Lakewood, California - Topping the News

Project Shepherd needs donations, volunteeers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Project Shepherd needs donations to make a difference in the coming months. To make the holidays brighter for those in need, Lakewood residents have generously given to Project Shepherd every year since 1973, when the Project Shepherd assistance program began.

Project Shepherd is a combined effort of the Rotary Club of Lakewood and the City of Lakewood. Donations of food and toys, participation in the Project Shepherd Teddy Bear Tree program, and opportunities for volunteers are coordinated at the Burns Community Center.

Call 562-925-7512 for more information or to become a Project Shepherd volunteer.

Kris Kringle Golf Tournament registration underway

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Golfers (and sponsors) are invited to tee off in support of Project Shepherd by participating in the Kris Kringle Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, December 4 at Lakewood Country Club. Participation will directly benefit Lakewood's Project Shepherd program and assist local families who are in need during the holiday season.

For sponsorships details and tournament registration call 562-866-9771, extension 2412 or visit http://www.lakewoodcity.org/sports.

Forward this e-mail!

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Forward this e-mail to another Lakewood resident. Or, share these links to help keep neighbors informed about what's happening in our community. Click for current edition

Share this link. Residents can easily subscribe at www.lakewoodcity.org/subscribe Staying in the loop about Lakewood is easy with the city's eMagazines. Sent every Wednesday, they keep residents current with recap's of city council meetings, news items and event calendar.

Curbside recycling moves foward

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Curbside recycling is going strong in Lakewood following the delivery of 22,500 blue recycling carts. Recycling pickups between October 12 and November 5 gathered approximately 310 tons of recyclables. Since mid-September 46 citations issued by the Sheriff to individuals on foot, bike or vehicles that were observed to be scavenging.

A new generation of EDCO trash trucks running on clean natural gas now empties the blue recycling carts and takes the mixed recyclables to a "materials recovery facility" where the recyclables are separated and sorted.

Recycling collection occurs on each resident's regular trash day. Times vary.

Expanded FAQs, guides and videos are available to residents wanting to learn more about the program.

Guides Videos

The FAQs and guide show what residents can recycle using the new service.

Click for expanded, illustrated FAQs

Click for guide There are two videos about the program. Click for EDCO video about recycling and how EDCO does it.

Click for City of Lakewood CityTV video on new recycling carts

Property tax scam continues to arrive in the mail

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Bogus property tax related mailings are still being received by area residents. The Los Angeles County Tax Assessor warns the deceptive mailings are coming from companies that use official-sounding names like "Tax Adjusters," "Tax Readjustment," or "Tax Review."

The very official looking notices offer to help the reader get a reduction in their property taxes. The assessor warns residents NOT to pay for a tax review that the county may already be doing for free. The service they are pitching is unnecessary. Click for the website of the Office of the Assessor, County of Los Angeles page on this issue

If you or someone you know receives an illegal solicitation, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs by phone at 800-973-3370 or visit the assessor website.

Heroes honored for valor

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood honored public safety professionals, volunteers, and community members during the 2009 Award of Valor ceremonies at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza.

The awards reflect an enduring Lakewood value: Preserving the quality of life in Lakewood's neighborhoods through exceptional public safety programs.

Click to read the accounts of those honored during the Award of Valor program

The 2009 Award of Valor will be available for viewing on cable, FIOS and the Web on Sundays and Thursdays between November 29 and December 17 at 12 a.m./p.m. and 7:30 a.m./p.m.

Click here check the CityTV schedule

`Photos with Santa' and `Letters from Santa' benefits Lakewood libraries

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Friends of the Lakewood Libraries is hosting a pair of holiday fundraisers. Proceeds from both fundraisers will benefit Lakewood's libraries.

Registration for "Letters from Santa" are due now. The program arranges for children to receive a personalized holiday letter from Santa Claus at the North Pole. Click for a "Letters from Santa" order form.

Residents are also invited to attend "Photos with Santa" at the Angelo Iacoboni Library on Sunday, November 22. Between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. children can have a holiday photograph taken with Santa for a $5 fee.

Holiday light exchange offer from SCE

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood residents can come to Lakewood Center on Saturday, November 28 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to trade in up to five incandescent holiday light strands for new, multi-color, energy-efficient LED strands. The exchange is free (while supplies last).

