LCN December 2016

Lakewood

News

Community

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

Volume 34 Number 12

December 2017

Lakewood Center's "Santa HQ" is high tech fun interactive activity stations featuring tablets and apps that let the fun be shared with grandparents and friends via social media. Apps can be used to take the experience home.

There’s even a chance for photos of your pets with Santa! See below for details.

Santa's hours through December 16:

• Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Friday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Sundays through December 3: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Sunday, December 10: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Santa's hours from December 17-24:

• December 17-23 (Sun-Sat): 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• December 24 (Sunday): 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Santa Paws" Pet Photos on Mondays through December 11

Holiday photos with Santa includes social media fun.

Lakewood Center's “Santa HQ” turns the tradition of visiting Santa into a high-tech, family-fun activity. Santa HQ is open now through December 24. To make an online

reservation for a photo with Santa, visit www.lakewoodcity.org/SantaPhoto.

Created through a partnership between the HGTV Network and Lakewood Center,

the special holiday addition to the mall turns getting a photo with Santa into a creative and innovative activity where families can take “ELFIE selfies,” star in their own holiday videos

Holiday Celebration & Bingo 2017

By Daniel Van Hoosier With the holidays in fullswing, there’s no better time for the community to come together and celebrate.

All are welcome to attend a year-end “Holiday Celebration & Bingo” put on by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce on Friday, December 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Lakewood Gardens Civic Association (4217 Ashworth St.).

The free event offers participants the opportunity to meet, socialize and network with local business leaders,

community members and neighbors in a relaxing setting during the midst of the holiday season.

On top of the socializing, there will be Bingo games throughout the night, offering the opportunity for players to win money and other prizes.

Food and drinks will be available as well.

Lakewood Chamber President Joshua Castellanos hopes the event will help to bring people closer, create new connections and set the tone for the remaining holiday

season while trying something “a little different and coming out of their shells.

“We’re bringing the good old fashioned community get-together,” he said. “Let’s put our cell phones down, not think about work. Let’s meet our neighbors and share some holiday spirit and maybe even win a little extra money for the holidays.”

No RSVP’s will be needed and all are welcome to participate in the festivities.

For more information, visit lakewoodchamber.com.

and explore Santa’s Observatory using “ELF-RAY Vision.”

There’s even a “Naughty O’ Nice Meter” to try out.

Visitors will wind their way to Santa’s workshop through

Pets get their chance to sit on Santa's lap, too! On Monday evenings through December 11, stop by between 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with your cat or dog (in a pet carrier or on a leash) for a holiday portrait.

Visit www.shopLakewoodCenter.com/Events for more information or call 562-6330290. u

Lakewood Chamber’s “Year in Review”

By Daniel Van Hoosier With 2017 swiftly coming to a close, a reflection on Lakewood’s “year that was” shows another successful campaign for the community.

From continuing traditions such as Lakewood Run, Concerts in the Park, Lakewood Block Party, youth and senior activities and excellence in youth sports, to new events including The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce-led trip to China and innovative park irrigation systems, there is always something for everyone and opportunities for community members to learn and grow.

The Annual Summer Stam-

pede Car Show featured a women’s empowerment theme and was headlined by an appearance by the world’s fastest woman on four wheels, Jessi Combs and the trend continued throughout the year with many more events featuring prominent female figures in the area, including multiple highlighting women in business.

Lakewood Chamber President Joshua Castellanos believes Lakewood’s core values have remained through time and will continue to be the basis of a thriving community.

“What makes Lakewood special is you have so many community members that give (Cont’d. on Pg. 8)

LakewoodToday

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Lakewood has a special place to shop

By Mayor Diane DuBois

Many cities the size of Lakewood would be envious to have a major shopping mall like we do… add to that having a mall with a special history that’s tied so closely to the heritage of our city itself.

When the developers of Lakewood built the 17,000 homes that comprised the heart of our community starting in 1950, they left the center of the town as open space in order to construct something bold and innovative.

Once investors and merchants were persuaded to support the daring idea, construction started on the then-largest shopping mall in America…Lakewood Center.

Up until that time, large department stores and shopping centers were located only in the “downtown” areas of major cities, not in new “untested” suburbs like Lakewood.

Just as Lakewood itself was an experiment as the largest planned community in America in the early 1950s, so was Lakewood Center.

