Festivities for the grand re-opening of the Arcadia Public Library will begin on November 19. The President of the Arcadia Public Library Foundation, Jesse Vanlandingham, is still seeking donations to cover interior details.
The Arcadia Rotary Club has dedicated the conference room of the newly remodeled and expanded library in memory of the Methodist Hospital chaplain, Paul Johenk, who died in 1993. The article includes a profile of Johenk.
The expansion and creation of recreation and activity programs at all school levels and extending Arcadia Public Library hours to include Sunday afternoon topped the list of recommendations in the Youth Master Plan.
The library reopens after the expansion/renovation project with grand re-opening events. Alexis Powers and Gloria Horstman will present book reviews, David Monty will perform a magic show, and many family activities are planned for November 16-22.
The library has new equipment for people with special needs. The "Reading Edge" scans printed text, converts it and then reads it aloud for those who are blind or visually impaired. The library also has a color video magnification system.
The Arcadia Board of Education will study the environmental impact of new uses and the addition of lights at Dana and First Avenue Middle schools and the Arcadia High School softball field.
Arcadia Apaches name use is challenged. Sonny Skyhawk challenged The Arcadia School Board to drop the Apache Native American mascot for Arcadia High School.
Arcadia City Manager Bill Kelly and Mayor Gary Kovacic met with school board members to discuss possible city-school district projects. School Board members questioned how much a new auditorium would be used and were cool to a joint plan.
At the Board of Education annual organizational meeting, three members, Maryann Gibson, James C. Romo, and John R. McClain were officially sworn to begin their new term of office. A profile of McClain, the new 1999-2000 board president, is presented.
Following the format of a meeting "agenda", the Arcadia Board of Education celebrated the career of retiring Arcadia Schools Superintendent Terry Towner.