The Seaside Homeowners Association has been a watchdog for area interests since 1983. SHA helped to get City Council action on issues of interest in the Seaside area, sometimes joining with other Torrance area homeowner groups.
The SHA gives a yearly scholarship to a deserving South High student, sponsors an annual home beautification award and Holiday decoration award, has donated money to improve Sea-Aire Park facilities and has hosted forums for City Council and School Board canidates.
Annual dues are $15.00. To join send a check to Treasurer: Carl Kaemerle, 4610 Ave. C, Torrance, CA 90505. If you would like to be included to receive the Seaside Homeowner´s Association Newsletter via email, contact Tom Rische: trrische@yahoo.com
Seaside HOA News
June 2010
ELECTION RESULTS. . .Residents get a summer respite from election mailers, calls, and signs, with a re-elected mayor, city council, and city clerk, and an upgraded city treasurer. We don't get combined city/school elections in the future, because Measure A failed. (Officials said they would try again.) City Winners: Mayor Frank Scotto; Councilmen Bill Sutherland, Cliff Numark, and Tom Brewer; City clerk Sue Herbers, and Treasurer Dana Cortez. Assembly (D) out of 8: Betsy Butler, Nathan Mintz (R)
PARK NAMING. . .of the Lomita Blvd extension was delayed by the Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday night, due to absences of two commissioners. The next meeting is July 14. Bids for the park itself will probably go before City Council in a couple of weeks, after clarification of the requirements. If so, construction would begin shortly after that, allowing completion this year. Ten "finalist" names were presented for Commission action, but the City Council has the final say. The names are: Anza Breeze, Esperanza (Hope), Las Brisas (the Breeze), Seaside Ranchos, El Estrecho (the Narrow), El Portico (the Porch), Kathanza, La Caminar (the Walk), Seaside, and Anzanita. (combined Anza and Lomita)
SEASIDE'S XMAS LIGHT TRAFFIC. . .was discussed at Monday's Torrance Traffic Commission meeting. Two dozen residents presented suggestions and views to the seven commission members. This is the third year in a row that the city has sought solutions to the overcrowded streets during certain hours. The season's visitors could total as high as 200,000, according to one estimate. Another hearing on the matter will be in August. Consensus is hard to find. Many residents love the lights. Many think the traffic is overwhelming. Some love the spirit and hate the traffic. Figures presented to the commission showed that at peak hours, some 474 cars per hour (eight per minute) traverse Doris Way, while nearly as many pass through the PCH and Robert Rd. entrance. A vido showed a fire truck waiting in line last year, as a test. It took more than a half-hour to get onto Robert Rd. City concerns include the difficulty of getting emergency vehicles, if needed, in and out of the area. Nearly all residents present said they put up lights. Many, however, cited increasing crowds and difficulties of getting in and out of their homes and entertaining friends, particularly on the far western end of the loop. It was generally agreed that the last two weeks before Christmas bring the heaviest traffic. Problems: Emergency vehicle access. Vehicles stopping in traffic to take pictures. Oversized vehicles with crowds of carollers or visitors People driving without lights. Careless pedestrians, including skateboarders and people pushing children's strollers. Suggestions included: More signs directing cars to less crowded entrances (Carlow,and Vanderhill off Calle Mayor; Kathryn and Linda off Sepulveda). One-way streets during peak times. More policemen in evidence, issuing violation tickets for driving without lights, having people hanging unsafely out of car or on hoods or sunroofs. Finding ways to pay for extra policeman or volunteers. Fewer golf carts, particular if driven by underage drivers.. A shuttle system from South High, (but who would coordinate this?) Banning "outside" vendors--or limiting locations for them. Special permit stickers or passes for residents, limits for outsiders. Requiring shorter hours for lights. Turning off all lights at 10 p.m. Not turning lights on until Dec. 1. More city money for a major tourist attraction, possibly offering more exposure than the more expensive Rose Parade float.