And just as Lakewood as a community succeeded…and continues to succeed over 60 years later…so does Lakewood Center.

Of course, the retail world is challenging and has evolved a lot in 60 years, and so has Lakewood Center.

In the 1970s, the original openair mall was enclosed. Restaurant Row was developed on the northern portion of the mall property along Candlewood Street and became very popular. In 2009, Costco was persuaded to open its first-ever mall-based store at Lakewood Center, and it too has become very popular.

Individual stores come and go at Lakewood Center, just as they

do at any mall. But the merchants of Lakewood Center work hard to adapt to the times and to appeal to the broad base of customers not just in Lakewood but in the mall’s large “market area” that includes Long Beach, Bellflower, Paramount and other nearby communities.

Lakewood Center has one other big advantage that many malls do not. It’s not just a traditional mall. Lakewood Center is a massive shopping complex that includes Albertson’s, Home Depot, Pacific Theatres, Best Buy, and now a Farmers Market on Saturdays. That huge amount of commercial space makes Lakewood Center the 2nd largest shopping complex in Los Angeles County.

Beyond the historic pride and convenience that Lakewood Center provides to Lakewood residents, there are the sales tax dollars from the mall that are the lifeblood to providing quality city services in Lakewood. Without a healthy Lakewood Center, the City of Lakewood would not have the financial resources to provide the level of park, recreation, law enforcement, street repaving, tree trimming and other services that we all appreciate here.

So, this holiday season…and any season of the year…when you have a decision to make on where to shop, think about whether you could do that shopping at Lakewood Center or at any of the other fine merchants in our community. When you “Shop Lakewood” you keep a portion of your sales tax dollars in Lakewood.

Many local merchants, including Lakewood Center, are also charitable donors to community causes and events in Lakewood that improve the quality of life here.

By shopping at Lakewood Center, you help to keep alive an important part of our city’s heritage and history, and you help it succeed just like we want Lakewood as a whole to succeed.

As we enter the holiday season, I want to wish you and your family the very best on behalf of my colleagues on the Lakewood City Council. Happy Holidays everyone! u

www.lakewoodchamber.com

December 2017

City Spotlight Lakewood Hall of Fame seeks nominations The Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for the 37th annual sports awards program. The 2017 Athlete of the Year, Performers of the Year and Special Achievement awards will be selected based on data supplied in nominations. Nominations are due to the Recreation and Community Services Department at city hall by December 4. Athletes must live in or attend school in Lakewood to be eligible.

The awards banquet will take place on February 26, 2018. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for details.

get involved, or call 562866-9771, extension 2408.

Volunteer youth sports coaches needed Lakewood Youth Sports basketball teams need coaches. Teams practice and play league games on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Practices begin December 9 and games begin January 6. The season concludes March 3.

Coaches volunteer an average of 3-4 hours per week.

There are 1-2 practices and 1-2 games per week.

No experience is needed.

Coaches will receive training and may request a oneon-one training session at their park. Coaches are required to go through a mandatory background screening using Livescan.

Check with your local park for details on how to

Winter vacation programs—December 26 to January 5 Holiday activities at Lakewood parks will be featured throughout the two weeks of school vacation from Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, January 5. Special activity flyers are available at Lakewood City Hall and Lakewood parks.

Santa will make an early appearance on Saturday, December 16 at each of the parks, followed by a candy cane hunt.

Park activities during the vacation period will include winter holiday craft projects, indoor and outdoor games, and fun with food.

For more information, call 562-866-9771, extension 2408.

Register for Spring classes Resident mail-in registration and online registration start when catalogs go out in the mail in late December. General registration for the public, including phonein and walk-in registration, begins Monday, January 8 at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall.

Most classes and activities begin the week of Monday, February 5. Online registration is fast, easy and convenient at www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog.

Call city hall at 562-8669771, extension 2408 for additional information.

Adult sports registration Adult sports information packets and roster forms will be available starting Monday, January 8 at Lakewood City Hall for upcoming adult sports programs.

New for Spring 2018: Online registration is available for all adult sports leagues! Go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog and click on Activities – Sports League to register your team. Call 562-866-9771, extension 2408 for more information.

