Happy December, Whittier! Read below for information on all of the festive fun we have lined up for you and your family all month long including a tree lighting at City Hall and the annual Uptown Christmas Parade.

Additionally, our Parks, Recreation, and Community Services staff is coordinating our "Letters to Santa" campaign through December 13, and the Whittier Public Library will host a variety of holiday-themed activities like its "What's Playing at the Library" music series and a Wacky Winter Adventure puppet show for kids. Visit the Whittier Public Library website for a complete calendar of events and programming.

City Hall and most City facilities will be closed beginning Friday, December 22 at 5:00 p.m. through Tuesday, January 2, 2023. Please scroll down for additional information on limited hours, trash service, and building inspections during the break.

It's been another great year in Whittier and there's much to look forward to in 2024. On behalf of the Whittier City Council and City of Whittier staff, I wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season with your loved ones and we look forward to serving you in the New Year. Remember to SHOP WHITTIER for the holidays!

Brian Saeki, City Manager

The Whittier City Council met on Tuesday, November 28 for its annual goal-setting workshop and workplan study session to review and prioritize local projects ahead of 2024. Completed and current projects were categorized by the City Council's previously approved strategic goals including public safety, transparency, quality of life, financial stability, and maintaining a strong economic base. Projects completed range from funding for public safety assistance like police body-worn cameras and staffing of a Mental Health Evaluation Team to studies performed on a proposed People Mover Circular and the Gold Line Eastside Transit Corridor, as well as park improvements at Anaconda, new lighting at the Whittier Community Theatre, support for the Whittier Museum, construction of the renovated Whittier Public Library, and the much anticipated extension of the Greenway Trail towards the Orange County line.

The City Council moved to prioritize an estimated $62 million dollars in funding for current and soon-to-begin projects including:

• a Parks Master Plan, pickleball overlay at Leffingwell, full scale renovation of Parnell Park, and improvements at Kennedy, Broadway, Penn, and Michigan;
• a Broadband Master Plan with improved connectivity;
• a citywide branding initiative and new entryway signage;
• refurbishment of the Whittier Senior Center opening next month;
• critical upgrades to Los Angeles County Fire Station 17;
• a proposed connection of the Greenway Trail west to the San Gabriel River;
• upgrades to the Whittier Union High School District athletic fields;
• and the long-awaited development of the former Alpha Beta site and build out of the Greenleaf Promenade in Uptown Whittier among others.

The City Council meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month at City Hall (13230 Penn St.) and meetings can be attended in person, via Zoom, or streamed on the City's website and cable channel 3.

The holiday season is upon us and the City of Whittier encourages you to shop local first! Participate in the annual Shop Home for the Holidays contest by purchasing local goods or services from Whittier businesses now through December 21 and turn in your receipts valued at $20 or more to the Whittier Chamber office (8158 Painter Ave.) or by email to info@whittierchamber.com. The Chamber will select a daily winner for its 25 Days of Giveaways and the grand prize on December 22 for $1,000. Receipts from Whittier Chamber member businesses are eligible for two raffle entries. Take the pledge to buy local and #ShopWhittier all year long! Please contact the Whittier Chamber at (562) 698-9554 or email info@whittierchamber.com for more contest details.

The Whittier Public Works department, in partnership with Athens Services, Caltrans District 7, and the Clean California campaign, encourages you to dump and dispose of your household waste and bulky items at the City's public parking lot in Uptown Whittier (12813 Bailey St.) on Saturday, December 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hazardous waste WILL NOT be accepted, however City of Whittier residents with identification may drop off approved debris including furniture, mattresses, household items, glass, solid waste, etc. For specific inquiries and more information on what will be collected, click here or call Xavier Reid at (213) 598-4342.

The City of Whittier will kick off the holiday season with a community tree lighting event in front of City Hall on Saturday, December 2 at 5:00 p.m. featuring family-friendly festivities, treats, letters to Santa, carolers, and more. Join us for the flipping of the switch on our 26' foot tree and then make your way to Uptown for the annual Holiday Sonata happening along Greenleaf Avenue and throughout Uptown from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Enjoy your favorite holiday characters, music and dance performances, dining, kids' activities, and photos with Santa. We look forward to celebrating the season with you in Whittier!

