Lakewood Chamber celebrates Non-Profit Organizations at their August Mixer
In honor of National NonProfit Day, last month the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce joined forces with F&M Bank and the City of Lakewood to celebrate 14 of the City of Lakewood's most active non-profit organizations for their commitment to their community.
Led by GLCC Chair Joanie Dixson, the GLCC dedicated its August Mixer to Lakewood Service Clubs at F&M Bank. Dixson, who is also First Vice President of F&M Bank. Given F&M Bank's motto is 'service above self,' Dixson said that she wanted to host an event that celebrated service clubs in the City for the second year, whose members are strictly volunteers.
size, the service clubs are at the front of the line ready to help."
"It was a vision that came to reality," Dixson said. "Service Clubs in the City of Lakewood are the backbone of this community; when there is a need, no matter the
Service Clubs, also known as non-profit organizations, recognized for giving back to the City of Lakewood, included: the Lakewood Education Foundation Inc., Lakewood Family YMCA, the Women's Club, the
Lakewood Rotary Club, Pathways to Hospice, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Lakewood Jaycees, the Lakewood Pan-American Association, the Soroptimist International, Meals on Wheels of
Long Beach/ Lakewood, Su Casa Ending Domestic Violence, SELACO, St. Pancratius Cathlic Church and the Human Services Association.
Dixson is also a member of the Soroptimist Club, the Lakewood Women's Club, and is a Board Member for the Lakewood Family YMCA.
"The volunteerism in Lakewood is astronomical, I've never seen anything like this, and these are people who give of their time freely and without ever asking for anything in
return," said Dixson. "These non-profits may be small, but they are mighty and deserve a day just for them."
Dixson thanks the City of Lakewood partnership in bringing this event to fruition.
The New GLCC President & CEO, Denise Urtiaga. said, "For being my first event, It was amazing to see all The non-profit organizations in the City of Lakewood come together and hear about all they do in this community it was also our honor, as a non-profit ourselves, to celebrate the people behind our Service Clubs - its amazing to see the people who make time to give back to their community. It makes me proud to be part of this community. We will see you all at our 3rd Annual next year!” ♦
More photos from the event on page 6
Do you hear the engines revving? That's the sound of the Summer Stampede Car Show! The time is here - September 29 at Mayfair Park
The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Summer Stampede Car Show, taking place on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Mayfair Park here in Lakewood.
As always, this anticipated yearly event will bring out over 100 prize show cars for car enthusiasts and families to enjoy. Join us as we wrap up this year's hot summer months with a car show full of fun, community, great food, great music, a kidz zone, and the Summer Stampede Marketplace.
Our 2024 Summer Stampede is still seeking sponsorships, or participate by setting up a vendor booth to share your wares. Please call or email for more information - (562) 531-9733 / lakewoodchamberinfo@ gmail.com. There's also still time for you to register your classic car. See our car show registration form on Page 4 inside. ♦
Mayor Todd Rogers (center) along with Chamber staff and Board Members.
Mayor Todd Rogers
Back to school time…for all of us
It's that time of year again.
Our schools are full of activity, the laughter of children, and lots of active parents getting their kids to and from campus.
Together, our children, parents and teachers are getting ready for another year of growth and learning.
For everyone in Lakewood who drives, please remember to be careful, especially around schools. Slow down. Be alert. Don’t get distracted by smart phones or anything else in your car.
For parents, this is a good time to remind your children about everything safety related, from bike riding to crossing streets.
The City of Lakewood provides Suggested Routes to School maps, at www.lakewoodcity.org/ backtoschool. At that site, you can also find good tips for your children on bike safety.
Back-to-school season is also a good time to consider how you can support our local schools and teachers and help them do the best possible job educating our children.
For over 20 years, the Lakewood Education Foundation (LEF) has raised and distributed funds for classroom improvement projects throughout Lakewood.
LEF is a Lakewood nonprofit run entirely by volunteers with almost no overhead, and after minimal expenses, every dollar raised goes directly to classroom projects.
