Santa Anita Companies has announced earnings for the year ending December 31, 1981. Revenues were up 23.5%. Shares of the two companies, Santa Anita Operating Company and Santa Anita Realty Enterprises, Inc., are offered on the New York Stock Exchange under the name Santa Anita Realty Enterprises.
Local 280 of the Parimutuel Guild of California voted not to strike Santa Anita Park on opening day. The track had made contingency plans in preparation for the threatened strike but the clerks endorsed the proposed contract raising clerks pay at satellite wagering sites.
Santa Anita Park set a record for total attendance (2,690,834) and had it highest daily average attendance (31,289) since 1948, as the 1981-82 meeting closed April 21. Facts and figures about the racing season are presented.
The Arcadia Planning Commission approved the development of a retail shopping center at the corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road. The approval was made after determining that such a project would not cause adverse traffic congestion.
Santa Anita Park will have thoroughbred racing from December 26 through April 22, a season expanded by two weeks. The horse racing bill AB 3383 provided other changes in the sport that will affect Santa Anita Park.
Santa Anita Athletic Club had formal installation of Mrs. George Mumford as 1975 president of the social organization, which was organized in 1937 in Arcadia.
Demolition of the Santa Anita Motor Inn is being completed. Built in 1938, it had become an architectural curio - built as it was to resemble a ship with streamlined characteristics.
Air conditioning is being installed at the track as part of $3.4 million in improvements being made this summer in preparation for the first season of inter-track wagering offered at Santa Anita Park this year from July 27 to September 14.
Arcadia planning commission has given preliminary approval to a request to operate a residential recovery center for women battling alcoholism. The Spencer Recovery Center would be located at 180 West Huntington Drive.
The Realty Board has announced the following endorsements for the City Council election in April: Floretta Lauber; Charles Gilb; Irvin Livingston; Reuben Ruiz.
The Arcadia Planning Commission has scheduled at least 6 public hearings regarding the 30 acre, 21 lot residential development proposal submitted to the City by the Bluth Realty and Investment Co., an Arcadia firm.
Lowery McCaslin, owner of Anoakia, has asked that his application for a general plan change for the property be withdrawn. He has been working with a local builder who has a good feel for the area and would like to develop the property at a density of 2.4 homes per acre. Late in this same meeting, the council voted to change the zoning on the estate to match the existing general plan. What this might do to future McCaslin plans is not clear.
The famed old Eaton's Restaurant will be demolished and plans have been submitted for a smaller building which will house: a) CoCo's - a high class coffee shop b) Plankhouse - steak, lobster, bar, entertainment. The owners will be Far West Services, Inc., which owns such restaurants as the Reuben E. Lee in Newport.
An application to construct a Burger King Restaurant on South Santa Anita Avenue at Alice Street was turned down by the Arcadia Planning Commission on a 4-1 vote. Commission members said they were concerned with noise and traffic problems. Residents also objected to the possibility that students from Arcadia High would congregate and make noise at the restaurant following evening sporting events.