October 2011 Archives

Ontario Fire Department hosted open house

By Liset Marquez on October 14, 2011 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Ontario Fire Department hosted its annual open house last Saturday to promote Fire Prevention Week.

"It's Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire," this year's campaign, focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires -- cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials.

Fire Prevention Week ends Saturday.

At the open house last Saturday, residents got the chance to see live demonstrations such as a structure fire, vehicle fire, vehicle extrication, emergency medical situation, etc.

Residents also learned fire safety tips.

Spirit Walk returns to Bellevue Memorial Park

By Liset Marquez on October 14, 2011 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you ever wonder about the people who are buried at historic cemeteries such as Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario?

Well, you don't have to wonder any more. Visit with some of Ontario's early citizens as local, costumed actors bring characters to life at the second annual Spirit Walk. Organized by Ontario Heritage, the Oct. 29 walk will take place at the Bellevue Memorial Park, 1240 W. G St., from 10 a.m. to noon.

Tickets are available at the event: $5 for Ontario Heritage members and $10 for nonmembers. Children under 12 are free.

For more information please visit www.ontarioheritage.org.

Carnival and Haunted Maze set for Oct. 27-28

By Liset Marquez on October 14, 2011 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the fourth year, the Ontario High School drama department will host the Kids' Carnival and Haunted Mazes. The event will take place on the campus from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28.

There will be two Haunted Mazes this year and will be located in the A and J Buildings on the campus.

At the event there will be two ticket booths in the open quad area -- one at the front gate and one by the library.

Each individual ticket costs $1. Attendees can spend them at the various food/game/craft booths, as well as at the Haunted Maze.

The cost to get into each maze is five tickets. Each booth charges a different price for the games,crafts and food. No booth charges more that four tickets.

Last year, more than 3,000 people attended the community event, said Jeremy Hansen, Ontario High's drama director.

"We grossed over $10,000 in ticket sales that was then distributed to the various clubs, sports programs, student organizations," he said.

Ontario High School is at 901 W. Francis St.

For more information about the production or to reserve tickets, call 909-460-5837.

Halloween Costume and Parade Contest set

By Liset Marquez on October 14, 2011 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Join staff at the Recreation and Community Services Department on Halloween for the annual Halloween and Parade Contest.

Held at the Ontario Senior Center, the event will include a costume parade, illusionist Joel Ward will be entertaining the audience with his Halloween show.

Residents are encouraged to dress up. Rosette ribbons will be awarded for the following categories: creepiest, best look a-like, most unique or most cute and colorful costumes.

Every participant will receive a goody bag to collect their treats and free participation ribbon. Refreshments will be provided after the event.

Event begins at 2:15 p.m. and the parade will be at 3:45 p.m.

For more information, call 909-395-2020.

Ontario Senior Center is at 225 E. B St.

Halloween Carnival in Ontario

By Liset Marquez on October 12, 2011 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's time for the annual Halloween Carnival at the Dorothy A. Quesada Community Center on Oct. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m.

"A Nightmare on Bon View Street," will include a haunted maze, carnival games, spooky snacks, prizes and guaranteed fun for the entire family. There will be a nominal fee for the carnival games.

Dorothy Quesada Community Center is at 1010 S. Bon View Ave.

For more information, call the Ontario Recreation and Community Services Department at 909-930-3344.

A Thrilling Production

By Liset Marquez on October 12, 2011 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Teens from the community have come together to put on a production of Michael Jackson's classic music video, "Thriller."

The public is invited to stop by the Dorothy Quesada Community Center on Oct. 28 from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. for this free event. At the event, the public will see a documentary of the process behind putting together the video.

Teen participants will demonstrate their zombie-like costumes that were pieced together by hand and not your typical "store-bought" costumes.

The evening will end with the teens putting on their musical production of the song, "Thriller."

For more information, or to become a part of the production, call the Ontario Recreation and Community Services Department at 909-930-3344.

