MAY 2023

Why Work for the City of Torrance?

2023 DIVERSITY CALENDAR FOR MAY

2023 DIVERSITY CALENDAR FOR JUNE

Click the images to enlarge.

SHARE YOUR CREATIVE SKILLS IN OUR SPOTLIGHT

Interested in having your creativity highlighted in the next edition of InfoBits?

Creative hobbies and arts can include, but are not limited to:

resin art, photography, videography, painting, drawing/sketching, knitting, quilting, ceramics, digital art, needle work, creative writing, dance, music

For details and questions, please reach out to:

Jaclyn Higuera

      (310) 618-2968 | [email protected]

Kaiser Permanente

Read up on some important tips and tricks and check out a recipe that gives a hint of flavor to a healthy snack.

4 Common Types of Yoga: Many people practice yoga to benefit their overall health; it can help with pain relief, depression management, and even quitting smoking. Depending on your goals, you may want a style that offers specific benefits.

Trouble Focusing? Try these tips to build attention span: Learn about ways you can build your attention span – which in turn can improve your mindfulness, relationships, and even work.

Recipe: Tajin Cucumber Salad

Fitness Deals: Kaiser Permanente members have access to numerous reduced rates on studios, gyms, fitness gear, and online classes. Visit their website to learn more about discounts on things like ClassPass; Active&Fit Direct; fitness gear such as activity trackers (FitBit, Garmin), workout apparel (Skechers, PRO Compression), and exercise equipment (TRX, Gaiam).

Blue Shield California

Stay connected and learn more about what events Blue Shield is offering by visiting their

Virtual Events Dashboard

June's virtual events:

June 1^st – Watch Your Mouth – Webinar

Event Description: Taking care of our oral health helps our digestion, immunity, and disease prevention. Come join us for this webinar as we discuss the importance of oral health. We will discuss prevention strategies and share valuable tips on how to improve your oral care. 

June 15^th – The Creativity Cure – Webinar

Event Description: Creativity is a healing instrument. In this fun and exciting webinar, we will take a deep dive into the research behind creativity, and discuss ways to tap into your own inspiration. Take the time to join us for this unique webinar. You may even discover something new about yourself to explore your creative side.

June 29^th – Hormone Havoc – Webinar

Event Description: Hormones rule the day. These hormones are then responsible for much of the way our body functions. We invite you to this hormone-balanced webinar to gain insight on how your body’s hormones work and will help you learn more about hormone-balancing so you can feel your best.

On-demand Webinars (Recorded Presentations):

• Heart to Heart
• Dynamics of Hunger
• Healing from a Broken Heart
• A Clean Start
• What's in Your Pantry
• Fat Burning
• Happiness and Healing
• ...and many more!

IT'S BACK!

HEALTHY TORRANCE: MIND & BODY

Our employee wellness program

Healthy Torrance: Mind & Body

is back for the Summer of 2023!

What is our program about?

Healthy Torrance: Mind & Body is our employee wellness program that targets mental and physical wellness, while also encouraging participants to connect with the community and build relationships with other City employees and departments.

How does this program work?

- Register for the program with a team (up to 5 members) or as an individual.

- Log your weekly activities using our online Activity Form.

- Work your way to the top of the leaderboard for great prizes!

Need more information?

- Visit our Healthy Torrance: Mind & Body website to see what the Winter 2023 round was like.

- Check out our Summer 2023 brochure

- Visit our FAQs

- Take a look at our updated list of some included program activities!

- Don’t see an activity you’d like listed? Fill out our activity recommendation form to submit an activity for consideration.

Questions? Contact Human Resources!

(310) 618-2960 | [email protected]

- FOR MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS - 

HR Toolkit Training for Management and Supervisors

"Certification Program"

Participation for Managers and Supervisors required

A range of essential training to provide Managers and Supervisors with a "Toolkit" of HR Resources and other practical information specific to Human Resources topics.

Classes are specific Thursdays 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Submit registration for Supervisor approval prior to attending webinar

- FOR EMPLOYEES - 

Career Preparation Training

(Registration will be updated on TEN)

What Do I Say and How Do I Prepare for a Civil Service Interview?

