There's plenty to look forward to during spooky season in Whittier! Enjoy everything from our Pumpkin Patch Splash and Family Movie Night to Halloween Capers and the annual Spooktacular 5K community race.

Also this month, the City will participate in the Great California Shake Out earthquake drill on October 19 which serves as an annual opportunity to evaluate emergency plans and response procedures. You are invited to participate with your loved ones or colleagues by practicing your DROP, COVER, & HOLD ON at home, in the classroom, or at your place of business to ensure safety and minimize the impact in the event of a major earthquake.

Finally, save the date for the Whittier Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, November 11 at Central Park. View the flyer below and join us in honoring our local servicemembers for their courage and sacrifice.

With Halloween fast approaching, please remember to drive slower on our streets, check all candy that comes home with your little ones, and stay safe. October is going to be so much fun, it's SCARY!

Brian Saeki, City Manager

Did you catch it? Spectrum News 1 SoCal made a stop in Uptown to highlight the "picturesque streets of Whittier" in a recent news story aired last month. Special mentions were made on everything from the history of the Bailey House and Whittier's Quaker roots to Crepes & Grapes Cafe, the Whittier Village Cinemas, and King Richard's Antique Center, as well as an inside look at the Whittier Brewing Company and some local history from Bobby Ruiz of @MyWhittier on social media. Watch and enjoy a great overview of our charming town here.

The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services staff will host a floating pumpkin patch at the Palm Park pool (5703 Palm Ave.) on Saturday, October 7 from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. for $10 per person. Take a dip and find your perfect pumpkin! Visit www.WhittierRec.com to register or contact Palm Park staff with questions at (562) 567-9495.

Republic Services will host an electronic waste collection, compost giveaway, clothing drop-off, and shredding event for City of Whittier residents on Saturday, October 14 between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd). 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 hazardous waste will be accepted and allowed e-waste includes TVs, computers, monitors, printers, cell phones, etc. Attendees are asked to bring a sturdy container for compost and will be required to show proof of City of Whittier residency to participate. To inquire about accepted materials, please call Republic Services at (800) 299-4898.

Calling all future college-bound high school students! The 56th Assembly District's 2023 College & Career Fair will take place on Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights (15325 Los Robles Ave.) and will offer an opportunity for students to meet one-on-one with admissions representatives from more than 60 colleges, universities, and career technical programs, as well as attend workshops on the UC and CSU application process, financial aid, and more. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. Please call (562) 692-5858 or email assemblymember.calderon@assembly.ca.gov for more information.

The Whittier Senior Services Division invites local seniors to attend a Medicare Open Enrollment Fair on Wednesday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Parnell Park Senior Center (15390 Lambert Rd.). Residents age 55+ and caregivers will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of local healthcare and service providers and obtain free health screenings. Additional resources will also be available, including information on senior activities, Dial-A-Ride, and more. Please call (562) 567-9450 for details or speak to a staff member at Parnell Park.

Join the City of Whittier on Thursday, October 19 at 10:19 a.m. for the Great California Shake Out earthquake drill, which encourages residents, schools, organizations, and businesses to participate in a statewide earthquake simulation. The event takes place annually on the third Thursday in October and calls for all members of the community to evaluate their existing emergency preparedness plans and practice their response in the case of an earthquake. Register now at www.ShakeOut.org!

The Whittier Uptown Association will host its family-friendly Halloween Capers on Saturday, October 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Uptown Whittier. Local businesses will be passing out candy to trick-or-treaters and participants can enjoy food, vendors, games, and a costume contest. Please contact the WUA with questions at (562) 696-2662.

The Whittier Host Lions Club of Whittier will host its 26th annual Sight for Kids fundraiser on Saturday, October 21 kicking off at 5:30 p.m. in the Whittier Community Center (7630 Washington Ave.). The event features dinner and wine tasting sponsored by various local restaurants and both live and silent auctions to raise funds for Whittier youth. The donation to attend is $50 per person and tickets may be purchased by calling (562) 217-7646. Learn more about the Lions and their contributions to the community at www.whittierlions.org.

The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services department is now accepting registration for fall classes and workshops. Activities are offered for all ages including children, teens, adults, and seniors and feature everything from soccer, tennis, and dance to fitness, tai chi, photography, and even dog training. Classes are also designed to meet the needs of our senior community including gentle chair yoga and creative painting, as well as residents with disabilities through our Adaptive Recreation program. Create your account for free at www.WhittierRec.com to browse current classes or call (562) 567-9400 for assistance.

The City of Whittier has partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on the 2023 Heart Heroes campaign, which seeks to train 500,000 Los Angeles County residents and workers in hands-only CPR by December 31, 2023. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year and hands-only CPR has been shown to be just as effective as conventional CPR when performed immediately, which can double or even triple someone’s chance of survival! Through various local partnerships, hands-only CPR trainings will be held at sporting events, entertainment venues, places of worship, colleges, and other places in LA County to make training and learning more accessible to residents. Training will also be made available during the health expo at the annual Spooktacular 5K race on Saturday, October 28. Visit the Heart Heroes booth to learn more and visit ph.lacounty.gov/heartheroes for fact sheets, tutorials, and more information on how hands-only CPR could save someone you love.

The Whittier Public Library will now staff a Teen Tech Table at both Library locations on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Visit the new help desk for assistance with your phones, computers, tablets, and other devices. Appointments are not required; call (562) 567-9900 or (562) 567-9950 with inquiries.

The Whittier Public Library will host two cool zine-making workshops on Tuesday, October 17 and October 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). Teens are invited to come learn about zine culture and make their own unique zine during the workshops hosted in partnership with Rio Hondo College Library's Zine Outreach Project. Space is limited; register at the Central Library Adult Reference desk or call (562) 567-9900.

The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services staff invites you to a special screening of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" on Saturday, October 21 at Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) for our final Movie in the Park screening of the season. Kids can enjoy free crafting, games, and play activities and $1 concessions will be available for purchase. Don't miss a great night out with the family and remember to bring a picnic dinner from your favorite Whittier restaurant, your lawn chairs, and plenty of blankets. The event opens at 5:00 p.m. and the film starts at dusk. For more information call (562) 567-9450.

Join the Whittier Public Library for a spine-tingling evening of magic and mentalism on Monday, October 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the Whittwood Branch Library (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.). Get ready to be amazed and mystified as Psychic Buster takes you on a mind-bending journey into the world of the supernatural. Witness astonishing tricks and illusions that defy explanation! This will be a family-friendly show suitable for kids and adults alike and tickets are available from the Reference Desk at both libraries. Seats are limited, so grab yours before they vanish into thin air! Call (562) 567-9950 with questions.

The City's annual Spooktacular 5K Run/Walk is coming up on Saturday, October 28 kicking off from the front of the Whittier Community Center (7630 Washington Ave.) and following its historic route through Uptown Whittier. Same day registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and the 5K begins at 8:00 a.m. Pricing varies per person with discounts offered for groups and students. The Children's Creepy Crawly 1/2 Mile Dash is $25 for youth ages 12 and younger and begins at 7:30 a.m. Registration online at www.Whittier5K.com or call (562) 567-9430 with questions.

The City of Whittier invites you to salute our veteran community with a special Veterans Day recognition on Saturday, November 11 at Central Park in Uptown Whittier (6532 Friends Ave.). A ceremony and family picnic will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and feature patriotic music and remarks from the City Council. Representatives from the Whittier Public Library will also be present to share information on the Veterans Resource Center now located inside the Central Library. Click here for more information on services for veterans in Whittier or call the Community Services department with questions at (562) 567-9450.