This past year, LEF raised $58,920 from hundreds of Lakewood residents and businesses, with donations large and small, even as small as $10. Every bit helped… and LEF made 123 grant awards to Lakewood teachers for classroom enhancement projects.
LEF’s grant amounts are modest—up to a maximum of $500—but they allow teachers to get helpful tools like:
• Books, which remain the number one requested item, proving that some classic teaching tools never go out of style.
• Following close behind were requests for classroom technology, flexible seating and learning materials for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Modest as these tools may sound, when I see them in use I realize that we’re all contributing to something concrete that’s making a difference in dozens of
classrooms and in the education of hundreds of kids every year here in Lakewood.
If you’d like to help this school year, please consider sending a donation to the Lakewood Education Foundation c/o Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Ave.,
Lakewood, CA 90712. Donations are tax deductible. And if you’d like to “Golf for LEF” on October 18 at the Lakewood Country Club, call LEF at 562-496-3559 or visit www.lakewoodeducation.org.
LAKEWOOD CHAMBER
Helping our children in their growth and education in any way that you choose, whether through LEF or some other means, is a positive way to “brighten the corner where you live” here in Lakewood. And we could all use a little more positive, brightening news and activity these days, right?
On behalf of my Lakewood City Council colleagues, I want to personally wish every Lakewood student, and every Lakewood family with children in school, the very best for a successful and meaningful academic year ahead. ♦
Lakewood Community News is an official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
Greater CHAMBER
Rodriguez
Segura Administrative
Henry The Lakewood Community News is printed once a month and covers the City of Lakewood and surrounding communities, with a strong emphasis on the business community. Both the GLCC President/CEO and Managing Editor have exclusive authority over the content that is published.
Mayor's Monthly Report:
TeachersfromPalmsElementarySchoolreceiveLEFgrantsfromMayor Todd Rogers (far left) and Council Member Steve Croft (far right).
Page 3
City Spotlight
Fall/Winter Recreation and Community Services Catalog online
September2024
The new 2024 Fall/Winter Recreation Catalog is now available online and in residents’ mailboxes. Additionally, a limited number of hard copies of the catalog are available for pick up at Lakewood parks, community centers, and Lakewood City Hall.
The new catalog is packed full of fun programs and activities to make life better for all ages.
Residents can register for classes and programs online now at www.lakewoodcity.org/ ecatalog, or by calling Lakewood City Hall at 562-866-9771, ext. 2408.
Fall recreation programs will begin on Monday, Sept. 30 and run through Jan. 2025.
Summer swimming continues
It’s not too late to have some swimming fun while it’s warm. Labor Day weekend wraps up swimming at McCormick Pool in Bolivar Park, with the last day on Monday, Sept. 2. But recreational swimming continues on weekends through the end of September at Mayfair Pool, with the last weekend being Sept. 2829. Fees for recreational swims are $1 for residents ages 17 and under, $1.50 for adult residents (age 18+), and $2 for nonresidents ages 17 and under and $3 for non-resident adults. Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/aquatics for rec swim times.
Swim lessons offered through the month of September at Mayfair Pool. For details go to www.lakewoodcity.org/aquatics or call Mayfair Pool at 562-8044256. Register online at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog
Play at Palms Concert in the Outfield featuring The Trip
Bring the entire family out to Palms Park, 12305 207th St., to enjoy an end of summer Concert in the Outfield featuring “The Trip” on Friday, Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A food truck will be onsite, so bring your picnic blanket and have dinner in the park with your friends and neighbors while enjoying the live entertainment. Pets, barbecues, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. For more information call the Recreation and Community Services Department at 562866-9771, ext. 2408.
Lakewood Youth Center
Open House
Middle school and high school students and their parents are invited to the Lakewood Youth Center Open House, 4658 Woodruff Ave., on Friday, Sept. 13 from 3 – 7 p.m.
