Torrance Begins a New Chapter With Newly Elected Leadership

Torrance has entered a new political chapter. Sharon Kalani was sworn in as mayor on July 14, becoming the third woman to hold the office. Three councilmembers, the city clerk and a new city treasurer also took their oaths during a standing-room-only installation ceremony, with residents and community leaders in attendance.

Eight New Pickleball Courts Near the Finish Line at Wilson Park

Wilson Park’s long-awaited pickleball expansion is moving toward its expected summer opening. The project adds eight dedicated, fenced courts with nighttime lighting and room for 32 players at once. Construction began in March, giving Torrance players a major new recreation destination while the city studies possible future courts at Columbia Park.

Should Columbia Park Be Renamed for Torrance War Hero Ted Tanouye?

Torrance residents are being asked how the city should honor hometown Medal of Honor recipient Ted T. Tanouye. Options include renaming Columbia Park, creating a separate memorial park near Torrance High School, or making no change. The proposals carry dramatically different costs, making community feedback especially important before city leaders decide.

Quote of the Day

In Torrance, even the gentle breeze seems to whisper, “Welcome home.”

— The Torrance Buzz Weekly

Free Summer Concert Brings Americana Favorites to Wilson Park

Torrance Summer Nights brings Andy & Renee and Hard Rain to Wilson Park on Saturday, July 25. The free outdoor concert begins at 5 p.m. and promises an evening of folk, rock and Americana favorites. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, claim a spot near the amphitheater and enjoy live music under the summer sky.

More Than 225 Vendors Return for the Torrance Antique Street Faire

Old Torrance fills with treasure hunters Sunday, July 26, when the Antique Street Faire returns from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 225 vendors will line the downtown streets with antiques, collectibles, vintage décor and jewelry. Admission is free, making it an easy weekend outing for browsers and serious collectors alike.

Young Readers Can Compete in the Library Olympics

Young readers can put their skills to the test at Library Olympics on Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. The free program adds playful competition to the summer reading season with book-themed games and challenges. Families should check the library calendar for the participating branch, age guidance and any attendance limits before heading out. imagination.

Teens Can Create Their Own Signature Fragrance

Teens can create a fragrance that feels completely their own during Scent Lab on Friday, July 24, at 4:30 p.m. Participants will explore scent combinations and build a signature blend in a hands-on library workshop. Space may be limited, so families should confirm the location, intended age group and registration requirements before attending.

Chinese Art Workshop Explores the Traditional Five Elements

A new Torrance library workshop invites participants to explore Chinese art through the traditional Five Elements on Saturday, July 25, at 2 p.m. The first session in the Crafting Connections series combines cultural learning with hands-on creativity. Check the library listing for the host branch, age recommendations and whether advance registration is required.

Torrance Teens Turn Summer Break Into Community Service

Torrance teenagers are spending their summer serving the community through the city’s Youth Volunteer Leadership Training Program. Participants complete up to 100 volunteer hours while gaining workplace, communication and leadership experience. Their assignments may include parks, youth sports, senior services, offices and environmental programs, turning summer break into meaningful local service.

Torrance-Based Volunteer Center Helps Keep Local Children Fed

A Torrance-based nonprofit is helping South Bay children return to school ready to learn. The Volunteer Center’s Food for Kids program provides weekend meals to students and families at Title I schools, while its Torrance pantry serves neighbors facing food insecurity. Residents can support the effort through donations, food drives and volunteer participation.

The Volunteers Helping Madrona Marsh Thrive

Madrona Marsh remains a treasured local refuge because volunteers help visitors understand and protect it. Through the city’s partnership with Friends of Madrona Marsh, community members serve as docents, ambassadors and program helpers. Their work supports guided walks, environmental education and stewardship at one of Southern California’s rare remaining vernal marshes.

A World-Class Chinese Art Collection Is Hiding in Old Torrance

Behind an unassuming building in Old Torrance sits one of the city’s most surprising cultural treasures. The Chen Art Gallery displays more than 1,000 Chinese artworks and antiques spanning approximately 5,000 years. Admission and guided tours are free, but visits must be scheduled in advance, making this remarkable museum a true hidden gem.

Turn Torrance Into Your Own Outdoor Art Hunt

Torrance contains an outdoor art collection that many residents pass without noticing. Murals, sculptures, decorated utility boxes, monuments and community-designed tile installations appear in parks, shopping areas and civic spaces across the city. The city’s online public-art guide makes it easy to turn an ordinary drive or walk into a creative scavenger hunt.

A Peaceful Japanese Garden Is Tucked Behind Torrance’s Cultural Arts Center

Hidden within the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Pine Wind Japanese Garden feels far removed from the surrounding city. Designed by award-winning landscape architect Takeo Uesugi, the garden features two waterfalls, a koi pond, stone pathways and traditional landscaping. Visits are generally reservation-based, so residents should contact the Cultural Arts Center before planning a stop.

