Lakewood Community News - October 2021

News

Lakewood Community

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

Volume 41 Number 10

October 2021

Timmons Subaru opens in Lakewood

The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce was proud to help host the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Timmons Subaru. Joined by the City of Lakewood’s Mayor and City Council, the Chamber celebrated and helped welcome Lakewood’s new car dealership to its own backyard.

Greg Timmons, the owner

of Timmons Subaru, was not only celebrated locally, but also nationally by having many executives from Subaru USA attend this momentous occasion.

“The energy and enthusiasm was definitely present at this grand opening. We commend Mr. Timmons, his family, and the entire Subaru team for their excellent customer service and work trajectory

that they bring to Lakewood,” said Chamber President and CEO Jose L. Solache. “This new business will be a great addition to Lakewood as a great community partner and will enhance the City’s efforts to continue bringing strong businesses to Lakewood.”

The Chamber Board of Directors and its Chair, Brad Crichfield, are very excited to welcome Timmons Subaru to Lakewood. The chamber is also proud to have on its governing board, Sherry Daisy, a representative from Timmons Subaru in Lakewood.

“The Timmons Subaru partnership couldn’t be stronger with Sherri on our board,” said Chamber President, Jose L Solache.

As we all continue to work on this post-pandemic new era, the chamber, the City, and the business community will continue to advocate for all

Halloween carnivals at Lakewood parks

Lakewood’s traditional Halloween Carnivals are back, offering fun and safety for youngsters on the year’s spookiest night.

Special carnival activities are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 31 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Biscailuz, Bloomfield, Bolivar, Boyar, Del Valle, Mayfair, Palms and San Martin parks.

There will be inflatable attractions at Mayfair Park for an additional fee.

Each park will have a special theme: • Biscailuz Park: “Pokemon” • Bloomfield Park: “Alice in Wonderland” • Bolivar Park: “Monsters Inc.” • Boyar Park: “Nightmare Before Christmas”

• Del Valle Park: “Luca” • Mayfair Park: “Lilo and Stitch” • Palms Park: “Nightmare Before Christmas” • San Martin Park: “The Mummy” Support for the carnivals comes from community volunteers, civic organizations and Lakewood Tot Lot parents. Want to help? Volunteers are needed to run carnival booths. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/HalloweenVolunteers to sign up.

For information, call the park nearest you or City Hall at 562-866-9771, extension 2408. Use the “Park Finder” at www.lakewoodcity.org/ parkfinder to locate which Lakewood neighborhood park is closest to you. ♦

of our businesses and ensure they thrive for years to come.

Please visit Timmons Subaru located at 3700 Cher-

ry Ave. The team is ready to provide excellent customer service and help you drive your next Subaru. ♦

Lollipop Lane returns with over 100 artisans!

Lollipop Lane’s handcrafted items appeal to all ages!

Mayfair Park will come alive with over 100 crafters offering handmade, affordable holiday gifts on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

One of the first boutiques of the season in our region, the Lakewood event features a wide range of quality crafters and artists displaying Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas items. Jewelry, clothing, quilts, cards, gourds, gift bags, scarves, purses, wood crafts, paintings, candles, soaps, lotions and many other beautiful handcrafted items will be for sale.

Event admission is free, and

each merchant handles their own sales. Refreshments are available for purchase to benefit Lakewood Meals on Wheels.

Mayfair Park is located at 5720 Clark Ave., at the corner of South Street. Parking for the event will be available at the park. Additional parking and a free shuttle will service the Lakewood City Hall east parking lot (5050 Clark Ave.). The shuttle will run every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

For more information, please call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or 562-866-4776 the day of the event. ♦

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A special time of year in Lakewood

By Mayor Jeff Wood

For many people, September and October are two of the busiest months of the year. School is back in session. Fall sports and new recreational opportunities return. And, in Lakewood, we organize several important and meaningful community events, including a new one this year.

