The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 2, No. 51 - December 27, 2012 Inside for Children In Foster CareNonprofit Brightens HolidaysThis Issue Business & Professional.......................6 Calendar...............................2 Classifieds ...........................2 Crossword/Sudoku ............7 Food ......................................5 Pets.......................................7 Real Estate..........................8 Every year, Counseling4Kids gives hundreds of toys to children in foster care in the South Bay community and beyond thanks to their annual Gifts4Kids program. Seen here is Community Liaison LaShanda Maze with toys for the annual giveaway that helps abused and neglected children feel merrier during the holidays. For more information, interested persons may visit www.counseling4kids.org. Photo courtesy of Counseling4Kids. Music Teacher Receives Smile Awhile.......................2 Pleasant, Helpful Surprise TerriAnn in Torrance.........4 By Cristian Vasquez going to have a new music room, but that we I have a lot of people contacting me telling For Torrance music teacher Jack Sollecito, didn’t have anything to go in it. I also told me how they loved it and how they are still music is more than just a way to make money. him that we had a part-time music teacher singing or playing,” Sollecito said. “The It is a passion that he has been involved who was at our school one time a week.” importance in music, at least how I teach with his entire life. Earlier this year, that The Ultimate Surprise also included taking it, is learning the history and then a song. passion led to a big surprise coordinated the shell of the classroom, which only had Students will learn the history of a great song by Howard Wood Elementary Principal Dr. carpet, and painting it to look like a music and where it came from. That, I think, helps Teresa Lanphere. room, filling it with IKEA furniture and them understand music better and makes them Mr. S., as he is affectionately known by decorating it with music art such as old vinyl want to be involved with it longer. Whether students and colleagues, walked into school records to make the setting more inspirational. or not you’re a good musician, if you’re into one Wednesday morning unsure of where his The school also received a donation of $2,000 music and appreciate it, if you can sing and Weekend a group of eager and excited children, a set and several guitars, along with keyboards what Torrance wants.”play instruments then your brain functionsbetter and you do better in school, which isworth of instruments from the House of BluesFoundation. The instruments included a drummusic class would take place. As he was ledto a possible classroom, he was not expecting Forecast webcast and a newly renovated and stocked I school--a low-income campus with one-third instruments, Sollecito was visited by frontIn addition to the new classroom filled withand music stands. Wood Elementary is a TitleUltimate Surprisescamera crew from Yahoo’s music room. of its student population participating in the man for the Goo Goo Dolls John Rzeznik “Last year this place was under construction, reduced lunch program. For Teresa, that was for a jam session in front of the students. Friday kids are true troopers, as they say. The kids do not have the ability to buy or rent their of his life, has performed with a wide rangeSollecito, who has played percussion mostthe clear indicator that many of her studentsso we moved around a lot,” Sollecito said. “The Partly were very resilient and we made it through own instruments. of artists in the past, including blues singer Cloudy last year. But this year, it is so exciting to surprise for him Sollecito that would also Lisa Tucker. He has also played with friends contestantAmerican IdolDoug MacLeod and“My thought was that if we could do a neatcome into this room where everything is 60˚/49˚ new and to be part of this new experience benefit our students in the long run, then we who regularly perform with bands like Kansas is great. I think it is going to be memorable should help everyone,” Dr. Lanphere said. “I and artists such as Olivia Newton-John. for me and for them.” know that instrumental music is very important “I still play with a guy named Doug Dr. Lanphere, who was responsible for to students, but usually the only way that MacLeod, a world-famous blues musician Saturday coordinating with producers, students and you can participate in that is if you have an who travels the world. People ask me how Sollecito without revealing the surprise to instrument or if you can rent one. We don’t it was playing guitar with John Rzeznik and Partly anyone, spent several months communicating have instruments to give the kids and if we it was great playing guitar with him, but Cloudy back and forth with Ultimate Surprises don’t train the kids early in elementary, then playing with Doug MacLeod is 80 times executives to convince them that Sollecito they don’t have enough skill to go to middle harder,” Sollecito said. “John came in and 58˚/50˚ was a great candidate for their show that school and ultimately the high school band. hit it from the beginning, so everything was aims to capture the moment of surprise for They really need to start now. Plus, now is smooth. With Doug, you just never know the selected individual. when you can really capture their interest when he’s going to switch chords. He’s a “In February I received a cold call from and get them motivated.” super talented blues guy.” Sunday a casting agent, which we don’t usually get. From classical music to songs popular on The day of the Ultimate Surprises recording Few said that they were looking for things that and rock, Sollecito incorporates the history asked to report that morning directly towas a bit mysterious for Sollecito, who wasslave plantations and all the way to bluesHe spoke to Francesca, my secretary, and Showers they could do to surprise somebody that is of music in his curriculum in order to help Dr. Lanphere’s office earlier than usual. In 57˚/47˚ and he asked if I had any teachers to highlight. how music has evolved. “Music, I didn’t quite early arrival by students, fellow teachersaddition, because of the camera crew andthe students better understand and appreciateworthy,” Dr. Lanphere said. “So I called him So I told him that we were in the process realize how much it has impacted all of my and school district officials, there was no of remodeling our school and that we were students. Now with the video coming out, See Music Teacher, page 2
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