In addition, Peter Rodriguez, Community & Government Affairs Mgr. from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, will be a guest speaker on the topic of the Groundwater Reliability Improvement Program.

As always, the forum is free and open to the public.

Please rsvp to 626-447-2159 as space is limited.

The monthly one-hour forums, held on the first Thursday of each month in the Chamber conference room at 388 W. Huntington Drive (round building in the media at Holly Avenue) also include reports from representatives from the City of Arcadia, Los Angeles County, our state Senator and Assemblymen, and federal Representative.

The full agenda:

I. Welcome – Chair Peter Ulrich.  Pledge of Allegiance & Self Introductions.
a. Announcement from Pres. Helen Romero Shaw, the Gas Company.

II. Guest speaker Peter Rodriguez, Community & Government Affairs Mgr.
from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
speaking on the Groundwater Reliability Improvement Program.

III. Discussion of Propositions on November Ballot.

IV. Legislative & Business Updates
a. Federal Office – Congressman David Dreier –  Mark Harmsen
b. State Offices -
i. Senator Bob Huff – David Monroy
ii. Assemblyman Anthony Adams – Steve Johnson
iii. Assemblyman Anthony Portantino – Bill Hacket
c. County Office – Supervisor Mike Antonovich – Brian Mejia out of town
d. City report – Bob Harbicht, Jerry Schwartz
e. Metro Gold Line Extension – Lisa Levy Buch
f. San Gabriel Valley Coalition update – Mary Dougherty

V. Chamber Announcements – Shop Arcadia!
Taste of Arcadia – Monday, September 20th 5:30-9pm
Benefiting: Foothill Unity Center,
American Red Cross/Arcadia Chapter Arboretum Foundation

The next Government Affairs Forum is on Thursday, October 7th at 8 a.m. in the Chamber Boardroom.  Thank you for attending today’s meeting.

If there is a topic you want to discuss or know of a guest speaker, please email Peter Ulrich ulrichcmb@verizon.net, Scott Hettrick hreporter@aol.com or Mary Dougherty mary@bdog.net.

Larry Stewart

Williams is a huge Los Angeles Kings fan, and showing up at the party was the hockey team’s legendary play-by-play announcer, Bob Miller.

Bobby Williams (l) with Kings announcer Bob Miller.

Asked if Miller’s presence was the best part and biggest surprise about the party, Williams said, “It ties for first with my mother showing up.”
Williams’ mother, Linda Morgan, who lives in Clay Center, Kan., flew in for the event, which was put on by Williams’ wife Renee and drew some 100 people.

– By Larry Stewart

Although the overall County Assessment Roll is down $18.5 billion this year compared to 2009, or an average of -1.7%, Arcadia property values are up 4.4%, according to the 2010 Assessor Report. The next closest in all of L.A. County is up 2.9%, and that is Arcadia neighbor Temple City. In fact, the three top gainers and five of the top ten in the County are in San Gabriel Valley, with San Marino third at +2.4%, South Pasadena tied for 7th at +1.8%, and San Gabriel tenth at +1.4%. Pasadena is up 1.1%.

In between are cities such as Rancho Palos Verdes, Hidden Hills, and Redondo Beach.

But most are in negative territory, such as Los Angeles, down 2.3%, Beverly Hills at -2.6%, and Long Beach at -2.9%, and some very severe like Palmdale and Lancaster, down 12.1% and 14.4%, respectively.

Why is Arcadia such a happy anomaly?
The report describes Arcadia this way: “Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, Arcadia is considered a desirable family community with great schools and location. This city continues to evolve from the modest homes of the 1950’s to the elegant homes of today. The majority of new homes built in Arcadia range in size from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet and some are built in excess of 10,000 square feet. The strong resale value of these luxury homes and increased demand for new construction are the main factors that led to this city’s growth.

– By Scott Hettrick

Top Ten in L.A. County:
(2010 Assessed Valuation / % change)
1. Arcadia +4.4%
2. Temple City +2.9%
3. San Marino +2.4%
4. Rancho Palos Verdes +2.3%
5. Hidden Hills +2.0%
6. Walnut +2.0%
7. Redondo Beach +1.8%
7. Claremont +1.8%
7. South Pasadena +1.8%
10. San Gabriel +1.4%

Others near Arcadia:
Pasadena +1.1%
South El Monte +1.0%
Monrovia +0.9%
Sierra Madre +0.4%
Duarte -0.3%
La Canada Flintridge -0.3%
El Monte -2.1%

Deb Burgess

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by Deb Burgess, co-owner Adam’s Pack Station, Chantry Flat
and owner of cabin in Santa Anita Canyon
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A man came up on Friday (Aug. 20) wanting to post signs for his lost adult son. His son had come up a few days before to do some back country hiking and camping. He was fully prepared.

At one point his son decided to abandon his backpack  after being exposed to poison oak and went home. A day later he decided to try to find his backpack and then continue his trip.

His dad had not heard from him for a few days and wanted to post signs. We posted the sign and others were posted around the canyon. On Sunday, the dad came back up and hooked up with Dave, our canyon patrol, to try and back trace his son’s steps.

In the meantime, his mom contacted Search and Rescue. They checked and discovered that apparently the son came out of the forest at a different location and had been located some time earlier. Search and Rescue took the time to set up groups to return to the canyon and find the dad to let him know that his son had been found.

If it were not for this talented group of people, the dad would have spent hours hoping to find his son. Others have benefited from the tremendous knowledge that our Search and Rescue team have of our canyon.

Please thank everyone for their dedication.