Volume 43 Number 11
November 2023
GLCC Hosts 5th Annual State of the State with Speaker Emeritus Rendon
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lected officials, community wood Mayor Ariel Pe, and by the leaders and members of the GLCC's Vice Chair, Joanie Dixson. business community gathered During the panel discussion, Rendon recently for the Greater Lakewood was asked about 2023's Legislative Chamber of Commerce's 5th Annual Session's biggest accomplishment, to State of the State, featurhis the work that he's done ing guest of honor, As- More Inside to empower small busisembly Speaker Emeritus nesses, to what his favorAnthony Rendon, who graciously par- ite restaurant is in the 62nt District - a ticipated in a panel discussion about the question, he jokingly said, he rather not legislation, his imprint in the 62nd Dis- answer, considering elected officials trict, and raising his family in the City from all seven of the cities he repreof Lakewood. sents was present. "All I'll say to that is With Lakewood's stunning Monte Verde Park as a backdrop, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony With over 100 people in attendance, that the 62nd District has great restau- Rendon on Oct. 26 participated in a panel discussion with Lakewood Mayor Ariel Pe and the GLCC's the panel discussion was led by Lake- rants," he said with a smile. Vice Chair Joanie Dixson, for a light-hearted conversation about his work and his life in the 62nd District
Outback's Grand ReOpening
Teddy Bear Trees Program Makes Shopping Special
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Luis Torres (center), managing partner of Lakewood's Outback Steakhouse for 20 years, celebrated the Grand ReOpening of his restaurant last month with the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor and Councilmembers, after corporate chose his Lakewood restaurant for a complete renovation - the only Outback to get a complete overhaul in the entire state, thanks to his customers' support over the last couple of years. Torres said he was humbled to have been selected and can't thank his customers enough. See complete story inside.
hanksgiving holiday sales offer some of the best deals of the year at Lakewood Center. They also provide an affordable way to fulfill the holiday wishes of disadvantaged children living in Lakewood. Many of the 1,500 residents that Lakewood Project Shepherd serves during the holidays are kids—kids who could really use a toy for the holidays. Since 1995, children from families enrolled in Project Shepherd have hung their holiday gift wishes in the form of paper bear ornaments on “Teddy Bear Trees” in the hopes of having
them filled by an anonymous “Santa.” Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15, Teddy Bear Trees will be displayed in the Recreation and Community Services Dept. at City Hall as well as the Burns Community Center. Here’s how the program works: •You select an ornament with a child's name, age and wish (for a reasonably priced toy) and then shop for the gift that will fulfill that wish. •Bring the unwrapped gift with the matching “ornament” to the donation box at the City (Cont'd. on Pg. 17)
Two Local Taco Spots Make Yelp's National Top 100 List
On a national level, when people talk about Lakewood, CA they can't help but talk about its beautiful tree-lined streets. But last month, new conversations emerged about Lakewood, CA, when two of its taco restaurants, Str8 Up Tacos and Adobo Taco Grill, made the list of Yelp's Nationwide Top 100 Taco Spots of 2023. Coming in at No. 21 is Str8 Up Tacos, which is popular for its creative vegan and vegetarian tacos including its crispy potato taco, with cauliflower, chickpea elote and black bean pepper, in addition to classic proteins like shrimp and chicken. Lashelle and Christopher Robinson are the proud owners of Str8 Up Tacos and are ecstatic about the new ranking. "Last year, we were No. 29, so we're getting closer," said Lashelle. "Our goal is the No. 1 spot, so with every year, we're going to get better and better; the
community's support has been amazing." The husband and wife team are partners with Daniel and Robert Sigala. Previously located in La Palma, Str8 Up Tacos was in 2021 named Orange County's Best Vegetarian Restaurant. "What we do that sets us apart is that we offer protein, but with the freshest vegetables available," said Lashelle. "Our menu is both delicious and healthy and you don't find that everywhere." Ranking No. 37 on the list, is Lakewood's Adobo Taco Grill, located at 5695 Woodruff Ave., which earned high marks for its meat-heavy options for quesadillas, burritos and tacos on handmade tortillas, their salsa bar and free house-made beans. Yelp's Top 100 list looked at reviews for businesses identified in the restaurant and tacos categories, ranked by Yelp using total volume and ratings of reviews, among other factors.
Left to right, Robert Sigala, Lachelle Robinson, Daniel Sigala and Christopher Robinson, own Str8 Up Tacos in Lakewood. This power-team's restaurant made it to Yelp's Nationwide Top 100 List for the second year in a row. Str8 Up Tacos is located at 20900 Pioneer Blvd., in Lakewood.