August 2010 Archives
I'm sure some of you have heard about the latest social networking craze, Foursquare. The site allows people to know where their friends and what they might be doing. By using the site you can earn points or badges when you check into the location. For example, if you check-in the most than any other person at Klatch Coffee in Ontario, you could become the mayor.
Here's the link:
The Ontario Police Department is now offering the "Senior Safety Academy", a free program
designed to provide seniors with important crime prevention information. Although designed for
seniors, the program is open to people of all ages.
The Academy will be held once a week at the Ontario Senior Center, 225 E. "B" Street starting Oct. 7 and will continue on Oct, 14, 21, and 28.
The Academy consists of four sessions and will cover such topics as personal safety, home
security, vehicle security, basic fraud, con games, telemarketing fraud, identity theft, elder abuse
and sexual abuse. Attendees will learn crime prevention measures, signs and symptoms of
victimization and what to do if victimized.
The program is offered free of charge to anyone interested in attending. Pre-registration is not
required.
For more information, please contact Suzanne Thomas at 909.395.2094
The Ontario Mills Mall has seen some high-end stores open recently. Well you can add two more to that list, Coach Men Factory and Foreign Exchange. The Mills website lists these two stores as opening soon.
On Saturday between the hours of 8.m. and 2 p.m., members of the Ontario Police Department Explorer Post 350 will be conducting a benefit car wash in honor of fellow Explorer Raul Guzman.
Explorer Raul Guzman was a member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Explorer Post. Explorer Guzman passed away recently, after losing a long battle with cancer.
The Ontario Police Explorer Post will be donating all profits from the event to the Guzman family, to help them with the cost of funeral arrangements. The car wash will be conducted in the south parking lot of the Ontario Police Department (2500 S. Archibald Avenue).
All donations will be accepted. Please help support Raul Guzman's family.
For further questions regarding this event, please contact Detective Gary Naranjo at (909) 395-2764.
I got this information from Colliers International about an employee:
Barbara Armendariz, associate in Colliers International's Ontario office, was awarded a Master of Commercial Real Estate (MCRE) designation from the Lipsey School of Real Estate, a nationally and internationally recognized training and consulting firm specializing in the commercial real estate industry.
Armendariz, who completed her course work at Pepperdine University, is among a small group of commercial real estate practitioners in the United States who have received the MCRE designation.
The city's Library and Community Services Department is helping residents pass the written test to acquire a driver's license.
The class is from 10:30 to noon Mondays in the meeting room of the city library at the Ontario City Library, 215 E. C St.
A California Drivers Handbook and practice tests are provided.
The class is open to people who are at least 16 years old, according to a city news release.
Residents who are looking for help in their job search can take part in a two-hour workshop on Aug. 30 at the Ontario City Library, 215 E. C St.
Attendees will learn how to write effective resumes and interview techniques.
The workshop will be in the meeting at the library.
The workshop is open to job seekers who are at least 16 years old.
For more information, call 909-395-2252.
Assemblywomen Norma Torres and community leaders on Saturday will attend the grand opening of her campaign office at 722 S. Euclid Ave, Suite 102.
In conjunction with the opening, there will also be a voter registration drive.
If you have moved, just turned 18 years old or changed your name, visit the office and re-register to vote.
Voter registration forms for Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties will be available.
The event will be from 3 to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.NormaTorres.com or call the campaign headquarters at 909-460-1252.
Torres and staff members on Sept. 2 also invite the public to a summer ice cream social from 4 to 7 p.m. at the district office, 822 N. Euclid Ave., Suite A.
The public is invited to share their ideas as well as questions and concerns about the state budget and legislative matters.
Ice cream and refreshments will be provided.
For more information, call 909-984-7741.
For most of the past year, Bethel United Church of Christ has distributed pet food to needy families each month.
But the donations have been tapering off, this month the church has not received any cash donations and only one six-pound bag of dog food.
"Each month, we give needy families enough food for their pets to last a month, and, so far, we've managed to keep up with demand through the generosity of regular donors," the Rev. Jonathon Edwards said.
Without the assistance, many people would have to surrender their pets, which would put additional strain on local animal shelters, Edwards said.
"We want to continue to support these needy families in this way, but, this month, we are really hurting," Edwards said.
The church has plenty of cat food, but is out of dog food, and has not received enough cash donations to purchase any.
"I'm hoping that generous souls in the Ontario community will be able to help out this month," Edwards said.
Bethel's monthly distribution of pet food is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Food donations can be dropped off during business hours today, Friday or on Saturday at the church office.
Food or cash donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call 909-984-9111.
Bethel Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is at 536 N. Euclid Ave. in Ontario.
The public is invited to a free health fair on Saturday at the Anthony Muñoz Center.
Information will be provided to help kids and their families get fit and stay healthy.
The fair will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 1240 W. Fourth St.
