There's plenty to LOVE about February in the City of Whittier! Read below for updates on exciting ribbon cuttings celebrated last month, including the long awaited re-opening of the Uptown Senior Center. Our Senior Services division is looking forward to welcoming community members back to this beloved gathering space and showing off new amenities and programming. Also included in this month's news are important dates for your calendar like the next Too Toxic to Trash waste collection, important community meetings, and the General Municipal Election taking place on April 9, 2024.

Also, don't miss February activities at the Whittier Public Library like special titles featured as part of Black History Month and everyone's favorite "Blind Date with a Book" reading contest. It doesn't have to be a romance novel for you to find love among the pages! Scroll down for details and events coming up like Crafty Tales and Rec & Read at Broadway Park.

We hope to see you out and about in February!

Brian Saeki, City Manager

Council Corner: Wrap-Up on

Recent Actions & Accomplishments

Whittier Celebrates New Year with

Community Ribbon Cuttings

The Whittier City Council celebrated three ribbon cuttings in January alongside local residents and partners. The Council, joined by LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel, cut the ribbon for a new paramedic engine on January 19 at nearby Station 59 on Scott Ave. The addition of a full-service paramedic unit, transitioning from a paramedic assessment engine, underscores a shared commitment to supporting public safety, enhancing life-saving emergency services, and shortening response times within the Whittier community.

Also on January 19, the City Council "flipped the switch" on recently-installed light fixtures at the Murphy Ranch Little League baseball fields. In partnership with Murphy Ranch Little League players and their families, the City Council thanked partners from the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, Southern California Edison, and City staff from Public Works for their contributions to shortening the project timeline and working collaboratively to ensure the state-of-the-art lighting system was completed. The new lights will extend game time this season and allow more players to participate for years to come. Special thanks to Assemblymember Lisa Calderon for matching the City's investment of $500,000 to get the project across home plate!

Finally, the City Council joined staff and local seniors for the official grand re-opening of the renovated and remodeled Uptown Senior Center located at 13225 Walnut Dr. on January 23. The center, which operated as a temporary shelter during COVID-19, now features new roofing, flooring, HVAC, accessible bathrooms, a redesigned and upgraded kitchen, technology area, and meeting rooms for seniors to enjoy. Schedule a tour of the center and learn more about programs and resources by contacting Whittier Senior Services at (562) 567-9470.

Winter Weather: Sand Bags Available

It's wet out there, Whittier! The City of Whittier's Public Works staff will offer sand bag distribution daily this week through Friday, February 9th between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from the City Yard (12016 Hadley St.). City of Whittier residents are reminded to bring proof of residency (ex. utility bill) and are limited to 10 bags per household. Residents living outside of City boundaries can check with their local LACoFD fire stations for sand bags or inquire with the County of Los Angeles Public Works department. As the rainy weather continues in the coming weeks, please continue to take precautions around your home and while driving. Information on local disaster preparedness resources and emergency assistance can be found on the City's website, and remember to utilize the Whittier 365 phone app to report down tree limbs or other non-life-threatening issues. Stay safe, neighbors!

Join the City of Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services team for a ribbon cutting at Penn Park (13950 Penn St.) to celebrate the installation of a new state-of-the-art playground and activity space. Join the City Council and staff for a short ceremony and treats on Wednesday, February 14 at 4:00 p.m. Please call (562) 567-9400 with questions about the project.

The City of Whittier will host a special study session on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. for community members interested in learning more about the much-anticipated Uptown Streetscape Beautification project, including background information and progress timeline, as well as approved designs for the Greenleaf Promenade featuring uniform outdoor dining, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, gateway monument signage, and pocket parks. The meeting will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers (13230 Penn St.), streamed live via Zoom, and aired on cable channel 3 or via the City's website. Please contact the City Clerk department with meeting inquiries at ccd@cityofwhittier.org or call (562) 567-9850.

