TORRANCE, Calif.—The City of Torrance hosted the ninth annual Cherry Blossom Festival on April 3, in honor of the cherry trees gifted by a Buddhist organization, Soka Gakkai International, and to promote cultural diversity. About a thousand residents attended the event, which featured over 40 vendors, Origami Arts, face painting, as well as multicultural performances including Pan-Asian Dancers and Taiko Drummers. “The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates all things Pan-Asian, things that make Torrance, in particular, a wonderful community to live, work, and play,” said John La Rock, who works in community services for the city. “The opportunity for cultural education and appreciation is achieved by sharing experiences in art, music, foods, crafts, and social awareness.” Sunny Seki, the author of bilingual children’s books including The Last Kappa of Old Japan, The Tale of the Lucky Cat, and Yuko-Chan and the Daruma Doll, was a crowd favorite. “I got a bunch …