March 2011 Archives
Marinello Beauty School students will be cutting people's hair for $5 through Saturday. Money raised will help victims of the devastating tsunami and easthquake on March 11 in Japan.
The campus in the 900 block of North Mountain Avenue is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today and Friday as well as from 8:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
ONTARIO - As images of devastation in Japan were recently broadcast on television and computer screens, Marinello Beauty School officials wanted to help out the victims.
Campus officials decided to have students cut people's hair for $5 and send the money to the American Red Cross.
More than 20 people have had their hair cut in the Japan Relief cutathon, which started Tuesday and concludes Saturday.
"You can get a great $5 haircut and at the same time help out," said Sherrie Booth, director of the Ontario campus. "How can you go wrong?"
Officials <NO1>at Ontario<NO>at the Ontario campus said they hope between 150 and 200 people participate over the five days, Booth said. The fundraising effort is also taking place at 42 other beauty school campuses in the state.
And just because students will be cutting the hair doesn't mean they are not qualified, said Emily Peterson, the beauty school's lead instructor.
By this point, most students have already spent 1,200 hours in the classroom and are only months away from graduating, Peterson said.
"We look at precision and accuracy. We supervise them before, during and after their cuts," she said.
And the price doesn't always matter, Booth said.
"No matter if you pay $5 or if you pay $100, it really depends on the person behind the chair," she said.
Booth said the key to a great cut is communicating exactly what you want.
For more information, call 909-984-5884.
Ontario on May 7 will offer free Community Emergency Response Team training at Ontario Convention Center.
CERT training will help community members work together to respond to disasters that affect their homes, workplaces and neighborhoods.
Attendees will view lectures and videos as well as participate in hands-on training, which may be needed if emergency responders are delayed due to the size and scope of the disaster.
CERT classes will include training for emergency and disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, search and rescue, terrorism and disaster psychology.
The free classes will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7, 14 and 21.
Ontario residents and city employees ages 18 and older can participate.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
For registration information, call 909-980-2857, ext. 247.
For more information on CERT, call 909-395-2545 or send an e-mail to mgregory@ci.ontario.ca.us.
Hop along and join the Easter Bunny for pictures, lunch, games, crafts and an egg hunt at Westwind Park in Ontario on April 16 at 11 a.m.
The children will be split into age groups for the egg hunt. This is one of the spring's most popular events, early registration is suggested.
Costs $8 for Ontario residents, $10 for non-residents.
More information call 909-930-3346 or 909-395-2020.
Westwind Park is at 2455 E. Riverside Drive.
Glacier Falls Figure Skating Club Inc. and Citizens Business Bank Arena will host a figure-skating event Sunday to benefit Japan tsunami-relief efforts.
The fundraiser will feature competitors from around the United States, including many who train in Southern California, said Don Rabbitt, who is organizing the event.
Rabbitt, with the help of the skating club Glacier Falls, recently organized U.S. Figure Skating Synchronized Skating Championships at the arena.
Rabbitt's son, who is also a figure skater, approached him about setting up a fundraiser.
When Rabbitt called the arena's general manager, Steve Eckerson, he was open to the idea of helping.
Rabbitt said his goal is to raise $50,000.
Participating performers include J.R. Celski, short-track speed skater and two-time Olympic bronze medalist; Kendal Pumphrey, member of the 2011 USA Junior World Short Track Speedskating Team; Sean Rabbitt, National Senior Men's Competitor in the 2010 and 2011 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships; Los Angeles Theater on Ice; and Ice'Kateers Senior Synchronized Team, among others.
All ticket and merchandise proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross' work to help Japan.
Tickets prices are $35, $25 and $15. A $5 discount is available for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com or at the arena's box office.
For more information visit www.skaterscare.com.
Center for Cultural Exchange (CCI) is looking for families in Ontario and the surrounding areas to volunteer as host families for students from Spain for a couple of weeks in July.
As part of their student exchange summer program, CCI will place students ages 14-18 with host families from July 6 - July 27.
Students take English classes and go on daily excursions for cultural exploration -- all organized by CCI.
This three- to four-week summer program provides a unique and rewarding cultural experience for both the students and host families.
Families interested in hosting a student should contact CCI coordinator, Rosanna Islas, 626-825-8031 or rosannaesl@gmail.com
West End Animal Shelter is designing a 2012 full-color Pet Calendar fundraiser featuring West End Shelter dogs and cats currently awaiting adoption, and recent successful adoption stories.
