2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade's Rose Court profiled with their hobbies. Sahanna Rajinikanthan, one of the Royal Court, is from Arcadia and enjoys baking. She made it to the state championship for the VEX Robotics Competition and enjoys volunteering as a singing coach in the language of Araneri, passing on her Indian culture to her students.
2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court eager to uphold traditions. The 2023 Royal Court has been selected. They are Salia Baligh, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Bella Ballard, Zoe Denoncourt, Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Uma Wittenberg, and Adrian Crick. Sahanna Rajinikanthan is from Arcadia High School.
An honored tradition: 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses unveils Royal Court. The seven members receive $7500 in educational scholarships. They are Salia Baligh, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Bella Ballard, Zoe Denoncourt, Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Uma Wittenberg, and Adrian Crick. Sahanna Rajinikanthan is an Arcadia resident and a senior at Arcadia High School.
An inquiry into whether Arcadia Mayor Donald E. Pellegrino violated state conflict-of-interest law in connection with a proposed office complex in the city is now in the hands of Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
Arcadia bids farewell to board members and welcomes newly appointed. Maki Hsieh, the Director of Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, is leaving Arcadia for Seattle. Newly appointed are Gary Brewer (Arcadia Beautiful Commission), Kaitlyn Jeong (Human Resources Commission), Brad Thompson (Planning Commission) and Peter Chu (Recreation and Parks Commission).
Arcadia City Council rejected a proposed draft resolution last week that several argued would give city-designated homeowner associations (HOA) too much power. During a study session, the Council discussed amending and consolidating the five HOAs' development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document. Some argued the draft would give the associations' Architectural Review Boards (ARB)--which have architectural design review authority over the association area--too much control over the size of homes, setbacks and other issues. ARBs should look favorably on someone's dream home plans "unless it was so garish and outlandish that it might negatively affect property values," said Councilman Bob Harbicht. Opposition from Kevin Tomkins and Laurie Thompson.
Arcadia Councilman Don Pellegrino has been cleared of charges filed more than two years ago that he had violated the Political Reform Act because of alleged conflicts of interest.
Arcadia Mayor Donald Pellegrino and two other Arcadia residents have been ordered by an Ohio judge to stop using for one year trade secrets that were "unlawfully taken" from a competing firm. The ruling was made in connection with Arcadia-based Western Pacific Technology.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
Arcadia resident Dr. Donald Pinkel has been involved with children and cancer research for many years. He is currently senior physician and chairman of the division of pediatrics at the City of Hope in Duarte.
Arcadia residents hoping to vote to curb home sizes. Groups want city to have a lot less 'mansionization' and are circulating a petition for a ballot initiative that aims to set square footage regulations for new residential development projects.
Bella Ballard of Altadena is the Rose Queen of the 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Sahanna Rajinikanthan, one of the Royal Court, is an Arcadia resident and a senior at Arcadia High School. Royal Court. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 14, October 27, 2022.