Walteria’s name reaches back to Captain A. Richard Walters, who built the Walters Hotel in the area during the 1880s, decades before Torrance was founded.

 

The hotel stood in what was then farmland, along a road between Redondo Beach’s salt works and the harbor in San Pedro.

 

Local historian Sam Gnerre says developers chose Walteria over Walters because they found it more appealing.

 

The community became part of Torrance through annexation in 1928, but its name kept that earlier history alive.

 

Growth brought another challenge: seasonal rainwater collected in low-lying land known as Walteria Lake.

 

A proposal for a permanent lake in a public park never took shape; officials instead pursued a retention basin and drainage system, completed in 1964.

 

Today’s Walteria Park also reflects the neighborhood’s agricultural past: the city acquired most of the land in 1944, when it was a celery field.

Affordable beauty services in Torrance come with a chance to support aspiring cosmetologists at SoCal ROC, where students work with clients under instructor supervision.

 

The school’s Client Days offer haircuts, coloring, manicures and facials at 2300 Crenshaw Boulevard.

 

Appointments are required; walk-ins are not accepted.

 

Client Days generally take place on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, but callers should confirm the next date, available services, appointment length and price by calling 310-224-4200, extension 346.

 

The posted donation menu lists a $6 haircut, a $10 shampoo, cut, blow-dry and style, and a $4 water manicure, though some services carry additional charges.

 

For students, each appointment is an opportunity to build technical and communication skills with real clients.

 

If you book, bring a photo or clear description of what you want and allow extra time for the learning environment.

Saint-Ex Booksellers has opened at 4665 Torrance Boulevard, giving the former Sandpiper Books location a new chapter and local readers a reason to revisit.

 

Named for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, the shop grew from its booksellers’ dream of rebuilding their lives around books.

 

Its new and used selection invites browsing, while online reading lists offer a glimpse of the booksellers’ tastes, from Charlotte’s Web to Gravity’s Rainbow and recent fiction.

 

Bring a favorite title, ask for a recommendation and leave room for an unexpected find.

 

Saint-Ex lists hours of 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday and Monday, and 10 am to 8 pm Tuesday through Saturday; call 424-318-5110 to confirm before visiting.

At Rainforest Flora in Torrance, you can discover plants that grow without soil and find a new favorite for your home.

 

The nursery at 19121 Hawthorne Boulevard specializes in Tillandsias, or airplants, alongside staghorn ferns, bromeliads and houseplants.

 

Founded in 1974, the business grew from cofounder Paul T. Isley III’s fascination with airplants during his years at UCLA.

 

He began by mounting them on grapewood and selling them at swap meets and craft fairs.

 

Today, the Torrance shop offers a wider selection of landscape and indoor plants than Rainforest Flora ships, making it worth a visit even if you have browsed online.

 

Bring a photo of the window, shelf or patio you have in mind, and ask which plants would thrive there.

 

The nursery also offers care guides for beginners.

 

It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 to 5 and Sunday from 11 to 4; it is closed Mondays.

Cancer Support Community South Bay offers free support for people affected by cancer and the loved ones caring for them.

 

Based in Torrance, the nonprofit provides support groups, educational workshops and healthy-lifestyle activities, with services for children and teenagers also listed on its website.

 

Whether someone needs a place to share worries or help finding a starting point, staff can explain the available options.

 

New participants begin with a Welcome Orientation Meeting, currently offered on Zoom on Mondays and Fridays at 11 a.m.

 

Call 310-376-3550 for assistance, or check the current schedule before visiting the center at 2601 Airport Drive, Suite 100, in Torrance.

 

Donations help keep programs free, while volunteers assist with reception, events and other projects.

 

For a neighbor facing cancer, simply knowing this local support exists can be a meaningful first step.

In Torrance, ICAN helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities prepare for work, build skills and connect with their community.

 

Its Supported Employment Program offers help with applications and interviews, plus on-the-job coaching tailored to each person’s interests, experience and needs.

 

At its Sepulveda Boulevard site, participants can gain practical experience through employment services, partial-work opportunities and a client-run garden.