Last year, the shelter launched their calendar, which features animals from the Ontario facility as a way to help raise funds.
The shelter, established in 1954, is a non-profit no-kill animal shelter in Ontario that houses approximately 200 dogs and cats. These animals are mostly surrendered by owners who can no longer keep them for one reason or another, such as financial hardship, divorce, relocating, loss of home/job.
Sponsorships are $300 per business.
Sponsoring businesses will receive an ad featuring their company name and logo on 1 of 12 calendar month pages.
Sponsorship is tax-deductible and will go towards housing, veterinarian services and feeding the animals, as well as support the "Save a Pet" rescue fund. Proceeds will also help offset the cost of printing.
Shelter officials expect to print 1,000 calendars and will sell them for $10 beginning in October.
To become a sponsor, visit www.WestEndShelter.com and download the PDF sponsorship form or contact Janine Perry at 909-945-9500 or info@perryadvertising.com. Deadline to respond is May 31.
Ontario First United Methodist Church is having a rummage sale Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The church, Ontario's oldest, is at 918 N. Euclid Ave., between Plaza Serena and I Street. Access to the parking lot is on I street.
The 27th annual Lenten Fish Fry hosted by Ontario Council 3672 of the Knights of Columbus continues for the next three Fridays at St. George Catholic Church in Ontario.
The menu includes baked or fried cod, fries, coleslaw or macaroni & cheese. Regular adult dinner is $7 and a child dinner is $4.50. A "Super Plate" is available for $8.50 and Clam Chowder in a bread bowl is $5. Beverages and desserts are available for an additional cost. We start serving at 5 p.m. and continue to 7.
St. George Church Hall, 505 N. Palm Ave., Ontario. For information,909-268-3566.
Beverly Speak has always had a keen awareness of the issues surrounding her. She started out as a teacher in the first voluntarily integrated preschool in Chapel Hill, N.C.
While working for the Girl Scouts in south Georgia, she became actively involved in racial justice activities through leadership development and racial integration.
In Ontario, Speak has been tackling one of the nation's biggest issues: health care. Serving as the executive director/CEO of Kids Come First Community Clinic, a nonprofit health program, Speak for the past six years, has been helping thousands of uninsured and underinsured children.
For more than 35 years, Speak has devoted her professional career and volunteer service to nonprofit agencies and underserved populations, looking to motivate and educate others into action.
Speak was recently named Woman of the Year for the 32nd District by Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Montclair, for her accomplishments. Each March, during Women's History Month, the senator celebrates women whose contributions improve their communities in the Inland Empire.
"It honors the clinic and the work we do here in the clinic to make it better," Speak said of the award.
Speak has helped the clinic grow from a small satellite of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center to an independently licensed program seen as a model and a valuable resource for health care throughout the region, said Negrete McLeod, who nominated Speak for the award.
Continue reading Speak honored as Woman of the Year for the 32nd Senate District.
The Prescott News is reporting that Great Lakes Aviation will add new daily flights from Prescott Airport to Los Angeles International Airport starting on May 15.
You may be wondering why I'm sharing the news with you? Well, the airliner has served LA/Ontario International Airport since 2008. And as indicated in the story, the LAX service will replace flights out of ONT. Below is the information.
Chaplain brings faith to truckers
DeBay, who was in the real estate industry, admits he lived a comfortable life. But after more than two years the economy began to take a toll on the job and the 59-year-old was looking for a change.
As he was contemplating a move to Arizona, DeBay learned that the lead chaplain at Transport for Christ - a ministry for truck drivers in Ontario - was retiring, leaving the on-site chapel without a leader.
Immediately after hearing the news, DeBay said he knew he had to step in.
"God called me into the ministry two years ago," said DeBay, who is the lead chaplain at the
Michael DeBay has been the lead chaplain at Transport for Christ a chapel inside a 53-foot trailer at TA West Travel Plaza for two years. DeBay says his "mission is to help truck drivers ... to Jesus Christ and help them grow in faith." (Will Lester/Staff Photographer)
Upon taking the lead chaplain role about two years ago, DeBay made dramatic lifestyle changes.
He got rid of the fancy cars, his home, sold unnecessary belongings and moved into a fifth-wheel trailer and has not looked back.
"Everything I've done in my life has geared me up for this," he said. "I live for this moment. My mission is to help truck drivers as well as the trucking community to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith."