Election Update: Voter Information Guide

Residents living within the designated Central Park or Hadley-Greenleaf Historic Districts are encouraged to participate in a stakeholder meeting at Whittier City Hall (13230 Penn St.) on Thursday, February 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The discussion will include examining existing historic data and evaluating physical structures to determine the significance, character, and architectural values of each. In conjunction with Page & Turnbull, a local preservation consulting firm, a survey will be performed of the two districts and findings will be compiled into a list of recommended historic resources that add to the significance and character of each area. The project will be presented to the City Council and Historic Resources Commission to further identify contributing and non-contributing resources. Those unable to attend in person are welcome to participate via Zoom. Please contact the Planning division at (562) 567-9320 for district maps and more information.

Love is in the air this month… with a good book! The Whittier Public Library will host "Blind Date with a Book" February 1st through February 29th. Select a mystery book to see if there's a connection. After finishing each book, fill out a “rate your date” form and return it to the Adult Reference Desk for a chance to win a raffle. The last day to submit a form is February 29th. The more books you read, the more chances you have to win. Call the Central Library with questions at (562) 567-9900 and remember, never judge a book by its cover! 

The Whittier Public Library will host its Crafty Tales afternoon event on Thursday, February 8 at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) beginning at 3:30 p.m. for local students ages 6 to 10. Participants will enjoy hands-on fun making crafts while listening to magical stories read aloud. Registration is required and space is limited; call the Central Library at (562) 567-9900 or visit the Reference Desk to RSVP.

Rec and Read at Broadway Park

Are you finally ready to toss out those old paint cans and that broken computer, but not sure what to do with it? Whittier and Los Angeles County residents can safely dispose of their household hazardous and electronic waste on Saturday, February 24th between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Rio Hondo College Fire Training Academy (11400 Greenstone Ave.) in Santa Fe Springs.



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.

Calling all Whittier artists! Be a part of the 21st Annual Community Street Banner Program for a chance to see your art displayed along Whittier's streets.

This year's theme is "Explore Whittier." Show us what that means to you with your own banner design.

Submissions are now open to all ages, however artists must live, work, or go to school within the City of Whittier.

To submit a banner, first create a mock-up design measuring 14" by 5" vertically oriented. Artists can draw, paint, or use other mediums to create artwork of their choosing.

Drop off your submission at the Whittier Community Center (7630 Washington Ave.) no later than February 23rd at 5:00 p.m.

Keep in mind, selected artists will be chosen to paint their design on a large banner measuring either 104" by 30" or 60" by 24" that will be viewed from a distance.

Questions about this program? Call (562) 567-9430 or visit the Whittier Parks, Recreation and Community Services website.

2nd Annual Whittier Beautification Awards

Scholarship Opportunity for High School Students in Whittier

Are you a high school senior headed to college this fall and in need of a scholarship? Now's your chance to apply for the Whittier Social Services scholarship opportunity! Sponsored by Athens Services and Republic Services, the program offers Whittier high school students a chance at winning some cash to attend their school of choice.

To apply, students must submit one essay in MLA format and one self-portrait (graduation photos are encouraged). Students must also be a current senior in high school headed to college or trade school and live within incorporated Whittier City limits.

This year's essay topic is on contamination in recycling. Explain in your essay why contamination in recycling is problematic and discuss how residents and businesses could improve their local recycling to reduce contamination.

Applications are due by Monday, March 4th at 3:00 p.m. Please submit all applications to gonzalezr@cityofwhittier.org. Questions about this scholarship program? Call (562) 567-9400 or visit our website to learn more. Good luck students!

Work at Whittier: Job Opportunities Available

We're hiring! Dynamic individuals looking to level up their career in 2024 are encouraged to join our City of Whittier Parks, Recreation and Community Services team. Part-time positions now open include roles as Lifeguard, Office Specialist, or Recreation Specialist assisting with softball, sports, and theater.

The City is also recruiting for additional employment opportunities including Concrete Worker Finisher, Police Dispatcher, and Economic Development & Housing Manager.

Ready to apply and start your next chapter with us? The City of Whittier accepts applications via www.GovernmentJobs.com/careers/Whittier. Please call Human Resources with questions at (562) 567-9830 and apply today!