Arcadia resident Bob Wieland, a 65-year-old Vietnam veteran who lost both legs in an explosion, is currently riding a hand-powered bicycle across the country and back to raise money for charities. In the 1980s, he walked across the country on his knuckles. He is an inspirational speaker.
California Philharmonic played its last concert at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, after 15 years of playing summer concerts there. Next year, the California Philharmonic will be playing at Santa Anita Park, where the amenities include indoor plumbing, a full liquor license and improved parking.
Opening day at Santa Anita Park will be September 30. It will be proclaimed "Arcadia Day" and all Arcadia residents will be granted free Club House admission with proof of residency. A brand new state-of-the-art natural dirt main track was completed July 26.
Heroic 90 year-old Santa Anita Park paddock guard John Shear will be featured on Horse Racing Television (HRTV) this Sunday, on the "Inside Information" documentary series. He saved a young girl from serious injury while doing his job.
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.
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.