Veteran paddock guard at Santa Anita Park, John Shear, will be honored on October 1, for his heroic act of shielding a 6-year-old girl from a runaway horse on March 12, 2011, with a race named "The John Shear Hero Purse." The race will include a winner's circle ceremony in which 90-year-old Shear will be recognized.
Arcadia Elks Lodge, which is a non-profit charitable organization, has donated $5,590 since April 2011 to local organizations such as Arcadia High School baseball, City of Hope, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, Children's Wish Foundation and many more. The lodge has been located in Arcadia since 1957, at 27 West Huntington Drive.
Annual Taste of Arcadia, an Arcadia Chamber of Commerce event, will take place Monday, September 19 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. As always, a percentage of proceeds goes to three local non-profit organizations. This year, the beneficiaries are Assistance League of Arcadia, the Boy Scouts of America/Lucky Baldwin District, and the Arboretum Foundation.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital sponsors a free community open house on September 17 to celebrate the upcoming opening of its new patient tower. The hospital is at 300 West Huntington Drive in Arcadia. Related story on page 14.
On September 8, 2011, Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic had an emergency procedure to put a stent in one of his 3 major heart arteries. His Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery was 90-95% blocked. He was released from Arcadia Methodist Hospital (AMH) the following day and was back at AMH 24 hours later for a dedication ceremony of the new patient tower that has been under construction for some time now.
American Heart Association recognizes Arcadia Methodist Hospital (AMH) for its commitment to and success with heart attack patients, in implementing a higher standard of care that effectively improves the survival and care of STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) patients.
Santa Anita Park, together with California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), will celebrate California Cup XXII with a gala party entitled "The Art of Racing" on Saturday, October 29.
Arcadia Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012 is Tal Jones. He has taught in Arcadia schools for 27 years. He currently teaches Biology, Biophysical Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Leadership and Specifically Designed Academic Instruction Science at Arcadia High School (photo).
Live racing returns to Santa Anita Park for its Autumn Meet, which runs September 30-November 6, 2011. This fall features racing on Thursdays through Sundays.
Several San Gabriel Valley teachers were honored last Friday at the annual Teachers of the Year Awards and Banquet given by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Talmage Jones, of Arcadia High School, was one of 16 County Teachers of the Year.
Six years ago after severe winter rains, Cal FEMA gave several grants to cities responsible for the maintenance of the road to Chantry Flats north into the foothills from Arcadia. Monrovia is responsible for a small segment of that road, but it has not yet been repaired. Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa explained that the initial grant was insufficient to pay for the repairs.
Construction of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension bridge, that will span the 210 Freeway, has begun. Preparation of the giant column supports included drilling over 100 feet into the ground. The 584-foot Gold Line bridge will take shape by December. It replaces an old railroad bridge across the freeway, which was built about 1969 and torn down in 1997, said Gary Baker, director of construction for the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. The bridge's design has been controversial, as some say it is not representative of the origins of the area. The entire bridge is slated to be finished summer 2012.
Sierra Madre hero John Shear was honored during opening weekend at Santa Anita Park. On March 12, 2011, the then 90-year-old British native John Shear saved a young girl's life at the track when a horse bolted in her direction.
On October 25, 2011 at 7:18 AM, Arcadia Fire Department responded to a structure fire with multiple explosions in the 1400 block of S. Mayflower Avenue. The flames engulfed a detached 4-car garage behind a single family home. The fire appears to be accidental. Estimated loss is $150,000 including two vehicles. No one was injured.