Students can check out the Game Room amenities, which include gaming systems, computers, ping pong, air hockey and more, as well as learn about upcoming social events, volunteer opportunities and resources available to teens. Attendees will meet the Youth Center staff responsible for after-school Game Room supervision and year-round programming. The Open House will also feature a sampling of activities available to teens weekly. All are welcome! For more information, call the Lakewood Youth Center at 562429-7472.
educational show for all reptile lovers! Your family will have the opportunity to discover more about our fascinating scaly friends through this fun and interactive experience. The fee is $15 per person ($12 for children ages 1-3, children under 1 are free) and includes a light dinner of BBQ chicken skewers, corn on the cob, salad, lemonade and dessert served prior to the show. Pre-registration is required. Call 562-866-9771, ext. 2408 or register online at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog using activity #28272 by Sept. 12.
Fall Craft Festival at Weingart Senior Center
Attention shoppers! Lakewood’s 42nd Annual Senior Fall Craft Festival will be held on
and hot chocolate will be served while supplies last. Check in begins at 6 p.m. with the movie scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Sorry, no pets or alcohol allowed at the park. For more information call the Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-8669771, ext. 2408 or visit www. lakewoodcity.org/catalog.
“Fest-Of-All” food & music festival coming Oct. 12
Save the date for Lakewood’s 4th annual Fest-Of-All, a multicultural food and music festival to be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 2-8 p.m. at Lakewood Center in the large parking area south of El Torito and west of Target.
Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Weingart Senior Center, 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. Only sellers age 50+ are invited to sign up for table space. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, call 562-630-6141.
Play at Palms: Movie Night
Under the Stars featuring Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
FUN-Tastic Family Night featuring Paramount Pet Entertainment: Reptile Show
Join us on Friday, Sept. 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave., for an
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. 11. Guests can bring chairs and a picnic and enjoy a fun evening with their families. Free popcorn
Representing the wide variety of cultures which Lakewood is proud to have in the community, Lakewood’s Fest-Of-All will include the following fun features:
• Two entertainment stages— with a wide variety of musical and dance acts.
• Multicultural Food Court.
• Family Fun Zone with inflatable attractions.
• Craft Village.
• Children's Cultural Booth.
• Passport Around the World.
Lakewood Center is the Platinum Sponsor of this event. For the entertainment and food lineup, visit www.lakewoodcity. org/Fest-Of-All or call 562-8669771, ext. 2408. ♦
ALL ABOUT FUN
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SPEEDY AUTO TINT
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562-307-5937
COOKIE PLUG 500 Lakewood Ctr Mall Lakewood, CA 90712 949-929-4736
CHICK-FIL-A
4895 Candlewood St. Lakewood, CA 90712 562-408-2543
FOGGIA ITALIAN MARKET & DELI 5522 Del Amo Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90712 562-627-0987
Patriot Day Ceremony
The City of Lakewood will commemorate Patriot Day with a flaglowering ceremony from 6:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11 in the east parking lot at Lakewood City Hall. The 30 minute ceremony includes the presentation of the colors, remarks from Mayor Todd Rogers, patriotic musical performances, and a moment of silence. At the conclusion of the event, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department trumpet players will play as the 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 who protect and serve us at home and abroad. We hope that you will take part in the commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of Patriot Day. ♦
Update on playground renovations
Biscailuz and Boyar parks will soon have new playgrounds.
The construction of Biscailuz Park’s new tot lot and work on the Boyar Park combined tot lot and school-aged playground has been ongoing since July. The playgrounds are closed
during construction. The timing of the work was necessary due to the limited availability of certified installation contractors, and to avoid weather-related delays that affected previous projects done in the winter. ♦
Lakewood Chamber's August Mixer ~ Celebrating Local Non-Profit Businesses
Thanks to Big Brian's Meats for the fantastic food!
City service information for Labor Day
Lakewood City Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2 in observance of Labor Day.
Lakewood’s trash contractor, EDCO, is now also closed on Labor Day, so there will be no trash pickup that day. There will be a oneday delay all week.
