The 49th Annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design "Empty House Party" draws a crowd of nearly 500 design enthusiasts and architecture aficionados in Arcadia, at the showcase home designed by architect Roland E. Coate, Sr. The house was built in 1941 for furniture executive C. Lawrence Barker, of the former furniture company Barker Brothers.
100 years plus is nothing new at Arcadia senior care facility Vista Cove. Charles hackett will turn 100 in November and he has been in Arcadia since 1955.
Arcadia American Little League Minors Angels make history with an undefeated record this season. Angels include Guy Gruppie, Sr., Manager Don McIntire, Coach Bon Meeks, Sean lee, Baily Shen, Will Meeks, Will Covey, Ryan Nguyen, Brandon Lustig, Nick Patton, Brandon Williams, Michael Gruppie, Michael Easter, Matt McIntyre (or McIntire), and Carter Jones.
Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to partially reconsider their moratorium on a citywide revamp of commercial, industrial zoning regulations. Former city councilmember Mickey Segal threatens winter recall campaign if council doesn't find resolution to Highlands lawsuit.
Arcadia Historical Society goes dramatic. Board members are forming a repertoire group called "Arcadia History Lives" and will, upon request, perform live skits recreating characters from Arcadia's past. Board members in photo shown in costume, including Beverly Street as Alice Billings (first president of Arcadia Woman's Club).
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.
Breeders' Cup World Championships the "Super Bowl of horse racing" took place at at Santa Anita Park yesterday and Friday. Attendance was 55,123 on Saturday. Jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., on horse Fort Larned, won the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, and horse Wise Dan won the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile.
Charles James Rouchka, an Arcadia resident who died in 2009, will be honored as a member of the Legacy Society of the San Gabriel Habitat for Humanity.
A Chevron gas station in Arcadia is charging $5.15 for premium gas. Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., has directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to take emergency steps to increase the state's gasoline supply by selling the "winter blend" early, to bring down fuel prices. Gas prices have skyrocketed over the past week due to a shortage caused by shutdowns at Tesoro and Exxon refineries.
The City of Arcadia's contribution to the cost of the 2011 Mayor's Community Breakfast will total $4795. The event drew protestors upset about the mayor's choice of Reverend H. B. London, of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, as keynote speaker. London received a standing ovation.
A federal investigation of a San Gabriel Valley-based Asian crime syndicate led to the arrests of 18 suspected Red Door gang members in several San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia. The effort was dubbed "Operation Paint it Black." Authorities seized seven guns, 12,500 ecstasy pills, 2,230 marijuana plants and a Lamborghini. The 18 were indicted on drug trafficking and international marriage fraud charges.
H. B. London, Jr., of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage, spoke at the 2011 Mayor's Community Breakfast, about the importance of compassion and unconditional love in the family. Outside there were some 90 protestors that support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Historical background on plans to build a performing arts auditorium in Arcadia, starting in 1977-1978. The Arcadia Auditorium Foundation (AAF) was formed by Charles Gilb, Gloria Horstman and Joe Sargis. The building did not come to fruition but the money has supported music programs at Arcadia Unified School District over the years. Now that Measure I is funding a Performing Arts Center at Arcadia High School, the AAF will fund the ending expenses of the construction. Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic has been a long-time advocate of an auditorium. See hard copy in VF "Arcadia Performing Arts Center."
Hollywood actors Ed Begley, Jr. and Daryl Hannah called on prosecutors to drop a trespassing case against the group of tree-sitters who have become known as the "Arcadia 4." The four climbed into oak trees on January 12, 2011 while Los Angeles County bulldozers destroyed an 11-acre woodland around them. Begley rallied with supporters outside Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley's downtown headquarters. The four are John Quigley of Glendale, Julia Jaye Posin of Venice Beach, Travis Jochimsen of Lancaster and Andrea Bowers of Los Angeles. The trees were cleared to make room for a sediment site.