscope of colors. With flapping wings and tail feathers that wag, colorful accessories and unique songs and sayings, this line -- which includes Mia the Unicorn, Ava the Fox, Penny the Peacock and more – is packed with value at a great giftable price.

• Take an Outing: Parents comfortable doing so might consider planning a socially distanced picnic in the park. Bring your child’s favorite foods, treats and games for a fun-filled day.

Birthdays may look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean your family can’t celebrate. Virtual parties, gifts and special greetings can give your child a sense of normalcy and make them feel special on their birthday. ♦

(StatePoint) As the weather grows cold and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities nationwide, many people are spending more time at home.

If that describes you, and you’re looking for new ways to fill the time and perhaps improve your mood, consider learning to play the piano.

Playing piano may be beneficial to your wellness in a number of key ways. Here are a few insights into why now is the best time ever to learn -- or hone -this skill: • It sharpens the mind: Playing piano helps improve cognitive function and memory. At a time when it’s very easy to turn to passive activities like scrolling through social media apps, playing piano presents a beneficial alternative that keeps the mind active and has even been shown to promote healthy aging.

• It’s good for your mood: Playing an instrument, such as piano, can reduce stress and anxiety, providing much needed relief during this challenging time.

• It may boost immunity: You are probably well-aware of the value of vitamin C, but did

you know that music may provide similar benefits? Research conducted by the University of Sussex in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute discovered a correlation between playing an instrument and a stronger immune system.

• It’s easier than ever to get started: New tools are making it easier than ever to build piano skills and create music at home.

For example, Casio keyboards, which range from small and portable to upright piano-sized, have built-in features that make learning easy and continuing to play rewarding. Connect the keyboard to the Chordana Play app to play included songs or add MIDI files. The app generates a music score from the file and detects chords, too, making it easy for beginners to learn.

Once you master the instrument, use the keyboard’s remixing and recording tools to compose and capture your music. To learn more, visit www. casiomusicgear.com.

Have some extra time on your hands these days at home?

Put those hands to good use by learning to play piano. ♦

Get the "Inside Scoop" on public safety

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The City of Lakewood's Public Safety Department announces “Inside Scoop,” a monthly video series showcasing important messages and tips to keep you safe.

With each short video, you'll learn new information about the ways Lakewood promotes safety within the community, and you’ll get to know the friendly faces of law enforcement, fire and other community partners.

Examples include videos on home burglary prevention and fumigation burglary prevention.

See the Inside Scoop videos at www.lakewoodcity. org/Scoop. ♦

Green January 2021

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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 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 provide fewer pickups a year. Lakewood’s Bulky Item Pickup service resumes on Jan. 11.

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 dona-

tions. 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 www.lakewoodcity.org/specialtrash for more information. E-waste 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. ♦

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Grants available to low-income residents for home repairs Using special federal and other housing funds, the City of Lakewood administers a program that offers grants of up to $3,000 and interest-free, deferred-payment loans of up to $18,000 for lowincome residents to repair and rehabilitate their homes.

The new year is a great time to get started on those long-awaited home repairs.

To qualify, your home must be a single-family, owner-occupied dwelling in Lakewood. The family must meet the income limits set by the federal government, which are

$63,100 for a resident living alone, and $90,100 for a household of four. (Income limits adjust based on household size.) Other restrictions apply.

The smaller $3,000 grants never need to be paid back. The larger loans only need to be paid back when the house is sold or refinanced or the title is transferred.

For information on the type of improvements covered by the program and how to qualify, call City Hall at 562866-9771, extension 2320 or go to www.lakewoodcity.org/HomeRehabProgram. ♦

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SH P LAKEWOOD

Thank A Servicemember campaign gets boost from 102 year-old

Alleen Cooper with some of her postcards to military servicemembers.

For the seventh consecutive year, Lakewood’s “Thank a Servicemember” campaign invited residents, businesses and community groups to take a moment to share their appreciation for U.S. servicemembers serving overseas.

Each year, the city designs a special postcard for the effort, and this year’s card contains the message “Though distant, you’re still close to our hearts…from Lakewood, California.”

