Southeast Torrance Homeowners' Association, Inc.Torrance CA 90501

 Sandbags for Torrance Residents Street Maintenance provides free sandbags to residents in Torrance residing in single-family homes and duplexes only. During storms, Street Maintenance orders and fills sandbags for Torrance residents. Each resident can pick up a maximum of 25 filled sandbags at no cost at the City Yard, depending on availability. Please call the City of Torrance Public Works Department at 310-781-6900 before coming to the City Yard to make sure a crew is available to help load the sandbags into a truck or car. Also, be sure to bring some form of ID (Driver's License) to show residency within the City of Torrance. During after-hours storm emergencies, Torrance residents may call the Torrance Fire Department at 310-781-7042 for information on sandbag availability.

 The following incidents were listed in the SETHA area: 2300 Block Sepulveda Blvd  Vandalism        Suspect(s) tags window at location. 23900 Block Huber Ave        Auto Burglary  Backpack, tools, cell phone, lap top stolen

 Hazardous Waste Roundup Program Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste the Right Way! Saturday, December 11, 2010 9:00am - 3:00pm Lomita City Hall Parking Lot 24300 Narbonne Avenue The City of Lomita will host a Household Hazardous Waste Round-up at the City Hall parking lot on Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Household hazardous waste includes paint, glue, pesticides, oil (including used motor oil) solvents, cleansers, old medicine, and car and dry-cell batteries as well as electronic waste (computer monitors, TVs, printers, cell phones, old Christmas electric lights, etc.) Improper disposal of these materials pollutes the City and endangers children, pets and wildlife. Remember: •Limit of 15 gallons or 125 lbs per vehicle •Do not mix items •Keep original labels on containers if possible •Place items in a sturdy box in the trunk of your car •No waste from businesses will be accepted •No explosives, ammunition, radioactive materi...

Torrance Police reported the missing juvenile has been found safe. 12/1/2010 5:50PM

  Ashley Clark, 13, female, white, 5' 00", 90 lbs. Last seen: 17000 Elgar Ave. Torrance 11/30/10 8:40pm  (170th & Crenshaw Blvd) The Torrance Police Department needs your help in locating a missing juvenile that walked away from her home last night, Novermber 30th, at approximately 8:40 pm. The missing child, Ashley Clark, is described as a 13 year-old white female. She is 5' 00” tall and weighs approximately 90 pounds with brown hair and green eyes.  She was last seen at her residence in the 17000 block of Elgar Avenue in Torrance wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown converse tennis shoes. If anyone has seen this child, or has any information as to her whereabouts, please call 911 or contact the Torrance Police Department at 310-618-5641 immediately. For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4206542/?sub_id=84369 .  A picture of the child is available on this website.

FREE Holiday Light Exchange Brightens the Season Thursday, December 2 - 9:00 am This is a popular event, so come early! The City of Torrance is participating in the Annual Holiday Light Exchange sponsored by SBESC on Thursday, December 2 at City Hall in the West Annex. SCE customers* may bring up to two old sets of electricity-guzzling holiday light strands containing any number of lights or color and exchange them for up to two new LED 100 bulb, multi-color holiday light strands (no white this year) - - supplies are limited. LED holiday lights use 80% less energy than the old ones and will last 100,000 hours, which is about 20 years! Participants must bring their SCE bill or drivers license to validate the address, and will be required to sign in. (SCE customers from any city may participate Thursday.) Location: Torrance City Hall - West Annex 3031 Torrance Blvd 9:00 am SHARP!

 Santa will be escorted by members of the Torrance Police Department in Southeast Torrance on the following dates: Tuesday, November 30, 2010            Sepulveda Blvd to 239th Street, Crenshaw Blvd  east  to Arlington Leaves the Police Station at 5PM      begins on 239th Street and ends on 227th Street Wednesday, December 1, 2010         Sepulveda Blvd to 242nd Street, Arlington east to Western Avenue Leaves the Police Station at 5PM       begins on Gramercy and ends on 230th Street In case of rain, the float will be cancelled. There will only be 3 make-up days this year.

On Monday, November 15th about 1PM a "rotten egg" smell wafted through the air in Southeast Torrance.  The culprit turned out to be an open sewer line at 250th Street and Western Avenue. 

Construction activity at the new Hull Middle School site on 231st Street will begin at 4AM on Wednesday, November 17th.  Concrete pouring will begin about 5AM.