Why Was AYSO Founded in Torrance?

A small group of local soccer enthusiasts turned nine teams and a garage-based idea into a national youth-sports institution.

Offset Coffee Gives Downtown Torrance a Fresh Place to Slow Down

Downtown Torrance has a new destination for thoughtfully prepared coffee and a slower morning. Offset Coffee has opened on Marcelina Avenue, serving espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha, pastries and creative specialties such as Dirty Horchata and Yuzu Lemon Curd Matcha. The bright new café adds another inviting gathering place to Old Torrance’s evolving food scene.

Starbird Brings Chef-Driven Crispy Chicken to Hawthorne Boulevard

Starbird gives Torrance chicken fans a fast-casual option with a chef-driven edge. The Hawthorne Boulevard restaurant serves crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, wings, wraps and salads alongside house-made sauces and rotating seasonal flavors. With options ranging from classic comfort food to lighter bowls, the menu offers more variety than the typical fried-chicken stop.

Pho Hue Oi Brings Central Vietnamese Comfort Food to Torrance

Pho Hue Oi gives Torrance diners a broader taste of Vietnamese cooking than its name might suggest. Along with steaming bowls of pho, the Hawthorne Boulevard restaurant serves spicy bún bò Huế, grilled meats, vermicelli dishes, rice plates and regional specialties. It is a flavorful choice when ordinary noodle soup will not quite satisfy.

Torrance City Council Meets Tuesday—Here’s How Residents Can Participate

The Torrance City Council meets Tuesday, July 21, with the regular public session beginning at 6:30 p.m. Residents can attend at City Hall, watch the meeting online or provide comments through several approved channels. Reviewing the published agenda beforehand is the best way to identify decisions that could affect city services and neighborhoods.

Torrance Residents Can Apply to Help Shape City Decisions

Residents interested in influencing Torrance policy do not have to run for elected office. The city accepts applications year-round for its advisory boards and commissions, which examine subjects ranging from planning and public art to airports, libraries and senior services. Applicants must complete commission training before submitting a signed application to the City Clerk.

Social Services Commission Meets Thursday to Address Community Needs

Torrance’s Social Services Commission meets Thursday, July 23, giving residents an opportunity to follow discussions involving some of the city’s most vulnerable populations. The commission advises on matters affecting veterans, people experiencing homelessness, adults with developmental disabilities and children with special needs, helping bring community concerns into the local government process.

What Can Torrance’s Property Records Tell You About Your Home?

Before buying, remodeling or researching a Torrance home, residents can uncover useful property details online. The city’s records tools provide access to active permits, scanned permit documents, zoning information, assessor parcel numbers, construction year and special overlays. A few minutes of research may reveal restrictions or past work that deserve closer attention.

New Design Standards Could Affect Future Torrance Home Projects

Torrance is gathering community input on proposed objective design standards that could influence future residential construction and remodeling. The work focuses on single-family neighborhoods and the Hillside and Coastal Overlay areas, where height, scale, privacy and neighborhood compatibility can become especially important. Homeowners can review the proposals and share their perspectives.

Is Your Torrance Property in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone?

Some Torrance properties fall within updated state-designated fire hazard areas. Homeowners in affected locations may face additional considerations involving wildfire-resistant construction, defensible space, insurance or property-sale inspections. The Torrance Fire Department provides access to the adopted map and information about AB 38 inspections, making it important to confirm whether your parcel is included.

Torrance City Hall Will Be Closed Friday

Torrance City Hall will be closed Friday, July 24, as part of the city’s regular 9/80 work schedule. Residents who need in-person assistance with permits, payments, records or other municipal services should plan ahead. Many online services remain available, but individual department hours and processing times may vary around the closure.

The Plunge Will Close Friday for Swim-In Movie Night

The Victor E. Benstead Plunge will close Friday, July 24, while the facility prepares for its evening Swim-In Movie Night. Regular swimmers and program participants should confirm the day’s operating schedule before arriving. The ticketed event begins at 7 p.m., requires advance registration and will feature Zootopia 2 on a giant outdoor screen.

Last Call for Torrance’s Back-to-School Supply Drive

Torrance residents have only a few days left to contribute to the city’s Back-to-School Supply Drive, which ends Thursday, July 23. Donations of new school supplies will help local students arrive prepared for the coming academic year. Anyone planning to participate should confirm the accepted items and drop-off instructions before the deadline.

The Great Torrance “Real or Ridiculous?” Challenge

This week, we are putting your local instincts to the test.

Below are five statements about Torrance. Some are completely true. Others sound believable—but are gloriously made up.

Your mission: decide whether each statement is Real Torrance or Total Nonsense before checking the answers.

No searching.
No asking your longtime Torrance neighbor.
Just trust your local radar.

This Week’s Just 4 Fun Question

What completely made-up Torrance holiday should become real?