• Adult Softball: Men's Single Wall Bat, Co-ed Single Wall Bat, Men’s Bat Provided, Co-ed Bat Provided and Men’s Wood Bat. Registration dates for the spring season are January 8-19. Summer registration begins April 30.

• Women's Volleytennis is on Monday nights. Officiated and non-officiated leagues offered. Spring registration dates are January 8-19. Summer registration begins April 30.

• Teen and adult free-play volleyball at Hoover Middle School Gym is ongoing, offered on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Teen and adult basketball free play at Hoover Middle School Gym is ongoing, offered Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. u

Your

Minding

December 2017

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Business Page 3

Take a virtual tour of Lakewood Center tunnel and Macy’s back areas

Inside the rarely-seen delivery tunnel at Lakewood Center.

Courtesy of a Lakewood CityTV video and photos, you can take a virtual tour of Lakewood Center’s famous and rarely-seen delivery tunnel and special back areas of the historic Lakewood Macy’s building at www.lakewoodcity.org/Mac ysTourVideo.

In 1952, Lakewood Center’s iconic May Company building (which later became a Macy’s) opened to throngs of eager shoppers, the first to experience—and embrace—the concept of a regional shopping mall.

Lakewood Center was the largest shopping mall in the world for a number of years, changing forever the way Americans shop, and setting

the pattern for the next 60 years of retailing.

The half-mile-long delivery tunnel under the mall was an innovative architectural feature of the time, enabling stores to receive deliveries during the day without disrupting shoppers walking to and from their cars.

Sixty-five years later, Lakewood Center remains the 2nd largest shopping center in Los Angeles County. The mall has evolved with the times over its six decades, with innovations such as a successful Restaurant Row on Candlewood Street and the first-ever mall-based Costco. Just as it served the families of the Lakewood region in the 1950s, Lakewood

Center serves the families of the greater Lakewood area today. u

Make this Christmas extra special for your child with a personalized

FaceCall with Santa.

Book your live video call today and watch yuour child’s face light up.

Use promo code: “bestxmas” and receive $5.00 offf your call

FaceCallwithSanta.com

News

Community Page 4

December 2017

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Lakewood Run registration begins The Lakewood Run returns on Saturday, March 3, 2018 when Sheriff’s deputies, recreational runners, families and kids gather at the starting line in front of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station to run the event’s 5K/10K course for time, or do the 1K “Fun Run” or a 5K walk. Lakewood’s tree-lined residential streets provide the backdrop. The flat, “runner friendly” course is “fast” for practiced runners and comfortable for fitness fans and family members.

Register online now at RaceWire at www.lakewoodrun.com/registration or download the PDF sign-up form at www.lakewoodrun.

com/registrationform to pay with a check or to sign up a team.

All participants will be supporting Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach and Lakewood Sheriff’s Station charity efforts while they pursue their personal best in the 5K/10K for time, or run or walk for fun in this family-friendly event.

Professional timing will be used and online registration will begin this fall. Early registration will be $35 until March 1 and $40 thereafter until the day of the race. On the day of the event, registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The 5K and 10K runs start at 8:00 a.m. The Fun Run begins at 9:30 a.m.

Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each category of the 5K and 10K running events.

All finishers for the 5K/10K will receive finisher medals.

For participants and spectators, the day includes a fitness expo and displays of public safety equipment and programs. There is also live entertainment and special giveaways from Lakewoodarea businesses.

To inquire about group rate entries or to get more event information, email info@ lakewoodrun.com. u

December 2017

News

Community

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News

Community Page 6

www.lakewoodchamber.com

December 2017

'Tis the season for Project Shepherd

The Lakewood community’s commitment to caring is obvious every holiday season when the Youth Center at Del Valle Park transforms into the “Project Shepherd Warehouse.” Teddy Bear Tree toys are gathered and the makings for family holiday meals are assembled.

A small army of volunteers and city staff makes lists and checks them twice to help an expected 300+ Lakewood families in economic need have a brighter holiday season. Everyone

involved will be continuing Project Shepherd’s 45-year commitment of helping residents in need during the holiday season, along with a year-round mission of maintaining an emergency food pantry.

New volunteers are welcome to join in the work starting December 5. Volunteers will sort and organize canned goods, pack and move boxes, assist patrons to their vehicles and other tasks as needed.

