Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) Deputy Superintendent Robert Leri has resigned. Arcadia High School Principal David Vannasdall will take on the additional role of Deputy Superintendent March 1 and leave his job as principal at end of school year to become Deputy Superintendent. Other personnel changes within the school district. AUSD is trying to cover a projected $7 million annual budget deficit with a proposed 5-year parcel tax. Arcadia Educational Foundation is doing its annual solicitation.
Less than 48 hours after the official debut of the pilot episode of HBO's "Luck" series, the cable television network has already ordered a second season. It is filmed at Santa Anita Park and various locations in Arcadia, including Rod's Grill, among other cities in the region. Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte star in it.
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.
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.
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).
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 Gold Line plaza design chosen. Concept is "Town Square" for the transit plaza adjacent to the Gold Line Arcadia station and parking lot, to be built on the northwest corner of First Avenue, across Santa Clara Avenue.
City of Arcadia is highlighted as part of the Strong Cities-Strong State Campaign, a project of the California City Management Foundation and the League of California Cities.The city's profile is at www.strongcitiesstrongstate.com/city/arcadia. The website promotes city success stories with profiles of elected officials and city managers.
Arcadia AAUW presents Carol Dennis with their 2012 Woman of Achievement Award. Past President Betty Harris received a certificate from the National AAUW for her 50 years of membership.