Tickets will still be issued for parking in red zones, crosswalks, blocking sidewalks and other violations of the vehicle code.
With the one-day delay in trash pickup, street sweeping on the same day as trash pickup becomes very challenging with the potential for a low quality sweep.
For this reason, the City of Lakewood is canceling street sweeping (and related enforcement) for the week of Labor Day. Street sweepers will provide extra attention the week of Sept. 9-13 if needed on particular blocks.
Service changes for Sept. 2-6:
• Trash pickup will be delayed one day all week. Monday’s trash pickup will be done on Tuesday, Tuesday’s pickup will be Wednesday, and so forth, with Friday’s pickup on Saturday.
• There will be no street sweeping, no makeup sweep and no street-sweeping related parking enforcement on Labor Day or the rest of that week (September 2-6).
• DASH Transit service will not be available on Labor Day. When City Hall is closed, here is how you can report a nonemergency issue:
• Call and leave a message for Lakewood’s customer service department at 562-866-9771, ext. 2140, or send an email to service1@lakewoodcity.org. They will answer messages on the next business day.
• Submit a non-emergency service request online at www.lakewoodcity. org/service.
• Use the Lakewood Connect app for your smartphone to report an issue, ask a question or give input to the City of Lakewood. The app is available from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store as a free download.
For emergency service requests like downed tree limbs or water main leaks, phone 562-866-9771 and follow the recorded instructions to page a 24-hour city emergency staff member.
For questions or requests regarding trash and disposal services, contact EDCO Disposal at 562-531-3054. ♦
'Thank a Servicemember' needs your help
Pick up a free 2024 Thank a Servicemember postcard at City Hall.
The City of Lakewood’s 11th 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.
The deadline to deliver the cards to City Hall is Thursday, Dec. 5 (or on Friday, Dec. 6 at the annual Tree Lighting event), so there’s plenty of time to get creative. 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 off at the check-in table in the lobby at City Hall. You can also get creative and make your own
card or write a letter and bring it in, no envelope or stamp needed.
Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ TAS to learn more about Thank a Servicemember and how you can get involved. You’ll find a list of program partners as well as additional card drop off locations and alternative ways to submit your message online. For more information, call the city’s Community Relations office at 562-866-9771, ext. 3123. ♦
Summer Stampede Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available
HELLO SEPTEMBER
The winds of change really can be beautiful
College Fair features free workshops
Lakewood's annual College Fair will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. Participants (ages 15-22) will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from colleges and universities, and get the information needed on admission, testing, transcripts, transfers, enrollment registration, fees and deadlines. All students in attendance are eligible to win a $250 scholarship.
For college-bound teens and their parents, there will also be two free workshops offered at the Lakewood Youth Center the week following the College Fair. Registration opens Aug. 26 at www. lakewoodcity.org/CollegeFairWorkshop for these workshops: College Planning Workshop: Navigate the Arduous Path of Admissions & How to Pay for College without Going Broke will be held Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. and is presented by Skip Dawson, of College Planning of Greater Long Beach. Topics include:
• How to get ahead by developing a customized plan to meet all the
college costs.
• How to lower your “out -ofpocket” costs and get the maximum amount of money from each school.
• How to send your child to an expensive private university for less than a state school.
• Selecting the best academic and social fit for students and best financial fit for families.
College Information Workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:15 p.m. and is presented by independent college admissions expert John H. Wilson, III, director of the West Angeles COGIC Education & Enrichment Program. Topics include:
• The College Admissions Process - Where should students apply and what will it cost?
• CSU, Common App and UC Application Process.
• All about the FAFSA - How to get started? When can I file? Who files it?
• What does loan forgiveness rejection mean for your student's college future?
• The new Digital SAT and what it means for high-GPA students.
The Lakewood Youth Center is located at 4658 Woodruff Ave. For more information, call 562429-7472. ♦
Come celebrate Lakewood CityTV’s 40th anniversary
The City of Lakewood is fortunate to have an awardwinning video team that since 1984 has been bringing local television to Lakewood residents, with stories and information about the community that help to inform, educate and entertain Lakewood residents.