If you are interested in

volunteering please go to the websites below to sign

up for a shift, or call the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512. Both adults and teens are welcome to sign up for one or more shifts. Shifts are for one hour, but may end earlier or later, depending on workload.

Morning shifts (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.): http://signup.com/go/PS2017_MorningVolunteers Evening shifts (3:00 to 7:00 p.m.): http://signup.com/ go/PS2017_EveningVolunteers For more information on Project Shepherd, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/ projectshepherd.

Monetary help is still needed, as are toys and simple food staples like canned meat and fish, canned fruit, pasta, rice and cereal, peanut butter and canned soup.

Basics like toilet paper, laundry detergent and toothpaste are also welcome. Project Shepherd also needs $10 grocery gift cards from any local grocery store. These gift cards are given to families so they can purchase a ham or turkey to complete their holiday meal.

With your help, Project Shepherd will ensure there’s enough joy for everyone in Lakewood during this holiday season. Financial contributions can be made by check to: Lakewood Project Shepherd, 5050 Clark Ave., Lakewood, 90712. Donations can also be made online at www.lakewoodcity. org/GiveProjectShepherd.

Donations of non-perishable food and grocery staples can be made at most city parks and facilities. Suggested drop-off locations are: • Burns Community Center at 5510 Clark Avenue • Lakewood City Hall at 5050 Clark Avenue • Weingart Senior Center at 5220 Oliva Avenue • Palms Park Community Center at 12305 207th Street near Del Amo Boulevard and Norwalk Boulevard.

Last year 332 families were served, helping 1,233 individuals living in Lakewood, many of them children. They were able to enjoy the holidays when they otherwise lacked the food, gifts and toys that many of us take for granted. u

Green December 2017

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Changes to trash pickup and city services for holiday season

Lakewood City Hall will be closed the week of December 25-29 and on Monday, January 1, reopening on Tuesday, January 2. Trash pickup will occur one day later than your normal pickup day during the last week of December and first week of January. Special street sweeping and parking rules will be in effect (see below).

DASH Transit service will not be available on December 25, December 26 or January 1.

For trash pickup and sweeping, the following schedule applies for the holiday season: • Trash pick-up will occur one day later than your normal pickup day during the holiday weeks of December 25-29 and January 1-5. That means that Monday pickups will happen on Tuesday, Tuesday pickups will happen on Wednesday, etc. And Friday pickups will happen on Saturday.

• Street sweeping in residential areas will not occur during the holiday weeks of December 25-29 and January 1-5. And there will be no residential street-sweeping related parking enforcement during those weeks. Street sweeping and related parking enforcement will occur in commercial areas between December 26-29 and January 2-5.

• City Hall will be closed the week of December 25-29 and January 1. If you need emergency city service, such as for a downed tree limb, water main leak or traffic signal outage, call City Hall at 562-866-9771 and follow

the prompts to page an oncall city worker.

• For emergency Sheriff’s, Fire or medical service, always call 9-1-1. For nonemergency Sheriff’s matters, you can call the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station 24 hours a day at 562-623-3500.

• If you would like to obtain

an RV/Trailer permit when city hall is closed, you can contact the Lakewood Sheriff's Safety Center at 562623-3583.

• For questions or requests regarding trash and disposal services, you may contact EDCO Disposal at 562-5313054. u

Living

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Christmas tree recycling and special holiday trash

Starting Tuesday, December 26, Lakewood residents can recycle their Christmas trees and get extra holiday trash hauled away with assistance from the city’s waste hauler, EDCO Waste and Recycling Services.

Christmas tree disposal.

For two weeks after Christmas (from December 26 through January 6), EDCO will pick up discarded Christmas trees on your trash collection day.

Flocked trees are OK, but ornaments, tinsel, and metal or plastic stands must be removed. Wooden tree stands can be left on the tree. The tree must not be in a bag.

Trees over six feet tall must be cut in half.

Extra holiday trash.

For the week immediately following Christmas, from December 26-30, EDCO will run an extra truck each trash day to help residents with added holiday-related trash. Residents should continue to use their existing carts as much as possible, but you can also leave up to 10 standard-size trash bags about two feet from your cart for pick-up. Holiday and appliance boxes may be left there as well. There is no charge for this extra service and no need to call EDCO in advance.

Bulky item pickup service returns January 8.

