The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 4, No. 13 - March 27, 2014 Inside This Issue Business Briefs...................2 Calendar...............................3 Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................9 Classifieds............................4 Crossword/Sudoku.............4 Food.......................................5 Legals..................................10 Pets......................................11 Police Reports.....................3 Politically Speaking............7 Real Estate.........................12 Seniors..................................8 Sports....................................6 Weekend Forecast Torrance Honors Small Businesses with Advantage Awards Police Captain Ross Bartlett with Jul Marie Hermosisima, owner of Jul Tones, LLC. pictured at the 7th Annual Torrance Advantage awards held last Thursday at Pacific Skies Aviation. TerriAnn in Torrance The 7th Annual Torrance Advantage Awards By TerriAnn Ferren On Thursday, March 20, 2014, the Office of Economic Development hosted the 7th Annual Torrance Advantage Awards held at Pacific Skies Aviation on Airport Drive in Torrance. All businesses within the city are eligible for nomination in one of four categories: The People to People Award, which honors employee opportunities and workforce matters; The Enriching the Community Award, which recognizes businesses revenue and jobs created; The Quality of Life Community Investor Award, which is a category that honors businesses that go the extra mile to serve the community; and The Long-Term Investor Award, which honors businesses that exhibit long-term success and investment in the community. To find out more about the awards, I visited with Fran Fulton, Economic Development Manager of the City of Torrance. Enthusiastic Fran began by telling me she has been working for the City for 16 years and has been leading the Economic Development Team for seven years and established the awards. The team meets on the fourth Monday of every month and is composed of people from different departments within the City of Torrance: Transit, Police, Fire, Streets, and Community Development–which See TerriAnn in Torrance, page 8 Friday Partly Cloudy 66˚/54˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 67˚/57˚ Sunday Partly Cloudy 67˚/56˚ Sports Facility at 555 Maple Ave. Renamed Toyota Sports Complex By Dylan Little forward to more opportunities to work together in On the eve of its ribbon-cutting ceremony, the future. “I think this complex is another great the new sports facility at 555 Maple Avenue symbol of the partnership between Toyota and was renamed the Toyota Sports Complex. The the City of Torrance,” said Ross. “It’s a deeply Torrance City Council approved the new moniker personal, heartfelt relationship that we have. I for the facility during its March 25 meeting love this city. This is a great partnership and I after Toyota Motor Sales USA purchased too hope it will go on for many, many years.” the naming rights to the fields located near Similarly, Scotto commended Toyota for its Torrance’s civic center. active role in the community. While Toyota has Toyota paid $500,000 to have the company been involved in Torrance for years, Scotto name span the entry gate of the facility, as said this project is especially important to him. well as having it appear in all advertising, “Toyota does so much for the community,” said promotional materials, field information and Scotto. “It shows how much the company realizes scheduling items associated with the field. how important it is to support the community Toyota Motor Sales USA representative Michael it’s in. This particular instance, though, is near Ross said the deal is about more than just and dear to my heart and the Council’s heart–as marketing opportunities. He saw the move as a lot of us have been involved in youth sports a way for the company to invest in the health and fitness of the community’s youth. “This is very special,” said Ross. “We can do no more for our kids at a time when our kids need to get out and exercise than provide something like this. We’re delighted to have our name on it and delighted it represents such a great partnership with such a great city.” Mayor Frank Scotto also believes that Toyota’s sponsorship of the sports complex will improve the lives of children in and around the community. He said getting the automotive company involved is something that should make the entire city proud. “It’s something all of us should be proud of,” said Scotto. “I really believe it’s going to have an effect on many youth in the community to have a place to not only play soccer, but all the other sports.” According to Ross, the bond between Torrance and Toyota goes beyond merely housing the multinational car company’s American headquarters. He mentioned that a number of facilities in and around the city are emblazoned with the company’s name and that he looks and I personally believe that for years to come people are going to be passing under that sign and seeing Toyota.” The City decided to seek sponsorship, including selling the naming rights, for the fields in November 2013. The Council’s committee in charge of naming facilities arrived at a target of $500,000 for these rights, which Scotto said was initially met with skepticism that the City would find anyone interested in making a deal. “There are a lot people out there who never thought we’d get here,” said Scotto. “And even if we did get here, they would never believe we got Toyota to step forward.” Unfortunately, Scotto said the Toyota Sports Complex sign won’t be installed in time for See City Council, page 3
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