Westfield Santa Anita is filling the month of December with holiday cheer.
Click here to go to Westfield Santa Anita web site and find discount offers and complete activity schedule and daily updates.

Among the highlights:

* Daily Snow Shows through Dec. 23 at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. on the Promenade.
* 45′ live Christmas tree on the Promenade.
* Life-sized storyboard of The Polar Express on the Promenade.
* Promenade Express train rides Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15: 

– Coldwater Creek Girls Night Out Last Gift Dash 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – 20% off during the day; 30% off during the event when you bring a friend.

– Family Fun Days 11 am. in the Promenade by the Christmas tree. Snow show and free hot chocolate.

Friday, Dec. 16: Film Screening of “The Polar Express” at 6:30 p.m. Free hot chocolate for those in pajamas.

Just a couple hours after getting power restored Friday afternoon, Westfield Santa Anita was lit up for the holidays and hosting an evening full of activities on the Promenade.

Among the festivities running throughout December will be the giant lighted Christmas tree, falling snow, holiday music, a Promenade Express train for kids, shopping indoors and out and at new stores like Charming Charlie, and activities for family and children.

In addition to all that, on Friday a quartet of musicians playing stringed instruments and the mall hosted a special Arcadia Chamber of Commerce business mixer featuring delicious food, drink, prizes, and socializing among more than 50 local members. Dozens more photos here on Chamber Facebook page — be sure to click “Like” at top of page to keep up with Chamber community events.

– By Scott Hettrick

Sylvia Ramos was one of many Arcadians who found themselves shopping at Westfield Santa Anita at midnight on Black Friday.

After battling long lines of cars on Huntington and Baldwin and then getting caught up in a group run from the parking lot into the Promenade, she captured this photo of her fellow shoppers on both levels of the mall.

While standing in wildly long lines while most of us were home and sound asleep, Sylvia also snapped this photo of one shopper who was so anxious to show off her new purchase that she was wearing it in line at the checkout stand with the price tag still on it.

Most people think of horse racing when Santa Anita Park is mentioned. But for the holidays, Santa Anita will be home to a circus starting on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas tree sales beginning Friday.

For the very first time, Christmas Trees will be available for purchase at Santa Anita Park, beginning Nov. 25.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Update: A tent for the tree sales was not set up until  the week of Nov. 28, and no trees were in place when the tent and facility was blown down on Thursday, Dec. 1.

By Monday, Dec. 5, the tent had been re-set and loaded with trees for sale (see photo below).

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Tahoe Christmas Tree Company will set up in the track’s southwest parking lot, Gate 1, and more than 1,000 trees will be displayed through Dec. 23.

“The majority of our trees come from Oregon direct from the growers,” said Julian Blandino of Tahoe Christmas Trees. “Our trees are hand-picked from the fields and not bought from distributors and wholesalers who buy them in bulk form for chain stores, so Tahoe trees are always fresh. That’s why our trees come with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.”

Tahoe Trees is family-owned and was started in the 1940s. They have five other locations, in City of Industry, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Pasadena and Upland.
Snowflocking, fireproofing and delivery service are all available. Tahoe Christmas Trees also provides free assistance in securing trees to cars or trucks after purchase.
The lot, which will adjoin the Westfield Santa Anita mall, will operate daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Get a good nap if you want to spend the wee hours of Black Friday, Nov. 25, shopping at Westfield Santa Anita.
More than 100 stores at the mall will open Friday morning at midnight and feature hourly give-aways, sweepstakes and prizes, real-time Facebook promotions, a live DJ, and more. Shoppers will have access to highlights and deals via a downloadable ‘Steals Map.’
Details and schedule following 25-second video below of Arcadia High School marching band at Westfield…

Among the activities:

• ‘LOLidays’ Digital Photo Booth – First 200 guests to send a LOLiday Card will get a buzz worthy gift bag! Digital Greeting Cards on the upper level center court

• Free coffee at any of the three relaxation stations

• Prizes and giveaways at the top of every hour from 1am – 7am:
- 1 a.m. – Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones (Valued at $300)
- 2 a.m. – Playstation 3 from Gamestop (Valued at $250)
- 3 a.m. – Bose Soundlink Wireless Mobil Speaker (Valued at $350)
- 4 a.m. – Xbox 360 from Gamestop (Valued at $200)
- 5 a.m. – Bose The Wave radio, CD, alarm clock w/ iPod docking station (Valued at $500)
- 6 a.m. – VIZIO 42″ Class 1080p LCD HDTV (Valued at $550)
- 7 a.m. – Tablet from Verizon Wireless (Valued at $630)

Among the retailers opening at midnight are Macy’s, Old Navy, Sephora, Disney, H&M, Gamestop, Gap, Banana Republic, Aeropostale, Cotton On, Nine West, Bath & Body Works, Express, Footlocker and more.

One lucky shopper will enjoy the VIP Shopping Experience Sweepstakes, including reserved front row parking, insider access to exclusive deals, a $500 shopping spree, fresh coffee and pastries at Coffee Bean for winner and 3 guests, and lunch for winner and 3 guests at their favorite Westfield Santa Anita restaurant. Entry details at http://www.facebook.com/WestfieldSantaAnita.

– By Scott Hettrick