Los Angeles County Arboretum and Baldwin family push to revive Baldwin Lake. The 4-acre lake in the middle of the Arboretum stands polluted, filled with tons of mud and filth from years of urban runoff. Tony Zampiello, executive officer of the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, along with the county's Department of Parks and Recreation, have formed a task force with goal of dredging the old lake built by Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin in the late 19th century. Margaux Viera, Baldwin's great-great-great granddaughter, a member of the "Save Baldwin Lake" task force, says the shoreline around the lake is collapsing and eroding. See hard copy in VF "Arboretum."
Arcadia’s Baldwin Lake makes history. A “History Lives Here” historical marker was dedicated at Baldwin Lake at the Los Angeles County Arboretum last Thursday. The marker was donated by Arcadia Historical Society.
Why are fewer migratory birds visiting Arcadia’s Baldwin Lake at the Arboretum? The lake could see great benefit from Proposition 3 and Measure W. Audobon Society birders say there used to be approximately 330 species of migratory birds landing each winter at Baldwin Lake. In recent years that number has dwindled to about 200 species, such that the lake, which is in dire need of dredging and major ecological rehabilitation, is the focus of much debate. The lake has a low algae problem in the winter, not enough oxygen, and lots of sediment. The silt and organic matter has contributed to the shallow levels.
Three women were violently robbed in a span of a week in the 99 Ranch Market parking lot at 1300 S. Golden West Avenue. In two of the incidents, a passenger leaned out of a car to grab purses, and in the other incident, two men pushed a woman to the ground, kicked her in the face and stole her purse.
What's Going on with Lake Baldwin in Arcadia" Part 2: the Plan. Plan includes installing wetland ponds and settling basins north of Baldwin Lake, along Arcadia Wash. The idea is to capture water, channel it into a natural filter, and a portion of which will find its way down to an aquifer (a layer of water-holding rock below the surface), where it is drawn and used in various ways, including drinking water.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden will have its historic buildings upgraded and a new 5-year strategic plan is being drafted for the first time in many years. Among items to be improved are the roof replacement and stabilization of the Hugo Reid Adobe (aka Baldwin Adobe), the rehabilitation of the library, as well as roof replacements for the 126-year-old Queen Anne Cottage of "Fantasy Island" fame, and the Coach Barn. Mitchell Bishop, curator of the historic collections, said he plans to rehabilitate Baldwin Lake.
Revisiting Anita Baldwin. Margaux Viera (photo) of Riverside, the great-great-great granddaughter of Arcadia founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, has unexpectedly come into possession of some personal items that belonged to Anita M. Baldwin, the only daughter born to Lucky Baldwin and his third wife, Jane Virginia Dexter. The items were discovered by a farmer on a rural, central Nevada ranch once owned by the Baldwin estate. The items include Anita Baldwin's daily journal from 1935, a gold calligraphy pen and Art Deco glass bottle used as an inkwell, an address book with her name and signature, a leather passport holder with her name and a wallet containing several of her identification and membership cards. See hard copy in VF "Baldwin, Anita."
Dropout rates for eight of nine school districts across the western end of the San Gabriel Valley decreased, according to state numbers released yesterday. Monrovia, Arcadia, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City, Alhambra, and Duarte school districts all measured decreases in their dropout rates for the 2009-2010 academic year, when compared to the previous year.
Lucky Baldwin statue to be unveiled at Reverend Monsignor Gerald M. O'Keefe Rose Garden at Holly Avenue and Huntington Drive. Bronze sculpture commissioned, donated by city founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's descendants Margaux Gibson-Viera and Heather Gibson (Baldwin's great-great-great granddaughters). Statue was designed and made by artist Alfred Paredes. See also VF Statuary #20.
Lucky Baldwin statue dedicated. at Reverend Monsignor Gerald M. O'Keeffe Rose Garden at Holly Avenue and Huntington Drive. Bronze sculpture commissioned, donated by city founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's descendants Margaux Gibson-Viera and Heather Gibson (Baldwin's great-great-great granddaughters). Statue was designed and made by artist Alfred Paredes. See also VF Statuary #20.
Gerardo Cortez arraignment postponed to October 4, 2013. He allegedly made a series of threats to several San Gabriel Valley locations. He has a history of making false bomb threats.
Fall of the House of Baldwin. Part 3 of a 6 part series: What happened to the Jinks Room murals by Maynard Dixon? The Jinks Room had nine Dixon murals. The Lowry B. McCaslin family, which owned Anoakia at the time, held onto three murals, the rest were donated to the University of Southern California (USC). The McCaslin family bought the Anoakia estate after Anita Baldwin passed. By Galen Patterson. See hard copy in VF Baldwin, Anita
Congressman David Dreier, Republican, who has been representing the San Gabriel Valley and parts of San Bernardino County for nearly three decades in the House of Representatives, announced he will not seek re-election. Dreier represents the 26th District, which includes Arcadia. Article includes biography and legacy.
Man gets 64 years for sexually assaulting three workers at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia. Diego Cervantes, 37, of San Gabriel is a former maintenance supervisor at the mall. He was found guilty of rape and other sexual offenses.
Santa Anita Park honors longtime Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants scout George Genovese today by naming the 10th and final race "Happy 90th George Genovese."
Arcadia Depot and Oakwood Hotel historical marker dedication January 26 at Arcadia Transit Plaza, the former site of Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's Arcadia Depot. It is the Arcadia Historical Society's 11th History Lives Here historical marker.
Who was Clara Baldwin Stocker? Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's eldest daughter lived lavishly at her home Twin Oaks in Arcadia. See hard copy in VF Baldwin, Clara.
Santa Anita Park will be hosting the coveted 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships. The Stronach Group took full control of the race track from MI Developments at the end of June. The two-day event will generate some revenue for the city and bring a lot of exposure to the San Gabriel Valley.