Hawthorne Press Tribune
The Weekly Newspaper of Hawthorne
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 61, No. 51 - December 19, 2019
Holiday’s Are Happy in Hawthorne
South Bay Workforce Investment Board and partners host the Hawthorne Teen Center’s 11th Anniversary on Thursday, December 5th, 2019 at the Hawthorne Memorial Center. Photo provided by SBWIB
Hawthorne Hotspot
By Juan Portillo
Winter Wonderland
Spectacular
December 21, 2019, 4pm-9pm
Memorial Park, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd.
Get excited! It’s that time of year again and
once more, the City of Hawthorne is hosting
the annual Winter Wonderland Spectacular
at the Memorial Park. True to name, the
Department of Recreation and Community
services will be making it rein, with real
snow setting the scene for a wholesome
family affair. The event will be filled with
inflatables, carnival games, and slides that
will have you holding on for deer life! The
event will also offer the opportunity to treat
yourself to photo ops with Santa and delicious
food. Hope to see you there or yule be
sorry! Tickets are $7 for 1-11 year olds and
$9 for 12 and older. For more information
please call (310) 349-1640.
Smartphone Use For Seniors
January 15, 2019, 5pm-7pm
Hawthorne Public Library
With technology evolving exponentially, it
is essential to understand how to best utilize
life’s newest devices; but most importantly,
how to best utilize our smartphones. This
program offers older adults the opportunity
to learn how smartphones can be operated
to maximize their lifestyles. The program
will be presented by Gigi Johnson, Found
of Maremel Media. Since 2001, Maramel
Media has sought to teach digital empowerment
and socio-technology awareness. In the
past, Maramel Media has presented similar
programs of digital empowerment and literacy
with organizations such as UCLA, University
of Navarra, USC CTM, among others. For
more information, please call (310) 679-8193.
Hawthorne Business Expo
January 29, 2019, 12:30pm – 6:30pm
Hawthorne Memorial Center
Calling all small business owners,
entrepreneurs, and business oriented
residents—this event is for you. Educational
seminars will be presented for improving social
media presence, how to build a successful
website, financing your business, how to
take advantage of no-cost resources, among
others. There will also be a panel discussion
with finance directors sharing how to open a
successful business. And if this is not enough,
there will also be networking opportunities
for you with the numerous businesses that
will be present during the Expo. Last year,
there 62 exhibitors and this year the number
will be more plentiful. Best of all, it is free
to the public! For more information, please
visit hawthornebusinessexpo.com.
Juan’s Thoughts
The Holiday Season – The true
meaning of the Present
I had a supervisor two years ago that would
count down the number of days to Christmas
every morning. As the days dwindled, each
morning, my anxiety increased in turn. You
see, in 2017, I was not financially stable.
The thought of purchasing gifts for all my
loved ones, friends, and coworkers, on top
of planning for the future became daunting.
I find a lot of joy in giving and in seeing the
faces of my loved ones glow when they open
the gift I have carefully chosen. However,
the stress of financially handicapping myself
is mentally draining. And so, with 14 days
left until C-Day, I want to share what I have
learned from my 2017 holiday season.
2017 was a busy year. I welcomed a
daughter into my life, moved back to Los
Angeles, and started a new job. As a new
parent, I experienced more costs than I
was prepared for and as soon as I felt a
pulse in my savings account again, the
holiday season was upon me. My supervisor
began his daily crusade down the hallway
prodding my anxiety with how many days
I had left to hold onto my savings. I felt
overwhelmed. But that holiday season, I
felt compelled to give exorbitantly. I gave
numerous gifts that year to my loved ones.
While it hamstrung me financially, I felt
accomplished to cross everyone off my
Christmas list—except...I forgot my dad.
My father, a stoic, hardened, throwback male
figure was not bothered by a last-second
holiday card with a picture of my daughter
while those around him opened gifts. After
Christmas, he confided in me that the only
thing he wishes for every year is for the
success and good health of his family, and to
see the newest member of our family. And
so, with savings exhausted, I learned that it
will not make my loved ones happy to see
me struggle financially. It will make them
happy to see me and my family succeed.
Exhausting my savings was not a prudent
decision and I now understand the value of
conscious gift giving.
With T-minus 14 days, I recommend
giving. Giving to your heart’s content—not
exorbitantly as I did, but meaningfully and
consciously. The weight of a gift should
not be its dollar price but rather its worth
to the person it’s meant for. After all, these
are moments to enjoy, not dread. I wish you
all Happy Holidays! •
Herald Publications will be Closed on:
Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25
Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.