Lakewood, California - Topping the News

Captain Guyovich: 'Don't use illegal fireworks.'

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Captain Christy Guyovich, commander of the Lakewood Sheriff's Station, has a message for illegal fireworks users: "Don't use illegal fireworks. Don't tolerate those who do. Don't let anyone say that it's okay to use illegal fireworks just because it's the 4th of July."

Tolerance of illegal fireworks by otherwise law abiding residents and the easy availability of illegal fireworks from many sources (including through the Internet) threaten Lakewood's family-oriented celebration of Independence Day, and Captain Guyovich is fighting back.

With the assistance of the city and the support of the community organizations that sell legal, "Safe and Sane" fireworks, Captain Guyovich has rolled out an enforcement campaign ending on July 4 that targets illegal fireworks dealers, those who buy illegal fireworks, and the scofflaws who persist in using them.

Report locations with a history of unruly July 4th celebrations

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Lakewood Sheriff's Station needs your help. If you know where illegal fireworks are being sold or used in your neighborhood (or anywhere in Lakewood), call the July 4 tip hotline at 562-866-9771 extension SAFE (7233) to make a confidential report.

Help for digital TV switch is available

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) mandated changeover to all-digital television broadcasting happened Friday, June 12. Over-the-air broadcasts of local channels will still be there for old sets to see if they can be retro-fitted with a digital tuner, or hooked up to a cable or satellite service. The typical low-cost fix is buying a digital tuner.

Tuners can cost $40 to $70 and are available at major retailers in the Lakewood area. Click here for a Consumer Reports guide to digital turners

Channel 7 reports on getting set up and notes there are local retailers and assistance centers available to help.

Click for video news report

Click for FCC page listing ways to get help locally

Protecting your pets on July 4

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Independence Day undoubtedly means celebrations, fireworks and added noise. This can make the July 4th weekend the busiest time of the year for animal control professionals. Click for Lakewood's animal control provider SEAACA

SEAACA offers some suggestions to help make this an enjoyable holiday for all. They suggest some ways to calm your pet amidst the din of fireworks and parties. And, they offer tips on finding your pet.

Water conservation is a summer goal

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Winter, spring and now summer . . . Another year of limited rainfall means that water conservation remains vitally important.

Fortunately, most water conservation habits require almost nothing but conviction and a little common sense.

Lakewood Chamber Summer Stampede Car Show

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Summer Stampede Car Show on Sunday, August 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mayfair Park. This free event attracts thousands of attendees and features over 200 classic cars, food booths, contests, games, live music and drawings for cash and prizes. Award winning opportunities are available for all pre-1975 custom cars, street rods and restored classic car entries. The event's MC will be Leigh Clausen from Gateway Business Bank. Location: Mayfair Park at 5270 Clark Avenue Lakewood, CA 90712

Tire recycling event at Lakewood Civic Center

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Residents are encouraged to bring their used tires to a free tire recycling event in Lakewood on Saturday, July 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of Clark Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard. Click for event flyer and map

This is an opportunity to remove those stubborn tires cluttering garages and yards in an environmentally safe manner. Collected tires can often be recycled and used for the construction of amenities that benefit the community such as street repaving using recycled tire material.

Service tips for the Fourth of July weekend

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood City Hall will be open until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Trash pick-up and DASH Transit service will be available on both Friday, July 3 and Monday, July 6. There will be no street sweeping and no make up for Friday, July 3.

City Hall will be closed on Monday, July 6 in recognition of the Fourth of July holiday. Monday trash, street sweeping and DASH services will run normally.

Residents can make a non-emergency service request by calling 562-925-4357 (then press 100 on your touchtone phone) or by clicking to the online service request form on Lakewood Online. Requests will be reviewed on Tuesday, July 7.

Concerts in the Park continues with some country

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's popular summer concert series begins again on Thursday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m. For six more consecutive Thursday evenings Del Valle Park will rock and roll with great music, vocals and entertainment. The weekly concerts feature a changing variety of music including classic rock, country western and pop music. Click for event flyer

Dinner and refreshments will be sold at each concert, or attendees may bring their own picnic basket. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Please refrain from bringing pets, barbeques or alcoholic beverages.