SCHOOL'S ALMOST OUT. . .Last day for classes is June 24. Summer classes are slated, through the Torrance Education Foundation
CITY YARD OPEN HOUSE.. . .The Torrance City Yard is hosting an annual Open House
Saturday, June 12 at 20500 Madrona Av, from 10-2 PM. It's free. Onsite parking is available. Overflow parking is available at the County Courthouse -- shuttle service provided The day also includes Classic car and motorcycle exhibits, games for kids, free Coloring Books , promotional give-aways and displays from numerous departments, and a "Green Torrance" display. Scheduled: tour City Yard, sit in/on, touch and see demonstrations of some of the refuse trucks, buses, high rangers, dump trucks, skip loaders and other equipment used to maintain our City.. Kids are welcome to climb aboard equipment and have their pictures taken.
CRUISIN' 50'S CAR NIGHT. . .is Saturday, June 12, on Post Av. (between Cravens and Sartori), downtown Torrance, from 3-7 p.m.
April 14, 2010
NAMING THE PARK. . .will be a topic Wednesday for Seaside's newest park-to-be, on the Lomita Blvd. extension. The topic will come before the Torrance Parks and Recreation Commission at the West City Hall Annex, 3031 Torrance Blvd., tomorrow, April 14. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Community members are invited to make comments, but the decision will come later. Bids for the park will be sought soon, with construction hoped for this summer. Final approval by the City Council will be needed. When the proposal came up a couple of years ago, the most favored names among nearby homeowners were locational: Anzanita and Lomanza. Since then, suggestions were made for naming it after local graduates killed in the Iraqi War.
INCOME TAX DAY. . .is April 15, Thursday. Have you taken care of filing the returns--or of extending them if necessary?
A PLANNING HEARING. . .will be held Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m., for a proposal for a two-story single-family residence at 23235 Doris Way. Proposers are Emad and Mary Michael. (PRE 10-00003).
SPRINKLERS GONE WILD?. . .Are your sprinklers watering your lawn or sidewalks or streets in front of your house? Check to see that they water the things you want them to.
CANDIDATES' FORUMS. . .Wednesday, April 21 is the Southwood Riviera Candidates Forum at Calle Mayor Middle School at 7 PM, to which Seaside residents are invited. Since it so close, we are not having a seperate meeting this year. Four candidates are seeking three seats on tihe City Council, and two candidates are running for city treasurer. Mayor Frank Scotto and City Clerk Sue Herbers are unopposed. Proposition A will ask voters to consolidate school board and city council elections to an April date in even-numbered years. This would save money overall, and shorten terms of present incumbents Other forums are slated as follows: . A League of Women Voters Candidates Forum on Monday, April 19 at 7 p.m. is slated at the Central Katy Geissert Library meeting room, 3301 Torrance Blvd. Wednesday, April 28, Sponsored by: Hollywood Riviera HOA , 7-8:30 p.m., Richardson Middle School Cafeteria, 23751 Nancy Lee Lane.
DUES for Seaside HOA membership are still being collected. Send them to Seaside HOA. c/o Treasurer Carl Kaemerle, 4610 Ave. C, Torrance 90505. Scholarships are planned this year, as usual, for a graduate of Seaside Elementary, which this year, celebrated its 60th year.
TOM RISCHE, Seaside HOA president
April 9th, 2010
VANDALS CAUGHT. . .From the Torrance PD:
"At 1244 hrs, Sunday night: Vandalism (tagging), a call was received regarding subjects vandalizing South HS (4801 PCH). Units arrived and detained three subjects as they tagged the area of the baseball field and drainage ditch area. The estimated damage was in the thousands of dollars. "This was a great arrest and we are going to contact the SRO (School Resource Officer) for South High School and have him pass this information along to other students. We want to get the word out there that if you are caught vandalizing property, you will go to jail. "
Seaside's HOA President has been complaining about this grafitti spree and related vandalism for some time. Last summer, the city repainted the grafitti on the drainage ditch which runs between South and Calle Mayor Schools.
Heavy fines and restitution may be required for the vandals, reportedly students at another nearby middle school.
