Bill Connolly, 67, has closed his White Eyes Indian Shop, located south of Huntington Drive on First Avenue. First opened in 1964, the property was sold to Don Ta of Alhambra, who plans to open a real estate office.
Councilman Gary Kovacic has suggested that Arcadia establish a sister city relationship with Whiteriver, the main community on the White Mountain Indian Reservation, upon which the White Mountain Apache Tribe live.
Decades-long debate over Arcadia High School's use of Apache imagery resurfaces. The controversy began in 1997. In the late 1990s, Native American activists threatened to sue Arcadia High School over the use of the Apache mascot. "Apache Joe" mascot is no longer used. In 2020, a year of massive protests and change in the United States, perhaps another look at the logo and name may be in order. Arcadia schools Superintendent David Vannasdall responded, in part, with why Arcadia High School continues to use the Apache name, citing the strong partnership between Arcadia High School and the White Mountain Apache Tribe, who granted the use of their name to the school. He said, regardless of the school's mascot name, he will continue to honor the relationship he and Arcadia High School have with the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is fortunate to call them friends. He believes revisiting this issue on a regular basis is wise.
Assembly bill AB858, also known as the Jerry Ballesteros Act, is now going to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. It is a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles), calling for a ban on the use of Native American tribal names, specifically Apaches and Comanches, as school mascots. The Arcadia Board of Education opposes the bill. Arcadia leaders say the use of the name Apaches is a gesture of respect. Arcadia High School has a close relationship with the White Mountain Apache tribe, which supports the use of the name. This year's bill is different, in that last year's bill left a small loophole if the name is used respectfully.
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.
Arcadia Unified School District to reconsider Apaches as mascot amid online petition drive, officials say it is on agenda. It is a revival of a 20-year-old controversy to remove Apaches name and imagery amid a nationwide movement to erase offensive emblems. Shayan Farooq, a 2013 graduate of Arcadia High School, felt the issue needed to be addressed. Farooq started a petition at Change.org. AUSD spokesperson Ryan Foran said the issue will be addressed in its list of priorities after reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic and recent sexual assault allegations involving current and former students who were video recorded, without consent, having sex. Controversy surrounding the Apaches mascot dates back two decades when Native American activists protested the Apache Joe mascot at Arcadia school board meetings in 1999. Then Principal Martin Plourde sought the White Mountain Apache Tribe's blessing to use the imagery and tribal leaders approved, but many students at Alchesay High School (Arcadia High School's sister school on Apache reservation) found the mascot offensive and urged Plourde to change it. 2018 Arcadia High School graduate Yumei Lin is leading a Facebook group to change the emblem.
Shoemaker Al Yarter standing out in front of shops he built on North First Ave. The family lived in the house between the two shops. Mr. Yarter's grandson, Pat Carlin, told us in 1980 that Mr. Yarter bought the land from Anita Baldwin for a stated price. Later, he was told by an agent, that because the lot was within the lighting district, he would need to pay an additional amount. When Mr. Yarter spoke directly to Anita Baldwin about this, she said it had been her mistake and he would pay only what had been agreed upon. Groceries on the left and Arcadia Shoe Shop on the right.
The Arcadia Welfare and Thrift Shop serves a dual purpose: a non-profit department store with thrift shop prices and as a local welfare agency for those in need. The article discusses the types of assistance given. All programs are funded by sales from the thrift shop.
The Arcadia Welfare and Thrift Shop is beginning its 51st year. Thrift shop manager Dorothy Smith tells of the changes and growth since its opening during the depression, and describes the types of merchandise to be found in the "non-profit department store with thrift shop prices."
Arcadia High students are collecting toiletries and other items to aid members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe who were displaced by a massive wildfire. They have formed the "Apache to Apache" drive. Because the high school mascot is the Apache, students have developed a close relationship with the Native Americans who live on a reservation in Arizona.
Four men sought in smash-and-grab thefts of purses and watches from the store Rebag at The Shops at Santa Anita mall, at 400 South Baldwin Avenue, on Sunday afternoon, December 3. See also Mountain Views News, p. 1, December 9, 2023.
Ruth Gilb, president of the board of directors of the Arcadia Welfare and Thrift Shop, says the store is a vital part of the community. Not only is it a retail store, it is a social service facility that provides assistance to people with financial, family, and personal problems.
Shasta, the dog who saved Luella Ball's life several months ago when her house caught fire, has been named winner of the Dog Hero Award presented by the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.