Pasadena Symphony announces Brett Mitchell as new music director, beginning a 5-year tenure on April 1. The Pasadena Symphony makes up half of the Pasadena Symphony and Pops Organization, and officials said Michael Feinstein will continue as conductor of the Pasadena Pops, which presents an annual summer concert series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
A fourth horse dies from training injury at Santa Anita Park. A 5-year-old mare named Big Switch has been euthanized following a sesamoid injury from exercising. Owner and breeder is George Krikorian. Trainer was John Sadler and jockey was Juan Hernandez.
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.
Indictment implicates Baldwin Park's ex-city attorney Robert Tafoya in $70,000 bribery scheme to help secure cannabis permit from a vote by Councilman Ricardo Pacheco. Special agents with the FBI and IRS arrested former Compton Councilmember Isaac Galvan, 36, and another person, a 50-year-old Arcadia resident, who is the owner and operator of a cannabis grower that obtained a permit in Baldwin Park.
Outstanding Educator Awards honor 17 area teachers, presented by Assemblymember Mike Fong. Grace Shahinian from Camino Grove Elementary (Arcadia Unified School District) was among those honored.
Whittier woman,102, embraces change. Story about Mildred Mellin and husband George Mellin. George died in 2016. He had retired after 26 years of military service and became a teacher at Arcadia High School. Her secret to longevity is one Coors Light every night with popcorn.
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.
Interior view of order and pick up windows at Taco Lita restaurant with menu on display above. Set in the colorful orange, yellow and white tiles on counter base is plaque: Taco Lita is dedicated to Dixie and George Muniz, September 8, 2007. Taco Lita is located at 120 E. Duarte Road in Arcadia.
Muir High School in Pasadena names alum Lance Mitchell as the football head coach. Mitchell has been assistant coach for Arcadia High School the past 5 seasons.
Arcadia Woman's Club celebrates the 90th year of the construction and dedication of their clubhouse. The club is also applying for historical preservation landmark designation for its clubhouse. One of the club's first civic projects was establishing a library in Arcadia in 1914. After receiving approval from the county, a small library building at the southeast corner of First Avenue and Indiana (Wheeler) Street was established. Arcadia Police Chief Nakamura and Event Chair Marilyn Daleo attend and are in the photo.