Hey, neighbor!

Anyone else miss it already?

For the past five weeks, soccer was everywhere — on TVs in restaurants, at packed watch parties, in group texts, and on fields full of kids with new players to imitate. Even if you couldn’t explain much of anything happening on the pitch, it was hard not to get swept up in the World Cup.

There was triumph and heartbreak, incredible effort and a whole lot of joy. Strangers cheered together. Underdogs gave us new teams to root for. For a little while, it felt like everyone was watching the same thing.

It was pretty fun to care about something together. So, thanks for the memories World Cup.

Now, here's your weekly wave.

In this issue:

🌊 Woodstock at Wilson Park, $3 antique appraisals + a poolside movie

🌊 Meet the man putting Torrance on the international art map

🌊 1,000 new parking spaces + a few changes coming around town

🎉 P.S. A Tide milestone: I got to present The Torrance Tide to the Cultural Arts Commission this week — and seeing our little newsletter on an actual City agenda was pretty surreal. Thanks for reading, sharing and sending so many good things my way each week.

Meet Max Presneill, Director and Head Curator of the Torrance Art Museum

You don’t have to head downtown — or even leave Torrance — to encounter some of the most interesting contemporary art being made today.

Max Presneill has spent years making sure of it.

An artist himself, with work exhibited around the world, Max has led the Torrance Art Museum since 2009. As Director and Head Curator, he’s spent those years bringing acclaimed artists to Torrance, giving emerging artists some of their earliest museum opportunities and quietly building the museum’s reputation far beyond the South Bay.

“We’ve shown a lot of the most famous living artists in the world here,” Max said. “People don’t know that.”

His advice for first-time visitors is simple: come with an open mind.

“You will come across some things that take your fancy and some things that you might not like very much,” he said. But that’s part of what a museum is for.

“True education is about being told stuff you don’t know.”

And Aug. 7–9, Max is going even bigger.

TRYST, which Max founded, brings artist-run spaces and collectives from around the world to Torrance for an event built around experimentation and exchange rather than competition or commerce. Alongside it, NOMAD will showcase more than 150 Southern California artists — putting international and local art under one roof.

For three days, you can wander from room to room, talk directly with artists and see work you’re unlikely to stumble across at a traditional gallery.

“It’s a big circus, but it’s great fun,” Max said. For returning participants, he said, it can start to feel like a reunion, with a camaraderie that’s harder to find at commercial art fairs.

His message to locals? “You’re missing out if you’re not partaking of the programs that we offer.”

Turns out there’s a whole world of art waiting for you right here in Torrance.

Next week, meet Andreanna and Sean, the husband-and-wife team behind Bettolino Kitchen and Wild Roots, who are carrying generations of South Bay hospitality into a fresh new chapter.

Know someone quietly making Torrance better? Hit reply and tell us. Those are our favorite stories to tell.

🎨 Your August Art Calendar If Max convinced you to see what you’ve been missing, August is a very good month for it. Aug. 1–29: Studio System turns the Torrance Art Museum’s Main Gallery into a working studio, with artists creating on-site as visitors watch. Aug. 7–9: TRYST + NOMAD take over Del Amo Crossing for one massive art weekend. TRYST—the world’s largest international alternative art fair for artist-run galleries—brings participants from across the U.S. and as far as Vienna, São Paulo, Bogotá, Berlin and Athens to Torrance. Alongside it, NOMAD showcases more than 150 Southern California artists. Expect art in just about every form, plus performances, conversations and the chance to meet artists and organizers directly. Also on view: From a Greek Isle, featuring work created through a Torrance–Greece artist exchange, and CULTURIDE, a documentary exploring art, community, and democracy across America. Best part? It’s all free. 🖼️ Plan Your Art Adventure →​

​Suggest an event. | Feature your event.​

If you caught our Locals Only conversation with Andy Hill and Renee Safier earlier this summer, you know they’ve been making music together for more than 35 years. This Saturday, they’re bringing Hard Rain to Wilson Park for a trip back to Woodstock, playing songs from the legendary festival. Bring a blanket, find a spot on the grass and catch two Tide favorites doing what they do best.

Wilson Park Amphitheatre | Saturday, July 25 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Free

Friday, July 24

Madrona Marsh Preserve – Friday Fun at 10 a.m. Story time, nature crafts and a walk through the Preserve for kids ages 3–6 and their grownups. A sweet little Friday morning outing for the preschool crowd.

El Retiro Library – Library Olympics at 11 a.m. Go for the gold with mini-carnival games and prizes outside at El Retiro Park. No years of training required.

