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. 15 - April 10, 2014 Torrance Councilmen and Mayoral Candidates (L to R) Tom Brewer, Bill Sutherland and Pat Furey addressed questions from the Political Action Committee of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce on April 3 at the Doubletree Hotel. The candidates discussed their views on issues including mixed use development, rent-control, how they plan to stay connected with local businesses, public safety, pensions, capital improvements and their overall vision. The Torrance Tribune will be running a series of Q & As with the three mayoral candidates as well as 16 candidates running for City Council, starting in today’s issue on Page 3. The election in Torrance will be held on June 3, 2014. Photo by Charlene Nishimura. Inside This Issue Calendar...............................2 Certified & Licensed Professionals.....................14 Classifieds..........................12 Crossword/Sudoku...........12 Elections........................... 3-6 Food.......................................7 Legals..................................13 Letters...................................2 Pets......................................15 Police Reports.....................2 Politically Speaking..........11 Real Estate.........................16 Sports................................ 8-9 Weekend Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy 71˚/54˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 66˚/54˚ Sunday Sunny 67˚/54˚ ROAD TO ELECTION 2014 Election Season Begins in Torrance Council Celebrates Volunteer Week By Dylan Little The Torrance City Council recognized a team of talented individuals who donate their time and effort to help assist with some of the City’s services and non-profit organizations this week as part of National Volunteer Week. The Council’s April 8 meeting saw 16 volunteer organizations thank some of their most dedicated helpers. Councilmember Bill Sutherland read a proclamation that thanked volunteers for enhancing public services; expanding the availability of recreational, cultural and social programs; and increasing the efficiency of City operations. The theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week was “Volunteers Make a World of Difference,” and in Torrance they certainly have. According to the proclamation last year 3,500 individuals stepped up to help out the community, donating over 70,000 hours of work between them and often bringing specialized TerriAnn in Torrance talents like tax preparation, construction or technological skills. Letty Molinos from the Focal Point of Aging accepted the proclamation Still Rockin’ on behalf of the City’s numerous volunteers and spoke about why she dedicated to get involved. “We are passionate to volunteer because we care about our community and the wellbeing See TerriAnn in Torrance, page 10 By TerriAnn Ferren When I want to listen to music, which is quite often, I either turn on my car radio, my computer, or my home system. And if I am out, either at a restaurant, hotel, business office, on an elevator, or in a store, the music is ‘pumped in’ by some sort of sound system. But there are places around town that offer something quite special as far as ‘music offered.’ Encased in a large magical box gleaming with bright lights and shiny chrome with all sorts of gears and buttons is the jukebox. Theme restaurants and some bar/restaurants in Torrance still rely on that fascinating and beautiful box that allows us to make our own music selections. Jukeboxes are mysterious to me. I remember when I was little and on vacation with my family, we would stop at small diners that had table jukeboxes in each booth. I used to ask my daddy for a coin to put into the small jukebox at the end of the table and my sister Linda and I would flip through the selections using the metal tabs on top and after much negotiation, would make a selection. Then we would split the duties. I would push the letter button and my sister would push the number button for our chosen song. It was like magic and we felt quite special picking a song that was heard by everyone in the diner. It was fun. And of others,” said Molinos. “Going out to volunteer is my physical and mental exercise. It gives me a sense of purpose. Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life. Helping others can build happiness. Having the passion, open mind and willingness to do whatever is needed are valuable skills to add to any volunteer effort.” After presenting Molinos with the proclamation, Volunteer Program Coordinator Brianne King led a presentation that spotlighted outstanding volunteers in the community. The presentation started by congratulating Molinos on her work with the Focal Point on Aging and organizing charitable walks like the Relay for Life. She has previously been recognized with Kaiser Permanente’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2010. The next honoree, Bettie DiMeo, has volunteered as an usher in the James Armstrong theatre since 2010. The theatre staff complimented her outgoing and helpful nature. Jerry Herbers was recognized for his work in the City’s farmers market. He has volunteered at the market for 11 years providing support, information and even a needed break for some vendors. The Torrance Art Museum thanked longtime volunteer Julia Hassler. She has worked hundreds of hours at the museum since she started volunteering there in 2008. The staff said she is open-minded about new programs and willing to help “at a moment’s notice.” The AARP Tax Aide Foundation recognized two of their tax preparers, Jim Lyle and Carolyn Woosley, for donating their time and expertise to assist the elderly in filing their taxes. Both Woosley and Lyle have trained numerous volunteers in their nearly 30 years of combined assistance to the organization. Helping some of the neediest in the city, Linda Baker was honored for her 12 years of working with special needs athletes. She coaches basketball, bocce, softball, swimming and tennis. In additional she chaperones the athletes when they travel for events. The youngest volunteer to be in the spotlight during the meeting was Alice Kojima. She lends her time to the ATTIC and Serving People in Need (SPIN) Club. Kojima spent two summers working with kids and proving See City Council, page 2
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