Page 4 December 15, 2016 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Gifting By TerriAnn Ferren In the United States, I would say the month of December ranks at the top for gift giving. Although birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and celebrations of all kinds provide opportunities for gifts throughout the year, Christmas and Hanukkah rank at the top of the list. What is your favorite all-time Christmas or Hanukkah gift and why? I decided to ask a few Torrance residents this question. Dena Kohatsu told me her all-time favorite Christmas gift was “getting engaged! It was at the department store at J.C. Penny.” She went on to tell me he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him as he presented a ring, just like in the movies. “My favorite Christmas ever was visiting my parents in Texas because I hadn’t seen them in three years,” said Christon Cox. Jason Rosh told me his favorite Christmas gift when he was a child was “a Nintendo console. I was seven or eight years old. It was a very nice gift and I still remember it.” Later that night, I bumped into Khai Edwards, who told me, “My favorite present was – my fourth grade year, I think it was 1999 – and I actually got… it was the year that scooters were really popular, so all the kids were getting scooters and I had just gotten two--a razor scooter and a street cruiser. Well, all my friends had razor scooters and they were cool, but the street cruiser was the smoothest thing I had ever ridden. It was perfect and I kept that one and my parents ended up taking the other one back, which was completely fine. Everybody wanted to ride my scooter, so I definitely had the best one.” Khai told me he was completely surprised with his gifts because that was the year he also received his Harry Potter books, so it was definitely his favorite Christmas. Giving gifts dates back to the beginning of time, I suppose, and all over the world gifts are given and received in different ways. Gifting expresses our feelings for one another. In fact, diplomats study the gifting of other countries and cultures, as not to offend when visiting, and wise businessmen know when and how to gift. But most of us learn about giving at home. Sharing doesn’t come as naturally as we might think. After all, among a child’s first words are “No” and “Mine.” But we learn to give, share and receive. The Three Kings gifted gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Celebrating the birth of Jesus, Christians give gifts to each other. Hanukkah is celebrated by the giving of gifts as well, for eight days, commemorating the rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 165 BC, beginning on the 25th day of Kislev. There are all kinds of gifts one can give, from the ultra-extravagant to the simple, and everywhere we look there are those vying for our dollar. When I was little and didn’t have a cent, I would fashion homemade cards and special “coupon” books. The coupons were good for all sorts of practical chores and acts. And as a newlywed, I remember giving my husband a coupon book filled with special gifts only for him. But there is something I learned after I grew up that took some practice – receiving a gift graciously. Uncle Gene and Aunt Dorothy, who lived in Walnut Creek, California, were two of my favorite relatives I acquired by marriage. They were not only older and wiser, but brilliant, accomplished and well-traveled. Dave and I didn’t see them except for maybe twice a year at family gatherings, so when Christmas came, I always made it a point of sending them a thought. Nothing extravagant, but I wanted them to know Dave and I loved, appreciated and thought about them. They, in turn sent us a little gift. This went on through the years until one year; a note arrived saying that, although the gift was appreciated, we should stop sending anything. Oh. I sent a gift the next year not paying attention to the note. Another note arrived with the underlined words, “No more.” I got it. It hurt me that our little gifts were rejected, albeit in the most kindly manner. I knew what she intended, but I learned a lesson. Yes it is wonderful to give--and this time of year many of us give what we can to charities, non-profits, those in need, our families, friends, neighbors and others--but there is also a great gift in receiving. Sometimes, it is more difficult to receive than to give. A thank you can be a gift to the giver. How many times have we heard a shopkeeper comment on someone saying, “Thank you?” Knowing that it is in giving we receive, can it also be said that it is in receiving that we give? For it takes humble gratefulness to say a simple thank you. My favorite Christmas gift? The year I received my blue and white Huffy bicycle and my Monopoly game when I was little. As we open up and give the gifts of this season, let us remember both the giving and the receiving are gifts, be they tangible or spiritual. • TerriAnn in Torrance Khai Edwards. Jason Rosh. Christon Cox and Dena Kohatsu. Community Briefs Free Rain Barrel Distribution at The Forum on December 20 Catch the rain when it hits with a free rain barrel from West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin). California has been in a statewide drought for five years, and likely a sixth. In response, West Basin is increasing public conservation and education by hosting no-cost rain barrel distribution events throughout the South Bay this fall season to qualified residents in the West Basin service area. RSVP by visiting www.sbesc.com to participate on Tuesday, December 20 at The Forum in