On September 11th, Lakewood joined our nation in commemorating the 20th anniversary of Patriot Day. That special day understandably brings up strong emotions for many of us.

There is the shock and anger at remembering how nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed in the terrorist attacks of that day.

There is the appreciation for our first responders and military service personnel who put their lives on the line to protect us at home and abroad…that day… and in the years since.

There is also the remembrance of a special time when Americans bonded together in bravery, compassion and support…when the better angels of our nature were soaring, to borrow the words of President Abraham Lincoln. Those better angels were soaring in the United States in the hours, days and weeks after September 11th.

I’d like to think those better

angels continue to show up… and showed up in force in Lakewood for our September 11th Day of Service, when over 250 residents volunteered to help their neighbors in need on projects throughout the city.

This is the Lakewood that we all know and love: a strong, caring community.

There are opportunities to volunteer and be part of that caring community in Lakewood throughout the year. One of my priorities as mayor is to work with my City Council colleagues to shine a light on the organizations that can provide you with those opportunities.

We have a new video series called “Connect with a Caring Community” that will feature different Lakewood causes and efforts. Look for these short, informative videos in our weekly Lakewood Connect eMagazine, which you can subscribe to at www.lakewoodcity.org/subscribe.

Remember, when you volunteer, you help someone else… and you help yourself by giving and caring.

One way that you can show that you care is by taking part in Lakewood’s annual “Thank a Servicemember” campaign, where residents are encouraged to write postcards or letters of appreciation to send to military personnel serving overseas during the holidays. We’re collecting cards and letters now through early December. For details, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/TAS or call City Hall at 562-866-9771 ext. 3123.

Another annual event every fall is recognizing Lakewood homeowners who help us all by going above and beyond to maintain beautiful yards and

October 2021

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home exteriors. The Lakewood City Council recently honored those homeowners through the “Lakewood Beautiful” program. See photos and video (and get some home beautification ideas) at www.lakewoodcity.org/LakewoodBeautiful.

A new event coming to Lakewood on Oct. 9 is the “Fest-OfAll.” It will be a multicultural food and music festival, representing the wide variety of cultures that the City of Lakewood is proud to have in our community. The Fest-Of-All was an idea that numerous Lakewood residents recommended last year as part of our community dialogue.

One of Lakewood’s strengths as a community is having a broad diversity of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. The Fest-Of-All is designed to be an opportunity for all of us to appreciate each other even better as neighbors and enjoy food, music and art from a variety of cultures. See the details on the back page of this newspaper, or go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ Fest-Of-All. And there are plenty of other events happening soon in Lakewood, including the Lollipop Lane Craft Boutique and College Fair. Get details at www. lakewoodcity.org or call City Hall at 562-866-9771.

As you can see, we have a lot going on in Lakewood right now. On behalf of my colleagues on the Lakewood City Council, I hope the fall season is going well for you and your family, and that you find plenty of fun and interesting things to do in our community in the days and weeks ahead. ♦

City Spotlight

Play at Palms: Movie Night Under the Stars featuring Cruella (2021) Bring the entire family and enjoy an evening of FREE family fun and movie entertainment under the stars at Palms Park, 12305 207th St. on Friday, Oct. 8.

Guests can bring chairs and a picnic and enjoy a fun evening with their families. Check in begins at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7 p.m. If you would like to purchase dinner, a food truck will be on site.

Sorry, no pets or alcohol allowed at the park. For more information call Lakewood Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ catalog.

Older Adults Benefits Information Fair The Weingart Senior Center will host its annual Older Adults Benefits and Information Fair on Monday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. At this event, seniors can pick up health insurance and benefit-related materials and speak with company representatives to help them compare the plans. For more information, please contact the Weingart Senior Center at 562-630-6141.

Teen Life Skills 101 Monthly sessions teach teens ages 12-17 the basics to prepare to be independent, responsible adults at the Lakewood Youth Center, 4658 Woodruff Ave. • Thursday, Oct. 21, 5-6 p.m.: Health and Basic First Aid • Thursday, Nov. 18, 5-6 p.m.: Car Care and Maintenance Details can be found in the Lakewood recreation catalog at www. lakewoodcity.org/catalog.

