Santa Anita Park prepares for December 26 opening; "Great Race Place" will use 20 Los Angeles area billboards. HBO's "Luck" is the key to reaching younger demographic.
Cal Phil's "Be Instrumental" Holiday Haul 2011 runs through December 18. Cal Phil accepts donations of new or gently used musical instruments, toys or music-themed items for homeless and less fortunate children.
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.
Power outage outrage, takes it toll on customers. Thousands still without power in the San Gabriel Valley. Winds toppled a 140-year-old eucalyptus tree at Los Angeles County Arboretum, and Tim Phillips is pictured at the base of it. Damage estimates vary--Temple City alone expects cost to exceed $10 million.
Arcadia's Baldwin Stocker Elementary School and Pasadena's Roosevelt Elementary have been nominated for National Blue Ribbon honor. The program recognizes some of the highest performing and most improved schools in the nation.
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.
The body of 41-year-old Monrovia woman Carina Yong-Yi Sun was found in a vehicle at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on January 9, 2012. The cause of death has tentatively been ruled suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Obituary/death notice. An emotional farewell to Arcadia firefighter Andy Michael Troncale. He died at age 52 of cancer. Funeral services were held January 30, 2012 at Holy Angels Catholic Church, interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.
The next Arcadia city council election in April will be an all-mail ballot, that is saving the city thousands of dollars. The five candidates for two seats are Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic, John Wuo, Sho Tay, Henry Nunez and Mary Dougherty.
HRTV and Santa Anita Park have announced plans for a first ever non-fiction documentary film competition entitled "A Day at the Races" for film students and filmmakers wishing to make a five-minute or less Santa Anita-based film. First prize is $10,000.
Historical background on plans to build a performing arts auditorium in Arcadia, starting in 1977-1978. The Arcadia Auditorium Foundation (AAF) was formed by Charles Gilb, Gloria Horstman and Joe Sargis. The building did not come to fruition but the money has supported music programs at Arcadia Unified School District over the years. Now that Measure I is funding a Performing Arts Center at Arcadia High School, the AAF will fund the ending expenses of the construction. Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic has been a long-time advocate of an auditorium. See hard copy in VF "Arcadia Performing Arts Center."