More than 1,500 classes at the Community Center, 75 senior hot lunch meals served each day, 20,000 hours of volunteer work by 400 volunteers and 200 “volunteens,” after-school activities at all six elementary schools serving 500 kids per week; programs at Wilderness Park that draw 120 kids per week.– these are just a few of the staggering statistics of services provided by the City of Arcadia Department of Recreation and Community Services presented this Thursday morning, Feb. 5, 2015, by Director Sara Somogyi.
“We create community through People, Parks, and Programs,” Sara told attendees at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s monthly 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.
As always there were also many updates from City and legislative officials and others.
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Sara has served as the Director of Recreation and Community Services in the City of Arcadia since April 2008. She has worked over 25 years in the recreation field. Sara has served on a number of Boards and Commissions with the California Parks and Recreation Society, being an active member in the field’s professional organization. Sara holds a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University.
Elaborating on the People, Parks and Programs noted above, Sara said the full mission statement is to play an important role in creating a healthy community through diverse and innovative recreation programming, as well as providing space to learn and play, space to be safe and secure, and space to create and imagine. Attendees at the forum were provided with the Recreation & Community Services Department Guide, as well as a copy of the quarterly magazine “The Buzz” which lists classes and events taking place at the Arcadia Community Center and other venues in the City.
Sara said that because they deal with so many local entities and can connect so many organizations with the right people and provide solutions and help avoid potential scheduling conflicts, her department essentially serves as the “community problem-solver.”
The department produces weekly summer concerts and movies in the park as well as holiday events at Easter, Hallowe’en and Snow and Santa events in December, among many others! Dozens of annual day-trips and overseas vacations are also offered.
Sara indicates that they coordinate activities at all of the athletic and field facilities in the City, not only the parks, but also certain hours at school facilities, and they coordinate the fields for such groups as AYSO. Her department works with and has a very good relationship with the Arcadia Unified School District to host a variety of these activities. In addition, they have great programs for Seniors with some of the best nutrition programs in the San Gabriel Valley. As mentioned previously, each day a hot meal is served at the Community Center to 75 Seniors!
Programs produced by Sara’s department generate more than $1 million per year to help cover the expense of making them available, and making Arcadia such a valuable city in which to live.
Sara and her department collaborates with a variety of groups and organizations including Methodist Hospital, Gold Line, Arcadia Chinese Association, AYSO Region 2, Arcadia Coordinating Council, Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association, and the recently-formed Host Town Committee of the Special Olympics World Games to name a just a few. Sara has a paid staff of 14 full-time and part-time employees, plus 60-100 paid part-timers at various times of the year. The Arcadia Community Center is located at 365 Campus Drive in Arcadia.
In other reports this morning:
- Viola Van representing Congresswoman Judy Chu, reports that her office is taking nominations for the Women of Distinction month honors. Her office is accepting nominations for women from each of the sixteen cities in the Congressional district. If you know a woman that you would like to nominate please contact the Congresswoman’s office. Viola also noted that the open enrollment is coming to an end for Covered California on February 15. So the clock is ticking if you need to sign up for health coverage. Finally, Viola reported that it is tax season and the IRS is offering free tax prep through VITA. The closest location for free tax help is the Foothill Community Center located in Monrovia.
- Clayton Arick representing Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez, reports that the Senator has a great bill package put together for the coming year. Clayton will provide us with full details of the bills next month. Clayton echoed the comments of Viola Van from Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office in stating that open enrollment for Covered CA is coming to a close very soon. The Senator’s office recently hosted a big event focusing on the Asian Pacific Islander Community. Again, remember that you have till February 15 to sign up for health care through Covered California.
- Brian Mejia from Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office indicates that Supervisor Antonovich is teaming up with Supervisor Solis in an attempt to bring a trauma center to the East San Gabriel Valley. The Supervisor is concerned that residents pay taxes that are used for health services/trauma and yet there is no center located in our area. Brian also indicates that the Supervisor is deeply committed to renovating animal shelters and continues to be a big proponent of pet adoption. The Supervisor recently presented and highlighted a horse for adoption! On March 4 at 8 a.m. the Supervisor will be meeting with City of Arcadia officials and on May 23rd he will host the Annual Veterans Event on May 23rd from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.
