“Santa Anita is fantastic,” says Michael Mann of the iconic horse race track. “It’s beautiful, a great-looking race track; why would you choose any other place?”
That’s high praise from the filmmaker responsible for the TV and movie versions of “Miami Vice,”  the seven-time Oscar nominee “The Insider,” and the cult favorite “Heat.”
“Santa Anita is such a beautiful atmosphere; it would be crazy not to honor it,” adds David Milch, Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude graduate of Yale. Milch went on to be an Emmy-winning writer of “Hill Street Blues” and then co-created “NYPD Blue,” for which he won a Humanitas Prize and a record 26 Emmy nominations in the first season, and created the HBO series “Deadwood,” winner of Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a Peabody Award.

Mann and Milch, unlikely partners as two of three executive producers of the new HBO series about the underbelly of horse racing called “Luck” (9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday nights beginning January 29) joined the show’s two highest-profile stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte in meeting with hundreds of TV critics Friday in Pasadena.
<Story continues along with review of all nine episodes of “Luck” below the following 85-second video interview with Hoffman and Mann…>

My father took our family to a movie in 1969 starring Steve McQueen called “The Reivers,” an adaptation of the William Faulkner novel, featuring slow-motion scenes of horses racing that Dad thought represented some of the most impressive cinematography he had ever seen.
I think he would have thought the same about the powerful scenes of horse racing at Santa Anita in “Luck.”

But even some of those who follow horse racing and are familiar with Santa Anita expressed disappointment with the one-hour pilot that HBO showed as a sneak preview last month. Too many characters and too much insider jargon that combined to make it a little hard to follow, and nothing much of significance happening which made it feel a little slow and not very engaging. Providing even more challenge in the pilot, most of the characters are degenerates and criminals who don’t initially exude much charisma or humor, though they do each have personalities that will eventually emerge.

For those viewers who were not bowled over by the pilot, I recommend sticking with it with a few more episodes; the second hour ramps up considerably, even if it is still not “The Sopranos.” In fact, mob-like violence eventually creeps in later episodes, particularly as Hoffman’s character, who is being released from prison in the first scene of the pilot, becomes entangled by episodes four and five with a yacht-residing heavy rival for Hoffman’s Ace character played by Michael Gambon (the polar opposite of his avuncular Professor Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” movies).
It is that juxtaposition of the seedy underbelly of horse racing set against the idyllic ambiance of Santa Anita that offers the primary intrigue and focus of the show. Milch described it as the “double-ness” of Santa Anita, the real world and the “Santa Anita of the mind.”

The momentum of the mid-series episodes, including a mild earthquake tremor that literally shakes up the motley crew while dining at the local “Rod’s Grill,” tends to stall a bit before regaining energy in the final installment.

Along the way, despite the multitude of characters already in place, new high-profile actors like Gambon continue to be added, such as Joan Allen. Her role as a persistent horse welfare activist (a la Bo Derek?) and her motivation is as vague as many of the other characters, but she appears to become a potential romantic interest for Ace.

Another actor gaining screen time after the pilot is Hall of Fame former jockey Gary Stevens (“Seabiscuit”), whose story arc carries him through a recurrence of his battle with alcoholism that threatens his career. Stevens displays an impressive and extensive range of acting skills that his prior acting roles had not allowed.

For Hoffman, the series presents a new opportunity to work unencumbered by studio executives.
“I’ve not had this experience before,” he said. “You can’t get a shot at doing your best work in the studio system.”
HBO does not have committees analyzing and making recommendations, he said. He also enjoys having three cameras filming at the same time to catch different angles so that actors don’t have to repeat the same shot multiple times.

Also somewhat unique to this HBO series is the wide variance in running times of each “one-hour” episode by as much as 20-minutes.” Each episode has a different director and some run about 45-minutes while others run 50-plus minutes and 60-plus minutes, including the 66-minute finale.

Hoffman and the producers all expressed interest in seeing the expensive series be picked up by HBO for several more seasons.
Maybe that would give Milch time to write in a visit to Santa Anita from Tony Soprano or even Carrie and friends from that other former HBO series “Sex and the City.”

– By Scott Hettrick

Arcadia High School will present the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma” March 22 – 24 and March 29-31.

Tickets are available now for purchase at the AHS Theatre Department web site, www.arcadiastage.com. Shows sell out well in advance so be sure to reserve your tickets early.