The light exchange - sponsored by Southern California Edison, Lakewood Center and the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce - is in the south parking lot of the mall, near Del Amo Boulevard and Graywood Avenue. Click for map Up to of five light strands per household can be exchanged while supplies of LED strands last. Old strands should be bundled individually. Click for event flyer details

Tell us about your Good Neighbor!

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Do you know a good neighbor who takes a disabled friend to medical appointments? The youngster who helps clean up his neighborhood by collecting litter? A volunteer handyman on your block who always has time to help a neighbor patch a fence or fix a sticking door? The buddy who mows the lawn of an elderly neighbor each week?

Click to tell us about your good neighbor

Household and e-waste collections near Lakewood

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Saturday, January 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dispose of household hazardous chemicals and e-waste at a collection event on the grounds of the Paramount Swap Meet on Saturday, January 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are also six permenant dropoff locations in the region open weekends and on Friday or Monday depending on the location.

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.

The entire drop-off process only takes a few minutes. Often, participants don't even have to leave their car. Residents can safely dispose of both household hazardous waste and e-waste.

View upcoming household hazardous/electronic waste collection events

County vaccination clinics

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Los Angeles County Department of Health has begun a series of H1N1 vaccination clinics. Free immunizations will continue at locations around the county through December. County health officials warn that supplies are currently limited. Some county clinics will close earlier than anticipated due to short supplies.

Check the county website for updated clinic and flu information at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or call the county information line at 2-1-1.

Fall programs continue at Mayfair H.S. gym

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Programs are ongoing, drop-ins welcome
The Mayfair High School Gym is the site of both youth and adult programs this fall. Youth basketball instruction and teen dodgeball share the facility with adult soccer and volleyball for both adults and teens. Updated schedules are available through Lakewood online at www.lakewoodcity.org/sports.

Beautiful Home Awards display beautiful ideas

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards program honors Lakewood homes that reflect a special "pride of ownership" in property upkeep, landscaping, and overall general appearance. The honorees for 2009 recently gathered at Monte Verde Park's S. Mark Taper Vista Lodge.

The evening's program included a photographic review of homes. They have been collected into a PDF photo gallery to provide residents a sampling of landscaping and home appearance ideas. Click for the photo gallery

Thanksgiving service tips

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, city hall will be closed on Thursday November 26 and Friday November 27.

Trash service will be delayed one day from the regular pick-up schedule. There will be no street sweeping Thursday or Friday and no makeup sweep.

Dash Transit Service will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27.

Blood drive coming to Lakewood Sheriff's Community Safety Center

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Tuesday, November 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
An American Red Cross blood drive is coming to Lakewood Center on Tuesday, November 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The blood drive will be in the Community Safety Center inside the mall. To make an appointment, go online to http://www.givelife.org and enter the sponsor code: LWsheriff, or call 562-623-3583.

Learn to make a yard drought-resistant and save water

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Saturday, December 5 from 9:00 a.m. to noon
Lakewood residents can learn how to convert their yards into drought-resistant landscapes on Saturday, December 5. This can be one of the most effective ways for homeowners to save water. The Water Replenishment District is offering free water-wise "eco-gardener" classes to help residents save water and improve their gardens. Pre-registration and RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Call 562-275-4234.

Talk around town . . .

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hello! My name is Sheryl Musicant Stewart and as Lakewood's Community Relations Manager I'm fortunate to hear some really interesting news about people and places in town. Hearing all these stories is no fun . . . unless I can pass them on to you!

Where are they now: Miss Lakewood grows up

The Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards honorees gathered recently for a reception to celebrate their achievements in the 2009 award program. City council members commended 136 award-winning families for their commitment to excellence in home beautification and landscaping.

Among this year's Honorable Mention honorees was Rebekah Negrete and her husband, Gregory. Many of you may remember her as Rebekah Keller when she was crowned Miss Lakewood in 1993. With her spectacular singing talent, she performed at many Lakewood functions during her reign. Rebekah went on to win the Miss California pageant and she was an outstanding ambassador for her hometown throughout the state.

Guides	Videos
The FAQs and guide show what residents can recycle using the new service. Click for expanded, illustrated FAQs Click for guide	There are two videos about the program. Click for EDCO video about recycling and how EDCO does it. Click for City of Lakewood CityTV video on new recycling carts