Lakewood Community News - May 2020

Lakewood

News

Community

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

Volume 40 Number 05

Help for seniors and other vulnerable residents

During this coronavirus pandemic, the City of Lakewood recognizes that our seniors and other residents who are housebound, disabled or otherwise isolated may need some extra help.

These Lakewood resources are ready to assist you: Lakewood Meals on Wheels.

Each day, volunteers deliver well-balanced nourishing meals of a hot lunch and a “cold” sack dinner to registered clients. The $8 daily fee is billed monthly, but low-income clients can call to discuss payment options. Call 562-925-8747 to begin receiving meals or for more information. Learn more about Meals on Wheels at www.lakewoodcity. org/MOW. DASH Transportation. Lakewood residents (60+) who are without transportation or residents of any age with a physical

or mental disability can get free rides within limited boundaries.

Residents who previously registered for meal pickup and traveled to Weingart Senior Center on DASH may sign up to have the meals delivered by DASH instead. DASH has instituted social distancing on its vehicles to protect riders and drivers. DASH is also accepting reservations for a new "early hours shopping" program to assist and transport senior clients to grocery stores that offer designated hours for the elderly before the rest of the public is invited inside. For a schedule and more information about this free service, or to register, call city staff at (562) 9240149, Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Project Shepherd. Lakewood residents in need who meet income restrictions may receive non-perishable food and basic

goods, as well as utility bill assistance, through this Lakewood neighbor-helping-neighbor project over 40 years. To apply for assistance, call the Burns Community Center at (562) 925-7512 or learn more at www.lakewoodcity.org/ProjectShepherd.

Lakewood grocery stores with special hours. Lakewood grocery stores are offering early or designated hours for seniors to shop, and/or curbside pickup or delivery. For the current list of stores and their special hours, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ Grocery.

Lakewood restaurants offering delivery, curbside pickup and/ or grocery packs or kits. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/Restaurants to see a map and list of restaurants open for service.

Neighbors. Many neighbors are helping their homebound neighbors by offering to pick up items for them when they go shopping.

Remember to practice social distancing when delivering to a vulnerable person by calling ahead before leaving a bag of items in a designated area or on the doorstep.

Government resources. California has launched a hotline to deliver services and help for Californians. Call 1-833-544-2374 to get assistance. Social isolation is real. During these trying times it’s important to check in with our loved ones. ♦

Ari Pé sworn in, begins service on City Council

Ari Pé being sworn in to City Council seat on April 14.

The Lakewood City Council, at their April 14 meeting, adopted a resolution accepting the results of the March 3 municipal election, and the City Clerk swore in the two win-

ning council candidates: re-elected Vice Mayor Jeff Wood and newly elected Council Member Ari Pé.

Ballots were cast by 22,932 Lakewood residents.

The City Council began the meeting by giving fond farewell comments to retiring Council Member Ron Piazza, who served for seven years starting in early 2013. Piazza was presented with a framed poster highlighting the “I Made A Difference” initiative he undertook during his term as mayor in 2016-17 when he presented pins with that motto to over 2,000 Lakewood residents for their contributions to the community. You can see a short video

by Lakewood CityTV chronicling Piazza’s service on the council at www.lakewoodcity.org/PiazzaVideo.

The April 14 meeting was held in the large Weingart Ballroom at The Centre so that council members, staff and attendees could be physically separated by well over six feet each. ♦

May 2020

Lakewood Beautiful nominations due in May

Nominate your house! Nominate a neighbor’s house!

The Lakewood Beautiful program is ready to recognize residents who take extra care to keep their homes and yards (and local neighborhoods) looking great!

Studies show that home upkeep and beautification by caring, committed residents keeps crime rates low and property values healthy, thereby benefitting the whole community.

You can help honor those Lakewood residents who go “above and beyond” to keep their home and yards looking beautiful.

There are three ways to honor a home in the Lakewood Beautiful program: • Beautiful Home Award. This is the city’s most traditional award, which has honored hundreds of Lakewood homes over three decades. This award recognizes the front facing exterior and landscaping of a home, displaying exceptional care and pride of ownership.

