Adopt a Family This Holiday Season

The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and be thankful for all the amazing things that happen over the course of a year. They are also an wonderful time to give back and help the less fortunate. While there are many wonderful organization that need help in the Southern California area, one great program is the DPSS Adopt a family holiday drive.

Every year the DPSS provides Christmas gifts to low income families in need. The program gives toys, clothes and food during the holidays and helps wonderful families across the Southern California area to have a happy and warm Christmas.

If you are interested in helping out, please head over to the DPSS’ website and fill out a form to adopt a family this holiday season. The charity drive is only possible because of the contributions of individuals, groups, and organizations that participate in the Adopt-A-Family Program.

Contact
Anthony Leoni
213-744-4590
E-mail:dpssvolunteers@dpss.lacounty.gov

 

http://www.eventsnearhere.com/find-events/CA/Los-Angeles/Holidays/All/addetail/69953/AdoptAFamily-Program/?start=0

Serve Your Mac & Cheese With a Twist This Thanksgiving

Mac & cheese is a classic Thanksgiving side that sits right next to mash potatoes and stuffing as the go-to food during the holiday. The dish, however, can be a little straightforward and boring at times, so if you are looking to class up your mac & cheese this Thanksgiving, here is a tasty recipe to try.

Ingredients

Kosher salt
12 ounces of gemelli or other twisty shaped pasta
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of dry mustard
Cayenne pepper (pinch)
1 (12-ounce) can of evaporated milk
1/2 cup of milk
3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup of shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of chopped parsley

 

For this upscale twist on mac & cheese start by cooking the pasta for about eight minutes. Next melt the butter, add the flour, mustard and cayenne into the saucepan and stir to make a paste. Now whisk in the milks and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let simmer and whisk occasionally for six to seven minutes. Once completed, throw in the cheeses and all but 2 tablespoons of the parmesan. Stir until the mixture is melted.


Next mix together the panko, herbs, 1 tablespoon of butter and the remaining parmesan and microwave for one minute. Drain the pasta, and throw in one tablespoon butter, then mix in the cheese sauce. Season the mac & cheese with some salt and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top.

 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/triple-cheese-spirals-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Head Out on a Craft Beer Cruise

If you are a beer love, then do we have the event for you in this week’s blog–the Craft Beer Cruise. The fun starts this Saturday with a cruise ship departing from Long Beach at 6:30pm with a host of craft beers and tasty finger foods. The event is sponsored by local bars and microbreweries and might be a beer lovers dream.

Ticket prices start at $120 for the three hour cruise and includes unlimited craft beer tasting, a souvenir cup and other entertainment. Tacos and other tasty finger foods will also be served on the Catalina King Yacht. The event is expected to be an evening of amazing fun on the water, so check out the link below and purchase your tickets before they sell out. Parking will be $10 and remember to drink responsibly.

1046 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802

Check in 5:30pm – 6:00pm
Ship sails at 6:30pm & Returns at 9:30pm
Pouring starts at 6:30pm
3 hour cruise along Long Beach Harbor

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/long-beach-craft-beer-cruise-registration-tickets-28535677981?aff=es2

 

How To Keep Your Senior Citizen Active in Lakewood

The older you get the more difficult it is to remain active. However, if you live in Lakewood the Burns Community Center continues to be an excellent resources for seniors in the area. The facility host various events throughout the months including things like: a Walking Club, Pickleball games, a Texas Hold Em’ Poker Club, a Tech Talk class. Nifty Yoga-Lite, various Educational Classes and a Diabetes Support Group among other things.

Lisa Litzinger, Director of Recreation and Community Services, mentions on the City’s website that “Staying active physically and mentally are keys to good health and with more and more baby boomers over the age of 50, we are trying to offer interesting activities and programs that are either free or low cost to participants.”

 

Even though most of you reading this may be younger than 55, these activities can be a great resource for your parents or grand parents. Staying healthy is difficult in older age, so if you have a senior in your life that needs a place to stay motivated, check out the Burns Community Center in Lakewood.

http://www.lakewoodcity.org/services/human/activeplus.asp

Sign Your Kids Up For Youth Basketball in Lakewood

Youth basketball is here! For those of you with little ones, youth basketball sign ups in the City of Lakewood begin on November 12 – 19 at all local parks. All participants must bring a birth certificate and submit a registration card. Lakewood residents will not be charged a registration fee, but proof of residency will be required.