Join the CityTV crew in the studio for “Lights, Camera, Lakewood! Celebrating 40 years of CityTV!”
directed and filmed by CityTV that may be used as a station promotional piece in the weeks and months ahead.
Tours will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 4:30 –6 p.m., and on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25-26 from 36 p.m. No RSVPs are required.
The CityTV studio is located in The Centre, 5000 Clark Ave. For more information, contact Kimberly Taylor at ktaylor@ lakewoodcity.org. ♦
The Lakewood CityTV crew in action.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the histories and
Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and National Archives, offers a trove of information
cultures of American citizens whose ancestors hail from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain and Portugal are celebrated, with the starting date coinciding with several Latin American nations recognizing their independence on Sept 15.
Hispanic culture has deeply enriched American culture—be it through food, art, music or the substantial contributions of millions of American citizens of Hispanic descent.
A key element of Lakewood's Community Dialogue on Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is celebrating the diversity of cultures that Lakewood is proud to have as part of its community. The Hispanic population in the United States is our nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority at nearly 19% of the total population, and over 36% of Lakewood residents are of Hispanic origin according to the latest Census figures. The City of Lakewood proudly joins the federal government, state government and hundreds of public and private organizations in paying tribute to National Hispanic Heritage Month.
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov, a collaborative project between multiple agencies including the
related to the commemoration, including special exhibits and collections, audio, videos and images.
Staff in the Library of Congress’s Hispanic Reading Room help researchers find materials on and from the Caribbean, Latin America, Spain and Portugal; the indigenous cultures of those areas; and persons with Portuguese or Spanish heritage in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas—including within the United States. Luckily, you don’t have to be in Washington D.C. to enjoy access-- the library’s comprehensive research guides are readily available online.
Locally, both L.A. County libraries in Lakewood will be honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month. The For youth ages 12-18, the Iacoboni Library will hold a Mini Piñata Making event on October 3 at 4 p.m. where youth can create their own mini piñata, filling it with treats and learning about the origins of this celebratory tradition. Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Register with library staff or online at www.Visit.LACountyLibrary. org/Events and filter by location. For younger kids ages 6-12, the Iacoboni Library will celebrate the month with a read-
ing of “A Crown for Corina” by Laekan Zea Kemp, a story about a girl who learns a beloved family tradition and the symbolism behind the Mexican flower crown.
Then make your own flower crown to take home. For ages 6 - 12. No registration required.
And for very young children, age two and younger, the Iacoboni Library will hold a Baby Band Practice on October 10 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Music helps your baby’s brain make more learning connections, build fine and gross motor skills, and teach social skills. Come play with library staff and celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with music from all over the world! Registration required at the website above.
The Nye Library is finalizing its plans for Hispanic Heritage Month, but they will be available soon at https://lacountylibrary.org/location/george-nyejr-library/.
The Los Angeles County Library as a whole has compiled a variety of resources to learn, watch, read and get crafty during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Visit LACountylibrary. org/hispanic-heritage-month. ♦
Meet your Council Member
David Arellano was elected in March of 2024 as the first council member for the new District 4 of the city. See Lakewood CityTV's interview of Arellano, where he talks about growing up in Lakewood, his personal background and his approach to being a council member. The interview is at www.lakewoodcity.org/Arellano. ♦
September2024
Public Safety and Emergency Prep. Expo
Enjoy lots of family-friendly fun and learn valuable information at the City of Lakewood’s annual Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Expo to be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Civic Center parking lot at Del Amo and Clark.
This free event is a chance for community members of all ages to meet first responders who serve their community and learn about the latest in emergency preparedness. Kids will also enjoy the family fun zone with an array of activities. The event includes:
--Exciting demonstrations by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and Fire Department, including search-and-rescue dogs.
