$12 million headquarters of the Angeles National Forest Service was dedicated yesterday. It is an environmentaly energy efficient 24,000 square feet administrative facility at 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue. Mary McGrath, of Mary McGrath Architects, was the executive architect on the project.
Anti-mansionization candidates snag seats on Arcadia City Council. Peter Amundson received 4122 votes and April Verlato received 4077 votes to become the two new city council members. Bob Harbicht received the third highest number of votes.
Arcadia City Council adopted a resolution last week, which consolidates the five homeowner associations' (HOA) development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document for the first time. The uniform resolution protects only oak trees from removal and gives the HOAs authority to review homeowners' landscape and hardscape designs, such as driveways and walkways.
Arcadia City Council candidates champion their causes. There are five candidates for two open seats. Their causes are: Gary Kovacic--maintaining a balanced budget with adequate reserves and a sense of community; Mary Dougherty--mansionization and residential guidelines; Sho Tay--traffic safety and opposing a new $12.2 million City Hall; John Wuo--reducing crime; and Henry Nunez--increase city revenues and create a real downtown in Arcadia.
Arcadia election heating up: candidate forum next week. There are two open seats on council for 4-year terms and the City Clerk position is open for a 4-year term.
Arcadia High School graduate Mano "Paul" Kamaleson, age 55, was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan this week. His sister Ruth Loisel still lives in Arcadia.
Arcadia High School senior Paul Mekailian's classical music composition has won a national award from the Young Arts Foundation. He was also awarded a spot in the LA Philharmonic's coveted Associate Composer Program.
Arcadia High School will present "Oklahoma" the musical, on March 22-24, and March 29-31. It stars Shirish Sarkar, Paul Nestor, Ariana Rayoza, Alex Garcia (photos).
Arcadia Library and Museum Director Mary Beth Hayes in photo in front of a display in honor of Constitution Week by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)--Santa Anita Chapter.
Arcadia Library Board of Trustees appoints Mary Beth Hayes as interim Director of Library and Museum Services, following the sudden death of Jackie Faust-Moreno. Mary Beth Hayes has been employed by the City of Arcadia since 1989 and is currently Library Services Manager.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital's Crystal Ball 2014, is the most special one ever, featuring entertainment by legendary singer/songwriter Paul Anka. Floretta Lauber and Gene Glasco in photo.
Arcadia Performing Arts Center (auditorium) opens, with Paul Anka, to rave reviews. It was a sell-out performance at this $20 million venue's inaugural event. Paul Anka performed his 1959 hit "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."
Arcadia Rotary Club and Arcadia Chinese Association (ACA) announce plans to restore Fort Rotary, a two-story western-style Boy Scout fort in the foothills behind Monrovia. This is historic, the first coordinated project between these two organizations. Architect Kevin Le from Le Architecture in Monrovia, has already volunteered his time to help. The project is expected to cost up to $140,000. So far, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has pledged $25,000, ACA has pledged $25,000 and Arcadia Rotary has pledged $22,000 on behalf of Mary Hansen of Arcadia.
Arcadia Rotary Club's Salute to Seniors Luncheon May 8, 2018 will honor Mary Hansen, the Arcadia 2018 Senior of the Year. She has 46+ years of volunteer work throughout the city. See hard copy in VF Senior Citizen of the Year.