April 2011 Archives

VIP looks for ways to secure funding sources

By Liset Marquez on April 29, 2011 12:08 PM | | Comments (0)
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Procuring and securing funding from the state is never an easy task for Vocational Improvement Program, commonly known as VIP, but it's especially difficult right now.
VIP, which provides personal growth skills, vocational training and job placement services to people with disabilities, is awaiting word from Sacramento, where Gov. Jerry Brown is looking to slash millions from their funding source to reduce the state's deficit.
The Department of Developmental Services, VIP's source of funding, has seen nearly $500 million in cuts to its budget in the past couple of years.
"The biggest challenge is not having the same fighting power as other departments in the state, many of whom have labor unions backing them," said Wendy Rogina, president of Rancho Cucamonga-based VIP.
Which is why the organization relies on grassroots efforts as a major component to protect its funding.
Those efforts include organizing tours with newly elected officials. Almost annually, directors for the organization give them personal tours to get them "on board" with the work that is done within the organization, she said.
"Because of term limits there is a constant turnover in the Legislature," Rogina said.
VIP is, however, leveraging its partnerships with employers in the area -- many of which are major corporations -- and asking them to write letters to local legislators to protect VIP's funding, said Beth Hammond, director of training at VIP.
Continue reading VIP looks for ways to secure funding sources.

Former Ontario pastor pleads guilty

By Liset Marquez on April 29, 2011 12:07 PM | | Comments (0)

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Alejandro Castillo, the 58-year-old former pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Ontario, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to one count of committing a lewd act on a child.

His plea Monday at West Valley Superior Court is part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that carries a sentence of a year in county jail and requires that he register as a sex offender.

Castillo had been charged with eight felony counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts two years ago with a 12-year-old boy. Prosecutors dropped seven of the charges as part of the agreement.

The former pastor, who has also served as a priest in Rialto and San Bernardino, will be back in court June 16 for his sentencing. He is expected

Alejandro Castillo, 58, the former pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Ontario, attempts to shield his face from being photographed as he leaves West Valley Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga after pleading guilty to one count of a lewd act with a minor Monday. Castillo will be sentenced June 16. (Will Lester/Staff Photographer)
to begin serving his year-long jail sentence following his court appearance.

"When I talked to (the victim's) mother, all that she wanted was that Father Alex acknowledge his guilt and he register as a sex offender," said Karen Schmauss, San Bernardino County deputy district attorney.

Gary Smith, Castillo's defense attorney, did not comment.

Castillo had been scheduled to be in court on Thursday but the court date was moved up after his attorney requested a plea bargain, Schmauss said.

While Castillo could have faced more than 20 years in jail if convicted on all charges, Schmauss said she considered the plea bargain "in the best interest for both sides."

"The victim does not to have to relive this in front of the public," she said. "The victim is 15 years old now, in high school. He wants to live his life."


Continue reading Former Ontario pastor pleads guilty.

Western States and Police and Fire Games come to Ontario

By Liset Marquez on April 29, 2011 11:59 AM | | Comments (0)
When the Western States Police and Fire Games roll into town in a few months, the city's Convention Center will resemble an Olympic village more than an events center.
The games, scheduled June 4 through June 11, will feature more than 6,000 competitors and 65 sporting activities and events.
Athletes will come from all over the United States. Teams from New York, Texas and even Rhode Island have indicated they plan to compete.
"This is not just a sporting event, it's an experience to remember," said Amita Patel, executive director of the games and director of sales and marketing for the Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau. "When you leave here, you are going to remember us for a long time."
A majority of the events will be at facilities in the Inland Empire, but some will be elsewhere in the Southland, such as a surfing competition in San Clemente.
Competitions will include the traditional -- basketball, boxing and archery -- to the unconventional -- rodeo as well as mixed martial arts.
All events are free and open to the public. A handful of events require tickets.

Continue reading Western States and Police and Fire Games come to Ontario.