Arcadia Blues Club has been selected for the 2011 Best of Arcadia Award in the Restaurants category by the New York-based U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.

Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E. Huntington, hosts top regional and national blues performers each Friday and Saturday night, including Johnny Winter last April, and offers a full menu of food and drink. Each evening begins with the house band of Bobby Bluehouse, who owns and runs ABC with Marie  Dahms.

Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

USCA is funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

- By Scott Hettrick

As Santa Anita Park prepares to open its 75th winter/spring meeting on Dec. 26, the 77-year-0ld race track (it was closed for two seasons during World War II) is targeting a new, broader and younger audience, and aiming to capitalize on the new HBO TV series “Luck” with a new Luck Lounge, Luck tours, and VIP Luck contests.

“Our message will be a combination of cutting edge digital technology and an aggressive outdoor billboard campaign designed to engage a younger audience,” said recently promoted  Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Chris Quinn. “We’ll be flooding the L.A. market with 20 traditional billboards and we’ll also be a part of the electronic billboard at Angel Stadium, right off the 57 freeway in Anaheim. The total combined views or impressions from all of this is more than 30 million per month.”
Quinn said he hopes to introduce the historic sports venue to many thousands of new fans, including more Hispanics.
“We’re going to provide entertainment in addition to racing that will appeal to this very important part of our fan base,” said Quinn. “The Latino audience is a big part of our on-track business and we intend to provide them with an overall entertainment package that they will embrace.”

As the new HBO TV series “Luck” premieres January 29 (following a sneak preview on Dec. 11), Santa Anita will also dovetail marketing with HBO’s promotion of the Dustin Hoffman/Nick Nolte/Dennis Farina series to emphasize the track’s connection to the entertainment industry.

“We believe that “Luck” has tremendous potential for us here at Santa Anita,” Quinn said. “This is the first time Dustin Hoffman has ever done television and although some are going to find it controversial, we think this is what racing needs in order to break through and attract new fans.”
Construction is underway to create a Luck Lounge on the main floor of the grandstand, with a grand opening scheduled for Sunshine Millions Day, Jan. 28.
“Luck” has been shot in large-part here at Santa Anita and many of the characters that appear can be traced to real-life horsemen, fans and employees here,” said Quinn.

SANTA ANITA EVENTS SCHEDULE 2011– 2012 WINTER/SPRING SEASON

Opening Day
Monday, December 26 – Opening Day Calendar Giveaway, Fascinator & Fedora Hat Contest, Guaranteed $400,000 Pick-4, Strub Series Handicapping Contest Rd. 1, Red Bull Skydivers, Jockey Cam Debuts

Week 1
Thursday, December 29 – Photography Day
Sunday, January 1 – Long Sleeve T-shirt Giveaway, ShowVivor Presented by Treasure Island Begins at Santaanita.com
Monday, January 2 – Holiday Monday Racing

Week 2
Saturday, January 7 – HBO’s “Luck” Premiere Ticket Drawing

Week 3
Saturday, January 14– Kick-off event for College Ambassador Program
Sunday, January 15 – Santa Anita Walk of Fame Unveiling
Monday, January 16 – MLK Jr. Day, $2 Beer, Hot Dogs and Soft Drinks

Week 4
Saturday, January 21 – Treasure Island Las Vegas Getaway Drawing

Week 5
Saturday, January 28 – Sunshine Millions Day, Gourmet Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival, Miss Sunshine Millions Bikini Contest, Folding Beach Chair Giveaway, Unveiling of the “Luck Lounge”

Week 6
Saturday, February 4 – Strub Stakes Day, “The Club” VIP Party, Guaranteed Pick-4,
Sunday, February 5 – Super Bowl Sunday, 11 AM Early First Post Time

Week 7
Saturday, February 11 – Sirona’s Pizza Kitchen Grand Opening
Sunday, February 12 – Early Valentine’s Day Turf Club Promotion

Week 8
Saturday, February 18 – Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Sunday, February 19 – Cajun Festival
Monday, February 20 – Presidents’ Day $2 Beer, Hot Dogs and Soft Drinks

Week 9
Saturday, February 25 – Jockey Autograph Session

Week 10
Saturday, March 3 – Big ‘Cap Day, Gourmet Food Truck Festival with Live Music Baseball Cap Giveaway Presented By San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, Fascinator & Fedora Hat Contest, Guaranteed Pick-4
Sunday, March 4 – Grand Opening of Infield Kids’ Zone

