Natalie Innocenzi, 16, of Arcadia, who attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada, was named the 92nd Rose Queen of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Princess June Ko of Arcadia High School and reigning Rose Queen Courtney Chou Lee, a graduate of Arcadia High School, congratulate her. Innocenzi and the six princesses will preside over the 121st Rose Parade and 96th Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2010. Photos.
The seven members of the Tournament of Roses Royal Court for 2010 were announced. The Royal Court princesses are Ashley Thaxton of John Marshall Fundamental High School, Kinsey Stuart of Pasadena City College, Katherine Hernandez of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Michelle Van Wyk of La Canada High School, Natalie Innocenzi of Flintridge Sacred Heart of Academy, June Ko of Arcadia High School, and Lauren Rogers of Blair High School.
Carol Libby and Scott Hettrick of the Arcadia Historical Society are both on the Baldwin Adobe Restoration Committee, which wants to restore the Hugo Reid Adobe on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Arboretum. They want to re-create the adobe as it was in its heyday, when Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin lived there from 1875 until he died in 1909.
Arcadia city officials have approved across-the-board fee increases that are expected to generate $500,000 in revenue this year. Parking tickets will go up from an average of $40 to $50. Other fees going up include building permits, towing fees, business license fees, water, street, and engineering services.
A state law scheduled to take effect in September is expected to set standards in the massage industry. Arcadia City Manager Don Penman commented that the new law may not stop people who want to commit a crime and do illegal acts. In the last few months of 2008, Arcadia shut down seven massage busineses for illegal activities.
Getting a permit to install solar panels on homes in the San Gabriel Valley is costly. A Sierra Club report shows that San Gabriel Valley cities charge more than other Southland communities. The average permit cost to install a typical 20-panel system in Southern California is about $493. Arcadia's fee is $283. A chart shows the fees of surrounding cities.
Charles Norm Stevens is a World War II veteran and former bombadier who shares his experiences flying in the Army Air Corps and Air Force in his two books, "The Innocent Cadet" and "An Innocent at Polebrook." Stevens, a resident of Monterey Park, signed books at a Friends of the Arcadia Public Library event last week.
A proposed 739-feet bridge to span the eastbound 210 freeway diagonally from Santa Anita Avenue may become a landmark gateway sign welcoming people to the San Gabriel Valley. If Measure R funding comes through for this project, construction could begin in Fall 2010. Artists are being asked to submit proposals for the bridge design by the end of next month. Total cost of the bridge is estimated at $20 million and selected artists will receive a $20,000 budget to design the bridge.
Fewer shoppers were out the day after Christmas, a sign of the economy's current recession. Bargains and sales were everywhere, but people were not splurging. Sales data figures are given by SpendingPulse. (No space between Spending and Pulse)
Foothill Unity Center held its annual Thanksgiving food basket distribution Monday at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. People are giving less this year due to the economic downturn.
17-year-old Arcadia High School student Courtney Chou Lee has been named the 91st Rose Queen. Six other young ladies are princesses including another AHS student, Lauren Valenzuela. The Rose Queen and her royal court will reign over the 120th Rose Parade and the 95th Rose Bowl. Article contains some quotes from Courtney Lee's parents, Andrew Lee and Ulanda Lee.
City officials have authorized for the first week of October a previously postponed mail-in vote on whether to reallocate street lighting assessment fees. Residents will vote on a reorganization that would make the payments correspond fairly to the benefits received.
A package of new and increased city service fees designed to eliminate a potential budget shortfall will take effect on September 1, 2008. The higher fees are expected to bring Arcadia nearly $512,000 in the new fiscal year, by increases in fire services, swim classes, business licenses, plan checks and library services.