Lakewood Community News - September 2018

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 36 Number 9

New location for Patriot Day ceremony

September 2018

Another great year for Lakewood Chamber's annual car show

This year's "Best in Show" winner - a 1948 Ford Woodie owned by Mickey Christiason.

After-school Activity Zone opens

Kids get homework done at the Activity Zone

Lakewood’s After-School Activity Zone is a free drop-in pro­gram for school-age children and preteens. City parks offer the supervised afterschool activities Monday to

Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. beginning Monday, August 27.

Kids are provided with playground games, arts and crafts, and homework help. Par­ents can be assured that their chil-

dren are properly super­vised in a safe and creative environment. Each Lakewood park has its own schedule of programs and activities.

Teens have the option of using the Lakewood Youth Center at Del Valle Park or the Teen Resource Center at Bloomfield Park as their afternoon hangout. Both centers have comput­ ers, filtered Internet access for homework, game tables and video game systems.

Program schedules can be picked up at Lakewood City Hall, at all Lakewood parks and at www.lakewoodcity.org/ activityzone. For more information, call city hall at 562866-9771, exten­sion 2408. ♦

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who protect and serve us at home and abroad.

The commemorative event was held for many years at Del Valle Park with a patriotic concert, but it has been redesigned this year to return to its original location in front of City Hall, in a more compact setting that continues to convey the solemn feelings and recognition of Lakewood residents. ♦

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Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department trumpet players play Taps as our nation’s flag is lowered for the night.

Since first gathering two weeks after the horrific events of September 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

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The City of Lakewood will solemnly commemorate Patriot Day with a flag-lowering ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 at City Hall at 5050 Clark Ave. The 30-minute ceremony will include the presentation of the colors, remarks from Mayor Steve Croft and a brief musical performance. Pastor Tim Buzbee will lead a moment of silence before the

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A flag-lowering ceremony will be held at City Hall.

Cruisin’ by to say thanks for an amazing car show!

The summer heat didn’t stop Lakewood residents from attending the 21st Annual Summer Stampede Car Show on August 12th! Mayfair Park was filled with beautiful classic cars and trucks, delicious food trucks and many unique vendor booths to visit.

Lakewood favorite band “The

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Retros” provided the soundtrack of the day and the little ones had a blast playing in the Kids Zone and participating in the fun contests.

The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce hosts this popular event each year, but it would not be possible without the help of our volunteers, vendors and especially our sponsors! Thank you all so much! ♦

Greater Lakewood CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A Special THANK YOU to our Car Show Sponsors

Today

Lakewood

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Hometown Heroes in Lakewood

By Mayor Steve Croft

One of Lakewood’s special qualities as a city is having so many residents and community members who go “above and beyond” for their neighbors and their community.

Thanks to Lakewood Center, we had an opportunity to recognize some of these wonderful hometown heroes at Lakewood Center’s annual “Summer Fest” event at the mall on August 18.

Hundreds of Lakewood residents enjoyed an afternoon and evening of fun, food and dancing to Knyght Ryder, a popular band from Lakewood’s Concert in the Park series.

During the Hometown Heroes portion of the event, over a dozen Lakewood residents and community members were honored in front of the large audience for their good deeds.

Among those recognized were the members of Lakewood’s Special Olympics softball team who represented the State of California and went all the way to the USA Games in Seattle this summer, winning the Silver Medal as the number 2 team in the nation. The Special Olympians have been champions in other ways too, dealing with developmental disabilities and conquering many challenges throughout their lives. In Lakewood, we’ve been proud to have operated an award-winning “adaptive recreation” program for over 30 years,

helping youth and adults with disabilities. We’re even prouder now thanks to the dedication and teamwork of our Special Olympics softball team members and their coaches! Way to go!

Also honored was L.A. County Fire Battalion Chief Albert Yanagisawa, who oversees Fire Department services in Lakewood. Chief Yanagisawa is an 18year veteran of the department with specialties in incident command training and fire prevention. He is also a strong supporter of expanding our society’s focus on suicide prevention through Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. (Over 40,000 Americans commit suicide every year.)

We also recognized L.A. County Sheriff ’s Detective Theo Gekas, a 19-year Sheriff ’s veteran who has worked out of the Lakewood Station for many years. Detective Gekas serves as a mentor to many deputies based on his deep familiarity with the Lakewood community and his specialized knowledge of investigative work.

