Sue Cook reports that the Arcadia Performing Arts Center is a having a smashing season. Sue is Executive Director of the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation and wowed this morning’s Government Affairs Forum attendees (Thursday, March 6, 2015) with information about the center and the great performances that are showcased there. In fact, the high school musical Hairspray is coming up at the Center in two weeks March 19-21, followed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy the following weekend on March 27, and who can resist the Muppet Movie Singalong set for May 16.
Sue spoke to an enthusiastic gathering of nearly 20 attendees at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s monthly free Government Affairs Forum sponsored by Keystone 365 Sponsor Singpoli and led by Chairman Jack Orswell from Orswell & Kasman, Inc. Environmental Assessments & Consulting in the Chamber’s conference room sponsored by Foothill Credit Union. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto and representatives from all local legislators also presented updates at the Forum (details of their reports below).
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Sue entertained the crowd with her knowledge of the performing arts. She indicates that the Foundation is two years old and came about through Measure I, the quarter-billion dollar school facilities bond. The $20 million project has yielded a beautiful performing arts center with state-of-the-art variable acoustics in a 1,163-seat theater. If you have not been, you need to experience a performance there. It is a fantastic venue and it is right here at the high school on Campus Drive in Arcadia!
In addition to the main theater there is also the 125-seat Black Box Theater for theater and dance classes and where performers can rehearse and actually do productions. They have their own entrance which makes the whole set-up very convenient and very accessible. There is also a dance studio component to the Center with triple sprung wood floors for the ultimate in dancing.
The Center has hosted some major performances including “An Evening with Anka” back on October 27, 2013. This was actually a kickoff event to launch the Center. One of the first official scheduled events was a TED Talk all day on a Saturday featuring six-minute bursts of brilliance from guest speakers followed by interaction in the open area outside the theater.
The Center is also home to performing arts groups of Arcadia High School, including Arcadia High School Orchestra, Band, Percussion, Color Guard, Choral Program and Dance! There is also Arcadia High School Stagecraft that creates the beautiful sets for Arcadia Performing Arts Center student productions. We are very fortunate to have so many talented students at Arcadia High. The Center is a great place for these students to showcase their talent. In fact coming up this March is the high school production of Hairspray! You can order your tickets here!
The Arcadia Performing Arts Center is located at 188 Campus Drive in Arcadia. The phone number is 626.821.1781 and the website is www.arcadiapaf.org.
Following Sue’s presentation, attendees heard the following regular monthly reports:
- Viola Van, representing Congresswoman Judy Chu, indicates they are accepting nominations for the Sixth Annual Women of Distinction Awards. They will be recognizing a woman who resides, works or studies in Arcadia. To nominate someone — deadline is Friday, March 6 — contact Lindsay Plake at 626.304.0110 or Lindsay.Plake@mail.house.gov
- Clayton Arick representing Senator Dr. “Ed” Hernandez reports that Covered California sent out erroneous 1095 tax forms to thousands of Californians. Covered California is rectifying the situation and will send out new forms by the end of the month. However, it is being urged that anyone waiting for a corrected form should file for an extension on their taxes. Clayton will give us a full update on the Senator’s bill package at the next Government Affairs Forum.
- We were pleased to meet Adam Hsu today who is the new Field Representative for Assemblymember Ed Chau. Adam grew up in Arcadia and Ed lives in Arcadia. Adam has been on the job for two weeks and is looking forward to meeting everyone associated with the Chamber.
- Brian Mejia was present representing Supervisor Michael Antonovich and stated that the Supervisor was the lone dissenting vote on the County Board of Supervisors relative to the implementation of President Obama’s executive order relative to work permits and welfare for undocumented workers. Brian indicates that the County spends $600 million a year on Cal-Fresh. Brian also discussed the numerous red light train track violations by engineers on the Metro lines. The Supervisor sits on the Metropolitan Transportation Board and is concerned that a serious collision could occur. Brian indicates that there have been 72 violations in three years! Brian also referenced Wednesday morning’s meeting between the Supervisor and City officials in which they discussed the fact that many prisoners have been released from prison and many are still committing misdemeanor crimes that used to be classified as felonies. Also, the Supervisor will be hosting the Annual Veterans Event on May 21st here in Arcadia at the County’s park!
