Lakewood, California - Topping the News

State of the City

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

In his remarks at the Lakewood State of the City program, Mayor Todd Rogers noted the achievements of 2009 and the forecast of what 2010 may bring.

"We will build on what we achieved in 2009," Mayor Rogers said, "in public safety, in community development, in business development, in recreation, and the environment."

And the mayor highlighted serious challenges in the year ahead from decisions at the state level that may increase neighborhood crime, take local revenues from city programs, and strip the city of authority to plan its future development.

Captain Christy Guyovich presented Lakewood's law enforcement report. She noted that serious crime in Lakewood declined nearly two percent in the first 11 months of the year from levels in 2008 that were already low. All forms of property crime dropped nearly four percent. Robberies dropped nearly 29 percent.

Click for the 2010 Lakewood State of the City

Waste reduction begins with you

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Not making waste in the first place is called "source reduction." Everyday practices such as buying in bulk and buying items with minimal packaging can be cheaper and generate less trash. Buying long-life products, making double-sided copies and using reusable mugs at work are just a few of the many ways we can learn to waste less by producing less waste. Try these additional options for reducing waste at home and at work.

Fix up/paint up loans, grants

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Qualified Lakewood homeowners can get help from city hall to make their home more comfortable, safer, and more attractive. Grants and no-interest loans are available from $3,000 to $18,000 to repaint exteriors, repair windows and doors, replace worn roofing material, and retrofit interiors for the needs of senior and disabled residents.

The grant and no-interest loan program each have eligibility requirements that are income and asset based. See the links in the right-hand box for additional information and application forms in easily printable PDF. NOTE: This program is only available to low and moderate income families. Click for information

Volunteer Day needs project sites

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood's Volunteer Day program is looking for sites for its Saturday, April 24 clean-up and fix-up event. Annually, more than 500 volunteers fan out over the community and donate a morning's work to help their neighbors.

This is Lakewood's special day to make lives and neighborhoods better with the support of civic and community organizations and Lakewood youth groups.

If you have a site that meets the selection criteria, or if you have a friend, family member or neighbor who would benefit from a cleanup project, call the Burns Community Center at 562-925-7512.

Tax preparation assistance at Weingart Senior Center

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Volunteers will be available this spring at Weingart Senior Center to help low-income families, individuals, seniors and handicapped individuals prepare their basic tax returns. Appointments are for Mondays and Thursdays. A reservation is required. To make an appointment, please call 562-630-6141.

State of the City coverage begins February 14

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Video coverage of the 2010 event is produced by CityTV and can be watched on the Time Warner/Verizon channel 31 and on the web. The program will be shown starting February 14 and run on Sundays and Thursdays at 12:00 a.m./p.m. and 7:30 a.m./p.m. through March 4.

Celebrate good neighbors

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

From Autry Avenue to Yearling Street, small kindnesses are getting noticed. They're recounted as a part of the Lakewood Good Neighbors program.

The program theme "Together we're better" is reflected in dozens of first-person notes the city has received.

Free emergency responder training

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood is offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Both lecture and hands-on exercises cover topics like light search and rescue, triage, fire safety, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

The free 20-hour program educates residents about disaster preparedness and basic disaster response skills for dealing with a serious crisis situation. It runs on three consecutive Saturdays February 27, March 6 and 13.

Share this eMagazine!

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EDT

We want your help telling Lakewood residents about the city's weekly eMagazines. Share this link with friends and they 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.

Save the date: Earth Walk

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Lakewood Earth Walk will be held at Lakewood's rustic Monte Verde Park which is the trailhead to over 3 miles of landscaped walking trails and the San Gabriel River Parkway. Monte Verde Park will host Earth Walk's interactive experiences for kids and adults on Saturday, March 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

There will be Earth-friendly activities for kids of all ages including live animals, planting a seed, learning about recycling, nature stories, bird watching and "Woody the Tree" -- Lakewood's Tree City, U.S.A. mascot. Click to learn about Woody's Arbor Week program

Senior housing summit

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lakewood is hosting a free Senior Housing Summit on Saturday, March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Weingart Senior Center. The program is designed to help seniors and children of aging parents who are interested in learning more about Lakewood/Long Beach area housing alternatives.

The summit will feature more than 30 exhibitors, speakers, and resources on housing choices and alternatives. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about assisted living, find out about realtors with the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation. They may be able to assist in a house search. There will be information on 55+ residential communities, low income senior and disabled rental housing, reverse mortgages, in-home care, elder law, home modifications, shared housing, home safety and aging-in-place.

Lakewood Meals on Wheels needs volunteers

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Lakewood Meals On Wheels program (MOW) has been making life easier for elderly residents and shut-ins of all ages since 1975. Today, 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. They make it possible for elderly members of the Lakewood community who can no longer cook for themselves to remain in their neighborhood and in familiar surroundings.

For more about volunteering or for more information about the Meals On Wheels program, call 562-925-8747, or use the Lakewood Online Volunteer Interest form.

Youth Sports Hall of Fame tickets on sale

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Tickets are available for the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame awards banquet. The awards program will be held on Monday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza.

The program will honor the 2009 Athlete of the Year, and Performer of the Year. The event also recognizes more than a dozen sports and special achievements in academics and other contributions to youth sports in Lakewood.

If purchased by February 16, discount student tickets are $15; adult tickets are $25. Tickets purchased February 17 - 23 are $21 and $31 respectively.

For more information call 562-866-9771, extension 2408. Click for order form

Pan American Fiesta booth applications sought

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Preparations for this year's Pan Am Fiesta are underway and The Pan Am Fiesta Committee is requesting applications for event booths. The fiesta weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some festivities begin Friday, May 7.

Applications must be postmarked on Monday, February 15, 2010 or later. Click for registration information and the application materials

Carefully review and follow the form's instructions. Registration will be conducted through mail-in registration only.

Business Forecast features State Controller

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EDT

The Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lakewood will host the 2010 Business Forecast luncheon on Wednesday, February 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza in the Lakewood Civic Center.

Click for registration flyer This event offers local business executives an opportunity to profit from economic forecast data, insight from notable guest speakers, and essential information to assist in navigating the ever-changing California business climate.

Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Make plans to attend the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30 a.m. Join local elected officials, civic and business leaders, representatives from community organizations and schools. This is a diverse gathering of religious leaders and members of local churches and synagogues in a celebration of faith, unity and community spirit.

Click to order tickets online Reservations are required. For more information, please call Elizabeth Ruiz at 562-866-9771, extension 3123.