To be successful in an interview, applicants must be able to communicate how their qualifications will be the best fit for the job. In this class, you will gain insight on what to expect during an interview, commonly asked questions, how to present your skills, and stay poised to get that job!

Date: Thursday, June 1, 2023

Time: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Location: Human Resources Multipurpose Room

Lunch and Learn

(Registration will be updated on TEN)

Your City of Torrance Benefits Overview

Do you know what your benefits are? Do you know how to access them? Do you know who to call if you have questions? Come listen to Inshirah Mabson, Principal Human Resources Analyst, and Doreka Patterson, Human Resources Technician, your “Benefits Representatives,” go over what benefits are available to you and how to access them.

Date: Monday, June 12, 2023

Time: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Human Resources Multipurpose Room

Online Training through the Torrance Library website

If you are interested in training on a specific topic, visit the library website under “Learning Resources” and find a few websites that have various training to offer.

Free access (with a library card) to the following state-funded resources:

• Coursera
• GetSetUp
• LearningExpress
• LinkedIn Learning
• Northstar Digital Literacy
• Skillshare

ADP Online Learning Management System

Find a host of developmental resources in the learning tab on your MyADP portal! Learn how to get started and start a course today.

Feel free to contact Lindy Hedde with any questions and visit TEN Employee Training and Development often for updates on classes and schedules:

Lindy Hedde - Training Coordinator

(310) 618-2827 | [email protected]

Apprentice Relief Bus Operator

The City of Torrance has an exceptional three-month, paid training program that includes a classroom and behind-the-wheel training. This is a training program for individuals who have NO previous experience in operating commercial passenger vehicles, and who do NOT possess a commercial license.

Bus Operator (Full-Time)

The City of Torrance is actively seeking courteous, customer service-oriented and dependable individuals to safely operate our buses and provide the highest quality of service to our customers and community. Transit Bus Operators are responsible for the safe operation of a passenger bus on assigned routes and schedules. The position requires an individual with a courteous and positive attitude toward the public at all times. Bus Operators must drive safely, answer questions about all routes and schedules, ensure passengers deposit fares in the fare box, and report any items that may be deficient using proper forms and procedures.

Deputy City Clerk II

The Deputy City Clerk II performs research, data gathering and analysis for written reports to the City Clerk, City Manager and City Council, and performs specialized research of Council legislative history; represents the City in contacts with citizen groups, boards, commissions, governmental officials and the public; serves as a public notary for City documents; signs warrants; attests to agreements, contracts and various other documents.

Deputy Public Works Director - City Engineer

The Deputy Public Works Director – City Engineer manages the Engineering Division (staff of 23) which is responsible for multiple public works infrastructure projects and special city projects included in the City's multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), as well as Traffic Engineering. City infrastructure includes: 848 lane miles of roadways; bridges; 123 traffic signals, including a Traffic Management Center; storm drains, channels and retention basins; 287 miles of sanitary sewer system; 320 miles of potable water system and facilities; and water reservoirs and pump stations. Duties include: planning and budgeting for new projects; securing outside (i.e. federal, state, grant) funding; engineering design, including use of consultants; administration of public bidding; and construction management of each project.

Engineering Manager

Under general direction, the Engineering Manager manages complex engineering work including the planning, design, bidding, construction and administration of public works projects; performs specialized engineering work in the analysis, design and construction of public works; and performs related work as required, including supervision of assigned staff. Attendance at Commission, City Council and other public meetings is expected. The Engineering Manager will be tasked with projects related to developing the City’s water supply; water main replacements; and sewer and storm drain replacements. The position also includes various assignments involving the City’s Integrated Regional Watershed Management Plan (IRWMP), Enhanced Watershed Management Program (WMP & EWMP); storm water quality monitoring, reporting and compliance program (i.e. NPDES and MS4 permit, etc.) and attendance at related meetings.

Fire Prevention Specialist (Community Risk Reduction)

The Fire Prevention Specialist conducts inspections, plan review and performs inspections of hazardous processes, fire protection and extinguishing systems to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, and standards. This position performs progressively responsible activities of an administrative and technical nature related to environmental quality involving general compliance management (generally Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Material and Underground Storage Tank (UST) Management).