The Whittier High School Alumni Association invites you to a holiday performance and community sing-a-long at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3 at the Vic Lopez Auditorium (12417 E. Philadelphia St.). Enjoy festive musical favorites with your friends and neighbors and snag a photo with Mr. & Mrs. Claus before or after the concert. For questions or more information email whittierholidaycelebration@gmail.com.

Access to running water is essential to keep California’s families safe and healthy, but paying water and sewer bills can be challenging for many. Through California's Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), eligible low-income households can receive one-time financial help to pay current or past due water or sewer bills and keep their water on. Households that participate in CalFresh, CalWORKs, or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are already income-qualified to get support through LIHWAP. If your water bill is part of your rental payment, qualifying for LIHWAP is still possible. To find out if you qualify for help paying your current or past due water or sewer bill, go to csd.ca.gov/WaterBill to learn more.

Spend New Year's Day with the City of Whittier at the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 2024! Transportation and bleacher seating is included for $75 per person and the trip is open to residents of all ages. Departure from the Whittier Community Center is 5:30 a.m. on parade day and the event starts at 8:00 a.m. Registration opens Friday, December 1 and will sell out quickly. Log on to www.WhittierRec.com to secure your tickets or call (562) 567-9470 with questions.

Mark your calendar for the 69th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m. in Uptown Whittier. Don't miss your favorite floats, fun performances by local schools and organizations, appearances from local dignitaries, and other holiday festivities along Greenleaf Avenue. Come early and stay to shop! For more parade information, please contact the Whittier Uptown Association at (562) 696-2662 or email info@whittieruptown.org.

Were you good this year? Fast track your letter to Santa with the City of Whittier by creating your own letter or pick up a template in-person at one of our City facilities. Drop off your special message to Santa with a self-addressed stamped envelope at one of our Santa Express mailboxes located at City Hall and the Whittier Community Center. To ensure the big guy gets your letter in time to send back your personalized response, please turn in your letter no later than December 13. Call City staff at (562) 567-9450 with questions or to request the form directly.

The City of Whittier and Los Angeles County residents can safely dispose of their household hazardous and electronic waste on Saturday, December 9 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Liberty Community Plaza (14181 Telegraph Rd., Whittier). Participants are reminded to carefully secure items for drop-off in their trunk or truck bed and preferably in boxes that are easy to remove from vehicles. No explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, controlled substances, or large appliances will be accepted and sharps disposal (including needles or medical equipment) will require exiting your vehicle to deposit into a specified biohazard waste bin. The event is co-sponsored by the LA Sanitation Districts and the County of Los Angeles Public Works Department in partnership with the City. To inquire about accepted materials, please call (800) 238-0173 or visit www.CleanLA.com for more details.

The Whittwood Town Center invites families to enjoy the holiday spirit from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. during its two "Santa Saturdays" happening on December 9 & 16. The event will feature favorite holiday characters, delicious treats and sweets, entertainment, holiday activities, and Mr. & Mrs. Claus posing for photos. Don't forget to bring a new, unwrapped item for the community toy drive benefitting our local fire and police personnel. Click here to learn more and celebrate the season at Whittwood!

The Whittier Public Library will host its monthly Teen Book Club on Tuesday, December 12 at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) at 5:30 p.m. Registration is not required and participants are encouraged to read whatever they choose and share on the books of their choice. To learn more about how to get involved with teen programs at the Library, visit their website or call the Central Library at (562) 567-9900.

The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services team invites you to have cookies with Santa on Saturday, December 16 at the Whittier Community Center (7360 Washington Ave.). Get your family photo taken with that jolly old elf, make a fun craft, and enjoy a tasty treat! Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 4 for time slots available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on December 16. The cost is $10 per family. Questions about the event? Call (562) 567-9450.