These days, DeBay spends most of his time inside Transport for Christ, the chapel inside a 53-foot trailer at the TA West Travel Plaza. He is quick to smile and greet any trucker who walks by the trailer, often inviting them to visit.
Continue reading Finding sanctuary at a truck stop.
A proposal asking Montclair to support Ontario in its efforts to regain control of L.A./Ontario International Airport is getting some pushback from one Montclair councilman.
Bill Ruh said he is not opposed to Ontario's efforts but is hesitant to get involved in the matter.
For more than a year, Los Angeles World Airports -- which manages ONT -- and Ontario have been in talks about local officials regaining control of the Ontario airport.
Ruh said he would prefer that Montclair's staff provide the City Council with more information before he gets on board with any resolution.
"I do not recall any effort to involve any of the local communities in the discussion," Ruh said. "Perhaps bring LAWA, the city of Ontario and the neighboring communities together on a Saturday morning. Have a serious discussion on the pros and cons. Permit city staff and the elected officials to ask questions of both sides."
Continue reading Montclair considers resolution to support Ontario in its ONT talks.
I got a call from Jerry Garvin with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2085 in Ontario to tell me the post had been vandalized.
Garvin, the post commander, said the vandalism occurred in the middle of the night earlier this week.
The post's two air-conditioning units were stripped of their copper and are no longer functional, he said.
Last week, Garvin said he helped out some homeless people by letting them take items that they might be able to exchange for cash.
Items they took included cases of bottles and a microwave, he said.
"I think they took advantage of my kindness and vandalized our AC units," Garvin said.
The post had paid nearly $23,000 to install the new cooling system. Garvin said he believes insurance will cover the repair costs, which could range from $10,000 to $15,000.
"If not, we'll have to absorb the costs," he said.
Garvin said he is thankful for the post's neighbors, who made the initial call to the police.
"They are looking out for us," he said.
The news comes as the organization is preparing for its 80th anniversary in Ontario.
Garvin said members are planning an open house and barbecue on April 9 from 2 to 6 p.m.
"We want to make it a big deal because it's our 80th anniversary," he said.
VFW Post 2085 is at 1341 E. D St. Information: 909-986-9066
Glacier Falls Figure Skating Club Inc. and Citizens Business Bank Arena will host a figure-skating event April 3 to benefit Japan tsunami-relief efforts.
The fundraiser will feature competitors from around the United States, including many who train in Southern California, said Don Rabbitt, who is organizing the event.
Rabbitt, with the help of the skating club Glacier Falls, recently organized U.S. Figure Skating Synchronized Skating Championships at the arena.
Rabbitt's son, who is also a figure skater, approached him about setting up a fundraiser.
When Rabbitt called the arena's general manager, Steve Eckerson, he was open to the idea of helping.
Rabbitt said his goal is to raise $50,000.
Go to www.skaterscare.com for a list of performers.
All ticket and merchandise proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross' work to help Japan.
Tickets prices are $35, $25 and $15. A $5 discount is available for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com or at the arena's box office.
Members of the Rancho Cucamonga Rotary are asking the community to support their efforts to eradicate polio by attending an Ontario Reign hockey game.
The organization's global initiative has been to eliminate polio worldwide, said Kevin Frejlach, a member of the Rancho Cucamonga chapter.
On March 30, the Reign will hold a 50-50 raffle to support the Rotary charity, he said.
To purchase tickets, go to Citizens Business Bank Arena box office or to www.cbbank arena.com.
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 112 will host its fourth spaghetti night on Monday at Ontario American Legion Post 112, 310 W. Emporia St.
Dinner will feature spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for a $6 suggested donation.
Dinner will be served from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
As in previous spaghetti nights, Mike Gott, and his wife, Janie, will be chefs. There will also be prize drawings and live entertainment.
"We welcome the community to stop by and visit the post for this special event," Squadron 112 Commander Tod Curry said, "Not only for the excellent dinner, but to meet SAL and Legion members. The American Legion, along with the SAL is here to serve our local veterans, and we truly appreciate the support of our community."
Soldiers from the Army Reserve base in Upland will also be attending, Curry said.
For more information, call Post 112 at 909-984-3811, or e-mail sal112@live.com with any questions, or visit Squadron 112's website, www.<QA0>
webstarts.com/sal112
The Ontario-Upland Lions Club will host its 15th annual Bunco fundraiser Saturday at the Ontario Masonic Lodge, 1025 N. Vine Ave.
Games will begin at 6:15 p.m. Beverages, snacks and desserts will be provided.