"Legend of Sleepy Hollow," at Ontario High School

By Liset Marquez on October 12, 2011 3:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ontario High School drama department will be putting on a two weekend production of the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow," starting Thursday.

Based on the short story by Washington Irving, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" tells the story of the infamous schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, who comes to Tarry Town and catches the eye of Katrina Van Tassel.

Ichabod is soon confronted by Brom Bones, Katrina's promised beau, as well as the Woman in White, one of the Headless Horseman's deceased victims.

This classic tale culminates on the evening Ichabod is chased to the bridge on the outskirts of town to meet his fate. A story of love, fear, mystery and revenge, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a dramatic and often humorous ride for the whole family.

Performances start Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and Oct. 20, 21 and 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for seniors (60 and older) and students with ID. $8 for general admission.

Ontario High School is at 901 W. Francis St.

For more information about the production or to reserve tickets, call 909-460-5837, ext. 2310 or go to www.ohsjaguarshop.com.

Dates released for 2012 Ontario Artwalk

By Liset Marquez on October 12, 2011 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Momentum is growing for the art walks held in the Ontario Emporia Arts District, said Gina Marie Pavia an artist and Art Walk organizer.

"Our Art Walks are definitely growing; the Art Walk on Sept. 17, was one of the best we've held, with about 30 artists and artisans participating," she said.

Pavia said there were more than 200 people in attendance.

Art Walk are now held six times a year on every odd month. They had previously been on even months, but this was found to overlap with other holidays, so they switched to odd months, Pavia said.

The dates for 2012: Jan. 21, March 17, May 19, July 21, Sept. 15, Nov. 17.

The next Artwalk will be held on Nov. 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Emporia Arts District, 211 W. Emporia St.

Paranormal activity in Ontario

By Liset Marquez on October 12, 2011 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Golden State Paranormal Research Society will answer questions and discuss the methods they use to investigate the invisible world.

The session will be held, Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Ovitt Family Community Library, 215 E. C St., Ontario.

Information: 909-395-2252.

Ontario Council to review shopping center project soon

By Liset Marquez on October 11, 2011 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Back in July, the City Council denied a request from Ontario-based JAFAM Corp. to build a shopping center in the northeast corner of Mountain Avenue and Fourth Street.

Council members asked JAFAM officials to return with a different plan -- ideally one that would have the project completed in one phase.

Councilmember Sheila Mautz said she recently inquired about the project's progress with City Manager Chris Hughes. Hughes informed Mautz that JAFAM officials had filed a plan that met the council's requests.

Last week, Mautz requested that the council expedite the project.

Rather than having the initial review be conducted by the Planning Commission, Mautz asked that the project come before the council at its next meeting on Oct. 18 meeting. Council members agreed.

The shopping center would include a 13,000-square-foot Walgreens drugstore as well as 177 senior housing units.

The Planning Commission first approved the development in 2007. Since then, the economy's downturn as well as a host of environmental issues related to the residential portion - which is still at least two years away from being finished - have delayed the project, Planning Commissioners Jerry Blum said in July.

JAFAM Corp. is based at 1013 N. Begonia Ave.

Ontario Library expands e-book services

By Liset Marquez on October 11, 2011 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For a number of years, the Ontario Library has offered the local community the opportunity to get e-books through OverDrive Service.

The service has been popular for many avid readers who want to get books at home without having to travel to the library.

But, until now, something highly desired has been missing from OverDrive - titles formatted for the Amazon Kindle.

OverDrive began offering Kindle titles in September and the Ontario Library now offers its library card holders free access to hundreds of bestsellers, mystery, science fiction, fantasy and nonfiction titles.

Kindle applications for mobile devices are also available.

For more information about the Ontario Library's e-book service, call the library's media services department at 909-395-2212 or visit www.ci.ontario.ca.us/library and select "Digital Books" from the menu.

Ontario Salvation Army dealing with tough times

By Liset Marquez on October 11, 2011 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Ontario Salvation Army will be expected to fee 2,000 people on Thanksgiving.

