Creative Housing Options in Arcadia (CHOA). Local efforts to address the lack of affordable housing and homelessness. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, a group of about 30 community members met at The Hills Church in Arcadia for a 2-hour "Sharing Session" to learn about what is being done in the city to address these issues. Safe Parking Programs were discussed. Arcadia City Council member Eileen L. Wang and Arcadia Mayor April Verlato attended.
Arcadia Assisteens Auxiliary accepting applications February 1-28. It is a co-ed auxiliary that provides community service opportunities for high school students. Assisteens staff the Book Buddies Program, in partnership with Arcadia Public Library, and volunteer at the Assistance League of Arcadia's Bargain Box Thrift Shop. A group photo of Assisteens is shown.
Breeders' Cup-Back to front. Race horse Fierceness rebounds from previous race struggle to win Juvenile, the $2 million Grade I race. Fierceness is a Mike Repole homebred trained by Todd Pletcher. Jockey John Velazquez in photo riding on Fierceness.
Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride suffers serious injury during workout at Santa Anita Park with Mike Smith aboard. Geaux Rocket Ride is one of the leading contenders in next weekend's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses announces 2024 Rose Queen Naomi Stillitano, a senior from Arcadia High School. She is the 105th Rose Queen, lives in Arcadia, is co-president of Italian Culture Club, a dancer and actress with the Arcadia Stage Theater. Born and raised in Italy for 7 years, with goal to create her own fashion brand, interested in studying fashion design. The Rose Queen and the Rose Court act as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community, and the greater Los Angeles area. Each Royal Court member receives a $7500 educational scholarship.
Track, music world revered Jerry Moss. Jerry Moss, co-founder of A & M Records in 1962, was known as a big horse racing fan and owner of the great mare Zenyatta, the only female to win Breeders' Cup Classic in 2009 at Santa Anita Park. He was also a member of the California Horse Racing Board. He was 88 when he died on August 16 in his Bel Air home.
USC's new Athletic Director (A.D.) Jennifer Cohen says integrity will be key. After similar job at Washington, Arcadia native Cohen is excited for a chance to lead Trojans.
Outstanding Educator Awards honor 17 area teachers, presented by Assemblymember Mike Fong. Grace Shahinian from Camino Grove Elementary (Arcadia Unified School District) was among those honored.
TailoredSpace brings flexible co-working space to suburbs. TailoredSpace CEO Drew Sanden, a seasoned commercial real estate broker, launched TailoredSpace with COO Scott Maples in 2019. The company has been expanding its office campuses in Southern California suburbs, offering flexible co-working and communal spaces for fixed-price monthly memberships. Sanden said he cut his teeth in brokerage along the 210 Freeway corridor--Monrovia and Arcadia.
Arcadia Unified School District continues decades-long advocacy for fair funding from the state. A dozen delegates from Arcadia went to Sacramento for the California State Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Legislation Conference, where they discussed key issues in public education, such as funding for mental health resources and arts programs, continued budget cuts and more. Arcadia High School student delegates Isaac Offstein, Joya Sarkar and Chloe Wong, met with State Senator Susan Rubio (D-49), State Senator Anthony Portantio (D-25) and Assemblyman Mike Fong (AD-49).
Monterey Park shooting aftermath. Lunar New Year is typically a festive and family affair, but was marred by a mass shooting in Monterey Park, which killed 10 at a dance hall. David Lee, co-president of Arcadia Chinese Association, said Lunar New Year is supposed to be "a happy time for family reunions because Chinese tradition and culture is very family-oriented."
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart's Hart House is open in Monrovia at 602 West Huntington Drive. This fast food is all plant-based, no additives or hormones, artificial colors, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup and it's delicious. Karen MacNair of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce waas present at the ribbon cutting.
Show is a real gem in San Gabriel Valley. Pasadena Lapidary Society's annual Tournament of Gems Show, its 62nd, is now taking place at the Arcadia Masonic Center.
Concert in the Park, outside on Arcadia City Hall lawn, featuring the band Alumni Acoustic. Band members are alumni of Arcadia High School. They perform rock music and folk music.
All-Area Baseball. Pasadena Star News names Mike Ebner of Maranatha High School, as Player of the Year. All-Area team consists of four from Arcadia: Pitcher Ian Hoffstetter, Infielders Danny Chavez, Alex Dolan, and Jack Esguerra.
Mardi Gras raises $140,000 for new technologies at Methodist Hospital. It was the Methodist Hospital Foundation's 27th annual Mardi Gras Food Fest celebration, held in person, at Sirona's Restaurant in Santa Anita Park. Dr. Elias Tarakji, M.D. was crowned King of Mardi Gras. Event co-chairs Dino Clarizio, his wife Hope and daughter Jenna were recognized for their hard work. Dr. Tarakji has served on the Hospital Board since 2016, was Chief of Staff in 2016, among other leadership roles.