Relief Bus Operator

Relief Bus Operators perform pre-trip inspection of buses, safety check equipment, and inform dispatch when adjustments or repairs are necessary. This position safely operates a bus on an assigned route by following defensive driving practices; and maintains schedules for pull-out time and en-route services. Relief Bus Operators provide schedules, routes, and fare information to passengers seeking assistance.

Hear from some of our City of Torrance Transit Employees about their careers! Click the images below to view the videos.

Elijah Powers

Teresa Tucker

Maritza Jacobo

Himanshu Patel

For more information and to apply for these positions and others,

please visit our website: www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs

Know someone interested in current or future positions?

Here's how it works:

1. Prior to the final filing date of the recruitment or prior to receiving the referred candidate’s application for open continuous recruitments, you must submit a completed Referral Program Form to the Civil Service Division.
2. Once the applicant successfully completes all phases of the examination and background process and has been appointed to the designated position, you’ll be eligible to receive the first referral bonus.
3. Once the applicant has successfully completed 90 days continuous of employment, you’ll receive the second referral bonus.

It's that easy!

Bonus options:

• You’ll have an opportunity to choose between cash and vacation time; you can also mix and match your first and second bonus options.
• Bonus options are:

A) cash - $100

B) vacation time - 8 hours

For more information on the program and necessary forms, visit Employee Referral Program.

Here's the latest list of retirements, promotions and new hires for the City.

How Employers And Employees Can Prioritize Mental Health In The Workplace

“I have found that while you can provide optimum job training for employees, it’s important to ensure that staff are mentally supported as well… we should ensure that our people have the required mental freedom, space and strength to support their mental well-being.” Author Muhammad Asif – entrepreneur, investor and CEO of MCA International – addresses common “tell-tale signs” of someone struggling with their mental health, such as decreases in productivity, low levels of engagement, withdrawal from social situations, and how employers can help by educating leadership, creating an open and supportive company culture, and initiating the discussion to make necessary changes.

It’s always important to consider your well-being from a holistic point of view, including your finances. Every day is an opportunity to think about your retirement goals and figure out if you are on-target or need to make some progress.

Michael Anderson, CFP®

Retirement Plan Advisor

[email protected]

Mobile: (213) 393-7391

Michael is available to provide you one-on-one counseling with personalized account services, such as:

• Enrollment
• Contributions
• Retirement readiness
• Investment choices
• Account review
• Comparison of retirement plans
• Rollovers – Consider all your options and their features and fees before moving money between accounts

Whether you’re looking for general information related to your retirement savings, wanting to learn more ways you can save for your future or just wanting to go over the benefits of your plan, Michael can help you.

Your Retirement Plan Advisor is a salaried CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional with one goal: to help prepare you for retirement.

(800) 701-8255

www.Torrance457.com

Our Empower Retirement advisor, Michael Anderson, will be offering opportunities to schedule an in-person meeting during the dates and times below. Schedule an in-person one-on-one meeting to learn about Empower and what they can do for you and your finances for the future. Visit Michael's link to schedule your one-on-one in-person meeting: https://TorranceHR.EmpowerMyTime.com

Questions? Call Human Resources at (310) 618-2960

RETIREMENT CORNER

5 Important Steps for New CalPERS Members

New to the City of Torrance and the CalPERS retirement system? Register your myCalPERS account and see what other resources are available to you to familiarize yourself with your retirement benefit!

Retirement Planning Checklist

Planning to retire soon?

See what you should be doing for 1 or more years before retiring, 1 year before retiring, 9 months before retiring, 6 months before retiring, 5 months before retiring, 3-4 months before retiring, and 1-4 months after retiring.

Employee Assistant Program (EAP) - Aetna Resources For Living

Aetna Resources for Living is an employer-sponsored program, available at no cost to you and all members of your household. Aetna offers assistance with emotional well-being support, daily life assistance, legal services, financial services, and much more! The member website offers a full range of tools and resources, and telephone services are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Decompression 101

Do you often get home from work and feel tense?

Whether it's a long commute, constantly facing deadlines or feeling revved up all day at a job you love, it can sometimes be hard to truly decompress and relax after work.

