Page 10 September 20 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Torrance Celebrates Centennial By TerriAnn Ferren “Happy Birthday, Torrance” issue, March We are nine months into the centennial 30, 2012). And my campaign to blanket celebration of the City of Torrance. One the city with delphiniums was a success as hundred years and counting. Our Centennial I drove around town seeing the beautiful Year Celebration began with the wonderful lavender flowers everywhere. Although it is feelings that the Light Up Torrance kick-off past spring when the delphiniums bloom, created on November 6, 2011 when hundreds the ones I planted in a pot at my home are of Torrance citizens gathered together at still popping up with green leaves! Maybe night in Wilson Park to spell out T-o-r-r-a- they know it is the City’s centennial and they n-c-e with flashlights (see Torrance Tribune, want to celebrate and shine. “History in the Making – An Evening of Janet Payne, Jerry Ronan, Debbie Hays Lights” from November 17, 2011). This and the entire Torrance Historical Society Tom Legault, Public Works Inspector for Anderson - Penna. explained to me, “The capsule is already in. Tom had a large plan, but it was filled with We debated about whether they were going to numbers--not names. I thanked the Scottos put it in during the ceremony, but the lid itself for their help and headed back to the plaza is probably a thousand pounds--four inches to make one final pass over the names to thick with concrete and it is four inches wide, find my brick. Cindy told me because I so we couldn’t figure a way they could lift purchased my brick early, it might be in it and then set it in place. So it was decided a certain spot. I took her advice and was to put the capsule in beforehand. It was all scouring that area. Then I noticed a big documented. That is all done.” bag of cement over a section of walkway At this point I was very excited to find my I couldn’t see. I moved it a bit and found brick. You see, at the beginning of November my brick! I couldn’t budge the huge sack of Banners on El Prado. eventful year has already made memories made Memorial Day, 2012 very special this that will not be forgotten. centennial year with their Names on the Wall February 12, 2012 was the red letter date program, as every name on the Veteran’s for the Torrance Women’s Club Valentine Tea Memorial Wall was read aloud. I can still hear and Centennial Fashion Show. On February the flag lapping at the flag pole as the names 29, John Powers’ Works in Progress - were read (Torrance Tribune, “Memorial Day Visionaries Series began with a one-man show 2012” – June 8, 2012). in the George Nakano Theatre highlighting The Riviera Garden Club outdid itself this Jared Sydney Torrance. I remember how year with its Riviera Historic Homes Tour on Mr. Torrance, recreated by the actor Mike June 1 and 2. It had been 30 years since the Campbell, told the entire audience about last Historic Homes tour and since the club his life, his work, how Torrance came to be was celebrating its 55th birthday, it decided named ‘Torrance’ and lots of other fascinating to really do something special because of the City’s centennial. That it did. I hope all Centennial Plaza still in process. you were able to check out the homes during 2011, I bought a commemorative brick for cement, so I asked a nearby worker, Tomas, the tour (see Torrance Tribune, “The Riviera the New Torrance Centennial Plaza at El to help me and he kindly moved the sack Historic Homes Tour” – June 15, 2012) Prado Park. I could use up to three lines off the brick. I yelled, “I found it, I found On September 15, the Torrance Employees of 16 characters per line to put whatever I it!” Tomas said a lot in Spanish I couldn’t will once again grace the stage of the James wanted on the brick. After much thought, I understand, but he seemed happy for me. I Armstrong Theatre for charity in The Torrance settled on “In Memory of David S. Ferren- took a moment to look at the inscription and Employees Variety Show – Then and Now – -The Ferren Family,” in memory of my late check the spelling. It was perfect. It made The Centennial Edition at 7 p.m. All proceeds husband. As you can imagine, I couldn’t me happy and sad at the same time. I was benefit the American Cancer Society and the wait to find my brick. I looked everywhere. relieved to have found the brick. It is not too Relay for Life. And Sunday, September 16, I read all the names as I walked along the late for you to be part of history. You too the Hometown Community Parade and Time path. Honestly, I knew so many of the names. can still purchase a centennial brick. All you Capsule and Dedication of the Centennial Some bricks were still in need of cleaning. have to do is visit www.TorranceCentennial. Plaza at El Prado Park will take place. Tom Legault helped me look for my brick. Org for all the information. This afternoon, I headed to Downtown He felt sorry for me, but assured me it must As we head into the fourth quarter of the Torrance to get a sneak peek and check out be here because all the bricks had been centennial year celebration of the City of the plaza at El Prado Park. The new plaza is installed into the plaza and he promised Torrance, there are many more special events located at the north end of El Prado Avenue after everything was cleaned up it would planned. Coming up on Sunday, October My Hybrid Delphinium still blooming with green leaves. at Cravens Avenue before you head toward pop right out and be easy to spot. The hot 28, 2012 is the Torrance Birthday Bash at facts. The other remarkable visionaries Powers the shops. I could see the workmen busily midday sun was beating on the back of my Charles H. Wilson Park at 10 a.m. If you brought to life through his actors were Mother putting on the final touches. The chain link neck and I could feel beads of perspiration would like to be a vendor or if you are a Jones, portrayed by Penny Orloff; Zane Grey, fence was still up and bags of cement, brooms roll down my back. All of a sudden, I heard performer, access the Centennial Committee portrayed by Jim Senti; and L. Frank Baum, and loose bricks were here and there. After my name called and looked toward the curb website at www.TorranceCentennial.Org. portrayed by Mark L. Colbenson (see Torrance parking my car, I walked toward the beautiful and saw Mayor Frank Scotto and his lovely I can’t remember a celebration that ever Tribune, “L. Frank Baum and His Wonderful brick walkway. What a lovely place! The wife Cindy smiling from their car asking lasted a year, but the 100th anniversary of the World of Oz” from June 22, 2012). time capsule sits at the center of the plaza. what was I doing. I told them I was on a City of Torrance is a very special occasion. The City of Torrance planted our city As I walked past the blooming white rose mission to find my brick. They assured me Many people are working tirelessly to make flower, the Hybrid Delphinium, in front of bushes, I met Tom Legault, Public Works I would find it and suggested I contact the this a success. Get out there and join in the City Hall with the help of the Rotary Club Inspector for Anderson-Penna, who told me City to find out what number brick I had. fun, check out all the events coming up and on St. Patrick’s Day (see Torrance Tribune, he has worked on this project since July. He You see, all the bricks are put in by number. make this year a year to always remember. • My brick. Finishing up the last touches of the Centennial Plaza. Photos by TerriAnn Ferren.
Torrance 9.20.12
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