Statistics show that Lakewood Center is one of the safest shopping malls in our region. One reason is the top-notch security personnel who work there. We recognized three of the mall’s security staff as Hometown Heroes for their role in administering CPR and AED shocks to a patron who collapsed and was not breathing. The customer survived thanks to the quick and expert help from Lakewood Center security staff Jacob Gaston, Danielle Montanez and Zachary Cornatzer.

Teachers are heroes every day in the lives of our children and families, and I was pleased we could honor one special Lakewood teacher, Veronica Lucio, for her role in expanding music education at Gompers Elementary School. Ms. Lucio teaches band, string, guitar and now…

ukulele. With her guidance, a record number of Gompers’ students were accepted this past year into the Long Beach Unified Honor Band and the Orlendorf Orchestra.

Last but not least, it was my privilege to take part in honoring several military veterans from Lakewood. Recognizing the service of our veterans has been important in Lakewood for generations, and during my year as mayor, I want to be sure we highlight this core value of our community.

We honored Conrad Gomez, the president of our local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter. Conrad grew up in Lakewood in the 1950s and 60s and served in Vietnam during the height of the Tet Offensive in 1968. He has volunteered thousands of hours to helping veterans and activeduty servicemembers and their families. He and his fellow VVA members provide care packages to combat troops in Afghanistan and support to Gold Star families (who have lost family members in military service).

I was also pleased to honor Richard Dykens, a leader in our local Disabled Veterans of America chapter and an active member in our Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Richard is a Navy veteran of the 1980s who has lived in Lakewood for over 20 years. He helps veterans understand the benefits they have qualified for from their service to their country, including those who have sustained life-changing injuries while in the military.

Thank you again to Lakewood Center and to the many Lakewood residents in attendance at Summer Fest for honoring our hometown heroes. These wonderful community members show once again why Lakewood is a special place where “Times Change, Values Don’t.” ♦

September 2018

City Spotlight Registration for fall/winter recreation classes Watch for the new Fall/Winter catalog of recreation and community services that will be arriving Labor Day weekend at Lakewood homes. The new catalog is packed full of fun programs and activities for all ages.

You can register for classes and programs online starting September 1 at www.lakewoodcity.org/ ecatalog or by calling City Hall at 562-866-9771 extension 2408.

Over 500 classes will be offered, with many old favorites and interesting new classes. Fall recreation programs will begin on Monday, September 24 and run through January 2019.

FUN-Tastic Family Night Wild Wonders Presents Small Wonders from Down Under Enjoy a walkabout with some of Australia’s most popular and exotic animals! Join us at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave., on Friday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Audience members will get an up-close look at a wallaby, sugar gliders or blue-tongued skink!

This show is sure to be fun for the whole family! A light meal of hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, lemonade and dessert will be served prior to the show.

Seating is on a first-come basis and doors open at 6:00 p.m. This event costs $8 per person, $5 for children 3 and under. Children under 1 are free. Register at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog using class #10310 or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information.

Fall Craft Festival Attention shoppers! Lakewood’s 37th Annual Senior Fall Craft Festival will be held on Saturday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Weingart Senior Cen-

ter, 5220 Oliva Ave. A variety of handmade items will be on sale at very reasonable prices. This is a great place to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, call 562-630-6141.

Griffith Observatory Travel Trip Lakewood's affordable travel program is heading to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 15 from 2:00 to 10:30 p.m.

The Griffith Observatory is filled with opportunities to observe, learn and be inspired. Check out the amazing live programs in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium (for a nominal fee). See one of the daily or monthly programs in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon.

Check out the many exhibits or enjoy the views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Refreshments are available at the Café at the End of the Universe (on your own) or buy a fun memento at the Stellar Emporium Gift Shop.

Volunteers will be on hand for a public star party to assist visitors with trying out a variety of telescopes and a chance to get a look at the Sun, Moon, visible planets and other objects. These knowledgeable amateur astronomers will also talk to visitors about the sky and their equipment.

Please arrive at Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave., Lakewood, at 2:00 p.m. for checkin. The bus will leave promptly at 2:30 p.m.

The cost of this trip is $22 per person. An adult must accompany children of all ages. Last day to register is Tuesday, September 4 or until filled.

Advanced registration is required, through eCatalog at www. lakewoodcity.org/eCatalog using activity #10523. ♦

For more information and to register for any of our classes, please visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ eCatalog or call 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

Your

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Sewer and water line insurance

A collapse of your sewer or water line could cost you up to $5,000 to $10,000 or more to repair.