--An up-close look at Sheriff’s
Department and Fire Department vehicles, including fire trucks and sheriff’s patrol cars, and a chance to meet the pilot of and see Lakewood’s Sky Knight helicopter.
--Booths offering tips to prepare your homes and pets for an emergency.
--Crime prevention strategies for home and auto.
For more information, call Lakewood’s Public Safety Department at 562-866-9771, ext. 2114. ♦
September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, and the City of Lakewood encourages residents to use this time as a good opportunity to prepare their homes and families for a potential emergency.
Emergencies can happen while you are:
--At work – or your children are at school.
--Asleep in the middle of the night.
--Driving.
Because emergencies are unpredictable, it’s important to take the time to prepare. Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, but taking small steps now is the key to being ready when the time comes.
The City of Lakewood has posted helpful resources at www.lakewoodcity.org/DisasterPrep, including a 30-minute online version of the popular Survive for 7 course.
You can also take the city’s free Survive for 7 in-person course to learn more about what you need to have on hand to survive a disaster for seven days. Follow Lakewood’s official Facebook and Instagram pages to learn when the next course becomes available. ♦
Girl Scout Troops are Forming in Lakewood
Join your local Girl Scout representative at this in-person parent meeting to learn more about forming Girl Scout Troops in your community and how to get your girl(s) involved in Girl Scouting!
▪ Girl Scouts welcomes girls 5-17 years old
▪ Girl Scout troops are led by parent and community volunteers
▪ Girl Scout volunteers receive free training and have cleared background checks
Consider inviting friends who also have daughters to join you at the meeting!
This meeting is specifically for guardians of girls in Lakewood.
DATE & TIME: Wed., September 18 6:00 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Mayfair Park
5720 Clark Ave, Lakewood
--On vacation.
Changing irrigation start time will help city
water system
Many residents set their sprinkler systems to run between 5-6 a.m. or 6-7 p.m.
That’s also when many people are taking morning showers or washing clothes in the evening.
This causes a morning and evening surge in water usage and pressure that stresses pipes, pumps and other infrastructure and can lead to costly wear-andtear on the City of Lakewood’s municipal water system.
The City of Lakewood wants to do everything it can to keep its valuable water infrastructure functioning as long as possible, which also helps to keep water costs as low as possible for everyone.
You can help by changing the time you irrigate your lawn or garden to avoid those peak 5-6 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. time periods. This is not a mandatory change and there is no city rule limiting when you can water your lawns and gardens.
Lakewood has ample water and there are no conservation restrictions currently. You don’t need to cut back on irrigation, just make a slight change in the
LASD “Special Alert” helps with special needs family members
Residents with special needs family members now have a way to voluntarily provide information in advance of a potential crisis call to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department that will help responding Deputy Sheriffs in Lakewood and other LASD service areas determine what approach and resources may be needed.
Calls for help for family members presumed to have or diagnosed with an intellectual, mental or physical disability are often made when those with disabilities and their caregivers are in crisis.
In an effort to better serve and understand the needs of these community members, LASD offers caregivers or other family
requestors the option to voluntarily provide information in advance about persons with special needs living in their home. Watch a video and learn more about the program at https://lasd. org/specialalert/.
You can complete the online Special Alert Request form there, or download the form and take it to Lakewood Sheriff’s Station in person. LASD will enter the
information as a “Special Alert” in its computer dispatch system to provide to Deputy Sheriffs responding to a crisis call at your address in the future.
This information will not be used to enforce laws against you or your loved ones. By providing this information in advance, you are alerting Deputies to the needs of the people in your home who are believed to have or have been diagnosed with an intellectual, mental or physical disability, which may help Deputies decide how to best approach and what resources to bring with them. If needed and available, those resources may include a co-response with trained mental health support professionals who specialize in such situations. ♦
City Council Members, Chamber Board Members, and nearby business owners joined in to welcome Roll-Em-Up Taquitos to Lakewood! Stop in at 5001 Candlewood St., next to Outback Steakhouse
Lemonade Day Lakewood
On Lemonade Day, Saturday, Aug. 10, 15 young entrepreneurs served up success and refreshments at their own lemonade stands across Lakewood.