 Del Amo Boulevard Extension Project Groundbreaking Tuesday, November 9, 2010 4:00 PM Del Amo Boulevard (West of the Del Amo Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard intersection), Torrance The City of Torrance breaks ground on the Del Amo Boulevard Extension Project. The project will complete the missing segment of Del Amo Boulevard between Crenshaw Boulevard and Maple Avenue and it will widen the existing segment of Del Amo Boulevard between Maple Avenue and Prairie Avenue.  Upon its completion, Del Amo Boulevard will be a four-lane divided roadway within the project limits and provide an additional east-west route throughout the City. Construction also includes a new bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks, drainage improvements and relocation of existing utilities. Traffic signals will be added on Del Amo Blvd at Maple Avenue and Mariner Avenue.

 This Friday, November 5th, construction activity at the Hull Middle School site will begin at 4:00AM with setup and concrete pouring commencing at 5:00AM. Suggest you plan on avoid using 231st Street between Arlington Avenue and the front of Hull during the early morning hours.

The Toyota USA Automobile Museum is hosting a Grand Opening to celebrate the newly relocated and expanded Museum on Tuesday and Wednesday, and you're invited! Normally, Museum Tours are by appointment only. You will have a unique opportunity to tour the 33,000 square foot Museum and view the 100+ cars on display -- including Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars and trucks dating back to 1958, along with more than a dozen historic racing vehicles. A history of Toyota’s operations in the U.S. and around the world also is part of the Museum display. Vehicles on display at the museum include: - A 1958 Toyota Crown, the first Toyota sold in America - A 1965 Toyota Corona, Toyota’s first high volume car in the U.S. - The 1967 20000GT, one of the stars of the James Bond movie “You Only Live Twice.” A racing version of the 2000GT also is on display (only 9 were made & three are in the Museum) - The championship winning race cars including off-road stadium trucks, IMSA Celica and GTP r...

A flyer has been distributed around Hull Middle School notifying residents that on Friday, October 15, 2010 concrete will be poured for the new foundation beginning at 5AM.  Mark your calendars and avoid 231st Street between Cabrillo and Arlington.

 Herald Publications will be delivering a free newspaper to Torrance residents in the 90501,90503 and 90505 zip codes on the 4th or 5th of November 2010.  It will be a weekly paper with 16 to 25 pages with just local Torrance news. The website, http://www.heraldpublications.com/ , will be available on Saturday, October 9th.  Herald Publications currently publishes the El Segundo Herald, Manhattan Beach Sun, and three other local papers. They are looking for paid part-time writers and photographers who are interested in submitting articles and pictures.  You may contact them at management@heraldpublications.com .

 On Tuesday, September 28, 2010, the Torrance City Council will consider appropriating federal-aid grant funds and award an agreement for the Del Amo Blvd Extension at a cost of $10,638,723.00. The extension will complete the missing segment of Del Amo Blvd between Crenshaw Blvd and Maple Ave.  The new route will be a four-lane divided street and add a new east-west route through the city. A new bridge will be constructed over the Burlington Northern Sante Fe/Metro tracks.  New traffic signals will be added on Del Amo Blvd at Mariner Avenue, Maple Avenue and Madrid Avenue.  The existing signal at Del Amo and Crenshaw will be modified. Construction on the new road will start in November 2010 with a November 2012 completion.

 The Torrance City Council at the Tuesday, September 14, 2010 meeting will consider adopting an interim urgency ordinance enacting a moratorium on the issuance of any permits or licenses for new massage and acupuncture establishments in the City of Torrance. In 2002, the city had only 14 licensed massage businesses and fewer than 60 licensed massage technicians. As of August 31, 2010, there were 44 licensed massage businesses . In the past eight years, the City's number of licensed massage businesses has more than doubled and it number of licensed massage technicians has more than quadrupled. The are concomitant negative effects on the quality of life within the community and impacts to the Police Department's ability to provide a safe and secure community. From January 2009 to August 31, 2010, there have been a total of 13 convictions for lewd conduct, prostitution and immoral massage. From December 2009 to February 2010, six massage establishments have had their business...

 Saturday, August 14, 1945-2010.  It was a day of celebration, a day like no other.  AMVETS Department of California and the Spirit of 45.org invite you to a special event honoring the legacy of the Greatest Generation of World War II.  Saturday, August 14, 2010, 1PM to 10PM Garden Grove Elks Lodge #1952 (off the 22 Fwy btwn Euclid St and Harbor Blvd 11551 Trask Avenue Garden Grove, CA  92843 1PM to 6PM     WWII 1940-1945 historical displays 7PM to 10PM   Victory Canteen Dance with the Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra.  Please  wear your vintage allied military or civilian attire. 6PM                 Swing Dance Presentation and Lesson. 7PM                 Bugles Across America Program will play Taps. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Fashio...