 

One local example comes from the Portofino Hotel & Marina, where an employee named AJ started as a dishwasher and later helped with banquet food plating and setup.

 

His experience shows how the right opportunity can give someone room to grow.

 

Businesses can ask ICAN about hiring, onboarding and job coaching, while prospective participants should ask about eligibility and the required regional-center referral.

 

Residents can also explore volunteer roles in program activities, job preparation, outings and events.

 

ICAN is at 2375 Sepulveda Boulevard and can be reached at 310-374-8295.

The Volunteer Center in Torrance is asking neighbors to help restock its pantry at a fall food drive Friday, November 6, from 2 to 6 p.m. at 1230 Cravens Avenue.

 

Schools, businesses, faith communities and friends can collect groceries together, making it easier for more neighbors to take part.

 

Donations support the center’s Food for Kids program, which began after a local school raised concerns about children going without enough food over the weekend.

 

The center needs shelf-stable foods such as cereal, granola bars, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, canned meat and soup.

 

Neighbors who need food can visit the community pantry at the same address on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.; identification is not required.

 

To organize a collection, email programs@volcenter.org and check the center’s website before arranging a large delivery.

The CCBA Summit Beer Festival brings more than 80 California craft breweries to the Western Museum of Flight at Torrance Municipal Airport on Saturday, November 7.

 

General admission runs from 1 to 5 p.m., with VIP entry beginning at noon.

 

The lineup includes Torrance-area favorites Absolution, HopSaint, Monkish, Red Car, Scholb and Smog City, though the brewery roster may change.

 

Tickets include tastings and museum access, with historic aircraft, live music and food vendors adding to the afternoon.

 

VIP tickets also include a special tasting cup and specialty pours from selected breweries.

 

Attendees, including designated drivers, must be at least 21 and bring valid government-issued photo ID.

 

Rideshare drop-off is at 3301 Airport Drive, while paid parking is at 2901 Airport Drive.

 

Check current ticket prices and the brewery lineup before making plans, and arrange a safe ride home.

World Uchinānchu Day Mini Expo comes to Toyota Meeting Hall in Torrance on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 9 p.m.

 

Presented by the Okinawa Association of America, the event welcomes visitors to experience Okinawan culture through music, dance, language, stories and food tastings.

 

Guests can try workshops in Bon dance, the sanshin instrument and Uchinaaguchi, while performances will feature traditional arts, Isshin-ryū karate and Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles.

 

Booths will spotlight local creatives and participants in Okinawa-supported study programs, with printed games for children and information about visiting the islands.

 

Established in 2016 to honor Okinawan emigrants and their global communities, World Uchinānchu Day marks its tenth anniversary this year.

 

Admission is $25 and includes limited food tasting; a food truck will sell meals separately.

 

The venue is at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, and guests can contact the association at 310-532-1929 with questions.

Destination: Art’s Experimental Artists of the South Bay exhibition invites visitors to see familiar materials in a new light.

 

On view through November 14 in Torrance, the show brings together collage, sculpture, fabric and other mixed-media work.

 

Jean Shultz’s Vessel pairs paper pulp with palm bark, while Karen Doyle’s Seed-Bearer’s Tribute combines a pinecone, sweet gum seeds, a cactus paddle vein, paint and glue.

 

Visitors can browse the online catalog before seeing how the works’ textures and colors come across in person.

 

The gallery is at 1815 West 213th Street and is open Thursday through Saturday, from 11 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

 

Upcoming visiting dates are October 29–31.

 

Contact Destination: Art for details about admission, accessibility or artwork availability.

LA Kansai Club’s Grand Fall Japanese Music and Cultural Performance Festival comes to the James R. Armstrong Theatre in Torrance on Sunday, November 1.

 

The performance runs from 1 to 4 p.m., with doors opening at noon, at 3330 Civic Center Drive.

 

The program brings together Japanese songs and folk music with flamenco, hula, Awa Odori and Okinawan Eisa, offering an afternoon of changing sounds and rhythms.

 

Veteran folk-music teacher Matsutoyo Sato is among the featured performers.