This event will benefit local charities as well as the International Lions Club charities, which will aid victims of Japan's disaster.
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door. Participants must be age 12 or older.
For further information, contact Sandra Richmond at 909-986-3265.
The Inland Empire National College Fair will be held on Monday from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ontario Convention Center.
Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling and hosted by the Western Association for College Admission Counseling, this event is free and open to the public.
The fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
More information about the college fair, including directions, a list of colleges and tips for preparing for the fair, is available at www.nacacnet.org/fairs, by e-mailing collegefairs@nacacnet.org or by calling 800-822-6285.
An Ontario councilman has expressed his opposition to Los Angeles World Airport's recent process of disclosure regarding the struggling L.A./Ontario International Airport.
For the second time in the span of two weeks, officials at LAWA have released information regarding ONT to the public prior to informing officials in Ontario, Councilman Alan Wapner said.
"The (relationship) has become more and more strained through time. We find LAWA has a tendency to release information to the press," said Wapner, the city's liaison for the airport. "I would appreciate them sitting at the table to give us information rather than the press."
For more than a year, the two agencies have been in talks about local officials regaining control of the Ontario airport.
One of the first incidents in which Wapner said he noticed a break in communication was in December, when LAWA officials announced they were going to launch the Expressions of Interest process.
What has made it harder to keep the lines of communication open is the fact that Ontario's airport manager has to split his time between ONT and Van Nuys airport, where he is also the manager, Wapner said.
On March 1, LAWA officials released to the media the 10 inquiries it had received from firms that had expressed interest in managing the airport.
The following week, on March 7, LAWA officials released a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted Ontario's proposal to manage the airport.
Continue reading Strain showing in Ontario's relationship with airport operator.
Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey expressed doubt Monday that there could be a timely transfer of control of L.A./Ontario International Airport.
For more than a year, Ontario officials have been pushing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAWA -- which manages ONT -- to either transfer control of ONT or amend the Joint Powers Agreement between the two cities.
Ontario officials had a self- imposed deadline of July 1 for the transfer and had asked LAWA's Board of Airport Commissioners to make its recommendation on the proposal by April.
"We are not optimistic that this would take months. This would take years," Lindsey said. "We are happy to work with the city of Ontario on ideas they may have."
Monday's statement caught Councilman Alan Wapner by surprise, given recent discussions with Villaraigosa.
"We are perplexed that LAWA is pushing back on negotiating with Ontario for the transfer of Ontario International Airport," he said.
Up until now, LAWA officials had not indicated such doubts about the time a transfer might take, Wapner said.
"For her to publicly make statements that are contrary and contradictory to the mayor's office -- we don't know who we are dealing with," he said.
Continue reading Agency casts doubt of timely transfer.
Families are invited to hop over to the Ontario Mills mall on April 2, 16 and 19 and welcome and meet the Easter Bunny.
Parents are invited to purchase professionally-produced photos of their child with the Easter Bunny through April 23, according to a mall news release.
The mall's Breakfast with Bunny event will be from 10 a.m. to noon April 16.
Children are invited to the food court to enjoy breakfast with their family, while visiting with the Easter Bunny, according to the mall.
Pet photos with the Easter Bunny will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. April 19. Shoppers can bring their friendly, domestic pets to the mall to have a photo taken with the Easter Bunny.
The Easter Bunny will arrive at 10 a.m. April 2.
Easter Bunny photos will be available from April 2 to 23.
Photos will be taken from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday. There will be 45- minute breaks starting at 1:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Photos will also be taken from noon to 6 p.m. There will be a 45-minute break at 2:15 p.m.
Photos will be taken in the mall's food court at One Mills Circle.
Photo packages are available for purchase.
For more information, call 909-484-8300 or visit www.ontariomills.com.
Boys and girls ages 7 to 14 can participate in a skills competition on April 8.
The young people -- who will be broken up into age and gender divisions -- will showcase their pitching, hitting and running abilities at Jay Littleton Ballpark at Fourth Street and Grove Avenue.
Check-in begins at 6<TH>p.m.
The first event starts 30 minutes later.
Participants will be competing to go to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arizona for an on-field competition.
Registration is being accepted at the Armstrong Center, 1265 S. Palmetto Ave.
Birth verification is required for participants.
For more information, call 909-930-3346 or 909-395-2020.
It may not be the popular PBS show "Antiques Roadshow," but the public will soon have a chance to find out the true value of their antiques.
