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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 6
Meet the members of the Citizens Oversight Committee for Measure L
Members of the Citizens Oversight Committee. A key part of Measure L, passed by Lakewood voters in March 2020, was the creation of a citizens committee to provide an extra level of transparency by reviewing the revenues and expenditures related to the measure. The Measure L Citizens Oversight Committee is composed of seven people representing different sectors of the Lakewood community. In order displayed in the photo above, from top left, going clockwise, they are: Brad Crihfield, who represents the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and is Chair of the Chamber Board. Brad was a small business owner in Lakewood for nine years, and is currently an educational media producer for Long Beach City College. Brad serves as Chair of the Citizens Oversight Committee. Representing senior groups in Lakewood is Crystal Jones-
Duncan, who serves as Vice Chair of the Citizens Oversight Committee. Crystal has lived in Lakewood for 21 years. She is retired from a career with Verizon, and currently works for the Long Beach Unified School District managing budgets for a high school and middle school. Mina Carrasco was chosen to represent Neighborhood Watch groups in Lakewood. She’s been a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain for 13 years, and her active participation and willingness to help grow the Neighborhood Watch program led to her being named Block Captain of the Year in 2019. Representing youth groups is Cindy Jarvis, who has volunteered for Lakewood Youth Sports for many years. In her professional life, Cindy is a principal at a K-8 school in a neighboring community.
Representing Lakewood nonprofit groups is Cassandra Chase of the Lakewood Jaycees. Cassandra was born and raised in Lakewood. She’s a business strategist and social entrepreneur who serves as the Coordinator of the Empowerment Congress. In addition, she is the co-founder of Read Lead, an organization that provides literacy and leadership training for youth and young adults. Jeannie Clark was selected as an “at large” community member. She’s a long time resident of Lakewood and member of the Lakewood Rotary Club. She’s also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), has worked in public accounting for over 30 years, and is a partner in a small business in Long Beach. Representing the Lakewood business community is Ron Piazza. Ron is an owner of several McDonald’s restaurants in Lakewood. He started off as a teenager working at the McDonald’s at Paramount Blvd. and Carson St., worked his way up to manager, and ultimately purchased the restaurant. Ron’s been deeply involved in the Lakewood community for decades, and served on the Lakewood City Council for seven years. Also sitting on the Oversight Committee are the two Lakewood City Council Members who are also members of the council’s Audit Committee (Steve Croft and Ariel Pe). ♦
June 2021
City fireworks show scheduled for July 2
A safe and professional aerial fireworks show will take place at three locations across Lakewood on Friday, July 2 for 15 minutes starting at 8:45 p.m. The city is sponsoring this show in place of the Civic Center Block Party, which had to be canceled again this year due to COVID health precautions for large gatherings. The Block Party traditionally included a fireworks show. The city has chosen three locations for the July 2 show so that as many Lakewood residents as possible will be able to view it from their front yards or near their homes. The locations will be: • Holmes Elementary School in western Lakewood • Lakewood High School in central Lakewood • Artesia High School in eastern Lakewood Public safety personnel will prevent people from congregating at those locations. Instead, please
Bow Wow and Meow event offers drive-through pet vaccination clinic
Lakewood hosts large food giveaway event
One thousand four hundred Lakewood residents and surrounding community neighbors drove through the Lakewood Center on Wednesday, May 19 for Lakewood’s second largest food drive-thru event. This event was brought to our community again in partnership with the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, The Lakewood Center, City of Lake-
wood, Supervisor Janice Hahn and State Assembly Member Anthony Rendon. “This year the event took a different spin when we partnered with Supervisor Hahn,” said Jose Solache, Chamber President. “The support Hahn brought to this event was a game changer, as we were able to partner with the Los Angeles Food Bank and the event was
staffed mainly by the resources from Los Angeles County.” This event was hosted again at the Lakewood Center. As we all have experienced and witnessed, this pandemic has impacted our local businesses. While we all move forward and come out stronger from this pandemic, we used spaces at Lakewood Center that were available, like the parking lot adjacent to the former Souplantation and Hometown Buffet. This collaboration was only possible because we all rolled up our sleeves and worked together for our Lakewood Community. The City of Lakewood continues to be a strong partner during these important collaborations in the City. “Thank you to everyone in Lakewood who continues to help each other during these difficult times. This event was a testament of the power of working together for our Lakewood Community.” Said Solache. The Lakewood Community stands united in helping one another, especially in times of need. ♦
try to see the fireworks from your yard or neighborhood or a location a safe distance from a fireworks site. People and owners of pets who can become agitated by explosions report that there is a big difference between a short, scheduled professional fireworks show that they can plan and prepare for (like this July 2nd show) vs. the unexpected sounds of illegal skyrockets and firecrackers in their neighborhood exploding all through the day and night. The City of Lakewood encourages residents to enjoy this safe and professional fireworks show on July 2nd and to enjoy “safe and sane” fireworks on July 4, during the legal hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Safe and sane” fireworks are sold by Lakewood community groups and are approved for safety by the California State Fire Marshal. They do not explode or go into the air, and their sound does not travel far. ♦
Dogs should be on leashes and cats in carriers. Lakewood’s pet-friendly summer tradition, Bow Wow and Meow Day, returns in a drivethrough format on Friday, June 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Lakewood Civic Center parking lot. Products and services offered include: • individual vaccines and discounted vaccination packs • micro-chipping • physical exams • flea control products Information regarding low-cost spaying/neutering and health care for dogs and cats will be available. Please note this event is drivethrough only; walk-ups cannot be served due to public health restrictions. Here’s how the drive-through
event will proceed, with attendants directing cars to multiple stations for each segment to keep the line moving. • PREPARE by wearing a cloth face mask and limiting the number of people in your car. Be sure dogs are on a leash and cats in a carrier. • ENTER the line from Civic Center Way or off Clark, south of the library. You’ll receive a clipboard to fill out the paperwork indicating what services you need. • PROCEED to the check-in station and then to the cashier to pay for your services. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. • CONTINUE to a vaccination station. For examinations, your pet will be removed by the technician and taken to the examination table while you remain in your car. • EXIT when services are complete. This event will be a contactless experience. Safety protocols, including use of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and alcohol spray bottles, as well as sanitizing communal items and maintaining a six-foot minimum distance, will be followed. ♦