Mar 08
Whittier’s Friendly Famous, Sports Athletes: Football
Friendly Hiller Friendly Memories:
Whittier’s Friendly Famous, Sports Athletes: Football
Whittier has produced some incredible athletes over the years. Because the list is fairly long, we are going to break it into three segments. Most people first think of football and baseball when considering national sports. Turns out Whittier College had a history of football greats that started in the early 1900s. Whittier, which began playing football in 1907, is famous for having former President Richard Nixon play as a tackle for the 1932 squad, and also for having NFL Hall of Fame coach George Allen lead the Poets from 1951-56. Allen left Whittier to become a Rams assistant coach in 1957, and after bouncing around as an NFL assistant, he was named the Rams’ head coach in 1963.
Our most Famous Whittier Football player is Bob Chandler. Chandler was raised in Whittier and graduated from Whittier High School in 1967. Chandler played college football at USC, was a captain and the team’s leading receiver during his senior year as a Trojan in 1970. He played in two Rose Bowl games and, as a junior, was named Most Valuable Player of the 1970 Rose Bowl. A seventh-round pick in the 1971 NFL draft, Chandler played nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills (1971–1979) and three with the Oakland Raiders (who moved to Los Angeles by his final playing season) (1980–1982). He led the NFL in receptions from 1975–1977 with 176, and was named Second-team All-Pro in 1975 and 1977. He also caught four passes for 77 yards in the Raiders#39; 27–10 Super Bowl XV victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in January 1981. Bob’s father was Whittier’s own council member and Mayor, Gene Chandler. Chandler married his college sweetheart, Marilyn, and had three children: Marisa, Justin and Emma. Chandler went on to work in sports broadcasting as well as earning a law degree from Western State University College of Law. Bob died of lung cancer at 45 in January 1995. In 2023, Chandler’s nephew, Jake George, No. 81, is a wide receiver for the University of Arizona Wildcats. Whittier High School#39;s sports facilities are named the Bob Chandler Sports Complex.
Another Whittier pro footballer was Adam Snyder who attended La Serna High School and was coached by Ken LaVigne from 1999 to 2000. During college, Snyder played for the Oregon Ducks the final 11 games of the 2001 season. Snyder departed as one of Oregon#39;s most decorated linemen of all time, becoming the Ducks#39; third Morris Trophy recipient as the Pac-10 Conference#39;s top lineman.
The three-year starter and the school#39;s first two-time first-team all-league offensive line stalwart in four decades extended his string of career starting assignments to 35 at three different positions while playing in 48 of 49 outings. Snyder’s professional career led him to play two separate stints with the San Francisco 49ers. Snyder played often throughout his first three years with the 49ers, fielding every position on the offensive line with the exception of center. His versatility and team-first mentality earned him a contract extension in 2006 that put him with the 49ers through the 2009 season. He became a full-time starter before the 2009 season. Snyder signed a contract extension in 2009, keeping him with the team through the 2011 season. After playing a year with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012-2013, he returned to San Francisco for another year only to leave in 2014 to go to the New York Giants to play for a year. Snyder has a journalism and public relations degree. He is the son of Richard and Judi Snyder and has a sister named Bree. Adam was married in the summer of 2006 to Erika Widmark. He and his wife gave birth to their first child, Kael Richard, in October 2008. They welcomed their second child in September 2010. He lives with his family near Chandler, Ariz., where he owns a student athlete performance training facility, “VYDL Performance.”
David Merle Dalby (October 19, 1950 – August 30, 2002) was an American football center; he played 14 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. In his early years, Dalby was a star linemen at center and defensive end, who led the La Serna Lancers to the California Scholastic Federation AAA football championship in 1967. An all-around athlete in high school, Dalby also played basketball and baseball at La Serna and graduated in 1968. Dalby played college football nearby at UCLA, where he became part of the Bruins’ All-Century team as center, and is a member of the UCLA Hall of Fame. Dalby was the 100th overall pick of the 1972 NFL draft, selected in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders. He played fourteen seasons in the NFL, all with the Raiders (1972–1985) and did not miss a single game. In his fourth year in 1975, Dalby replaced hall of famer Jim Otto as the starting center, who retired after the previous season. He became only the second starting center in franchise history, as Otto
had been the starter since the team#39;s inception in 1960. For the next decade, Dalby was a part of sterling offensive lines which culminated in three Raider Super Bowl victories (XI, XV, XVIII). During
that 1975–1985 window, the Raiders reached the playoffs eight times (1975–1977, 1980, 1982–1985). Dalby is the only center to have three Super Bowl rings. Dalby suffered from alcoholism and was to have a liver transplant. He died in a car accident on August 30, 2002 at 51.
