Social Whirl

Networking Breakfast at Embassy Suites Arcadia, March 17

HUTdogs to Provide the Best Strategies, Tips, and Tricks for Social Media

On the third Thursday of every month, Arcadia’s local businesses and entrepreneurs gather at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s Networking Breakfast. On March 17 at the Embassy Suites Arcadia, Merri Jill Finstrom, chief creative officer and partner of HUTdogs, a digital media marketing and traditional creative services business, will be the featured guest speaker. Attendance will provide a great opportunity to learn about the best strategies, tips, and tricks for social media and email marketing, as well as how to build a simple three-step Facebook campaign that gets results.

Additionally, that morning the Business Icon for March, Cabrera’s Mexican Cuisine, will be recognized. The family restaurant opened their doors to Arcadia in 1985 with the mission of combining a Mexican and American menu. Today, founder Manuel Cabrera operates and owns three localities. Cabrera’s reputation of a consistent and exceptional experience sustains loyalty between dining guests and the family, making the restaurant such a distinguished member of the community.

 Mardi Gras Draws Crowd

Mardi Gras 2016 was held on Feb. 9 at Sirona’s Santa Anita. This 21st annual celebration honored the nurses at Methodist Hospital and raised $132,000 to advance quality care through improved patient monitoring at Methodist Hospital. Christine Bak, Patty Soldo, and Ada Wong led their committee of volunteers to a successful event. Top sponsors – Mardi Gras “Title Sponsor” – Congress Orthopedics and three “Carnivale” sponsors – Arcadia Hospital Medical Group; DaVita Healthcare Partners; and Kaufman, Hall & Associates, LLC were recognized for their generous contributions. Daisy Award recipients Annalisa Gates, labor and delivery registered nurse (RN), Sue Spicer, labor and delivery RN, Pricilla Gigliobianco, labor and delivery RN, and Sue Spicer, labor and delivery RN, spoke on behalf of our nurses and thanked out guests for their support. The event featured cuisines from 31 participating restaurants, which included new restaurants Poke Bar, Roy’s Panda Restaurant, SOW House, Spring Bamboo Seafood, and Bringadeiro & Co. – gourmet Brazilian truffles. The evening concluded to a full dance floor as guests danced the night away to the 80’z All-Stars.

 ‘Geography as Destiny: Early Years of San Marino and Arcadia’

On Thursday, March 17, at 12 p.m., come to the Museum Education Center and hear Elizabeth Pomeroy speak on this topic. The free Lunchtime Talks are a great way to learn snippets of local history and meet some interesting people too. Bring your lunch or just come and listen in as you are transported back to yesteryear. After the Lunchtime Talk visit the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage right next door and see the newest exhibit “The Spirit of Chinese Brush Painting: Artwork of Master Tam and His Students.” This exhibit will end on March 19.

For more information about the Lunchtime Talks, please call (626) 574-5440 or visit the website at www.museum.ci.arcadia.ca.us. The museum education center is located at 382 W. Huntington Drive. The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage is located at 380 W. Huntington Drive, immediately behind the community center. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.). Admission is always free.

Lunch Love With a Ribbon at Del Frisco’s

 Rustic Treat With New Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Member

Lunchtime guests enjoyed a rustic treat at new Arcadia Chamber of Commerce member Del Frisco’s Grille at 55 S. Lake Avenue in Pasadena for the monthly Love Lunch (Feb. 24), sponsored by The Law Offices of Hart, Mieras, and Morris, Inc. Seated on the patio, more than two dozen Chamber members, government officials, and friends networked and enjoyed each other’s company while munching on Del Frisco’s traditional flat breads, ahi tacos, and various entrees.

General Manager is Anthony “Tony” Dougherty. Dougherty spent a lifetime in Philadelphia and first began work for the company at locations around that region before coming to open the Pasadena shop less than two years ago. He said creating and maintaining a familiar family aspect is a priority and that was definitely shown in the friendliness of staff and their attention to detail. Using local ingredients also show their commitment to the community.

The next Love Lunch will be held at Cabrera’s Mexican Cuisine at 625 E. Live Oak Avenue, Arcadia, on March 23.

RSVPs can be phoned into the Arcadia Chamber at (626) 447-2159 or emailed to infor@arcadiacachamber.org.

Grants Go to Two Arcadia Schools

Retired teachers never stop caring about education. For that reason, the local division of California Retired Teachers’ Association #71 (CalRTA-SGV) has projects aimed at helping classroom teachers. The current effort of this vital, active group is their grant-giving to teachers for materials or equipment that enhance students’ learning.

Headed by Chair Patti Hahn, the CalRTA#71 Grant Committee has invited local school districts in Division #71 to participate in drawings for classroom grants. The Grant Committee was pleased to receive a good response from the districts and over the past months has been awarding school grants to classroom teachers at faculty meetings.

Two teachers from Arcadia schools have received classroom grants. Arcadia High School (AHS) art teacher Carol Bradley has received a grant. At Camino Grove Elementary School, Louise Simons, kindergarten teacher, was also a grant recipient. Chair Patti Hahn and other CalRTA#71 members made the presentations at both schools.

More classroom grants to other schools will be awarded later. CalRTA#71 has allocated an annual amount for school grants as a means of helping teachers to meet their classroom needs and also as a way of acquainting future retirees with the organization. Membership in CalRTA is open to all retired teachers as well as to active teachers and to any others interested in joining. For more information, please contact Marietta Watkins at (323) 258-9615 or Patricia Dietrich at (626) 446-8437.

 Kids, Come Out and Vote for Your Favorite Book

Children are invited to come out and vote on their favorite California Young Reader Medal Book. Most book awards are selected by adults but this is one book award that is voted on exclusively by children! Come hear the five primary stories and cast your vote for your favorite one. After the stories, there will be a fun craft to make and take home. This free and educational program is for children in kindergarten through third grade. No registration is required but do come a little early on Thursday evening, March 17, at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please call (626) 821-5566 or visit the library’s website at www.ArcadiaCa.gov. For more information about the California Young Reader’s Medal, please visit www.californiayoungreadermedal.org.

The Arcadia Public Library is located at 20 W. Duarte Road. The library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. You can also follow the library on Twitter and Facebook.

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