Several individuals and

groups helped significantly with this year’s efforts.

Original Lakewood resident Alleen Cooper has been a dedicated composer of letters to our troops, penning 8,000-plus over many years, going back to World War II. Even at 102, Alleen has remained steadfast in her commitment to correspondence with servicemembers with an impressive 102 letters this year (yes, one for each of her years)! She continues to be Lakewood’s superstar letter-writer.

And while the majority of children have been in distance-learning mode, several participated in the campaign. “On behalf of the Lakewood City Council, I want to give a a virtual high five of appreciation to the children of Riley Elementary School, Boy Scout Troop 65, Camp Fire Tuhwaki Ahma Group, Pony Time at Lakewood Equestrian Center and Bethany Lutheran GEMS who added nearly 200 to our total,” said Mayor Todd Rogers.

Since the launch of Lakewood's 'Thank a Servicemember' campaign in 2014, more than 35,000 cards, letters and even hand-drawn pictures crafted by Lakewood residents, businesses and community groups have been sent to U.S. military servicemembers stationed overseas during the holidays. They are shipped via the military support group Operation Gratitude.

Safety was a priority in this year’s letter-writing campaign, and participants had several options to get involved that were contactfree.

“Now, more than ever, our servicemembers deserve our gratitude for their continued sacrifices,” said Mayor Rogers. “Thank you for all who took the time to give Lakewood’s appreciation to the brave men and women who defend our freedoms and keep us safe.” ♦

Happy New Year from the staff at Lakewood!

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...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

January 2021

Upcoming changes to trash pickup and city services Lakewood City Hall will be closed Dec. 28 through Jan. 1. Here are trash and other city service details for that week: • Trash pick-up for the week of Dec. 28 will not change for Monday through Thursday trash customers. But for Friday customers, your trash pick-up will be delayed by one day. That means that Friday pickups will happen on Saturday.

• Street sweeping in residential areas will occur as normal Dec. 28-31, and the City of Lakewood will not issue street sweeping-parking citations due to the Stay at Home order. There will be no street sweeping on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and no make-up sweeps for those two days.

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

On Monday, Jan. 18, 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.

There will be no street sweeping-parking citations issued.

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 562-866-9771, 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. ♦

SH P LAKEWOOD January 2021

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SH P LAKEWOOD

LYS Sports Skills Camp registration is open through January 14

The City of Lakewood is offering a free LYS Sports Skills Camp for boys and girls ages 4-14 at Bolivar, Del Valle and Mayfair Parks twice a week from Jan. 19 through March 6. Camps are co-ed.

Registration is open online Dec. 28 through Jan. 14.

Camp for the 4-5 and 6-7 age groups will take place every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning. Camp for the 8-9, 10-11 and 12-14 age groups will run every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. Camp will focus on basic basketball skills and drills, along with overall physical conditioning drills. The final meeting of the skills camp on March 6 will be a basketball skills

week for a health screening/ temperature check. All participants must wear a face covering. Activities will be physically distanced and all shared equipment will be sanitized between uses.

Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog and use keyword LYS to search for LYS Sports Skills Camp.

For more information, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ sportscamp or call 562-866challenge/competition for 9771. ♦ participants in each age group.

Participants in the 4-7 Home Office Essentials to Streamline age groups will participate your personal and professionin basketball drills only, foal life with a visual cue that cusing on developing skills indicates when the work day in dribbling, passing and has started and when it’s endshooting. There will be no ed. That cue could be the straend of skills camp competitegic use of a room divider to tion for participants in these hide personal items and keep age groups.

(StatePoint) If you’ve been you focused. Or, it could be Participants will register working remotely for months, as simple as plopping a desk for time slots based on age you’re likely long overdue lamp onto the kitchen table group. Participants will be for a home office upgrade. during work hours to give the broken up into pods of no Having the right tools can surface a professional, taskmore than 10 participants make working from home oriented feel. per pod. Exact time and lo- easier and less stressful.