Hotel could change direction of city

By Liset Marquez on April 29, 2011 11:44 AM | | Comments (0)
Officials said they are hoping the arrival of an Embassy Suites will establish the city as a destination spot in the region. 
Ontario officials also contend the $25 million hotel will pave the way for more full-service hotels to venture into the area, and could help boost passenger traffic at L.A./Ontario International Airport and conferences at the Ontario Convention Center.
The Embassy Suites is at 3663 E. Guasti Road.
"Just having that brand in our city adds to an already powerful lineup that we have here," said Bob Brown, general manager and chief executive officer of the Ontario Convention Center.
Construction crews are working to finish up the eight-story, 175-room Embassy Suites. 
The hotel, which is set to open May 30, will become just the seventh full service hotel in Ontario.
"Embassy Suites has its own persona in the market as a hotel with spacious rooms and all the amenities," Brown said.
Continue reading Hotel could change direction of city .

Festival set for Ontario

By Liset Marquez on April 25, 2011 11:00 AM | | Comments (0)
IEFTF Logo.JPGOrdering a Korean barbecue taco or a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich from a food truck in San Bernardino County will soon be possible - at least for a day.

I.E. Food Truck Fest has been organized for June 18 in the parking lot of Citizens Business Bank Arena. At least 50 food trucks will participate.

The event is seen as a solution to the county's ordinance that prohibits mobile eateries.

"We're excited to have the community finally see all the excitement around this type of mobile eatery," arena spokeswoman Sue Oxarart said.

Officials from the arena's operators, AEG, will promote the event.

Participants will be named at a later date, Oxarart said. Organizers have already confirmed that 25 food truck companies will take part.

The festival will also include a skate demo provided by Active Ride Shop, live music and DJs as well as activities for children, Oxarart said.

Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com - a fee will apply - or at the arena's box office, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway.

VIP tickets are being sold for $25, and allow the ticket holder to enter the festival an hour before it opens to the public.

General-admission tickets are $10, and tickets purchased before June 15 are $8.

For more information, visit www.iefoodtruckfest.com.

Ammo confiscated at LA/Ontario International Airport

By Liset Marquez on April 22, 2011 1:42 PM | | Comments (0)
TSA officials at LA/Ontario International Airport confiscated 18 rounds of ammunition from a San Dimas man Thursday morning.
The unidentified traveler was intending to board a 5:30 a.m. Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle from Terminal 2 when officials saw nine rounds of 44-caliber and nine rounds of 380-caliber ammunition in a carryon bag, said Nico Melendez, a spokesman for TSA.
"The gentlemen told TSA officials the bag belonged to his later father-in-law who was a retired police officer, he said. 
Police cleared the passenger to fly.
Melendez urged travelers to remember to declare any weapons or ammunition as well as packing them in their checked baggage.

Happy 50th Birthday, Yangtze restaurant

By Liset Marquez on April 22, 2011 11:17 AM | | Comments (0)
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Yangtze Restaurant has witnessed a dwindling downtown, challenges from a new wave of competitors and a weakened economy -- but it has survived.
The longevity of the oldest Chinese eatery in the Inland Empire will be celebrated today when it rings in 50 years of existence.
But there's no ancient secret, Chinese or otherwise, to Yangtze's durability, according to those who oversee the family-run restaurant at 126 N. Euclid Ave.
Manager Gary Gin credits an established clientele that enjoys the eatery's "comfort food," while his mother, owner Edna Gin, points to an unchanged menu.
"All of our customers are repeat customers," she said. "We try to please the customers."
The restaurant opened April 22, 1961, under the direction of Edna's late husband, Ray Gin, who was the owner as well as the chef.
Continue reading Happy 50th Birthday, Yangtze restaurant .

Tomato seedings sale at Amy's Farm in Ontario

By Liset Marquez on April 22, 2011 10:39 AM | | Comments (0)
Join the staff at Amy's Farm on April 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for our 1st Seedlings Sale and Farmers Market.
The non profit organic farm is located at Euclid and Eucalyptus streets in Ontario. Come visit the farms chickens and goats, cats and horses and pick out a few unusual seedlings for your summer garden.
All profits go toward educational programs at the farm. Dawn Van Allen of The Garden will be on hand to help you choose the perfect Tomato for your garden.
For more info call 909-938-2435.

