Arcadia Chamber of Commerce has named Alice Wang "Arcadia's Citizen of the Year" for 2012-2013. Alice has been a very active volunteer with Arcadia Public Library Foundation, Assistance League of Arcadia's Operation School Bell, Tzu Chi Foundation's MWLA, Arcadia Historical Museum, Arcadia Police Department, Arcadia Chinese Association and Foothill Unity Center.
More than 25 local eateries are featured in Monday's Taste of Arcadia. Proceeds benefit Arcadia Welfare and Thrift and Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia.
San Gabriel Valley police officers and firefighters, including Arcadia Police Department and Arcadia Fire Department, competed in a charity basketball tournament at Arcadia High School to benefit Special Olympics Southern California. It was organized by Arcadia Police detective Walter Ashby.
Arcadia Poetry Slam, Sunday, April 8, will call attention to social issues, including poverty and homelessness. It will be held at Arcadia Performing Arts Center (APAC) and will benefit Foothill Unity.
Fire Chief Michael Lang is leaving Arcadia Fire Department to be Fire Chief at Manhattan Beach. He was with Arcadia Fire Department for 21 years, including 5 as chief. He starts at Manhattan Beach Fire Department on June 21.
The new Performing Arts Center at 234 Campus Drive, Arcadia will open next month. "An Evening with Anka," an exclusive benefit concert takes place October 27, 2012. The building is state-of-the-art, 40,000 square feet, and has 1,200 seats, on the Arcadia High School campus. There will be student performances the week prior to Paul Anka's concert.
25-year-old entrepreneurs Dustin Nicolarsen and Michael Thomas co-own The Derby, the historic Arcadia steakhouse. The two give back to their community by hosting a fundraiser to benefit their high school.
City of Arcadia will reopen City Hall and other facilities to the public as part of the Safer At Work and in the Community Order issued by Los Angeles County. Beginning June 15, open facilities now include City Hall, Arcadia Fire Department, Public Works, and city parks and open spaces. The Arcadia Police Department, Community Center, Arcadia Public Library and Museum remain closed. Arcadia City Council meetings will still be conducted virtually in June.
A profile on Jill Harkema, director of community outreach for Methodist Hospital, who was given the Heart in Hand Humanitarian Award by the Foothill Unity Center.
The Western Jubilee Crystal Ball of the Methodist Hospital Foundation was held on Oct. 5 at the Autry Museum. Mickey Segal, Chair of the hospital foundation, presented the Berger Award in philanthropy to the Forest Lawn Foundation. Approximately $130,000 was raised to benefit the new Maternal Child Health Center at the hospital.
A surprise disaster drill gave the police and fire departments and the Methodist Hospital a valuable exercise. Arcadia High School drama students portrayed the victims.
Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum is currently exhibiting "Arcadia Fire Department: a history." It is the 7th annual Arcadia High School honors history exhibit. The high school students interviewed firefighters for the project. In photo: firefighters James Miller and Chris Moore, and students Tim Lim, Breana Flores, and Brittney Lee.
The Foothill Unity Center had its 7th annual Back-to-School distribution of school supplies at Santa Anita Park race track. More than 1,200 low income children from surrounding areas were served.
High school track and field notes. Local athletes starting to leave an impression. The Covina Invitational takes places March 29-30, Arcadia Invitational takes place April 5-6, and Mt. SAC Relays on April 18-20, but there are some standout competitors such as Reena Hsieh of Arcadia and Arcadia juniorLayla Roslan.