The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 7, No. 23 - June 8, 2017 Las Amigas Strut the Runway Inside for Torrance Memorial Hospital This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals ......................2 Classifieds ...........................6 Community Briefs ..............3 Crossword/Sudoku ............6 Legals ...................................7 Politically Spreaking .........5 Real Estate. .........................8 Members of Las Amigas, a support group that plans, fundraises for, and facilitates the annual Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival, modeled ready-to-wear looks from local retailer CJ Fashions at the group’s Sports ...................................3 first annual Fashion Show event on May 9. Attendees took in the runway parade while enjoying a high tea and champagne menu. Front row: Mary Hoffman, Bev George, Terry Ragins; back row: Susan Swinburne, Carolyn Snyder, Robin Comer Taub, Terry Furey, Michelle Rand. Photo by Deidre Davidson. TerriAnn in Torrance .........4 Contract Approved For Rideshare Consulting Services By Cristian Vasquez out of multiple people who were sent RFPs,” to translate into and equal number of bids. A three-year contract with Kim Fuentes said Councilman Mike Griffiths. “It is just a However, she expressed her confidence in in the amount of $196,560 was approved little bit concerning that we don’t understand the unique programs implemented in the city, Weekend by the Torrance City Council on Tuesday, why people chose not to and I am just won- and the high standards to be met by each per the recommendation of Community dering if this is something the City could do program. “They appeared to be interested Forecast Development Director Jeffrey W. Gibson, better to get some feedback and understand initially, but when it came right down to for commuter transportation (rideshare) why there is less participation.” it we only had one proposal,” said Cessna. consultant services. Deputy Community Development Director In the past the City has used and benefit- The contract will be in effect from July Linda Cessna was unsure of why the large ted from working with contractors. Through Friday 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 and includes a volume of questions regarding the RFP failed See City Council, page 6 couple of one-year options. Fuentes, who Sunny is no stranger to the City of Torrance, was 67˚/60˚ retained in 1994 as a consultant for the implementation of the South Coast Air Qual- Night of Recognitions During ity Management District (AQMD) Rideshare mandates. “Fuentes was selected due to School Board Meeting Saturday the depth of her experience in the field of By Cristian Vasquez Eileen Hirata, West High School Principal transportation demand management, as well The Torrance School Board dedicated Pamela Metz, Richardson Middle School Mostly as for her cost-effective proposal,” states the its first meeting in June to recognizing Learning Center Teacher Arshia Mufti, staff report signed by Gibson. and honoring students, employees and Carr Elementary School Principal Richard Cloudy Fuentes’ experiences traces back to her retirees from the 2016-2017 school year. Peterson, North High School Principal 67˚/59˚ management responsibilities with the Los Parents, students and district employees Ronald Richardson, Richardson Middle Angeles County Trip Reduction Program and gathered with colleagues and loved ones School Teacher Elaine Richmond, from includes additional management experience in the Torrance City Hall chambers to Transportation Services Charles Russell, with local cities and employers. The City of celebrate the recognition ceremony. and Richardson Middle School Staff As- Sunday Torrance released a Request For Proposals This year’s retirees from the Torrance sistant I Shelley Stallings. (RFP) in March of this year in search of Unified School District (TUSD) included The School Board also used the meet- Partly commuter transportation demand management Seaside Elementary School Teacher Julie ing to recognize TUSD’s 2017 California Cloudy consulting services. While the RFP was sent Bergeron, Jefferson Middle School Cus- Gold Ribbon School Awards winners. The to 15 consulting firms and the City received todian Ninh Bui, Lynn Middle School California Gold Ribbon School Program 67˚/58˚ several questions from potential applicants, Teacher James Childers, Griffith Adult honors the state’s outstanding public only a bid from Fuentes was submitted. Center Parent Education Teacher Jeannine schools that have made “exceptional gains “I have seen this in other situations where an Harris, Arnold Elementary School Teacher See School Board, page 5 RFP is sent out and only one bidder responds Page 2 June 8, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Calendar of Events Police Reports Deadline for Calendar items is the prior 2:00 PM., Tickets: $17/$15, James Arm- Fatal Traffic Collision by investigators, but his name is being with- Thursday by noon. Calendar items are $1 per strong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, at PCH and 242nd held pending notification