Vlounteer eNEWSLETTER

Volunteer  eNEWSLETTER                      SPRING 2013




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REMEMBERING LEONARD 'DUTCH' HOLLAND

OCTOBER 13, 1930 - MARCH 13, 2013

RESIDED IN TORRANCE, CA

Originally from Rhode Island, "Dutch" was a star football player in high school and developed a love of sports that would last throughout his life. During the Korean War, Dutch joined the Air Force and served as an Airman 2nd Class. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and later moved to California where he met his wife, Betty, on a blind date.

 

Dutch excelled throughout his career with United Parcel Service and was recognized as a Safe Driver by Los Angeles Mayor, Tom Bradley. Yet he was most passionate with his volunteer work. Honored as the Farmers' Market Volunteer of the Year in 2010, Dutch Holland volunteered at the Farmers' Market for over 20 years where he could be found working for farmers and vendors so they could take breaks, passing out load sheets, and collecting fees at the end of the market. He was also the photographer for Santa Claus and Easter Bunny displays. In addition to his volunteer work at the Market, Dutch also volunteered for Torrance Rose Float Association, the Torrance South Bay YMCA and Las Amigas of Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

 

In 2008, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Dutch and Betty with the Chamber's Distinguished Citizen Award for their significant contributions to the community of Torrance.

 

Dutch is survived by his wife, Betty, of 56 years, their children, Dale, and Pattie, and grandchildren Geoff, Brandon, and Amanda. The Volunteer Program staff would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Dutch's family, friends, and fellow volunteers. He will be greatly missed.

MARY LOU WEISS - CHAMPION OF VOLUNTEERS AT THE TORRANCE FARMER'S MARKET

 Weiss looked down at her desk, sighed, and said she wanted to retreat into a cave. She's lost long-time volunteer, Dutch Holland, who passed away on March 13, 2013. Dutch worked with her every Tuesday and Saturday at the Torrance Farmers' Market for 20 years.

 

"He was particularly devoted to St. Moritz Bakery," Weiss said. "He loved their bran muffins; he helped them set up every market day." She pointed to a collection of mechanical toys on a neighboring desk where a mechanical toy UCLA Bruin bear-- a gift from Dutch--is prominently displayed. "And he loved his Bruins too."

 

Gift from Dutch

Throughout the Market Office, there are pictures and mementos of volunteers past and present. It includes a snapshot of former volunteer, Hank Ishikawa dressed in his UCLA sweatshirt ready to play hockey along with several group pictures of Market volunteers dating from 1990 to 2000.

 

Weiss started working for the City of Torrance 22 years ago, taking over for former Market Manager, Rosie Munoz. However, her love of farms and farming began as a small girl growing up in Ohio.

 

"My grandfather's farm had 400 acres of corn, wheat, strawberries, and vegetables like lima beans, broccoli, and cauliflowers," Weiss said. "We also had a smokehouse and butchery, and made butter and milk-everything that you would imagine on a farm."

 

"I grew up with farms and gardens," Weiss said, recalling the days when Ohio's Amish would come to town with their baskets and set up their farmers' market. "In California, farmers' markets have only been around for maybe 30-40 years."

 

Weiss has been a major force in local markets. She is credited for setting up 15 markets in Southern California, managing two markets in Torrance, and one market in Hermosa Beach. Now the Torrance Farmers' Market is widely regarded as one of the best Farmers' Markets in the region and grosses in excess of $5,000,000 in annual sales. And Weiss says it wouldn't be possible without her senior volunteers.

 

"We have had a lot of great volunteers over the years," Weiss paused to consider all of the friends that she has worked with. "Bama McMahon had the most unmistakable drawl. And Gert and Gertrude Lamphen, who were also interested in getting the market started."

 

According to Weiss, the market was the brainstorm of Katy Geissert, and the first market opened in 1985 with Russ Nolte and Mayor Geissert's husband, Bill, who ran the market raffle. When Mary Lou began working at the market, she was tasked to open a second market originally running from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

 

"But it was too cold," Weiss explained. "Wilson Park is like a wind tunnel in the afternoon, but everyone said we needed a Saturday morning market."

 

After conducting a survey with results overwhelmingly in favor for a Saturday market, Weiss still wasn't sure if she wanted to give up her weekends or if she should turn in the results.

 

But in 1992, Weiss began giving up her weekends and opened the Saturday Market to instantaneous success.

Mary Lou Weiss

 

"Within a month, we knew we had a winner," Speaking with obvious pride, Weiss was pleased that the patrons at the market could find "everything but toilet paper." She smiled, "During the supermarket strikes, the community could buy just about any type of food-Produce, butter, milk, and meat. Our market now has several meat vendors-grass fed beef, pork, chicken, and bison."

 

On Tuesdays and Saturdays, volunteers Jerry Herbers, Gudi Kimmel, Renee Gordon, Tony and Audrey D'Acquisto, Dorthy Loomes, Michael Kamimura, and Zita Colagiovanni can currently be found assisting Weiss in the Market Manager Booth. It's clear that Weiss has cared deeply about all of the volunteers and farmers who worked the market.