• Jackie Rynerson “Transformation Award.” This honors homeowners who have remodeled the front-facing exterior and landscaping of their property within the past three years. The rejuvenation need not have been expensive or elaborate, but something

that improves or enhances the overall property. To be eligible, the bulk of the improvements must have been done or overseen by the current homeowner, not a prior homeowner. Nominations must include both “before” and “after” photos to demonstrate the transformation (digital photos may be uploaded to the online nomination form). Homes being marketed for sale are not eligible.

Jackie Rynerson was an original Lakewood resident who helped organize her fellow citizens to form the City of Lakewood in 1954. Jackie served as a City Council Member from 1978 to 1990, and she created the original Lakewood Beautiful to inspire and honor Lakewood homeowners.

• Water-Wise Award. This honors beautiful homes nominated in one of the first two categories that deserve extra recognition for landscaping that utilizes waterconserving irrigation devices and plantings.

Past winners’ homes were distinguished not just by attractive style, but for displaying exceptional care and pride of ownership, such as: • Neat, clean and well-maintained exteriors • Landscaping design of front (Cont'd. on Pg. 6)

Memorial Day ceremony being “reimagined” for 2020 Several thousand military veterans, their family and other Lakewood residents typically gather at Del Valle Park for the city’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. Public health considerations prevent a gathering of this type this year because of the coronavirus crisis.

But the City of Lakewood is at work crafting an alternative way for residents to join in commemorating Memorial Day in Lakewood

this year. The City will be working on this endeavor with local veterans organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

Details are expected to be announced by May 15 at www.lakewoodcity.org/MemorialDay2020 or by calling (562) 866-9771, extension 3123. ♦

Today

Lakewood

Page 2

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Hoping for good news in May

By Mayor Todd Rogers

The coming month of May will be a pivotal one for our nation, our state and our city of Lakewood.

We’re all eagerly hoping that we see continued positive signs of getting past a peak in coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths…and that we start to see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of returning to a sense of normalcy in our lives.

But we will just have to wait and see. And we of course don’t want to take down our guard prematurely and allow virus infections to take off in a dangerous way.

The City of Lakewood is doing

all that we can at the local level to try to make life a little better for our residents in spite of the restrictions and hardships we are all living with now.

The city, working with community non-profits and some amazing Lakewood volunteers, has kept some key programs operating for our most vulnerable residents: Meals on Wheels home food deliveries, drive-up frozen meals at the Weingart Senior Center, and the city-run DASH transit buses and vans for seniors and the disabled.

In response to the unfortunate toilet paper hoarding that’s led to shortages in our local stores, the city used its commercial supply sources to give about 1,500 Lakewood seniors a personal care package of six rolls of toilet paper as well as soap and a dental hygiene kit. Read about this effort in an article in this edition of the Lakewood Community News.

On behalf of the Lakewood City Council, I want to give a big “thank-you” to Lakewood Meals on Wheels, the Human Services Association, Pathways Volunteer

Hospice, and other Lakewood organizations and the hundreds of Lakewood volunteers who serve our residents who need a little extra help.

Speaking of thank-yous, I hope you’ve had a chance to see the banners that the city recently posted at the corner of Del Amo Blvd. & Clark Ave. and at other locations around town thanking the front line workers who are putting themselves at risk every day to serve us all. Please continue to do what you can to reinforce our community’s appreciation to these folks, such as grocery store workers, health care workers, and Fire and Sheriff personnel.

And, I hope you had a chance to say thank-you and happy birthday to one of our city’s cherished military veterans who celebrated his 105th birthday on April 26.

Sam Sachs served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was part of the elite glider teams that landed behind enemy lines on D-Day in France, helping to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

Lakewood CityTV is producing a video about Sam’s 105th birthday, including what the city and lots of Lakewood residents did to make it a special day for him. See the video at www.lakewoodcity. org/Sam. We’re so proud to have Sam in Lakewood, as we are all the veterans who reside here.

