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.
USC Arcadia Hospital announces leadership changes. The appointments will "better serve its community and align with Keck Medicine of USC health system." Colleen Wilcoxen, is now chief nursing officer. Robert Begg has been named Vice President of Human Resources and will supervise workforce training and development. Beginning January 29, Lisa Johnson will serve as the USC-AH chief quality officer.
Santa Anita Park race track hosts 2023 Horse Racing Women's Summit (HRWS) on September 29. Over 150 women from 13 states and Canada gathered for the second HRWS to advance racing by empowering women.
Santa Anita Park's opening day for thoroughbred racing will be September 29. Los Angeles County Arboretum's 75th Anniversary Gala honoring Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger takes place on October 14.
Obituary/death notice. Family, friends mourn loss of Arcadia resident Arekel Carranco after fatal hit-and-run on Huntington Drive on June 30, by a 17-year-old driver.
Pasadena Pops presents in concert "Michael Feinstein Sings Broadway" at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, July 29. Future concerts include "The Music of Queen" on August 26 and "Hollywood Blockbusters" on September 9.
Class of 2023 graduations happening in Arcadia include:
June 1-Arroyo Pacific Academy graduation at Arroyo Pacific Academy, 325 North Santa Anita Avenue.
June 8-Arcadia High School graduation at Santa Anita Park Racetrack, 285 West Huntington Drive.
Also, June 6-Gabrielino High School (located in San Gabriel) graduation will be held at Santa Anita Park Racetrack.
The Towne Singers perform "Light Fantastic" on Saturday, June 10, 2023, 5:00 P.M. at Arcadia Performing Arts Center at 188 Campus Drive, Arcadia, California.
Application deadline looms for Arcadia small-business grants totaling $1 million. The applications are due December 29, 2022 and the program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The grants can be used for physical improvements to a company's place of business, updating digital marketing and branding and other improvements focused on attracting new customers. Contac Arcadia Economic Development Division for more information.
Chen Suen becomes first Asian American fire chief in Arcadia. He takes over from Barry Spriggs who retired November 8, after 29 years of service. Suen is an Arcadia resident. He emigrated from Taiwan. He graduated from Arcadia High School, and attended Loyola Law School, UC Irvine, and Santa Ana College, before spending the last 18 years with Arcadia Fire Department.
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.
City of Arcadia continuing Concerts and Movies in the Park Series with an event every Thursday from June 23 through August 4 at 240 West Huntington Drive, on the lawn between Arcadia City Hall and Arcadia Police Department. This Thursday's concert will be performed by The Smokin' Cobras, followed by the movie Mulan.
Three candidates vie for two seats on Arcadia Unified School District Board. Leigh Chavez and Fenton Eng are currently the respective president and vice president of the school board. In Tuesday's primary election, newcomer Ben Zhang is in the running. Zhang has criticized the current board for its response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3 and A9, June 9, 2022 for semifinal vote count--incumbents Leigh Chavez and Fenton Eng are ahead.
Pasadena City College Board. Three challengers hold leads over incumbents in the recent primary election. In Trustee Area 7, Incumbent Anthony Fellow and Alton Wang, a legal advocate focused on improving representation in government for communities across the country, hope to represent the city of Arcadia on the college's Board of Trustees. Wang led early in a tight race. Both Fellow and Wang recognize the importance of the issues of housing insecurity and increasing access to college courses in the wake of declining enrollment at PCC. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A8, June 9, 2022--Incumbent Fellow leads Alton Wang.
Pandemic looms over school election. Arcadia Unified School District Board incumbents and one hopeful revisit COVID era. Leigh Chavez and Fenton Eng are seeking re-election on June 7. Ben Zhang is a thrid candidate for the two seats.
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.
Arcadia High School takes first in the JPL Regional Science Bowl and is headed to nationals in April. See also Mountain Views News, p. 9, January 29, 2022.
Another horse euthanized at Santa Anita Park after training injury. It was a 3-year-old colt named Uncle Boogie, owned by Eric Homme and trained by Andrew Lerner. Eleven horses died from a racing or training injury during the winter/spring meet, which ended June 20.