For more information call the Lakewood Youth Center at 562-4297472.

Youth in Government The new Lakewood Youth in Government program encourages local youth to immerse themselves in civic engagement and develop an understanding of civic values. In addition, participants will contribute their own ideas to provide a positive impact on the Lakewood community.

The committee will meet throughout the year to discuss issues, recommend policy, and provide feedback to the Lakewood City Council. Lakewood residents in grades 10 through 12 are encouraged to apply for the program at www.lakewoodcity.org/YouthInGovernment.

Application deadline is Oct. 31, 2021.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to become involved with the community and take on a leadership role amongst their peers.

For more information, contact the Lakewood Youth Center at 562-429-7472. A parent information meeting will be held on Oct. 14 for interested students and parents.

Survive for 7 A free, one-evening “Survive for 7” family preparedness workshop is set for Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Youth Center, 4658 Woodruff Ave. The workshop teaches the basics of preparing for emergency situations, including the skills families may need to survive in the first week following a catastrophe. Register at www. lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog, using activity #21194.

Play softball to help Project Shepherd Residents are invited to “get on base” with Project Shepherd by playing in or sponsoring a softball team in the 7th annual “Turkey Tournament,” hosted by the City of Lakewood. There will be two tournament divisions offered.

A co-ed division and a men’s division. Games for both divisions will be played Saturday, Nov. 13.

The co-ed tournament will take place at San Martin Park, while the men’s tournament will be played at Palms Park. Games begin at 9 a.m. at both locations, and run throughout the day.

Registrations are due by Nov. 10. Call City Hall for more information or to inquire about signing up as a team or sponsor at 562866-9771, extension 2408.

Teams • Team fee is $350 • 3-game guarantee • ASA Bats • Custom Dri-FIT jerseys will be given to the 1st place team Sponsors • Sponsors get a field sign for (Cont’d. on Pg. 6)

Your

Minding October 2021

Dave’s Hot Chicken opens in Lakewood

One of America’s “hottest” quick-serve chicken eateries has chosen Lakewood as its newest home.

Mayor Jeff Wood, Vice Mayor Steve Croft and Council Member Ariel Pe, along with Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce leaders Jose Solache and Brad Crihfield, welcomed Lakewood’s newest business at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 10th.

Dave’s Hot Chicken was

developed by gourmet chef Dave Kopushyan and friends a few years ago in East Hollywood. It became an overnight success with a cult following. The menu is simple, with Dave’s own mix of seven spice blends ranging from “Mild” to “The Reaper.” Kale slaw, fries, mac and cheese round out the menu.

Give Dave’s a try, and see what you think! The restaurant is at the southwest corner of Candlewood Street and Clark Avenue. ♦

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By-district city council elections Beginning in 2022, Lakewood City Council Members will be elected based on districts, each representing a portion of the city, instead of having each council member elected by the entire city as is the current practice in Lakewood.

The California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) strongly encourages cities to create district seats, and in recent years more than 250 California cities and school districts have transitioned from at-large to district elections.

Lakewood officials have said that their decision to convert to by-district elections was prompted by a threat of litigation under the CVRA. The city has also said that it is committed to making sure that all residents have an opportunity to participate in the process of converting to by-district elections in a manner consistent with the CVRA. To define the new districts, the Lakewood City Council must undertake a district formation mapping process led by a demographer and legal team to ensure that the maps meet all legal and regulatory criteria.

A public hearing on the pro-

posed district maps and proposed election sequence for each council district is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in the Weingart Ballroom at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. The proposed maps and proposed election sequence for each council district are scheduled to be posted online by Oct. 19 at www.lakewoodcity.org/ DistrictElections.

