Aaron Sharp of Port Hueneme posted a time of 15:01 to win his third straight Santa Anita Derby Day 5K at Santa Anita Park last Saturday. It was the 20th anniversary of the race.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital celebrates 60th anniversary. It opened in May 1957 with 138 beds. It had relocated from Los Angeles, where it served Angelenos for the previous five decades.
Arcadia Presbyterian Church's 100th anniversary (centennial) will feature a choral and organ concert. John Henken will conduct the chorus and Tabitha Henken will be the organ accompanist.
Arcadia resident David Arvizu to challenge city on open meeting law. His letter gives city officials 30 days to respond to alleged open meeting law violations before he files a complaint with the D.A. or a lawsuit against the city. He offered two alternatives to litigation: the Council would either set aside the decisions made in closed session on May 5, or make the meeting minutes available to the public. In a closed session May 5, City Council voted to suspend comprehensive updates to the city's residential and commercial zoning codes, postpone the Neighborhood Impacts Committee, and move forward with a citywide historic preservation survey, excluding the Highland Oaks Homeowners Association. City Attorney Stephen Deitsch said officials did not violate the Ralph M. Brown Act when they voted on three "procedural" items in closed session because they were tied to pending litigation against the city.
Arcadia tenor Todd Wilander is a featured soloist in the Verdi Chorus 35th anniversary concert. He grew up in Arcadia and attended Arcadia High School in the late 1980s. He was a member of “Chanteurs” and sang in the Arcadia Presbyterian Church choir.
Assemblymember Ed Chau (49th Assembly District) honors "Women of the Year" for their distinguished leadership and volunteer work. The recipients are Patsy Harbicht, Chua B. Hua, Rebecca Huang, Floretta Lauber, Olivia Liao, Rita Padilla, Franca Scorscone, and Amy Wong.