Welcome to the
June 2026 Sunny Spot
Issue No. 81
We had a great time at the Los Angeles County Fair! Loved sharing time with our family and friends.
Check out our photos from the day and keep sharing yours on Teams! We'll continue adding them to the album as they come in!
The summer debate is here. Jump down and weigh in. 🌭
The summer debate is here. Jump down and weigh in. 🌭
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Join us on Friday, August 14 at Hive & Honey in Irvine! Come enjoy great views, good conversation, and a chance to unwind and connect with the team. Please RSVP by Friday, July 31st using the link below so we can plan accordingly. We hope to see you there!
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Our momentum continues with over $1.7M in new work, including four new on-call partnerships. These recent wins reflect our team’s continued hustle, strong relationships, and ability to create new opportunities across our sectors. Take a look at our most recently awarded projects!
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Get a sneak peek at a new tool coming soon from the Innovations Team! Get excited about what’s in the works, explore how the tool can support our projects, and get ready for the full announcement at our upcoming Tech Talk.
Project Spotlight
Arellano Associates helped bring a major transportation milestone to life this spring with a successful groundbreaking ceremony for the SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project Phase II in Beaumont. Hosted in April, in partnership with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the City of Beaumont, the event celebrated an important investment in mobility, access, and safety for the San Gorgonio Pass area. The project will construct a new six-ramp partial cloverleaf interchange at SR-60 and Potrero Boulevard, widen Potrero Boulevard to six lanes, realign Western Knolls Avenue, and improve access for local drivers, regional commuters, freight movement, and emergency responders. More than a roadway improvement, the project represents continued regional growth and stronger connectivity for Beaumont and surrounding communities.
For Arellano, the groundbreaking event was an opportunity to showcase the team’s creativity, flexibility, and leadership. The rural, undeveloped site presented a series of logistical and safety challenges — from permitting and weather concerns to sound, parking, and last-minute livestreaming needs. Rather than treating the location as a limitation, the team transformed it into a polished, welcoming event space that impressed partners, guests, and community members alike.
A Groundbreaking in More Ways Than One
The ceremony brought together nearly 90 attendees, including elected officials, agency partners, consultants, community members, and residents. The event opened with a tribal blessing from a Tribal Elder of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, setting a meaningful tone for the celebration and honoring the broader history of the area.
Behind the scenes, the Arellano team navigated fast-moving challenges with the kind of resourcefulness that makes an event feel seamless to guests. When building permits required engineering reports and signoffs with a six-week timeline, the team quickly pivoted rental companies and found an engineering team within two days to keep the event on track — just one week before the ceremony!
Behind-the-Scenes Wins
Permitting hurdles were resolved through quick coordination and vendor flexibility.
High winds and heat concerns were addressed with tent weights, large event fans, and handheld paper fans.
Sound needs were adjusted to account for the event’s location next to SR-60.
A last-minute request for Facebook livestreaming was supported through Arellano’s strong vendor relationships.
Golf cart escorts helped guests travel comfortably from parking to the event tent.
Local vendors added a community-centered touch with aguas frescas, food, cookies, and charcuterie boats.
Guests walked away remembering the thoughtful details: the golf cart escorts, the blessing from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the refreshing aguas frescas, the polished food presentation, the abundant plants that helped create an “oasis” in the desert, and the smooth parking guidance that made the rural location feel organized and welcoming.
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Add a little spice to your summer menu with Kyle’s “Spicy” Arrabbiata Pasta recipe! Inspired by a recipe from My Pokémon Cookbook and a love of fresh ingredients, this dish is easy to customize and perfect for anyone ready to try something flavorful and homemade. Check it out!
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Get ready to see our teams in full color! Our Insights Discovery Assesmnet survey results are in, and the diversity of colors across AA is inspiring. Click below to see your and everyone’s latest colors! Also check out the latest for our NetSuite integration and upcoming AA Playbook trainings.
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We love seeing all the fun moments shared in our AA Stories chat! Keep the posts coming, and don’t forget to like, comment, and connect with your colleagues’ updates.
The Hot Dog Debate
Sun's out, buns out — and we're not here to keep the peace. It's the hot dog debate: sandwich or not? Cast your vote and let's see where this office really stands.