The Lakewood City Council is looking forward to honoring all our veterans, especially those who perished in service to our nation, on Memorial Day later in May. For safety reasons, we’ll have to modify our commemoration this year, but our heartfelt Lakewood thanks to our veterans will be just as strong as ever. Go to www.lakewoodcity. org/MemorialDay2020 for details.

Finally, for the latest Lakewoodspecific coronavirus information, including services and programs that might be helpful to you, your family or your business, go to www. lakewoodcity.org/COVID19 and give a listen to 1620-AM on your radio. It’s Lakewood’s emergency broadcast system, and it now carries many useful news stories from our city website and other sources.

On behalf of my partners on the City Council, and all of us at Team Lakewood, be safe and continue to be good to each other. ♦

May 2020

City Spotlight Mayfair Pool offers summer swim opportunities Swim Lessons: Swim lessons at Mayfair and McCormick Pools will take place Monday, June 15 to Friday, June 26. Online swim lesson priority registration for residents begins June 6 at 7 p.m.

Non-residents may register online beginning June 9 at 7 p.m.

Walk-in registration will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. Participants may sign up at www.lakewoodcity. org/ecatalog.

Recreation Swim: Daily summer recreation swim begins June 13 at Mayfair Pool and McCormick Pool. Resident fees are $1 for children and $1.50 for adults (age 18+). Non-resident fees are $2 for children and $3 for adults (age 18+).

Water Aerobics: Shallow Water Aerobics classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 16 - July 16 at Mayfair Pool. Register at www.lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog using activity #17612. Mayfair Pool is located at 5720 Clark Ave. For complete information, please call 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

NEW! Summer Recreation Catalog will be online only To ensure the most accurate and up to date information, the Lakewood Summer Recreation catalog will not be printed, but will be available online as of Memorial Day weekend. It will offer many fun, family friendly and active opportunities along with information on special events and programs such as Concerts in the Park, FUN-Tastic Family Nights and the aquatics program if L.A. County coronavirus health regulations allow them to occur this summer.

If you have previously registered for a recreation program using your email address, you will receive an email notification as soon as the catalog is available. It will also be announced in Lakewood Connect, the city's weekly emagazine. To subscribe, visit

www.lakewoodcity.org/emag.

Priority mail-in registration and online registration for Lakewood residents begins as soon as the summer catalog is posted.

Online registration is fast, easy and convenient at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog.

Over 650 programs, camps and classes are available. Most classes and activities begin the week of June 15. For more information call 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

LYS baseball/softball/T-ball signups Signups for Lakewood Youth Sports baseball, softball and T-ball teams will take place between April 25 and May 9. T-ball and coach pitch teams are for boys and girls ages 4-5 and 6-7, and baseball and softball teams are for boys and girls ages 8-17.

Registration is available online at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog, under activities-sports league.

There are no registration fees for Lakewood residents. Proof of residency is required. The nonresident registration fee is $20.

Birth certificates must be presented to the office of the park you register to play for at a date to be determined. City of Lakewood staff will provide direction when details become available.

For more information, call 562866-9771, extension 2408.

Spring Car Show at Palms Park The Spring Car Show will be held at Palms Park, 12305 207th St., on Friday, June 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. A variety of cars will be displayed along with a selection of food trucks, vendors and a kids’ zone.

All cars are welcomed and no entry fee is required. This is a free event to the public.

For more information or to register a vehicle, contact Kristin Preciado at kpreciado@lakewoodcity.org or call Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-8669771 extension 2408.

(Cont'd on Pg. 3)

Your

Minding www.lakewoodchamber.com

May 2020

Drive-up COVID-19 testing site now open in Bellflower

Los Angeles County has opened a drive-up testing site in the Bellflower Civic Cen-

ter’s parking structure at 16600 Civic Center Drive in Bellflower. The new center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

“This new drive-up site in Bellflower will improve access to testing for residents in southeast LA County and give us a better understanding of the spread of this virus in these communities,” said Supervi-

sor Janice Hahn. “If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can make an appointment online for this new site in Bellflower or any of the 27 testing sites established across LA County.”

