Dorothy Cowan Smith, for 30 years active in Arcadia business community, has retired as manager of the Arcadia Welfare and Thrift Shop, with which she has been affiliated for more than 18 years.
Police Captain Neal Johnson assures members of the Arcadia Business Association at their April dinner meeting that there should be no more traffic problems with the Olympic equestrian events at Santa Anita Park race track than on ordinary racing days.
The city council agreed to spend no more than $3000 per year to maintain the big dish fountain at Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive. The fountain broke several years ago and the county felt it could not justify the cost of fixing it.
The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library's 30th annual book sale drew larger than usual crowds, with sales amounting to more than $9000, $1000 more than sales made in 1987.
The foundation plans to raise $75,000 this year ($30,000 more than last year) with a new strategy that entails direct pleas for contribution from families of Arcadia school students as well as from businesses in the community.
H. Richard (Dick) Closson has been elected president of the Huntington Bank. Closson has been in the banking profession for more than 25 years and has resided in Arcadia for 30 years.
More than 40 cats and kittens have taken over a foreclosed house in Arcadia and while most neighbors are complaining, some are feeding and trying to find a home for the cats. The house, at 381 Walnut Avenue, has been described as "one big litter box."
Approximately 8,230 students will attend Arcadia schools during the 1980-81 school year. This is 432 fewer students than at the close of schools in June. There will be 30 fewer teachers.
The Library Board approved a budget of $5000 to purchase more Asian reading materials. Rose Hwang, the librarian in charge of the Asian language collection said the money will buy at least 600 new books.
More than 400 rosebushes from the Arcadia Rose Garden were moved to the Arcadia High School campus. The city is planning to build a senior citizen center on the rose garden's former site.
Best Disposal Company will ask City Council for an approximate 40% increase in rates. Arcadia has had the lowest rates in the Valley for a number of years. A survey of the area shows that Best's request is for a higher rate than the average.
A curriculum change instituted by the Arcadia Board of Education means there will be 10 more science classes offered in September for Arcadia High School students.
A disappointing turnout of less than a dozen people (mainly real estate developers) attended the public meeting to discuss phase I of the Downtown Arcadia Revitalization Study held Tuesday, July 31. One idea offered at the meeting was to create an "Avenue of the Thoroughbreds." More interaction with business owners affected by such suggestions was hoped for.
Fearing a glut of smut near their schools and churches, 1000 local people, including more than 500 Arcadians, signed a petition against adult business zoning and presented it to the Arcadia City Council.
Jeff Julian, and eighth grader at Dana Junior High School, has more than 200 swimming trophies and is nationally ranked according to Swimming World magazine.
There have been six attempted rapes reported at Arcadia High School since April 15, 1979. At least five are believed to have been committed by the same individual.