Ontario job training programs to receive funding

By Liset Marquez on April 22, 2011 10:20 AM | | Comments (0)
Press release from Assemblymember Norma Torres

Assemblymember Norma Torres (D-61) announced today the approval of two grants for two job training facilities in the city of Ontario. The National Tooling & Machine Association (NTMA) Training Centers received close to $398,000 in funding and Universal Healthcare Systems received $64,688. The funds were approved by the Employment Training Panel (ETP) to support the overall California economy by ensuring that employers have trained workers that can compete in a global economy.
"This training is critical to enable and update the skills of our employees. I'm glad to see that the panel understands the importance of job creation and the significance of staying competitive," said Torres. 
Continue reading Ontario job training programs to receive funding.

Logan's Candies named small business of month

By Liset Marquez on April 20, 2011 4:19 PM | | Comments (0)
Logan's Candies, a downtown Ontario fixture since 1933, has gained notoriety for their handmade candy canes.
On Tuesday, San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt held a ceremony to recognize the candy store as the March Small Business of the Month.
"There are two businesses that really share in the part of the fabric of Ontario, and Logan's Candies is one of them," Ovitt told a crowd that had gathered for Tuesday's presentation.
The monthly recognition is an initiative led by Ovitt as a way to honor small businesses in his district.
In San Bernardino County there are 60,000 small businesses and 93 percent of those companies have 25 employees or less, Ovitt said.
"Small businesses is the essential of business in the county," he said. "Logan's is an important part of our community of Ontario and what this county is all about." 
Logan's owner, Jerry Rowley and his wife, Susi, thanked Ovitt as well as representatives from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce who were in attendance for the presentation.
"We are glad to be part of this community," Jerry said.
Jerry, who purchased the store in 1982 when he was 19 years old, has actually been working at the store since he was 12.
The store's busiest time of the year is during the Christmas season when Rowley and his staff make about 80,000 candy canes.
But Easter season is also a busy time for the Rowley's who make personalized fudge covered eggs. By the end of Saturday they will have made at least 2,800 fudge eggs, Susi said.
The end of this month also marks the seven-year anniversary since the Rowley's lost their daughter, Hannah to leukemia.
The Rowley's said they appreciate all the support they received from the Ontario community when their daughter was sick.
"She was so important to Ontario and brought this community together," Ovitt said. "She played an important part in unifying this community."
Unbeknownst to the celebration was customer Luise Gutierrez, of Chino, who had brought her 10-year-old daughter Clarissa and a friend to the store.
Gutierrez said she was first introduced to the candy shop in 2009 when she brought her daughter and their Girl Scout Brownie troop to watch Rowley make candy canes.
Since then, she has visited the store because of the handmade chocolate and rare candy assortments, she said.
As Gutierrez shopped, her daughter Clarissa walked around the store trying to narrow down her choices.
"It's all really good candy," she said. "I think I'm going to get everything in the whole store."
If you plan to do some Easter shopping go early. The Rowley's say that today as well as Friday and Saturday are some of their busiest.
Logan's Candies is at 125 W. B St., Ontario.

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Ontario councilman to address Friends of the Ontario Airport

By Liset Marquez on April 20, 2011 4:17 PM | | Comments (0)
Ontario City Councilmember, Alan Wapner will address the Friends of the Ontario Airport, Thursday at the Ontario Airport, Conference room, at 4 p.m. 
The Conference room, is located off Mission Blvd at Vineyard, across the railroad tracks at 1941 Avion Street. 
Enter at the second drive way, not where the flag pole is. Go across the parking lot. Park outside the gate. 
Entrance to the room is in middle of the North building.He will talk about the future of airport. 
Visitors welcome.

Lacoste to open store at Ontario Mills Mall

By Liset Marquez on April 20, 2011 1:24 PM | | Comments (0)
LACOSTE Outlet will be the latest addition to Ontario Mills' when it opens Friday morning. It will be first and only store location in the Los Angeles area. The store opens at 10 a.m.
Among the recent openings at the mills include Coach Mens Factory, Cotton On and Foreign Exchange.
Later this summer the Mills will welcome the expanded Forever 21 and Burlington Coat Factory, plus Sports Authority.
Ontario Mills - LACOSTE Outlet, is located in Neighborhood 8, near Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, One Mills Circle.
For more information, call Guest Services at 909- 484-8300, visit www.OntarioMills.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OntarioMills. 