Then, on Nov. 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., a public hearing is scheduled for a City Council meeting where a city ordinance will be introduced together with an accompanying resolution selecting a final map and establishing district boundaries and an election sequence for each council district. The hearing and council meeting will be held in the

Weingart Ballroom at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. The final adoption of the ordinance and resolution is scheduled for a public hearing at a City Council meeting on Nov. 16, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., also in the Weingart Ballroom.

The schedule above is subject to change. For more information on the new by-district elections and for confirmation on the schedule as the dates approach, visit the website above or call the Lakewood City Clerk’s Office.

Para información en español, llamar a la Secretaría Municipal de Lakewood a 562-8669771 ext. 2200 o visite www. lakewoodcity.org/DistrictElectionsEspanol. ♦

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College Fair on Oct. 12 at The Centre Lakewood’s annual College Fair will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Centre, 5000 Clark Avenue.

Parents and students (ages 1522) can meet college representatives, pick up brochures, and ask questions about admission, testing, transcripts, transfers, fees and deadlines.

All students in attendance on Oct. 12 are eligible to win a $250 scholarship sponsored by the

Lakewood Teen Action Committee.

All current L.A. County Public Health protocols will be followed.

(Photo was taken prior to the current indoor masking requirements.)

College Information Workshop This year’s College Fair also includes a free College Information Workshop designed for parents and students and presented

by John H. Wilson, III, director of

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the nonprofit West Angeles Education & Enrichment Program, a leading independent authority on affordable higher education options for families.

Topics covered include: • Twelve Common Biggest Mistakes in the College Application Process - Before, During and AFTER the Application • How Much Will You Pay for College? (Yes, you can know) • The Effect of the Government Response to COVID-19 on the College Access Process • College Affordability, Cost Sustainability and Your Household • Question and answer segment • And more!

The session is offered on two dates (before and after the College Fair): In-Person: Monday, Oct. 11 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Youth Center at Del Valle Park.

Virtual Webinar: Thursday, Oct. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A Zoom link will be emailed prior to the session date.

Register now at www.lakewoodcity.org/CollegeFairWorkshop as space is limited and registration is required for either session.

For more information, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/CollegeFair or call the Lakewood Youth Center at 562-429-7472. ♦

Parents and teens can get brochures and information at the College Fair.

City Spotlight

(Cont’d. from Pg. 2)

$100, highlighting your business in front of 120 ball players and fans.

Now in its 49th year, Project Shepherd provides food and gifts during the holiday season and throughout the year to Lakewood residents in need.

The City of Lakewood and the Rotary Club of Lakewood organize the efforts of volunteers and the donations of food, toys, clothing and cash to make Project Shepherd a success. Nearly 400 families, including 1,500 youth and adults, were helped in 2020.

Family overnight camp in Lakewood Bring your children, ages 3

to 11, and have a fun overnight campout under the stars Oct. 16-17 at Monte Verde Park, 4626 N. Shadeway Rd. Participate in games, crafts, nature walks, roasting marshmallows and singing around the campfire. All meals and snacks are prepared, so parents can sit back, relax and enjoy nature.

See the Lakewood CityTV video at www.lakewoodcity.org/ familycamp.

A “what to bring” list will be emailed before camp. The fee is only $10 per person. A $10 per person supply fee is due to the instructor at camp. Use activity #20989 for registration. ♦

Green October 2021

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Citrus trees infected with HLB subject to emergency removal Lakewood Shreds returns The bacterium that causes the October 30 with free shredding disease blocks the flow of nutri-

Avoid identity theft by safely disposing of documents.

The City of Lakewood and EDCO Waste Services are teaming up again to sponsor a FREE shredding event to help you prevent identity theft by securely shredding sensitive documents as well as to safely dispose of unwanted e-waste.

On Saturday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon, Lakewood residents can take advantage of easy drive-through shredding and recycling services in the parking lot behind City Hall and Iacoboni Library.

Residents will enter the parking lot behind Iacoboni Library off of Civic Center Way and drive through to access these services: • Shredding: Bring up to three bankers-style boxes (10” x 12” x 15”) per household of sensitive documents such as bank statements and tax records for free shredding on site. No CDs, DVDs, diskettes or other media.

