Page 10 September 27 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn from page 7 hanging from the headpieces while saying the Giordano agreed that so many people were Brewer is here and we both marched in two the historic event and said, “…Today I am color of the bead at the same time: “Yellow, participating and said, “That is what I love organizations. Now we are at the end.” The honored to share this historic ceremony--a yellow, yellow, brown, white, brown, yellow, about downtown Torrance.” A smiling Captain parade ended with P.J. Hayden, who was testament to our strong community…It is yellow… it is a tradition with the drill team,” Mark Matsuda added, “Absolutely enjoying rolling a trashcan a la Charlie Chaplin. because of all of you that we can make said Sydney. Very interesting… the parade having a wonderful time, good As the parade ended, people began gathering dreams come to fruition.” Directly in front of the drill team, two flute to be here, good to see all the nice people to wait for the dedication of the Centennial Scotto went on to address the crowd, players, Caitlyn Lee and Jinha Kim, both 14 out here from Torrance.” Plaza and the Time Capsule Ceremony. DJ “By citizens engaging in helping others and Olde Torrancians. Panthers. years old, posed for a picture. Both young The heat wasn’t so intense that it was hard Ozzie, professional disc jockey, kept the reaching out and being volunteers in our ladies told me they had been playing their on the parade walkers and it was difficult to festive mood going with energetic music. “I community is what makes Torrance the great instruments since the fourth and sixth grade find anyone who wasn’t smiling. It was as love it,” DJ Ozzie said as he put on Sweet place that it is. It is because of the residents, respectively and the band was going to play if happiness rays fell upon the citizens of Caroline by Neil Diamond. “It is an honor the business community and the City staff Glorious Victory as they marched down the Torrance and good neighbor camaraderie for me to be here and play music, make the Centennial Plaza was made possible--a streets of Old Torrance. was evident everywhere. I saw young Chloe some announcements and see history in the plaza that symbolizes a great and balanced Homeowners’ associations, the four Silverstein, age three, eating a chocolate ice making. It is awesome and I am looking city that we all share in the community. So Torrance Rotary clubs, the North High School cream cone that was beginning to drip and forward to the Birthday Bash, which is going today, we dedicate this place to all of you. Saxons and all the other Torrance elementary, it looked so delicious and cool. Her sister to be October 28. May this plaza be a symbol of our citizens Abby, age one, and her mom Jenny Silverstein were eating ice cream too. Jason Burton, whose daughter was in the parade, was enjoying all the sights and sounds and told me, “My daughter goes to South High School and is in the marching band. She is super excited and we are excited to see her. We absolutely love Torrance. We’ve lived in a lot of cities. My wife and I are from Hollywood and we have lived around in different areas and we came to Torrance for the school district and we’ve never been happier anywhere we’ve ever lived. We love Torrance.” Some residents arrived with their folding chairs and had staked out their viewing Victoria Ghulam, Age 14, West High School Drill. positions for the parade early. Shannon Pischel, middle and high schools, the YMCA and a Lily Smith, age nine, and Sharon Christian myriad of other entries participated in the came early to the parade. Shannon said, “We Torrance Historical Society and Museum. parade. All the bands played exceedingly got here probably at 11 a.m. and we have well and the over 80 entries all seemed to lived in Torrance all our lives. We just wanted Then I asked our City Clerk Sue Herbers that make up Torrance--our balanced city. love being part of history as they made their to come with my mother and we wanted to how she felt about this special day and she October 28 is going to be our Birthday Bash way around the streets of Old Torrance to celebrate the hundredth anniversary.” Next said, “I am so glad to see it happen as part and I expect all of you to be there. We’re the newly constructed El Prado Park. to Shannon was a waving Sophia Ruth, age of the Centennial Committee--they worked going to have a lot of fun that day.” This very special parade had the feeling of two-and-a-half, with her daddy Jeff Ruth. really hard to get this all done. It’s really neat After wrapping up the ceremony with the a small town. Where else can you stand at the “My aunt is a longtime resident, I am a to see it. I have bricks that I bought for all unveiling of the Time Capsule and the cake beginning of the parade with the participants longtime resident and my uncle is actually of the City Clerks from Al Bartlett through cutting, everyone was able to enjoy the party getting ready to begin and turn to look the other on City Council,” said Jeff. me--so all the years from 1921 to now. So as 1,500 cupcakes were handed out provided way and see the beginning entries finishing Councilmember Bill Sutherland commented, there are two bricks that go together, so that by Torrance Bakery. up at the end of the parade? Yes, we are the “I think today has been a heck of a lot of fun is very exciting.” What a memorable and special day! A biggest small town in America. How exciting and a lot of work, but there are people from Mayor Scotto shared, “I am so pleased day to hold in our hearts when the City of to have so many schools, clubs, organizations, homeowners’ groups to youth bands. Eighty- that so many Torrance residents have come Torrance came together to celebrate. The jewel citizens and officials participating that they six or 87 entries of all sorts of groups. It is out today. Actually, it is nice and cool today by the sea celebrating 100 years, Torrance fill the streets! Assistant City Manager Mary fun and it is a community thing. Councilman compared with the weather we have been truly reflects what community is all about. having and we have quite a few participants Mark your calendars for October 28 at in the parade and we are extremely pleased Wilson Park 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Birthday because we have a lot of the community. Bash and access www.TorranceCentennial. This is something we have wanted to do for Org for more information. • years--to have a real community parade--and celebrating the Centennial in this parade is significant and I am so fortunate to be the Mayor in the year we are doing this.” Councilmember Sue Rhilinger added, “I am just very thankful that we had the fog early this morning, so it kept the temperatures down. I think it is helping now. We had a number of people who were walking in the parade still willing to stay around to watch the end of the parade, so it is very good. We had a good turnout. I wish we had more people turn out to watch it--they don’t know what they are missing. And it shows it’s the people that make Torrance.” The Centennial Program began with the flag salute led by Torrance City Manager LeRoy Torrance Theatre Company. Photos by TerriAnn Ferren. Jackson. Rhilinger welcomed everyone to P.J. Hayden at the end of the parade.
Torrance 9.27.12
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