Food truck festival coming to Ontario

By Liset Marquez on April 19, 2011 10:28 AM | | Comments (0)
As you may know, San Bernardino County has an ordinance which prohibits food trucks from roaming the streets. Well, officials with IE Food Truck Fest have a solution for your food pangs, they are holding a one day food truck event at Citizen Business Bank Arena on June 18.
Officials expect about 50 food trucks at the event and while the full list has not been released they have mentioned on their Facebook page that COOLHAUS Ice Cream Sandwiches, Get Shaved, Border Grill Truck, Calbi trucks will be in Ontario.

Visit the following link for more details

Ontario beauty school raises funds for Japan

By Liset Marquez on April 15, 2011 10:17 AM | | Comments (0)
You may recall a couple of weeks ago I did a story about Marinello Beauty Schools holding a cut-a-thon to raise money for Japan relief efforts. Students from the school cut people's hair for $5 and send the money to the American Red Cross. Altogether, the 45 campuses raised $25,000 for the American Red Cross.
Out of those campuses, which include sites in Utah, the Ontario Campus cut the second most hair.

FAA to add second controller to LA/Ontario International Airport

By Liset Marquez on April 13, 2011 4:23 PM | | Comments (0)
News Release from FAA

The FAA Announces Additional Staffing at 27 Control Towers, including ONT

WASHINGTON - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt announced today that effective immediately the FAA will place an additional air traffic controller on the midnight shift at 27 control towers around the country that are currently staffed with only one controller during that time. The moves includes LA/Ontario International Airport.

The FAA is taking this action after an incident this morning at Reno-Tahoe International Airport when a controller fell asleep while a medical flight carrying an ill patient was trying to land. The medical flight pilot was in communication with the Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and landed safely. The controller, who was out of communication for approximately 16 minutes, has been suspended while the FAA investigates.  
Continue reading FAA to add second controller to LA/Ontario International Airport.

Ontario Woman's Club

By Liset Marquez on April 13, 2011 10:29 AM | | Comments (0)
The Ontario Woman's Club will be holding their catered Easter lunch on April 19 at 11:30 am at the Masonic Center, 1025 N. Vine

Mary Lou Harclerode will give a presentation on the history of hats. You are encouraged to wear or bring a hat, as prizes will be given for the smallest, prettiest, or most decorated hat..  

To attend please call Helen Franz, 909-981-3556 or Bobbie Parent 909-986-2700.

Local Soroptimist Clubs plan awards banquet

By Liset Marquez on April 12, 2011 10:02 AM | | Comments (0)
News release from Soroptimist:

Four local chapters of Soroptimist International are having their annual Have a Heart banquet on April 28, at the Ontario Double Tree Hotel to honor recipients of for their volunteerism; service to women in their communities; and those women as head of households who have overcome significant hardships while pursuing their education. 
The participating clubs are Soroptimist International Baldy View, S.I. Chino Hills/Inland Empire, S.I. Chino Valley, and S.I. Foothills. 
In honor of the volunteer efforts of young women between the ages of 14 and 17, the clubs will be handing out the Violet Richardson Award that gives a small dollar amount to the recipient and an equal amount to the charity of their choice. 
The awardees are Karlye Kemp from S.I. Baldy View; Alexandra Sanders from S.I. Chino Valley; and Puja Navaney from S.I. Chino Hills/Inland Empire.
Continue reading Local Soroptimist Clubs plan awards banquet.

Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary

By Liset Marquez on April 12, 2011 9:24 AM | | Comments (0)
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Beverly Cleary, the author best known for her series about Ramona Quimby celebrates her 95th birthday today.
Did you know she worked at the Ontario library from 1935-36? 
She did. As our columnist David Allen has detailed in the past, Cleary began working in the Ontario library and decided to become a writer after success in her classes at Chaffey Junior College, which was only a few blocks away from the campus. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies, second only to J.K. Rowling.
As a student at the college, Cleary lived on Euclid Avenue. After receiving her degree from Chaffey, the children's author went on to continue her education at UC Berkeley.
 Because of Cleary's connection to Ontario, the staff at the library decided to hold her a birthday party last week. Read Friday's edition of City News, we'll have the whole story.









