Television show “Trading Spaces” transforms teachers’ lounges at First Avenue Middle School and Holly Avenue Elementary School. Shown in photo “Trading Spaces” host Paige Davis and Arcadia Unified School District educators Karalee Nakatsuka, Megan Forbes, Regina Ringo and Teresa Oakland. The show airs on the TLC network.
Arcadia High School student Nancy Xu, a senior, launches children’s book diversity campaign. She has written a children’s book called Hana and Arnie, a tale of a girl and an armadillo taught their village to embrace immigrants and diversity. She has a Kickstarter campaign.
Students, Santa Anita Park jockeys to raise money for charities in annual charity basketball game to benefit permanently disabled jockeys, high school athletics and foundation for children with a rare neurological disorder.
Altrusa Club of Arcadia celebrated 52 years. Arcadia Mayor John Wuo presented the club with a special commendation from the city for its service to the community.
In a racing first, Santa Anita Park has designated a popular four-footed staffer as Employee of the Week--"Homestead Sally"--a 2,000 pound Clydesdale. She works in the afternoon pulling one of their carriages for racing officials.
Arcadia city officials are cracking down on "maternity tourism" boarding houses by dedicating a full-time police detective to investigate the issue. Maternity or birth tourism is a phenomenon in which women, often from China, pay a handsome fee to have their babies in the United States, so the children can be citizens. While that is not illegal, at least five establishments have been shut down for violations, such as unlawfully operating boarding house businesses in residential zones.
Yongjian "Richard" Zhang and Ruixia "Nancy" Zhang, the parents of Alice Zhang, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Arcadia and the driver who struck and killed Alice. The lawsuit, filed in August, alleges that "the dangerous condition" of the crosswalk on the 600 block of West Duarte Road was a significant factor in Alice's death. The Zhangs are asking for unspecified general and special damages. The complaint also alleges that driver Bowen Du's negligence was a "substantial factor" in the teen's death.