James Arthur Zorn (born in Whittier, CA May 10, 1953) is an American former professional football player and coach. Zorn was a left-handed quarterback, and is best known as the
starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks for their first eight seasons, 1976-1983. Zorn is closely associated with his favorite passing target, Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent. Largent was the first Seahawk inducted into the team#39;s “Ring of Honor & quot; (1989), and Zorn was second (1991). Zorn was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year by the National Football League Players Association following the team#39;s inaugural 1976 season. He was also the Seahawks#39; team MVP, throwing for 12 touchdowns and rushing for four touchdowns. In 1985-86 Zorn left Seattle as quarterback, he played for the Green Bay Packers and then the Winnipeg Bombers. He was the quarterback coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2001 until the 2007 season. Before the 2008 season Zorn was originally hired by the Washington Redskins to serve as offensive coordinator. Two weeks after being hired, he was promoted as the team#39;s head coach. In Zorn’s early years, he played at the junior college level at Cerritos College for two years. In 1973, he transferred to Cal Poly Pomona after accepting their half-scholarship offer. As a junior that season, he registered 2,367 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, receiving Little All-American, Little All-Coast, and Southern California College Division Player of the Year honors. Zorn and his wife, Joy, have four children: daughters Rachael, Sarah, and Danielle and son Isaac. Jim and Joy Zorn are active in Medical Teams International and Pro Athletes Outreach. Medical Teams International is dedicated to implementing and supporting programs that address the causes and effects of inadequate health care worldwide. Jim Zorn currently resides with his wife on Mercer Island, a suburb of Seattle.
I want to thank those who contribute to Wikipedia for the resources and information about our famous folks from Whittier. If you have any contributions or comments, please write me at FriendlyMemories@gmail.com.
– Dr. John Sudick
Nov 22
Family fun that’s affordable in Whittier
By Jackie Santana
Friendly Hiller Correspondent
The holidays are officially here. And with gas pricing soaring daily, we have compiled our top five family friendly activities in Whittier on the cheap.
1. Murphy Ranch Park, 16200 Las Cumbres Drive, Whittier, CA 90603. Get ready to sweat off some of those December and new year’s meals. Did you know? Murphy Ranch Park spans 48 acres of wilderness. Put on your comfortable shoes for this trail, and don’t forget to put your dogs on a leash. Admission and parking are free.
2. College Hills Stairs, Historic District, is located off Ridge Road and Philadelphia Street. Many locals have never heard of these stairs. But these stairs were designed and planned back in the 1920s to connect the streets. These stairs are public and are a little hidden as their location is in a residential area. Enjoy the stairs and get your steps in this season. Admission is free.
3. Parnell Storybook Zoo, 15390 Lambert Road, Whittier, CA 90604. This adorable viewing zoo has a variety of animals and birds to enjoy. The miniature horses are crowd favorites. They also have goats and a few other cute animals. We find this zoo to be great for smaller children between the ages of 1-5, but let’s not forget we are all kids at heart and it’s open to all. Come for an hour, bring a picnic basket and enjoy an afternoon at the park. The zoo is open daily except for Thursdays, as it’s the animals’ rest day. Admission is free.
4. Scotty’s Flowers, 10250 Colima Road, Whittier, CA 90603. This Whittier business has been a staple for many, many years in the Whittier community. They sell flowers, but most locals know them for their yummy shaved ice treats. For $1.50, you can get some delicious shaved ice. In the last few months, they have added boba, teas and cold drinks to their lineup. They are cash only, but for $5, you can get a few yummy treats.
5. Uptown Whittier on Friday nights. We can’t forget all the restaurants, breweries and great night activities in Uptown Whittier on a Friday night. There are shops and great places to eat. You can grab a taco, a slice of pizza, or have fine dining. Whatever you are craving. Taking the kids with you, no problem. You can grab dinner and a movie and be home by 9 p.m. before bedtime. Parking is accessible on the streets, and paid parking is also available.
If you have Whittier activities, places or food we must try, please share via email at friendlyhillswhittier@gmail.com
Nov 13
Whittwood Town Center Specific Plan Amendment
City of Whittier
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT-PLANNING DIVISION
13230 Penn Street, Whittier, California 90602-1772
Tel: (562) 567-9320 Fax: (562) 567-2872
www.cityofwhittier.org
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING
Notice of Scoping Meeting: The City of Whittier (City) is the lead agency pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and intends to prepare an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) for the proposed project identified below. All interested parties are invited to attend
the scoping meeting to assist in identifying issues to be addressed in the EIR. The scoping meeting
will include a brief presentation of the project to be addressed in the EIR and will provide attendees
with an opportunity to provide input to the scope of the EIR either orally or by written comments.
