The City of Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department Summer 2012 Registration Begins this month.
Arcadia’s Buzz magazine for summer programs has been released and posted on the City’s web site under the Recreation and Community Services Department. Click the link above to see displayed on your computer via the City’s web site. Printed copies are available at the City of Arcadia Recreation Office, Library and City Hall.

On-line registration for classes and activities is available now online at link above, and includes on-line non-resident registration along with ALL walk-in, mail-in and fax-in registration. Summer activities fill up quickly so get your registration requests in to assure your spot! For new registrants, please remember to include your proof of residency/child’s birth with your forms and on-line submittals. This information is required and will delay the process if not provided.

For questions and on-line Log-in ID information for active accounts, please contact the Recreation Department at 626.574.5113.

The non-profit Arcadia Indians youth football and cheer organization is seeking sponsors to help support the non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to provide sportsmanship and leadership skills.

Officially called Arcadia Junior All American Football Association, Inc., the league made of more than 200 participating boys and girls age 6-14 who live in Monrovia, Arcadia or Sierra Madre was without a board of directors or funds last year and was close to being forced to merge with a Temple City league.

The few remaining backers are seeking businesses to be sponsors for as low as $100 or donate items to be sold at the Indians Pep Rally, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas, water bottles, chips, etc.  (See form below.)
The group that has been around since 1969 will also be having a State Line turnaround trip in July, for which donated goods are needed to be raffled off on the bus to State Line, such as gift certificates and sports memorabilia. See also the Indians’ Facebook page.

The success of the organization has been credited to the volunteers who provide a healthy learning environment, where they learn hands on skills not just in football and in cheer, but in working together, showing good leadership skills, and through academic achievement. Academic achievement is emphasized — all participants must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Registration fees are set low enough to just cover minimum costs, with corporate and individual sponsorships necessary to make up for additional overhead costs. Donations to the 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation are tax-deductible.

– By Scott Hettrick

Thanks to a renewal of a partnership between the City of Arcadia’s Recreation and Community Services Department with Target, the City has scheduled another line-up of summer concerts every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn between City Hall and the Police Station, 240 West Huntington Drive:

The 1st Marine Division Band (Patriotic) – July 5, 2012
The 1st Marine Division Band, based out of Camp Pendleton, California, consists of 50 Marine musicians. While the primary mission of the 1st Marine Division Band is to provide musical support for military parades and ceremonies, they remain versatile to accommodate other needs. In addition to the Ceremonial Band and Concert Band, the band forms smaller ensembles such as Big Band, Jazz Combo, Brass Quintet, and Party Band. They perform at over 300 commitments a year, with highlights including the State Funeral of President Ford, the Tournament of Roses Parades, Disneyland’s Independence Day Concerts, and annual concerts at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. In 2007, the 1st Marine Division Band was awarded the “Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands” administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

All Marine Corps Bands fulfill the objective of preserving the values that comprise the unique and fundamental national strength and character of the United States. Whether performing music or serving in a combat zone, the 1st Marine Division Band carries on this esteemed tradition and remains the Pride of the Division.

Brian Lynn Jones and the Misfit Cowboys (Country) – July 12, 2012
Brian Lynn Jones and the Misfit Cowboys are a tight, high-energy Rock-N-Tonk band. They move effortlessly and convincingly through all forms of American roots music and deliver country, rock-n-roll, blues and classic rock just to name a few. Rock-n-Tonk is a term coined by the band that sums up their sound: Roots Country with the gritty edge of Rock-n-Roll. The only way to truly grasp the vibe is to come see a live show!

Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Band (Blues & Jazz) – July 19, 2012
The 2nd Street Band is a pool of 40 world-class musicians and vocalists led by Gregg Young, singer, guitarist, ASCAP songwriter/publisher & NARAS Member. Gregg, originally from San Francisco, was signed to a major label recording contract when in his teens and had an “NFL or NBA” musical experience while touring and recording. Gregg has been in shows that included such acts as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Linda Ronstadt, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Eric Burden, War, Jose Feliciano and others. Gregg had the privilege of guitar great Carlos Santana as a friend and mentor, and learned a great deal while playing with Bo Diddley and Sly Stone. The band is currently playing gigs that encompass a variety of music styles including Jazz, Blues, R & B, Reggae, Rock-n-Roll and Latin Jazz.

The Groove Classic Oldies Show (Classic Oldies) – July 26, 2012
Sit back, relax and prepare for a nostalgic journey of memories. Established in 2004, The Groove Oldies Show is a family friendly band that performs a wide variety of classic oldies that appeal to audiences of all ages. The Groove Oldies Show is a local band (Pasadena area) and has performed all over Southern California as well as Las Vegas, and for many car shows, special events, casinos, and park concerts. The Groove features Dean Simone, Ben Rushing, Steve La Corte and Tom Osuna. Come join us Arcadia and prepare to have a great time down memory lane!

Cold Duck (70’s top 40) – August 2, 2012
Back by popular demand! Join us once again for this special celebration….National Night Out & Arcadia’s 109th Birthday! National Night Out promotes crime prevention and awareness through police-community partnerships. Arcadia’s Police and Fire Department will be joining us for this very special occasion. Free fingerprinting for the kids, crime prevention materials and other information will be available. Stop by and show your support to Arcadia’s finest.