But donations to the city's Salvation Army have been down by more than 50 percent in the past year, which has forced officials to tap into its reserves to help an estimated shortfall of $50,000.

Despite the growing deficit, there is no threat of closing the center, said Naomi Tamez, who is the envoy-in-charge of the center, which serves 10 cities in the Inland Empire.

"We're not at that stage, and, no matter what, we're going to strive to keep it open," Tamez said.

Salvation Army officials are also not giving up on their efforts to help the community, said Jim Zitterkopf, a member of Salvation Army's advisory board.

"Whatever we have to do to help the community," Zitterkopf said. "We have to go into the community, be very aggressive and do everything we can to raise money."

The Ontario Salvation Army will do so on Sunday by organzing a Oktoberfest dinner. The Ontario Elks Lodge has stepped in and lent their lodge as well as provided some financial assistance to the efforts, said Zitterkopf, who is also a member of the Elks.

Aside from public participation, the Salvation Army is also looking for the community's help to contribute items for a silent auction and raffle, Tamez said.

With the holidays coming up, organizers said they hope to raise enough money to fill their food pantry for the next couple of months.

Continue reading Ontario Salvation Army dealing with tough times.

Annual health clinic to take place Sunday

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Reach Out, San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership Project Connect, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church have collaborated to host the sixth anual West End Community Health & Wellness Fair this Sunday.

The Health & Wellness Fair is open to all community members, and offers free food and services. Services include flu shots, fingerprinting for children, haircuts for children, immunizations for children, health screenings for the whole family, enrollment for Healthy Families and Healthy Kids Insurance.

Screenings and exams will be provided for asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, flu vaccine, hearing, vision, and dental.

Health and wellness information will be available from more than 75 providers as well as expert advice on housing, education, jobs and nutrition education.

Continue reading Annual health clinic to take place Sunday.

Center to host community meeting in Ontario

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inland Regional Center -- an agency that serves people with developmental disabilities in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties -- will hold a community meeting Oct. 11 in Ontario.

The meeting will give families and vendors the opportunity to discuss with IRC staff resources and needs for people with developmental disabilities living in and around Ontario.

The meeting, led by IRC executive director Carol Fitzgibbons, is the ninth in a series of community meetings to promote communication, partnership and transparency between families and the agency.

The Oct. 11 meeting will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Ontario Senior Center, 225 East B St.

More information on the community meetings can be found at www.inlandrc.org or by calling 909-890-4778.

Church to hold rummage sale on Saturday

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trinity United Methodist Church of Ontario is planning to host a giant rummage sale on Saturday. The rummage sale will take place at the church between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The community benefits from the rummage sale by providing low-cost goods to families. The church, pastored by Reverend Myrian Monnet, benefits from the rummage sale by providing funds to help operate the church as it continues on its mission to provide a Methodist fellowship to Spanish and English speaking people.

"The Little Church on the Corner" is located at 705 E. I St., Ontario, on the corner of Campus Avenue and I Street. Call 909-986-0266 for more information.

Fire Department to host open house

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Ontario Fire Department will host its annual open house event on Saturday to promote Fire Prevention Week.

Fire prevention week is Oct. 9-15.

At the open house on Saturday, residents will get to see live demonstrations such as a structure fire, vehicle fire, vehicle extrication, emergency medical situation, etc.

Residents will also have an opportunity to learn fire safety tips and visit all the safety-related booths.

Youths will also get the opportunity to squirt a real firehose, take pictures with Sparky and Freddy the Fire Truck.

The open house will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Fire Station 3, 1408 E. Francis St., Ontario.

For more information or demonstration times, call the Ontario Fire Department Prevention Bureau at 909-395-2029.

To learn more about "It's Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!" visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

Council recognizes 'Ontario's favorite son'

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the green belt draped over his shoulder, Jonathan Arellano spoke to the council about his journey leading up to his Sept. 23 WBC Youth intercontinental Championship.

