Arcadia Unified School District upgraded and improved four campuses over summer break, costing nearly $10 million. Funded under the district's $218 million Measure I Bond, the four schools that got updated classrooms and facilities are Arcadia High School, Camino Grove Elementary, Hugo Reid Elementary, and Highland Oaks Elementary schools.
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage will have a groundbreaking for its Education Center at 5:30 PM on September 29. The 2,650 square foot Education Center will have classrooms for educational programming such as art, crafts, lectures, children's and senior activities. The building will provide the space needed for current activities and will allow for future expansion of Museum and recreation programs. The Arcadia Museum Education Center is a joint effort of the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Historical Museum Foundation. The budget for the building is $877,339 with $500,000 of that donated by the Foundation. It should be open by May 2014.
City of Arcadia kicks off holiday season with second annual tree lighting celebration on December 2, 5-8 PM at Arcadia Transit Plaza, at the corner of Santa Clara Street and North First Avenue.
Arcadia Unified School District takes on social media in a new way. AUSD's Public Information Officer Ryan Foran, said, "Social media is an essential tool for our communication outreach plan..." Foran has formed a Digital Communications internship program for Arcadia High School students in advanced communications and journalism.
4th Annual Downtown Arcadia Patriotic Festival, an Independence Day celebration, takes place on First Avenue between Bonita Street and Diamond Street, Sunday, July 1, 5-9 PM.
Arcadia Planning Commission denies Marvin Fong's plan for a large development at 2236 Hollis Lane. The proposed project is 4 times larger than the existing property, which upset a grass roots group effort to prevent "mansionization."
Arcadia Performing Arts Center (auditorium) opens, with Paul Anka, to rave reviews. It was a sell-out performance at this $20 million venue's inaugural event. Paul Anka performed his 1959 hit "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."
Arcadia election mailer pokes fun at opposition as election tactics run the gamut. Resident Deborah Priester, a resident of District 5, has had enough of the city council candidate attacks and put out a mailer that encourages voters to select anyone but Roger Chandler. It depicts him at the Monopoly Man.
Mayor Tom Beck recognizes Arcadia High School Advanced Theatre students at July 5 Arcadia City Council meeting for winning First Place Sweepstakes Trophy twice this year. Arcadia High School Theatre Director Steven Volpe in photo with his students.
Is the Sport of Kings on the line? Santa Anita Park bans Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Stronach Group released this statement in the wake of another equine fatality, "Individuals who do not embrace the new rules and safety measures that put horse and rider above all else will have no place at any Stronach Group race track.
Local horn players join "The Four Tops" on stage at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on February 21. The local musicians are Fabio Spinella, a graduate of Arcadia High School, Matthew Murdock, who was a teacher for Arcadia High School Band Program, and Mike Danielson, Music Director at First Avenue Middle School for over 20 years.