Recently in Pomona Category

Isn't the Internet wonderful?

The other day I happened to stumble upon a blog that mentioned that the Valentino's Pizza truck will be at the MetroPCS store in Pomona on Sunday (December 18).

Giving away pizza!

Then I happened to spot another MetroPCS store (in Redlands) hosting another food truck (Mandoline Grill) food giveaway!

It's all part of a promotion for MetroPCS' launch of the special edition tokidoki Android phone.

The Redlands event is from noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow (December 17) at the store at 10080 Alabama St. (Incidentally, the exact same that time a third event, with the BaconMANia truck will take place at the Fullerton store at 205 E. Orangethorpe Ave.)

The Pomona event is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at 68 Rio Rancho Road.

Thank you, Internet!

We're all aware of the not-so-healthy food that can be found at the L.A. County Fair.

You know what I'm talking about...those deep-fried, bacon-topped, chocolate-dipped, oversized, calorie-laden temptations.

How ironic then, that Aetna has chosen the fair as the site of one of its Healthy Food Fight semi-finals.

Chocolate-covered bacon and deep-fried Klondike bars will be set aside in favor of Farmers Market stew and Southwest toasted brown rice, corn, tomato and avocado salad, at least for this event.

Aetna asked people around the country to submit their best healthy recipes, and narrowed the field down to 20 entrants from California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona to compete at the fair this weekend.

The event is open to the public (with fair admission) and will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m both Saturday and Sunday near the Yellow Gate.

In addition to the recipe cook-off, the event will feature giveaways and cooking demonstrations.

Recipes will be judged on taste, presentation and nutritional value. Online votes will also be factored in.

The winner of this weekend's semi-final will square off in December in New York against winners of upcoming contests in Dallas, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

The grand prize winner will take home $10,000 worth of groceries donated by Recipe.com.

For more information, visit www.healthyfoodfight.com.

Food trucks were a part of last year's L.A. County Fair, but only on weekends, and only two (or three, if you were lucky) food trucks were parked at the fair.

This year, there are four trucks that will be at the fair every day: Calbi, Crepes Bonaparte, Brats Berlin and Piaggio.

In addition, there are a baker's dozen of trucks that will be joining them on weekends: Macho Nacho Truck, Temaki, Chunk 'N Chip Cookies, Paradise Cookies and Ice Cream, The Hungry Nomad, Tornado Potato, Uncle Lau's Island BBQ, Fresh Fries, Flavor Rush, Gourmet Genie, Bite Me Foods, The Gourmet Sausage Co., The Yummy One.

On Sunday (September 11), 31 food trucks (including most of the above trucks) are scheduled to be at the fair's food truck festival from noon to 5 p.m. in the grandstand infield.

Follow the jump to see the list of scheduled trucks at Sunday's event.

Dine 909 was among a select group of participants to preview food selections from this year's L.A. County Fair.

Yum!

What did we sample?

Chicken Charlie's, of course, whose new creations for this year are FryBQ Ribs and Totally Fried Kool Aid.

Then there were the food trucks. On hand were Calbi, Piaggio and Crepes Bonaparte.

We also got to sample from Big Bubba's Bad to the Bone BBQ, Old Tyme Ice Cream Bars, Kokopelli's Indian Fry Bread, Thai BBQ and South of the Border.

The verdict?

You will not be disappointed.

St. Bernardine Medical Center is helping to kick off the holiday spirit a tad early this year.

Beginning at 4 p.m. today (November 23), they're celebrating their 16th year of providing Thanksgiving dinners for those who might otherwise go without.

The event will be held at the hospital's Family Focus Center, 1931 N. E St. in San Bernardino.

They're expecting to serve more than 800 people.

In addition, they're hosting a free health fair, at which free flu shots, blood pressure checks and dental screenings will be offered. Those attending can also receive health information and mini health kits -- which include purifying hand gel and tips on how to remain healthy during flu season -- will be given out.

Also, families will also have the opportunity to choose from coats donated through the center's coat and jacket drive.

Follow the jump to find other volunteer opportunities in the Inland Empire.

The American Museum of Ceramic Art is hosting a Chili Bowl Fundraiser from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday (November 13).

Here's how it works:

Ceramicists, professors and ceramic students have donated handmade bowls for this event. (All bowls are food, microwave and dishwasher-safe.)

Each bowl is sold for $12 and filled with your choice of chili. The chili is being donated by Original Tommy's Hamburgers and the Fraternity Order of Eagles, Aerie 2215.

The event will be held in the paseo behind the museum, 340 S. Garey Ave., Pomona.

The fundraiser will also include a silent auction and a second Saturday speaker from 6 to 7 p.m.

In case all that chili makes you thirsty, they'll be serving Pomona Queen beer courtesy of Dale Bros. Brewery.

This event is held in conjunction with Pomona's Art Walk, which is held on the second Saturday of each month.

I can't believe I ate the whole thing...and then kept going!

I finally made my annual trek to the Los Angeles County Fair on Sunday, and on the way I stopped to follow up on a tip that Fatburger was soon going to open on Garey Avenue, replacing the old Hamburger House.

I was thinking that they were working on it and it would open sometime in the next couple of months, but...

It's open now!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, since I haven't been too impressed with most of the other Inland Empire Fatburgers (in Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside and Cabazon -- Palm Springs has been OK).

The new Fatburger is at 3109 Garey Ave. (at Grove Street).

The big question is not whether or not you want to go. The big question is -- fat fries or skinny fries?

In addition to the previously mentioned $20 Wednesday deal from McDonald's, those looking to save a few bucks on a trip to the Los Angeles County Fair have another sweet deal.

The folks at Ralphs are teaming up with the fair folks in a food drive for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Here's how it works: Head to Ralphs and buy at least five cans of Ralphs-brand food for each person going to the fair. Then, take the cans to the fair between noon and 6 p.m. on any Friday during the fair (September 17 and 24 and October 1). Exchange the cans for your free admission ticket (worth $12!). Enjoy the fair!

All canned food collected will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Last year, they collected a record 60,000-plus cans!

Will they beat that record this year? With your help, they will!

Congratulations go out to Jason Ward of San Bernardino, who -- for the second year in a row -- has taken home the Grand Prize for Best BBQ at the Los Angeles County Fair.

Jason's "Big J's Spare Ribs" earned him $300 for winning the Grand Prize, and also $100 for capturing the top prize in the Pork Class of the competition.

Judging took place September 5 at Wilderness Ridge, near the fair's Home and Gardens pavilion. In addition to the Best BBQ contest, judges chose winners of the Best BBQ Sauce and Best Chili contests in the afternoon-long event. Judges also evaluated overall table themes of the competitors. Ward's paid tribute to the Dodgers.

However, he picked a different L.A. team to describe his win, saying he felt "just like the Lakers with this repeat."

Placing second in the Pork Class to Ward was Dan S. Kamps of Chino Hills with his Big Boy B.B.Q. Triple Pepper Pulled Pork Butt recipe. Jerry L. Perser of Winnetka was 3rd prize winner with his Baby Back Ribs.

Follow the jump to see the other winners that day.