Page 10 November 8 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance The Birthday Bash By TerriAnn Ferren be ready for anything. It was about 9:15 a.m. The City of Torrance’s Birthday Bash that when I parked my car making sure to put up ends the year-long Centennial Celebration the sun visor to cover my front windshield. As was set for Sunday, October 28 from 10 a.m. I walked down the eucalyptus-lined walkway, until 5 p.m. at Charles H. Wilson Park. It I could see the other volunteers wearing their was October, but you couldn’t tell it was fall vibrant green t-shirts. The park was already by the hot temperatures that morning. As I buzzing with activity when I arrived at the left the house I made sure to slather up with main information booth. Leslie Cortez was sunscreen, wear long sleeves and take a hat. organizing the volunteers and I was ready for It was going to be a big day and I wanted to duty. I was assigned to the booth and began Marlena Shore, Keely Brooks, Tiffany Brooks. Releasing the doves. familiarizing myself with the maps and the and I read my poem Centennial about the city list of activities planned throughout the day. flower, the hybrid delphinium. After the formal Almost immediately, things began to get busy. ceremonies, I spoke with former City Clerk The parking lot filled quickly and the band Linda Barnett, who told me, “I think this is on the main stage began to set up. Citizens great. We’ve had a wonderful year with a lot were arriving and the excitement was building. of celebration for the city and it’s now come There was a feeling of electricity in the air to an end. In one breath I am sorry it’s over, as families stopped by the information booth but in another way we’ve done a lot of work to check the list of performers and activities. and people have been able to enjoy a lot of There was something for everyone. A few different events during the year and this is a of the activities were: The Kid’s Zone with great way to celebrate the end.” bouncers, the Live Steamers offering free As the crowd headed toward the other events train rides, talented acts ready to perform on and the band began to set up for Tim Urban, the Community Stage, and bands that would I saw three South High School students, Alex be performing most of the day including Tim Budding, Lena Manchester and Amanda Bozin, Urban (American Idol Finalist) on the main all 17 years old, selling water for their club stage. The Centennial Lounge was located Interact, a service organization that helps the in the gym where historic photos and videos community with beach clean-up and related were displayed. A marketplace was set up for actitivies. These young ladies were definitely non-profits and arts and crafts vendors to share enjoying working their booth. and sell their wares. A Cheer Exhibition was Walking to the other end of the park, I being held, softball games were scheduledand decided to check out the food trucks. Every food trucks began to park in a campfire-like truck was jam-packed with lines and happy circle on the street near the pond. Later in faces waiting for everything from waffles to the afternoon the release of 100 doves was tacos to lobster. It was a culinary campfire planned right before four skydivers descended of cuisine! This was a great idea and people on the park to end the festivities. loved it. I ran into Marlene Shore enjoying The main stage held the Birthday Bash her shaved ice in the hot sun with Keely and opening ceremonies at noon and Mayor Frank Tiffany Brooks. They told me they had sampled Scotto, along with our City Council members, the grilled cheese sandwiches and the waffles welcomed everyone to the celebration. Brownies from the waffle truck. I asked Marlene how from troops in Torrance led the Pledge of was the food and she said, “Delicious.” Guess Allegiance, and the National Anthem was that sums it up. beautifully sung by Laura Savitz. Former Right outside the Dee Hardison Sports Center, Lyn Levens. Mayor Dee Hardison addressed the crowd Transit Director Kim Turner was showing off Flags that flew with the skydivers. Photos by TerriAnn Ferren.
Torrance 11.08.12
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