• Battery disposal: Bring used household batteries (no car batteries).

• E-waste disposal: Bring TVs, monitors, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers and cell phones for environmentally safe disposal.

• Mulch: Bring bags or containers to get up to 3 cans/bags per

vehicle. As a courtesy, Lakewood employees will shovel the mulch. If you plan to haul your mulch in an open truck or trailer, please remember to bring a tarp to cover your material.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: • Do not attend this event if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, have been asked to quarantine or recently travelled internationally.

• Face masks are mandatory for driver and all passengers.

• Stay in your vehicle with windows closed.

• Put items for shredding in unlocked trunk/pick-up bed of your car. Staff will NOT open passenger doors or enter the vehicle cabin.

• Be prepared to leave your boxes or containers at the site.

Please do NOT bring these items to the event, as they are hazardous waste: • No lightbulbs of any sort • No household toxics like paint, insecticides, chemicals • No expired medications or sharps Hazardous waste and e-waste are accepted on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at EDCO’s large transfer facility located at 2755 California Ave. in Signal Hill at no charge to Lakewood residents.

This event is for Lakewood residents only. The line will close promptly at noon. Be prepared to show proof of residency, with either a driver’s license or utility bill. For more information, please call 562-866-9771, extension 2140. ♦

Asian citrus psyllid insect spreads the tree disease.

The devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB) continues to be a serious threat to citrus trees. An insect called the Asian citrus psyllid spreads the disease as it feeds on leaves.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has confirmed the presence of HLB in citrus trees in Lakewood as well as Cerritos, Long Beach, Norwalk and Paramount and other nearby cities.

As a result, the CDFA has declared an emergency treatment program that requires removing and destroying infected trees to prevent the disease from spreading statewide.

Residents of affected properties will be invited to a public meeting or sent a letter from CDFA informing them that a tree on their property is infected with HLB and is subject to mandatory removal. Residents can call the CDFA toll-free number at 800-491-1899 for more information.

HLB can affect all citrus trees, including orange, lemon, lime, mandarin, pomelo, kumquat, grapefruit, tangerine and more.

If you have any of these plants in your backyard, inspect them monthly, or whenever watering, spraying, pruning or tending trees. Be sure to thoroughly wash any fruit before sharing it with neighbors to help prevent further spread of the disease.

Symptoms of HLB include: • Yellow shoots with mottling and chlorosis of the leaves.

• Misshapen fruit.

• Fruit that does not fully color.

• Fruit that has a very bitter taste, which makes it unfit for human consumption.

These symptoms often do not appear until two years after infection, making this disease difficult to contain and suppress.

ents within the tree, causing it to starve to death. There is no cure, and infected trees will die two to five years after infection.

Visit www.CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org for more information on the disease and how to inspect your own trees. ♦

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Special Delivery! City Council honors homeowners

Homes and their owners are honored in the Lakewood Beautiful program.

Many residents whose homes were selected as part of the Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards program received a special delivery recently when Lakewood City Council Members hand-delivered commemorative signs to the lucky recipients.

Over the course of two weekends, the five members of Lakewood City Council individually visited the doorsteps of winning homeowners to congratulate them on the honor and presented a commemorative lawn sign displaying their winning category.

Winners enjoyed the highly personal, yet physically distanced interaction with a Council Member. Homeowners enjoyed the time with an individual photo and sharing the love and pride they have for their homes and Lakewood.

You can watch a video to see

Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on Oct. 14!

The statewide “Great California ShakeOut!” exercise is Thursday, Oct. 14 at 10:14 a.m.

The annual drill helps raise public awareness about earthquake dangers.