Your mind and body need time to cultivate calm. It can benefit your overall mental and physical health, with lower blood pressure and better sleep.

Ways to decompress:

• Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and slowly. Inhale through your nose, and then breathe out, counting to ten. Repeat for at least three minutes and feel the stress leaving your body.
• Research shows soaking in a not-too-hot but relaxingly warm bath improves blood flow and reduces muscle tension. And that can help your mind take a breather, too.
• Exercise is a great way to relieve mental tension, and even if you don't feel like hitting the gym, a walk outdoors in nature alone or with your dog, friend, or family member is pleasurable decompression therapy.
• Consciously stop being glued to your phone and computer. Listen to music, read, and indulge in hobbies and talents you've ignored for a while. Spend quality time talking and listening to friends and family.
• If you know you need downtime, take a vacation day or two and relax at home.
• Studies show a therapeutic massage lowers the stress hormone cortisol.

EXPERT Advice - Elizabeth Smoots, MD

Q: Do I need testing for inflammation?

A: Inflammation is an important contributor to many chronic disorders, including heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. However, it doesn't tell the whole story, since excess weight, smoking, autoimmunity, chronic infections, toxins, genetics, and many other factors can lead to long-term illness.

Guidelines do not recommend routine inflammation testing for everyone. Inflammation tests, such as sedimentation rate (the distance red blood cells fall in a test tube in one hour) or C-reactive protein level (which rises when you have inflammation), can be used along with symptom evaluation and other tests to help diagnose an inflammatory condition, such as giant cell arteritis (inflammation of certain arteries, especially those near the temples). Monitoring inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also be done using the tests.

Getting regular medical care can help detect the presence of risk factors for inflammation. The risk factors are usually evaluated and treated without the need for inflammation testing. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as brisk walking, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and avoiding pro-inflammatory ingredients, such as sugar, are other important ways to help reduce inflammation.

The Best Sunscreens for Every Skin Type and Lifestyle

Just in time for summer! Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist and an expert in facial rejuvenation, reminds us of the three factors to consider when making your choice of a perfect sunscreen match: your skin type, your lifestyle, and your skin tone. She breaks down which sunscreen is best for which skin type (oily, dry, sensitive) and which lifestyles (active, under make-up).

The City of Torrance is not responsible for the content of the preceding articles. Please consult your doctor for further advice and answers to any questions you may have.

TORRANCE HISTORY:

TORRANCE'S EARLY HISTORY WITH TELEPHONES

Torrance Herald 1953, banner headline to make subscribers aware of direct dialing using FAirfax 1-1234

It is hard to think that there were such things as dial telephones, attached by a wire, no less. Yet, up to 1953, most Torrance residents had to call the operator to place a call, even within the city limits. Most families, if they had a phone at all, had only one; that phone was usually in the front hall where the family could listen in on your phone call to your date.

Torrance, being the Model Industrial City, had telephone service since its founding. Two years later, in 1914, the City boasted sixteen phones! The Torrance phone exchange started in the “Post Office Building” in what was one of the original Gill designed buildings across from the Depot (now condos). 

Ad from the 1914 Herald. Note how there is both a business and home number.

Looking at the early directories and advertisements, many familiar names had the early phones: Levy, Bartlett, Isenstein. Even better, many early phone numbers were “1”. Before the 1950s in Torrance, if you wanted to place a call you simply picked up the receiver and asked the operator to call, say, #49. Or, if you had a dial phone, you could dial “49” directly. Many early phone numbers were the same digit because of the use of party lines. If your number ended in a J, M, R or W, that line was a party line which meant anyone on the line could hear your conversation. However, if you wanted a number in another exchange, say you were calling a Lomita number, you had to go through the operator. 

From the 1922 City Phone Directory. 

The phone exchange grew with the City. A new purpose-built phone exchange was constructed in 1928. When the “fine new telephone building,” complete with gardens and lounge for the operators, was built, Torrance had 649 telephones, out of a population of about 5,500. As the City expanded the phone exchanged didn’t. The City was served by the Redondo exchange in the west, Gardena in the north and Lomita in the south. This could cause a problem with delayed calls to Torrance police and fire. One couldn’t “dial” 911; a Walterite would connect to the Redondo exchange and the operator would have to connect them to Torrance. This state of things would change moving into the 50s.

