Ochoa, Holden, Murray impress at the 56th Arcadia Invitational. The high school stars of track and field, from around the San Gabriel Valley, the state, and throughout the country, show up at the Arcadia Invitation, held at Arcadia High School.
Nearly 800 schools compete in the Arcadia Invitational, the 56th annual high school meet of stars of track and field, from the state and throughout the country. It is a 2-day competition at Arcadia High School. Photo of South Pasadena High School's Mia Holden.
Star Wars celebrities to gather for fan event at Chalice Collectibles in Arcadia to raise funds for charity. Chalice Collectibles is one of the biggest independent retail stores selling Funko Pops (mostly vinyl pop culture figurines). Chris Bartlett, the voice and human behind C-3PO and 1-JAC on the Disney Plus streaming series "Obi Wan Kenobi," Kat Cressida, the voice of Princess Leia in "Star Wars: Rebellion," "X-Wing Alliance," and "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron," Misty Rosas, who portrayed Kuiil and Frog Lady on "The Mandalorian," and Leilani Shiu, who portrayed Teeka the Jawa on "Obi Wan Kenobi," Tatooine Jawa and offworld Jawa on "The Mandalorian" and other roles on "The Book of Boba Fett" will be there to sign toys and stuff. Chalice Collectibles is located in The Shops at Santa Anita (mall), 400 South Baldwin, Suite 2, Arcadia, CA 91007.
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.
David Wei Lin, father of slain teens William Lin and Anthony Lin, testifies emotionally at brother-in-law Deyun Shi's murder trial. Anthony and William were beaten to death by a bolt cutter in their Arcadia home in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue in Arcadia. Deyun Shi is the uncle of the two boys and stands trial for their murders and for injuring his wife Amy Lin with a maul.
Monterey Park mass shooting one year later. City still lives in massacre's shadow. Permanent memorial to the 11 victims is still in planning stages. In Arcadia, doughnut business owners Francois Ung and his wife Shally Ung remember and honor their friend Andy Kao, a victim of the shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio on January 21, 2023, with a pledge that they will send proceeds from sales at their Arcadia Donuts store on January 20 and 21 to the Monterey Park Hope and Resiliency Center and the Andy Kao Memorial Ballroom Dance Group to assist funding the nonprofit organizations. See also related article, "Who were the Monterey Park shooting victims? A year later, a reflection," Pasadena Star News, p. A13, January 21, 2024.
Your step-by-step guide to the Rose Parade entries lists Spirit of the West Riders, an equestrian unit from Arcadia, at number 16. Also, at number 24, the Scripps Miramar Ranch equestrian unit will be accompanied by Santa Anita Park bugler Jay Cohen.
Equestfest thrills thousands in parade prelude. Equestrian units participating in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade took part in Equestfest, presented by Santa Anita Park yesterday. It was hosted at Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. One unit was the Spirit of the West Riders, based in Arcadia, California.
Sustainable Arcadia: officials talk water conservation and climate change initiatives, such as regional stormwater reuse, tiered water rates, drought tolerant landscaping, energy efficiency Clean Power Alliance, CNG facility, EV chargers and electric vehicles, renewal diesel, trash and recycling, compost to mulch.
Arcadia Veterans Day recognition. City of Arcadia is compiling a comprehensive list of veterans to honor and recognize them. Please call Arcadia Community Center at 626-574-5130 to make sure your name is on the list.
Breeders' Cup. Horse named Practical Move dies after gallop at Santa Anita Park. A short time later race horse Arcangelo dropped out of the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
Young women begin journey to becoming 2024 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Queen. More than 30 hopefuls attend first day of Royal Court tryouts at the historic Tournament House on Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena. Former Rose Court members, including Sahanna Rajnikantha of Arcadia, share stories and answer questions from the 2024 Court hopefuls.
Bay Area horse racing track Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco to close permanently later this year. After the Golden Gate Fields meet ends, The Stronach Group said it will focus on moving horses from the Bay Area to Arcadia, with a goal of increasing field sizes and adding a fourth day of racing to the weekly schedule at Santa Anita Park, beginning in January. See hard copy in VF. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 28, July 20, 2023.
New York's Carnegie Hall hosts young musicians from San Gabriel Valley's Classical European Music Academy Los Angeles (CEMALA). A list of young people who performed include a few from Arcadia--Allen Chen, Andrea Li, Evan Girard-Sun, Farrah Chan, Halley Wang, Ngai Zou, and Sunny Xu.
Coverage of the 55th Arcadia Invitational, considered one of the top high school track and field meets in the nation. It brings together the stars of track and field from the state and throughout the country for a 2-day competition at Arcadia High School. Arcadia event coordinator Rich Gonzalez says a record 690 schools are participating from 36 different states. Spotlight on Kayla McBride from Ayala High School. See also spotlight on South Pasadena High School's Mia Holden, at Pasadena Star News, p. B2, April 8, 2023.
San Gabriel Valley high school Track and Field leaders as of April 5. Based on leaderboards at Athletic.net. All distances in meters. From Arcadia:
in 1600 meters, Brandon Chang, 4:16.36.
in Discus, Vrishank Biju, 142-11 (dual meet)
in 800 meters, Reena Hsieh, 5:01.84.
in the 3200, Reena Hsieh 10:54.35.
in Discus, Emma Samvelian, 120-2
in Pole Vault, Emma Samvelian, 10-6.
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.
Diners line up to get last meal at Rod's Grill in Arcadia. Restaurant that has served generations of people closes on Sunday (yesterday). Hundreds of diners made a final pilgrimage to Rod's Grill in Arcadia at 41 W. Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. Rod Wellman started the restaurant in 1946 in Alhambra. The Arcadia location opened in 1957 offering 10 cent coffees and 40 cent slices of pie a la mode. Wellman's sons Barry and Brian took over years later, then Manny Romero bought it about 25 years ago and kept its vintage vibe. Romero was an immigrant from Mexico. He died in 2021. Television shows such as This is Us, Mad Men, Last Man Standing, and Luck, had filmed episodes there. See hard copy in VF. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, A4, February 9, 2023.