Arcadia Weekly columnists:Donna Baker reports on real estate, p. 18; John Luke writes on sports, p. 14; Billy McLellan writes movie reviews, p. 11; Dawn Mueller writes theatre reviews, p. 7; Bill Peters writes music reviews, p. 13; Vince Pirolli is the wine guy, p. 7; Jack Von Bulow, D.D.S. reports on dental news, p. 21; Kelvin Wong writes about real estate, p. 19.
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.
Joe Miller writes a semi-regular column called Rotary Corner in Arcadia Weekly. It covers activities of the Arcadia Rotary Club and Rotary International. The page number varies by the issue.
Manny Romero, the owner of Rod's Grill, wants voters to pass a ban on auto sales on the block bounded by Santa Anita Avenue, Huntington Drive, and Morlan Place. The city wants to buy out his property under eminent domain.
Rod's Grill, in Arcadia since 1956, fights City Hall's eminent domain proceedings. This article gives the history of the restaurant started by Rod Wellman and the history of current owner Romero's battles and City's negotiation efforts.
The City may have to seize Rod's Grill and the Elks Lodge under eminent domain to accommodate Rusnak Arcadia's auto dealership expansion. Manny Romero, owner of Rod's Grill, and the Elks Lodge do not want to move and do not like what the City is offering for the land parcels.
Manny Romero, owner of Rod's Grill, has initiated Measure A to try to block the Rusnak Mercedes Benz automobile dealership from expanding. The city has put out a counter measure, Measure B, to citizens to vote on at the May 8 election.
Competing measures will go to voters in May. Measure A, sponsored by Manny Romero, the owner of Rod's Grill, would prohibit automobile sales in an area bounded by Santa Anita Avenue, Huntington Drive, and Morlan Place for twelve years. Measure B would allow auto sales and related uses on the block and contains a provision to eliminate eminent domain as a tool to acquire property for future development in downtown area.
The Arcadia Historical Museum opened October 20, 2001, 3 months past the target date. Admission is free. See also related story Arcadia Weekly p. 1, October 18, 2001.
The expansion of Rusnak Mercedes-Benz, Arcadia's largest sales tax generator, still faces hurdles. The Church of Arcadia has agreed to move from 21 Morlan Place, but it has encountered delays with the county's plan checks. The City of Arcadia still needs to acquire Rod's Grill at 41 W. Huntington Drive, but proprietor Manny Romero has not accepted any of the city's numerous offers. Tom Valasek, director of marketing at Rusnak Auto Group says the dealership will have to move if the city cannot deliver the land for the expansion plan.
Walter R. Hoefflin, former Tournament of Roses president, died February 24 of the complications of old age. He was 87. See also Pasadena Star News, March 1, 2001 p. A4.