Nearby: Cruise at the Beach – Old Skool Summer Cruise at 3:45 p.m. Meet near Seaside Lagoon, then cruise the Esplanade past Torrance Beach and up through Palos Verdes, ending at the Terranea Discovery Trail lookout.

Scholb Premium Ales – Book Swap + Social Club with The Fleuria at 4 p.m. Bring up to five romance, fantasy or fiction books you’re ready to part with and leave with something new to read. Staying to talk books with strangers is highly encouraged.

Walteria Library – Scent Lab at 4:30 p.m. An adults-only workshop all about fragrance notes and finding the combinations you like best. Basically, a chance to play perfumer for the afternoon.

Victor E. Benstead Plunge – Swim-In Movie Night: Zootopia 2 at 7 p.m. Movie night, but from a pool float. Watch from the water or grab a chair on the deck.

Saturday, July 25

West High – Swap Meet at 7 a.m. Antiques, collectibles, toys, tools and whatever else turns up in the West High parking lot. Come prepared to dig — proceeds support the softball team.

Wilson Park – Torrance Farmers’ Market at 8 a.m. Peak-summer produce, fresh flowers and a very good excuse for those warm mini pancakes. Bring a tote and see what looks good.

Madrona Marsh Preserve – South Bay Bird Walk at 9 a.m. A free guided walk especially good for new and beginner birders. Don’t own binoculars? They’ll have some to borrow.

Nordstrom at Del Amo – Anniversary Beauty Bash at 10 a.m. Wander the beauty counters for special offers, makeup tutorials, samples and gifts with purchase.

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center – Back-to-School Health Fair at 10 a.m. Free health and dental screenings, vaccines, family resources and plenty for the kids, including games and face painting. Registered attendees can also pick up free school supplies while they last.

North Torrance Library – Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and plenty of movement for little readers and their people.

Smog City – Summer of Lagers Backyard BBQ at 12 p.m. A King of the Hill-inspired afternoon with summer lagers, Tripp Burgers, Sweet Stix paletas and live bluegrass from The Fancies from 3–6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Dressing as your favorite Arlen resident is apparently also on the table.

Walteria Library – Chinese Art Through the Five Elements at 2 p.m. Kids can explore Chinese art through earth, water, fire, wood and metal in this hands-on workshop. It’s the first of two sessions, but each works on its own.

Wilson Park Amphitheatre – Andy & Renee & Hard Rain at 5 p.m. A free trip back to Woodstock with two longtime South Bay favorites. Bring something to sit on and stay awhile.

Nearby: Dignity Health Sports Park – Campeón de Campeones at 5:30 p.m. Not ready for soccer season to be over? Good news. Toluca takes on Cruz Azul for Liga MX’s bragging rights.

Mom Said Yes – Country House Party at 8:30 p.m. A seven-piece band, modern country and pop crossovers, plus pizza and a dance floor. Boots optional, presumably.

Sunday, July 26

Downtown Torrance – Antique Street Faire at 8 a.m. Vintage finds, retro treasures and the possibility that Grandma’s lamp is secretly worth something. Antique appraisals are just $3, plus there’s live music, DJ Ozzie and a noon performance from Jazz It Up Studio’s XPRESS Dance Team.

The Brews Hall – Summer Car Show at 11 a.m. Classic and custom rides take over the lot for a free summer car show. Have something worth showin off? Bring your own ride along.

Absolution Brewing – Pasta-Making Class at 12 p.m. Make fresh pasta from scratch with Chef Dwayne, then eat the results. Ingredients, tools and your eventual lunch are all included.

Wilson Park – Low-Cost Pet Vaccine Clinic at 12 p.m. An easy way to help keep your four-legged family members healthy and protected with vaccines and microchipping.

Mom Said Yes – Adam Carolla Live at 6 p.m. + 8 p.m. The comedian and longtime radio personality brings his stand-up to Torrance for two intimate shows. A much shorter drive than Hollywood, with pizza.

All Weekend

James Armstrong Theatre – Shrek the Musical Final Weekend. Last call for Duloc. The Aerospace Players wrap up their run with a live orchestra Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and one final Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

Nearby: CRAFTED at the Port of LA – CRAFTYFEST. Two days of making things, trying things and probably coming home with things. Workshops range from water marbling and candle pouring to jewelry making, painting and tea blending.

Nearby: Long Beach Shoreline Waterfront – Vans Warped Tour. Calling all elder emos: your weekend has arrived. Jimmy Eat World, Simple Plan, All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday, Third Eye Blind, Mayday Parade and 100+ other acts take over the waterfront, alongside skating, BMX, wrestling and a concentrated dose of 2000s nostalgia.

