Virginia Brown recalls memories of early Arcadia having chicken farms everywhere. She has lived in Arcadia since her birth in 1917. Her father Scott Lee came to Arcadia in 1907 to dig water wells. Lee was a graduate of Throop Institute, which became California Institute of Technology. Her mother was Delia Chandler. Virginia Brown talks about where her family lived and her family's friendship with Anita Baldwin. The article includes a photo of Virginia Brown and her parents.
Cable television's Learning Channel show "Junkyard Wars" brought a challenge to Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita. Competitors were given 10 minutes to build a gravity-powered vehicle from assorted pieces of junk, wheels and miscellaneous items.
Arcadia City Council appointed the following: Bob Hoherd to the Arcadia Beautiful Commission, Richard Cordano and Carmine Falabrino were reappointed. James Hanrahan was reappointed to the Human Resources Commission and John Fung to the library board. David Olsen will serve on the Planning Commission and on the relocations appeal board. Michael Cook and Randy Fowler were named to the Recreation Commission. Jim Lewis and Arlene Okamoto were reappointed to the Senior Citizen Commission, as were Carol Curtis, Harlene Hamann and Dick Milefchik.
The Arcadia Board of Education has adopted a $63.9 million General Fund budget for the coming year. The budget contains reductions across the board, with 10% cuts at schools, a reduction in categorical programs and no cost of living increase from the state.
The dead body of 24-year-old Nancy Christina Sanchez, of Baldwin Park, was found in an alley behind Alice Street near Santa Anita Avenue. In an unrelated case, 60-year-old Gisela Fischer died at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after she was found floating in the hot tub at the Elite Westerner Motel at 161 Colorado Place.
The Arcadia City Council has adopted an ordinance with rules for using Bonita Park's Skateboard Park. The city will follow state requirements that skateboarders must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Hours are 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. Alcohol, drugs, and smoking are forbidden, as are graffiti and reckless skating.
Arcadia Unified School District is looking to cut 10% of its budget for district offices and school sites in preparing the budget for the 2003-2004 school year.
The City will pay $25,000 of city money toward putting a 10-foot tall bronze peacock at Peacock Corner, in front of Arcadia County Park, on the corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue. The sculpture will emerge from the center of the fountain at the corner. The actual cost of the sculpture and base is $36,500. The fountain was originally donated by Rotary Club 35 years ago.
Historical information on Baldwin Lake, the four-acre body of water that adjoins the Queen Anne Cottage in the historical section of the Los Angeles County Arboretum, is presented. The history of lake extends from time of the Native Americans (they called their village Aleupkigna), to Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's ranch in 1873, to the movies and television shows in which it has appeared. Baldwin Lake played host to movie stars Johnny Weismuller, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. The lake has appeared in Safari, Roots, and Fantasy Island. See also VF "Arboretum" for hard copy of article.
Arcadia will join a coalition of 39 other cities in suing the federal and state governments over a new program regulating storm water runoff from local streets. The federal and state program requires cities to reduce trash runoff by 10 percent a year, until it reaches zero, or pay a fine.