Week 11
Saturday, March 10 – C.B.B.Q.A Infield BBQ Competition with Live Entertainment
Sunday, March 11 – Latin Music Festival, Woolf Award Ceremony, Kid’s Zone

Week 12
Saturday, March 17 – St. Pat’s Day, Irish Music Festival, $1 million St. Pat’s Pitch, “The Club” VIP Party
Sunday, March 18 – Kids’ Zone

Week 13
Saturday, March 24 – Tokyo City Cup, Japanese Cultural Festival
Sunday, March 25 – Uncorked Wine Festival, Cal-Rods Classic Car Show, Kid’s Zone, Pink Parlour Festival

Week 14
Saturday, March 31 – Gourmet Food Truck Festival/Infield Concert
Sunday, April 1 – Latin Music Festival 2, Women of Santa Anita Walk of Fame Ceremony

Week 15
Saturday, April 7 – Santa Anita Derby Day, Derby Day L.A. Susan G. Komen Fundraiser, T-Shirt Giveaway, 5K Run and Walk, Fascinator & Fedora Hat Contest, Guaranteed Pick-4, Kid’s Zone
Sunday, April 8 – Easter Sunday, Largest Easter Egg Hunt in the San Gabriel Valley, Kids’ Zone

Week 16
Saturday, April 14 – College Ambassador Party, Salute to Veterans
Sunday, April 15 – “The Club” VIP Party, Local Unions Offer, Kids’ Zone

Week 17
Saturday, April 21– Fan Appreciation Day with Giveaways, Sweepstakes and Social Media Contests
Sunday, April 22 – Closing Day, Jockey Autograph Session, On-Track to Beat Cancer City of Hope Fundraiser, Handicapping Contest Finals, Kids’ Zone

Ongoing Promotions
Every Thursday – Seniors’ Day (Free General Admission to 62 and Older)
Every Saturday and Sunday – $40 Buy-In Handicapping Contest

– By Scott Hettrick

AT&T cell customers in Arcadia who have been frustrated with poor service may soon notice a big improvement.
The company announced today that it has deployed 4G to its mobile broadband network in Arcadia and added network enhancements, including new layers of frequency (also known as “carriers”) to several cell sites throughout Arcadia to more efficiently manage available spectrum and increase mobile broadband capacity.

When combined with enhanced Ethernet connectivity between the cell site and the wireless switch center later this year, the deployment will enable 4G wireless data speeds of up to four times faster than ordinary mobile broadband, enhancing the experience for customers and businesses who use the Internet or data-heavy applications on tablets, mobile devices or smartphones.

AT&T’s advanced network provides several important advantages for customers including customers with the ability to talk and surf at the same time. For instance, you can look up directions to an event while still talking on the phone, or browse your favorite social media sites while chatting with a friend.

The state-of-the-art improvements are expected to give Arcadia more ability to handle a growing volume of calls, video, Internet and other data.  The expanded Arcadia wireless network is part of AT&T’s $450 million investment in network improvements throughout Los Angeles.

Among the several upgraded cell sites in Arcadia is one hidden discreetly within The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Whether uploading a Twitpic of their favorite exotic plant or checking the Internet to learn if they can grow it at home, Arboretum explorers can now do so hassle-free with improved wireless service.

The expansion helps manage ever-growing demand for mobile broadband services by allocating more network resources for AT&T’s mobile broadband network.

“We are investing heavily in Arcadia because we recognize that our customers here need the highest quality wireless service to take advantage of all the capabilities of today’s mobile broadband devices,” said Rich Roche, External Affairs manager for AT&T and a longtime member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce.  “It is our highest priority to ensure that our network enhancements are keeping pace with the growing needs of businesses, government entities and individuals.”

“We’ve seen an astounding 8,000 percent increase in data traffic in the last four years,” said Andy Shibley, VP and general manager, Greater Los Angeles Region. This has been our call to action to keep pace and stay ahead of customer demand. To ensure this, we’re adding new cell sites, enhancing in-building coverage, increasing data speeds and, most importantly, servicing and tuning our network – all to improve our customer’s experience.”

AT&T’s mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the best international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries.

AT&T also operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network** with nearly 27,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly wireless data plans.

For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Arcadia or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, visit the AT&T network news page.

– By Scott Hettrick