Grand opening of new Live Oak Library celebrated recently. The $7.3 million refurbishment began May 2019 and completed September 1, 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. It is a Los Angeles County Public Library branch. Los Angeles County supervisor Kathryn Barger attended. Its manager is Denise Dilley.
Arcadia City Council approves a temporary permit for an inflatable Fun Box play area in the parking lot of The Shops at Santa Anita mall (formerly Westfield Santa Anita mall, name was changed in 2022). It will run from March 1 through May 23. The Shops at Santa Anita is at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue.
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.
Arcadia's Vietnam War Monument redecorated by Chris Tran and his fellow Boy Scouts Troop 104, with funds donated by Jason Lee, an Arcadia lawyer and City Council candidate for District 5. The City of Arcadia's 24th annual tribute to Veterans and Military Families will be held on Saturday, May 28, 10-1 at Arcadia County Park. The event is hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Drive-in movie fundraiser, a tribute to former addict and prison inmage, actor Danny Trejo, to help drug treatment organization CRI-Help. Features Universal Studio's award-winning documentary "Inmate #1: the rise of Danny Trejo" on a 50-foot screen at Santa Anita Park on May 14. The film chronicles Trejo's journey from addiction to Hollywood stardom. He will appear and his restaurant Trejo's Tacos will cater the event.
Monrovia man Yi Chen gets 4 years in prison for fraud in a student visa scheme to get Chinese immigrants into the U.S. unlawfully. From June 2015-February 2021, Chen was the CEO and owner of two so-called educational consulting companies in Alhambra and Arcadia that charged foreign students thousands of dollars for "guaranteed" admission to a college that would lead to the issuance of an F-1 student visa. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, October 6, 2022.
Unveiling of Anita May Baldwin statue brings peace and beauty. Anita May Baldwin was dedicated down the road from the statue of her father, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue was unveiled yesterday at the official grand opening of the Le Meridien Hotel on Huntington Drive in Arcadia. The statue is called "A Legacy of Charity," made by artist Alfred Paredes.
Arcadia's historic Derby Restaurant may be relocated. A mixed-use project may take the place of The Derby and Embassy Suites at 211 East Huntington Drive - 233 East Huntington Drive. Local historian Sandy Snider expressed concern that the 99 year-old building may end up being razed. George Woolf bought the Derby in 1938, originally named Proctor Tavern when it operated in 1922. Councilman Paul Cheng supports the relocation of The Derby. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, August 13, 2020 for "The Derby-what's next?"
Arcadia Invitational Track and Field event scheduled for May 7, 8. It is the signature event in the area this year with many of the top athletes in the state performing at Arcadia High School. See also Pasadena Star News, p. B2, May 2, 2021 about Arcadia Invitational being limited to runners from California due to COVID-19 restrictions. No spectators.
Bob Baffer, horse trainer, is denied stay of suspension by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He has been suspended for 90 days, effective March 8 through June 5, and was fined $7,500. He was trainer of Medina Spirit, a horse that is now deceased but tested positive for the steroid betamethasone following the Kentucky Derby last May 1. Medina Spirit was stripped of the Kentucky Derby crown and collapsed and died on December 6, 2021 of a heart attack after a trianing run at Santa Anita Park.
Los Angeles County may halt mask mandate as Coronavirus (COVID-19) stats stabilize. COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to show signs of stabilizing.
Woman ahead of her time honored. Anita May Baldwin statue to debut at Le Meridien Hotel. She was philanthropist, key figure in racetrack. The statue is named "A Legacy of Charity," by artist Alfred Paredes.
Housing grades. Every city and county in California is required to plan for adequate housing across income levels. This newspaper grades each jurisdiction in the state by looking at lower-income housing permits. Arcadia got an F.
Santa Anita Park targets May 15 to resume live racing. Track makes plan to race when county stay-at-home order could be lifted, pending approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Arcadia Transit Dial-a-Ride temporary modifications--offering transit assistance to senior/disabled riders who are self-isolating and who may need help by allowing caregivers of registered riders to use Dial-a-Ride to do essential errands for them.
Foul weather foils New Year's Day racing at Santa Anita Park--its New Year's Day racing was canceled 5 1/2 hours before first post after a light rain fell through much of Saturday's card and intensified throughout the night and into Sunday morning (January 1).
No rest for the weary. Inundated with COVID-19 patients and short on staff and supplies, Arcadia Methodist Hospital faces its toughest test. They may have to choose which patients will receive care if the situation gets any worse. The California Department of Public Health has sent 13 nurses to support the hospital, says spokesperson Cliff Daniels.