Most Lakewood homes from the 1950s were built with underground clay sewer pipes and metal water service pipes that can shift, crack and leak over time. Tree roots can’t cause the cracks, but they love the water from leaks and will grow into those cracks. The roots will expand there and can create clogs, which if not cleared can ultimately cause the pipe to collapse and become unusable. That’s when you have a big, expensive problem on your hands.

In most cities, including Lakewood, homeowners are responsible for repairs to the sewer line from their home to the main sewer line, which in Lakewood is usually located under the street in front of the home or along the rear property line. Homeowners are also responsible for the water service line from their home to the point it connects with the meter.

Most home insurance policies don’t cover repairs to external sewer or water lines. That’s why some home warranty companies have begun offering specialized policies for that work.

These companies also handle the hiring and oversight of the specialized contractors. Policies generally cost about $5-25 a month depending on the extent of coverage. Some

also include coverage for plumbing repairs inside your house.

The City of Lakewood doesn’t endorse a particular home warranty company, but does suggest that residents consider such polices and also consider regular maintenance of their sewer line to prevent small problems from becoming big.

Major sewer and water line problems aren’t widespread in Lakewood.

Each year, fewer than 20 permits for major sewer repairs are issued in our city of 25,000 homes. But with the age of our homes, one can expect the number of such repairs to increase in the years ahead. And if you are one of the unfortunate homeowners to experience a major sewer line problem, you may wish you had an insurance policy in place to protect you from a big, unforeseen financial hit.

You can ask your homeowner’s insurance carrier if they offer such policies or search for sewer and water line insurance policies online.

You can help preserve your sewer line by having it periodically videoinspected and, if needed, professionally cleaned out. A professional clean-out is recommended because a “do-it-yourself” clean-out of a 65-year-old clay sewer pipe can create more serious problems than it solves. ♦

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& Financial

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September 2018

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Three steps to a mosquito-free environment Mosquitoes can quickly breed in water left standing just a few days. Serious illness and even death can result from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus and the new threat of the Zika virus.

That’s why it’s important to follow these three basic steps to protect yourself and your neighborhood from diseasespreading mosquitoes.

Step 1: Tip and toss – get rid

of standing water Did you know that more than 10,000 mosquitoes can emerge from a swimming pool each week?

That’s why the first step is to get rid of any containers holding water, including water pooling at the bottom of plant saucers. Check toys or other small items left standing in water and wash them thoroughly if kept. Mosquito eggs laid in

cracks are hard to detect and can live for up to a year. Remove or drill holes in the bottom of all plant pots, saucers, barrels, bins and old tires.

Step 2: Get insect repellant Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite? They need the protein in your blood to produce eggs.

Look for insect repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to keep mosquitoes away.

Step 3: Know your enemy… and guard against invasion Did you know it only takes 7 days for a mosquito to complete its life cycle from egg to flying adult?

Prevent mosquitoes from invading your home by ensuring window screens are intact.

Remember, dawn and dusk are the most active time for most mosquitoes. If you must be outdoors at those times, wear long-sleeve shirts and

Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

pants and insect repellant.

Note: The Aedes mosquito is active during the day.

The Zika virus is transmitted by the small Aedes mosquito and has serious repercussions for pregnant women.

Aedes mosquitoes can live indoors or outdoors. Eggs are laid along the waterline of any water-holding container such as flower vases, plant saucers, buckets, used tires, and even

plants that hold water, like bamboo or bromeliads. Eggs can remain alive for years, and hatch into larvae when conditions are right.

Look for: • small, black mosquitoes with white stripes • mosquitoes active and biting during the day--even indoors!

• immature mosquitoes (larvae and pupae) swimming in stagnant water.

Report black-and-white, daytime-biting mosquitoes to the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District at 562944-9656 or www.ReportMosquitoes.org. This FREE service includes inspection and treatment.

For more information on Aedes and other mosquitoes, visit www.glacvcd.org.

Untreated swimming pools can be reported to Lakewood City Hall by calling 562866-9771, extension 2140, or emailing service1@lakewoodcity.org.

Residents finding any dead birds or squirrels (which could be a sign of West Nile virus) can report them by calling the West Nile Virus Dead Bird Hotline at 877-968-2473. ♦

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September 2018

Lakewood Garden Club Will meet on Thursday, September 27 at 11AM. The program begins at 12:30pm.

The subject is on Plumerias - planting and caring for the plant. Come and join us in the Youth Center at Del Valle Park in Lakewood. ♌

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September 2018

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LEF charity golf helps Lakewood kids Tips for using your new smart water meter

Sign-ups for this year’s Lakewood Education Foundation (LEF) charity golf tournament set for Monday, October 8 are underway. Proceeds directly support classroom improvement projects at Lakewood schools.