There is no bulky item pickup service from December 23 through January 7.

The service starts again on Monday, January 8. To use it, call EDCO at 562-5313054 by 3:30 p.m. at least one day before your normal trash day. u

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Community Page 8

www.lakewoodchamber.com.

December 2017

Lakewood Chamber’s “Year in Review” (Cont’d. from Pg. 1) back to the community,” he said. “There’s so many people, so many organizations that are giving back, that are supporting each other, that are helping people that are not quite able these days. That’s really what’s made Lakewood special, but it’s also

what’s going to propel us into the next few years and generations.”

More traditions are set to continue as the year rounds out with Lakewood’s Christmas tree lighting Thursday, and new ones potentially budding, including

the Chamber’s Holiday Celebration & Bingo and more. There’s also the popular “Thank a Service Member” program where letters can be sent to the men and women serving overseas, continuing through December 11.

While the old and the new con-

tinue to work together in maintaining Lakewood’s character – and adding to it – the transition from 2017 to ’18 promises to be as exciting as ever.

For more information, visit lakewoodchamber.com. u

News

Community

December 2017

www.lakewoodchamber.com

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Celebrating holiday cheer at the civic center!

Children’s Happy Teeth & Happy Braces; Candy Cane (silver level) sponsors--Water Replenishment Director John Allen and Bellflower Dental Group; community partner-Mimi’s Café; and communi-

On Thursday, November 30, thousands of residents and guests will gather for Lakewood's 4th Annual Tree Lighting outside The Centre at Sycamore Plaza, running from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 5000 Clark Ave. The tree lighting itself will happen at 6:30 p.m.

A special photo collection covering the event will be online by December 9 at the Lakewood Community Gallery at www.lakewoodcity. org/treephotos.

If you miss the event, you can still enjoy the tree throughout December 31.

Each night, the 24-foot-tall tree will light up with accompanying holiday music between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. in the plaza between City Hall and The Centre at Sycamore Plaza.

Each year since the city’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2014, the Lakewood community has come together for this special tree lighting event.

This year’s event is starting earlier in the evening on November 30, allowing families with young children more time to enjoy an expanded selection of food trucks, face painting, free carnival games,

booths, costumed characters, and photo stations with colorful backdrops. Dickens carolers provide a festive seasonal assortment of vocal melodies.

Two big highlights of the night: the dramatic lighting of the tree made magical by ‘snow flurries’ and an appearance by Santa Claus who will listen to children's requests and take photos throughout the evening.

The city’s partners in the Tree Lighting event include its principal sponsor--Lakewood Center; along with North Pole (gold level) sponsors--City Light & Power and

ty group sponsors--Lakewood Lions Club, Su Casa—Ending Domestic Violence, Rotary Club of Lakewood, Pan American Association, and Friends of the Lakewood Libraries. u

SH P LAKEWOOD Page 10

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SH P LAKEWOOD

December 2017

Shop Lakewood and fulfill the wish of a child in need The opportunity to make a difference returns to Lakewood Center the weekend of December 2 and 3. While shopping for their own families, residents can fulfill

the holiday wish of a child in need.

The wishes of dozens of local kids will adorn a Teddy Bear Tree in the mall’s center court. Rotary Club of

Lakewood volunteers, many of them Lakewood business and civic leaders, will help guests choose a paper bear from the tree.

Rotarians will be on hand to accept the unwrapped gift items returned to the booth with their bear ornament.

Gifts can also be dropped off at most City of Lakewood facilities during business hours prior to Tuesday, December 5.

Caring Lakewood shoppers filled the Christmas wishes of 635 local kids in need last year. They did it by choosing a little paper bear ornament off a Teddy Bear

Choose a “teddy bear” ornament and fulfill a child’s holiday wish.

Tree and purchasing the affordable gift written on it.

The Teddy Bear Tree program has helped countless youngsters since 1995. Gifts go to individual children registered through Project Shepherd. Without help, the children will probably go without gifts this holiday season.

Project Shepherd is operated by the Rotary Club of

...Stay Lakewood Loyal

Lakewood and the City of Lakewood, and helped 332 families and 1,233 individuals last year through the organization’s holiday season efforts and year-round emergency food pantry.

