Here's to spring showers bringing May flowers, but the wet weather didn't stop us from having a hip-hoppin' good time at the City's annual Eggxtravaganza event last month! Families enjoyed games, face painting and crafts, rides, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and treat-filled eggs galore. Thank you to our amazing Parks, Recreation & Community Services staff for their hard work and effort to put on such fun events, rain or shine, and those of you who braved the sprinkles with us. There are plenty of PRCS events happening this month, including new recreation classes available at WhittierRec.com and the annual Keep Whittier Prettier Earth Day clean up - scroll down for details.

National Library Week will also take place April 7th through April 13th and the Whittier Public Library has a variety of events planned for library enthusiasts of all ages. Read below and visit www.Whittierlibrary.org to view a calendar of events.

Finally, remember to send in your vote-by-mail ballot now in advance of the Whittier General Municipal Election happening on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024. Drop it off at City Hall or in any of our official ballot drop boxes located throughout town, or vote in person at one of our four vote centers located in each district beginning Saturday, April 6th. Visit www.WhittierVotes.org for specific election information and a list of candidates.

Happy Spring, neighbors!

Brian Saeki, City Manager

Council Corner: Meeting Reminders

Election Day: Vote in Whittier on April 9th

Artwork Sought for 2024 Congressional Art Competition

Residents Encouraged to Serve on City Boards & Commissions

Are you a Whittier resident looking to play an active role in building and improving our community? Your opportunity is here! The City Clerk Department is now accepting applications for vacancies and openings on various City of Whittier boards and commissions. Board and commission members help advise the City Council on policy matters and represent community interests on important local projects. Applications are available on the City’s website or in-person at the City Clerk counter. An applicant must be a registered voter of the City of Whittier and separate applications are required for each board or commission for which you are applying. Submissions are due no later than Friday, April 26th at 5:00 p.m. Contact the City Clerk Department at (562) 567-9850 or via email at ccd@cityofwhittier.org with questions. We thank you for your interest in serving the greater Whittier community!

National Library Week is April 7th through April 13th and the Whittier Public Library is ready to celebrate with you and your family. National Library Week is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions, and promote library use and support. The theme for 2024 is "Ready, Set, Library!" illustrating the idea that in our online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most. Join Whittier Public Library staff at both Library locations for special activities all week long - there's something for everyone to enjoy! Visit www.WhittierLibrary.org for a complete calendar of events, dates, and times. We'll see you out at the Library!

Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie at Whittier's first Silent Disco benefitting the Whittier Community Foundation! Enjoy temporary tattoos, glow paint, party lights, food trucks, and more on Friday, April 12th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Whittier Community Center (7630 Washington Ave.). Participants will receive a headset that allows you to control your own volume and switch between multiple channels of music all night. The event is open to all ages and tickets are $15 for attendees ages 20 and under (with soft drinks included) and $25 for attendees ages 21 and older (with beverages included). Visit www.WhittierCF.org to purchase tickets or call (562) 567-9450 with questions.

Keep Whittier Prettier: Celebrate Earth Day with the City on April 20th

Don't miss the Shelter's Right Hand 28th Annual "Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence" 5K Walk, benefiting the Women's and Children's Crisis Shelter. Gather with loved ones, neighbors, and friends on Saturday, April 20th, starting with a fun, lively warm-up at Central Park (6532 Friends Ave.) in Uptown Whittier. Experience a picturesque trail route that begins and concludes at the park, with the event commencing at 8:00 a.m. Same day registration will be available at 6:30 a.m. and runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Secure your spot, explore sponsorship opportunities, and access additional event details by registering now at www.SheltersRightHand.org. Join the community and step out together for a worthy cause!

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day 2024

One simple way to divert waste from landfills is through the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program. The program, whenever possible, leverages the existing solid waste infrastructure by diverting your mattress from waste to recycling, whether your retailer takes it back with your new purchase, your city or a waste hauler picks it up at curbside, or you drop it off at a participating location.

More than 75% of a mattress can be recycled! The steel, foam, fibers, and wood are turned into everyday products like carpet padding, industrial filters, construction rebar and garden mulch.

MRC’s program recycles foam and innerspring mattresses, futon mattresses that can separate from the futon frame or base, as well as box springs. Unit limits vary by location and residency restrictions may apply; be sure to contact your desired location prior to drop-off. Please visit the MRC website to learn how and where to recycle your mattress or share this information with a friend or family member in time for Earth Day!

The Whittier Public Library is hosting its annual Whittier Reads program this month which encourages residents to read the same book at the same time and participate in special events and discussions together. The 2024 selection is "Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between" by Eric Nusbaum.

Join the Library for a variety of Whittier Reads events focused on this celebrated story of baseball, community, and culture.

• Wednesday Night Book Group on Wednesday, April 10th @ Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) at 6:00 p.m.
• The REEL Club on Monday, April 15th @ Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) at 6:00 p.m. featuring the film "Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story"
• Author Talk: In Conversation with Natalia Molina & Gustavo Arellano on Wednesday, April 17th @ Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) at 6:00 p.m. discussing the essay "If You're Latinx, Loving the Dodgers is Complicated"

To learn more about these events and all other scheduled Whittier Reads activities like Baseball Trivia Night and a special showing of "The Sandlot," visit the Library's website or call the Central Library at (562) 567-9900.

Are you having trouble with that old laptop? Unsure why your phone is acting up? The Whittier Public Library has Tech Guides available at both the Central and Whittwood Branch libraries to offer assistance with solving all your digital dilemmas. Service hours are Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call in advance to confirm your appointment at (562) 567-9900 or (562) 567-9950.

The Whittier Public Library invites you to a financial workshop on Monday, April 29th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.), presented by the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation.

Attendees will learn more about saving and spending plans, as well as insights on how to protect yourself from fraud. The event is free and open to all interested teens and adults looking to organize and protect their finances. Register at (562) 567-9900 for more information.

Get ready for Whittier's annual Public Safety Expo & Kiddie-K Fun Run taking place on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in front of City Hall (13230 Penn St.). Don't miss an interactive morning of connecting with local law enforcement, firefighters, and local public safety agencies offering demonstrations and giveaways, and participate in the Kiddie-K Fun Run with little ones in each age group. Registration is free and racers will receive a commemorative medal while supplies last. Mark your calendar for this annual community favorite and May the fourth be with you!