Inglewood. To obtain additional information on West Basin’s Rain Barrel Distribution Program, qualified residents must register with South Bay Environmental Services Center by visitingwww. sbesc.com or calling 310-371-4633. West Basin’s service area includes El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach and Torrance, among other communities. For additional information on other water conservation programs, visit www.westbasin.org. Torrance PD Updates Map of Coyote Sightings The Torrance Police Department has posted an updated map of coyote sightings for the month of November 2016 and asks citizens who see a coyote to report that sighting. The Department will update the maps monthly based on reports. If a coyote is aggressive, call 9-1-1 immediately. To report a sighting only or evidence of coyote presence, report the incident in the following ways (please include specific location): • Non-emergency number 310-328-3456 • Animal Control 310-618-3850, or Animal- Control@TorranceCA.gov • TPD Mobile App- 1. Go to “Report” icon, you can report anonymously or include contact info 2. Tap inside “What” box, drop down menu will include “Coyote Activity.” 3. Continue following prompts and send – report comes directly to TPD. Here is the link to view November 2016 sightings: http://www.torranceca.gov/TPD/ Documents/Coyote_Activity_Map_for_November__ 2016.pdf For reference, the street between the orange section and the rest of the city is Hawthorne Boulevard and the street that separates the green and yellow sections is Torrance Boulevard. The Torrance Police Department is currently putting together an interactive mapping system for the near future. • Up and Adam from page 3 championship while also holding off their foes from around the city of Torrance. A team that hasn’t lost a league game in two seasons now returns a senior-laden group of girls who not only had success last season, but are also another year older in terms of experience. Leading the way for the Lady Saxons is perhaps the best player in the entire area--Brittany McPherson. McPherson has been leading the team to victories since her freshman season and now as a senior is ready to break out for what should be her most successful year yet. Accompanying McPherson on the hardwood will be shooting guard Kellie Ogata and power forward Daylene Taualii, who both had breakout seasons for North last year. Rejoining the mix will be Cheridan Mataalii, who was forced to sit out last year because of a torn ACL. Her presence on the Lady Saxons’ roster once again, in addition to the firepower that already exists from a season ago, should certainly be enough to keep North at the top of the Pioneer League standings and lead to another deep CIF playoff run this year. While North High has been stealing all of the headlines from around Torrance, the West High Warriors have been turning in extremely productive seasons year after year, to say the least. Now the team is entering its third season in the Pioneer League, but the Lady Warriors were enjoying success even before they switched divisions. West High was the class of the Bay League, dating all the way back to the 2011-’12 season when they finished with a 26-7 record (9-1) and in first place in the standings. West made it all the way to the CIF semifinals that year, but the team eventually lost by two points to Rio Mesa. However, that wasn’t the last of the Lady Warriors’ success. The team captured another Bay League crown the very next season, followed by a CIF championship in 2013-’14. West left for the Pioneer League the very next year and has had to put up with North High ever since. Despite North’s dominance in the Pioneer League, West’s success has never been in peril. Though the team has finished in second place to North for two seasons in a row now, West still went on to capture yet another CIF championship just two seasons ago. Bill Atkinson took over as head coach of the girls’ team last year and brought the club all the way back to the championship game for the second season in a row. The Lady Warriors weren’t as successful in bringing home a title, but their performance remains clear proof that the team can compete with anyone, regardless of the league in which they are placed. The Lady Warriors will look to remain competitive this season despite a few key losses from last year’s club. Atkinson was only expected to coach one season for West, and has now given up the head coaching position to Riki Murakami. Murakami hopes to guide the team back to the playoffs without a few key players from last year, including Hayley Tanabe, Dakota Jones and Kalei Atkinson (who most said was the team’s heart and soul). If the Lady Warriors have showed anything, though, it has been perseverance. Look for West to rebound nicely and compete with the Lady Saxons while making yet another deep playoff run this year. The regular season has already begun this year for both North and West and while the Lady Saxons have held true to form, the Lady Warriors have struggled out of the gate. Three straight losses to open the young season have gotten West out to an early 1-6 start, while North has continued to impress with a fivegame winning streak for a 5-1 record to begin the year. The season is young--and with a lot of tournament games to come before league play gets started near the beginning of January, certainly anything can happen. Follow all of the action from this year’s Pioneer League right here in what should be yet another very exciting girls’ basketball season. – Asixlion@earthlink.net
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