The future CEOs completed the official Lemonade Day program coordinated by the Lakewood Jaycees to learn how to set up, market and run their own small business, and were excited to welcome the community's support.
Lakewood Family YMCA Recognized as California Nonprofit of the Year
In celebration of National Nonprofit Day, the Lakewood Family YMCA is proud to be recognized as the California Nonprofit of the Year for their district, an honor they received on June 5th, 2024. This prestigious award is part of an annual initiative where California Assemblymembers and State Senators acknowledge outstanding nonprofits in their districts, fostering stronger relationships between nonprofit organizations and legislators.
The Lakewood Family YMCA, under the leadership of Executive Director Mario Vargas, serves as a vital hub in the community.
As part of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, which operates eight branches across the region, the Lakewood Family YMCA contributes to the collective mission of serving a diverse population of over 816,000 residents in the cities of Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Hawaiian Gardens, Bellflower, Paramount, Cerritos, Artesia, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Big Bear.
The YMCA offers a wide range of programs, services, and initiatives aimed at promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, tailored to meet the unique needs of the communities they serve.
Executive Director Mario Vargas emphasized the significance of this award, stating, "This recognition
is a testament to the tireless efforts and deep engagement of our Board, Partners, Stakeholders, Volunteers, Members, and staff. Together, we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of families, seniors, and especially our youth, ensuring that the Y remains accessible to all."
YMCA of Greater Long Beach, along with its branches, remains committed to serving and uplifting the communities it touches, now and in the future. If you’re inspired to make a difference, please consider donating to the Nonprofit of the Year, The Lakewood Family YMCA https:// lakewoodymcadonate.funraise. org/ to make the Y accessible to All!
For more information about the Lakewood Family YMCA and its programs, please visit the Lakewood Family YMCA | YMCA of Greater Long Beach (lbymca.org). ♦
Golf tournament to help Lakewood schools
You can help students attending Lakewood schools by supporting the Lakewood Education Foundation (LEF) Golf Tournament on Friday, Oct. 18. And, you don’t even have to play golf to support the cause!
Through the generous donations of Lakewood residents and businesses, LEF was able to donate over $58,900 last year in grants of up to $500 each to 123 local teachers for classroom improvement projects. These grants provide electronic tablets, microscopes and other science equipment; art and physical education supplies; books of all kinds and reading levels; a variety of classroom technology such as Apple TVs and microphones; and flexible seating and learning materials.
Free Shredding Event
Here’s how you can help to fund as many teacher requests as possible this year:
o Take advantage of sponsorship opportunities
o Buy a “Tee Sign” with your name/message for $100 o Purchase raffle tickets
o Donate a raffle prize of merchandise or a gift card worth $25 or more.
The non-profit LEF is run by volunteers in Lakewood and is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for local students. Watch a video about LEF at www.lakewoodcity.org/LEFvideo. For more information, or to register or donate, please call 562-866-9771, ext. 2401. You can donate directly by writing a check to the Lakewood Education Foundation and mailing it to LEF, c/o Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712. You can also donate online at www.lakewoodcity. org/DonateLEF. Donations are tax deductible. ♦
• Play golf (or sponsor another golfer, such as a high school student) at the Oct. 18 tournament, starting at 1 p.m. at the Lakewood Country Club. The entry fee of $145 includes greens fees, golf cart, pre-tournament lunch, goodie bag and on-course small bites and beverages. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ LEFGolf to support the event in any of these ways o Register for the golf tournament
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. 5 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 the Iacoboni Library. The line will close promptly at noon. No walk-ups or bicycles; vehicles only.
tive 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).
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 sensi-
--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. 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, or 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 with current Lakewood street (not P. O. Box) address. For more information, please call 562-866-9771, ext. 2140. ♦
Piazza McDonald's