Nearby: Huntington Beach – U.S. Open of Surfing. The nine-day competition kicks off Saturday with some of the world’s best surfers in the water and plenty happening on land, too. If you need a reason to make a beach day of it, this is one.

Nearby: Redondo Beach – Shakespeare by the Sea: Macbeth. Free Shakespeare under the stars, this time with an ocean breeze. Catch Macbeth Friday at Veterans park or Saturday at Dominguez Park, both at 7 p.m. Bring a picnic, something to sit on and probably a sweater.

​
Weather Forecast? July seems to be showing off a little.

☀️ Fri 69°/84° Sunny
☀️ Sat 69°/82° Mostly Sunny
☀️ Sun 69°/82° Mostly Sunny

⚠️ A quick weather heads-up: A Heat Advisory is in effect Thursday through Monday, with warm, humid days and less overnight relief than usual. Torrance libraries and select city facilities are available as cooling centers. Heading to the beach? A Beach Hazards Statement is also in effect through Sunday evening, with 3–6-foot breaking waves and dangerous rip currents — so stay near a lifeguard and use extra caution around the water.

🍽️ Must Try Kansha Creamery | Mr. Universal | Milk ice cream loaded with house-made caramel and oatmeal cookies. ​The Menu →

🎶 On Repeat "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac | For ordinary July days that somehow feel worth remembering. ​Hit Play →​

🏡 Eye Catching 23508 Susana Ave. | Those soaring, beamed ceilings. And that deck. ​Let's Go →

🏺 Get Grandma’s lamp appraised—for $3. Got something weird in the garage? A vintage jewelry box, a mystery painting, that lamp nobody remembers buying? This Sunday’s Antique Street Faire has an appraisal booth for exactly this: $3 a pop, no appointment needed. Worst case, you learn it’s worth nothing and finally toss it guilt-free. Best case, you become the neighbor with a very good story. (P.S. If this is you, please let us know!)

💄 Consider this your excuse to find a new signature lip. M·A·C at Del Amo is celebrating National Lipstick Day July 25–26 with in-store artists helping you create your perfect lip combo — plus 40% off select lip products through July 29.

🛒 $10 off your next grocery haul. New to Instacart? Use our link to get $10 off your first grocery delivery — and The Tide gets $10, too. A little savings for you, a little support for us.

🌼 Yes, have people over for no reason at all. We loved this reminder that friends don’t need a special occasion to get together. Put something good on the table, text a few people, open the door, and call it a party. Summer is reason enough.

Found something delightfully Torrance this week? Hit reply and send it our way!

🚉 A lot more parking is coming to the Transit Center
​Torrance is moving ahead with a major expansion of its Regional Transit Center, approving plans for a new four-story parking structure with roughly 1,000 spaces. The nearly $36 million construction contract was approved unanimously, with the city aiming to finish the project in time for the 2028 Olympics. The added capacity is expected to support growing transit use and special-event shuttles running from the center.

🏛️ Torrance will appoint its next District 4 councilmember
​With Sharon Kalani’s move from the District 4 council seat to the mayor’s chair, Torrance now has one empty seat at City Hall. The City Council voted to fill the vacancy through an appointment rather than a special election, meaning interested District 4 residents will have a chance to apply to serve the remainder of Kalani’s term, which runs through March 2028.

☎️ You can now speak at City Council meetings from home
​Want to weigh in at a Torrance City Council meeting without heading to City Hall? Torrance residents can now provide public comment by phone during City Council meetings. You can still speak in person or submit comments online ahead of time, but the new call-in option makes participating in local government a little easier.

📱Phone-free school days are coming
​A new California law limiting student smartphone use on campus is taking effect, with schools required to adopt policies restricting phone use during the school day. The law — co-authored by Torrance Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi — is aimed at reducing classroom distractions while still allowing phone access in certain situations, including emergencies. Expect to hear more from local schools as policies roll out for the new school year.

🚓 One night. Six neighborhoods. One community.
​Mark your calendar for National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Torrance will host six neighborhood gatherings — one in each council district — where residents can meet Torrance Police officers, city officials, and, perhaps most importantly, the people who live just down the street. It's one of those simple community traditions that reminds you why Torrance feels like home.

📲 A 5-minute emergency prep win
​Consider this your friendly reminder to sign up for TorranceAlerts, the city’s free emergency notification system. You can get important updates by text, phone, email, or app during fires, earthquakes, public health emergencies, and other events where residents may need to take action. It’s a small step now that could make a big difference later.

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