The Chinese Cultural Promotion Center has recently been established by a group that plans to promote Chinese culture in the area. Dr. Sheng Chang, director of the new group, said the organization will hold a Chinese Cultural Festival once a year.
Homeless forum in Arcadia spawns communication and compassion. It was held at the Performing Arts Center and designed to provide information on homelessness in Arcadia and giving community members a chance to share ideas and concerns. The Homelessness Resource Hub, now closed, had been offering services such as showers, laundry, free WiFi, charging stations, food, clothing, case management, and more at the city's PAR 3 Golf Course parking lot.
Arcadia residents, city officials grapple with homeless issue at a public forum at Arcadia Performing Arts Center. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said easing the homeless crisis comes down to two major areas--enforcement and services. Police Chief Roy Nakamura said the number of calls to Arcadia Police Department related to the homeless increased from 1493 in 2019, to 2067 in 2020.
Arcadia launches homelessness program and perception survey. It is designed to solicit feedback about homeless in the city and to help inform the City and residents on the community's preferences for homeless support services.
Tony Walker, new director of the West San Gabriel Valley Juvenile Diversion Project, is optimistic about the organization's work with juveniles. The program, whose service area includes Arcadia, deals with young, first-time offenders whose problems are still minor.
Organizers of the 626 Night Market, held at Santa Anita Park, hope that a 6-foot-tall plexi glass cup of boba milk tea, holding about 125 4-inch tapioca balls, immersed in some 320 gallons of black tea and milk, will earn them a spot in the Guinness World Records.
American Chinese Culture Association, an Arcadia-based group that promotes greater understanding between the U.S. and China through cultural exchange, will have members give a dance performance at the National Independence Day Parade in Washington DC. Artist Tao Haixin shows his work at Arcadia County Park.
Tiny house homeless plan draws opposition. Council tables proposal to build shelters at park. The city will create a citizens committee to help study the issue. The city is looking into costs, infrastructure and grants for the proposed complex of tiny shelters, in response to the growing number of unhoused people in Arcadia. Homelessness in Arcadia grew from 85 in 2019 to 117 in 2020.
Arcadia's proposed plastic bag ban has been tabled until after the outcome of a similar statewide referendum on the November election. Mayor Tom Beck first introduced the ordinance. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, May 5, 2016.
Photographs of belly dancers Kim Williams, also known as Kalila, and Dilek, at the Cairo Carnival, held at Santa Anita Park Race Track. It was the annual fundraiser for the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association.
Arcadia officials attempt to expand dialogue around homelessness. Arcadia homeowners are concerned that increased homelessness numbers within the city pose a threat to their children and property values. Arcadia City Council's idea to install 15 or so tiny homes as emergency shelter for unhoused people is being discussed.
California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) warned City of Arcadia of gift limits regarding the trip to China and Taiwan that city officials are planning for cultural learning and sister city relationships. See VF Sister City.