Lakewood, California - Topping the News

Lakewood Beautiful nominations sought

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For more than 25 years, the city's Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards Program has sought to encourage and congratulate those homeowners who exhibit an extraordinary commitment to home beautification and landscaping. Nominations of Lakewood's best looking homes can be made by calling the Community Relations Office at City Hall at 866-9771, extension 2160, or by going to our online form. Deadline for nominations is June 30.

Pan Am Fiesta weekend starts Friday, May 9

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's oldest community event, the Pan American Festival, begins its three-day weekend run at Mayfair Park on Friday evening, May 9 at 5:00 p.m. It continues through Sunday evening. The City of Lakewood and the Pan American Association sponsor this Lakewood tradition. Click for Pan Am Fiesta event schedule flyer

The fiesta features carnival amusement rides throughout the weekend and an atmosphere in tune with a fiesta spirit provided by "Guadagno & Sons Amusements." Food booths are open at the fiesta from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Additional activities begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, with over 100 arts, crafts and community booth displays.

Webcast: LYS March Madness highlights

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lindsay Case and Brian Ojima breakdown the championship games of the Lakewood Youth Sports Basketball Finals. Outstanding players from each of the games are featured along with a recap of the entire series.
[FULL STORY]

Report locations with a history of unruly July 4th celebrations

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 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. You could receive a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the illegal fireworks seller.

'Job coaching' and Job Fair get teens ready to work

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The Lakewood Youth Center is offering a pair of events to help students entering the job market for the first time. Job coaches will be available at the center to help teens prepare to find a summer job on Friday, May 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A week later, on Thursday, May 15, the Youth Center will host a Teen Job Fair for employers and teens.

Directed at high school students, the coaching program will explain how to prepare for interviews, build a resume, and complete a job application. It is timed to help job seekers be ready to present themselves well to employers at the Teen Job Fair coming up a week later.

Greenwaste collection event in May

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The city's greenwaste drop-off program began on Saturday, March 1 and continues through Saturday, October 25, at the Lakewood Water Resources facility at 5812 Arbor Road. Collection events are from 9:00 a.m. to noon on alternating Saturdays through October. Check the city recycling event calendar for additional specific dates.

Fiscal focus

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood Online tracks city government financing issues at new "Dollars" pages.

Summer programs begin soon

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's summer season will kick off with Mayfair Pool opening on the Memorial Day weekend and recreation catalogs are expected to arrive in homes Saturday, May 24. Mail-in and online registration will begin as soon as the catalog "hits the streets." Over 500 programs, camps, and classes are planned for this summer. Summer activity schedules will be available online on the main recreation page and at the parks and City Hall beginning June 2.

Day Camp programs will begin on Monday, June 16. Courses, day camps and classes run throughout the summer. Read on for adding information on sports, swim, and teen programs including special events and park use information.

Memorial Day to honor veterans

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood city council members will join the members of American Legion Post 496, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 19, Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 8615, and Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 756 Long Beach, to pay tribute to the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Lakewood's Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2008, at the Veterans Memorial at Del Valle Park. The memorial is located on Woodruff Avenue between Henrilee Street and Arbor Road. Map to Del Valle Park

Moisture and warmer summer temperatures may mean more bees

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The warm days of spring and early summer may also bring out more bees with hair-trigger tempers. Dealing with bad bugs requires vigilance and common sense, say vector control experts.

The Vector Control District does not provide a bee removal service, however. Bees in backyard trees or clinging to garage or house eaves are the homeowner's responsibility. That means calling a professional exterminator if bees take up residence rather than move on (as most will). Bees swarming on public property, including park trees and street trees, are handled by the city. For assistance, call 562-866-9771, extension 2140.

Meals on Wheels helps the homebound

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood Meals On Wheels program makes life easier for elderly residents and shut-ins of all ages. MOW volunteers range in age from teens to seniors and help with everything from making sandwiches and packaging meals to driving and delivering meals to dozens of Lakewood clients. For more about volunteering or the Meals On Wheels program, call 562-925-8747, or the Lakewood Online volunteer interest form.

`Relay for Life' coming to Saint Anthony's field

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" team relay event will be held nationwide for 24 hours beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31. Throughout Relay for Life, teams of friends, neighbors, families and co-workers commit to keeping at least one member walking the track--"because cancer never sleeps." The goal of the overnight event is to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer. The relay will be held locally at Saint Anthony's Track and Field Stadium at 4832 Clark Avenue. For additional information contact Marlene Puente Dowell at 562-631-8258. Also, click to the American Cancer Society's Web site.

Concerts in the Park return in June

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's popular summer concert series begins Thursday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. For eight consecutive Thursday evenings Del Valle Park will rock and roll with great music, vocals and entertainment. Put on your dancing shoes and join the "Disco Freaks" for the first concert. They bring their special mix of groovy 60's and 70's sounds on opening night. The weekly concerts feature a changing variety of music including classic rock, country western and pop music.

Water conservation makes good sense

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

California is still facing a drought even as 11.34 inches of rain had fallen on Lakewood by May 1. That's almost normal.

But real concerns about water supply are the "new normal" even when it rains. State official are very concerned about the impacts of record dry weather in March and April, a fast-shrinking snowpack and below normal reservoir levels. Restrictions on the flow of water from northern California, lingering drought in the upper Colorado River basin, and population growth throughout the southern California have stretched water supply limits.

If dry conditions persist, homeowners will need to consider "common sense" water saving habits.

Public Safety/Bike Safety Expo

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The Annual Public Safety/Bike Safety Expo and Lakewood Youth Sports (LYS) Opening Day are combining to create an exciting and informative family outing. The event will be on Saturday, June 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mayfair Park.

An estimated 3,000 participants are expected as LYS participants on summer baseball, softball, and t-ball teams attend an opening ceremony for the new LYS season. This will be followed by a full slate of carnival attractions. Attendees will also get a chance to see the eye-grabbing Public Safety/Bike Expo that will feature the dynamic and popular Giant Bicycle's Stunt Team. The team will demonstrate trick bicycle moves and high-flying maneuvers. There will be a variety of law enforcement and fire displays including a fire truck and paramedic squad, Sky Knight, special weapons team, the Sheriff's Mounted Posse and K-9 Unit along with safety expo booths.

Volunteering opportunities available

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's volunteers are the "heart" of the Lakewood community. Click for a volunteering brochure

Senior Health Fair coming to Weingart Senior Center

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's Senior Health Fair will be held on Friday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at the Weingart Senior Center. The event is free and open to the public. Health related information and free screenings will be available throughout the afternoon.

Lunch is available from the Human Services Association at a cost of $2.00 for seniors age 60+. For a lunch reservation call 562-630-6210. For specific Health Fair information call 562-630-6141.