 

Asked what Weiss' favorite memory was, she firmly stated that she really appreciated working with all of her senior volunteers and the camaraderie that she formed. "We are like a family," Weiss explained. "Their positive attitude has made this market great."

 

"We remember our volunteers and our famers," Weiss said. "If you walk along the sidewalk where the market is held, you can see benches, trees and plaques dedicated to the memory of the volunteers and farmers who served here."

 

Weiss recently announced her retirement coming this June. It will also be her last year organizing the Annual Volunteer Dinner hosted by the City's Community Services Department. However, we hope she will return to serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the annual Volunteer Recognition Event. The Volunteer Program staff would like to wish Weiss the best, and to thank her for being a huge and vital supporter of the City's Volunteer Program.

TORRANCE ART MUSEUM (TAM) DOCENTS

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER HAGIHARA

  

Tucked away near Torrance's Cultural Arts Center sits the Torrance Art Museum (TAM), which opened in 2005 and features artwork from selected artists in and around the South Bay area.

 

Throughout the years, TAM volunteers would often greet guests who enter the museum. However, thanks to the new Docent Training Program created by Scott Frank and Director/Curator for TAM, Max Presneill, TAM's volunteers will soon walk with visitors to explain the various artworks and their artists.

 

Frank, who came highly recommended because of his work with Docents at the Autry Center in Los Angeles, was selected to help create the program alongside Presneill. Each met several times to discuss the details of the new program.

 

"The decisions regarding what to introduce and when were taken by both of us," Presneill said. "The project is new to us and we are constantly reviewing and assessing it so it can continue to develop not only for now, but in the future."

 

The program, which started on January 18, will have volunteers meet several times a month until May 31 in the TAM conference room. Workshops include seminars on how to talk about art, how to showcase an exhibition, how to talk to various audiences, and a field trip to the Bergamont Station Art Center in Santa Monica.

 

"We have very dedicated volunteers here," Cultural Services Division Manager, Eve Rappoport said. "Many have been here since 2005 when we opened, and they have a lot of skills and would like to do more than greet people and sit at the front desk."

 

Additionally, Rappoport believes having this program will help build a community within TAM and boost morale. And, although most volunteers aren't artists, know about art, or studied art, they are all enthusiastic to begin the program and learn about the art.

 

"I'm interested in the art, the language, and the people," Volunteer Barbara Blankenship, said. "I'm retired, and now I'm reinventing myself to be an art person."

 

"In creating a course that is stimulating and enlightening for the docents," Presneill explained. "We hope to see an improved program with more opportunities for the Docents to grow in their expertise in relating art to our visitors."

 

Friend-raising and fund-raising events will occur within the coming months to help supplement the Docent Program. Additionally, suggested donations will be given during events at TAM, and more pilot rentals will be implemented within the next six months.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

 

ARMED FORCES DAY WEEKEND

 

FRIDAY, MAY 17

CONCERT: 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Free concert at the James Armstrong Theatre at 3330 Civic Center Drive. Stay tuned for ticket information.

MILITARY EXHIBITS: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Military exhibits will be on display, including aircrafts, vehicles, and support equipment at the Del Amo Fashion Center. The outdoor exhibits will be in the lower parking lot to the rear (west of) the Lifestyle Wing parking structure.

 

 

PARADE: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

 

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013

The 54th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade begins at Crenshaw Boulevard traveling west on Torrance Boulevard and ending at Madrona Avenue. All streets intersecting the parade route will be closed for the majority of the day. Torrance's parade is the longest-running Armed Forces Day Parade in the nation. As one of few cities designated by the Department of Defense, the City of Torrance is proud to honor the men and women of our nation's Armed Forces. This year's honored branch is the United States Marines.

 

 

MILITARY EXHIBITS: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

 

SUNDAY, MAY 19

MILITARY EXHIBITS: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

 

To attend, submit a registration form on-line at www.TorranceCA.Gov/CommissionerCert.htm

 

 

COMISSIONER CERTIFICATION TRAINING: 6 to 8 p.m.

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

Nakano Theatre 3330 Civic Center Drive

If you have ever wanted to learn more about your government, becoming a Commissioner or Advisory Board Member provides great insight into how government really works.

Before you can be appointed, prospective applicants must attend a certification class. Training topics include: relationship dynamics between various levels of government; the role and responsibilities of a Commissioner; an introduction to the Brown Act, Conflict of Interest Law, and Ethics. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate that is valid for two years.

For more information regarding Commissioner Certification, contact the City Manager's office at 310-618-5880.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Friendly Reminder:

The City will be increasing the enforcement of parking time limits in the Downtown area shortly. As a courtesy to patrons and visitors, we encourage all Downtown business owners, employees, and residents to park in the long term, off-street parking lots and structures in the area.

The Volunteer eNewsletter is an electronic version of the Volunteer Newsletter. You can sign-up by going to www.TorranceCA.Gov/VolunteerProgram.htm