CANDIDATES' FORUMS. . .Wednesday, April 21 is the Southwood Riviera Candidates Forum at Calle Mayor Middle School at 7 PM, to which Seaside residents are invited. Since it so close, we are not having a seperate meeting this year. Four candidates are seeking three seats on tihe City Council, and two candidates are running for city treasurer. Mayor Frank Scotto and City Clerk Sue Herbers are unopposed. Proposition A will ask voters to consolidate school board and city council elections to an April date in even-numbered years. This would save money overall, and shorten terms of present incumbents Other forums are slated as follows: . A League of Women Voters Candidates Forum on Monday, April 19 at 7 p.m. is slated at the Central Katy Geissert Library meeting room, 3301 Torrance Blvd. Wednesday, April 28, Sponsored by: Hollywood Riviera HOA , 7-8:30 p.m., Richardson Middle School Cafeteria, 23751 Nancy Lee Lane Monday, May 3, Sponsored by: Southwood HOA , 7-9 p.m., Anza Elementary School, 21400 Ellinwood Dr. Monday, May 17, Sponsored by: West Torrance HOA , 7- 9 p.m., Bert Lynn Middle School, 5038 Halison St Wednesday, May 26, Sponsored by: North Torrance HOA , 7 ? 9 p.m., North High School Library, 3620 W. 182nd St.
ANZA SPEED LIMITS. . .On Wednesday, May 12 Southwood Riviera Homeowners are inviting City Staff, Torrance Police Department South Division Traffic enforcement officers and residents of Anza Ave to discuss the possibility of increasing the posted speed limit (is now 30 MPH) on Anza between Sepulveda Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway so that TPD might more actively enforce (some speed in excess of 60MPH) the speed limit. Seaside residents are invited also.
GREAT 60th ANNIVERSARY. . .Officers are recovering from the 60th anniversary celebration of the tract and the school March 20attended by more than 300 residents, alumni, and most elected city officials. Some of the 20-page anniversary booklets are still available for $2. Email trrische@yahoo.com, enclosing your address and phone. Our thanks to advertisers and donors, who supported the event: Realtors Pam Jensen, Jenna Chiristensen, Bob Ross, and Lauren Cotner; Jensen Relocation (Kirk), End Results Fitness Training, Animal Lovers Pet Shop, Taco Bell, Jack's Pizza, Texas Loosey's, Bubbles Pet Spa, Ralph's Grocery, Woods Ace Hardware, Vanguard, Art of Beauty Salon, Recreate Pilates, Salon de Sol, Southwood Dry Cleaners and Laundry, DeLeon's Hair D'Signs, Cookin' Stuff, Cornerstone Windows and Doors, Villa Hermosa, Dog Poop Removal Service, Starbrite Cleaners State Farm Insurance Agent Dave Turley, Mayor Hair Salon, Dr. Brian Carrico (DC), and Johanna Mockett of the World Financial Group. The Cruisin' 50's Car Club (Dave Fields, president) displayed some old classics, and the Police and Fire Departments had displays, as South Bay Environmentalists and the Torrance Education Foundation. DJ Dewey (alias Duane Miller), provided music throughout the day. Carolyn Nestrick provided a display of Girl Scout memorabilia over the years, and the Torrance Historian Society provided various historical recollections. Planners included Tom Rische, Kelly Wedel, Earl Plummer, June Lee, Kelly Plummer, Carl Kaemerle, Helene Babbitt, and many others. Thanks to all who assisted.
DEPARTURE. . .Louise Allison, long-time Seaside and Neighborhood Watch activist, left her home of 35 years, moving to a senior home in Palos Verdes.
AND. . .Seaside IHOA President Tom RIsche turned 80 on April 7.
March 8, 2010
PARTY TIME. . .Keep March 20, Saturday, on your calendar for Seaside's big anniversary party--for both the school and the homeowners' association. It'll be from 10 to 4 at the school--with a special "memories" programs at 1 p.m. It's co-sponsored by the Homeowners Association and the PTA.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SCHOOLS CHIEF. . .