Thanks to generous donations from Lakewood residents and businesses, LEF has funded hundreds of improvements in Lakewood schools since 2003 through grants of up to $500.

However, 34 grant applications last year could not be funded because there weren’t enough donations to fulfill them. That’s why your support would be so wel-

come this year.

For information about the LEF golf tournament to be held on Columbus Day, Monday, October 8 at the Lakewood Country Club, including sponsorship opportunities, call LEF at 562-496-3559 or 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

The tournament brochure is online at www.lakewoodeducation. org.

You don’t have to golf to help LEF. You can also donate directly by making out a check to the Lakewood Education Foundation and mailing it to LEF, c/o Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90712. Donations are tax deductible. It's also easy to donate online at www.lakewoodcity.org/DonateLEF. In 2017, 114 Lakewood school projects received grants totaling $54,525. They went to classroom projects to schools across Lakewood.

The number one request this past year was for extra books, proving that some teaching tools never go out of fashion. Following close behind were requests for science and lab equipment, educational field trips, musical instruments and classroom technology such as Apple TVs and iPads.

LEF is a non-profit agency run

by Lakewood residents. An annual fireworks stand, the golf tournament and dozens of individual donations raise the annual funding. The group is operated solely by volunteers and therefore has very low overhead costs.

You can watch a video to learn more about LEF at www.lakewoodcity.org/LEFvideo. ♦

If you’re a Lakewood city water customer, your newly installed smart meter enables you to see how much water you use every hour of the day. Together with the new Lakewood-Fathom website that was launched on July 9 you can now: • See how much water you use on irrigation and inside the house… and get ideas for saving money and being more efficient.

• See if you have a leak or abnormal water use.

• Sign up for email or text alerts if the system detects a leak or if your water bill is on track to climb above a certain dollar amount you set.

Tip # 1 – How can I track my hourly or daily water usage?

Log into your account, and click on “View Use” or “Track.” This takes you to a screen showing your daily usage over the past two weeks.

Click on a single day, and you will

see how much you used each hour of that day. Check the time when you know you irrigate your yard to see the amount of that water usage. You can also check how much you’re using during the hours you know your family is at home washing dishes, doing the laundry, etc.

The system will indicate any possible leaks in red. You can also look for leaks yourself by checking your hourly data. If it shows water in use when you weren’t home or using water, then you may have a leak.

Tip # 2 – How can I keep my water bill as low as possible?

Knowledge is power. By seeing how much water you use in different activities, you will know where to look for savings. Click on “Take Action” and the Lakewood-Fathom website will show you dozens of water-saving and money-saving tips. Learn how to wash dishes more efficiently, irrigate more efficiently, and fix common leaks around the house.

Tip # 3 – How can I make bill paying easier?

You can sign up for paperless billing and auto-pay at “View Bill.”

There, you can also review past bills and compare your current bill to past bills.

Tip # 4 – How do I log into the new Lakewood-Fathom website?

Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ UtilityBill. If you already have an account, you’ll see where to log in.

If you don’t yet have an online account, get a recent bill and use your account number and zip code to log in. If you need help, call customer service at 1-855-785-4021 during business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed alternating Fridays).

If customers prefer, they can continue to view their water and trash bill on paper…and pay through the mail or in person at City Hall just as they always have. Using the new website with its smart water meter features is completely optional for Lakewood customers. ♦

Green September 2018

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Living

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Rain barrel rebates and free class on Reminder...placement saving precious rainwater at home of EDCO carts

Rain barrels are beneficial for water-wise landscaping.

Water-saving rain barrels are available for pre-order and pickup at a free Rainwater Harvesting class to be held Saturday, October 6, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.,

at the Weingart Senior Center in Lakewood.

The class will discuss the importance of rainwater harvesting, the benefits of a rain bar-

rel and the installation process.

Also discussed will be how to apply for the rebate, droughttolerant landscaping and water conservation tips inside and outside of your home.

In conjunction with the class, RainBarrelsIntl.com is offering barrels at a discounted rate of only $65 each, plus tax. To reserve your spot in the class and to pre-order your barrel, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/rainbarrels. Only rain barrels ordered in advance are guaranteed to be available for pickup at the October 6 event.

Rain barrels are "food grade" recycled-plastic barrels with a brass ¾" spigot for garden hose attachment and a 4" tight screen to prevent mosquitoes and other bugs from access.

