Mayor’s Community Breakfast 2010 – A Winner at 10,000-1
$10,000 Donated to Arcadia Campership Program from David Milch
By Terry Miller
Mayor John Wuo welcomed the hundreds of guests and VIPs to the 2010 Mayor’s Community Breakfast, early Thursday morning as guests watch horses working out from high above the track at the famous Frontrunner restaurant.
The location this year for the event was the historic Santa Anita Race track which is celebrating its 75th year in operation.
Arcadia City staff , and in particular those magnificent ladies at the City Manager’s office did a truly outstanding job with the planning and implementation of the program which was lively, informative and not remotely political.
One of the guest speakers, Carolyn Conley ( Horse Racing TV) spoke of the rich history of not only the race track but Arcadia itself and how the two are forever intertwined thanks, in no small part, to Elias Baldwin who was Arcadia’s very first mayor in 1903.
As the morning progressed, Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith spoke candidly and with humor about his incredible career and in particular that day he rode Zenyatta to victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup classic. A video presentation of that incredible race let to a standing ovation for Smith.
Another guest speaker who Mayor Wuo introduced was David Milch whose television writing is legendary. Milch is currently working on a pilot for HBO at the race track with Dustin Hoffman. Describing his business, Milch said that he hoped that this was the beginning of a long relationship with Santa Anita and Arcadia and hopes to do many more productions in town. Milch also announced that he’ll donate $10,000 to the Arcadia Campership Program which provides financial assistance to eligible youth to attend camp and other activities in the summer months that they would otherwise not be able to afford.
The morning finished with two songs by Carrie Qiu who is the winner of 2009 Arcadia’s Got Talent competition. The Committee made a special note to tank Pete Siberell and Elizabeth Booth for hosting the event at the track.