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Arcadia Weekly arcadiaweekly.com
Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
Cinco De Mayo Celebrated in Monrovia
Volume XVII, No. XVIII
Big Band Jazz…History Comes Alive at Post 280
John Fick plays flugelhorn as well as trumpet in Ray Atwan’s band on Thursday evenings at Post 280. Fick has played in some of the best bands in the world . Fick played with both the Jimmy Dorsey and Harry James Orchestras, Jim Quam spent time with Pete Rugolo and trombonist Dave Woodley has recorded with Gary Urwin’s big band. -Photo by Terry Miller
By Terry Miller Miriam Gil and her dance partner Edith Gonzales danced twice during the 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Monrovia Sunday. They performed El Son de la Negra-(“The Sound/Tune of the Black Woman”) a traditional mariachi song from Jalisco Mexico. The music is Commonly referred to as the “second national anthem of Mexico.” -Photo by Terry Miller
The Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Association hosted the second annual Cinco de Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival Sunday, April 29 Dancers and musical performances from popu-
Arcadia Constitution Team Wins 3rd Place After three days of simulated congressional hearings that tested their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, Arcadia High School students captured third place at the 25th Anniversary We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution National Finals. Classes representing 47 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands came to the nation's capital to participate in the academic competition. Lincoln High School of PortPlease see page 7
lar local and international artists,helped set the scene for a terrific afternoon of cultrure and family entertainment. Thousands attended the Please see page 11
On Thursday evenings at around 7:30 PM something remakable happens at the American Legion Post 280 in Pasadena. A group of 16-18 men, and occasionally a couple of women, sit in and play some of the best big band jazz you will hear ….all for no charge. We’re not kidding, these guys are tops and they are pros. Hailing from some of the top names in big bands
16 Year-Old Student Arrested for Fake Gun On Tuesday, May 01, 2012, Pasadena Police Officers responded to John Muir High School regarding a report of a student with a gun. A teacher’s aid notified school security that she saw a male student with a gun in his waistband. The police were immediately called. School officials notified staff to shelter in place, keeping students in their classrooms until the investigation was concluded. Safe School Officers responded and contained the area. The student was contacted in a classroom and detained by officers without incident. The student did not have the gun of his
person, but lead officers to his backpack, which was seized. Officers found the gun inside of the backpack and upon close examination the weapon was determined to be a replica handgun, possible an airsoft pistol. The replica resembled a black semiautomatic handgun. The student, MH 16, Pasadena resident, was arrested for possession of a replica firearm on a school campus. He was transported to the Pasadena Police Department and booked. He was later released to his parents. The case will be presented to the juvenile District Attorney’s Office.
from a bygone era, many of the musicians including sax player Chris Galuman were fortunate enough to have played with some of the "heavyweights" of the big band era toward the end of their careers in the 1970's. They were Stan Kenton, Harry James and Alvino Rey to name a few. If you’re not familiar with those names just google ‘em…you’ll be glad you did. So will your ears. This band shows up
every Thursday and starts at 7:30 on Vinedo, basically to rehearse and play what they like and love and like most musicians, appreciate an audience no matter how small. That was the strangest thing to me, when I discovcered that these guys are playing and hardly anyone knows about it. The band consists of drums, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, stand up bass, guitar, all under the very cool calm and collect di-
rection of Ray Atwan. The control and timing of the band members is remarkable especially when you consider some of the complex arrangements these guys play. Last week, an amazing piece written by Freddie Hubbard was brought to life at Post 280 with the Ray Atwan band. Man, that was great, Now, as I see it, where on earth can see and hear some top musicians playing Please see page 23
Deputy David W. March Honored on the 10th Anniversary of Death
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy Honor Guard stands in silence on the anniversary of Depty David March’s death. March was shot and killed a decade ago on April 29. A plaque at Temple Station reads “ Our Creed: My Goals are simple. I will always be painfully honest, work as hard as I can, learn as much as I can and hopefully make a difference in people’s lives.” It was written by Deputy March to a sergeant for his evaluation, nine days before he was murdered. -Photo by Terry Miller