 

General admission is advertised at $20, while guests ages 80 and older may attend free with an advance reservation and photo identification, thanks to a Keiro grant.

 

For event details, reservations or questions about accessible seating, contact LA Kansai Club at 415-827-1668.

 

Arriving early can give families and friends time to settle in before the music begins.

The Torrance-South Bay YMCA will host a Halloween Costume Parade for children 12 and younger on Friday, October 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 2900 West Sepulveda Boulevard.

 

Families can enjoy a parade around the YMCA, candy and community-partner booths in the lobby.

 

Admission is free for YMCA members and $5 per child for nonmembers.

 

The 45-minute celebration offers a short daytime outing for children eager to show off their costumes, though families should consider their Friday school schedules.

 

Choose a costume that is comfortable to walk in and bring a bag for treats.

 

Advance registration and the full parade route are not specified, so families with questions, including whether the event is entirely indoors, can call the YMCA at 310-325-5885 before heading over.

Torrance’s Santa Float returns Sunday, November 29, for a 22-night tour organizers plan to bring to every residential neighborhood.

 

Started by the Torrance Police Officers’ Association in 1969, the tradition has endured vandalism, pandemic disruptions and staffing challenges with support from residents and local partners.

 

Robinson Helicopter Company, the Torrance Police Foundation and Van Lingen Group are helping keep the float on the road this year.

 

Before the tour, the second annual Santa Takes Flight kickoff runs Saturday, November 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive.

 

The event offers free admission registration and features Santa arriving by helicopter, school choirs, entertainment, children’s activities, food trucks and a Christmas market.

 

Families are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the police and fire departments’ holiday toy drive.

 

Detailed neighborhood routes and dates are expected in mid-November.

Northwood Space’s new Torrance headquarters and factory marks a major expansion for local aerospace manufacturing, with a 185,000-square-foot facility and plans to add 400 jobs over three years.

 

Announced August 31, the expansion includes a production move scheduled for October, though that does not mean every manufacturing line is already operating.

 

Northwood makes the antennas and software that connect satellites with operators on Earth, allowing customers to share ground infrastructure rather than build separate networks.

 

The new site will increase its manufacturing space from 25,000 to 135,000 square feet, with plans for antenna production, circuit-board assembly, machining and testing.

 

The company says bringing more work under one roof could reduce supplier delays, but its production targets remain goals, not verified output.

 

For Torrance, the next signs of progress will be the production move, measurable output and hiring over time.

About three-quarters of Torrance Unified classrooms lack air conditioning, leaving families concerned about how schools will handle the next heat wave.

 

Cooling every classroom could cost hundreds of millions of dollars because older campuses may need electrical upgrades and construction before air conditioning can be installed.

 

Polling showed insufficient support to place an air-conditioning bond on the November ballot, so voters did not reject a bond.

 

For now, schools are using hydration stations and rotations through air-conditioned cooling zones, measures that offer relief but cannot keep every classroom cool.

 

The district has committed to at least one heat-mitigation pilot project at each campus during the 2026–27 school year.

 

Options include reflective roofs, shade, better ventilation and limited air-conditioning installations where electrical capacity allows.

 

Families can ask their schools which rooms will benefit, when work will begin and how the district will measure results.

South High delivered Torrance’s biggest football win on Friday, October 23, shutting out Hawthorne 48–0.

 

Torrance High lost a 54–52 shootout to Culver City, while North fell 45–40 to El Segundo.

 

West lost 42–7 at Santa Monica, leaving South’s shutout as the lone win on the four-school scoreboard.

Torrance-based In Orbit Aerospace is developing INTELLACT, software intended to help spacecraft monitor their condition and respond to problems on board.

 

The company’s founders said in an October 14 interview that new NASA and SpaceWERX research awards will support the work, particularly for situations when communications are disrupted or ground operators cannot respond quickly enough.

 

The technology remains under development, and the awards do not establish that it works in operation.

Torrance Meridian Academy offers Torrance families a tuition-free charter school option within Torrance Unified for students in grades five through eight.