They’re available in black (60 gallons) or terra cotta (58 gallons).

Barrels purchased through this event qualify for a Metropolitan Water District program that rebates $35 each for up to two barrels per household (one submission is allowed).

The Rainwater Harvesting class will be at Lakewood’s Weingart Senior Center, 5220 Oliva Avenue, on Saturday, October 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For additional information on the rain barrel rebate, please call (919) 602-6316 or email info@rainbarrelsintl.com. ♦

Correct placement of trash, recycling and green waste carts.

Help EDCO and the City of Lakewood serve you properly on your collection day by setting out your trash, recycling and green waste carts in an unobstructed area. Please review the following guidelines and set out carts by 6 a.m. on your scheduled day of service or the night before.

• Keep a minimum of two (2) feet between each of your trash, recycling & green waste carts and three (3) feet from obstructions such as parked cars, mailboxes,

trees and telephone poles.

• Set out carts at street level with the wheels against the curb or at the edge of the road on your designated collection day.

• Arrows on the lid of your waste, recycling and green waste carts should point toward the street.

• Please do not overload your carts or overfill them so that the cart lid can’t close properly. That risks having your cart skipped if the mechanical arms can’t lift the cart without spilling waste material.

• Please be careful not to place carts in areas of traffic, such as bike lanes, in order to avoid blocking paths of travel.

Watch Lakewood CityTV’s video about helpful tips on using the carts at www.lakewoodcity/org/ cartsvideo. ♦

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SH P LAKEWOOD

September 2018

Shop Lakewood for your back-to-school needs Make it easy…save money on back-to-school needs… and help your local community by shopping local in Lakewood.

From school supplies and backpacks to new clothes and shoes, Lakewood has some

of the nation’s most popular and value-oriented back-toschool retailers…including Costco, Marshalls, Home Goods, Target, Office Max, Dollar Tree, 99¢ Only Stores, Walmart, Kohl’s, Forever 21, JCPenney, Big 5 and Macy’s

new “Backstage” basement store of designer brands at extra low prices.

Don’t forget Lakewood’s small businesses, too, from small specialty retailers to haircuts and style updates at the barber shop or hair salon.

Did you know that as a Lakewood resident you benefit each time you make a purchase at a Lakewood store, restaurant or gas station? A portion of your sales tax dollar stays right here in Lakewood. That pays for parks, roads, public safety and all the features that make for a good quality of life here in our community.

And check out Shop Lakewood’s home on Facebook for coupons and updates at www. shoplakewood.org. (You don’t have to be signed up on Facebook to use the site.)

Recent postings have included Buy One/Get One lunches, grand opening announcements and coupons for Michael's, Macy's, Payless and Kohl's.

Run by the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City

of Lakewood, the Shop Lakewood program highlights both large chains and local mom-and-pop shops and professional services.

This back-to-school season, keep your hometown in mind, and Shop Lakewood…

Stay Lakewood Loyal! Check out Shop Lakewood’s home on Facebook for coupons and updates at www.shoplakewood.org. ♦

Labor Day city services Lakewood City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day. Trash service will continue without interruption.

However, there will be no street sweeping and no makeup sweep. DASH Transit service will also not be available.

Although City Hall will be closed for the Labor Day holiday, residents may leave a non-emergency message with the customer service department at 562-866-9771, extension 2140. Residents can also make non-emergency service requests online at www. lakewoodcity.org/service or email service1@lakewoodcity.org. Messages will be answered on the next business day.

For emergency service requests, like downed tree limbs or water main leaks, please phone 562-866-9771 and follow the recorded instructions to page a 24-hour city emergency staff member.

To obtain an RV/Trailer permit, contact the Lakewood Sheriff 's Safety Center at 562-623-3583. For questions or requests regarding trash and recycling services, contact EDCO Disposal at 562-531-3054. ♦

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

SH P LAKEWOOD September 2018

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SH P LAKEWOOD

Lakewood Sheriff ’s train for school Neither snow nor rain... safety and “active shooter” scenarios

Lakewood is considered a very safe community, but because of the unfortunately all-too-familiar news of active-shooter incidents at schools and other public places around the nation, Lakewood Sheriff ’s personnel regularly train now for how to expertly deal with such scenarios should they ever occur in or near our community.

Lakewood Sheriff ’s personnel

regularly carry out the following: • Trainings and briefings with school security teams and, in some cases, the entire staff of a school on how to deal with an “active shooter” scenario.

