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arcadiaweekly.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 9, 2009 VOLUME 14, NO.97
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Myrtle Merchants See Crowds on Black Friday Sales Reports Mixed Despite Increased Foot Traffic
Santa waves to shoppers alonf Myrtle Ave. in Monrovia. -Photo by Terry Miller
BY SAMEEA KAMAL
Based on reports from various merchants in Old Town Monrovia, some holiday shoppers appear to be
turning to local businesses to avoid the chain store rush on Black Friday. Jill Super, owner of Eaton’s specialty store, said advertising brought in many customers on Black Friday. “We had an outstanding day all weekend Friday and Saturday,” Super said. “We had some good sales going for 25% off.” Another gift store in Old Town, Suburban Martini, reported seeing a lot of customers coming in. “We had regular little sales here and there and we gave people some discounts and free gifts with purchase,” said owner Kelly Goodkin. “Sales were fairly good.” According to Goodkin, many customers find it easier to shop local, and are able to find unique items. “I think that people just
don’t really have the energy to go and fight the crowds and get the same old stuff,” she said. At The Dollmakers, business on Black Friday was booming, said Cindy Ranger, one of three owners. “We did fantastic and are continuing to,” Ranger said. “We were going like crazy on Friday and have been doing very, very well ever since.” According to Ranger, the high-selling items this season are “fun, silly things.” “This year people are looking for something that’s funny and a stress reliever,” said Ranger. “And you get good service in a small store, so people are coming back to someone they know and looking for the comfort that.” At the Secret Pocket, owner Patricia Tran said she was pleasantly surprised at the number of customers who came in. The Secret Pocket, which has been open in Monrovia for three years, had a sale for 30 percent off after a purchase of $50 or more. Not all businesses caught the Black Friday shopping rush, however. Allure Clothing and Accessories reported that they saw some increased foot traffic, but that sales only picked up a little. At Segil Fine Arts Gallery, many people came in to pick up paintings they had bought in advance, but did not make many purchases. “Art just isn’t the same
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holiday gift guide
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Local thespian Barry Schwam takes a one man stand against hatred and counters LaRouche followers outside the Sierra Madre Post Office Tuesday afternoon. While the LaRouche supporters propped up an obviously altered image of President Omaba with a small moustache, Schwam started a petition “to institutionalize psychotic persons who compare Adolf Hitler to President Obama.”- Photo by Terry Miller
Local Actor Takes Stand against LaRouche Propaganda Camp BY TERRY MILLER
Mild Mannered local actor, Barry Schwam was a displeased, to say the least, when he saw a picture of President Obama digitally altered to depict him as Adolf Hitler. The posters were placed outside his local Post Office in Sierra Madre Tuesday afternoon. The Lyndon LaRouche
camp set up their abhorrence propaganda outside the US post office to a very mixed reaction. Schwam was so upset by the absurd parallels to Obama that he penned his own silent protest to voice his first amendment right! Schwam, who was recently married in Sierra Madre, held a sign (albeit a bit
faint) which read: Petition to institutionalize psychotic persons who compare Adolf Hitler to President Obama. While standing outside the post office, many Sierra Madre Residents did, in fact, sign Barry’s petition. One man yelled to the LaRouche people that they were “crazy”. What
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Playhouse Hosts Elderly Couple Armed Robbers Take “The Best Christmas Robbed in their Hostages in Arcadia Pageant Ever” BY SAMEEA KAMAL Arcadia Driveway BY FRAN SYVERSON
You remember being in the children’s Christmas Pageant at your church, don’t you? The kids all dressed up like shepherds, wise men, angels or fuzzy sheep…girls vying for the role of Mary…the boys all ducking, looking the other way when the Sunday School teacher chooses this year’s Joseph…. Your proud parents and grandparents beaming at you as you process down the aisle toward Jesus’ manger. What tender reminiscences!
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On Wednesday, November 25, an elderly couple was robbed in their driveway at approximately 7:30 p.m. at their residence in the 300 block of West Duarte Road. The suspects were described as two males in their teens, both with medium builds and dark clothing. According to police reports, the suspects approached the victims as they were unloading groceries from their vehicle in the driveway.
On Wednesday, November 29, an armed robbery occurred on the 100 block of W. Forest Avenue in Arcadia. At 7:20 am, three males confronted a male resident in his driveway, forcing him into his home at gunpoint, police reports say. The suspects bound the victim’s hands and feet, then confronted the victim’s wife and nine year old son at gun point and bound them. The male victim was choked until he gave the suspects cash, police report.
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BY SAMEEA KAMAL