Tickets are now on sale at the Ontario Senior Center for the 9th annual authentic Hawaiian Luau.
The Sept. 3 event will feature traditional, roasted in the ground, Kalua pork and aloha beef.
Guests will be treated to a mainland tradition that includes three entrees, fried rice and dessert.
Non-alcoholic drinks include "Sunset Surprise," a tropical punch made from an old family recipe.
Entertainment will include performance from students of "Ke Aloha O Ka Hula" in Ontario.
This group has been performing at the luau since 2002.
Tickets are limited to the first 90 guests.
Costs to attend is $12.
Guests are encouraged to dress Hawaiian.
The dinner and show will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ontario Senior Center, 225 E. B St.
More than a year ago, the Ontario Town Square project near City Hall resembled a ghost town rather than the city's vision of a vibrant, bustling center.
Now, the 300 units of the square's townhomes and apartments across from City Hall are fully occupied.
The weakened state of the housing market crushed city officials' hopes of people rushing to buy the Kincaid Series Townhomes at the square.
So instead of asking people to buy, the townhomes were turned into rentals. The change sparked the turnaround.
"I'm very pleased. Throughout the region, you don't hear apartments doing as well. We're excited," said Brent Schultz, the city's director of housing and neighborhood revitalization.
Continue reading Ontario Town Square project rents out.
The Arizona immigration law that has sparked controversy throughout the nation could soon ignite some spirited debate in this city.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church parishioners are urging the City Council to publicly oppose Arizona Senate Bill 1070, considered the country's broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration measure in decades.
Church Pastor Alex Castillo made the request and asked for a public meeting with council members in a letter mailed to Mayor Paul Leon.
Parishioners said they have not received a response to the letter, which was mailed in late July.
"The City Council represents the citizens and they have an obligation to let us, the voters, know if they support or oppose the law," said Guillermo Quiroga, church coordinator of social service programs at the church. "We are the ones who voted them to represent us."
Leon declined to comment Tuesday night.
Continue reading Ontario church urges City Council to oppose immigration law .
Christopher Agrella wants to serve in public office. And through a strange set of circumstances, he's doubling his chances of doing it.
The 56-year-old Montclair resident is slated to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot as a candidate for both the Montclair City Council and the Ontario-Montclair school board. It's a rare situation that has raised the eyebrows of political experts, county officials and Agrella's opponents.
But perhaps no one was more surprised than Agrella.
"It's one of those flukes. I had done the process for the school board and as I was turning in my papers for the City Council race I learned I had qualified for both," he said.
Continue reading Montclair resident enters school board and City Council races .
Photo gallery: The Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" in Ontario
Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium attracted a piece of the national spotlight Friday as the Disney Channel filmed a performance there of "Camp Rock, the Musical."
As the first-ever pilot stage production of the musical wraps up this weekend, production crew members from "Disney 365," a television segment that airs between shows on the Disney Channel, were filming the Ontario production.
The crew arrived t the Chaffey High School campus on Friday afternoon to record shots of the campus and for rehearsals. They also recorded that evening's performance.
"At first, I was super nervous, but when I got here I was like 'Oh my gosh.' I'm glad everyone gets to experience this," said Leanna Arredondo, who plays the lead role of Mitchie Torres.
Actress Demi Lovato plays Torres in the movie.
The musical is a hybrid of the first "Camp Rock" movie and the second movie, "Camp Rock 2." It will premiere on the Disney Channel in September.
The same musical is being put on at a handful of other locations throughout the United States, but Disney has requested permission to use Chaffey High's stage version for promotion on the Disney Channel.
The musical has been showing at Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium for the past week and is being directed by Dave Masterson, who teaches at Chaffey High.
Leanna said it took some time to adjust to the presence of the camera crew.
"It's really different than what we're used to," Leanna said. "I try not to pay attention (to the cameras)."
During rehearsals, the cast had to do several takes of the song, "It's On," while the Disney crew filmed.
At one point, the cast was asked gather in a circle and shout, "Let's get started!" as they looked into the camera.
Segments filmed on Friday are expected to air on the Disney Channel in September.
The first 100 teachers visiting Staples stores on Teacher Appreciation Day, this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon., will receive an Avery Binder filled with paper, a pencil pouch and supplies. Staples is offering teachers a special Copy & Print promotion throughout the back-to-school season of 5 cent black and white copies of classroom materials.
According to the National Education Association's (NEA) research department, ninety-two percent of public school teachers spend, on average, $475 on classroom materials for their students.
Teacher Appreciation Day will be held on Sat., August 14 at the Ontario Staples store located at 921 North Milliken Ave
Ontario resident, Martha Dobler, has sent me a couple of clips from CAMP ROCK: THE MUSICAL.
