Virginia Brown recalls memories of early Arcadia having chicken farms everywhere. She has lived in Arcadia since her birth in 1917. Her father Scott Lee came to Arcadia in 1907 to dig water wells. Lee was a graduate of Throop Institute, which became California Institute of Technology. Her mother was Delia Chandler. Virginia Brown talks about where her family lived and her family's friendship with Anita Baldwin. The article includes a photo of Virginia Brown and her parents.
Arcadia Weekly columnists: Susan Motander writes general news, p. 1; Mary K. Riherd writes music news, p. 14; Kevin Awakuni writes general news, p. 19.
Dr. Charles H. Strub brought horse racing back to Arcadia. After the state made it legal again in 1930, Anita Baldwin tried to revive her father, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's dream of a Santa Anita Racetrack. She worked with Joe Smoot but he couldn't achieve this, even though Arcadia City Council licensed his Santa Anita Jockey Club. San Francisco dentist Charles H. Strub (pronounced Stroob), owner of the San Francisco Seals baseball team, got a license for the Los Angeles Turf Club and founded Santa Anita Park with Hal Roach and other promoters. The track was designed by Gordon Kaufman and opened December 25, 1934.
The Arcadia Board of Education promised parents and supporters of former teacher Sandra Ragusa a statement on why she was not allowed to withdraw her resignation.
Foothills Middle School music teacher Sandra Ragusta resigned after 12 years, after receiving her lowest employee evaluation since 1990. She tried to withdraw her resignation but Arcadia Board of Education decided not to give Ragusta her job back.
Tournament of Roses Queen Alexandra Wucetich and her court ride under the parade route in a Metro Gold Line tunnel. Metro Gold Line follows the same Atchison/Topeka Santa Fe Railroad right of way that has provided passengers and freight service for nearly 100 years. Arcadia's princess Anjali Agrawal is in a photo with her father Sudhir K. Agrawal.
Assemblywoman Carol Liu has garnered more local endorsements in her first bid for elective office before Arcadia voters. Gary Kovacic, Mickey Segal, Maryann Gibson, and Annie Yuen endorse Liu, who wants to get tough on child pornographers.
Christina Aragon, Assistant Superintendent of business services at Arcadia Unified School District, totaled her district car that she uses as a personal vehicle. It is part of her salary package. Arcadia School Board members and Superintendent Mimi Hennessy defended Aragon in media coverage.
The Anoakia developer cannot bulldoze the Anita Baldwin mansion without a demolition permit which will not be granted by the city until certain requirements are met.
Peggy Zabel, a computer aide at Hugo Reid Elementary School, went on a road trip on historic Route 66. The trip totaled 6,240 miles and she e-mailed her journal and photos to students at Hugo Reid Elementary School.
Daniel Fox, son of Jim and Toni Fox, has returned home to celebrate Thanksgiving after a car accident. He has been recovering over the last seven months.
Arcadia printer Jamie Cambrelen assists as many as 800 people a week with twice a week food distributions. He works the program out of his home and the New Christian Life Center church.
The City Council voted against a proposed 6-unit development of condominiums on First Avenue. This caused some conflict as applicant Hank Jong had received approval for the project until a second check showed the zoning he was relying on conflicted with the general plan.
Investigators have concluded that the failure of a pump on a fire engine was likely caused by a mechanical and/or design defect. The failure occurred on July 4 at a car accident scene where David Contreras died. Chief Dave Lugo may pursue litigation with manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Fire Apparatus. See related story, Arcadia Weekly, July 11, 2002, p. 8 and Arcadia Weekly, July 18, 2002, p. 1.
Demolition permits have been approved and the project of building new homes where the Anoakia mansion stands is now underway. Artifacts from the mansion have been given to the Arcadia Historical Society and the Arboretum.
Construction begins on Anoakia luxury housing development, on the former site of Anoakia, Anita Baldwin's mansion, on the corner of Baldwin Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia. The Anoakia Mansion was demolished last August to make way for 31 homes to be built by Hover Development Inc. of Newport Beach. Anita Baldwin, daughter of Lucky Baldwin, lived there until her death in 1939. It was used as a girls' school from 1941 to the late 1970s. The new housing development is 19 acres.
Arcadia Weekly columnists: Mimi Hennessy, superintendent of Arcadia Schools, p. 4; Albert Ramirez, p. 12; Brian Lottman, "Seniors Page," p. 18; Ethel Mitty, "Seniors Page," p. 19; Mathy Mezey, "Seniors Page" p. 19.