As a reminder, residents are urged to evaluate emergency preparedness and disaster response plans for your homes and businesses as part of National Preparedness Month in September. After all, who would've thought that we'd be preparing for a hurricane last month here in Southern California? It just goes to show you can never be too careful! Scroll down for more information on how to ensure your family is safe in the case of an emergency.

The Whittier City Council celebrated the completion of the long-awaited Greenway Trail east extension with a ribbon cutting last month alongside federal, state, and local partners highlighting the 2.8-mile addition and the greater goal of connecting to the Santa Ana and San Gabriel River bike paths in the future. The event took place near the extension terminus at Lambert Rd. and First Ave., calling attention to the 1.9-acres of land north of the trail recently acquired by the City of Whittier that will be repurposed into a passive park. Local families have already begun utilizing the east extension this summer for their walking, biking, and running activities. Read the press release here or contact the Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services department to learn more about the Greenway Trail at (562) 567-9400.

The City of Whittier is partnering with the FEMA Ready Campaign to promote awareness of National Preparedness Month in September and the importance of creating an emergency plan before a disaster happens. The 2023 theme is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3” and will focus on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by hazardous weather conditions affecting the nation. In addition to coordinating drills and employee activities, the City encourages residents to make a plan now that safeguards not only your loved ones but your home, business, and belongings in the case of a disaster. Visit www.ready.gov to learn more about National Preparedness Month and the City of Whittier's Emergency Management Division for additional tips.

Per Senate Bill 1383, all Californians are required to place food scraps, landscaping waste, and 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper into their green waste container for disposal on their regular waste collection day. Both of the City's trash haulers have effectively implemented a collection process and information is available online regarding what can and cannot be disposed of in each receptacle. Organics diverted into the green containers (NOT the black container) will be converted to compost/mulch and used to revitalize landscape and gardens or as renewable energy in replace of fossil fuel energy. Kitchen countertop food waste containers are available free of charge for Whittier residents and make transferring scraps from the kitchen to your outdoor bin more convenient. Containers can be picked up from the Public Works counter at City Hall during regular business hours or by contacting staff at (562) 567-9500. For questions regarding your organics collection process, please contact your waste hauler directly at (888) 336-6100 (Athens Services) or (800) 299-4898 (Republic Services).

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! Library cards are free for residents and must be obtained in person. Residents must be 18 years of age with a valid photo I.D. and proof of residency. Residents can save time by downloading the application online at www.whittierlibrary.org. Visit either Whittier Public Library location to register for a card to start checking out some incredible books and online resources. Contact the Library to learn more at (562) 567-9900.

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 Whittier Museum will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an open house event on Saturday, September 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Museum (6755 Newlin Ave.). A ribbon cutting will take place at 1:00 p.m., followed by a cake reception on the second floor. Local historical institutions and organizations will host informational tables and tours will be provided throughout the afternoon. Don't miss a general membership discussion and presentation on the Whittier Historical Society's archives at 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. To learn more, please contact the Museum at (562) 945-3871 or email info@whittiermuseum.org.

The Whittier Social Services Commission has opened its application process for local non-profit organizations seeking funding to support Whittier residents and families in need. The 2023-24 application is now open to non-profits that serve Whittier residents in two focus areas: mental health services and other social services or support. The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services department and Social Services Commission are committed to assisting non-profits interested in applying and request that a representative attend a mandatory pre-submission meeting at Whittier City Hall (13230 Penn St.) either in person or via Zoom on Monday, September 18 at 1:00 p.m. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2023. Review and submit your organization's application here or call (562) 567-9400 with questions regarding the process. We look forward to working with you to support our community together!

The Whittier Public Library invites residents to its popular Author Talk series on Thursday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). The discussion will focus on the life and history of Lou Henry Hoover. Seating is limited; complimentary tickets are available at the Adult Reference Desk. Please call (562) 567-9900 with inquiries.

The Whittier Public Library will host its Teen Book Club on Tuesday, September 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Whittwood Branch (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.). This is a new monthly program for teens to come and discuss, share, and discover books among their peers. There are no assigned books for the club, so participants are encouraged to read what you like and come ready to share! No registration is required; contact the Whittwood Branch with questions at (562) 567-9950.

City of Whittier and Los Angeles County residents can safely dispose of their household hazardous and electronic waste on Saturday, September 16 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the LA Sanitation Districts Joint Administration Office (1955 Workman Mill 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 Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services staff invites you to a special screening of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" on Saturday, September 16 at Michigan Park (8228 Michigan Ave.) beginning at 6:00 p.m. 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 a blanket. Movies begin at dusk. For more information call (562) 567-9450.