Camp Rock: The Musical - IT'S ON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Camp Rock: The Musical - FIRE
http://www.facebook.com/
Camp Rock: The Musical - TEAR IT DOWN
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?
There is still time to register for a free entry-level auto-mechanic course which is being offered for young adults in San Bernardino County.
In cooperation with Baldy View Regional Occupation, Ontario High School and the Career Institute, students will receive hands on training in the field.
The Career Institute will supply work boots, textbooks, curriculum materials and a starter tool kit.
The curriculum includes training in suspension and steering, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, and engine performance. Learning areas also include engine tune-up, tires, auto cooling and operation of special electronic testing equipment.
Students who graduate with a ROP certificate in entry-level mechanics are better equipped to find higher-paying entry-level jobs.
To be eligible, applicants must be approved for the Career Institute's WIA youth program.
Go to www.cinow.org to apply.
The class starts Sept. 8 and ends Nov. 20.
Instruction times are Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be no instruction on the last Saturday of each month.
For more information, contact Jana Shearer at the Career Institute at 909-481-0270 or e-mail jana careerinstitute@hotmail.com.
The Ontario Police Department is offering a parent-training program for parents of "more difficult children" ages 5-10. The program, called Loving Solutions is designed to help parents who have already learned and practiced good communication with their children, but still have not seen positive behavior change.
Using a behavioral model and created by the authors of The Parent Project, Loving Solutions teaches parents interventions that work. The program also provides effective support for children with ADD/ADHD. Families are given information about finding the right help, getting an appropriate evaluation, and direct tips on managing their child's behavior at home.
There are seven sessions to be held Oct 6 through Nov 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Ontario Police Department located at 2500 S. Archibald Ave., Ontario. The cost for the program is $20 per family, which covers materials. Childcare is not available.
For more information, please contact Suzanne Thomas at (909) 395-2094.
Career Institute is offering a new course in partnership with Baldy View
Occupation Program for students interested in the Health Care Industry who are
not sure which distinctive occupation they would like to pursue. The course is
an "overview" of the most prominent and highly demanded health careers
designed to help students determine a career path in the industry with extensive
background on what is expected and required.
The instructor takes the students through a series of self-assessments, research projects and informational interviews so that each student is appropriately matched to an occupation that is based on their interests, strengths and weaknesses.
The goal is for students to identify a short-term certification in which they can use to get an entry-level job that coincides with their career goal. For example, students who want to train to be a RN (Register Nurse) can obtain a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certificate and begin working in nursing as they progress towards their goal of working as an RN.
This approach of getting in the field as soon as possible enables students to gain work experience in their field and to generate income to achieve their higher goals.
Each student is assigned a Career Mentor who works individually with students on enrolling them in training courses and helping place them in entry-level jobs in their field. Students at the Career Institute will also go through life skill training, customer service training, and have the opportunity to receive financial assistance. The health care industry is ever growing and
changing. This program offered through the Career Institute is extremely informative and valuable for students that qualify.
To find out if you qualify, go to
www.cinow.org or call (909) 481-0270. There are 10 open spots available for this
program.
The course starts August 27. It is a 90 hour course lasting 10 weeks. Class
instruction times are Friday evening from 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturday
morning from 9 am to 3 pm.
Dedication and a benevolent heart that beat for his community were among the qualities that defined Fred Nelsen to his family and friends.
Nelsen, the former fire chief who also became one of the city's steadiest presences, died Sunday from health complications. He was 70.
The Planning Commission member was heavily involved with Kiwanis Club.
"He was one of the unsung heroes in the community. His name doesn't appear on a lot of buildings, but he has his hand on just about everything in the city," said Eliva Rivas, a friend and fellow Kiwanian.
Continue reading Ontario community remembers former fire chief.
My colleague, David Allen, informed me that former fire chief, Fred Nelsen passed away last night. More details to come.
Stop by tomorrow at the Ontario Improve for the Ontario Police Officers Association Widows and Orphans Benefit. From what I'm told, 100 percent of the tickets will go toward the fund.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Show starts at 8 p.m.
$20 per person
Contact an OPOA Board Member or the OPOA Office for further information and tickets.
Ontario Improv, 4555 Mills Circle.
Attached is a list of candidates hoping to unseed longtime politicians: Mayor Paul Leon and councilmen Alan Wapner and Jim Bowman.
As you'll notice, OMSD school board member Paul Vincent Avila pulled papers but never filed. And Leon has an opponent in Fred Minook.
Marie Gloria Huerta knows her chances are low, but she is holding out hope she can live in City Center Senior Apartments when they open in October.
But Huerta's number - on a waiting list that only has 75 openings - is 118. The complex has 361 people on its waiting list.
"I got my application on the first day, and I thought I'd get (an apartment)," said Huerta, 73. "Instead they got me on a waiting list."
The apartments are in the 200 block of North Lemon Avenue, between B and C streets and next to the Senior Center and City Hall.