 The United State Youth Volleyball League (USYVL) will have a boys and girls 8-week volleyball league at Sur La Brea Park this fall. When:  Thursday, September 9, 2010 to Saturday, November 6, 2010 Where: East end of Sur La Brea Park Days:   Thursdays 5:30 to 6:30PM and Saturdays 10 to 11 AM Price:   Regular Registration $145 until 8/15/2010 Age Divisions:  7-9, 10-12, 13-15  (Age as of 11/1/2010) USYVL is a volunteer organization and does not require any fundraising. Questions?  Call 888.988.7985 Website http://www.usyvl.org/ John Bailey, President SETHA

 A Daily Breeze Letter to the Editor on August 6th expressed concerns about the train noise in Torrance.  Here is some additional information on this issue. Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) operates trains through eight-at-grade crossings including two in Southeast Torrance at Sepulveda/Walnut and Western/South of Sepulveda Blvd.  In 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) established standards for sounding locomotive horns.  In Torrance, where the trains travel at less than 45mph, the operator must sound his horn/whistle for at least 15 seconds before the lead locomotive enters the crossing.  The operator should continue blowing the whistle until the lead locomotive passes through the crossing.  Failure to do comply can result in a FRA fine of $27,000.00.  The federal rules require that all train sound horns at between 96 and 110 decibels at all public crossings.  The FRA 2005 rule making process also established a process b...

 The City of Torrance Telecommunications Committee met on the petition of T-Mobile USA Inc (Southbay Properties, LLC) for approval of a Telecom Permit to allow the collocation of a telecommunications facility with 12 antennas designed as a false tree by increasing the height of an existing pole on property located at 2216 Sepulveda Blvd at Arlington Avenue (SW corner). This was a continuation of a 2009 meeting. The Telecommunications Committee approved the false tree, a 59 foot mono-pine and six equipment cabinets located within a 16-foot tall enclosure. The new tree replaces a 52.5 foot monopalm currently serving Sprint Nextel. The new mono-pine will serve both Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile. The elements of the false tree including branches and pine needles will start 25-feet above ground level. The three sets of four antennas will be at the 53 foot level. The following alternate locations were considered for the project: 22836 Arlington Ave rejected due to proximity to...

 A draft plan called a Removal Action Workplan (RAW) to cleanup methane and prevent methane hazards at Torrance Unified School District’s (TUSD) Hull Middle School is available for public review and comment. Methane gas was found in the soil above acceptable levels at the school site located at 2080 231st Street in Torrance. This Fact Sheet provides a brief summary of: Why Cleanup Is Necessary History and Operations at the Site Environmental Investigations Proposed Cleanup Options California Environmental Quality Act Next Steps Where to Find the Documents Who to Contact for Information Why Cleanup is Necessary There is no immediate health risk to the public. Methane does not pose an immediate health risk to the public. However, because the accumulation of methane in buildings is a potential explosion hazard, DTSC recommends that TUSD prepare a plan to reduce methane levels, prevent methane from accumulating inside future buildings and protect future school site...

 The City of Torrance’s Madrona Marsh Preserve will be closed for a period of time as a health precaution. On Thursday, June 24, 2010, the Los Angeles West Vector Control informed the City of Torrance of a potential West Nile Virus presence at the Madrona Marsh Preserve located at 3201 Plaza del Amo. The City of Torrance places high priority on the safety and well-being of all community members. As such, the City is committed to providing safe facilities where community members can enjoy programs, events and activities. With this in mind, the City decided to close the Preserve as a precautionary measure until a resolution can be reached. City staff will be meeting with Vector Control on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 to discuss the issue and determine a course of action. The City’s goal is to reopen the Preserve as soon as possible without compromising the health and safety of visitors. The City asks for and appreciates the cooperation and patience of visitors and residents as staff...

 The Third Annual Southeast Torrance Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 8:00AM to 12:00 Noon.  This is a multi-family, neighborhood garage and yard sale which attracts a lot of buyers. There will be advertising in several papers, maps will be distributed by Joi Kimoto/Realtor at her home across from Sur La Brea Park and the address of everyone participating will be listed on the maps.  This garage sale was a huge success last year! If you are interested in participating, please contact Debbie Meyers @ 310.539.3105 or debkens25@yahoo.com .  You must reside in Southeast Torrance which is the area between Sepulvada Blvd on the north and the Lomita city limits on the south & Crenshaw Blvd on the west and the L.A. city limits on the east. Please register by Sunday, May 23rd to allow time for planning the event.