The Whittier Planning Commission will hold a special study session on Monday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss draft zoning amendments including review of new zoning districts, objective design standards, and parking, bicycle, and open space requirements. All those interested are welcome to attend in one of the following ways:

Public comments and questions must be submitted to staff ahead of time by email to comdev@cityofwhittier.org no later than 2:30 p.m. on September 18, 2023. Please call Community Development with questions at (562) 567-9320.

Beginning Tuesday, September 19, the Whittier Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) will host its Little Listeners Storytime at 10:30 a.m. for children ages 2 to 5 years old. The program will be offered every Tuesday through November 14 and all little ones must be accompanied by a caregiver. Please call (562) 567-9900 with inquiries.

Beginning Wednesday, September 20, the Whittwood Branch (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.) will host its Stay & Play program every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. through November 15. The fall session is open to little ones ages 0 to 5 and includes a brief storytime followed by 45 minutes of play. Children and caregivers will be able to play with toys together and participate in guided activities that promote early literacy skills and school readiness. Stay & Play was made possible with generous support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Please contact the Branch at (562) 567-9950 with questions.

Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, representing the 56th Assembly District, is encouraging local high school seniors to submit written essays for their chance at receiving a $1,000 scholarship. The writing prompt consists of two required questions and the deadline to submit answers for consideration is September 20. The 56th Assembly District's 2023 College & Career Fair will take place on October 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 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. Writing contestants must be present for the closing ceremony at 1:30 p.m. to collect their prize. Please submit written entries here or call (562) 692-5858 with questions about the contest.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has announced the launch of a statewide opioid and fentanyl overdose prevention and education campaign that aims to prevent substance use and increase awareness of fentanyl contamination primarily among people between the ages of 16 to 39. The campaign follows the City of Whittier's proactive launch of its own Whittier Well-Being Initiative, established in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in 2022, which focuses similarly on the dangers of fentanyl and other controlled substances, concerns around abuse of prescription pills, and how to access free and low-cost mental health support to better serve families in our community as we enter the back-to-school season. Appropriate City staff and facility workers have been trained on how to safely administer Naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, and the Whittier Public Library will host a public Naloxone training and prescription safe storage discussion on Thursday, September 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the Central Library Community Room (7344 Washington Ave.) for those who would like to learn more. Email WhittierWC@ph.lacounty.gov to register or call (562) 464-5373 with questions.

Residents can visit www.cityofwhittier.org/whittierwellbeing to access:

If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse Services Hotline at (844) 804-7500 to be connected with a treatment program and download the RecoverLA mobile-friendly app for personalized assistance. For anyone looking for mental health support, please call the LA County Mental Health Hotline available 24/7 at (800) 854-7771.

City of Whittier residents (with proper identification or utility bill) can pick up free compost provided by Athens Services on Saturday, October 7 at Guirado Park (5760 Pioneer Blvd.) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Participants are reminded to bring a shovel, dolly, and sturdy containers (no larger than 32-gallon) for the self-service event and masks, gloves, and protective eyewear are also encouraged. Athens' compost is a blend of organics material including green waste, wood waste, and food scraps. To learn more contact Athens Services at (888) 336-6100.

The City's Parks, Recreation & Community Services division is now accepting registration for the Students Run Whittier program which will take place on Thursdays this fall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Michigan Park (8228 Michigan Ave.). Local students in grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to join the weekly meet-up and learn to train, enjoy some evening exercise, and make new friends. Registration is now open at www.WhittierRec.com. Get your running shoes ready and call (562) 567-9430 to learn more.

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! Registration opens Monday, September 18 at 9:00 a.m. at www.WhittierRec.com. Contact Palm Park staff with questions at (562) 567-9495.

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 is now open at www.Whittier5K.com or call (562) 567-9430 with questions.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) has confirmed positive test samples for West Nile Virus (WNV) in our region this year. Like other neighboring cities, residents of Whittier should take precautions and be mindful of the ongoing threat of mosquitoes as the warm weather persists. WNV is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito and one in five persons infected with the virus will develop symptoms that may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash.

The best protection against mosquitoes is to wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants or an effective mosquito repellent while outdoors. Insect repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, or Lemon Eucalyptus oil traditionally offer the best protection against mosquito transmitted diseases. To learn more about West Nile Virus or how to protect your loved ones and living spaces visit www.glacvcd.org.