Many businesses and schools participate in the drill. At the assigned time, employees and students “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” Lakewood CityTV looks at the realities of living in “earthquake country” in “Shake, Rattle and Survive.” The video explores the risks of a major quake, and looks at preparing to deal with the aftermath. See the video at www. lakewoodcity.org/ShakeOut. Experts encourage families to use the ShakeOut drill as a reminder to check their preparedness plans, kits and supplies.

More information is online at www.ShakeOut.org. ♦

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how some of the visits went and browse the photo gallery of honorees at www.lakewoodcity.org/LakewoodBeautifulWinners.

Of the 138 nominations received in 2021, 48 homes were recognized. Lakewood Beauti-

ful’s three returning categories include the Beautiful Home Award, Transformation Award and Water Wise Award, which is an additional designation for any home winning the aforementioned two categories that also uses efficient irrigation and drought-tolerant landscaping.

This year also brings a new category to Lakewood Beautiful, the Neat & Tidy Award.

This category honors the dedicated efforts of honorees whose homes impressed judges with a clean aesthetic and positive first impression these residents have worked so hard to achieve.

Interested in nominating your home or a neighbor’s home next year? Nominations open up Spring 2022, plenty of time to start sprucing up your homes and front yards. Learn more by visiting www.Lakewoodcity. org/lakewoodbeautiful. ♦ Eric M. Reed, D.D.S. UCLA ‘91 / Lakewood HS ‘82

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October 2021

FUN-Tastic Family Night Features Kiddle Karoo’s Halloween Show

Join us for seasonal entertainment that’s more silly than scary with Kiddle Karoo’s Halloween Show at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. on Friday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

In this musical puppet show, Kiddle Karoo entertains kids with original music, interactive dancing and a touch of magic wrapped in wacky puppet antics.

Bean and cheese burritos, Spanish rice, lemonade and a

dessert will be served prior to the show.

Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Cost is $10 per person, $7 for children 1-3, and children under 1 are free.

Register online at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog with activity #20885, or call Lakewood City Hall at 562-866-9771, extension 2408. ♦

Lakewood Women’s Club

The Lakewood Women’s Club invites all interested to join us at our October 19th meeting at Monte Verde Park, 4626 Shadeway Road in Lakewood at 11am. Be prepared to be entertained by a wonderful singer - Tony O’Dell Rogers! If interested, please contact Sandy Richardson at 562-866-8410 or refer to our e-mail: lakewoodcawomensclub@gmail.com or webpage: lakewoodcawomensclub.org.

The Lakewood Women’s Club concentrates on civic projects to help improve the lives of those in our area.

On Saturday October 16th, the club will have our first booth at the annual Lollipop Lane Craft Boutique at Mayfair Park. Please stop by our booth and check out our homemade crafts and find out from a member what the Lakewood Women’s Club is all about!

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

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10 Year Anniversary of Lakewood Car Wash

Lakewood Car Wash celebrated their 10th anniversary at the beginning of September by honoring the local community, customers and employees with various themed events and prize giveaways. The four-day celebration featured free car

washes, visits from popular Disney characters, special toy drives, drawings for gift cards and tickets to Legoland or Disneyland.

The 10 Year Anniversary events also featured the Lakewood Salute, a ribbon cutting

washes and plays a large part in supporting the Lakewood community, before expressing his wish for Lakewood Car Wash to “continue to thrive for the next 10 years.”

Lakewood Car Wash, located at 5730 Lakewood Blvd, was recently named “Best Car Wash in Lakewood” during the 2021 Best of Lakewood Awards organized by the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and voted on by Lakewood residents. ♦

ceremony attended by Greater Lakewood Chamber President Jose Solache, Chamber Board Chair Brad Crihfield, City Council Member Ariel Pe and Mayor Jeff Woods. Mayor Woods explained that Lakewood Car Wash is unlike other

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

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October 2021

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Public meeting on race, equity, diversity and inclusion

A key part of the City of Lakewood’s ongoing Community Dialogue on race, equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI) is a regular discussion with Lakewood residents to hear their thoughts and suggestions on ways to build on all the good in Lakewood and make the community the safest, most welcoming place it can be, for everyone.

