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.
Santa Anita Park race track draws 44,000 plus fans on this season's opening day December 26. Hero John Shear (photo) returns to track duties as paddock guard after saving a child's life last spring. Jockey Mike Smith rides Mr. Bossy Pants to win the 7th race (photo).
Arcadia company Gemcoin, a digital currency or "cryptocurrency," has been using Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's image on its website and marketing materials. John Wuo denies any endorsement of Gemcoin.
Campaign to recall three Arcadia city council members begins. Highlands neighborhood residents have been at odds with Roger Chandler, Sho Tay, and John Wuo over the development of mansions in place of historic homes and the Gemcoin controversy with John Wuo.
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.
GemCoin (cryptocurrency, digital currency) investors share fraud concerns with Arcadia City Council. Councilman John Wuo declined to respond to accusations of wrongdoing and their call for his resignation from council. Former Arcadia council member Floretta Lauber defended John Wuo.
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.
Birth-tourism sites not easily detected.Terry Moore-Corse, a code enforcement officer in Arcadia has encountered three maternity homes in the past six years, most recently in 2009, when a resident reported "a lot of pregnant women" coming out of a house. Beyond building code and business license violations, there is nothing illegal about coming into this country to give birth, according to the U.S. State Department, which issues visas. Maternity tourism is a money-making cottage industry in which wealthy women from Asia pay anywhere from $25,000-35,000 to have American-born infants.
Arcadia Presbyterian Church's 100th anniversary (centennial) will feature a choral and organ concert. John Henken will conduct the chorus and Tabitha Henken will be the organ accompanist.
Arcadia-born artist Quinton Bemiller is painting a mural to be displayed at The Armory Center for the Arts through March 21, 2010. This work was inspired by the natural environment of Hahamongna Watershed Park.