The Ontario Woman's Club has invited certified appraiser Zoe Tebeau to its March 29 meeting.
Attendees can have each of their items appraised for $5, which includes a certificate for their records.
The event will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30<TH>p.m. at the Masonic Center, 1025 Vine Ave.
For more information, call 909-465-1691.
The Ontario City Library on April 16 will host Teen Book Fest 2011.
Best-selling young adult authors Alyson Noel, Nancy Holder, Marlene Perez, Katie Alender and Cynthia Hand will discuss their novels and the paranormal genre.
The authors will also answer questions about the writing process.
Attendees will have a chance to have their books signed.
La Verne-based Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book shop will sell books at the event.
Teenagers who attend will receive a free gift.
Adults are welcome, although teens will be given priority seating.
The book fair will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ontario Senior Center, 225 E. B St.
The city of Ontario on May 7 will start offering free Community Emergency Response Team training at Ontario Convention Center.
CERT training will help community members work together to respond to disasters that affect their homes, workplaces and neighborhoods.
Attendees will view lectures and videos as well as participate in hands-on training, which may be needed if emergency responders are delayed due to the size and scope of the disaster.
CERT classes will include training for emergency and disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, search and rescue, terrorism and disaster psychology.
The free classes will be from 9.m. to 5 p.m. May 7, 14 and 21.
Ontario residents and city employees ages 18 and older can participate.
Registration is on a first-come basis.
For registration information, call 909-980-2857, ext. 247.
For more information on CERT, call 909-395-2545 or send an e-mail to mgregory@ci.ontario.ca.us.
Mountain Motorsports in Ontario in 2010 celebrated its 40th year in the motorcycle business.
The business will hold a vintage motorcycle show and swap meet on April 2 for any pre-1985 motorcycle of any brand, co-owner Shawn Packer said.
The free show will be from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m.
Entries will be judged at noon.
"We have had an enormous response, and we expect a good show," Packer said. "We have a few machines we have collected over the years that we will show."
Mountain Motorsports is at 1025 N. Mountain Ave., Ontario.
The Business Standard has a story online which says GMR is removing themselves from the Expressions of Interest list.
Click on the link for the full story. Below is a quote from the article:
"GMR does not plan to bid for the Ontario Airport opportunity," the company spokesperson told Business Standard. Adding: "At this point, we will not like to comment on our growth strategy. However, we will continue to evaluate opportunities from growth markets."
Charles Linck Jr. stood out in a crowd, and not just because he stood 6-foot-4.
Linck, who served as Ontario's postmaster for 35 years, was known for commitment to his family as well as his role in developing and expanding several prominent community organizations.
During his tenure, he opened the current post office on East Holt Boulevard as well as the branch at Fourth Street and Mountain Avenue.
The former postmaster passed away Feb. 14. A public memorial service for Linck was held March 12 at Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario.
"He truly was a role model for the entire community. He was a gentleman and a man of distinction," said San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
Linck, who served as Ontario's postmaster for 35 years, was known for commitment to his family as well as his role in developing and expanding several prominent community organizations.
During his tenure, he opened the current post office on East Holt Boulevard as well as the branch at Fourth Street and Mountain Avenue.
The former postmaster passed away Feb. 14. A public memorial service for Linck was held March 12 at Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario.
"He truly was a role model for the entire community. He was a gentleman and a man of distinction," said San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
Continue reading Service for longtime Ontario postmaster Charles Linck.
A presentation recently released by Los Angeles World Airports is critical of the city of Ontario's proposal to run LA/Ontario International Airport.
A PowerPoint presentation was released to the media for a Board of Airport Commissioners meeting on Monday, although discussion on the issue was postponed until March 21, LAWA officials said.
In the presentation, LAWA casts "doubts about transferring control of ONT to a jurisdiction that has no experience in managing a major commercial airport."
Continue reading LAWA presentation critical of Ontario.
Ontario City Library will host Teen Book Fest 2011 on April 16. The event will include best-selling young adult authors Alyson Noel, Nancy Holder, Marlene Perez, Katie Alender and Cynthia Hand. The authors will discuss their novels and the paranormal genre as well as answer questions about the writing process.
All attendees will have a chance to meet the authors and have their books signed. La Verne-based Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book shop will be on hand selling books, and all teen attendees will receive a free gift. Adults are welcome to attend, although teens will be given priority seating.
The book fair will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ontario Senior Center, 225 E. B St.
