Arcadia Downtown Street Market now on Saturdays, 5-9 PM. It is run by Green Leaf Events on First Avenue between Santa Clara Street and Huntington Drive.
Arcadia City Council decided that Arcadia residents will not be allowed to change their house addresses, despite concerns some have about the fear of the number four. See same story on November 3, 2011, pages S1 and S2 of San Gabriel Valley edition of the San Marino Tribune.
Another horse dies at Santa Anita Park, the twenty-sixth fatality since December 26. Kochees, a 9-year-old gelding, injured in Saturday's sixth race, had to be euthanized.
New indoor playground, a business called Precious Ones, in Arcadia, raises safety concerns for children, in opinion of Planning Commission Board member Kenneth Chan. Despite concerns, the Board was satisfied with owner Sandy Joo's responses and approved her business for operation given she meets all the conditions laid out, which include background checks, CPR training for staff, among others.
Los Angeles County's median home price and sales dropped last month, a trend that was reflected statewide. Some San Gabriel Valley areas, such as Walnut, posted gains in June, but some cities, such as Duarte, Diamond Bar, and Arcadia, showed declines in their median home prices. Arcadia's median home price fell 5.8%.
Elected officials from San Gabriel Valley foothill cities are angry after being told the second phase of the Gold Line Extension project (from Azusa to Claremont) will be given zero dollars from Measure R, despite an aggressive funding plan for other projects in Los Angeles, as proposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). MTA staff wants to make permanent Measure R--the half cent sales tax passed by voters in 2008 that expires in 2039--to fund a list of transportation projects across the southland.
At the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce's annual Power Planning Conference on January 24, City of Arcadia's City Manager, Dominic Lazzaretto, provided optimism to the local business community during this time of economic uncertainties. He said 25% of Arcadia's $48 million in annual revenue comes from local businesses--with nearly $10 million from sales taxes and another $2 million-plus from licenses and permits. The City has proposed a new business assistance program ombudsman to help entrepreneurs with the start-up process, is working with Chamber of Commerce to create a more interactive one-stop business checklist, and has not increased the cost of a business permit.
Green Leaf Events, launched by San Gabriel Valley native Jerry Diaz, began handling operations for Monrovia's long-standing Friday Night Street Fair earlier this month, in conjunction with LA Party Works, and in November, will assume operations of the Downtown Arcadia Street Market. It features a farmer's market, food vendors, and live entertainment. Open every Saturday, 5-9 pm, beginning November 7, spans 2 city blocks on First Avenue between Huntington Drive and Santa Clara St.
Arcadia City Council hears public concerns over historic preservation on February 19. In 4-1 vote City Council agreed not to accept the current ordinance as is, but instead to have city staff revise it. Councilman Roger Chandler took some angry digs at local historians such as Carol Libby about the proposed ordinance. Marcello Vavala, of the Los Angeles Conservancy, said the proposed ordinance was fair because it would require consent of the homeowner to officially designate the home a historic entity.
Inaugural Arcadia Christmas Market a delight. Downtown Arcadia came alive with traditional holiday atmosphere, featuring music, unique gifts, food, and activities last Saturday. It will continue every Saturday night until Christmas, with a European-style Christmas Market. Arcadia's Best Foundation organized it and was sponsored primarily by Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority and Forest Lawn, with support from City of Arcadia and Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant. It will be open 5-9pm December 14 and 21.
Arcadia City Council has decided to leave in place a city policy that imposes term limits for serving on City Council, restricting residents from running for more than two consecutive council terms. Had council voted to remove the restrictions, local voters would have had a chance to vote on term limits as a local ballot measure. Arcadia's city charter requires council members who have served two consecutive 4-year terms to take a 2-year break before they can run again for another term.
Santa Anita Park's owners want rock group KISS's singer Gene Simmons for a public relations and marketing gig. Despite several changes in recent months, track owner Frank Stronach, 80, said Santa Anita Park continues to fall short of his financial expectations.
GemCoin (cryptocurrency, digital currency) investors share fraud concerns with Arcadia City Council. Councilman John Wuo declined to respond to accusations of wrongdoing and their call for his resignation from council. Former Arcadia council member Floretta Lauber defended John Wuo.
Due to increased precipitation upstate, Arcadia relaxes watering restrictions. Residents can now water lawns Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May through October. From November through April, residents still limited to Tuesday and Saturday.
The 626 Night Market is the brainchild of 3 Taiwanese-Americans who were heavily inspired by their experiences at night markets in Taiwan. The 626 Night Market will continue at Santa Anita Park next summer.
British retail giant Tesco considers selling its struggling U.S. grocery market Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. The El Segundo-based chain is losing money and Tesco has hired investment bank Greenhill to review options. Fresh & Easy has 200 stores in California, Nevada, and Arizona. There is a store in Arcadia (on Foothill Boulevard).
Arcadia city wants ban on single-use plastic bags just 6 months before a statewide referendum goes to California voters. If adopted, it would affect approximately 36 Arcadia businesses and be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 would begin in early June and would apply to grocery stores with $2 million+ in annual sales, such as Vons, Albertsons, 99 Ranch Market. Phase 2 would include smaller businesses, like pharmacies and convenience stores, and would be implemented 6 months later. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 4, April 21, 2016.