Arcadia City Council declared its intention to provide seed redevelopment money--provided a state Supreme Court ruling in January frees up such funding--to help the Arcadia Downtown Business Association breathe new life into the city's traditional downtown, by establishing a property-based business improvement district.
Maria C. Martinez, a former employee of a Rite-Aid store in Arcadia, was awarded $3.4 million by a jury, which found she was discriminated against because of a medical disability and for complaining that a company manager sexually harassed her.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital's new wing, a $140 million, 184-bed tower, that opened last month, largely replaces 2 hospital buildings built in 1957 and 1967. This new building helps as Arcadia Methodist Hospital (AMH) plans to address the risks of buildings collapsing during an earthquake. Joe La Brie, a structural engineer said AMH has addressed utility line hazards. Acute services are being relocated to the new tower. See related story about earthquake preparedness at other hospitals in the San Gabriel Valley (see same page).
With about a dozen Southern California cities, including Arcadia, potentially seeking new city managers this fall, some local officials are worried demand could drive up the salaries. Arcadia City Councilman Roger Chandler, whose city manager Don Penman is retiring in October, after 3 years as top administrator, said the opportunity to work for certain cities will outweigh the competitive market. He said this will not create a bidding war for city managers. Penman's annual salary is $214,032 plus $4000 in deferred compensation. He receives $14,076/year in medical benefits, 4 weeks vacation, 2 weeks management leave, and use of a car and BlackBerry.
The trial for Isaac Campbell, charged with the murder of Liya "Jessie" Lu, has been delayed to give the Public Defender Jim Duffy time to transcribe a set of tapes from follow-up witness interviews from August. Lu went missing August 11, 2007 and her body was discovered a month later in the trash can of Campbell's friend's house in Arcadia.
Area hospitals are rated on their earthquake safety and readiness. Arcadia Methodist Hospital received a 2 out of 5 rating for all buildings. This hospital has been granted a waiver and won't have to be at a rating of 3 until 2030. See related article on p. A1.
Los Angeles County Supervisors approved an $8.5 million budget to complete a new pool facility at Arcadia County Park by May 2013. Sparano & Mooney Architecture will create initial "scoping" designs that contractors will use to bid on aspects of the project.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles opened a new outpatient services center at 468 E. Santa Clara Street in Arcadia on November 1. It is a 10,000 square feet facility with specialty services such as ophthalmology, pulmonology, lab and radiology services, pediatric surgery, orthopaedics, gastroenterology and ear, nose and throat. The outpatient clinic is open Monday through Friday.
Hazel Williams, 96, of Arcadia, volunteers as coordinator of two outreach ministry projects she started at Arcadia Presbyterian Church--Operation Christmas Child and The Happy Big Box Program. The programs help needy children.
Environmentalists are using today's date 10/10/10 to rouse global action on the environment. They want "regular people" to work on environmental projects such as installing solar panels, planting trees, and demonstrating against polluters. In Arcadia, the California Institute of Environmental Design and Management will hold an environmental workshop with the Green Net Group today at the Arcadia Eco Home on 8th Avenue.
Randall Weissbuch, an Arcadia resident with the Libertarian party, is running for the 26th district Congressman against David Dreier, David Miller and Russ Warner. Includes biographical information on each candidate and each one answers how they feel about issues such as illegal immigration, budget deficit and cooperation and compromise on Capitol Hill.
Sonia Maljian, Director of Laboratory Services at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, was invited to be one of 16 U.S. delegates to go to Egypt and help standardize their laboratory procedures. She will take part in the People to People Ambassador Program, hosted by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Individual students and the Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) raised about $840,000 for the Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) during its annual appeal last year, enabling the district to reinstate 12 teaching positions. Budget cuts from the state have created "serious challenges" for Arcadia schools over the past 4 years, said AUSD superintendent Joel Shawn.
Thirty-one finalists have made the cut for the 2011 Royal Court for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The girls from Arcadia are Jaslyn Elders, Giselle Hillier and Tatyane Berrios. The seven member Royal Court will be announced Monday, October 11, and the Rose Queen will be chosen from the final seven on October 19.
Arcadia author Patricia Anaya has written an anti-bullying book for kids, inspired by a child's suicide. It is called "The Three Powers: Magic to Love Yourself."
Evanne Elizabeth Friedmann was crowned the 93rd Rose Queen by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Jeffrey Throop. She is a seventeen year old La Canada High School senior and will reign over the 122nd Rose Parade. Rose Princesses on the Royal Court are Tatyane Anaid Berrios of Arcadia High School, Sarah Frederickson of Maranatha High School, Jessica Montoya of Flintridge Preparatory School, Tenaya Senzaki of Pasadena High School, Kathryn Thomson of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Michelle Washington of Pasadena City College.
Leon San Blas had planned to bring a medical marijuana dispensary to the site of a former car wash at 4332 East Live Oak Avenue in unincorporated Arcadia, but the Los Angeles Regional Planning Commission unanimously rejected the use permit.
The final seven members of the 2011 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court were announced. The princesses are Tatyane Anaid Berrios of Arcadia High School, Sarah Frederickson of Maranatha High School, Evanne Friedmann of La Canada High School, Jessica Montoya of Flintridge Preparatory School, Tenaya Senzaki of Pasadena High School, Kathryn Thomson of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Michelle Washington of Pasadena City College.