Over the two days of the Breeders' Cup this year, there were 95,000 in attendance, at Santa Anita Park. It was a 5 percent increase over the last two year's two-day crowds.
President Eric Chen of Chateau Group and Robb Macmillan, Development Director, to share plans for new Marriott Le Meridien Hotel and Conference Center to be located directly across from the historic Santa Anita Park Race Track. Construction to start in 2018 and be completed by fourth quarter of 2019. On the site of the former Santa Anita Inn and Ramada Inn.
Dance instructor Ricky Sun and Evoke Dance Group, and amateur dancers ranging in age from 5 to 75, formed the first ever "Flash mob" of 100 dancers to appear at historic Santa Anita Park race track. They broke out in a choreographed routine to publicize Relay For Life. The flash mob was organized by the Chamber of Commerce.
Racing returns to Santa Anita Park and another tragedy strikes as horse named Arms Runner fell on the dirt track crossover and had to be euthanized. This was the 23rd horse death since December 23. Trumpeter Jay Cohen was back after three months out with Bell's Palsy.
Arcadia's parcel tax, Measure A, is validated. It gives schools $17 million over the next 5 years. Residents, with a few exceptions (seniors and those who receive Social Security), will have to pay an additional $228/year to help offset the fiscal deficit the Arcadia Unified School District faces. This Measure A was on the March 13 ballot.
Lost in translation: ballot error in Chinese language instructions on the mail-in ballot, directing voters to choose up to 3 City Council candidates, in the race for only 2 open seats in the April 10 election.
Voters support incumbents. Turnout very low.* District 2 winner is Tom Beck with 982 votes out of 1857 votes cast and Roger Chandler won in District 5 with 704 votes out of 1627 cast. In District 3, Sho Tay ran unopposed so he was appointed. *semi-official results.
Senator Dianne Feinstein weighs in on Santa Anita Park tragedies. In a letter to California Horse Racing Board, she called for racing to be suspended at Santa Anita Park after the deaths of twenty-three horses since late December.
Update on Jay Cohen and other Santa Anita news. Joan Schmidt writes that former beloved Santa Anita Park trumpeter Jay Cohen has Bell’s Palsy, which has caused paralysis of the right side of his face. Jay was born in Camden, NJ. Includes other biographical information. Jockey Ruben Fuentes was voted “Jockey of the Week” by Jockeys’ Guild Foundation Detox. Happy 98th birthday to Santa Anita Park worker John Shear, who still has no intention of retiring.
Unanimous Arcadia City Council acts to place local funding measure, known as the “Arcadia Public Safety, City Services and Accountability Measure” on the June 2019 ballot to maintain public safety and other city services. City staff and the Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee have indicated Arcadia has a multi-million dollar structural deficit.
Santa Anita Gardens Catering Services threw an extravagant showcase event to celebrate and promote one of their two hosting venues, Arcadia's historic Prince Erik Hall, located at 2607 South Santa Anita Avenue, behind Arcadia Congregational Church.
Metro to improve 210 Freeway barriers, after a series of crashes over the last 2 years involved cars and trucks landing on the Gold Line tracks. Metro plans to install taller, stronger barriers and a detection system on 6 miles of right-of-way down the middle of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena and Arcadia.
Santa Anita Park and Mathis Brothers Furniture team to donate $10,000 in college scholarships on its 82nd "Winter Meet" opening day, Wednesday, December 26. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 14, December 20, 2018.
Arcadians: "No" on Measure A, the repeal of Utility Users Tax (UUT) by Joan Schmidt. The utility tax is 12.5% of the city's $54.9 billion General Fund.