- City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto also discussed the meeting City officials had with the County Supervisor. They focused some of their discussion on the Clean Water Act. All agree that clean water is, of course, important, but the cost can be staggering. It costs approximately $5-7 million dollars a year just for monitoring alone. So, again, all agree that water is very important, but the requirements can be very stringent. Dominic also talked about the City’s share of the revenue stream from Santa Anita Racetrack has declined from a high of $3 million at its peak in the 1980s to $700,000 – $800,000 now, and yet the City still has to provide the same level of support services. One of the problems is that the the City does not get a piece of the action from the increasing amount of betting using hand held and computer devices. So, if you are at the track and bet online the city does not share in that revenue and hence the decline. He said the City is soliciting help from state officials to craft new laws about this. Dominic and the City just completed it’s annual review where many of these topics were discussed by City officials with a period of comment from the public. He indicates that City officials are interested in meeting with State elected leaders on an annual basis to voice concerns and give input into state legislation.
- Our co-chair Jack Orswell reports that the Arcadia High School Constitution team placed 2nd in the State, but will be going to the National finals in Washington, grabbing a wild card spot. Jack indicates that our team has an amazing and intricate knowledge of the Constitution.
- Linda Sells from the Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte Town Council reports that John Nicoloro should be back at our next meeting. We wish John a speedy recovery from surgery. Linda indicates that there has been a lot of interest in their town meetings as they have been focusing on the recent spike in home burglaries. They are working with the sheriff’s department and neighborhood watches to lower the incidence of these property crimes.
- Rainbow Yeung from the AQMD invites everyone to a Day of Remembrance honoring Cesar Chavez on Saturday March 28 from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. A free brunch will be served. To reserve your seat call 909-396-2432. Rainbow also indicates that the AQMD will host a lawnmower exchange at Santa Anita park on June 20.
- Mike Vercillo, representing the Arcadia Police Department, states that all major crimes statistics have gone down significantly. Mike states they have a great crime analyst who is able to sometimes give them an idea to where criminal activity may spike in the coming days.
- Sophia Chan from Forest Lawn told us that Forest Lawn is opening a kiosk at the Westfield Santa Anita mall on March 16! The kiosk will be located near where the carousel was positioned for years. Sophia wants to remind everyone that Forest Lawn likes to focus on the heritage of life with a celebration of life theme. She also reminded everyone that forest lawn has beautiful museums in place at its various locations.
- Former City Councilman Peter Amundson serves on the Los Angeles County Aviation Committee serving at the pleasure of the Supervisor. On March 20 and 21 the Los Angeles County Air Show will take place at Fox Field in Lancaster.
- Scott Hettrick, CEO of the Chamber, welcomed everyone to today’s meeting and noted the following upcoming events:
- Tuesday, March 10 Ribbon Cutting at TeamLogicIT
- Wednesday, March 18 Flash Course Noon-1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 19 Networking Breakfast 7:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 25 Love Lunch, Bella Sera 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday. March 26 Chamber Installation and Citizens of the Year Dinner 6 p.m. DoubleTree Hotel
- Thursday, April 2 Government Affairs Forum 8 a.m. — guest speaker: Jason Farned, Public Information Officer, San Gabriel Valley, Mosquito & Vector Control District
The public is invited at 8 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month to hear informative presentations at the monthly Government Affairs Forum sponsored by Singpoli and led by Chairman Jack Orswell from Orswell & Kasman, Inc. Environmental Assessments & Consulting, and co-chairman Pete Ulrich, former Arcadia City Councilman. RSVPs to the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce office are appreciated – (626) 447-2159 or info@ArcadiaCaChamber.org.
