Don't forget to send in your ballots, Arcadians. The April 10 Arcadia City Council election ballots were sent to all registered voters on March 12. Voters can mail them or drop them off at Arcadia City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive. Brief summary of each candidate is given.
Lost in translation: ballot error in Chinese language instructions on the mail-in ballot, directing voters to choose up to 3 City Council candidates, in the race for only 2 open seats in the April 10 election.
An episode of cable television channel AMC's show "Mad Men," that was filmed on location at Rod's Grill on Huntington Drive in Arcadia, last October, was shown this past week on the network. The episode is called "Far Away Places" and stars Jon Hamm as Don Draper, and Jessica Pare, as his wife. In this period drama, they are supposedly at a Howard Johnson's motor lodge (motel and restaurant).
Dance instructor Ricky Sun and Evoke Dance Group, and amateur dancers ranging in age from 5 to 75, formed the first ever "Flash mob" of 100 dancers to appear at historic Santa Anita Park race track. They broke out in a choreographed routine to publicize Relay For Life. The flash mob was organized by the Chamber of Commerce.
Guilty verdict delivered to Lawrence Joseph Farry, 25, who was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter, in the death of former Arcadia resident Joan Milazzo in August last year. Farry struck Milazzo with his car in the Del Sur area of North County San Diego. Milazzo grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, graduated from Alverno High School in Sierra Madre and was a member of St. Rita Catholic Parish in Sierra Madre.
Arcadia Police uncover house used for growing marijuana on the 400 block of E. Wistaria on December 4. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 7, December 11, 2014.
Coco's Restaurant at 1150 W. Colorado Boulevard in Arcadia, was robbed by an armed gunman on January 4 at 10:31 PM. The gunman had a semi-automatic handgun, demanded cash, and locked two employees in the freezer before fleeing.
Two Arcadia homes used for indoor marijuana growing operations. Warrants were served and arrests were made in the 1800 block of South Baldwin Avenue and the 300 block of West Woodruff. A third house, on the 2700 block of Gilpin Way, was discovered to be an indoor marijuana cultivation house, too.
Arcadia Police Department launches Weibo page, a Chinese-based social media website, similar to Facebook and Twitter. Its participation on Weibo will enhance the department's ability to engage and communicate with a specific portion of the Arcadia community, with postings in simplified Chinese. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 15, March 5, 2015.
Arcadia Host Town Committee met with the Trinidad-Tobago Head of Delegation Candy Berman-Harper and Trinidad policeman and fireman Ferdinand Bibby. Arcadia is one host town for the upcoming Special Olympics, which run July 25-August 2. There will be 100 Special Olympians, coaches, and mentors from Trinidad-Tobago and Kyrgyz Republic staying in Arcadia and enjoying meals, programs, and tours around town. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 16, March 12, 2015.
Foothill Gold Line construction update. The Gold Line light rail from Pasadena to Azusa has now surpassed 85% complete. Overview of bridge construction, track completion, grade crossings, and train testing. Substantial completion of entire project remains on schedule for late September 2015, when the project as a whole will be turned over to Metro for pre-revenue service. Metro will decide when the line will open for passenger service.
Gary Kovacic is Arcadia's mayor for the sixth time since 1998. Mayor Pro Tem is Roger Chandler. Mayor Kovacic is in the final year of a second consecutive four-year term. Due to term limits, he will have to step away from Arcadia City Council for at last two years after he concludes his current term as mayor, next April.