Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, September 16, 2017

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

SECTION B

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 

COMES TO DUARTE


By Joan Schmidt

 Something very wonderful has happened in Duarte. 
The California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley 
(CSARTS-SGV), a public charter school is now operating in 
conjunction with the Duarte Unified School District at the 
former Northview Intermediate campus at 1401 Highland 
Avenue. On September 1, I attended the official “Ribbon-
Cutting Ceremony”.

 What makes California School of the Arts so special and 
desirable? The school teaches four broad groups of art: dance, 
music, theater and fine and media arts. In those categories, 
students can specialize in anything from creative writing to 
art design. If a student really is serious about a future in the 
arts, CSARTS-SGV is a perfect fit. It offers a path of study 
that enables them to become experts before they graduate. 
For grades 9-12, the day is much longer than traditional 
schools. After their academic studies, they participate in 
conservatory from 3 to 5:20 pm daily.

 In its first year in Duarte, the CSARTS-SGV has an 
enrollment of 700 students, Grades 7-11, from several 
school districts. Students must audition to be accepted into 
the school and all who applied were admitted.(Next year the 
school will have a 12th grade.)

 How did CSARTS-SGV come to Duarte? A couple years 
ago, Duarte Superintendent Dr.Mucerino was in a Starbucks 
and met a former student, now connected to CSARTS. Dr. 
Mucerino thought the school outstanding and wondered if 
it could be brought to Duarte. At the same time, the Orange 
County School of the Arts Board of Directors, Board of 
Trustees, and Founder and Executive Director Ralph S. 
Opacic had a vision to provide the same award-winning arts 
and academic instruction to more students. Abbe Levine, 
Dean of the Arts also had a key role bringing the CSARTS 
to Duarte. After several meetings and much planning, the 
school became a reality.

 At a prior reception, Dr. Mucerino said, “On behalf of the 
Duarte Unified School District and our Board of Education, 
it is with great pride that we include the California School of 
the Arts among the DUSD family of schools.”

 Senator Anthony Protantino, Mayor Pro Tem John 
Fasana, and Field Rep Veronica Lopez for Congresswoman 
Blanca Rubio presented Certificates of Recognition to 
CSARTS-SGV for establishing a school with a unique 
culture where students from the San Gabriel Valley and 
beyond can develop as artists and scholars. In addition, 
attendees included the Duarte Unified School Board, 
Duarte City Council Members, Martin Howard of Howard 
CDM, CSARTS-SGV Board of Trustees and CSARTS-SGV 
founding administrative team.

 CEO Ralph Opacic told us on Aug 14, the school officially 
opened its doors to 700 bright and talented 7th-11th grade 
students, each with a passion for the arts, and explained their 
rigorous schedule. At their school, is “a unique culture forms 
from the character of our students and the caliber of our 
teachers.”

 Katherine Powers, Director of the Visual Arts 
Conservatory opened the ceremony with a captivating 
performance of The “Star Spangled Banner”, followed by 
outstanding students’ performances. After the Ribbon 
Cutting, we toured the beautiful campus and classrooms. 
Changes included soundproofing music practice rooms and 
replacing flooring for the dance studios.


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SANTA ANITA POISED FOR 
2017 AUTUMN MEET OPENER 
ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

—With its Autumn Meet opener just 18 days away 
on Friday, Sept. 29, Santa Anita Park is poised to 
open its gates for a dynamic 19-day run through 
Oct. 29 as the track will offer horsemen and the 
betting public a newly refurbished turf course and 
world class main track along with a multitude of 
dining and entertainment options.With the two-
day Breeders’ Cup looming Nov. 3 & 4 at Del Mar, 
Santa Anita’s opening weekend racing will be 
dominated by five Grade I Breeders’ Cup “Win & 
You’re In” Challenge races on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Under the guidance of Track Superintendent 
Dennis Moore, Santa Anita’s sandy loam main 
track is in pristine condition as it underwent 
routine maintenance over the summer, with soil 
removed, applied and track gradients addressed 
and verified.

Santa Anita’s highly acclaimed Bandera Bermuda 
turf course, newly installed in June and July of 
last year, has been reinvigorated through a 
variety of measures, with a large area, from the 
quarter pole to the Club House turn, completely 
re-sodded with brand new turf.

In addition to world-class racing surfaces, 
fans will be treated to a first-ever Trackside 
Octoberfest over opening weekend, featuring 
German beer, food and music as revelers cheer 
their horses home down the homestretch on 
Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1.

Fans are encouraged to visit santaanita.com to 
purchase tickets in advance and save big on pre-
sale purchases made by Sept. 15.

A Santa Anita General Admission Trackside 
Octoberfest Package includes:

--Eight beer or cider tastings

--Mini souvenir tasting “stein”

--Five dollar wagering voucher

--Club House Admission

--Racing program and wagering tip sheet

--Access to special Trackside and Grandstand 
seating areas

In addition to its two-day Trackside Octoberfest 
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, Santa Anita will also offer fans 
a Hall of Fame autograph session Sunday, Oct. 1, 
beginning at 11 a.m. in the East Paddock Gardens 
area.

First post time on opening day, Sept. 29, will 
be at 1 p.m.First post on all weekends will be at 
12:30 p.m.For more information on Santa Anita’s 
racing and promotional schedules, please visit 
santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE. 

 

 

About Us

Santa Anita Park is a Stronach Group company, 
North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack 
owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks 
include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & 
Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, 
Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of 
the world-famous Preakness. The company owns 
and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center 
in Florida, and is one of North America's top 
race horse breeders through its award-winning 
Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is 
one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel 
wagering systems, technologies and services. 
Its companies include AmTote, a global leader 
in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet 
and telephone account wagering service; and 
Monarch Content Management, which acts as a 
simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing 
content for numerous North American 
racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach 
Group is North America's premier supplier of 
virtual online horseracing games, as well as a 
leading producer of social media content for the 
horseracing industry. 

 


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