Ontario celebrates National Library Week

By Liset Marquez on April 11, 2011 5:17 PM | | Comments (0)
Release from Ontario Library:


City of Ontario Mayor Paul S. Leon and the Ontario City Council have proclaimed April 10-16 National Library Week, "libraries provide free access to all and libraries are places of opportunity providing programs that teach all forms of literacy, promoting continuing education and encouraging lifelong learning." 
The City of Ontario and Library Director Helen Fisher encourage all residents to visit Ovitt Family and Colony High Branch Libraries to take advantage of the wonderful resources and services that are available. Fisher says, "National Library Week recognizes the importance of the local public library to the community  it serves. To celebrate there will be special programs including author events, a scrapbook crop, StarLab stories, Teen Book Fest and much more." Programs are free but some may require pre-registration. Join us for National Library Week at Ontario City Library - nowhere else so near can take you so far!
Information can be found on our website at www.ci.ontario.ca.us/library.
The Ovitt Family Community Library is at 215 East C Street, and the Colony High Branch Library is at 3850
E. Riverside Dr. on the campus of Colony High School. For more information or to pre-register, please call the Ovitt Library at (909) 395-2004 or Colony Branch at (909) 395-2014.

Montclair councilman voices concerns over ONT battle

By Liset Marquez on April 11, 2011 2:21 PM | | Comments (0)
Councilman Bill Ruh has refrained from voting on a resolution to support Ontario in its efforts to regain control of L.A./Ontario International Airport.
Ruh said he abstained because he wanted details in the measure on how the interests of Montclair would be protected.
Ruh's concerns did not stop the council from approving the item last week.
"It's hard for me, at this level, to support something when we don't have enough information," Ruh said.
Ruh said he would be in favor of the resolution if it included certain stipulations, such as offering Montclair the opportunity to be a part of any new joint-powers agreement.
State Senate GOP leader Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, introduced a bill in February that would transfer control of the airport from the city of Los Angeles to a regional airport authority.
"We need to be part of that process," Ruh said.
Councilman John Dutrey said the resolution's aim was to show support for Ontario.
"This airport is vital to the Inland Empire," Dutrey said. "I think the city of Ontario has more of a stake, more of an interest and more motivation that the airport does well. In comparison, the city of Los Angeles, they have other needs and other priorities."

Continue reading Montclair councilman voices concerns over ONT battle.

UPDATE: Ontario Salvation Army Corps attend NASCAR races

By Liset Marquez on April 11, 2011 12:04 PM | | Comments (0)
UPDATE: The Salvation Army in Ontario does not sponsor the car. The driver has chosen to sponsor the organization by putting their logo on his car.

Members of the Salvation Army Ontario Corps, were treated to some fun a couple of weeks ago, when NASCAR was in town. Click below to see photos of their tour around driver Morgan Shepherd and his Victory in Jesus racing team's garage.

Click on the link to see the photos
http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/?p=5901

ONT offered, for a price

By Liset Marquez on April 11, 2011 12:00 PM | | Comments (0)

Agency says city has to pay


Control of L.A./Ontario International Airport could be the city's for the right price, according to the head of the organization that runs it now.

A letter from Gina Marie Lindsey, the executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, stated that a "smooth and cooperative transfer" could be reached if the right financial deal materializes.

Unfortunately, that deal doesn't exist, at least not in the city's latest proposal, according to the letter. Lindsey wrote that the proposal, which was publicly released by LAWA last week, doesn't note the need to "appropriately compensate" her organization.

"The disposition of issues such as joint purchasing, transfer and collection of revenues, and debt management would have to be negotiated as part of a comprehensive financial deal," Lindsey wrote.

In her letter, LAWA's executive director also expressed doubts about coming to any agreement and transfer in time for Ontario's self-imposed deadline of July 1.

However, Lindsey did present an opportunity for the two entities to collaborate by assigning all marketing and traffic-building responsibilities to Ontario officials. LAWA would provide funding that Ontario would oversee.

"This will ensure that marketing efforts for ONT would be led by an entity whose sole focus is to promote a single airport," Lindsey wrote in her letter.
Continue reading ONT offered, for a price.

