Drought ordinance approved. Beginning April 22, 2015, Arcadia water customers can water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, after 6:00 PM and before 9:00 AM only.
Arcadia Downtown Street Market now on Saturdays, 5-9 PM. It is run by Green Leaf Events on First Avenue between Santa Clara Street and Huntington Drive.
A team of designers and builders (photo) from Kiewit Parsons firm working on the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension prepare to remove the existing railroad bridge on Colorado Boulevard between San Antonio Road and Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia. That section of Colorado Boulevard may close today. The portion of Colorado Boulevard west of North Santa Anita Avenue, is scheduled to be closed from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays through June 8, to remove the existing railroad bridge. Since the Colorado Boulevard bridge was once an old freight line bridge, it is not wide enough to accommodate light rail trains and tracks, and thus, will be demolished over the next 4 weeks.
As part of a continuing investigation into a crash that killed Arcadia teen Alice Zhang and badly injured her friend Priyanka Patel, city officials will return to the site of the fatal accident to re-create the scene tomorrow. City officials will block off the 600 block of West Duarte Road between Baldwin Avenue and Lovell Avenue, from 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm, as Arcadia Police examine the crosswalk.
Arcadia City Council tightens regulations on water use. Outdoor irrigation citywide is restricted, by a newly passed ordinance, to 3 days a week-Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Watering is prohibited between 9 AM and 6 PM, in addition to "during and 48 hours after measurable rainfall." Arcadia City Council approves purchase of replacement water ahead of time. See hard copy in VF "Water."
Downtown Arcadia hosts Patriotic Festival in honor of America's 243rd birthday. It takes place June 29, 5:00-9:30 PM on First Avenue, south of Huntington Drive, with live music, food, entertainment, and fireworks.
Arcadia City Council last week approved expanding the kinds of outdoor special events allowed at Santa Anita Park race track, and in the adjacent parking lot areas, including concerts, carnivals, and farmers markets. The change will allow the track to host the California Philharmonic summer concerts and possibly Cavalia, a Cirque du Soleil show. Councilman Roger Chandler said the amendments made to the city's municipal code allow a very large and underused piece of land, specifically the south parking lot, to be used and to generate additional income for the track.
Sneak preview for HBO's "Luck" on December 11. It is a highly anticipated show on HBO starring Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz and others. It is filmed in large part at Santa Anita Park and written and produced by David Milch. The show's official pilot premiere on HBO is January 29, 2012.
Efforts to reduce water use continue in Arcadia. Sprinkler station cycles are limited to 10 minutes. The new water use restrictions limit outdoor watering of grass and plants to two days per week, Tuesday and Saturday, before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
Santa Anita Park race track attendance is on the upswing. It drew 40,810 on Friday, its biggest opening day turnout since 2011. On-track attendance was up 33% over last year, partly because of the free infield admission program, which drew more than 10,000 people. Total wagering, including bets placed from all over the country, rose nearly 30% to more than $17 million. On-site betting was more than $3.4 million. The City of Arcadia gets 1/3 of 1% of all on-site wagering.
Street closures for the 59th Annual Festival of Bands Parade hosted by City of Arcadia. Baldwin Avenue between Huntington Drive and Naomi Avenue will be closed 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Duarte Road between Golden West and El Monte Avenue closed 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Campus Drive between Santa Anita Avenue and Holly Avenue closed 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Legislation. In the wake of 23 horse deaths at Santa Anita Park, California legislators are pushing for a new bill that targets racetrack oversight. It would allow state to suspend a venue’s license over safety concerns. Senator Bill Dodd, Democrat-Napa, and Assemblyman Adam Gray, Democrat-Merced, introduced the legislation and announced plans to have a joint oversight hearing on horse racing safety in the next month.
Major traffic jams during Santa Anita Park Race Track's record breaking opening day. All parking lots were full by 12:20 PM on December 26, 2017. See also Mountain Views News, p. B1, December 30, 2017 opening day recap crowd of 40,000.
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.
Santa Anita Park kicks off racing season with new events and Hollywood tie-in to HBO television series "Luck." There is a new Luck Lounge and a new Kids Zone.
Los Angeles County officials are holding a meeting at 6:00 PM today at Arcadia County Park to address concerns and to "clarify misperceptions" about a plan to bring in a new operator and manager for the park's tennis center. The community is concerned about pricey fees or membership dues if the recommended operator iTennis is approved by the Board of Supervisors next month. Tony Bell, spokesperson for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, said there will be no pay-to-play or required membership. The new contract will be to improve the quality of services, programs and amenities.
Santa Anita Park holds a Breeders' Cup World Championship record for hosting more Breeders' Cup than any other venue. It has hosted 9 times. That will change in November when Churchill Downs ties that record by hosting the event.