to a next of kin. word. Email listings to marketing@heraldpub- Call: 310-781-7171. On June 3 at approximately 11:53 p.m., The driver of the Honda, a 19-year-old lications.com. We take Visa and MasterCard. SUNDAY, JUNE 11 officers from the Torrance Police Depart- male resident of Los Angeles, was treated by THURSDAY, JUNE 8 • Katy Geissert Civic Center Library OPEN, ment responded to a major two car traffic Torrance Fire Department personnel at the • Propagation Society – Planting Seeds for 1:00 PM. – 5:00 PM., 3301 Torrance Blvd. collision at the intersection of Pacific Coast scene and transported to a local hospital where the Future, 10:30 AM., Madrona Marsh • June Finale: East Meets West, Works By The Highway and 242nd Street. On arrival, officers he is listed in stable condition. The driver Nature Center & Preserve, 3201 Plaza Del Tate, Quintana & Petker, 7:00 PM., Tickets: discovered that a black 1998 Honda Coupe of the Honda was subsequently arrested by Amo, free to public, Call: 310-782-3989. $25, James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic and a blue 2016 Nissan sedan had collided the Torrance Police Department for Reckless • Spring Concert (Richardson Middle School Center Drive, Call: 310-781-7171. head-on in the southbound lanes of Pacific Driving and Vehicular Manslaughter. Music Dept.), 6:30 PM., Tickets: $5, James MONDAY, JUNE 12 Coast Highway. The two male passengers in the Honda, Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center • Madrona Marsh Nature Center & Preserve Based on witness statements, the initial 18 and 19 years of age and both residents Drive, Call: 310-781-7171. - CLOSED, 3201 Plaza Del Amo. investigation indicates the Honda was travel- of Los Angeles, were treated by Torrance FRIDAY, JUNE 9 • -LIVE- (The Dance Center), 7:00 PM., ling northbound on Pacific Coast Highway Fire Department personnel at the scene for • Free Advance Directive Workshop, 10:00 James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic at a high rate of speed when it collided with various injuries and transported to two local AM. – 11:00 AM., 5315 Torrance Blvd. Center Drive, For ticket prices go to: www. the raised center median. After colliding with hospitals. One of the passengers was listed in Suite #B1, Call: 310-543-3402. thedancecenterinc.org. the center median, the Honda lost control stable condition, and the other was examined • Friday Fun for Kids, 10:00 AM. – 12:00 TUESDAY, JUNE 13 and crossed over into the opposing traffic for a minor complaint of pain and released PM., free, Madrona Marsh Nature Center • City Council Meeting, 7:00 PM., City Hall, lanes, collided head-on with the Nissan, from the hospital. & Preserve, 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Call: 3031 Torrance Blvd., Call: 310-618-2780. which was travelling southbound on Pacific Pacific Coast Highway was closed in both 310-782-3989. • Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market at Coast Highway. directions between Hawthorne Boulevard and • CITY HALL CLOSED – All Day. Wilson Park, 8:00 AM. – 1:00 PM., 2200 It appeared the Honda may have been racing Madison Street for approximately five hours • NTYME Spring Concert Directed By Glen Crenshaw Blvd., Between Carson St. & another vehicle, which was described as a during the collision investigation. Kamida, 7:00 PM., Tickets: $10/$5, James Sepulveda, Call: 310-781-7520. dark-colored possible BMW. The dark-colored This collision is being investigated by the Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center • -LIVE- (The Dance Center), 7:00 PM., vehicle fled the scene without stopping, and Torrance Police Department’s Traffic Division Drive, Call: 310-720-7624. James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic was last seen northbound on Pacific Coast under the command of Captain Martin Vu- SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Center Drive, For ticket prices go to: www. Highway. kotic, Commander of the Special Operations • Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market at thedancecenterinc.org. The driver of the Nissan, a 20-year-old Bureau. Anyone with information regarding Wilson Park, 8:00 AM. – 1:00 PM., 2200 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 male resident of Harbor City, was treated by this collision is encouraged to contact the Crenshaw Blvd., Between Carson St. & • Craft Delight, 12:00 PM., free, Henderson Torrance Fire Department personnel at the Torrance Police Department’s Traffic Divi- Sepulveda, Call: 310-781-7520. Library, 4805 Emerald St., Call: 310-371- scene, but succumbed to his injuries. The sion at (310) 618-5557. • Dancefest (Dance West Dance Studio), 2075. • driver of the Nissan was positively identified – Source: Torrance Police Department Police Reports Sunday, May 21 and takes property from engine compart- Theft Betw. 5/22 1:30:00 PM & 5/22 Auto Theft-All Betw. 5/23 6:33:18 PM Robbery-Weapon Betw. 5/21 11:05:41 PM ment/battery. 3:30:00 PM 3600 BLOCK SPENCER ST. & 5/23 7:29:00 PM SEPULVEDA BLVD. & 5/21 11:06:23 PM 3900 BLOCK ARTESIA Monday, May 22 Suspect(s) takes locked property from park- & CABRILLO AVE.