August 2011 Archives

His passion for the garden is evident as he speaks about the program and its potential.

The 20-year-old Pitzer College student has volunteered countless hours and even financed some improvements out of his own pocket. With the help of the community, the garden has flourished, producing a bevy of fruits and vegetables, including cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, yellow squash, carrots and tomatillos.

"Kids develop eating habits by what's available to them," he said. "It starts at home, which is why we want to empower the community to be healthy. Eat healthy."

Morgan

Lucy Block, 22, digs an irrigation trench among stalks of corn last week at a community garden at Linda Vista School in Ontario. (Thomas R. Cordova, Staff Photographer)

But the duo are not doing it alone. Morgan initially became aware of the garden space from Richard Hernandez, the executive director of Fresh Start Ministries.

It was Hernandez who had come up with the vision for the garden after his organization moved its offices on Euclid Avenue to more than 6,000 square feet of office space at Linda Vista School.

Hernandez said he realized the potential for the unused playgrounds and started looking for partnerships with residents and organizations to help him oversee the garden.

By last October, Bennett had become aware of the program and was interested in

As an assistant coach last year and now the top coach for the Titans, Rolfe said his goal has been to make it a fun experience for the young athletes.

"There is no weight class, they don't have to sit on the sideline waiting," he said.

They also help the athletes with the costs by obtaining sponsorships to lower their registration costs, Rolfe said.

Right now the league has about 50 athletes enrolled and is hoping to get 100 kids signed up, he said.

But last year's coaching experience left a bitter taste in Rolfe's mouth.

"We had some parents that were self-serving, and I did not like that," he said.

"It's not just about them, we have all walks of society that are are hurting," Rolfe said.

Which is why the league decided to organize a cancer walk for Aug. 16, 5 p.m. at Center Park, formerly Ontario Motor Speedway Park. The walk is meant to bring awareness to his athletes and the community, Rolfe said.

"I want them to have an awareness of what people are going through around them," he said.

A couple of years ago his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and mostly recently a friend has had to deal with cancer.

"We're trying to get them to understand it's a sport but you can have fun. At the same time you have a social responsibility," Rolfe said. "It's

"Being one of two counties in the state that do not allow food trucks may not necessarily be a bad thing," Mineo said.

Tuesday's decision was welcomed by Ontario's Citizens Business Bank Arena, organizers of the IE Food Truck Fest in June, which was billed as the county's first-ever festival of its kind.

"Obviously, this makes it easier to be able to obtain those permits," said Sue Oxarart, the arena's spokeswoman.

Oxarart said A temporary permit had to be obtained, for the food truck event.

The IE Food Truck Fest drew 11,800 people, she said.

Based on its success it was decided to organize another event Oct. 8, dubbed the IE Food Truck and Brew Fest, incorporating local breweries, she said.

Staff writer Liset Marquez contributed to this report.