Popular "Star Wars" talents to head fundraiser on May 4 at Chalice Collectibles at The Shops at Santa Anita mall in Arcadia, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. All proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation. Pictured is Kat Cressida, the voice of Princess Leia in popular video games. See also Arcadia Weekly, pp. 1, 15, March 28, 2024.
Star Wars stars to meet fans, raise funds for charity at Chalice Collectibles signing event at The Shops at Santa Anita mall in Arcadia. The event raises funds for two of Lucas Films's favorite charities: The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation. See also Arcadia Weekly, pp. 1, 15, March 28, 2024.
2024 ELECTIONS - Pasadena City College: Four candidates compete for two Board of Trustee seats on the March 5 election. Voters elect a trustess from each of the seven districts in an area that includes Arcadia, a portion of El Monte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Temple City. Area 2 candidates are Kevin D. Strotz and James Aragon. Area 6 candidates are Ryan Liu and John Quintanilla.
Arcadia Assisteens Auxiliary accepting applications February 1-28. It is a co-ed auxiliary that provides community service opportunities for high school students. Assisteens staff the Book Buddies Program, in partnership with Arcadia Public Library, and volunteer at the Assistance League of Arcadia's Bargain Box Thrift Shop. A group photo of Assisteens is shown.
Los Angeles County National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists named. They will now compete for a share of scholarships worth almost $28 million. Those from Arcadia High School students are Isaac Cheng, Hongji Dai, Casey R. Kim, Kaitlyn A. Kwan, Caroline J. Ji, Jeffrey Oo, Steven H. Shi, Philip Tan, William Wong, Felicia Ye, Katelyn A. Yu.
Bay Area horse racing track Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco to close permanently later this year. After the Golden Gate Fields meet ends, The Stronach Group said it will focus on moving horses from the Bay Area to Arcadia, with a goal of increasing field sizes and adding a fourth day of racing to the weekly schedule at Santa Anita Park, beginning in January. See hard copy in VF. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 28, July 20, 2023.
A San Bernardino teen is arrested following crash. Arcadia police find the fatal hit-and-run suspect, a 17-year old boy, hiding in the bushes after pedestrian, a 28-year-old man, is killed crossing Huntington Drive. The suspect drove a gray Dodge Charger, which was found in the 1200 block of Oakhaven Road, with front end damage and a broken windshield.
El Monte man gets 21 years for killing boss at newspaper's office. Zhong Qi Chen, 64, of El Monte, was sentenced. He pleaded guilty in March to the voluntary manslaughter of Yining Xie, of Arcadia, at The China Press in Alhambra at 2121 W. Mission Road, Alhambra, CA.
El Monte man pleads guilty to killing boss in office. Zhong Qi Chen, 63, pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his boss Yining Xie, 58, of Arcadia, at a newspaper office in Alhambra in 2018, at The China Press, 2121 W. Mission Road, Alhambra, CA.
Representative Judy Chu (District 28) makes special speaking appearance at Arcadia High School on February 3, 2023. She spoke about monumental issues and legislation on topics like gun control, abortion, and more, hosted by Arcadia Young Democrats. The event called "What's New with Representative Chu," was the first of its kind at Arcadia High School. Chu, the first Chinese- American woman ever elected to Congress, has had a 22-year career in politics.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors agreed on Tuesday, February 28, to lift COVID emergency declarations on March 31, while warning that the move doesn't mean the virus no longer poses a threat. This does not mean COVID-related restrictions go away. This decision came the same day the statewide COVID emergency declaration ended.
Diners line up to get last meal at Rod's Grill in Arcadia. Restaurant that has served generations of people closes on Sunday (yesterday). Hundreds of diners made a final pilgrimage to Rod's Grill in Arcadia at 41 W. Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. Rod Wellman started the restaurant in 1946 in Alhambra. The Arcadia location opened in 1957 offering 10 cent coffees and 40 cent slices of pie a la mode. Wellman's sons Barry and Brian took over years later, then Manny Romero bought it about 25 years ago and kept its vintage vibe. Romero was an immigrant from Mexico. He died in 2021. Television shows such as This is Us, Mad Men, Last Man Standing, and Luck, had filmed episodes there. See hard copy in VF. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, A4, February 9, 2023.
Interior view of Rod's Grill showing customers eating at counter and at tables in booths. Also pictured are some waitresses and cooks, as well as two of the historic photos that the restaurant displayed on its walls. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.
Interior view of Rod's Grill showing customers eating at the counter, sitting in colorful turquoise seats. Waitresses and cooks can be seen in the kitchen area, as well as a portion of two of the historic photos that the restaurant displayed on its walls. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.
Exterior view of Rod's Grill showing the west side of restaurant, its sign, customers waiting outside, and the street signs where it was located, the corner of Huntington Drive and Morlan Place. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.
Exterior view of Rod's Grill showing the south side of restaurant with its rock mosaic wall and both the sign on the front of the building and the pole sign bearing its name that stands on the west side. Customers can be seen waiting outside. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.
Congressional races: a look at the positions taken by candidates in local districts. In District 28, Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, is now running to represent a recently redrawn district that includes Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, and Arcadia. Her major issues include education, foreign policy, small business, and transportation. Her opponent is Republican Wes Hallman, a pilot and senior vice president of Strategy and Policy for the National Defense Industrial Association.
Former TV finance analyst from Arcadia James Arthur McDonalds, Jr. charged with lying to investors about the health of his finance firm and failing to disclose massive losses incurred through risky investments following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. McDonald was CEO of Los Angeles-based Hercules Investments and Redondo Beach-based Index Strategy Advisors Inc. He is believed to be in hiding.
Finalists picked for the 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court. Field of 28 hopefuls for princess and Rose Queen will be trimmed on Monday. Among the finalists are a few from Arcadia High School--Navya Kannan, Sydney Yee, and Sahanna Rajinikanthan.
Santa Anita Park to host Breeders' Cup for a record 11th time, in 2023. Local horsemen were overjoyed at the announcement. Santa Anita Park is still the only track to host the Breeders' Cup for 3 consecutive years, in 2012-2014.
