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.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade 2021 was canceled, but the show goes on for Rose Parade bands. PCC Band Director Kyle Luck and Arcadia High School Apache Marching Band Director Kevin Sherrill coordinated and edited a Zoom virtual performance starring Kermit the Frog and their student musicians for broadcast.
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.
Interview with author Brad Pearson who wrote the book The Eagles of Heart Mountain. He tackles the injustice of Japanese-American incarceration through the exploits of a World War II camp football team. Article mentions many evacuees were detained at Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia before being shipped out.
Former Mayor, students reflect on continuing controversy over Apache imagery use at Arcadia High School.1342 people have signed petition to stop its use as a mascot.
Man, 52, gets two life sentences for killing his nephews in Arcadia. Deyun Shi will spend the rest of his life in prison without a chance for parole for killing 15-year-old Anthony Lin and 16-year-old William Lin in their Arcadia home on the 400 block of Fairview Avenue, and for attacking his now-former wife Amy Lin, at the couple's La Canada Flintridge residence.
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.
Representative Judy Chu (District 28) makes special speaking appearance at Arcadia High School on February 3, 2023. She spoke about monumental issues and legislation on topics like gun control, abortion, and more, hosted by Arcadia Young Democrats. The event called "What's New with Representative Chu," was the first of its kind at Arcadia High School. Chu, the first Chinese- American woman ever elected to Congress, has had a 22-year career in politics.
Los Angeles County Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination tracker by community (published Sundays). Total doses administered in LA County: 12,257,378. Vaccinations by age in Arcadia city: age 12 and up, 82.9% vaccinated; ages 65 and up, 87.8% vaccinated. In unincorporated Arcadia: ages 12 and up, 79.7% vaccinated and in ages 65 and up, 90.3% vaccinated.
Old Town Monrovia's Underdog Bookstore--an LGBTQ-owned book shop uplifting diverse authors and local presses--fights intolerance with inventory. Bookseller Muse Lee was confronted by a customer, a woman who felt "oppressed as a white person" and voiced objections that included racism and homophobia. Emily Lindley-Rodriguez, who works in Arcadia, is saddened to hear of the hate experienced at Underdog.
CEO Ikenna Mmeje begins managing USC Arcadia Hospital. Ikenna "Ike" Mmeje will lead expansion of access to specialized healthcare and research to the San Gabriel Valley while overseeing all management and operations of the hospital. The hospital was formerly Methodist Hospital of Southern California and is now run by Keck Medicine. Mmeje replaces former president and CEO Dan Ausman, who has retired. Mmeje served as CEO of both Memorial Care Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's and Women's Hospital in Long Beach. He previously held CEO and COO roles with Tenet Healthcare.
Arcadia resident and LAUSD educator Jenny Lu writes book encouraging girls to enter STEM fields. Her book is titled Emma Ren: Robot Engineer and is aimed at children ages 4-8.
Husband shot wife and himself. Deaths of Arcadia couple--Paul Thornton, 58, and his wife Maria Lockwood, 54--ruled murder-suicide. He died of a gunshot wound to the head and she died of a gunshot wound to the chest. They had been married a little over a year. They lived in the block of 600 West Huntington Drive.
Arcadia Politics Becomes Ever More Confusing. Arcadia residents tell us they are concerned that the redistricting rules have changed the city’s voting requirements so much that it is hard to vote for someone you are not familiar with. Therefore, some voters told Arcadia Weekly they simply don’t vote anymore.
The recent council meeting was, indeed, contentious, as one of my colleagues wrote last week.
It appears there’s a push to change the political environment back to at-large voting.