- Rainbow Yeung from the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) indicates that her agency will host a lawn mower exchange program at Santa Anita Park sometime around June 20. This is a perfect chance for residents to exchange gas powered lawn mowers for electric versions for as low as $100 with the trade-in. In addition, Rainbow reminds everyone to check on whether it is a burn or no-burn day. On no-burn days there can be no burning of wood in fireplaces and that includes Dura-Flame logs.
- Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kovacic first congratulated Sara Somogyi and Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department for the fine job they do. He marveled that with all they do and so many people they serve, he has never heard any complaints.
— As reported here on this Chamber web site, the City has purchased the 100-to-1 Club. The purchase price includes the liquor license, the name and the murals. Although work is now being done to improve the corner of the property for better traffic flow, it has yet to be decided what will happen to the property. It could be a pocket park or be merged with the adjacent property of the Santa Anita Inn where two new hotels are bbeing built.
— He congratulated the Chamber for picking the Leahys as Citizens of the Year. They have contributed so much to our community. The Leahys will be honored on March 26 at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel located on Huntington Drive. For tickets click here.
— The Mayor’s annual Community Breakfast will be March 13.
— On Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m. the City will be hosting a community meeting regarding updating the zoning laws in town. The meeting will take place at City Council Chambers.
— Residential development is a contentious topic and the City Council recently heard two appeals from the Highlands section of the city, which were denied in a divided vote by the City Council Tuesday.
— A reminder that the newly-created bridge over Huntington Drive at Second Avenue will be painted with the Arcadia Logo and Route 66 iconic image.
— On Tuesday, February 10, from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m., there will be an all-day City Council study session. The session is open to the public.
— The Four Tops will be performing on February 21 at 8 p.m. at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. - Linda Sells from the Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte Town Council is very thankful to the County for having a left turn signal installed at the corner of Live Oak and Myrtle. She states that this will be make the intersection a much safer place particularly when trying to make that left turn. Linda indicates that her group has seen a lot of interest lately online from residents concerned about an increase in burglaries and car thefts.
- Bob Harbicht gave an update on the Special Olympics World Games Host Town program in Arcadia July 21-24 for 100 participants. Bob is part of a committee of 20 or so residents who have been diligently planning for the arrival of our wonderful guests this summer. They will be given a big Arcadia welcome including a barbecue at Wilderness Park and will be introduced at a city hall concert.
- Resident member Donna Lee wants to remind everyone that the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage is a great place to visit. There is a temporary exhibit there now through March 14th featuring photographs from Terry Miller that she noted was covered very well on the web site ArcadiasBest.com. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday.
- Mike Vercillo with the Arcadia Police Department states that his department recently hosted Coffee with a Cop at Westfield Santa Anita that drew between 70 and 80 residents. Mike indicates that major crime in the City is down 20% in 2014 compared with 2013, but there has been a rise in crimes of opportunity. This would include smash and grabs out of cars. So do not leave valuables in your car. Mike indicates the Arcadia Police Department will be launching a new program called Hide It, Lock It, Keep It.
- Franklin Ruedel reports that there will be a free Tax Day event at the Temple City Chamber of Commerce on February 10 from 12 noon till 2 p.m. The address is 9050 Las Tunas Drive in Temple City, 91775.
- Arcadia Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick reported that the Chamber has a lot of upcoming events including the Networking Breakfast on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 a.m. at Santa Anita Golf Course, the Love Lunch at Red Robin Restaurant on Thursday, February 19 at 11:30 a.m. and the Chamber Installation Dinner on March 26 at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel honoring our Citizens of the Year Jim and Terry Leahy and Corporate Community Contributor Foothill Credit Union. There are also three ribbon cuttings this month including Blend it Healthy at 4 p.m. today, Feb 5, Brookdale in Monrovia on Thursday, February 12 at 10:45 a.m., and Springhill Suites by Marriott on Thursday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m.
The public is invited 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.