The Whittier Public Library Foundation invites you to its "What's Playing at the Library" series with two upcoming performances for the holidays. On Thursday, December 7, experience Young Elvis with a tribute to the "king of rock & roll" at the Central Library at 6:00 p.m. On Thursday, December 14, enjoy classical holiday music performed by Paul Stein and Ralph Alberstrom also at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are free but space is limited; please visit the Adult Reference Desk to register or call (562) 567-9900 with inquiries.

The Whittier Public Library will bring back its popular Ukulele for Beginners Holiday Edition on Saturday, December 16 at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) starting at 1:00 p.m. Ukuleles will be provided to participants and space is limited. Register at the Central Adult Reference Desk or call (562) 567-9900 to learn more about the program.

Interested in lifeguarding? Get certified with the City's Parks, Recreation & Community Services staff this January and dive into new job opportunities throughout Southern California including oversight of public pools, water parks, hotels, and more. Classes begin January 2 and January 27 for participants ages 15 and older. The cost is $175 per person and all trainings will take place at the Palm Park pool (5703 Palm Ave.). Register now at www.WhittierRec.com to save your spot or call (562) 567-9495 to learn more.

The Parks, Recreation & Community Services department will host an adult kickball league every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. from January 4 through March 14 at Joe Miller Field (7630 Washington Ave.). Teams will be comprised of up to 12 players and a mandatory Manager's meeting will be held on December 21. The cost is $400 per team and registration is now available at www.WhittierRec.com. Please call (562) 567-9430 with inquiries and join us out on the diamond!

The Whittier Public Library will host its "Wacky Winter Adventure" performance courtesy of Luce Puppets on Wednesday, December 20 at 3:00 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). Space is limited for this special show; snag your free tickets at the Children's Reference Desk or call (562) 567-9900 for more information.

As a reminder, Whittier City Hall will close on Friday, December 22 at 5:00 p.m. in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays and will resume normal business hours on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Recreation facilities including the Whittier Community Center and Parnell Park Senior Center will be closed from December 23 through January 2. The Palm Park pool will be open on December 27 through December 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for lap swim and the purchase of Dial-A-Ride or TAP cards. A limited number of prescheduled Building inspections will be performed between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on December 27, 28, and 29. Please note that no inspections will be performed on December 26 and normal inspections will resume on January 3, 2023. To pre-schedule an inspection for December 27, 28, or 29, please call (562) 567-9320 as soon as possible. Online submittals and new applications submitted at the building counter will be accepted until December 20 and will resume on January 3, 2023. 

Because the Christmas Day and New Year's Day holidays fall on Mondays, trash service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. For example, since Christmas falls on a Monday, collection normally made on Monday will be performed on Tuesday and the final collection day of the week will be Saturday. Similarly, both trash haulers will offer Christmas tree collection beginning December 26 through January 20, 2024, at no extra charge. Please remember to remove the stand, all ornaments, lights, garland and tinsel prior to disposal as trees will be chipped and composted, and trees taller than 6 feet should also be cut in half. Place your tree next to your trash container on your regular collection day. Should you need to dispose of your holiday tree after the collection period, cut your tree into small enough pieces so that you can place them in your green container with the lid properly closed. Questions? Call your trash hauler: Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 or Republic Services at (562) 347-2100. We wish you and yours a safe and relaxing holiday break!

Did you know that the City of Whittier offers assistance for qualifying homeowners on housing rehabilitation and repairs? Whittier's Housing Rehabilitation program is intended to assist with maintenance, improvement, and rehabilitation and/or preservation of low and moderate income housing. The City's financing assistance to homeowners is for improvements such as roofing, plumbing, electrical, windows, stucco, painting, flooring, and other repairs to eliminate code violations, incipient code violations, and slum/blight conditions. The Housing Rehabilitation program is funded by Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) and HOME Funds. To learn more about how to apply for assistance and inquire on eligibility, please call (562) 567-9320 or click here for more details.