Poetry Reading Downtown Ontario this weekend

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 12:09 PM | | Comments (0)
Press release from United Church of Christ

United Church of Christ in Ontario welcomes award winning author and poet Hope Anita Smith to a reading of her work on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.. Ms Smith is known best for The Way the Door Closes, Keeping the Night Watch, and Mother. The reading is open to all. Donations will be collected for Bethel UCC's "Relay for Life" team.
"I'd say about 1/3 of our regular Sunday worship attendees are either cancer survivors themselves or have been caregivers to those with cancer in the past," said Rev. Jonathon Edwards as he explains why Bethel United Church of Christ is participating in this year's American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" fundraiser. "Cancer isn't a far off, abstract illness to us. It has impacted our congregation directly."
On her journey to becoming an award-winning author, Hope Anita Smith has been a storyteller, teacher, photographer, artist and a singer.
She has won numerous prestigious literary awards and, through her company Inked Well Words, currently teaches writing and bookmaking workshops. She lives in Beverly Hills, California.
The reading will take place in the sanctuary at Bethel UCC at 536 N. Euclid Ave. (at F Street). For more information about the event, please call Bethel UCC at 909-984-9111 or email them at info@bethelucc-ontario.com.
Bethel United Church of Christ gathers for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:10am. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.


Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band to hold concert

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:56 AM | | Comments (0)
The Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band, directed by R. Jack Mercer, will have a special story to tell during Monday's show.
The program will look back on the history of the Show Back. The journey through the 26 years of the Show Band will be narrated by Superintendent Mathew Holton.
Slides will illustrate how the Show Band's deep roots can be traced back to the Chaffey High School 1958-1985 Marching Tiger Band.
Before to the concert, at 5:30 p.m, there will be a special gathering of alumni and the public. Old films of halftime shows performed in the Los Angeles Coliseum by the Tiger Band will be shown.
Following the films, at 7:30 p.m., the concert will begin with the Chaffey High School Jazz and Concert Bands, directed by Steve Yanik, and the Chaffey High School Choir, directed by John Lewis. A pep rally follows with former band members, drill team members, and band-aides.
Band members come from Ontario and more than twenty surrounding communities to make music together. 
The Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band was organized in 1985.
For more information: http://www.showband.net
The performance will be held at Gardner Spring Auditorium, on the campus of Chaffey High School, 1245 North Euclid Avenue in Ontario.

Positive Alternatives Fair back in Ontario

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:55 AM | | Comments (0)
Families are invited to attend the annual Positive Alternatives Fair hosted by the Ontario Police Department Crime Prevention Unit on Saturday.
The fair will be held on the Euclid Avenue median between C and E streets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The fair is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County Gangs and Drugs Task Force. 
The Positive Alternatives Fair involves various organizations, schools and agencies that offer activities and opportunities to youth that will keep them away from gangs and drugs.
Staged demonstrations at the C Street bandstand will highlight the event and will include presentations such as martial arts, bands, dance and singing groups. Parents will be able to sign kids up for activities during the fair.
Businesses and individuals have the opportunity to support this event by sponsoring youth for a activity scholarship.

Ontario Elks Ladies plan 'After Taxes Party'

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:54 AM | | Comments (0)
Ontario Elks Ladies plan to hold a "After Taxes Party" at 6 p.m April 15 and will feature an all-you-can eat-spaghetti for only $6.
The event will also feature a dessert auction and $1 grab bags. 
Ontario Elks Lodge 1150 W. Fourth St. Ontario, for more information call Diana Becker 909-946-6080.

Breezy Elks plan fish fry on April 22

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:53 AM | | Comments (0)
Breezy Elks of the Ontario Elks Lodge will have its annual fish fry from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 22.
The event, which includes entertainment by Larry Stevens, will be held at the Elks Lodge, 1150 W. Fifth St. 
Tickets are available at the Elks office at 909-984-2777.

April is donor month in the state

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:41 AM | | Comments (0)
Ina Brown, a city employee and donor recipient, wanted to remind everyone on the council and residents that April is DMV/Donate Life California Month.
There are 21,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list statewide, according to OneLegacy a nonprofit organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation in the seven-county greater Los Angeles area.
"I'd like to remind everyone to sign up to be a donor at the DMV," Brown said.
At Tuesday's meeting, Brown also encouraged everyone to support the ninth annual Donate Life Run/Walk on April 30 at Cal State Fullerton.
For information on the walk visit www.donatelifeoc.org.

