What unusual type of farm once operated in Torrance’s Meadow Park area?

A. Ostrich farm
B. Mink farm
C. Alpaca farm
D. Peacock farm

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Torrance Unified Takes Social-Media Giants to Federal Court

Torrance Unified School District has taken an extraordinary step into the national debate over children and social media. The district filed a federal lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snap, Google, YouTube and related companies. New court activity was recorded October 2, keeping the case active as TUSD challenges some of the world’s largest technology companies.

Torrance Is Building a Much Bigger Local Water Supply

One of Torrance’s largest infrastructure projects is now under construction. The expansion of the Robert W. Goldsworthy Groundwater Desalter will add wells, pipelines and reverse-osmosis equipment while increasing treatment capacity to as much as 7 million gallons per day—potentially providing billions of gallons of locally produced drinking water annually.

Torrance’s Tech Boom Is Filling Buildings on an Enormous Scale

Torrance’s transformation into a hub for aerospace, defense and advanced-energy companies is showing up in an unexpected place: industrial real estate. Nuclear-energy startup Valar Atomics has taken roughly 512,000 square feet in Torrance, one of several enormous South Bay leases driven by rapidly expanding technology and defense companies.

✨ Quote of the Day

“Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
— James Baldwin

💙 A Word from The Torrance Buzz Weekly

Step Inside Some of Old Torrance’s Most Beautiful Historic Homes

Some of Old Torrance’s most distinctive homes are opening their doors this weekend. The Torrance Historical Society’s Original Fall Tour of Historic Homes returns October 10–11, giving visitors a rare look inside beautifully preserved residences while showcasing how owners have updated them for modern living without losing their historic character.

Jess & Joe Bring Music, Humor and Dinner to the Nakano Theatre

Live music gets an intimate twist at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center this weekend. Jessica Hayes and Joseph Ott combine original songs, sharp humor and rich vocal harmonies in the Studio Cabaret production Jess & Joe, with performances Friday and Saturday and an optional dinner available for theatergoers.

Torrance Celebrates Its Artists at the 48th Annual Excellence in Arts Awards

Torrance will spotlight the people helping shape its creative community Sunday when the City hosts the 48th Annual Excellence in Arts Awards. The program recognizes achievement across music, theater, dance, visual arts, literary arts and emerging talent while celebrating residents and organizations whose work has strengthened the arts in Torrance.

A Free Symphonic Concert Takes Flight Sunday

Residents can end the weekend with a free live concert Sunday afternoon. The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band will perform Skyward at The Salvation Army Torrance Corps, featuring music designed around soaring melodies, dramatic passages and lighter moments meant to evoke the feeling of leaving the everyday behind.

Torrance-South Bay YMCA Celebrates the Volunteers Who Keep It Moving

Some of Torrance’s most important community work happens without much attention. The Torrance-South Bay YMCA recently held its 79th Annual Volunteer & Awards Celebration Dinner, honoring the volunteers who help support youth programs, families, recreation and community services throughout the South Bay. Honda also stepped in as the event’s Champion Sponsor.

A Torrance Dog-Adoption Event Needs 25 Helping Hands

A few hours of volunteer time could help a rescue dog find a family. Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue is seeking 25 volunteers for a Torrance adoption and foster event October 10. The nonprofit rescues dogs from Los Angeles-area shelters and works to place them in permanent homes instead of letting their stories end there.

You do not have to be a teacher to make a difference in a classroom. Torrance Adult School is inviting community volunteers to help students studying English, working toward a high-school diploma or GED, learning career skills and participating in community-education programs. Volunteers can also assist with enrollment, school events and graduation.

Torrance’s First Public Park Is Still Hiding a Few Surprises

Torrance Park may look like a familiar neighborhood green space, but it carries more history than most residents realize. Opened in 1934 as Municipal Park, it was Torrance’s first public park. Today its old-fashioned paths, bandshell, rose garden, mature trees and even a vintage fire engine preserve pieces of another era.

A Piece of One of the World’s Great Ocean Liners Is Sitting in Torrance

You do not need to visit a maritime museum to see a piece of ocean-liner history. Sitting at 3440 West Carson Street is an anchor from the RMS Queen Elizabeth, once the world’s largest passenger liner. The ship carried troops during World War II before returning to luxury transatlantic service.

Torrance Is Turning Ordinary Utility Boxes Into Tiny Art Galleries

The next time you stop at Madrona Avenue and Torrance Boulevard, look at the utility box. Torrance has begun using these ordinary pieces of street infrastructure as miniature public-art canvases, part of a program designed to bring local artwork into unexpected places residents encounter during everyday errands and neighborhood drives.

Why Does Torrance Have Such Deep Ties to Japan?

Japanese restaurants and markets are easy to spot around Torrance, but the connection runs much deeper. Japanese immigrants were farming the South Bay more than a century ago. Their families endured forced wartime incarceration, returned and rebuilt, while later Japanese investment brought major companies, jobs and cultural institutions that reshaped Torrance.

Is It True What People Are Saying About Peptides?