The scoping meeting has been scheduled for November 30, 2022, at 6:00 PM, at the Whittier
City Council Chambers, 13230 Penn St, Whittier, CA 90602.
Participation by a virtual link will also be provided. The link to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88954285823
Or One tap mobile: US: +16694449171, 88954285823#
Or Telephone: Dial US: +1 669 444 9171, 88954285823#
Lead Agency: City of Whittier, Community Development Department
13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602-1772
Phone: 562-567-9320
Project Title: Whittwood Town Center Specific Plan Amendment
City Project No.: Specific Plan Amendment No. SPA20-0005, Tentative Tract Map No.
TTM22-0002 (TTM 83807), and Development Agreement No. DEA22-
0001
Project Location: The 66.4-acre Whittwood Town Center Specific Plan Area is located in
the eastern portion of the City of Whittier, in Los Angeles County,
California. The Area is bounded by Whittier Boulevard to the north,
existing residences and Starbuck Street to the south, Santa Gertrudes
Avenue to the east, and Scott Avenue to the west. The primary
address is 15466 Whittier Boulevard. The Project area is in Section 35,
Township 3 South, Range 11 West, San Bernardino Base Meridian.
NOP Comment Period: In addition to the Scoping Meeting, the City is also conducting a public
review. The 30-day public review period will commence on November 9, 2022 and end on
December 8, 2022. Written comments on the NOP must be received at the City within the public
review period. You may email comments to Patti Nahill, Contract Project Manager, at the following
address: pnahill@cityofwhittier.org. Copies of the Notice of Preparation are available for review at
the above address, at the Whittier Central Library at 7344 Washington Avenue and the
Whittwood Branch Library at 10537 Santa Gertrudes Avenue and on the City’s
website at: www.cityofwhittier.org/government/community-development/environmentaldocuments-notices. In addition, the Notice of Preparation was directly uploaded to the CEQAnet
Web Portal in the State Clearinghouse of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
Whittwood Town Center Specific Plan Amendment
Notice of Scoping Meeting
November 2022/Page 2
Introduction
The Whittwood Town Center is a fully developed, 66.4-acre outdoor retail center that includes
approximately 743,293 square feet (sf) of commercial uses and 114 residential dwelling units (du)
developed under the existing Whittwood Town Center Specific Plan, which allows up to 900,000 sf
of commercial uses and 150 residential du.
Project Description
The proposed Whittwood Town Center Specific Plan Amendment (Project or WTCSPA) will guide
the long-term development and redevelopment of the Project area. It revises the current land use
plan in the context of five planning districts and would allow for the Project area to transition to a
mixed-use village with a larger residential component, with the following modifications:
• An additional 1,200 dwelling units to the currently entitled 150 units, for a total of 1,350
dwelling units within the Specific Plan area.
• Reduction of commercial square footage from 900,000 sf to 600,000 sf. This change would
include the redevelopment of several portions of the Specific Plan area that are currently
occupied by big-box anchor retailers into higher density residential and mixed-use
development.
• The 600,000 commercial square footage is anticipated to encompass a combination of
permitted and conditionally permitted uses, and estimates approximately 379,000 sf of
retail, 30,000 sf grocery use, a 47,000 sf cinema, 30,000 sf fitness use and 114,000
square feet of restaurant, food/quick serve uses.
• Introduction of hotel use accommodating up to 300 rooms, which may be one structure or
divided into multiple structures.
• Realign Whittwood Parkway to provide improved internal circulation and an urban design
framework, with planned open space nodes throughout the Specific Plan area.
• Reoriented transit area to facilitate transit operations within the new design context.
Tentative Tract Map No. 83807 is proposed and designed to implement a significant portion of the
WTCSPA as amended. A Development Agreement between the City and Whittwood 1768, Inc. is
being proposed to vest development over properties under their ownership.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT
Based on a preliminary review of the proposed project consistent with section 15060 of the CEQA
Guidelines, the City has determined that an EIR should be prepared for this proposed project. In
addition, consistent with section 15082 of the CEQA Guidelines, the City has identified the following
probable significant environmental effects of the project, which will be addressed in the EIR for this
project:
• Air Quality • Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Hydrology/Water Quality
• Transportation • Utilities/Service Systems • Mandatory Findings of Significance
The City has determined that there is not a likelihood of impacts related to the following
environmental topics:
• Agricultural/Forestry Resources • Mineral Resources • Wildfire
The City proposes that the EIR indicate the reasons why these effects were determined not to be
significant and are therefore not addressed in detail in the EIR.