 

Developed with Sora Schools, the program combines live online classes Monday through Thursday with optional in-person enrichment on Fridays.

 

Students learn through projects and receive guidance from teachers.

 

Families should consider the daily schedule and their supervision needs before enrolling, since this flexible arrangement differs from a traditional five-day campus schedule.

Unusual Machines completed its acquisition of drone battery and power-system manufacturer Upgrade Energy on October 19.

 

Before the deal closed, the company had begun increasing production and hiring at Upgrade Energy’s 18,500-square-foot Torrance facility.

 

The acquisition adds batteries to Unusual Machines’ drone-component business, while the company also plans battery-pack operations in Orlando.

 

Unusual Machines did not specify how many people it plans to hire in Torrance.

Fifteen Torrance Unified schools earned places on Educational Results Partnership’s 2026 California Honor Roll, and the district also received honor roll recognition.

 

The schools are Arlington, Evelyn Carr, Fern, Howard Wood, John Adams, Lincoln, Towers, Victor, Walteria and Yukon elementary schools; Casimir, Hull and Magruder middle schools; and North and Torrance high schools.

 

Released October 15, the honor roll uses state assessment results to recognize academic achievement and improvement while considering achievement gaps.

Torrance’s Seaside Ranchos holiday lights are helping shape new rules for home-based food businesses as the neighborhood prepares for December visitors.

 

On October 6, the City Council approved proposed changes that would let qualifying cottage-food operators sell or distribute food, raise funds, and collect donations outdoors on their own properties throughout December.

 

More than one customer could visit at a time, and off-street parking requirements would be waived from 5:01 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

The added flexibility comes with neighborhood protections: customers could not block public walkways or linger for on-site dining, and operators would have to manage trash and avoid disrupting nearby homes.

 

Three citations in a calendar year would revoke an operator’s business license and bar renewal the following year.

 

Although the popular light display is neither city-sponsored nor city-sanctioned, its crowds raise questions about traffic, parking and neighborhood life.

 

A second reading and final vote on the ordinance are scheduled for October 20.

Torrance police are asking for witnesses and video footage after a woman was grazed by a bullet during an early-morning gathering on October 4.

 

Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 3200 block of Danaha Street shortly after midnight and found the woman with a head injury.

 

She was taken for treatment and is expected to recover fully.

 

Investigators believe the shooting followed a street altercation involving people at a large party.

 

Police said it was not a drive-by shooting and found no indication of a random attack or an ongoing threat to the neighborhood.

 

Detectives are seeking a male suspect believed to be between 16 and 20 years old.

 

Anyone with firsthand information, photos or video can call Detective Chance at (310) 618-5570, or submit an anonymous tip to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Torrance’s 2026 Excellence in Arts Awards recognize creative talent across dance, theater, music, literature, visual arts and education.

 

The Torrance Cultural Arts Commission announced the eight award recipients September 29, with its 48th annual ceremony scheduled for October 11 at Toyota Meeting Hall.

 

Honorees include dancers Sabrina Manzi and Regina Klenjoski, theater artist Bradley Allen Lock, writer Peter Lefevre, visual artist Allison Zahorik, musicians Andy Hill and Renee Safier, and the North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble.

 

Emerging Artist recipient Noel Takaya is an oboist pursuing graduate studies at USC, while Klenjoski received the Katy Geissert Award for her lasting contributions as a choreographer, performer, educator and arts advocate.

 

Presented since 1977, the awards celebrate the people and programs that nurture young talent and strengthen Torrance’s cultural life.

Seeing is no longer believing when artificial intelligence can create convincing photos, videos and voice recordings of events that never happened.

 

That raises a second risk: genuine evidence can be dismissed as AI-generated, making it harder to hold people accountable.

 

In a Pew Research Center survey, 76% of Americans said identifying AI-made content is highly important, but 53% lacked confidence they could tell the difference.

 

The uncertainty reaches beyond politics into scams, advertising, journalism and personal relationships.

 

AI can also support medical research, education, accessibility and small businesses; the challenge is keeping our judgment sharp as the technology improves.