Arellano's amateur boxing career started at the Ontario PAL. In 2004 he was sent to Pennsylvania to fight in a national "Under 19 National Championships" were he would earn the silver medal.

He went pro in 2009, going 10-0 before getting the chance to compete in a championship fight.

As the council members took their turns congratulating the young boxer, councilwoman Sheila Mautz also warned him.

"The mayor thinks he can take you," she said.

Arellano took it in stride by saying he would take the mayor on in a charity fight.

But Mayor Paul Leon clarified the claim.

"She didn't know I meant it in a pie-eating contest," he said.

As Arellano walked along the dais, showing the council his championship belt, he invited them to his next fight which will be Nov. 4 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.

He also shared some of his aspirations.

"I want to put money back into the PAL program and get it going again," he said. Arellano credits the former boxing center as helping him start his career.

Ontario High drama students bring "Sleepy Hollow" to Ontario Senior Center audience

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When Ontario High School drama director Jeremy Hansen decided on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," as this year's fall production, he knew the opportunity was there than putting on just the typical school shows.

The play is based on the short story by Washington Irving which Hansen said is an author elementary students in the district read.

So Hansen contacted the the Children's Services department of the Ovitt Family Community Library and offered to bring his students to the library to do a free community show.

On Sept. 27, after weeks of planning and rehearsing, the students at Ontario High School's drama department performed an abridged version of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at the Senior Center in downtown Ontario .

"We are honored and proud to be able to present our show," Hansen told the full room of library and Senior Center patrons.

Originally, the production was supposed to be held in the library but when officials realized the potential they moved it right next door into the multipurpose room of the Senior Center.

The show also had an educational element, with Hansen explaining some of the behind-the-scenes of the production and the difference between the play and the book.

"At Ontario we believe in educational theatre," he said.

His proposition was also aligned with the district's goal that school officials try to collaborate on city and regional resources.

Continue reading Ontario High drama students bring "Sleepy Hollow" to Ontario Senior Center audience.

Bracero program exhibit captures Inland Empire connection

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Editor's Note: This story was published Sept. 26

Terri Mora, left and Dolores Villasenor, right, take photos of a banner with their cell phones as they exhibit a multi-faceted exhibition about the largest guest worker program, Bracer, in United States history including both the exploitation and opportunity it brought to millions of Mexican nationals, examined through powerful photographs by Leonard Nadel, explanatory text, and audio excerpts from bracero oral histories at the Museum of History and Art in Ontario September 1, 2011. (Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer)

Building a better future

ONTARIO - When a traveling exhibit leaves the Museum of History and Art, Ontario at the end of October, a piece of Inland Empire history will go with it.

The "Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964," exhibit - organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History - traces the largest guest-worker program in United States history.

The multi-faceted exhibit shares the bracero experience through photographs, audio excerpts and oral histories. The program documents people leaving home as well as their families to make new lives as legal workers in the U.S.

Museum officials and student volunteers from Cal State Long Beach recently recorded 11 oral histories from Inland Empire bracero workers.

Exhibit Information

What: "Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964"

Where: Museum of History and Art, 225 S. Euclid Ave., Ontario, Calif.

When: until Oct. 30, 2011

For more information or to contribute call 909-395-2510

The recordings have been made part of the exhibit and will be forwarded to the national Bracero History Archive.

"If you let him, he could talk for days about the experience," said Ontario resident Rosa Reyes about her father, Roberto Juan Reyes, who worked as bracero when he was 18.

To this day, Reyes said her 86-year-old father fondly talks about those days.

"He is very proud of his work with the bracero program and the fact that he was helping build a better future for his family," she said.

Earlier this summer, when Reyes told her father about the oral histories, he made a special trip from his home in Mexico to have his story recorded.

"He is grateful that his story is being taken into account," she said.

Continue reading Bracero program exhibit captures Inland Empire connection.