• Number crunching: Make cation for each age group is Here are a few small tweaks number crunching and resubject to change depend- and essentials to consider: cordkeeping easy with a printing on overall registration • Scene change: Is your home ing calculator. With Cost/ numbers. Participants must “office” actually the kitchen Sell/Margin functionality as arrive 10 minutes prior to table or a couch? Keep a well as the ability to check scheduled start time each healthy boundary between and correct up to 150 steps

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

Your Work Week and print after correction, Casio’s HR-170RC is a versatile choice. Printing two lines per second with two-color printing, you can quickly produce paper records of your work for more organized files. With its small footprint, plus calendar and clock functionality, it can help you streamline your desk for a clutter-free, fashionable workspace.

• Caffeine fix: Now that your cup of joe is being enjoyed at home most mornings, consider upgrading your coffee maker to fit your tastes and your demanding schedule.

If you miss the latte or cappuccino you used to grab on your morning commute, it may be time to replace your standard drip machine with a full-fledged cappuccino and café latte maker. Or, consider going high-tech. New coffee maker models employing smart technology let you brew from bed using just your phone for a guaranteed caffeine fix by your early morning call.

• Get the full picture: If you were accustomed to a fullsized desktop monitor at work, but have working on a laptop at home, you may find you are more productive by adding an external monitor to your home office setup.

With it looking more likely that remote working situations are here to stay, it’s time to make your home office work for you. ♦

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January 2021

Virtual Tree Lighting program and Lakewood’s caring spirit: fireworks show light up Lakewood Donate to help others

Santa made a special appearance at the virtual Tree Lighting event.

Lakewood residents were treated to a very different, very special kind of tree lighting program this year.

Every December since

2014, the community has shown up in throngs to the Lakewood Civic Center for the popular Lakewood Tree Lighting event where free

games, costumed characters and food trucks offered a safe, family-friendly evening. But in a year unlike any other, the city had to prioritize safety and adhere to guidelines, yet still found a way to celebrate the season safely and virtually.

Streamed live on Dec. 4, viewers enjoyed a short virtual program featuring Lakewood City Council and a special guest from the North Pole. Shortly after the city's 24-foot-tall tree was lit for the first time this year, a grand fireworks show launched across three sites in Lakewood that offered residents, regardless of their neighborhood, a good view from their own yards. Those who tuned in to the live show enjoyed some complementary holiday music as a soundtrack to the fireworks display.

To relive the magic, enjoy the video at www.lakewoodcity.org/TreeVideo. ♦

There's a deep tradition in Lakewood of residents and businesses donating and volunteering for those in need and the city as a whole.

That caring spirit creates a strong community that benefits everyone. It's part of what's made for a good quality of life in Lakewood for over 65 years.

As we look forward to a

new year, there are many of our neighbors facing difficult times due to COVID-19. If you are able, please consider donating to a charitable organization helping people in need in our community.

Please visit www.lakewoodcity.org/Donate for links to well-known and reputable organizations in the Lakewood area that you can donate to online. Any size donation will be put to good use. ♦

Lakewood parking reminders

Parking rules are designed for an orderly and safe neighborhood.

Remember when parking and driveway apron to NOT your car in your driveway block or overhang the sidewalk. That causes a hazard for pedestrians, especially disabled pedestrians, and is a violation of the Americans 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 street-sweeping day and time. Please move your vehicle back onto the street by the end of the street-sweeping day and time in your neighborhood track.

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

Advertise in the award winning Lakewood Community News! Call or email us at (562) 5319733 or advertise@ lakewoodchamber.com.

Town

Around January 2021

The Lakewood Garden Club has not been meeting as of late due to the pandemic. We miss our members and hopefully can begin again this coming year. Meetings are held at Del Valle Park on the 4th Thursday of every month at 11am, and we always welcome visitors. We will announce when meetings will resume later this year.

Happy New Year!

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Pick up your pencil and lets play Sudoku!

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Sudoku

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To be eligible for a Foggia's gift card, 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 #24 Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood. The winners the winner will be drawn on Friday, January 21, are drawn by random.

One entry per household; 2021, 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. ♌

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Thanks to our Sudoku sponsor!

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www.lakewoodchamber.com

January 2021