A special program tied to an exhibition of one of Major League Baseball’s biggest personalities, Bill Veeck, is scheduled for May 19 at the Arcadia Public Library, along with an author of a book about Veeck and a screening of the 30-minute movie “Veeck: A Man for Any Season.”

“VeeckFest” will feature Terry Cannon of the Pasadena-based nonprofit Baseball Reliquary introducing Paul Dickson, the author of a book being published in April, Bill Veeck: Baseball’s Greatest Maverick. Dickson will speak from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., followed by a panel hosted by Dickson from 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. , including sports writers John Schulian, Ron Rapoport, and Ken Solarz.

The DVD film screening, including excerpts of sound home movie footage of the Veeck from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. will be followed by a book signing from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Veeck exhibition will run at the Library from April 9-May 24.

Veeck was one of the most influential baseball men of the 20th century, a legendary promoter and civil rights figure who is noted as the owner who brought the midget Eddie Gaedel to the plate as a pinch-hitter in 1951 for the St. Louis Browns and who signed Larry Doby to a contract with the Cleveland Indians in 1947 as the first African-American to play in the American League.
The exhibition will cover the entire life and times of Veeck through photographs, documents, artworks, and artifacts.

– By Scott Hettrick

More than 40 marching bands will compete on Baldwin Avenue Saturday, Nov. 19, in the 58th Annual Arcadia Festival of Bands hosted by Arcadia High School and Dana, First Avenue and Foothills Middle Schools.
This year’s grand marshal is Teacher of the Year Talmadge “Tal” Jones.
The parade of bands that begin marching south of Huntington Drive starts at 8:45 a.m. with bands marching all the way to Duarte Road, where they turn east. Be sure to arrive early to find a good viewing spot on the sidewalk of either side of Baldwin Ave. Bring your own chair and look for programs and souvenirs to purchase. Streets for blocks around will be blocked off in the morning.
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Organizers say more than 400 volunteers are needed to make this event run smoothly and to make a memorable experience for all students and participants. They credit the help and support of the City of Arcadia, the Arcadia Police Department, the Arcadia School District, Santa Anita Race Track, as well as every participating band, director, volunteers, parents and students on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

For information on sponsoring the event and purchasing discounted pre-sale tickets, visit the web site: www.arcadiamusic.org/festivalofbands.

– By Scott Hettrick

– By Scott Hettrick

Pre-teens who participate in City of Hope’s 2011 Walk for Hope event to raise money and awareness in the fight against women’s cancers on Sunday, Nov. 6, may pick up a free Beanie Babie, courtesy of Arcadia resident Sue Pedrotti Narevsky.

Narevsky has formed a team called Butterflies and Kisses — anyone may join by clicking on the team name above and registering.

Pednar Products, run by Sue and Art Narevsky, is sponsoring a booth at the event with Danny’s Farm, a local non-profit organization that helps children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Any registered walker age 13 or younger — and anyone who mentions they saw this on ArcadiasBest.com — may stop by our booth and pick up a free Beanie Babie, while supplies last.

– By Scott Hettrick

About 110 people turned out for the second annual One Community, One Book program Sunday (Oct. 2), sponsored by Arcadia’s Best Foundation.

– By Scott Hettrick

The Taste of Arcadia returns to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19.

Update Sept. 18: $45 tickets only online at www.TasteOfArcadia.com through 12 noon on Monday, Sept. 19.
Raffle prizes include Panasonic 3D-capable HD camcorder and 3D-capable digital photograph camera.

While gourmet food trucks from all over Los Angeles and mostly outside Arcadia and neighboring cities have dominated many recent local events, the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Arcadia offers a showcase of more than three dozen of the local area’s best restaurants, caterers, and wine and beer vendors. No money changes hands at the more personalized food booths lined up in the idyllic lush Arboretum setting nestled on the soft green grass between beautiful water fountains with the majestic San Gabriel Mountains providing a picturesque backdrop.
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The beat of entertainment begins upon entry as the Arcadia High School Drum Line entertains guests.
Tickets are $43 in advance online, plus a $2.50 service fee (www.arcadiacachamber.org), $45 at the Chamber office (388 W. Huntington Drive) or by phone: 626-447-2159; and $60 at the gate.

As always, a percentage of proceeds from Taste of Arcadia are donated to three local non-profit beneficiaries, this year the Assistance League of Arcadia, the Boy Scouts of America/Lucky Baldwin District, and the Arboretum Foundation.

Taste of Arcadia would not be possible without the dozens of dedicated volunteers and this year’s Gold Sponsor, Westfield Santa Anita, and Silver Sponsor, Methodist Hospital. Westfield is the Chamber’s first-ever year-round Community Builder sponsor for 2011-12.

Taste of Arcadia began as a much smaller event nearly 40 years ago to raise money for the Arcadia Tournament of Roses float. The Wineshed Mixer, as it was known at the time, was held on the infield at Santa Anita Park for a period of time. When the AToR dissolved in 1999, all assets, including the annual fund-raiser, were transferred to the Chamber.

– By Scott Hettrick