WeChat ban may jolt lives of many. Chinese-Americans use apps for communication, delivery services, payments, appointments, news. In an executive order last week, President Donald Trump announced a ban on Chinese social media apps Tik Tok and WeChat. WeChat is heavily used by Chinese in Arcadia, Alhambra, San Gabriel. WeChat is an unofficial channel of the City of Arcadia. WeChat is the backbone of Chinese social organizing, from business to political movements.
Review by Merrill Shindler - Asian market is authentic. 99 Ranch Market chain has hundreds of good things at its multiple San Gabriel locations, including one in Arcadia. Its mission is to offer authentic Chinese ingredients to underserved Chinese-American communities across America.
Monterey Park shooting aftermath. Lunar New Year is typically a festive and family affair, but was marred by a mass shooting in Monterey Park, which killed 10 at a dance hall. David Lee, co-president of Arcadia Chinese Association, said Lunar New Year is supposed to be "a happy time for family reunions because Chinese tradition and culture is very family-oriented."
For the wonderfully weird, Monarch rules. Amid theatrical decor, try a martini with vinegar and Slippery Egg Crab Fried Fun. There is no destination in San Gabriel Valley like Monarch at 1212 South Baldwin Avenue. Merrill Shindler reviews the restaurant opened by the Leon family, who first brought us their take on Peruvian-Chinese cooking at Chifa in Eagle Rock. Monarch is serving modern Chinese cuisine.
Chinese food in Arcadia done right at these spots--Hai Di Lao Hot Pot and Din Tai Fung at Westfield Santa Anita mall open for outdoor dining. Reviews by Merrill Shindler.
Union opposes changes to nurse-to-patient ratio. The California Nurses Association plans to stage rallies at nearly 70 hospitals and medical centers today to protest waivers that allow facilities to staff some units below state-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios as nurses are shifted to more critical patients. Union reps will gather at several Southern California hospitals, including Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia.
The surprising Anna May Wong. Like many, author Katie Salisbury was startled to learn of the star, then couldn't stop looking. Wong was a famous Chinese-American movie star in the 1920s and 1930s and had her own television series in the early 1950s. Salisbury's nonfiction book about Wong's life is titled Not Your China Doll. The author is half-Chinese and grew up in Arcadia.
Merrill Shindler reviews restaurants for Mother's Day meals. One in Arcadia that is recommended is Din Tai Fung at the mall (now named The Shops at Santa Anita, formerly Westfield Santa Anita) at 400 South Baldwin Avenue.
Hounds put noses to work in training. Police bloodhounds and their K9 handlers gather in Encino for required certification tests and exercises. The certification exam drew police and dogs from LAPD, Arcadia, La Verne, and other cities, and sheriffs from Riverside and Orange Counties.
Monterey Park shooting aftermath. Ex-tenant: Attack suspect hated his dance instructors. Huu Can Tran harbored a deep hatred for fellow instructors at Star Dance Studio where he killed 11 patrons and wounded 9 others on Saturday, January 21, the Lunar New Year eve. Tran's tenant, a man who formerly rented a small home from the gunman said Tran distrusted people and could become very angry. At one time, Tran had lived in an apartment in Arcadia. The former tenant describes other aspects of Tran's personality.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital workers vote to unionize. The nearly 700 technical employees, nursing assistants and other workers have voted to join the Caregiver Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU). The CHEU is a sister union to California Nurses Association. The employees want to win strong union representation, better benefits and improved conditions for employees and patients.
Hospitals battle overcrowding. Staff shortages, post-pandemic surges have created less-than-desired service. Dr. Emily Johnson, an emergency medicine physician at USC Arcadia, Keck Hospital of USC and Associate Medical Director at the Los Angeles General Medical Center speaks about her experience with the issue.
Monrovia man Yi Chen gets 4 years in prison for fraud in a student visa scheme to get Chinese immigrants into the U.S. unlawfully. From June 2015-February 2021, Chen was the CEO and owner of two so-called educational consulting companies in Alhambra and Arcadia that charged foreign students thousands of dollars for "guaranteed" admission to a college that would lead to the issuance of an F-1 student visa. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, October 6, 2022.
Murder trial. Deyun Shi, man accused of revenge on family. The prosecutor said Shi, a Chinese citizen, had plan to flee to Hong Kong after killing his 2 teenage nephews in Arcadia and an attack against his wife. Shi faces life in prison without parole if convicted in the January 22, 2016 killings of 15-year-old Anthony Lin and 16-year-old William Lin, and of injuring his wife the day before. The boys were bludgeoned to death in their home in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue in Arcadia.
Arcadia High School student Stanley Liu, in photo, entered and earned second place at the annual Los Angeles County Science Fair, which staged its competition online this year due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Liu's project was a microfluidic device capable of pinpointing biomarkers associated with disease in human blood plasma. He will be a finalist for the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Congressional races: a look at the positions taken by candidates in local districts. In District 28, Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, is now running to represent a recently redrawn district that includes Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, and Arcadia. Her major issues include education, foreign policy, small business, and transportation. Her opponent is Republican Wes Hallman, a pilot and senior vice president of Strategy and Policy for the National Defense Industrial Association.
Arcadia Invitational attracts the best. Two-day meet to represent more than 600 schools in track and field from California and nearly 30 other states. The meet is today and tomorrow at Arcadia High School. See also Pasadena Star News, p. B2, April 7, 2022--Pushing himself, Covina's Kerry Smith hoping for big weekend at Arcadia.