Arcadia's Gilb Museum celebrates 20th anniversary with a new exhibit and guided tour with a behind-the-scenes look at the museum's collections. The Museum Education Center will offer demonstrations of current and upcoming educational programs. Includes a history of the Museum. See hard copy in VF "Museums-Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage."
Arcadia Unified School District to reconsider Apaches as mascot amid online petition drive, officials say it is on agenda. It is a revival of a 20-year-old controversy to remove Apaches name and imagery amid a nationwide movement to erase offensive emblems. Shayan Farooq, a 2013 graduate of Arcadia High School, felt the issue needed to be addressed. Farooq started a petition at Change.org. AUSD spokesperson Ryan Foran said the issue will be addressed in its list of priorities after reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic and recent sexual assault allegations involving current and former students who were video recorded, without consent, having sex. Controversy surrounding the Apaches mascot dates back two decades when Native American activists protested the Apache Joe mascot at Arcadia school board meetings in 1999. Then Principal Martin Plourde sought the White Mountain Apache Tribe's blessing to use the imagery and tribal leaders approved, but many students at Alchesay High School (Arcadia High School's sister school on Apache reservation) found the mascot offensive and urged Plourde to change it. 2018 Arcadia High School graduate Yumei Lin is leading a Facebook group to change the emblem.
CDC optimism is a shot in the arm. New guidelines ease restrictions on vaccinated people. On Saturday, March 13, Maitely Weissman, cofounder of Essential Caregivers Coalition, and other grassroots activists will be marching at 1:00 PM at Arcadia Community Regional Park, while socially distanced, to honor those who have died in long-term care facilities since the March 13, 2020 visitation ban and those who are isolated inside. The "honor walk" in Arcadia is part of a series of coordinated events across 17 states in commemoration of the anniversary of the ban.
Congress--House of Representatives races heat up in the county in the primary election. District 28--Democratic Representative Judy Chu, who represented parts of the San Gabriel Valley since 2013, seeks to return in this redrawn district that includes Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead and Arcadia. Challenging Chu are Democrat Dorothy Carmona, Republican Wes Hallman and Independent Gio DePaolis. Chu had 66.5% and Hallman had 25%.
Former Mayor, students reflect on continuing controversy over Apache imagery use at Arcadia High School.1342 people have signed petition to stop its use as a mascot.
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.
Los Angeles County Arboretum celebrates 75th anniversary with an Arboretum Foundation fundraiser event honoring Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger for her ongoing support. The event raised $241,000 for the education programs and care of the 125 acre Arboretum gardens and landmark structures. Also in attendance Michael Desplaines, CEO of the Arboretum, Susan Kranwinkle, Annette Castro Ramirez, and Pamela Hillings Tegtmeyer (all in photos).