Summer Concerts in the Park are solely supported by area businesses and concert patrons. Thank you to our sponsors!

Golf tourney to aid Lakewood teachers

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Organizers are working now to surpass the nearly $30,000 raised last year for Lakewood teachers at the Lakewood Education Foundation golf tournament. Golfers will tee off Monday, August 24 at the Lakewood Country Club. Community members are urged to "Save the Date" for this charity tourney. Click for flyer/registration

The grants are used for the purchase of classroom supplies and equipment including document cameras, and science tools. The program gives consideration to materials which can be used for many years--like books for accelerated reading programs, microscopes, math learning kits and computers.

Last year's fundraising was a record $28,000 in cash grants given to 72 Lakewood teachers for the 2008-09 school year. It was the largest amount given in the history of the program which began in 2003. So far, it has provided direct financial assistance to 255 Lakewood teachers.

Blood drive coming to Lakewood Sheriff's Community Safety Center

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

An American Red Cross blood drive is coming to Lakewood Center on Tuesday, August 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will be in the Lakewood Sheriff's Community Safety Center inside the mall. The Los Angeles area continues to suffer a severe blood shortage and officials encourage residents to participate in this conveniently located drive.

The Red Cross is offering donors an incentive as part of the "Music Saves Lives" program. Every donor who participates will receive a VIP meet and greet voucher. It will give them access to an exclusive area at the Vans Warped Tour `09. And, every donor will receive a Daphne's Greek Caf‚ Gyro coupon.

Bow Wow and Meow Day

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The next Bow Wow and Meow Day event is set for this Tuesday evening, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.. This easy one-stop event is convenient for pet licensing, vaccinations at a discount, and micro chipping. Flea control products and information regarding low-cost spaying/neutering, and health care for dogs and cats will be available.

Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted for vaccination services and products--cash and check only for dog licensing. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in secure carriers. The events will be held at northeast corner lot at Clark Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard near the Lakewood Civic Center.

'Go green' to Lakewood's greenwaste dropoff

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Gardeners can help the environment by taking advantage of city greenwaste drop-off events. Collection events are scheduled on specific Saturdays from March through October. Click for recycling calendar The next event is July 18 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Held at the Lakewood Water Resources Department's "Arbor Yard," (5812 Arbor Road, between Bellflower Boulevard and Woodruff Avenue) the program accepts typical gardening waste which in turn gets recycled into plant mulch and ground cover at the county landfill.

Lakewood Beautiful nominations sought

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Lakewood Beautiful awards program wants to honor Lakewood homes that reflect a special "pride of ownership" in property upkeep, landscaping, and overall general appearance. Call the Community Relations Office at city hall at 562-866-9771, extension 2160 by July 20. (Nominations also can be made online. Click for online nomination form.)

Hazardous waste collection events and permanent drop-offs

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste and e-waste free of charge. A schedule of Saturday collection events is one option. Another is to take waste to one of several permanent drop-off locations throughout the county.

The next events near Lakewood are on Saturday, July 11 and August 29. It's easy to participate. Leave the products in their original containers. Place them in a cardboard box and drive to the collection site. The entire process only takes a few minutes and you never have to leave your car. Technicians will help you unload.

New season of programs underway at safety center

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new summer season of programs and courses is getting underway at the Lakewood Sheriff's Community Safety Center, inside the Lakewood Center mall. It is a popular "one stop" resource for information, special topic classes, service assistance, and access to crime prevention resources. Daily drop-ins include seniors on their early morning walks around the mall, and new residents with questions about city programs and services. Click here for a full program listing

'Mini sale' supports Lakewood's libraries

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Friends of Lakewood Libaries will host a used book sale featuring a "Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae Bar" at the Angelo Iacoboni Library on Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Proceeds from all sales directly support Lakewood's two local libraries.

There will be many mystery novels available along with hardback books at $1.00 and up, and paperbacks for .50.