Los Angeles Kings alumni, which includes Luc Robitaille, will face members of the Ontario Fire Department at a hockey game on Saturday at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The game will start at 4 p.m.
Later that night, the Ontario Reign players will be sporting jerseys sponsored by the University of La Verne.
There will be a post-game jersey auction which will benefit the university's scholarship foundation.
Fans can purchase tickets at www.cbbarena.com
Citizens Business Bank Arena is at 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway.
To celebrate the partnership between Upland-based nonprofit Reach Out Mentoring and Home Builders Institute-Core, the two programs will attend Friday night's Ontario Reign game.
As part of the festivities, Regina Brown of Reach Out, along with a youth mentee, will perform the ceremonial puck drop.
C-Core is a mentoring program within the Home Builders profession that provides role-models and guides young people in life.
HBI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education and training programs in residential construction. C-Core is supported by a grant awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Reach Out is accepting mentees/members ages 16 to 18 as well as mentor/coaches.
For more information about the mentoring program contact Lisa Loaiza at Reach Out 909-982-8641 or at lisa@we-reachout.org
Join Ontario firefighters from Local 1430 at their ninth annual Tip the Fire Fighter fundraiser on St. Patrick's Day.
Proceeds for the March 17 fundraiser -- which will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the El Torito restaurant, 3680 Inland Empire Blvd. -- will benefit Steven's Hope for Children.
Firefighters will greet and serve food to the public to raise money and awareness for the nonprofit that assists families of seriously ill or injured children.
Dinner reservations are recommended.
For more information, call Capt. Marty Perez at 760-285-5441 or Capt. John Sitar at 909-229-9077.
Well, it may not be the popular PBS show "Antiques Roadshow," but the public will soon have a chance to find out the true value of their antiques.
Ontario Woman's Club have invited certified appraiser Zoe Tebeau to its March 29 meeting. The public will have the opportunity to have each item appraised for $5, which includes a certificate for your records.
The event will be held at the Masonic Center, 1025 Vine Ave. from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Entrance is free and includes a finger food and dessert bar. To attend, call Nancy Andrews at 909-465-1691.
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a challenge to the national motto, "In God We Trust."
This is good news for the city of Ontario. If you recall last summer the council agreed to place the words "In God We Trust" above its logo at City Hall.
Councilman Alan Wapner had been approached by In God We Trust America, a volunteer-based organization which asks the state's elected officials to display the nation's motto under the emblems of their respective cities.
After hearing of the Ontario's actions, representatives from Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation said they would consider taking legal action to remove it.
Coincidentally, the Pacific Justice Institute which was a co-defendant in the Supreme Court case, who also represents the organization In God We Trust America.
PJI not only provides legal representation for the group, but would have also provided legal service to any city that added the wording to their logo.
"Since the initial decision upholding the motto by the trial court in June of 2006, we have seen a steady stream of local governments find their courage to display the motto," said Brad Dacus, president of PJI in a statement. "We believe that the denial of the petition for review by the Supreme Court has cleared away any remaining doubts that officials have."
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles World Airports officials will explore the idea of selling LA/Ontario International Airport.
Up until now, LAWA officials, who operate ONT, have not considered selling the struggling airport after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa opposed the idea when discussions over transfer of control of the airport first began with the city of Ontario.
Nearly 18 months since negotiations began, Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn has urged airport officials to look into putting the city asset up for sale.
"The more I look at Ontario, we're not making money; we're not losing money; we're being criticized for it; we have everybody in the world thinking that they can do a better job of running it," Hahn said. "We have no other option. It might be time to sell the airport."
Hahn, who is chairwoman of Los Angeles City Council's Trade, Commerce & Tourism committee, made the suggestion during its meeting last week.
Hahn said she would only be in favor of selling the facility if the city would be allowed to redirect revenues from the sale of ONT to the city of Los Angeles' general fund.
Current Federal Aviation Administration rules would require that sales from an airport go back into other LAWA facilities such as Los Angeles International Airport and Van Nuys Airport.
Ontario officials have been pushing for more than a year to regain control of the ailing airport the city once owned. They contend local control of ONT would better address its litany of problems.
The decline in air service at ONT from 2007 to 2009 led to a $400 million blow to the Inland Empire's economy and the loss of more than 8,000 jobs, according to a report released by Ontario in September.
For the past two years, passenger traffic at ONT has fallen more than 47 percent. LAWA reported that the airport served 4.88 million travelers in 2009, down from a peak of 7.2 million
Continue reading Los Angeles ponders sale of troubled ONT.
