As we kick off graduation season in Whittier, the City hosted its annual Students in Government Day last month and welcomed a group of enthusiastic Whittier High School seniors to shadow staff at City Hall for the day. Not only did they get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to oversee City programs and services, but they had an opportunity to facilitate a public discussion in the City Council Chambers during their mock City Council meeting. Thank you to all those who participated and made the day so rewarding for City staff - the future is in great hands with these talented students at the helm!

We have a lot in store for you this month, including our Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 16th and our Memorial Day observance at City Hall on Monday, May 27th. Scroll below for details on other youth-friendly events like Kids' Sports Night Out, Whittier Public Library happenings like Founders Day, the Whittier Community Foundation's Dancing with the Whittier Stars where I'll be showing off my moves for a worthy cause!

Brian Saeki, City Manager

Council Corner: Annual Budget Study Session

Missed out on trying that new hobby this spring? Interested in getting in shape or involved with local activities? Registration for the City's summer recreation classes opens on Monday, May 6th at 9:00 a.m. Choose from classes like dog training and martial arts, to driver's education and water aerobics. Classes are held at City facilities including the Whittier Community Center or the Palm Park pool and there's something for all ages. Spaces fill up fast; log on to www.WhittierREC.com to browse activities and register for something fun. Please contact PRCS at (562) 567-9400 to learn more and make it another great summer in Whittier.

California State Senate Bill 1383 aims to reduce harmful emissions from landfills by establishing a target of 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025 in the reduction of statewide disposal of organics waste. Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California and organics waste emits 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant up to 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. To achieve this goal, residents and businesses are urged to properly separate trash, recycling, and organics waste by container and help streamline the disposal and repurposing process.

To ensure that residents and businesses are complying with the new rules, the State of California is further requiring local cities and public agencies to:

• Adopt enforceable ordinances requiring residents and businesses to comply or be fined.
• Ensure containers are a certain color and labeled with materials allowed in each.
• Conduct route reviews on randomly selected containers checking for contaminants (lid flipping).
• Implement a food recovery program.
• Purchase recycled products or provide documentation as to why recycled products were not purchased.
• Implement a compliance monitoring program for multi-family and commercial organic waste generators.
• Investigate and maintain records of complaints received alleging non-compliance with SB 1383.
• Take enforcement actions, including issuing notices of violation and assessing penalties for those not complying with SB 1383.

What does this mean for you? Organics waste is a renewable natural resource, deriving mainly from things like food scraps and yard waste, that can sustainably be repurposed as compost and mulch. Here are a few examples of what must now be placed in your green waste bin on trash day:

• Food scraps: fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, non-liquid dairy, egg shells
• Food-soiled paper: Napkins, pizza boxes, paper plates, cardboard egg cartons
• Yard waste: Plants, leaves, branches, and grass - NO PALM FRONDS

The City of Whittier wants to make this process as convenient as possible and is now offering free countertop food waste collection/compost containers available to Whittier residents from the Whittier Public Works counter at City Hall. To ensure that you or your business is properly disposing of your organics waste and in compliance with SB 1383, please contact your trash hauler directly with inquiries at Athens Services (888) 336-6100 or Republic Services (800) 29-4898. Please visit the CalRecycle website to learn more about California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy and access helpful resources. Together, we can make an impact on the climate crisis and create a more sustainable future for generations of Californians to come!

The City of Whittier and the Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services team will host a grand opening to celebrate the addition of pickleball at Leffingwell Ranch Park (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.) on Thursday, May 9th at 1:00 p.m. Thank you to the Whittier Community Foundation for their generous support of the project and many others throughout town that benefit residents. Grab your paddle and join us for some back-and-forth fun in the sun out on the court!

