The 72nd $1 million Santa Anita Handicap is running today. Some of the top contenders are named Colonel John, Einstein, Cowboy Cal, Court Vision, and Matto Mondo. Helen Pitts is Einstein's trainer. Einstein is the son of horse Spend a Buck.
The 75th anniversary of Santa Anita Park was celebrated with festivities including a parade of Budweiser Clydesdales and the unveiling of sculptor Nina Kaiser's life-size bronze statue of the race horse John Henry. The article includes a list of people in attendance at the party in the Directors' Room.
Arcadia celebrated 100 years of cityhood with a cameo appearance by Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin, portrayed by John Reuter. Activities included a scavenger hunt, author book signing for Visions of Arcadia, and the unveiling of the bronze peacock topping the fountain. The peacock was sculpted by Dave Chapple.
Arcadia City Council appointed the following: Bob Hoherd to the Arcadia Beautiful Commission, Richard Cordano and Carmine Falabrino were reappointed. James Hanrahan was reappointed to the Human Resources Commission and John Fung to the library board. David Olsen will serve on the Planning Commission and on the relocations appeal board. Michael Cook and Randy Fowler were named to the Recreation Commission. Jim Lewis and Arlene Okamoto were reappointed to the Senior Citizen Commission, as were Carol Curtis, Harlene Hamann and Dick Milefchik.
Arcadia City Council candidates Roger Chandler, Bob Harbicht, Gary Kovacic, Gail Marshall, and John Wuo answer the question, "What one or more issues are you interested in tackling during the next 4 years on the council?"
Arcadia City Councilman Gary Kovacic will take over as mayor at the next City Council Meeting. He will serve through October 21 and then the position will rotate to John Wuo (October 21-January 4), Mickey Segal (January 4-April 20). Gail Marshall was mayor through April 15 of this year. All council members are rotating to the position of mayor during the city's centennial.
Arcadia Police Chief David Hinig bestowed the Police Department's Medal of Merit on Detective Stan Flores and Life Saving medals on patrol officers John Jurman and Jennifer Casillas.
Arcadia Police Department officers John Jurman and Jennifer Casillas received life-saving medals, and Stan Flores received the Medal of Merit for helping in the arrest of a kidnapper.
Arcadia police officers Toni Caylor and Mike Cervantes introduced DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) to 5th graders in Arcadia in 1995. Those same students will be graduating from high school this month. Officers Brian Ortiz and John Bonomo are the current DARE officers.
Arcadia resident and business owner Fawaz Elmasri, who was born in Lebanon, conveyed a message that Muslim people are peaceful and the Islam religion condemns killing of civilian people and the destruction of property. He explained that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were acts against God.
Arcadia resident John Chin has run 21 consecutive Los Angeles Marathons, making him part of an elite group of "Legacy Runners," those who have run in every LA Marathon since its inception in 1986.
Arcadia residents will select three trustees today. Running for the Board of Education are challengers Roger Sonnenberg, Fred Peritore and Daniel Haste. Incumbents are James Romo, John McClain and Maryann Gibson.