• Holding “active shooter” response live trainings and simulations at schools and various commercial locations in Lakewood.

As part of one of the nation’s largest and most experienced law enforcement agencies, Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department personnel working out of the Lakewood Sheriff ’s Station have access to unique resources and staffing that enable them to apply state-of-the-art knowledge to pre-

pare for and respond to specialized emergencies.

“We all hope we never have to put that training to use in Lakewood,” says Lakewood Station Captain Rick Harpham, “but I want our community to know that we do everything we can to be prepared to keep them safe no matter what happens.”

“I also want parents to know,” said Harpham, “that if an emergency of any kind happens at a school…be it an earthquake or human-made disaster…please follow your school’s emergency response plan.

“School staff will actively share information with parents through the school messaging system, so it is important to keep your contact information current with the school,” said Harpham. “Schools may also post information on school and district websites and share alerts via school apps.

“Resist the urge to descend on the school during an emergency,” said Harpham. “When thousands of parents do that, it creates its own crisis, which gets in the way of school personnel and first responders focusing on the safety of the students and resolving the situation at hand.” ♦

The Postal Service has a motto, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

What exactly does that mean? It means that absolutely nothing will interfere with their deliveries. The couriers are focused and determined in carrying out what’s necessary for people like you and me, waiting for their mail, to receive it.

This is the kind of determination we must all have in order to attain what we want in our lives. Excuses come in handy for many. They roll off the tongue so often, they begin to feel like

...STAY LAKEWOOD LOYAL

real obstacles. But mostly, they are just excuses. Those excuses are the blocks keeping you from getting what you want. They are the snow, the rain, the heat, etc.

We need to become like the Postal Worker (not the one who “goes postal”), but the one who lets nothing stand in the way of what needs to be accomplished.

Are you going to let a little snow, rain, or heat, become your excuse for inactivity? Or are you going to throw those excuses out the window and persevere until you get where you want to go?

Submitted by Rossana Snee, MFT, author of The Healing Alphabet, 26 Empowering Ways to Enrich Your Life. www. rossanasnee.com. Follow her on Twitter @HealingABCs and Periscope. She is available in a therapeutic capacity, and also for speaking engagements. ♦

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September 2018

Town

Around September 2018

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Bolivar park construction update

Being an innovator has its advantages, but can also mean you are sometimes the first to work out the kinks in a new type of project.

That’s what has temporarily happened at Bolivar Park with one of the first large-scale stormwater capture projects of its kind in California.

The large field north of McCormick Pool along with new picnic shelters were scheduled to reopen in late June, but an unforeseen problem with specialized filters and sensors has prevented the new irrigation system from supplying sufficient water to properly grow the new grass on the field. The filter and sensor problems are being

resolved by engineering experts, and when they are, new grass will be replanted and the large field will reopen when the new grass has filled in enough for play. City staff are working to make that happen just as quickly as possible.

In one piece of good news, the two new picnic shelters on the east side of the park have now been opened. The third new Bolivar shelter on the west side of the large field will not open until the grass there is ready for use.

Shelters can be reserved at no cost--by residents only--at the Bolivar Park office or at Lakewood City Hall up to two months in advance. The new shelters at Bolivar can hold 60 people and include a large BBQ grill.

Lakewood received $11 million from the State of California to pay for the innovative stormwater capture system at Bolivar Park. Many cities in California are expected to have to use their own city funds

in the near future to pay for such projects, which reduce the flow of trash and contaminants to the ocean and nearby beaches.

The Bolivar Park system was designed by the large engineering firm TetraTech. It includes a pump house and inflatable dam in the Los Cerritos Channel. The dam captures dry-season and moderate wet-season flows in the channel and allows the water to be pumped to the new reservoir underneath the park. The water is cleaned and then used for irrigation. Some water is even infiltrated into the ground beneath the park where it ultimately will replenish groundwater aquifers deep below.

In heavy rains, the dam deflates to allow stormwater to flow quickly and unhindered.

See a CityTV video about the Bolivar project at www.lakewoodcity.org/BPstormwater. ♦

Pick up your pencil and let's play Sudoku Congratulations to the winner of the August Sudoku puzzle, Lynda King! 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 4111 South St. in Lakewood. The winners are drawn by random.

One entry per household; the

answers must be postmarked no later than Thursday, September 20, 2018. The winner will be drawn on Friday, September 21, 2018, and a call to 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 October issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle. ♦

Sudoku Sponsor

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September 2018