 

Non-residents, however, will be charged a $20 registration fee along with the sign up fees. Each team practices twice a week–once during the week and once on Saturday morning beginning on December 5th. Coaches will contact players with practice times and dates. Actual games do not start until January 2017 and the season comes to an end during the beginning of March. The smurf division modifies the rules and places an emphasis on following directions and good sportsmanship.

 

Here is a bit more information about the sign ups and a link to get started.

 

Competitive Division: Ages 8-17
Smurf Division: Ages 6-7
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Recreation and Community Services – 562-866-9771 x 2408

http://www.lakewoodcity.org/calendar/default.asp

Are You Ready For a Halloween Carnival in Lakewood?

The City of Lakewood is known for its Halloween Carnivals and 2016 will be no different. Scheduled on Monday, October 31st, this awesome event is a great alternative to trick or treating and continues to be a safe environment for families and children in the community. The Halloween event is currently scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.


The Lakewood carnival plans to feature fun for the whole family with tasty food, snacks, games, contests, prizes and much more. Everyone attending is encouraged to come in costume, but be sure to skip the scary clown costumes this year (they might get you in trouble).

 

Events will be held at Lakewood’s four major parks: Biscailuz, Bloomfield, Mayfair, and San Martin parks.There will also be a “haunted house” just scary enough for the little ones to visit. If you are interested in the event use the City’s “Park Finder” at www.lakewoodcity.org/parkfinder to locate a park nearest you.

 

For more information contact the  Lakewood City Hall at 562-866-9771, extension 2408 or visit http://www.lakewoodcity.org/services/recreation/events/halloween_carnivals.asp

3 Simple Yet Awesome Halloween Decorating Ideas

Halloween is all fun and games–until you have to begin decorating. Putting up decorations is tough, particularly if you are not the artsy type. However, we have a few simple, yet awesome decorating tips to try this year.

 

Silhouettes: you can use your lamp shades to create an awesome Halloween piece. Cut out spider or bat shapes from construction paper and tape them to the inside of your lamp shade. Once you turn the lights on, you’ll see amazing animal silhouettes.

 

Ghosts: crumple up a ball of paper and then put tissue paper over it. And hold it all together with a rubber band to create a ghost. You can make a large version with a balloon and trash bag. Now use a marker to draw some eyes and hang your ghost somewhere in your apartment.

 

Halloween face: if you really want to impress your kids, make a Halloween face above a door in your apartment. Place large eyes above the doorway and use the top of the frame as a mouth and put some teeth under it.

 

Visit the Long Beach Octoberfest This Weekend

Are you ready for some weekend fun? If you love beer, then there is only one place to be during the month of October–at the Long Beach Octoberfest. The Bavarian festival takes place this Saturday, October 15 at the Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long beach from noon to 6pm. The event will feature live entertainment, German music, a German food truck, various Octoberfest activities and gamas and so much more.

 

Presented by Lifestyle Promotions admission will cost $10 with VIP admission coming in at $25. The Octoberfest will also feature various imported beers along with everything else you’d expected at an Octoberfest event. If you want more information about this fun event, here is the website: http://www.tasteofbrews.com/lboktoberfest.html. Have a blast and enjoy Octoberfest by the beach.

 

Simple Pumpkin Decorating Tips For Halloween

Let’s decorate some pumpkins. Halloween is less than a month away, so now is the time to spice up your apartment’s decor with some spooky Jack-O-Lanterns. Here are a few quick tips for decorating your pumpkins.

 

Vaseline: start by covering any cut edges with Vaseline in order to keep the moisture inside the pumpkin. Those cut edge will make your pumpkin shrivel up faster.

 

Water: when your pumpkin starts to dry out, try submerging it in water for eight hours. The bath will give your pumpkin new life and add a few extra days.

 

Use the stem: turn your pumpkin on its side and use the stem as an ugly, scary nose.

Lakewood Living: Visit a Park This Fall

Now that Fall is finally here, we can start doing two of our favorite things: ording pumpkin spice at Starbucks and going to the park. Throwing on a stylish sweater and enjoying nature is one of the best ways to unwind and appreciate life. Luckily the City of Lakewood has a number of gorgeous parks with great playgrounds, picnic and jogging areas. Here is a quick list of three parks to visit near your apartment over the next few months. Have fun and enjoy the greenery.

 

Mayfair Park

5720 Clark Ave

Lakewood, CA 90712

Phone number(562) 866-4776

 

Rynerson Park

San Gabriel River Mid Trl

Lakewood, CA

Phone number(562) 925-6912

 

Mae Boyar Park

6701 Del Amo Blvd

Lakewood, CA 90713

Phone number(562) 925-6912