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South Coast AIr Quality Management District (AQMD) issued the folowing advisory due to the recent wildfires. Click here for detaild AQMD forecast.

WIldfires conitnue to burn in the norht San Fernando Valley, Wildfires continue to burn in the north San Fernando Valley, near Sylmar and Placerita Canyon (Sayre Fire), and in the areas of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties near Yorba Linda, Brea, Anaheim Hills and Chino Hills (Freeway/Triangle Complex Fire). The offshore winds have diminished, but continue to bring smoke primarily across Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Air quality will reach Unhealthy levels in areas directly impacted by smoke. As the offshore flow continues to diminish and the afternoon sea-breeze starts to return to the coastal areas, recirculation of smoke may occur in the South Coast Air Basin. Areas that experience smoke may become more widespread, including areas of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. All areas of the South Coast Air Basin may experience air quality in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, or locally higher, depending on fire conditions and wind flows.

Depending on the improving fire situation, areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthy air quality will likely include:
. the Corona/Norco Area (Forecast Area 22),
. the southern portion of the Southwest San Bernardino Valley (Area 33),
. the Pomona/Walnut Valley (Area 10)
. Orange County (Areas 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21)
. the San Fernando Valley (Forecast Areas 6 and 7),
. portions of the San Gabriel Mountains (Area 15) that are near the Sayre Fire,
. portions of the Santa Clarita Valley (Area 13)
. portions of the Metropolitan, Inland and Coastal areas of Los Angeles County, including (Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, and 12).

In areas directly impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke
inside.

For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see http://www.aqmd.gov/ej/CAC/wildfire_safety_tips.htm on AQMD's website. 
Current air quality readings and forecasts from the AQMD can also be obtained on www.aqmd.gov or via the automated voice recording system at (800) 445-3826. 

Starting at 10:00 a.m. today, November 13, 2008, the City of Torrance is participating in the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history. The "Golden Guardian Statewide Exercise Series", is the nation's largest state-sponsored emergency preparedness exercise endeavor. The basis for this exercise is a hypothetical 7.8 magnitude earthquake along the southern San Andreas fault.  Without further preparedness or mitigation, the USGS (United States Geological Survey) estimates this hypothetical earthquake would result in approximately 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage, and severe, long-lasting disruption.

Consistent with the City's commitment towards emergency and disaster preparedness, the City used this opportunity to better prepare its employees for responding to a disaster through evacuation drills and a Level Three EOC (Emergency Operations Center) activation. Besides City staff, disaster service volunteer groups and various members of the Torrane community are taking this opportunty to employ their disaster preparedness plans to practice our response as a community in the event of a major disaster. For more information about the ShakOut Drill, please visit http://www.shakeout.org/. read more (PDF) >>

In honor of our nation's veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their lives in the fight for our freedom, Torrance City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. The City of Torrance has a Veterans Memorial Wall located at the corner of Torrance Boulevard and Maple Avenue where the names of Torrance residents who have died in battle are engraved in eternal remembrance and gratitude for their sacrifice. On this day, the CIty encourages everyone who visit or pass by this memorial to join the City of Torrance in honoring all who have served our country and their famiies. Let's also remember the words of former President John F. Kennedy, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2008 - During recent routine inspections of City trees, City staff discovered that many of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis (Red gum) trees that line Torrance Boulevard have grown beyond their ability to support themselves, which will require canopy reduction pruning to maintain their health. Additionally, seven out of the 131 trees also showed serious decline and weakening by decay; this results in an unfortunate but necessary trimming, removal and replacement program starting early next week. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 14, 2008 - New audible pedestrian push buttons have been installed at the intersection of 231st Street and Arlington Avenue.  The equipment is programmed to emit a "cuckoo" walk sound for crossing in the north/south direction and to emit a "peep-peep" walk sound for crossing in the east/west direction in order to comply with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).  The CA MUTCD is a reference for determining the type and appropriate use of all traffic control devices to ensure consistency in types and applications.

When these audible pedestrian push buttons were first installed, the equipment was programmed to emit verbal "walk" and "don't walk" commands, instead of "beeps."   A few days after the initial programming, the sounds were reprogrammed to comply with the CA MUTCD guidelines.  At that time, residents and pedestrians were informed of the sound change.  The "beep" sounds are consistent with the audible pedestrian push buttons in operation at the Caltrans-maintained intersection of Hawthorne Boulevard and 230th Street, as well as other installations in the surrounding areas.  Contrary to the verbal commands given only in English, the "cuckoo" and "peep-peep" sounds  are universal and international sounds understood by people of all languages, presenting an important benefit to Torrance residents and visitors.

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 24, 2008 - On September 23, 2008, the City of Torrance officially launched the new Torrance Events Calendar on the Torrance citywide website.  The Torrance Events Calendar is a new service and tool to help improve the quality of life in the City of Torrance.  This comprehensive calendar will provide the community and worldwide visitors with a resource for Torrance-based meetings, events, and activities.  Presently, the Calendar is populated with City-hosted events, and all Torrance-based nonprofit groups and organizations are encouraged to submit information about their events for inclusion in the Calendar.  With the click of a mouse, the community can now discover everything that is happening in the City of Torrance.  Everyone is invited to visit the Torrance Events Calendar at www.torrnet.com/events, which is linked to the bottom of every page in the citywide website, under the heading Events Calendar, and also at the top of every page, listed inside the "Quick Links" drop down menu.  For Torrance-based nonprofit groups that are interested in submitting their events for inclusion in the Calendar, please click here for information on how to submit an event.  If you have any questions, please email the Calendar Administrator at TorranceCalendar@torrnet.com.

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 10, 2008 - During business hours on September 9, 2008, the Torrance Police Department's Animal Control received four phone calls regarding two coyotes being sighted in the area of Crest Road and Highcliff Road.  The animals were reportedly seen during the pre-dawn hours in the neighborhood. One caller reported that a cat had been attacked and killed.

Residents in that area need to be aware of these reports and are encouraged to keep children and pets in-doors during the early morning hours when these animals may be roaming.  Any sightings should be immediately reported to the Torrance Police Department's Animal Control Office at (310) 618-3850 between 7:30 am - 5:00 pm or, after hours, to the Police Department at (310) 328-3456.  In the event of an incident which may endanger public safety, the public is asked to call 911 immediately.

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 2, 2008 - With sadness and joyous memories, the City of Torrance announces the passing of former Councilwoman Gene Drevno on Monday, September 1, 2008 after battling cancer. Gene Drevno passed away surrounded by her nine children, grandchildren and close friends. She was 78 years old. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., May 15, 2008 - On Thursday, May 15, 2008, Mayor Frank Scotto presented his 2008 State of the City Address at the Torrance Marriott.  Mayor Scotto's recorded 2008 State of the City Address will begin cablecasting on Torrance CitiCABLE Channel 3, May 28th through June 24th at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.; and June 25th through July 23rd at 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.  read more (PDF)>>

Watch Mayor Scotto's 2008 State of the City below and click HERE to view a copy of the transcript.