El Rancho legend to be honored

Legendary El Rancho High School football coach Ernie Johnson, who died Sept. 15 at the age of 87, will be honored by the school at two upcoming events.

Johnson will be remembered at halftime of El Rancho’s Del Rio League contest against Santa Fe on Friday, Nov. 1. A memorial is also scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at El Rancho’s gym. Several of Johnson’s former players are scheduled to speak.

Johnson coached the Dons from 1956 to 1968, posting an overall record of 108-31-5 and leading El Rancho to three CIF crowns.

For more information, call 562-801-5300.

Fit for Life

Whittier’s 5K “Fit for Life” run/walk, presented by the Whittier Community Foundation and the Whittier Host Lions Club, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.

The event will start with the “Children’s Creepy Crawly,?” a timed half-mile dash, at 7:30 a.m., followed by the “Spooktacular,” the 5K run/walk, at 8 a.m.

For more information, call 562-567-9400.

Adult softball

Open registration is under way for Whittier Adult Softball.

The signup deadline is at 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25. Teams will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until each league is full. Payment and completed application must be submitted at time of registration.

The $490 fee includes games, balls and awards. Play will start on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Leagues play at York Field, 9119 Santa Fe Springs Road in Whittier.

For more information, call 562-567-9430.

A kick for kids

The city of Whittier’s Lil All Star Soccer program gives youngsters ages 3 to 6 an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals and rules of the game.

The Saturday program is scheduled to run from Oct. 12 to Nov. 2, at Michigan Park, 8228 Michigan Ave. The fee is $50 for residents and $55 for nonresidents.

Children ages 3 to 4 can sign up for either the 8:30 or 9:15 a.m. class. Youngsters ages 4 to 6 can register for either the 10:10 or 11 a.m. session.

The final week will be a scrimmage to imitate a game situation and children will receive an award.

Parents should bring a soccer ball and water, and must stay at park for the entire game.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Soccer for toddlers

Youngsters ages 18 months to 3 can register for the city of Whittier’s Soccer Starter: The Beginning program.

Through the use of games and activities, children develop basic motor skills needed to play organized soccer. The program focuses on the foot-eye coordination needed to kick stationary and moving objects. Parents participate with their child to develop improved balance, strength and patience.

Two classes are offered at Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.: 4 to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays, Oct. 24 to Nov. 21, and 9 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 29 to Nov. 26. The fee is $47 for residents and $52 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Beginning skateboarding

Children ages 6 to 17 can register for a beginning skateboarding class scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from Nov. 2 to 30, at Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.

Participants must wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and bring their own skateboard. The fee is $107 for residents and $122 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Youth wrestling

The city of Whittier offers a youth wrestling class for youngsters ages 5 to 18.

The Saturday program is slated from Nov. 9 to Dec. 14, at Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave. Children ages 5 to 12 will participate from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by youngsters ages 13 to 18, who will wrestle from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The fee for both programs is $59 for residents and $69 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Tae kwon do

Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St. in Whittier, offers tae kwon do classes for ages 3 to adult.

Instructors place strong emphasis on self-discipline and building self-esteem. They will teach how to use strength effectively, maintain cardiovascular fitness, improve flexibility and coordination, as well as tone the muscular system.

For class times and more information, call 562-907-6530.

Martial arts

East Whittier YMCA Impact Martial Arts program offers several classes at 15740 Starbuck St. in Whittier.

Classes are available for all ages and levels of experience. Impact Martial Arts and Fitness is staffed by professional and experienced instructors who have dedicated their lives to sharing the power of martial arts with the community.

For class times and more information, call 562-943-7241.