Arcadia FYI

127 acres can hide a lot of surprises, especially when it’s the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden sitting right in Arcadia, California. On Arcadia FYI, I roll through the grounds with Sylvia and quickly realize this isn’t just a place to take photos. It’s a living museum of plants, a keeper of local history, and a hands-on conservation site that depends on both LA County and community support to keep growing,...

HR is the part of business ownership nobody brags about, yet it’s the part that can keep you up at night. I’m Christine Zito, and I’m joined by Pricilla Cunningham and Kenneth Lindstrom, Business Performance Advisors with Insperity, for a real conversation about what human resources looks like for small and mid-sized businesses when you’re trying to grow and stay compliant, especially in California.

Tell me w...

A burst water heater, an overflowing toilet, a kitchen full of smoke residue, or a home sitting vacant after a wildfire can flip your life overnight and the hardest part is often simply knowing what to do first. On Arcadia FYI I sit down with Amy Moufarrege from SERVPRO to break down what property damage restoration actually looks like. from water damage cleanup and drying to smoke and soot cleanup, mold prevention, and the rebuild...

I have a talented show for you. A hidden gem of Arcadia takes the mic: the Arcadia High School Chinese Parents Choir. What started as a group of school boosters became a confident, 40-voice ensemble that now brings joy to city festivals, fundraisers, and cultural celebrations across the San Gabriel Valley. We sit down with members Heidi, Ming, Juan, Marilee, and Lillian—plus their artistic director Marie, a professionally tra...

 I sat down with Councilman David Fu for a candid look at his recall challenges and how Arcadia really works—what keeps the city safe and solvent, and where theatrics can hijack the public square. 

We explore the city’s “virtuous circle”—top-tier public schools attract families, stable property values support revenue, and that funding sustains public safety. It’s a loop that work...

A city can spend decades wishing for a stage—or it can build one that becomes the neighborhood’s favorite seat. I sit down with Christine Lee, president and CEO of the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, to share how Arcadia transformed cafeteria concerts and borrowed auditoriums into a state-of-the-art venue that students and families can claim as their own. From the first blueprints to opening night, this is the story...

I sat down with Donna Choi, MJ Finstrom, and Diana Bacero as they share the story of the Downtown Arcadia Holiday Fair and why it evokes such a special, hometown feel:  a curated mix of makers and local shops, Macy’s on-site with Shiseido facials, hand-thrown ceramics, vintage hand-glittered ornaments, jewelry, charcuterie boards, and specialty foods. Food and drink fuel the stroll with Goki Cafe’s beloved Mexican ...

What makes a city feel like home? In this episode of Arcadia FTY, I follow the journey through Arcadia’s past—where a land deal by Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin set the stage for incorporation in 1903, and where his daughter, Anita, turned ambition into institutions that still shape daily life. Along the way, my guest, Ed Anderson, president of the Arcadia Historical Society, helps us map stories onto streets: Co...

What if a 90-year-old racetrack could feel brand new without losing its soul? I sit down with Pete Siberell of Santa Anita Park to unpack how a true Arcadia icon blends world-class racing, safer practices, and community-first programming to create a destination that locals and visitors love. From the backside’s daily rhythm to the thrill at the finish line, Pete takes us through the work it takes to keep the place vibrant all...

If you’ve ever wondered what a great public school district looks like from the inside, this conversation pulls back the curtain with rare honesty and heart. I got the opportunity to sit with Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall to trace how Arcadia Unified pairs long‑term stability with thoughtful innovation—and why families from far and wide aim to enroll here.

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The journey from immigrant to civic leader is a classic American story, and Councilman Paul Cheng's path exemplifies this transformative experience with remarkable emotion. Arriving on Christmas Day 1977, Cheng recalls his family's pursuit of opportunity amid the challenges of being visibly different in a predominantly white Orange County neighborhood.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling is Cheng's philosoph...

 I sit with Digital marketing expert MJ Finstrom shares practical strategies for enhancing your business's online presence through effective email marketing, social media tactics, and artificial intelligence tools. We dive deep into building meaningful customer relationships in the digital space while maintaining authenticity and the human touch in all your marketing efforts. 

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What happens when a city's first Asian woman mayor takes office during a time of significant challenges? Mayor Sharon Kwan joins former Mayor April Verlato for a candid, solutions-oriented conversation about Arcadia's future. 

The homelessness crisis takes center stage as Mayor Kwan reveals how recent legal changes finally allow the city to address the issue effectively. "Now the law is in our favor," she explains, detailing ho...

On this Episode of Arcadia FYI, USC Arcadia Hospital dietitian, professor, and author, Victoria Buxton-Pacheco shares some great insights on summer nutrition, hydration needs, and healthy eating strategies during hot summer month. She also challenges outdated health recommendations including the "8 glasses of water" rule and offers practical advice for staying nourished when it is hot and you don’t feel like eating. 

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What does it take to create a downtown from scratch? In our premiere episode, we pull back the curtain on one community's remarkable journey to build the heart of a city.

Join host Christine Zito as she welcomes the movers and shakers behind Downtown Arcadia—Donna Choi, MJ Finstrom, and former Mayor Peter Amundsen—who share the untold story of how citizen desire transformed into community reality. 

Su...