Several national and international firms have expressed interest in managing L.A./Ontario International Airport.
Officials at Los Angeles World Airports, which operates ONT, received 10 inquiries since the submission process opened Jan. 4 for "expressions of interest."
The city of Ontario did not participate.
Ontario officials have asked LAWA to turn over management of the airport to the city.
"The information received from the EOI respondents is valuable to us as we discern ONT's future operations," said Mike Molina, LAWA's deputy executive director for external affairs. "While the city of Ontario did not submit an EOI, we continue to work with city officials in the possible transfer of airport management."
Gathering submissions does not guarantee that LAWA's management will begin the process of selecting ONT's future manager, LAWA spokeswoman Nancy Castles said.
The purpose of the expressions of interest was to inform LAWA on how best to proceed with ONT, Molina said.
"All options will be reviewed thoroughly before we bring a recommendation to our Board of Airport Commissioners," he said.
Continue reading LAWA receives 10 inquiries to manage ONT.
More than 90 teams are vying for top spots in their respective categories at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
And while the teams look for gold, city officials are seeing green.
City officials expect a $3.5 million boost to the local economy over the three-day competition, which concludes Saturday, as many of the 3,600 attendees have flown in from other cities to watch the championships, arena General Manager Steve Eckerson said.
Many of the participants have been in town since Monday, Eckerson said.
The ripple effect of their presence has been felt in local hotels, restaurants and even at ice rinks in the surrounding area, he said.
"They've booked up all the ice rinks within an hour's drive of here for their practice," said
Continue reading Skating event brings attention to arena.
Ontario's State of the City address on March 16 will feature a panel of business executives as well as a presentation by the mayor and City Council.
The event's theme will be "Thinking Ahead."
The night will showcase how the city is focused on planning for the future, and its proactive efforts to support businesses as well as the local economy.
The event at the Ontario Convention Center begins at 5 p.m. with pre-networking and registration.
A presentation by Mayor Paul Leon and a business panel discussion -- with moderator Larry Kosmont, president and CEO of Kosmont Companies -- will start at 6 p.m.
The panel includes Fletcher Jones, Jr. of Fletcher Jones Motorcars; George Willis, president of the UPS Southern California District; and Gerald McCall, senior vice president of the Southern California Operations for Kaiser Permanente.
The event will conclude with a business-networking session. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with city officials and department representatives.
Each year, the event attracts hundreds of business, real estate, finance, community and government leaders.
Tickets are $50.
To register, visit www.OntarioSOC2011.com
Camp Fire USA, Mt. San Antonio Council, is launching a national campaign titled "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day."
The goal is to increase confidence and self-esteem in young people.
The campaign also encourages boys and girls to pursue goals -- personal and academic -- by cultivating relationships between adults and young people in the community.
Organization officials are asking adults to send five letters to children in their lives, such as sons, daughters, grandchildren, niece/nephews, neighbors and students.
The adults need to send a copy of the letter to jinouth@campfiretoday.org. The letter will be entered in to a raffle to win a Brunswick bowling family pack worth more than $70.
For any questions, send an e-mail to jinouth@campfiretoday.org
Boys and girls from 7 to 14 years old will be able to participate in a skills competition on April 8.
The young people -- who will be broken up into their respective age and gender divisions -- will showcase their pitching, hitting and running abilities at Jay Littleton Ballpark at Fourth Street and Grove Avenue.
Check-in begins at 6 p.m. The first event starts 30 minutes later.
Participants will be competing to go to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arizona to take part in an on field competition.
Registration is being accepted at Armstrong Center, 1265 S. Palmetto Ave.
Birth verification is required for participants.
For more information, call 909-930-3346 or 909-395-2020.
The Dorothy A. Quesada Community Center staff is welcoming residents to the St. Patrick's Day Tournament of Champions from 4 to 6 p.m. March 17.
Staffers will offer a "Just Dance" Wii competition as well as game-room activities such as pool and ping pong.
Food will be provided to youth participants.
Also, the center on April 1 will host a free family movie night. The center will be showing Disney's "Tangled." Doors open at 6:15 p.m. A snack bar will also be available.
The center is at 1010 S. Bon View Ave., Ontario.
Join Ontario firefighters from Local 1430 at their ninth annual Tip the Fire Fighter fundraiser on
St. Patrick's Day.
Proceeds for the March 17 fundraiser -- which will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the El Torito restaurant, 3680 Inland Empire Blvd. -- will benefit Steven's Hope for Children.