 

Before sharing a startling clip or image, Torrance residents can check its source and look for confirmation from reliable outlets.

 

A convincing screen is not proof, and a brief pause to verify can help protect the trust our communities depend on.

Torrance Adult School will not hold morning classes Thursday, October 22, 2026, because of a staff professional development day.

 

Students who arrange transportation, work or family responsibilities around morning classes should plan ahead to avoid an unnecessary trip.

 

The school’s calendar does not say that afternoon or evening classes are canceled, so students with later sessions should confirm their schedules directly with their campus.

 

Students can call Hamilton Adult Center at (310) 533-4689, ext. 8400; Griffith Adult Center at ext. 8300; or Levy Adult Center at ext. 8200.

Missing California’s October 19 voter-registration deadline does not mean Torrance residents have lost their chance to vote in the November 3, 2026, general election.

 

Conditional voter registration begins October 20 and remains available through Election Day for eligible residents who need to register or update their information.

 

Voters can register and cast a conditional ballot at an authorized location, and election officials will verify their eligibility before counting it.

 

Los Angeles County vote centers begin opening October 24, with voting ending at 8 p.m. on November 3.

 

Before heading out, check your registration status and confirm a vote center’s location, hours and accessibility information through official election services.

 

Already have a mail ballot? Return it by mail, at an official drop box or at a participating vote center, and remember to sign and date the return envelope.

Torrance families must register in advance for the city’s free Mall-O-Ween celebration at Del Amo Fashion Center on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 4 to 6 PM.

 

Children ages 10 and younger can trick-or-treat at participating stores, with free candy available while supplies last.

 

Costumes are encouraged, but masks are not permitted.

 

Check-in is just south of Carson Street near Macy’s Men & Home, and families will learn which stores are participating when they arrive.

 

The city has not listed a registration deadline, so parents should visit its official Mall-O-Ween event page, follow the RSVP link and register before making plans to go.

Torrance homeowners considering a new furnace, air conditioner or water heater may soon have more help paying for an electric alternative.

 

On October 2, South Coast AQMD approved $60.2 million in additional funding for its GO ZERO program, which supports qualifying replacements of gas and propane equipment across the region.

 

Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it, allowing one system to heat and cool a home, while heat pump water heaters use the same approach to warm water.

 

Planned single-family rebates range from $500 to $1,000, or $1,000 to $2,000 for qualifying households in designated overburdened communities.

 

Residential applications are not yet open, and a relaunch date has not been announced.

 

Before replacing equipment, homeowners should compare installation and operating costs, check eligibility and confirm rebate requirements; lower utility bills are not guaranteed.

Torrance homeowners planning renovations now need to submit building permit applications and plans online.

 

The city began requiring electronic building submissions on January 5, 2026, and added development applications and administrative permits on August 10.

 

Through the Online Permit Center, applicants can upload documents, pay fees and track progress, but online filing does not replace plan reviews, inspections or building-code requirements.

 

Before applying for a building permit, homeowners must obtain Zoning Clearance to confirm their project meets applicable land-use rules.

 

Some planning applications, including Home Occupation and Landscape Plan Review requests, still require in-person submission.

 

The city’s online records portal can help residents and prospective buyers check permit history and property details, though it does not provide copies of architectural plans.

 

Before hiring a contractor or finalizing designs, confirm the approvals your project needs and who will handle permits and inspections.

Torrance residents have until Monday, October 26, 2026, to review and comment on proposed updates to the city’s long-term General Plan.

 

The changes address land use, public safety and community resources, including how planning policies align with the city’s adopted Housing Element.

 

These policies could shape future decisions about housing, neighborhood development, environmental protection and hazards, but the proposal does not mean every neighborhood will be rezoned or approve construction on any particular property.

 

The city has prepared a proposed Negative Declaration, indicating its initial finding that the amendments would not have significant environmental effects; that finding is not final approval of the plan changes.

 

Residents can review the draft amendments and environmental materials through California’s CEQAnet database and contact the Torrance Planning Division to confirm how to submit comments before the deadline.