Arcadia FYI

A banner over Huntington Drive is one thing. Turning an entire downtown into a safe, walkable Halloween night for thousands of people is something else. I’m Christine Zito (yes, I show up dressed as Piglet), on Arcadia FYI, I’m joined by Donna Choi, Executive Director of Downtown Arcadia, plus MJ Finstrom, the Marketing Mastermind, to break down what Halloween Haunting in Downtown Arcadia really looks like when the streets fill up.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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, teaching, and restoring what matters.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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 what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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 work that brings a house back to how it was before the loss.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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 trained lyric soprano—to trace how carpools and bake sales turned into breath support, harmonies, and a stage presence that lights up a room.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

 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 works when leaders resist showboating and ask subject matter experts the right questions. That’s especially true on complex issues like homelessness, where empathy meets legal constraints. 

The conversation also dives into fire insurance pressures in high-risk zones and the rising trend of orchestrated public comments. Meanwhile, the city keeps moving—balanced budget, fully staffed fire for the first time in years, and a police department rebuilding with competitive pay.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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 of a community that funded a dream and now fills it with music, theater, and memory.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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 hot chocolate, Mount Lowe’s seasonal brew and cider, D’Accino wines, and nearby restaurants like All India Cafe and Matt Denny’s ready before or after your shopping run. A live DJ keeps the energy high with surprise giveaways while families bounce between the kids’ zone, face painting, Santa photos, and story time with Mrs. Claus.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

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: County Road becoming Duarte Road, the first racetrack shuttered by law, World War II balloonists training on future fairways, and Santa Anita Park rising from dust to international renown.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/

A tiny nonprofit team, Downtown Arcadia, maps out a safe, walkable Halloween Haunting while revealing how email, giveaways, and partnerships turn community moments into real support for local businesses. We share routes, vendors, volunteer strategy, candy needs, and why collaboration beats algorithms.

Tell me what you want to hear at https://ArcadiaFYI.com/