Date: March 5, 2010 Dear Community Member, At Monday night's Board meeting, the TUSD Board of Education, with tremendous frustration, approved $27.6 million in reductions and one-time balance transfers over the next two budgetary years. Grappling with an economic crisis that has crippled school districts all over California, the TUSD Board has characterized these cuts as draconian. The Board was forced to cut another 185 positions, on top of the 258 that have already been cut over the past two years. The 185 positions being cut in this round include, 121 K-12 teachers, four high school counselors, one adult education teacher, nineteen full-time para educators, one elementary assistant principal, 0.4 site clerical staff, and 38.6 central administration personnel. Of the 38.6 central administration staff, six are administrators, 1.6 are supervisory/confidential staff, one program specialist, nine classified clerical positions, six maintenance/operations staff, ten classified custodians, and five classified campus security personnel. In addition to personnel cuts, TUSD has made significant reductions in programs and services that are essential to manage a successful school district. In the past two years the District was forced to cut summer school, except for students who needed assistance with the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The District also significantly reduced funding for all Tier 3 programs, while some were completely eliminated. Additionally, some of the impacted programs include Deferred Maintenance, GATE, Instructional Materials, and the Arts and Music Block Grant program. In this round of reductions, TUSD will be forced to reduce coaching stipends, will allow juniors and seniors to take fewer classes if they are on track for graduation, is offering early retirement, and eliminating our Child Welfare and Attendance department. Furthermore, District administrators are still in union negotiations regarding five mandatory furlough days in each of the next two budgetary years for ALL employees. The negative impacts of these reductions and cuts will be adversely felt by our 25,000 students in their crowded classrooms and by the drastically fewer programs available. Many of the services and resources our parents and employees have come to expect from our District will no longer be available. In this economic crisis everyone loses, especially our students. As I have said many times, it is no longer acceptable for our state representatives to say they are 'friends of education' if they are not willing to fight to preserve our funding in Sacramento. It is no longer acceptable for the Governor to claim he is 'protecting' education when his budget proposals are unrealistic and impractical. It is no longer acceptable for the Governor and state legislators to play their political games while our students and employees suffer. Parents, teachers, employees, and our community must continue to make phone calls, write letters, and send emails to our representatives in Sacramento reminding them of their responsibility to protect the future of our students. We must demand that they represent our interests and present viable budget solutions. I am impressed with the dedication and tenacity of our students, parents, educators, employee groups, and community members and leaders, who came out on March 4th and collectively took a stand to protect education funding. I will continue to provide budget updates to our stakeholders as we move forward in the budget process. Dr. George Mannon, Superintendent of Schools
THEFT NOTES. . .We generally have a safe neighborhood. However, an incident of theft of a wrought iron table from a front porch on Vanderhill has been reported. (Ansd many toys and bikes are left in front yards) And a rebuilt house on Doris Way, nearing completion, lost all its newly-installed kitchen appliances to thieves. And demand IDs from people who want to inspect or get into your house.
March 18, 2010
60th ANNIVERSARY PARTY and PICNIC. . .will be held at Seaside School this Saturday, March 20, the first day of Spring. It'll be from 10 to 4, with a special "memories" program with dignitaries and oldtimers at 1 p.m. Signup table will be at the front, although side entrances will be open. Bring a picnic lunch and a blanket and memories. There'll be a taco cart and assorted goodies Scheduled are games and athletic demonstrations from "End Results", games and relays in the sfternoon, music throughout the day by DJ Dewey, a sizeable Cruisin' 50's car club, police and fire equipment historical display. Historical booklets will be sold. The weather should be warm.
CITY ELECTIONS. . .should be relatively tame this year. Maor Frank Scotto is unopposed for re-election as mayor. Councilmen Tom Brewer, Cliff Numark, and Bill Sutherland are cometing for three seats against Planning Commissioner Richard Browning. City Clerk Sue Herbers is unopposed. Assistant Treasurer Dana Cortez is vying with Stephen Groom for the vacant City Treasurer spot. No measures are on the lcal ballot. The first candidates forum will be next Wedesday, March 24, from 7 to 9 at The Bartlett Center -1318 Cravens Ave., Old Torrance on the 2nd floor of the Bartlett Center -- elevator access is available -- free, on-street parking is available on Cravens and Post Aves.
DEL AMO MALL. . . was a concern of City Council this week, as it hired a firm to work with the owners to try to improve it and produce more tax revenue. Complications due to changes of ownership have slowed what used to be one of the world's largest malls.
WATER SPRINKLERS. . .can be a problem . Some of them were merrily watering during recent heavy rains. Some of them are not adjusted--or broken --so they water the cement and street as well. It is a good thing to know how to shut them on or off, as well as adjusting them.