Look familiar? The building is now Red Car Brewery

After World War II the phone company started implementing direct dialing between exchanges. This meant that, after 1953, a Torrance resident could directly dial “millions across Los Angeles County”. That was big! Now, as the papers trumpeted, “Torrance is FAirfax” (well mostly, but Torrance was also “FRontier” and other exchange prefixes). In order to work the change, all phone numbers had to be in what they call the 2L-4 or 5N format; that is the two letters of your exchange with four or five digits afterward. You can still see examples in pre-1960s movies and radio such as Yukon 28209. City Hall’s number was 626 in 1946 and changed to FA 8-5310 ten years later

Gearing up for direct dial in the 50s, the phone company built a large, new modern-switching facility on the corner of Cravens and Engracia (still in use) and a new office building further down on Torrance Blvd. When the office building was opened in 1963, it handled 25,700 “113” information calls (how you got information on your phone before “smart” phones).  

It would not be until the mid 1960s, well after they got rid of the exchange prefixes (FAirfax would just be “32” giving the familiar seven digit number), that all South Bay phone exchanges would change to direct dial; no more calling the operator for that long distance call to Redondo. The last exchange to change was Avalon in 1978. Ahead lay area codes, automatic dialing, and the proliferation of phone numbers we have now. When you call your friend back east, remember the days of yore when phone numbers were up to four digits, the bank of switchboard operators were waiting to place your call and the cost of such a phone call in those days. 

1953 Herald. Phone company employee to install “a shiny new dial instrument” to a subscriber. Remember when you had to lease your telephone from the phone company?

Q: Billed, in 1950, as the “largest food store in Torrance”, Roth’s boasted the “largest free parking lot” (300 spaces) in Torrance and an impressive neon sign. Roth’s was built at a staggering half a million dollars but would not keep its title as “largest food store” for long. Where was Roth’s Super Market located?

(Grand opening pics, Torrance Herald) 

A. Torrance Blvd and Maple (where the Courthouse now stands)

B. Post Ave between Cravens and Sartori (now condos and offices)

C. PCH and Crenshaw (ex-United Artist Theater)

D. Crenshaw and Artesia (now Smart & Final)

E. There was never a Roth's Grocery in Torrance

Submit your answer to [email protected].

The winner will be announced in the next issue!

The winner of April's trivia is Lina Dominguez from the Human Resources Department! Congratulations Lina! Please reach out to Human Resources to claim your prize.



Answer (D): You guessed it, “Borrance” was not a nickname thought up by the Chamber of Commerce”. “Borrance” could be heard uttered on the visitor side of Torrance High football games or by other, less fortunate, communities. Apparently, “Borrance” was coined because of the seeming sedate nature of the city or its lack of entertainment facilities. 

Interested in staying up-to-date on local city events and information, such as traffic impacts and museum exhibits?

Check out the Torrance eNewsletter for all things Torrance!

TRENDING IN TORRANCE

The City of Torrance is proud to share our latest website www.TrendingInTorrance.com! This website is designed to inform the community on some of the most pressing topics in the City of Torrance. Learn all about illegal cannabis operations and smoke-free in multi-unit residentials and more! www.TrendingInTorrance.com will be updated as new information and topics begin to trend.

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW

The City of Torrance is proud to release its second Citywide report, a 2022 Year in Review. 

The City Manager’s Office, in collaboration with staff from each of the 14 City departments, compiled the information and produced the report to communicate with the City Council and members of the public a highlight of projects across all departments for the 2022 calendar year.

This report is a new tool to better engage with the public and provide an update of the depth of City services and accomplishments from the prior calendar year. Embedded QR codes and hyperlinks allow for convenient access to additional information on all of the included material.



In an effort to lower costs and to have a more sustainable footprint, the report has a limited print distribution, but it is available online for the public to review at www.TorranceCA.Gov/YearInReview.

SEE WHAT TORRANCE IS DOING!

A lot goes on in Torrance. Take a second to check out the postcard above and See What Torrance Is Doing...

City of Torrance www.TorranceCA.Gov