Testing is available by appointment only to any resident of Los Angeles County who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

You can schedule a free test by calling 211 or by visiting the screening website, coronavirus.lacity.org/Testing.

At the website, individuals are asked to answer basic questions including name, date of birth, address and whether they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. The website (in real time) determines and confirms the individual’s testing eligibility.

Those who receive confirmation of testing eligibility will then be offered a choice of testing sites and available appointment times to complete the test registration process. The registration number assigned must be provided at the testing site appointment.

All of the testing locations are “drive-up” in format, meaning clients stay in their cars for tests (although pedestrian clients with appointments can be tested as well). There are two types of tests: a nasal swab and an oral swab. The nasal swab is administered by trained hospital or fire department staff.

The oral swabs are self-administered, meaning clients must swab their own mouths/throats using instructions provided them at the site. The testing process takes between 5 and 10 minutes, however waiting times may vary.

More information and frequently asked questions are available at covid19.lacounty. gov/testing/. ♦

Business Page 3

City Spotlight (Cont'd. from Pg. 2)

Teen Volunteer Registration Middle and High School students can be part of the Lakewood Teen Action Committee’s Summer Program. Earn community service hours, meet teens from other schools, discuss topics that are important to you and participate in community events all summer long. All teen volunteers must complete a Live Scan fingerprint and background screening process prior to volunteering in this program. A parent/guardian signed release is required complete the Live Scan process. Call the Lakewood Youth Center at 562-429-7472 for more information.

Summer Kick-Off Party Kick off summer with a party at the Lakewood Youth Center, 4658 Woodruff Ave., Lakewood, on Friday, June 5 from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy food, sno-cones, an inflatable obstacle course, music, and more! Call the Lakewood Youth Center at 562-429-7472 for more information. ♦

& Financial

Business Page 4

www.lakewoodchamber.com

May 2020

May 2020

News

Community

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Page 5

News

Community Page 6

Toilet paper delivered to Lakewood seniors

Mayor Todd Rogers making a delivery of a toilet paper care package to a Lakewood senior.

The coronavirus crisis has been especially difficult on older and disabled residents who have had a hard time shopping in crowded grocery stores, especially when it comes to

Expires 5-31-20

standing in line for hours or going on a scavenger hunt around town to buy toilet paper and other essential items.

To help those most in need, in

May 2020

www.lakewoodchamber.com

mid-April the City of Lakewood used its commercial supply source to give about 1,500 Lakewood senior and disabled residents a personal care package of six rolls of toilet paper as well as soap and a dental hygiene kit.

The recipients, who are part of the Meals on Wheels food service program or live in Lakewood’s senior communities, are among those people who have had the most difficulty getting in and out of grocery stores and getting essential supplies.

The toilet paper and personal care packages were delivered by volunteers from Lakewood Meals on Wheels, the Human Services Association and Pathways Volunteer Hospice.

“Some of my City Council colleagues and I were happy to join those volunteers for some of the care package deliveries,” said Mayor Todd Rogers, “and I got to meet some really nice Lakewood residents who were appreciative of our community’s help. Our Lakewood volunteers make Lakewood a better place every day in normal times…and especially in these unusual times, that extra help is really needed and really appreciated.” ♦

A few ways to make math fun for kids (StatePoint) Is math making the kids grumpy? Here are some great ways your family can make the subject fun and exciting: • Visit a math museum: Take the kids to a hands-on math museum featuring fun interactive exhibits, events, puzzles, games and more that bring math to life.

• Bake a ‘pi’: Bake a pi-themed pi. Whether you love cherry, chocolate or lemon meringue, you can celebrate math by baking a pie and carving the symbol for pi into your creation. This is also a great opportunity to calculate fractions, angles, percentages and areas!

• Learn the meaning of pi: A very special number, pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, making its value essential for those studying geometry. It’s also an “irratio-

nal number,” meaning it’s exact value can’t be expressed as a fraction. While scientists have calculated trillions of digits of pi, you are likely familiar with the first few -- 3.14. Use a high-quality graphing or scientific calculator, such as those from Casio, to study up on several more of pi’s digits and practice using its value in equations.