The last REDI roundtable meeting was held in April, on Zoom for public health reasons. With public health rules now allowing for more gatherings, the city has scheduled the next roundtable for an in-person, outdoor meeting.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard of the Lakewood Youth Center at the northwest corner of Del Valle Park at 4658 Woodruff Ave. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. So that adequate refreshments and seating are pro-

vided, please RSVP by 8 a.m. on Oct. 14 at www.lakewoodcity. org/REDIroundtable or by calling 562-866-9771, ext. 3123.

Topics will include a progress report on implementing the REDI Action Plan passed by the Lakewood City Council in January 2021. The Action Plan was based on input from hundreds of Lakewood residents in 2020 and includes: • The creation of a Multicultural Food & Music Festival (happening on Oct. 9; details on back page) • More community talks with Sheriff’s personnel • Enhancing the city’s work with teens on racial equity See the full Action Plan at www.lakewoodcity.org/REDI. There will be plenty of time for questions and comments. Representing the Lakewood City Council at the meeting will be Mayor Jeff Wood and Vice Mayor Steve Croft. (State public meeting rules limit attendance to two council members. Lakewood City Council Members have been rotating for each of the REDI roundtables.) ♦

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Fun ways to fuse art and nature in your home (StatePoint) Beyond sprucing up your work and living environs, there’s certainly much to love about houseplants, whether it’s the simple act of taking care of something or the fact that some varietals can even improve the air quality in your home (peace lilies, we’re looking at you).

However, if you’re like many people who have done virtually everything from home this past year, your living room has turned into a veritable plant nursery.

Rather than add more plants to your living spaces haphazardly, consider these easy tips from LiveTrends, a company that creates and designs over 500 original living art product collections each year: • Befriend color. When it comes to pots for your greenery, succulent and shrubs, you may think neutral is the way to go. Think again. Right now, it’s all about attention-grabbing colors, such as the mustard, navy and wine, which are featured in the Harvest Votive and Agatha styles from LiveTrends’ fall 2021 collection. When you fuse nature with bold hues, you can easily elevate a houseplant into art status. Bonus: You don’t have to shell out serious dough like you would for framed wall art or a sculpture.

• Add joy. The pandemic accelerated the plant parent trend and many found themselves deeply embracing “biophilia,” or the innate desire to connect with nature -- from the great indoors that is. To give you a moment of joy during your day or even perk up your Zoom background, look for whimsical and fun plant designs.

• Make holiday swaps. Add vitality to your holiday home decorating game by swapping in festive plants for elements in your regular lineup. During Halloween for example, LiveTrends offers designs like the delightfully ghoulish yogi skeleton mini plants, a collection of skeleton figures seated in Sukhasana pose. During the winter holiday season, their “Snomann” plants make a cute and festive addition to your

mantel or tablescape.

By fusing nature with art, you For more design inspiration can elevate your houseplant coland tips or to view the latest col- lection and create truly beautiful lections, visit instagram.com/ living spaces in your home. ♦ livetrendsdesign.

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How to register for Project Pick up your pencil and lets Shepherd assistance

The holiday season can be difficult for some Lakewood households, including those who have endured unemployment or underemployment for many months. If you are a Lakewood resident facing tough economic times, your Lakewood neighbors want to help.

You can register to receive help from Project Shepherd for Thanksgiving and the December holiday from Wednesday, Nov. 3 to Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, residents must make an appointment to register. Starting Monday, Oct. 18, you can make an appointment by calling the Burns Community Center Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 562-9257512.

Why Now is the Time to Schedule That Check-Up or Screening

(StatePoint) If you haven’t visited your physician since the start of the pandemic, medical experts say that the time is now to book checkups and screenings for the entire family.

“The pandemic has had wide-scale negative health consequences beyond COVID-19. Many Americans have delayed important routine health services critical to keeping them healthy, including vital pediatric immunizations and preventive cancer screenings. Prevention is the best cure, so it’s important to get your health back on track today,” says Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., American Medical Association (AMA) president.