Peptides have become one of wellness medicine’s hottest topics, with claims ranging from faster injury recovery and increased muscle to weight loss and anti-aging. But “peptide therapy” covers very different substances. Some peptide drugs are proven medicines. Others being sold by clinics and online have surprisingly little high-quality human research behind them.

Flu Season Is Here: What Torrance Residents Should Know Now

Flu season is returning, and October is an important month for prevention. The CDC says most people should ideally receive their annual flu vaccine by the end of October. This year’s vaccine has also been updated to better match the influenza strains expected to circulate during the 2026–27 season.

Do You Know Your Numbers? Four Health Measurements Worth Paying Attention To

Many serious health problems do not begin with an obvious warning sign. High blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and elevated blood sugar can develop silently for years. Knowing a few basic health measurements—and understanding what they mean—can give adults an opportunity to address risk before it becomes something much harder to manage.

Prime Pizza Brings New York-Style Slices to Torrance

Torrance has a new destination for New York-style pizza. Prime Pizza recently opened its newest shop on Sepulveda Boulevard, serving large round pies, crispy square slices, wings and garlic knots. October is also National Pizza Month, and the restaurant is rolling out weekly promotions that give locals an excuse to stop in.

Jang Su Jang Is Serving the Korean Comfort Food Torrance Does So Well

Torrance has no shortage of excellent Korean food, but Jang Su Jang offers an especially broad introduction to the cuisine. The Sepulveda Boulevard restaurant serves bubbling tofu soups, old-style bulgogi, seafood pancakes, bossam, bibimbap and braised short ribs in a spacious dining room that has quickly developed a following among local diners.

King’s Hawaiian Goes All-In on Pumpkin Season

If pumpkin season is your season, King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant has turned its Torrance bakery case into a fall tasting tour. Current offerings include pumpkin chiffon cheesecake, pumpkin mochi doughnuts, pumpkin cake squares, pumpkin pound cake and pumpkin-spice white-chocolate-chip cookies—giving locals several ways to indulge without another ordinary pumpkin latte.

Torrance Will Account for How It Spent Federal Community-Development Money

Torrance City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday on how the City used federal housing and community-development funds during the past fiscal year. One notable finding: Torrance did not spend its HOME allocation on an affordable-housing project, citing the high cost of land and property in the city.

Mayor Kalani Lays Out Her First State of the City Vision

Mayor Sharon Kalani has delivered her first State of the City address since becoming Torrance mayor. Speaking under the theme “One Torrance, One Community,” Kalani highlighted the city’s economic base, investments in infrastructure and public safety, growing business activity and the emerging industries increasingly shaping Torrance’s future.

Torrance Home Prices Are Finally Showing Some Give

Torrance’s housing market showed signs of cooling in September. The median home sold for about $1.085 million, down nearly 3% from a year earlier, while the median listing price fell to $952,000. Homes are also taking longer to sell, giving buyers a little more breathing room than they had before.

A 449-Unit Apartment Project Could Reshape Torrance Boulevard

A major new housing project is proposed for Torrance Boulevard. Vista Homes would bring 449 apartments to 3610 Torrance Boulevard in an eight-story mixed-use building with parking, live-work office suites, a pool, fitness center and courtyards—adding another large residential project to the area surrounding Del Amo Fashion Center.

Bacteria Warning Remains in Effect at Torrance Beach

Heading to the beach to escape the heat? Check the water before going in. Los Angeles County Public Health says elevated bacteria levels remain at Torrance Beach near Malaga Cove, just north of the RAT lifeguard tower. Visitors are being advised to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the affected water.

Hear Sirens Wednesday? This One Is Only a Test

Torrance residents may hear emergency sirens Wednesday morning, but there is no emergency. The monthly Refinery Community Alert Siren test is scheduled for October 7 at approximately 11:30 a.m. Residents may hear chimes followed by a two-minute siren tone, with the entire test expected to last no more than five minutes.

SR-91 Night Closures Continue Through Saturday Morning

South Bay night drivers should again allow extra time this week. Caltrans is continuing overnight work along SR-91 between Gardena and Cerritos through Saturday morning, with multiple lanes, ramps and freeway connectors subject to closure—including connections between SR-91 and I-110 that many Torrance-area drivers regularly use.

Torrance Transit Adds SoFi Service for Two Big Games

Football fans have a car-free option for two SoFi Stadium games this week. Torrance Transit will operate special Line 10X service for Chargers–Broncos on Sunday, October 11, and Rams–Bills on Monday, October 12, departing from the Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center several hours before kickoff.

Are We Losing the Ability to Be Bored?

Every empty moment can now be filled with a phone, podcast, video, email or notification. But when boredom disappears, do we also lose something valuable? From creativity and reflection to simply sitting with our own thoughts, the moments we rush to escape may actually be doing more for us than we realize.

💡 Answer To This Week's Trivia Question:

Correct Answer: B — Mink farm.

During the 1920s, Torrance still had a strong agricultural side, with vegetable and flower fields, dairies, rabbit, chicken, turkey and pig farms — and even a mink farm in the Meadow Park area.