The Whittier Public Library will host special movie screenings for all ages at both Library locations on Friday, May 10th. Enjoy Family Film Afternoon beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Whittwood Branch (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.) featuring Abominable, an action-packed story that is thrilling, funny, and emotional for viewers of all ages. The Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) will host Teen Movie Night featuring everyone's favorite "The Princess Bride" at 5:30 p.m. Grab your snacks and enjoy something on the big screen! Call either Library with questions at (562) 567-9900 (Central) or (562) 567-9950 (Whittwood).

Call your babysitter because the Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services team will offer a variety of sports activities, along with dinner and a movie, for kids ages 5 to 12 at Kids' Sports Night Out on Friday, May 10th. The event will be held at Joe Miller Field located next to the Whittier Community Center (7630 Washington Ave.) from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and the cost is $15 per child. Register now at www.WhittierREC.com or call (562) 567-9430 with questions.

Whittier Historical Society Hosts Annual Founders Day Celebration May 11th

Don't Miss Book Clubs for Teens & Adults on May 14th & 15th

Celebrate Bike to Work Day on May 16th

Dancing with the Whittier Stars: Community Fundraiser Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Republic Services, in partnership with the City of Whittier, will host a free drive-thru community clean-up and compost giveaway on Saturday, May 18th at Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Drop off electronic waste like old computers or cell phones, hand over your sensitive documents for proper shredding, donate gently used clothing items, and pick up free compost for your garden. The event is open to City of Whittier residents with proof of ID (utility bill). To learn more about items that will or won't be accepted, contact Republic Services at (800) 299-4898.

The Whittier Public Library's DIY Digital Memory Lab presents Digitization Day on Saturday, May 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). Bring your old photos, slides, or original documents you'd like digitized to preserve treasured memories and important paperwork. Appointments are required; please call (562) 567-9900 to reserve a time slot and ask questions.

The Whittier Public Library will host its monthly REEL Club film night on Monday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). Dive into the captivating world of fashion and art with a special screening of the 2016 documentary highlighting the "First Monday in May." Explore the Met Gala and the mesmerizing 'China: Through the Looking Glass' exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Don't miss this stylish evening of film and culture! The event is free and registration is not required; please call (562) 567-9900 to learn more.

Join the Whittier Public Library for some fun-filled, engaging science activities with your little ones at the next "Little Innovators" event on Friday, May 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. outside at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). In partnership with Science Circus of Whittier College, this event is designed for curious kids ages 4 & 5 with help from a parent. Space is limited and registration is a must; please call (562) 567-9900 to secure your spot and join us!

The Whittier Public Works department, in partnership with Republic Services, Caltrans District 7, and the Clean California campaign, encourages you to dump and dispose of your household waste and bulky items on Saturday, May 25th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at La Serna High School (15301 Youngwood Dr.). 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 to RSVP or call Xavier Reid at (213) 598-4342.

Summer is just around the corner and Whittier's splash pads are ready for action! Beginning Memorial Day weekend, May 25th, splash pads will be operating at Lee & Erica Owens Park, Palm Park, Parnell Park, and Michigan Park between the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily through September 2nd, 2024. Please call PRCS for details at (562) 567-9450 and stay cool all summer long!

Whittier Honors Local Service Members at Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27th

The City of Whittier will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony honoring all those who have served in our nation's Armed Forces on Monday, May 27th at 9:00 a.m. in front of City Hall (13230 Penn St.). The event will feature guest speakers, special presentations, the Whittier Honor Guard, and refreshments. Please contact City staff at (562) 567-9470 with questions and join us in paying tribute to our fallen service members. 

Summer is fast approaching and so are the mosquitoes! The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and the City of Whittier encourage residents to protect against mosquito breeding grounds and limit the number of potential sources in and around your home. Tipping and tossing stagnant water collected in vases, planters, and other areas where standing water can occur helps discourage the laying of eggs and transmission of mosquito-oriented diseases like West Nile Virus in our community. Resources are available, including a home checklist for residents and information on Neighborhood Mosquito Watch programs, via the Vector Control website at www.glamosquito.org.