For more information about Project Shepherd, call 562925-7512, or visit www. lakewoodcity.org/ProjectShepherd. u

SH P LAKEWOOD December 2017

www.lakewoodchamber.com

SH P LAKEWOOD

Improvements coming to Burns Community Center

A new ADA-accessible elevator, renovated restrooms and expanded space for more recreational activities are coming to the Burns Community Center, located at 5510 Clark Ave., just south of Mayfair Park. Construction is underway now and is expected to be completed by May 2018.

Meals on Wheels and Project Shepherd will get better space for their community operations, and for the first time, residents will be able to rent the newly improved Burns activity room for private events such as birthday parties and small receptions.

Some trees that were diseased or in declining health were removed during con-

struction. New trees will be planted around the building as construction wraps up.

Some structural maintenance problems at the 30-year-old building will be addressed too in order to create a new look and provide for the building’s long-term viability.

During construction, most activities are continuing at Burns, including the Nifty

After Fifty exercise center and Mothers at Work child care program. City recreation staff remain on site, providing customer service and referrals for community resources.

To help fund the $3 million renovation, Lakewood is utilizing over $1 million in Federal Community Development Block Grant funds. u

...Stay Lakewood Loyal

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December 2017

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Greater Lakewood CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OUR SERVICES WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

VIDEO PRODUCTION

SOCIAL MEDIA

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Lakewood Community News Lakewood Chamber Website Welcome to Lakewood Packets Lakewood Chamber Facebook Page Lakewood Chamber Instagram Page Show Lakewood Facebook Page E-Mail Blasts

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Company Overview Website Introduction Testimonials & Success Stories Training, How to, & DIY Videos YouTube® & Google® Videos Product Demonstrations Corporate - Community Event Highlights

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Chamber Softball League Monthly Networking Events Summer Stampede Car Show Chamber Business Summit

CALL US TO SET UP YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

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Community December 2017

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Page 13

Free Preschool Information and Family Fair

The MOMS Club® of Lakewood, CA will host its annual Preschool Information and Family Fair on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Youth Center at Del Valle park (4658 Woodruff Ave., Lakewood, CA 90713). Registration is now open for local preschools and arts, sports, and education programs looking to participate in the fair. MOMS Club also is seeking sponsors to support this community event.

Free and open to the public, the fair offers parents in Lakewood, Long Beach, Bellflower, Cerritos and surrounding areas a forum to receive information about local preschools and arts, education, and sports programs for kids. Families can ask questions of school and program representatives, and sign up for classes and tours. Kids will enjoy a variety of entertainment sponsored by local businesses, including crafts, performances and demos. The

deadline is December 22, 2017.

Contact us to register now!

MOMS Club of Lakewood recognizes that, once you have decided your child is ready, choosing the right preschool can seem daunting. It is important to weigh each aspect of the preschool and make a decision that is good for you and your child. MOMS Club of Lakewood hopes that this fair will assist families in understanding the range of options available, in what is known as the first step in a child’s academic journey.

Event sponsorships are always needed and appreciated, given that MOMS Club of Lakewood is a local non-profit organization that serves mothers with little funding. We are looking for family-friendly businesses to provide raffle prizes, printing services, refreshments, and entertainment for this year’s fair.

To obtain more information about the free Preschool Information and Family Fair or to be a sponsor, please contact Tracy Wilbur at tracylpendergast@ gmail.com. u

Nobody wants a phony!

It’s often said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. But is it really?

If you decide to start wearing a bow in your hair, and the next day your friend greets you at the door wearing a similar bow, are you flattered, or annoyed? My guess is, annoyed. Why? Because the bow is your signature; you don’t want someone else with the same one.

When you imitate someone, you’re missing something. What? The opportunity to be you. Yes, it’s great to be motivated and inspired by others, but not to become exactly like them.

Things are valuable because of their rarity, so be the most unique version of yourself!

Imagine you want to become a singer. You know that Gwen Stefani is a well

known, talented, and popular singer. So you decide to color your hair platinum blonde and wear blood red lipstick. You’re ready to sing and make it big. Sadly, no. There is already a Gwen Stefani. Why would anyone want another one?

Discover what makes you unique, and then embrace it. Be the best You you can be. Capitalize on the very

thing that makes you different from everyone else.

