Sky's the Limit Chamber celebrates local service clubs

The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce's August Mixer will be a little different next month where local businesses will turn the light on Lakewood Service Clubs.

The Lakewood community came out strong for the City of Lakewood's 2023 annual Block Party. In partnership with the Lakewood Center Mall, and other community partners, the City of Lakewood celebrates the 4th of July by closing off the Civic Center, along Clark Avenue, to celebrate America's Independence with its residents.

Hosted by Farmers & Merchants Bank, in collaboration with the City of Lakewood's 2023 Leadership Academy, the Chamber's August Mixer will pay tribute to all of the City's non-profit organizations, also known as local service clubs that are dedicated to the empowerment and betterment of the City of Lakewood.

"Our monthly Mixers give our Chamber members an opportunity to network and support one another," said GLCC President & CEO Jose Solache. "Our August Mixer will be the first to honor our service clubs, and give us, the business community, an opportunity to thank and celebrate the important work that our non-profits do in our community."

Starlight Cinemas re-opening vacant theater in Lakewood

Dan Akarakian, owner of Starlight Cinemas, remembers the first time he sat inside the 60-year-old Lakewood movie theater like it was yesterday. The theater, he said, had one screen back then, it was 1977, and it was "Close Encounters of a Third Kind" that was projected onto the big screen off a 70-mm film projector. He was a kid, but after watching his first sci-fi fresh off a threaded 70-mm, no other screen, large or small, could ever replace that first experience.

"I've never been able to watch that movie on another

After some renovations, the new Starlight Cinemas are replacing the Pacific Theatres, a Lakewood staple, which unfortunately, was one of 300 shut down by the company in 2021.

Akarakian said that he's had his eye on this theater for years, not just because he watched his first sci-fi here, but because he said he couldn't bare to continue seeing such a historic and beautiful theater sitting empty.

"I can't wait to fill up our new theater with families who miss coming to the movies here. Watching a movie together as a family is an experience that kids carry with them their whole lives, and I'm excited to breathe new life into this movie theater."

Eric Lee, Starlight's Operations Manager, a local resident, said he's excited to see the theater re-open for the community.

"Going to the movies is an escape, it doesn't matter what age you are. Whatever is going on in the world, just disappears, once the movie starts. There's nothing like going to the movies with your family," Lee said. "Anybody who lives in Lake- wood and is as old as I am, knows how much we loved this theater growing up."

The Lakewood staple has over 4,250 seats, with one au-

(Cont'd. on Pg. 12) ditorium alone, having over 750 seats. "This is a beautiful theater, the lobby is identical to how it was 60 years ago, and it

Owner of Starlight Cinemas, Dan Akarakian, is happy to re-open the Lakewood movie theaters sometime in July, just in time for summer family outings.

(Cont'd. on Pg. 5)