Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
H. B. London, Jr., of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage, spoke at the 2011 Mayor's Community Breakfast, about the importance of compassion and unconditional love in the family. Outside there were some 90 protestors that support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
The City of Arcadia's contribution to the cost of the 2011 Mayor's Community Breakfast will total $4795. The event drew protestors upset about the mayor's choice of Reverend H. B. London, of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, as keynote speaker. London received a standing ovation.
Peter Atkine, Chief Executive Officer of the Arboretum, has told the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation Board of Trustees that he will resign as of July 1.
The Hugo Reid Family sculpture created in 1937 by sculptor Preston Prescott is being moved from the Arcadia County Park to the Arcadia Historical Museum. Details of the move are given. See also May 2, 2003 and May 3, 2003.
Local area boy Justin Liu (photograph) helped initiate a school supply drive to help children at Foothill Family Service. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 351.
The "Hugo Reid Family" sculpture created in 1937 by artist Preston Prescott will be moved to the Arcadia Historical Museum. The museum has purchased a portrait of Lucky Baldwin created in 1906 by Maynard Dixon. The article includes a profile of items on display at the museum.
Karen Gutierrez-McNair named new CEO of Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, effective February 29. She is executive director of Santa Anita Family YMCA in Monrovia. She replaces Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick, who has resigned to move to Nebraska.
Vintage Vibe Festival moves to Santa Anita Park. It was launched in Palm Springs last year, focusing on the music and styles of the 1950s and 1960s with a modern twist.
Timothy Phillips is the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, replacing Peter Atkins. A nationwide search continues for a successor.
Santa Anita Park's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Verge, 44, a horse owner and entrepreneur, has big plans for the race track. He wants to expand its fan base, partly by reaching out to the local Asian community and to locals who grew up attending the track during the sport's heyday. While Santa Anita Park President George Haines is still running day-to-day operations, Verge will focus on bringing in more people, including celebrities, like actor Vince Vaughn.
The Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum keeps the past alive. Recently Doug Hayes donated family artifacts to the collection, an exhibit of Seabiscuit will run until October 31, and work will begin soon on restoration of "The Hugo Reid Family" statue.