Continue reading Senior complex filling up; nearly 400 are on waiting list.
My Delight Cupcakery from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight will host "Thursday Night Bites" to celebrate the bakery's recent victory at the 2010 OC Cupcake Camp.
The first 50 customers will receive free "Chocolate Sundae Smile" mini cupcakes.
My Delight's winning entry, "Chocolate Sundae Smile," is a chocolate cupcake filled with caramel, frosted with Madagascar vanilla buttercream and topped with chocolate ganache, sprinkles as well as a cherry.
The cupcake won "Most Childhood-Inspired" cupcake at Sunday's OC Cupcake Camp. The fundraisers raised money for the prevention of global human trafficking. Cupcakes were donated and attendees ate cupcakes for a donation.
Chef Brian's Comfort Truck will be at the event. Music will be provided by DJ Mike Styles.
The chocolate cupcake will be featured tonight on a one-day only 'Comfort Cupcake' menu.
Chocolate Sundae Smile is the second, award-winning cupcake for the bakery in its first year.
"Breakfast Cupcake" won the 2010 Los Angeles Cupcake Challenge.
My Delight Cupcakery is at 1520 N. Mountain Ave., Suite B-108, Ontario.
For more information, visit www.mydelightcupcakery.com.
Three decades. Maybe more.
That's the new projected timetable for L.A./Ontario International Airport to return to the success it enjoyed before the fuel crisis and recession combined to cripple its passenger traffic levels.
The Ontario airport hit its peak in 2007, when it handled 7.2 million passengers.
But with an estimated growth of 1.5 percent annually, the new projection shows that the Ontario airport won't see that kind of traffic again until 2040, said Warren Adams of Jacobs Consultancy, the firm that made the projections in a report for Los Angeles World Airports, owner of the Ontario airport.
The report also found that the reduction in airline passengers has led to increased costs for airlines doing business at ONT.
Continue reading Report projects slow recovery for ONT.
Pastor David Horn, executive director, of Ontario-based Life Changing Mentoring Program announced that he will be a guest on Courageous Conversations.
The online program will discuss "Education vs. Incarceration: Generational Curse or Generational Tolerance?" on Sunday at 7 p.m.
The program is a highlight of the organization's "Reclaiming A Generation: No Dropout/No Jail™ campaign". Courageous Conversations is produced and hosted by Hafeeza Majeed.
Joining Horn will be mentors, mentees, students and former inmates prepared to discuss the obstacles children of incarcerated parents face as they confront education and life.
For more or to listen to the discussion, visit www.streetpositive.com.
Chris Hughes began his service with the City of Ontario in 1988 as a Firefighter/EMT, working his way eventually to Fire Chief in December of 2004. Chief Hughes became interested in city management three years ago, attending classes but on by the California League of Cities and other city manager groups. Please join us to hear Chief Hughes discuss Ontario's current position and upcoming goals.
When: Wednesday,
Time: 7:30-9 A.M.
Location:
Doubletree Hotel
222 N. Vineyard Avenue
Ontario, CA
Continue reading Breakfast Speaker Series featuring Ontario City Manager.
(The game was held Sunday, Aug. 1)
Years ago, Tom Burciaga noticed what he saw as a lack of trust between the Latino community and local law enforcement.
So Burciaga, who calls himself "Mr. Ontario," set out to bridge that gap.
His bridge? None other than the <NO1>beautiful<NO>game of soccer.
The fruits of his efforts will be on view Sunday, when members of the Ontario Police Department will play community youth in a soccer match at 9 a.m. at the Ontario Soccer Park, 2200 E. Philadelphia St.
Burciaga, who is helping the community organize the match, expects about 500 people to attend.
"We have worked very hard to build up that relationship," Burciaga said. "It's going to be fun."
Continue reading Ontario police officers play soccer with community .
As many of you may know, Scorpions were at Citizens Business Bank Arena last week. Well, there was a "Retirement Party" hosted by KCAL Radio in the San Manuel VIP Club just before the concert and the Scorpions made a "surprise" appearance. KCAL gave them some gifts and the City of Ontario Council presented a Certificate of Recognition.Below are the images of the council. Photos courtesy of Thomas Cordova
Papers and documents once sat on J. Derek Halvorson's desk.
Only his laptop remained late last week.
Halvorson's office door, once open to Providence Christian College students, educators and fellow staffers, was closed to muffle the noise of saws cutting off the college's wooden marquee.
Halvorson, resident of the college, said the doors to a new home will be open today.
Providence is moving from 1056 E. Philadelphia St. in Ontario to the campus of William Carey International University in Pasadena. Both schools will use the campus.
"We're very excited what our new campus has to offer," Halvorson said. "The hard part is leaving the local community. This community has been great to the college and nurtured the college for many years."
Continue reading Private Christian college leaves Ontario.
