Popular "Star Wars" talents to head fundraiser on May 4 at Chalice Collectibles at The Shops at Santa Anita mall in Arcadia, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. All proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation. Pictured is Kat Cressida, the voice of Princess Leia in popular video games. See also Arcadia Weekly, pp. 1, 15, March 28, 2024.
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.
Star Wars stars to meet fans, raise funds for charity at Chalice Collectibles signing event at The Shops at Santa Anita mall in Arcadia. The event raises funds for two of Lucas Films's favorite charities: The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation. See also Arcadia Weekly, pp. 1, 15, March 28, 2024.
Longtime Arcadia City Clerk Gene Glasco retires. Glasco has served 12 years as its elected City Clerk. In 2022, Arcadia voters approved an update to the City Charter that eliminated the position of the elected City Clerk. With Glasco's retirement, the City Manager will appoint a City Clerk. Most of the traditional City Clerk duties are currently performed by professional staff in the City Manager's Office, ensuring uninterrupted service to the public. Photo of Glasco with Arcadia City Council. See press release dated April 18, 2024 in VF for full-text.
National monument expansion possible. Report claims United States President Joe Biden plans to add a third more land to the protection of the San Gabriel Mountains.
One found dead in apartment fire on Genoa Street near First Avenue on Sunday, April 7. Arcadia police Lieutenant Kollin Cieadlo said there were no signs of foul play so far. Charlie Tuggle, a battalion chief with Arcadia Fire Department estimated damages to the structure at $10,000 and $1,000 to the contents. Arcadia fire Captain Drew Pryor said the call came in at 9:18 P.M. and the bathroom of the apartment was on fire. By 9:37 P.M. the fire was out. The dead man's identity has not been released.
Horse named Stronghold and jockey Antonio Fresu top horse named Imagination, with jockey Frankie Dettori, to win the Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, April 6, at Santa Anita Park.
Arcadia High School names Eric Elias as head football coach. Elias is a former assistant coach and an Arcadia alum. He was offensive coordinator at Cantwell Sacred Heart this past season, and has had previous coaching experience at Buena Park, Schurr, and Arroyo.
Star Wars celebrities to gather for fan event at Chalice Collectibles in Arcadia to raise funds for charity. Chalice Collectibles is one of the biggest independent retail stores selling Funko Pops (mostly vinyl pop culture figurines). Chris Bartlett, the voice and human behind C-3PO and 1-JAC on the Disney Plus streaming series "Obi Wan Kenobi," Kat Cressida, the voice of Princess Leia in "Star Wars: Rebellion," "X-Wing Alliance," and "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron," Misty Rosas, who portrayed Kuiil and Frog Lady on "The Mandalorian," and Leilani Shiu, who portrayed Teeka the Jawa on "Obi Wan Kenobi," Tatooine Jawa and offworld Jawa on "The Mandalorian" and other roles on "The Book of Boba Fett" will be there to sign toys and stuff. Chalice Collectibles is located in The Shops at Santa Anita (mall), 400 South Baldwin, Suite 2, Arcadia, CA 91007.
Pasadena Symphony announces Brett Mitchell as new music director, beginning a 5-year tenure on April 1. The Pasadena Symphony makes up half of the Pasadena Symphony and Pops Organization, and officials said Michael Feinstein will continue as conductor of the Pasadena Pops, which presents an annual summer concert series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
The surprising Anna May Wong. Like many, author Katie Salisbury was startled to learn of the star, then couldn't stop looking. Wong was a famous Chinese-American movie star in the 1920s and 1930s and had her own television series in the early 1950s. Salisbury's nonfiction book about Wong's life is titled Not Your China Doll. The author is half-Chinese and grew up in Arcadia.
High school track and field notes. Local athletes starting to leave an impression. The Covina Invitational takes places March 29-30, Arcadia Invitational takes place April 5-6, and Mt. SAC Relays on April 18-20, but there are some standout competitors such as Reena Hsieh of Arcadia and Arcadia juniorLayla Roslan.
The price hasn't been right for bettors at Santa Anita Park. It's too easy to pick the winners. Betting favorites are winning 46% of the races since the meet opened December 26. That's much higher than normal in thoroughbred racing (about 33%), than the highest for any of Santa Anita's 85 previous winter-spring seasons.
Murder trial. Deyun Shi, man accused of revenge on family. The prosecutor said Shi, a Chinese citizen, had plan to flee to Hong Kong after killing his 2 teenage nephews in Arcadia and an attack against his wife. Shi faces life in prison without parole if convicted in the January 22, 2016 killings of 15-year-old Anthony Lin and 16-year-old William Lin, and of injuring his wife the day before. The boys were bludgeoned to death in their home in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue in Arcadia.
A fourth horse dies from training injury at Santa Anita Park. A 5-year-old mare named Big Switch has been euthanized following a sesamoid injury from exercising. Owner and breeder is George Krikorian. Trainer was John Sadler and jockey was Juan Hernandez.
San Gabriel Mountains-Veterans seeking expansion of forest. Advocates ask White House to add acreage to federal protection. Iraq War veteran Steve Dunwoody leads veterans struggling with PTSD on hikes through the Angeles National Forest. The veterans group joins legislators, cities, tribal, and environmental groups in support of adding forest land to the San Gabriel Mountains monument. The proposed addition borders the cities of Santa Clarita, Monrovia, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre, as well as Los Angeles communities of Sylmar, Tujunga, and Sunland. Twin bills from House of Representatives Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena and U.S. Sentor Alex Padilla, D-Calif. propose an expansion that would grow the monument by one-third.
Santa Anita Park cancels Friday racing due to recent storms. Friday's card will be redrawn Saturday and held February 15. Santa Anita Park V.P. and General Manager Nate Newby said more than 10 inches of rain fell in Arcadia since Sunday afternoon.