 The Coast Guard will join the public and members of the King Harbor Yacht Club for a day of fun with an emphasis on boating safety for this year's “Sea Fair" Boating Safety Open House on Sunday May 16, 2010 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sea Fair will feature a man overboard demonstration and person-in-the-water recovery exercise in addition to a planned search and rescue demonstration featuring a HH65C Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles. The demonstrations are planned to take place in the main channel of the Redondo Beach Marina beginning at 3PM. There will also be boating safety exhibits, a life jacket “fashion show, live music by the Big Torpedos as well as free refreshments courtesy of the King Harbor Yacht Club. This event is open to SETHA members and the public. King Harbor Yacht Club is located at 280 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. For more information go to www.khyc.org --

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., invites the public to a close-up look at JPL's past, present and future at its annual Open House on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, themed "Worlds Beyond," features displays and demonstrations from numerous space missions, and a first look at JPL's recently renovated von Karman Visitor Center. On special display will be the JPL-built Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, retrieved from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope last year by space-walking astronauts. The instrument, affectionately known as the "Camera that Saved Hubble," is on loan from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. The camera captured many of Hubble's iconic space images. Other Open House highlights include: seeing JPL's next spacecraft bound for Mars, Mars Science Laboratory, under construction in the lab's largest "clean room;" life-size rover ...

 John Adams Elementary School will hold a 50th Birthday Celebration and Carnival on Friday, April 23rd from 4:30PM to 8:30PM at the school, 2121 West 238th St Torrance. A presentation at 5:45PM will celebrate the 50 years of John Adams School. There will be game booths, giant slides, live band entertainment, a bake sale and food including BBQ Chicken, Tri Tip and Pulled Pork.  Lots of fun for the whole family.

 Torrance Police Department has released the following important message concerning residential crimes in Torrance. Over the past several months, our City of Torrance has experienced an increase of daytime residential burglaries. The most common method of this increased trend seems to be where a suspect knocks on the door to the residence to see if anyone is home. If no one answers the door, the suspect walks to the rear of the house and forcibly enters via a rear door or window. Once inside, the suspect ransacks the residence and takes items that are easy to flee with (i.e. cash, jewelry, video games, laptop computers, etc). The suspect will make several trips to an awaiting vehicle, then flee the area with another suspect driving the car. We are asking our community to be more aware of people in their neighborhood who they do not recognize as residents of the block, and/or, individuals acting suspicious. For example, in two of our recent daytime burglaries, neighbors saw a su...

I have received several complaints about construction noise on the Hull Middle School athletic fields last Saturday, March 13th. Apparently 10 semi-truck trailers started a soil removal operation shortly after 7AM. The City of Torrance Municipal Code does not allow construction to begin until 9AM on Saturday. I have sent an email to Dr. George Mannon, Superintendent of TUSD, about this incident. Since Hull is not scheduled to open until September 2011, I also asked if overtime was being paid for this Saturday work. John Bailey, President SETHA

SETHA will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in the John Adams Elementary School Cafeteria, 2121 West 238th Street, Torrance from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. The proposed Rockefeller Group Professional Center project will be presented at the meeting. Representatives from the Rockefeller Group and Sheridan-Ebbert will be available to answer questions about the project. Elections of officers will also be held at the beginning of the meeting. This project is approximately 351,200 square feet of medical/office, professional office and light industrial condominium buildings, to be developed in two phases. The location is at 2740 Lomita Blvd on the vacant lot north of Costco. There will be three two-story medical office buildings, seven two-story professional office buildings and one two-story light industrial building. Approximately 14 acres would be in Phase I and 9 acres in Phase II. Open space around the buildings will include trees, shrubs, groundcover and outdoor seating areas. This v...

The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the proposed Rockefeller Group Professional Center at 2740 Lomita Blvd (vacant land north of Costco) will be available on February 19, 2010 . The FEIR will be on line at http://www.torrnet.com/8663.htm in addition to the public counters in the City Clerk's Office, the Katy Geissert and Southeast Branch Torrance Public Libraries and the Community Development Department Planning Counter. This project is approximately 351,200 square feet of medical/office, professional office and light industrial condominium buildings, to be developed in two phases. Approximately 14 acres would be in Phase I and 9 acres in Phase II. Open space around the buildings will include trees, shrubs, groundcover and outdoor seating areas. Traffic concerns discussed at the SETHA meeting with Rockefeller are addressed in the FEIR. A new signal will be installed on Lomita Blvd and the deceleration lane at the entrance on Lomita Blvd is included in the FEIR. Constr...

Due to President's Day on Monday, February 15,2010, trash pickup will be on Friday, February 19th this week.