Don't forget to send in your ballots, Arcadians. The April 10 Arcadia City Council election ballots were sent to all registered voters on March 12. Voters can mail them or drop them off at Arcadia City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive. Brief summary of each candidate is given.
Dance instructor Ricky Sun and Evoke Dance Group, and amateur dancers ranging in age from 5 to 75, formed the first ever "Flash mob" of 100 dancers to appear at historic Santa Anita Park race track. They broke out in a choreographed routine to publicize Relay For Life. The flash mob was organized by the Chamber of Commerce.
An episode of cable television channel AMC's show "Mad Men," that was filmed on location at Rod's Grill on Huntington Drive in Arcadia, last October, was shown this past week on the network. The episode is called "Far Away Places" and stars Jon Hamm as Don Draper, and Jessica Pare, as his wife. In this period drama, they are supposedly at a Howard Johnson's motor lodge (motel and restaurant).
Guilty verdict delivered to Lawrence Joseph Farry, 25, who was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter, in the death of former Arcadia resident Joan Milazzo in August last year. Farry struck Milazzo with his car in the Del Sur area of North County San Diego. Milazzo grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, graduated from Alverno High School in Sierra Madre and was a member of St. Rita Catholic Parish in Sierra Madre.
Dana Middle School's iconic concrete monument topped by an iron anchor was destroyed and removed this summer to prepare for renovations of the school's courtyard. Former students were upset over the loss, as it represented school pride. Joann Steinmeier, School Board President, said the anchor itself has been preserved and will be showcased in a fenced area in a new, smaller courtyard.
Suspicious fire on January 1, 2013 engulfed a detached 2-car garage next to a recently vacated single family home in the 200 block of East El Camino Real in Arcadia. The estimated damages are $30,000+. No one was injured.
Over the two days of the Breeders' Cup this year, there were 95,000 in attendance, at Santa Anita Park. It was a 5 percent increase over the last two year's two-day crowds.
Coco's Restaurant at 1150 W. Colorado Boulevard in Arcadia, was robbed by an armed gunman on January 4 at 10:31 PM. The gunman had a semi-automatic handgun, demanded cash, and locked two employees in the freezer before fleeing.
Two Arcadia homes used for indoor marijuana growing operations. Warrants were served and arrests were made in the 1800 block of South Baldwin Avenue and the 300 block of West Woodruff. A third house, on the 2700 block of Gilpin Way, was discovered to be an indoor marijuana cultivation house, too.
Gary Kovacic is Arcadia's mayor for the sixth time since 1998. Mayor Pro Tem is Roger Chandler. Mayor Kovacic is in the final year of a second consecutive four-year term. Due to term limits, he will have to step away from Arcadia City Council for at last two years after he concludes his current term as mayor, next April.
Santa Anita Gardens Catering Services threw an extravagant showcase event to celebrate and promote one of their two hosting venues, Arcadia's historic Prince Erik Hall, located at 2607 South Santa Anita Avenue, behind Arcadia Congregational Church.
Iconic Arcadia Chamber of Commerce building celebrates 50 years on November 12. A 1965 time capsule to be opened with tours of the building remodel. The building is round and all glass. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 19, November 5, 2015. See also Mountain Views News, p. 7, November 14, 2015 (time capsule was opened and contained film strips, films, and papers).
Seven candidates for two seats on Arcadia City Council: Paul Cheng, April Verlato, Bob Harbicht, Peter Amundson, Dr. Sheng Chang, Burton Brink, and Paul Van Fleet.
Voters support incumbents. Turnout very low.* District 2 winner is Tom Beck with 982 votes out of 1857 votes cast and Roger Chandler won in District 5 with 704 votes out of 1627 cast. In District 3, Sho Tay ran unopposed so he was appointed. *semi-official results.
Two Arcadia Unified School District schools earn California Distinguished School honors--Holly Avenue Elementary School and Longley Way Elementary School.
Six Arcadia police recruits graduate from Rio Hondo Police Academy. They are pictured with Arcadia Police Chief Bob Guthrie and captains Larry Goodman and Paul Foley. They will be swon in as police officers and start their two week orientation on July 16. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 10-July 19, 2018.
Metro to improve 210 Freeway barriers, after a series of crashes over the last 2 years involved cars and trucks landing on the Gold Line tracks. Metro plans to install taller, stronger barriers and a detection system on 6 miles of right-of-way down the middle of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena and Arcadia.
Racing returns to Santa Anita Park and another tragedy strikes as horse named Arms Runner fell on the dirt track crossover and had to be euthanized. This was the 23rd horse death since December 23. Trumpeter Jay Cohen was back after three months out with Bell's Palsy.
City of Arcadia employee Tim Schwehr, Senior Economic Development Analyst, will talk to Arcadia Community Coordinating Council on February 3, 2020 about what's happening in Arcadia. In his role, he oversess efforts to attract new business and development, fosters economic growth and acts as liaison to the business community. Includes some biographical information.