Get your food truck fix this weekend

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:40 AM | | Comments (0)
If you have been tuned into the Ontario City Council meetings lately then you know that Chino Valley Unified School District board member Brandon Blanchard has become somewhat of a regular attendee and speaker.
On Tuesday, Blanchard invited the council and Ontario residents to the district's next meeting which is at 7 tonight.
He also invited residents to the highly publicized Food Truck Festival on Saturday at Don Lugo High School, 13400 Pipeline Ave., Chino.
Tickets prior to the event are $6 and $8 at the door.
"We're trying to extend ourselves and bring more funds to the district," Blanchard said.

Birthday wishes to councilmembers

By Liset Marquez on April 7, 2011 9:36 AM | | Comments (0)
Councilman Alan Wapner reminded everyone that Councilwoman Debra Dorst-Porada had just celebrated a birthday on Monday and  Councilman Jim Bowman was on Wednesday.
Councilwoman Sheila Mautz chimed in, "I personally don't have those any more."
This is the point where Mayor Paul Leon would have cracked a joke, but he was excused from the meeting but not this time.
With Leon being absent on Tuesday, the birthday girl (Dorst-Porada) was tapped to lead the council meeting.
The newest member on the council, Dorst-Porada was a little unfamiliar with the duty. But she held her own.
In fact, the meeting was moving at a record pace -- there were only two items left on the agenda just 15 minutes after it started.
"We're moving right along," Dorst-Porada said.
Things slowed down when there was staff presentation but it was over in under an hour.
But I digress, Happy Birthday to the councilmembers.

Portions of "Hangover 2" filmed at ONT

By Liset Marquez on April 6, 2011 2:08 PM | | Comments (0)
The Wolfpack is back. Yes, the crew for Hangover are back for another movie and I'm sure by now you've seen the trailer for it. What you don't see is that portions of the movie was filmed at LA/Ontario International. If you recall, I posted an entry in October first announcing the filming. 

A picture of the crew at LA/Ontario International Airport:
http://is.gd/4iIYNe

Hangover 2 trailer:


Here's the link to the original blog post:

Kudos to Daily Bulletin's education reporter

By Liset Marquez on April 5, 2011 11:54 AM | | Comments (0)
Kudos to the Daily Bulletin's education reporter, Canan Tasci who is being recognized at tonight's Chaffey Joint Union High School District Board of Education meeting.
The district nominated Tasci for the Association of California School Administrators's Outstanding Media Coverage, Region 12  (San Bernardino County). She is also a candidate for the association's state award in the same category.
She will receive her award tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Mellowdears to hold Spring concert

By Liset Marquez on April 5, 2011 11:26 AM | | Comments (0)
The Mellowdears are having their annual Spring Concert on April 30 at 7 p.m. The concert is a one hour program and will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1311 W. 5th St., in Ontario.
The concert is free to the public. The Mellowdears are a Senior Singing Group and open to any senior 50 or older who wishes to sing just for fun are invited to join. If interested, please contact Ralph England at 909-988-9983 or Fred Fiedler at 909-563-0161.

Southwest grounds 3 planes with cracks in metal

By Liset Marquez on April 5, 2011 11:23 AM | | Comments (0)
The Federal Aviation Administration says it will issue an emergency safety order requiring special inspections aimed at finding metal fatigue in some Boeing 737s.

The order is a response to an incident Friday night in which a large hole opened in the roof of a Southwest Airlines plane, forcing an emergency landing in Yuma, Ariz.

The FAA said the order, which will be issued today , will affect about 175 planes worldwide. Of those, 80 are registered in the U.S., and nearly all are operated by Southwest.

It is unclear if any flights at LA/Ontario International Airport will be impacted by the new order, said Ian Gregor, spokesman for FAA Western-Pacific Region.

Besides Southwest, other Boeing 737 operators at ONT are USAir, Delta, Continental, Alaska and Aeromexico, said Maria Tesoro-Fermin, spokeswoman for ONT.