• Learn more about Einstein: There are many terrific biographies for all reading levels available, as well as documentaries and biopics that can help your family learn more about the life and work of the legendary Albert Einstein.

Math may sometimes get a reputation for being one of the tougher school subjects, but it can also be a lot of fun. Take the time to show your kids that math is something to celebrate. ♦

Eric M. Reed, D.D.S. UCLA ‘91 / Lakewood HS ‘82

Digital X-Rays NEW PATIENT SPECIALS

• Cleaning, x-rays and exam $75 (over 60% off) • Teeth Whitening $25 (reg. $99) with Cleaning, X-Rays & Exam

Family Dentistry 2704 Del Amo Blvd. (at Paramount) Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 423-1441 www.EricReedDentistry.com

CURRENT PATIENT SPECIALS • 25% off Teeth Whitening

Free Kindergarten Dental Screening!

$75 OFF

ANY WATER HEATER INSTALLATION 11829 Downey Ave Downey, CA 90241 (562) 861-1234

Call Now!

info@downeyplumbing.com

www.downeyplumbing.com St. Lic#: 731172

We Accept

Lakewood Beautiful (Cont'd. from Pg. 1)

yard and parkway in harmony and balance with the home • Good use of plant variety, texture, color • Attention to detail • Overall consistent care of property and landscaping You can nominate your property or that of a neighbor by going to www.lakewoodcity.org/ LakewoodBeautiful or calling City Hall at 562-866-9771, extension 3123.

The nomination deadline is Sunday, May 10, 2020.

After the nomination deadline, photos are taken by a professional photographer of the street-facing portion of each home and yard. A panel of judges then reviews the photos and determines if the home will be recognized.♦

Green May 2020

Adult Softball and Volleytennis signups through May

Registration for Lakewood’s Adult Softball and Volleytennis summer league will take place April 27-May 22. Softball leagues play on various evenings (M-F) and Sunday afternoons. Volleytennis plays Monday evenings. All ability levels are encouraged. Team registration is available online at www.lakewoodcity. org/ecatalog, under activitiessports league. Registration packets including fees and further information are available now at www.lakewoodcity. org/sports or by calling 562866-9771, extension 2408. ♦

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Out of your mind!

Lakewood Lockdown! It’s been several weeks now. And while we can still go out for the essentials, the streets, for the most part, are empty. Precautions are being taken—wearing gloves and masks—everyone doing their best to keep themselves and others safe.

In this time of isolation, people are actually coming together.

Kids are coloring sidewalks, families are Skyping, gyms are Zooming, people are biking and walking. We are becoming accustomed to the new normal.

Still, being cooped up for so long, especially if you’re alone, may be causing you extreme discomfort, loneliness.

If you’re feeling like a prisoner, this is the time to STEP OUT

OF YOUR MIND. Don’t wait for the lockdown to end. Instead, make your space, wherever you are, a place to create. There is a lot you can do in your home. Is there a project you’ve been wanting to start? A closet that needs re-organizing?

Old friends you’ve wanted to contact? A dish you’ve been meaning to try. Now is the time.

Don’t allow your confines to confine you. The biggest confinement you have is your mind.

If you can free that up, you are truly free, no matter where you are.

Submitted by Rossana Snee, MFT, author of The Healing Alphabet, 26 Empowering Ways to Enrich Your Life. Follow her on https://www.

Living

youtube.com/channel/UCcigu_joKqgIelc6jhvecsw, Twitter, Instagram (@therapyXpress). Visit her at www.

Page 7

rossanasnee.com. She is available in a therapeutic capacity, and also for speaking engagements. ♦

SH P LAKEWOOD Page 8

www.lakewoodchamber.com

SH P LAKEWOOD

Lakewood Shreds event postponed

Lakewood Shreds, the free biannual event offered by the City of Lakewood and EDCO Waste Services to shred sensitive documents and collect household batteries and e-waste, has been postponed from its May 16 date for the safety of staff, volunteers and residents during this health crisis. A new date will be determined later this year.