Firefighters will greet and serve food to the public to raise money and awareness for the nonprofit that assists families of seriously ill or injured children.
Dinner reservations are recommended.
For more information, call Capt. Marty Perez at 760-285-5441 or Capt. John Sitar at 909-229-9077.
Ontario's State of the City address on March 16 will feature a panel of business executives as well as a presentation by the mayor and City Council.
The event's theme will be "Thinking Ahead."
The night will showcase how the city is focused on planning for the future, and its proactive efforts to support businesses as well as the local economy.
The event at the Ontario Convention Center begins at 5 p.m. with pre-networking and registration.
A presentation by Mayor Paul Leon and a business panel discussion -- with moderator Larry Kosmont, president and CEO of Kosmont Companies -- will start at 6 p.m.
The panel includes Fletcher Jones, Jr. of Fletcher Jones Motorcars; George Willis, president of the UPS Southern California District; and Gerald McCall, senior vice president of the Southern California Operations for Kaiser Permanente.
The event will conclude with a business-networking session. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with city officials and department representatives.
Each year, the event attracts hundreds of business, real estate, finance, community and government leaders.
Tickets are $50.
To register, visit www.OntarioSOC2011.com
The Gary Ovitt Meatloaf sandwich is now being served at PageOne Cafe.
I first heard about this sandwich created in San Bernardino County Supervisor Ovitt's honor a couple of weeks ago when I was on assignment at PageOne Cafe. The cafe is owned by SMG, which operates the Ontario Convention Center as well as the Cafe.
On Tuesday, Ovitt, Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen, Victoria VanDamme and myself met up to taste the sandwich.
"I'm more honored by the sandwich than the library," Ovitt joked, referring to the recently renamed Ovitt Family Community Library.
VanDamme, the director of PageOne Cafe, had come up with the idea of naming a dish in honor of the supervisor after the library had been renamed.
"Sue gets the library, and I get a sandwich," Ovitt joked.
Late last year, VanDamme contacted Ovitt's wife, Sue, inquiring about his favorite sandwich. After she learned it was meatloaf, VanDamme gathered five other members from her staff, including the cafe's chef, to see who could come up with the best recipe for the sandwich.
In December, Ovitt came to the Ontario Convention Center, where all the food for the cafe is prepared, to judge the best recipe. The winning selection would be served at the cafe, VanDamme said.
The recipes included one topped with mashed potatoes and another that was an inverted sandwich with french fries on top.
The winning selection is a slice of meatloaf served on sourdough roll, provolone cheese, shredded parmesan with horseradish mayonnaise.
"The simplicity of it was more what I like and I was used to," Ovitt said.
This was just the second time Ovitt had eaten his own sandwich, since it was unveiled earlier this month.
Growing up, meatloaf sandwich was a staple dish at his home, Ovitt said. And it's a dish his wife, Sue, makes on occasion.
"Sue's is a little more spicy."
As he ate his sandwich, Ovitt told VanDamme that the second time around was just as good as the first.
At one point, library staff stopped by our table to give the supervisor their approval of the sandwich.
"You're a brand name now," VanDamme told Ovitt.
You can buy the Gary Ovitt meatloaf sandwich, including a choice of a side item for $7.50.
Join firefighters from Ontario Local 1430 at their ninth annual Tip the Fire Fighter fundraiser at the El Torito on St. Patrick's Day.
Proceeds for the March 17 fundraiser will benefit Steven's Hope for Children.
Firefighters will greet and serve the public to raise money and awareness for Steven's Hope for Children, a local nonprofit organization that assists families of seriously ill or injured children.
The fundraiser will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dinner reservations are strongly recommended.
El Torito is at 3680 Inland Empire Blvd.
For more information, call Capt. Marty Perez at 760- 285-5441 or Capt. John Sitar at 909-229-9077.
I got an e-mail from Belinda Campos who said she didn't win an all-expenses- paid "I Love Lucy"-theme wedding for which she was competing.
She and her fiance, Jonathan Moctezuma, were one of five in the running for a dream wedding in Jamestown, N.Y., on Lucille Ball's 100th birthday and 60th anniversary of "I Love Lucy."
Although they did not win the contest, the Ontario couple wanted to thank everyone for their support.
The experience solidified how passionate Campos was for Lucy and Desi Arnaz, not only as a couple in real life but also on the show.
Continue reading Couple not empty-handed at 'I Love Lucy' contest.