Identifying the number of affected flights would be impossible because the FAA doesn't have any way of knowing where a specific aircraft is at a specific time, Gregor said.

The order will require inspections using electromagnetic, or eddy-current, technology in specific areas of the fuselage of older 737s with a high number of takeoffs and landings.

Further Southwest inspections, since the incident on Friday has revealed three aircraft with the subsurface cracks, the airliner confirmed on Monday.

Those aircraft will remain out of service until appropriate repairs can be completed, according to a statement from Southwest.
Continue reading Southwest grounds 3 planes with cracks in metal.

ONT draws global interest

By Liset Marquez on April 4, 2011 10:04 AM | | Comments (0)

Proposals arrive on running airport


So much for worries that no one would want to run L.A./Ontario International Airport.

A search for new management at the troubled airport attracted global interest.

Companies in Germany, India, Korea and Australia submitted proposals to Los Angeles World Airports, the agency which operates ONT but which requested proposals to take over the job.

And two heavyweight firms are among the interested parties: Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the Carlyle Group.

Goldman, Sachs, a global investment banking and securities firm, has assets of $911 billion and more than 35,000 employees worldwide. The company received $5.5 billion in federal bailout funds in 2008.

The Carlyle Group, the second-largest private equity firm in the world, once had former President George H.W. Bush as an adviser.

A presentation to LAWA's Board of Airport Commissioners on the 10 proposals is expected in May. The airport commissioners are expected to make recommendations on the proposals.

LAWA officials have indicated the purpose of the expressions of interest was to inform them as to how best to proceed with operations at ONT.

Gina Marie Lindsey, LAWA's executive director, has referred to the Expressions of Interest responses as encouraging and said they indicate "ONT is a key asset for the city of Los Angeles."

While representatives of the Goldman, Sachs subsidiary said they felt they did not meet the requests outlined in the EOI, they decided to submit a letter offering their opinion after they were "encouraged" to by LAWA representatives and their consulting team.
Continue reading ONT draws global interest.

More Southwest flights canceled

By Liset Marquez on April 4, 2011 9:42 AM | | Comments (0)
Southwest Airlines on Monday announced it expects to cancel about 70 flights out of its 3,400-plus scheduled departures Monday, stemming from a fuselage problem Friday afternoon that affected a Sacramento-bound flight where a panel of the roof ripped off.
Southwest is urging all travelers to check www.southwest.com before heading to the airport to get the specifics on their particular flight. On its website, Southwest Airlines said it expects to complete the inspections by late Tuesday.
About 600 flights were canceled over the weekend.
Continue reading More Southwest flights canceled.

Travel Alert for Southwest Flights

By Liset Marquez on April 4, 2011 9:40 AM | | Comments (0)
If you are flying out of a Southwest flight today you may want to check the status before you head to the airport. 
Below is a statement from Southwest about their delays and inspections. There is also a link to check you flight status

Evening of Indian poetry and dance adds to museum's exhibition

By Liset Marquez on April 1, 2011 3:05 PM | | Comments (0)

OH01-India-01-TRC.JPG
Marci Callejo, curator of education at the Museum of History and Art, Ontario had been looking for some time for a way to collaborate with the Inlandia Institute in Riverside. When the museum announced it would be hosting the "Humanitas: Images of India by Fredric Roberts" exhibit, Callejo knew this was her chance.
On March 24, the museum brought members of the institute to host an Indian poetry and dance demonstration.
The program featured readings from ancient Hindu texts along with its interpretation through Bharata Natyam, a classical Indian dance form.
The poems were read by Dr. Surekha Acharya, a professor of English and anthropology at Riverside Community College.
Interpreting the poetry through dance was Acharya's daughter, Rohini, a classically trained Bharata Natyam dancer.

Images from staff photorgrapher Thomas Cordova
OH01-India-02-TRC.jpg
Continue reading Evening of Indian poetry and dance adds to museum's exhibition.

Ontario Now on twitter

By Liset Marquez on April 1, 2011 2:53 PM | | Comments (0)
Hey everyone, I have signed up for a Twitter account as another way to reach out to the public. Feel free to follow me, DBOntarioNow. I look forward to hearing from you and any suggestions/ story ideas you may have.
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