EDCO’s drive-through drop-off service at their facility in Signal Hill, normally held every second and fourth Saturday of each month, has been canceled through May 23, 2020. At that facility, residents can drop off hazardous waste, e-waste, expired medications and sharps (appropriately contained). Please call EDCO at 562-597-0608 to see if the center will re-open for this service in June. ♦

May 2020

Resource Toolkit offers help for Lakewood businesses and workers Lakewood small businesses affected by the COVID-19 closures can find a comprehensive resource of links, checklists and information on financial benefits for both workers and businesses in the newly compiled Resource Toolkit.

You can view and download it at www.lakewoodcity.org/

ResourceToolkit. The toolkit is printable for easy reference.

City staff have been closely monitoring news related to aid to businesses and employees affected by coronavirus, especially regarding county, state and federal government assistance. Changes occur as new policies and programs are rolled out, and we will update the toolkit accordingly.

The resource toolkit is also accessible from the “Help for businesses & workers” button on the city’s main coronavirus resource page at www.lakewoodcity.org/ COVID19.

You can receive the latest Lake-

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

wood-specific news direct to your email inbox by signing up for the free weekly emagazine, Lakewood Connect, at www.lakewoodcity. org/subscribe. ♦

SH P LAKEWOOD May 2020

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Page 9

SH P LAKEWOOD

Technologies to help you feel connected to far away loved ones

(StatePoint) When it’s not possible to be near loved ones, being connected becomes more important.

Here are three technologies to feel closer to friends and

family, wherever they may be: Stream in Sync Streaming services like Netflix are introducing new features allowing users to watch programming in sync with

their friends. Whether it’s the latest episode of your favorite reality game show or a movie you’ve all been excited to see, now you can host a virtual movie night or watch-party and share your reactions to the show in a real-time chat room.

Keep the Time A globally-minded timepiece can help you feel more connected by displaying the time of where your friends and family are located. And the Casio Edifice EQB1000 is especially informative. The watch’s main dial and date display “Home Time” (the time and date in the current location), while an inset dial at 3 o’clock displays “World

Time” (the current time in over 300 major cities) in a 12hour format. Its operations are easily managed via a connected smartphone, and its “Phone Finder” feature causes your phone to sound a tone even if it’s in silent mode.

Workout, Together Have a gym buddy or workout partner who is suddenly remote? New tools can help you motivate one another and stay fit together, even if you are far apart. Some of the latest stationary bikes and treadmills on the market now allow you to connect to classes and coaches in real-time and have

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

features that allow you to enjoy realistic city and countryside scenery as you sweat. Join the same class as a friend and compete against each other, or take a virtual tour of a city together.

Thanks to new technologies, the world doesn’t need to feel so big. Embrace the tools that let you feel close and connected. ♦

News

Community Page 10

www.lakewoodchamber.com

May 2020

Dangers of illegal fireworks Over 5,000 Americans are injured every year from the use of skyrockets, firecrackers and other fireworks that are illegal in Lakewood and many other communities. The loss of fingers, hands and eyes is often the end result. Over a third of those injured are children.

$4.00 off X-Large $3.00 off Large $2.00 off Medium $1.00 off Small

COUPON

FREE DELIVERY(LIMITED AREA)

Not good with any other offer Limit (1) w/coupon

TUESDAY AFTER 4:00 PM

KIDS EAT FREE MINIMUM ORDER of MEDIUM PIZZA ALLOWS KIDS TO EAT FREE Expires 5/31/20

Here in Lakewood: • A family home in Lakewood burned to the ground in 2015 from a roof fire caused by an illegal skyrocket launched by a neighbor “just having fun.” It took two years for the family’s home to be rebuilt. Many of their personal possessions and

PIZZA

• Thin or Thick Crust • Salads & Sandwiches • Live Music - Bluegrass every Sat & Big Al on the piano every Fri. • Free Banquet Room (20-100 people)

Me -n - Ed’s Pizza Parlor

4115 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood

Phone: 562-421-8908

lifetime keepsakes were lost for good.

