Although the City of Torrance did not win the Eddy Award®, the LAEDC honored Torrance as a finalist for creating a business-friendly environment that encourages businesses to locate or expand in the community by reducing red tape and improving response time with additional assistance.  Torrance was also recognized for implementing such streamlining measures as a one-stop permit center, ombudsman services, online project status tracking, and training.  In addition, Torrance is proud to have the second lowest rate of property crime and third lowest rate of violent crime among 15 L.A. County cities with populations of 100,000 residents.

Please click here for the Eddy Awards® website.

TORRANCE, Calif., November 17, 2009 - On Friday, November 13, 2009, the Mayor and City Council dedicated the Sports Center at Charles H. Wilson Park in honor of former Mayor Dee Hardison, naming it the "Dee Hardison Sports Center." read more (PDF)>>.

Please click here for the photo gallery.

Please click here for the agenda item recommending the naming of the Wilson Park Sports Center after Dee Hardison during the September 15, 2009 City Council meeting wherein it was also approved.

• CVS Pharmacies, some are stand-alone and others are located in Stater Brothers markets, charge $25.  They waive the fee to unemployed individuals who present a voucher from certain employment sites.  In our District, unfortunately only the Marina Del Rey Work Source Center (310) 309-6000 distributes these vouchers though there are others distribution points scattered outside our District.  Locations of other voucher distributors can be found by using either the CVS website www.CVS.com/promoContent  or calling them at 1 888 flu shot.
• Ralphs and Food for Less stores that have pharmacies are giving flu shots for $25.
• Rite Aid  charges $30Walgreens charges $24.99 for the injection and $29.99 for the nasal spray version

2. The County's Information Line (dial 2-1-1) has locations of only County sites.  County sites provide free vaccinations.

3. The Department of Public Health's website has County only sites, see (http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/flu/index.htm.

4. Department of Public Health's L.A. County Health Line provides info on County sites and also volunteer sites such as churches, senior centers etc. that are partnering with the County.  Vaccinations at these sites are free.  The L.A. County Health Line number is (800) 427-8700, from Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Spanish interpreters available.

These are the types of programs offered that may be helpful for Torrance customers:

Gas Company Assistance for Struggling Families...
The Southern California Gas Co. offers several assistance programs to their customers to help reduce winter heating bills and increase energy efficiency during these hard economic times.

CARE (California Alternate Rate for Energy)
Provides a 20% discount on the monthly gas bill for eligible households who may not be able to make their monthly payment. Customers may be automatically eligible if they currently receive benefits from the Women, Infants and Children, Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or LIHEAP programs.

Direct Assistance Program
Provides energy-saving home improvements to income-qualified renters and homeowners. Services include weather-stripping, ceiling insulation, low-flow showerheads, furnace replacement and other minor home repairs.

Medical Baseline Allowance
Customers with a person in the home with certain medical conditions who may require additional heating to sustain their health, may qualify for additional natural gas at the lowest baseline rate.

Gas Assistance Fund
Provides a one-time grant to customers during the winter who are income-qualified and unable to pay their bill.

Please click here for more information.

TORRANCE, Calif., August 7, 2009 - On August 12, 2008, the Torrance City Council adopted the 2008 Strategic Plan for the City.  The Plan was updated by a group of sixteen citizens, who met weekly from January through May.  The City of Torrance Strategic Plan is a proactive statement of where we as a community want to be in the future, how we will get there and who will be responsible for taking us there.

The biggest change in the Strategic Plan is the addition of a new priority addressing environmental concerns and practices.  This priority, entitled "Stewardship of the Environment", addresses goals ranging from increased recycling to more environmentally friendly development practices, and also includes goals encouraging new, green businesses.

The City of Torrance is now working on an Action Plan to implement the goals and sub-goals identified in the Plan. Workshops were conducted in June, and work continues.

To view the Strategic Plan Full Report, click here.

• Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus
• Africanized Honey Bees
• Ticks and Lyme Disease
• Red Imported Fire Ants

This pamphlet will be available at various public counters in City Hall and can be downloaded from the website: http://www.lawestvector.org/.