Since its inception over two decades ago, Cold Duck’s philosophy has been directly responsible for their continued success: “Give the people what they want to hear and have a good time delivering it!” With this solid experienced musicianship, it should come as no surprise that Cold Duck is renowned for being one of the most versatile bands in existence. Cold Duck continues its tradition of excellent musicianship and groovin’ rhythms. So let’s have a good time dancing the night away!

The Answer (Classic Rock) – August 9, 2012
Since 1964 The Answer has been supplying its renditions of top 40 hits, back then popular rock and today now classified as classic rock. The Answer’s uncanny reproduction of all that’s good in classic rock today sets them far above their competition. With stage energy, witty antics, and FREE giveaways, The Answer delivers a knock out show which is enjoyed by all ages! This band is one of Arcadia’s favorites – this is a must see show!

The Journey Experience (Tribute to Journey) – August 16, 2012
Go back in time, return to your days of yesteryear and experience the ultimate sights and music of Journey in your life! The Journey Experience is a number one top premier Journey Tribute Band composed of well established world class professional touring state musicians who love to play Journey music. The Journey Experience performs a 90 to 100 minute powerful, rockin’ Journey Tribute Concert. They headline on the House of Blues circuit as well as the Tropicana Palms in Laughlin, Nevada. Come out and enjoy the classic tunes of Journey as our Summer Concert Series concludes.

Info: Recreation Department at 626.574.5113.

Santa Anita Park ended its 2012 winter/spring season April 22 with more than 580,000 admissions.
It was one of a clean sweep of category gains for the 75th season, along with on-track attendance, handle and overall pari-mutuel handle.

Closing day party in the paddock.

Santa Anita’s out-of-state business was robust, propelling The Great Race Place to finish up with a 7% increase in total pari-mutuel handle. On-track handle and attendance were up 1% over 2011.
“This is our first winter/spring meet under the direction of the Stronach Group,” said Santa Anita C.E.O. Mark Verge. “Our Chairman, Frank Stronach has laid the groundwork for an exciting, vibrant future and we will continue to demonstrate that.
“We promoted very aggressively at this meet and it paid off. Our initial goal was to showcase our five big days and make them bigger, and we did that.
“We had 44,579 here on opening day (Dec. 26) which was a 10% increase over the previous year and it was the first time we’ve had more than 40,000 people out for opening day since 1999.
“Sunshine Millions Day (Jan. 28) was also big for us. We had an on-track crowd of 30,514, which far outdid what any other track in the country did on that day.
“Strub Stakes Day (Feb. 4) was a home run as well,” continued Verge. “Our all-sources handle was $15 million, which was three percent increase over last year. The Santa Anita Handicap Day (March 3) on-track crowd was up 10 percent over last year.
“Santa Anita Derby Day (April 7) was outstanding and people were impressed with the energy and the excitement we had throughout the track. The Derby itself was an incredible race and we want to congratulate (owner) Paul Reddam, (trainer) Doug O’Neill and their entire team on the job they did with the winner I’ll Have Another. This is what people expect when they come to Santa Anita–great racing, great customer service and a feeling that we’ve got something very special going on here.
“We got very aggressive with our Late Pick Four guarantee of $750,000 on Derby Day and the result was a total pool of $992,000, which was the biggest Pick Four pool of the meet and our overall handle of $17.8 million was very strong as well.”

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert breezed to his record 10th Santa Anita training title, winning 46 races, seven more than runner up John Sadler. Baffert was also the leading stakes-winning trainer, winning eight, three more than Sadler and Ron Ellis.
Hronis Racing LLC led all owners by races won, with 10 victories.
“We’d like to congratulate our leading owners, trainers and jockeys and thank them for their commitment during this meet,” said Verge. “We’d also like to sincerely thank our fans for all of their support and commitment. They are the reason we are in business and our customers will continue to be our top priority.”

Santa Anita will host the Breeders’ Cup event Nov. 2-3.

“We look forward to our Autumn Meet and to hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the sixth time in November,” Verge said. “It’ll be an honor to showcase this magnificent facility and to put on another world-class show on NBC.”

Join hundreds of fellow Arcadians of all ages and skill levels for the annual free Community Bike Ride at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5, coordinated by the City of Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department. The leisurely ride through seven miles of residential streets led by Arcadia Police begins and ends at the Community Center, 365 Campus Dr. Check in begins at 7:30 a.m., with the ride to begin at 8 a.m. after a brief safety overview.

The first 50 participants will receive a free t-shirt and ticket to the Arcadia’s Firefighters Pancake Breakfast that otherwise costs $5 and runs from 7 a.m. to 12 noon across the street from the Community Center at Fire Station 106 on the northeast corner of Baldwin Avenue and Huntington Drive.

Helmets are required for the bike ride, which takes place rain or shine. Although this ride will be at a slow pace, younger riders wishing to participate will need to keep up with the group pace. Children under the age of thirteen will need to be accompanied by an adult.  Bikes with training wheels are not permitted.

No registration necessary. For more information contact the Recreation office at 574-5113 or go on-line to the City of Arcadia’s website: ci.arcadia.ca.us.

Click video below to see highlights from a previous bike ride.

– By Scott Hettrick