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

Town

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December 2017

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Thank a Servicemember campaign ends soon

Lakewood’s 2017 Thank a Servicemember campaign kicked off on September 11th at the city’s Patriot Day Commemoration and comes to a close on Monday, December 11. Holiday greetings and letters of thanks to U.S. troops deployed overseas are being collected now at city hall and other locations around town. Free Lakewood commemorative postcards are available to fill out, or people may drop off their own cards or letters (please, no envelopes) in the bright blue boxes at the locations below: • Lakewood City Hall (5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood)

• The Centre at Sycamore Plaza (5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood) • Weingart Senior Center (5220 Oliva Avenue, Lakewood) • Palms Community Center (12305 207th Street, Lakewood) • Angelo M. Iacoboni Library (4990 Clark Avenue, Lakewood) • George Nye, Jr. Library (6600 Del Amo Boulevard, Lakewood) • Lakewood Center Mall (500 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood) Go to www.lakewoodcity. org/TASpartners for a full list of partners in this proj-

ect, including those businesses and organizations who volunteered to serve as drop-off locations for cards from the public.

Scout groups, youth groups and schools are encouraged to organize card collections, too.

Group collections must be delivered to city hall along with a special transmittal form. Organizers may visit w w w. l a k e w o o d c i t y. o rg / ThankAServicemember or call 562-866-9771, extension 2125 for details.

“You can help,” said Lakewood Mayor Diane DuBois. “Take the time to fill out a card and drop it in a collection box before December 11. We may not know their faces or their names, but we should take every opportunity to thank our military personnel for all they do for us.” u

Put your brain to work!

Congratulations to this month’s winner of the November Sudoku puzzle, Casi Chidley! 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 Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The winner will be drawn on Thursday, December 21, 2017, and the 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 January issue, along with a new Sudoku Puzzle. u

Thanks to our Sudoku Sponsor!

News

Community December 2017

www.lakewoodchamber.com

Make sure to practice these safety tips when shopping online

Let's face it, there's every reason in the world to shop online. The bargains are there.

The selection is mind-boggling. The shopping is secure.

Shipping is fast. Even returns are pretty easy, with the right e-tailers. Shopping has never been easier or more convenient for consumers.

1. Use Familiar Websites Start at a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages of links. If you know the site, chances are it's less likely to be a rip off.

We all know Amazon.com and that it carries everything under the sun; likewise, just about every major retail outlet has an online store, from Target to Best Buy to Home Depot. Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (.net instead of .com, for example)—those are the oldest tricks in the book. Yes, the sales on these sites might look enticing, but that's how they trick you into giving up your info.

2. Look for the Lock Never ever, ever buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn't have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed— at the very least. You'll know if the site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://). An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser, or right next to the URL in the address bar. It depends on your browser.

Never, ever give anyone your credit card over email.

Ever.

3. Don't Tell All No online shopping store needs your social security number or your birthday to do business. However, if crooks get them, combined with your credit card number for purchases, they can do a lot of damage. The more they know, the easier it is to steal your identity. When possible, default to giving up the least amount of information.

4. Check Statements Don't wait for your bill to come at the end of the month.

Go online regularly during the holiday season and look at electronic statements for your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts. Make sure you don't see any fraudulent charges, even originating from sites like PayPal. (After all, there's more than one way to get to your money.)

If you do see something wrong, pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. In the case of credit cards, pay the bill only once you know all your charges are accurate. You have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems, however; after that, you might be liable for the charges anyway.

5. Inoculate Your PC Swindlers don't just sit around waiting for you to give them data; sometimes they give you a little something extra to help things along. You need to protect against malware with regular updates to your anti-virus program. u

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VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT THE HISTORIC BEMBRIDGE HOUSE hosted by the Long Beach Heritage WHEN:

Sunday, December 3rd - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm; Family Day: Toys & Yuletide Event and Tour Friday, December 1st & Friday, December 8th; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Adult Reception and Tour Tuesdays, December 5, 12 & 19 1:30 pm & 2:30 p.m. House Tours Saturdays, December 9, 16 & 30 1:30 pm & 2:30 p.m. House Tours

COST:

$10.00 (Children 12 and under are free on Sunday with an adult and prior reservation. Reservations also necessary for evening tours.

INFO:

Visit website lbheritage.org, or Call 562-493-7019

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www.lakewoodchamber.com

December 2017