• Every July 4th many Lakewood residents are terrified by illegal fireworks set off by neighbors. They worry about the safety of their homes from a potential roof fire. Innocent victims include military veterans suffering from PTSD and family pets vulnerable to explosive sounds.

To discourage residents from using skyrockets, firecrackers and other illegal fireworks this coming July 4th, the City of Lakewood is undertaking a strong public education and enforcement campaign: • The city has increased the overall fine on illegal fireworks use from $1,000 by adding a $250 Fire Marshal disposal fee and other charges that can now double the total penalty to over $2,000. (In the past two years, Sheriff’s Deputies have issued 94 citations for illegal fireworks use in Lakewood.)

• The city is paying for extra Sheriff’s Deputies to patrol on July 4th to shut down illegal fireworks displays and issue citations to those responsible, including property owners.

The City of Lakewood wants residents to enjoy the use of “safe and sane” fireworks that are legally sold at fireworks stands by Lakewood community groups.

Lakewood Women's Club

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lakewood Women’s Club is not scheduling any meetings until we get the official word that it is safe to gather once again.

Thank you.

“Safe and sane” fireworks do not explode or launch into the air, and have a seal of approved from the CA Fire Marshal.

If you think someone is planning to use illegal fireworks, call the City of Lakewood’s Illegal Firework Tipline at 562866-9771, ext. SAFE (7233) or email Service1@lakewoodcity. org (prior to July 4th). You can keep your tip confidential. To report the use of illegal fireworks

in progress, call the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at 562-6233500.

To best help Lakewood combat the use of illegal fireworks, please report known addresses of illegal fireworks use to the city’s Tipline in advance of July 4. If the city knows of suspected residences with illegal fireworks in advance, that provides the best opportunity to prevent illegal firework use. ♦

Town

Around May 2020

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Page 11

Let’s make Lakewood #1…in Census response rate

Remind your neighbors to be counted!

Lakewood is already #1 in your heart, so let’s make it #1 in our community’s response rate.

The 2020 census is easier than

ever to complete. It only takes a few minutes to submit your response online at https://my2020census.gov/. Be prepared to

complete the census in one sitting, as the system does not allow you to save your progress.

It just takes a few minutes to bring great benefits to our community.

So far, Lakewood's Census participation has been very good... but we can do better!

As of April 18, our total response rate is 60.1%, ranking us at: • 119th in the state (within the top 25%) • 7th out of the 26 neighboring cities in LA and Orange Counties • 2nd among the six closest cities to Lakewood If you had not completed your household's form by mid April, you'll receive a final reminder postcard to respond online, by mail or by phone. After that, in May the Census Bureau will start contacting those who haven't responded, and continue through July to be sure everyone is counted.

Once you've submitted your form, spread the word to friends and neighbors and encourage them to complete their response too.

You can see an interactive map showing Lakewood’s current Census response ranking at www.lakewoodcity.org/CensusResponse. ♦

Sudoku 2 6 5 7 1 2 6 7 8

8 3

1 7

4

2

Pick up your pencil and let's play Sudoku Congratulations to the winner of the April Sudoku puzzle, Sara Kettle! 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 #24 Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood. The winners are drawn by random.

One entry per household; the winner will be drawn on Thursday, May 21, 2020, and a call to

1 9

6 4

9 5 6 9 1 4 2 7 8

Thanks to our Sudoku Sponsor

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 June issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle. ♦

Pan Am Fiesta canceled for 2020; virtual carnival planned The Pan Am Fiesta normally brings together thousands of people to Mayfair Park, often in close proximity to each other.

In line with our nation’s and region’s continued efforts at social distancing during the coronavirus crisis, the Pan Am Fiesta has regrettably been canceled for 2020.

Lakewood city staff and the volunteers of the Lakewood Pan American Association look forward to putting on a great Pan Am Fiesta in 2021.

In the meantime, the city staff and Pan Am volunteers have put together a way to enjoy the wonderful history of the Pan Am Fiesta and some virtual carnival rides too. Starting May 7, check it all out at www.lakewoodcity.org/ PanAmFiesta2020. ♦

Page 12

www.lakewoodchamber.com

drink

May 2020