With school beginning and the cool weather months ahead, the AMA urges Americans to call their physician’s office to learn if they are due for preventive care or screenings. ♦

Eligibility requirements: • Lakewood residents only.

• Those who are low-income, unemployed or on public assistance.

To register, bring the following: • A current utility bill (water, gas, electric) or government award letter.

• Identification for each person in the household, including children.

Project Shepherd would like to thank our sponsors Macy’s, Life Center Church, H&H Nursery, and Lakewood Regional Medical Center for their generous support this holiday season.

Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ProjectShepherdRegistration for additional information. ♦

play Sudoku!

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 are drawn by random.

One entry per household; the winner will be drawn on Friday, October 22, 2021, and a call to the winner will be made the same day. If

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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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Thank You to our Sudoku Sponsor!

News

Community October 2021

www.lakewoodchamber.com

‘Thank a Servicemember’ needs your help

Pick up a free 2021 Thank a Servicemember postcard at City Hall.

The City of Lakewood’s eighth annual ‘Thank a Servicemember’ campaign is in full swing, collecting cards and letters of appreciation to send to our U.S. military servicemembers stationed far from home.

There’s plenty of time to get creative--the deadline to deliver the cards to City Hall is Friday, Dec. 3. The city will send the collected cards and letters to the nonprofit organization Operation Gratitude for delivery with care packages sent to U.S. servicemembers overseas.

You can pick up a free Lakewood-themed postcard, write your message and drop it in the collection box at the check-in table at the northeast entrance to City Hall (off Civic Cen-

ter Way). Or you can make or write your own card or letter and bring it in.

Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ TAS to learn more about Thank a Servicemember and how you can get involved. You will also find there a list of additional card locations and campaign partners as well as alternative ways to submit your message online.

During these unprecedented times, please take a few minutes to share your appreciation for the sacrifice of our men and women serving our nation overseas. They will receive your greeting during the holiday season.

For more information, call the city’s Community Relations office at (562) 866-9771 ext. 3123. ♦

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Patriot Day video now online

The City of Lakewood solemnly commemorated the 20th anniversary of Patriot Day with an expanded flag-lowering ceremony Saturday evening, Sept.

11 at City Hall.

The 60-minute ceremony included the presentation of the colors by cadets from the Lakewood High School Jr. Naval ROTC, remarks from Mayor Jeff Wood and keynote speaker L.A. County Fire Battalion Chief Albert Yanagisawa, and a musical performance by the Golden Sands Chorus.

Rev. Dr. Candace Cole-Kelly of Acts Community Bible Church of Lakewood led a moment of silence before L.A. County Sheriff’s Department trumpeters played Taps as our nation’s flag was lowered for the night.

You can watch the replay of the event on CityTV channel 31 (Spectrum and Frontier) or

RECIPE Reese’s Bats

INGREDIENTS 10 mini Reese’s cups 5 oreos 20 Candy eyes 1 tbsp. peanut butter DIRECTIONS 1. Cut all Oreo cookies in half and gently remove the cream. Cut each half in half to create the wings.

2. Using a toothpick or a small spoon, apply a small dab of peanut butter to one end of each Oreo. Press onto the Reese’s cup to make wings.

3. Next, place a small dab of peanut butter onto the back of two candy eyes and place on top of the edge of the wings. Serve.

13 chairs were decorated and left empty at Lakewood’s Patriot Day ceremony in tribute to the U.S. military personnel killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 26.

channel 99 (AT&T) on Sundays and Thursdays through Oct. 28 at 12 a.m./p.m. and 9 a.m./p.m. or anytime at www. lakewoodcity.org/PatriotDayVideo.

Since first gathering two weeks after the horrific events

of Sept. 11, 2001, Lakewood residents have come together annually to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks and pay tribute to the U.S. military personnel and public safety first responders who protect and serve us at home and abroad. ♦

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October 2021