Third horse in three days dies at Santa Anita Park, while animal rights activists continue to push for a nationwide ban on racing. The race horses were named Tikkun Olam, Uncontainable, and Harliss. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) was given authority, in legislation backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, to suspend racing. Officials at Santa Anita Park released a statement reaffirming their commitment to horse safety. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, January 23, 2020.
Ed Andersen of Arcadia Historical Society will present a program about Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin to the Arcadia Community Coordinating Council on March 2, 2020.
Half Day After School Camp Offered at Two Arcadia Elementary Schools.
As the 2020-2021 school year begins, Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department will be offering a half day after school camp that will follow approved modifications by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. These guidelines are subject to change, based on the local protocols related to COVID-19 and will be sent out to parents at registration.
The half day after school camp will be offered at Baldwin Stocker Elementary School and Camino Grove Elementary School from 1-5 p.m. beginning Aug. 24. Registration is $92 per week and will open on a monthly basis. Camp will still offer a variety of organized recreational activities for ages 5-12, led by trained activity leaders. Registration is now open for camp taking place Aug. 24 – Oct. 2 online at ArcadiaCA.gov/recreation.
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.
South Pasadena sues Dow Chemical and Shell Oil Company, alleging that for more than 4 decades, both firms willfully manufactured a pesticide containing a cancer causing chemical 1,2,3-trichloropropane, also known as TCP, that has contaminated the municipality's drinking water supply. TCP is a man-made chemical used as a cleaning and degreasing solvent. In addition to South Pasadena, Arcadia, Upland and Lake Hemet Municipal Water District are also suing Dow and Shell for TCP contamination.
A statue to honor Anita M. Baldwin, daughter of Arcadia's founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, will be built at the new Le Meridien Hotel, a luxury hotel in Arcadia. The artist/sculptor is Alfred Paredes, who also created the Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin statue.
Hunt continues for gunman in Arcadia car-to-car shooting on the 210 Freeway near Baldwin Avenue which left a woman named Betty Hernandez, 36, of Monrovia, dead. This shut down the freeway for several hours on September 4. On September 5, two people were found dead, in the block of 600 West Huntington Drive, an apparent murder-suicide. Both victims were in their 50s.
Mayors ask for zoning bill veto. 27 San Gabriel Valley cities urge Governor Gavin Newsom to kill legislation that changes single-family lots to allow zoning for up to 4 units. This is Senate Bill 9, introduced by Senator Toni Atkins. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments advocates for addressing the affordable housing shortage by rezoning vacant and nonviable commercial properties and providing incentives to affordable housing developers to build on that land. SGVCG's letter in opposition was signed by Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, and others.
Husband shot wife and himself. Deaths of Arcadia couple--Paul Thornton, 58, and his wife Maria Lockwood, 54--ruled murder-suicide. He died of a gunshot wound to the head and she died of a gunshot wound to the chest. They had been married a little over a year. They lived in the block of 600 West Huntington Drive.
Anita Baldwin statue to be unveiled at Le Méridien Hotel in Arcadia
The Anita May Baldwin statue at the Le Méridien Hotel will be unveiled on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at 11 a.m. Anita is the daughter of city founder, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue will be featured on the opposite end of the Huntington Drive islands’ hotel property.
“We are very excited to be bringing Anita back to Arcadia,” said Mayor Sho Tay in a statement released by the city. “I would like to thank the Shen, Liu and Chen Families, Jeff Lee, the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation, Heather D. Gibson and Margaux L. Gibson, and the Arcadia Historical Society, for their generous donations.”
“On behalf of the Baldwin family, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Arcadia City Council, the Arcadia Historical Society, the Le Méridien Hotel and all those who have supported this effort to pay homage to my great-great grandmother, Anita May Baldwin,” said Margaux Gibson. “This magnificent statue of Anita will showcase a strong woman who was ahead of her time. I am proud to call Anita May Baldwin my great-great grandmother, and I am truly proud to be a part of this historic project.”
The Anita statue was sculpted by local artist and southern California native Alfred Paredes — who created the Lucky Baldwin statue on the corner of Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue — and is aptly named, “A Legacy of Charity” in honor of Anita’s contributions to life in early Arcadia and throughout California.
Woman ahead of her time honored. Anita May Baldwin statue to debut at Le Meridien Hotel. She was philanthropist, key figure in racetrack. The statue is named "A Legacy of Charity," by artist Alfred Paredes.
Unveiling of Anita May Baldwin statue brings peace and beauty. Anita May Baldwin was dedicated down the road from the statue of her father, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue was unveiled yesterday at the official grand opening of the Le Meridien Hotel on Huntington Drive in Arcadia. The statue is called "A Legacy of Charity," made by artist Alfred Paredes.
Arcadia kicking off holiday season with annual tree lighting celebration on December 2, at Arcadia Transit Plaza, at the corner of Santa Clara Street and North First Avenue. Mayor Sho Tay will light the official Christmas tree. and Santa Claus will visit.
Mardi Gras raises $140,000 for new technologies at Methodist Hospital. It was the Methodist Hospital Foundation's 27th annual Mardi Gras Food Fest celebration, held in person, at Sirona's Restaurant in Santa Anita Park. Dr. Elias Tarakji, M.D. was crowned King of Mardi Gras. Event co-chairs Dino Clarizio, his wife Hope and daughter Jenna were recognized for their hard work. Dr. Tarakji has served on the Hospital Board since 2016, was Chief of Staff in 2016, among other leadership roles.
Westfield Santa Anita mall sells for $537.5 million to an undisclosed buyer. The property at 400 South Baldwin Avenue and now known as The Shops at Santa Anita, is 1.48 million s.f. and nearly 100% leased. French-based Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), which has owned and operated the mall since 2007, has been selling off big-name mall properties in Southern California. IKEA Arcadia will open at the mall bringing a smaller version of IKEA with its design studio concept.