Ontario Company helps LAUSD revamp school menus

By Liset Marquez on October 7, 2011 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Owner and CEO Tal Shoshan walks by two 500 gallon tanks used to mix sauces during a tour of his business Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at Five Star Gourmet Foods in Ontario. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Photographer)

ONTARIO - It was only suppose to be a side business.

Something to keep Tal Shoshan busy on days he wasn't working at his weekend catering business.

Now, more two decades after launching Five Star Gourmet Foods, Inc., Shoshan, the company's executive chef and president, is providing frozen entree meals for national companies such as Costco, Trader Joes and Whole Foods.

And the expansion continues for the Ontario-based company.

This summer, Shoshan signed a five-year, $50 million contract with Los Angeles Unified School District to provide vegetarian meals for the district's new food program "I'm In."

"We plan to be one of the pioneers in bringing about the change," Shoshan said. "The fact that we have a culinary background made a difference. Some other companies look at the technology, and the sales. It starts with cooking and at the end of the day you make food."

In June, when the LAUSD Board of Directors were awarding the contract to Shoshan, many school officials said they were impressed with his suggested menu, said David Binkle, LAUSD's deputy director of food services.

Superintendent John Deasy has praised Shoshan's vegetarians dishes as some of his favorite items on the menu, Binkle said.

While the menu has gained recognition from administrators, Binkle admits it's the client they need to please.

"It doesn't matter what we come up with, it matters what our kids think," Binkle said.

Continue reading Ontario Company helps LAUSD revamp school menus.

Regional Figure Skating competition coming to Ontario

By Liset Marquez on October 3, 2011 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating, the 2012 Southwest Pacific Regional Figure Skating Championships will kick off the 2011-2012 figure skating season for figure skaters hoping to qualify for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships.

The Southwest Pacific Regional Championships is one of nine regional championships throughout the country. The regional championships are the first phase of qualifying competition for singles figure skating; ladies and men.

The sectional championships are the first qualifying phase for the other two disciplines, pairs and ice dancing. The top finishers in each discipline at the sectional championships earn a berth to either the 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships or the 2012 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. The former event features competition at the novice, junior and senior levels, the latter at juvenile and intermediate.

Hosted by the All Year Figure Skating Club and held at Center Ice in Ontario, CA the competition also features non-qualifying events to be held on Oct. 13, 2011.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the Championships in Ontario, CA for the first time," said Janis Engel, President of the All Year Figure Skating Club. "The Southwest Pacific region has a strong history in figure skating and we look forward to an excellent competition."

Both the qualifying and non-qualifying events are open to the public with a nominal admission fee.

For more information, competition schedules, public session times, and event updates, please visit: www.AllYearFSC.com.

Center Ice, 201 South Plum Avenue, Ontario, CA

Women Veterans Conference to be held in Ontario

By Liset Marquez on October 3, 2011 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and the Inland Empire Veterans Collaborative are partnering to host the 2011 CalVet Women Veterans Conference: Enhancing Inner Beauty, Inner Strength this Friday and Saturday to address the issues that impact the lives of women veterans.

Women veterans, including those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, face challenges when making the transition from military duty back to civilian life. Many find it difficult to obtain employment while dealing with issues such as post traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma and homelessness.

This two-day conference at the Ontario DoubleTree Hotel will educate women veterans about their VA benefits and connect them with job opportunities and various resources. The conference will also feature dynamic keynote and motivational speakers, a Military Women Veterans Panel: Telling Their Stories and an open forum with California Legislators. Two women veterans will be recognized as recipients of the 2011 California Woman Veteran of the Year Award.

This is the fourth year that CalVet has hosted the CalVet Women Veterans Conference, which has helped to connect hundreds of women veterans with medical benefits, transitional housing, education benefits and job opportunities. California is home to 166,700 women veterans, the highest population of any state. With California's women leading the nation in military service, this conference is instrumental in creating awareness and meeting the needs of a growing women-veteran population.

Form more information, visit: http://www.calvet.ca.gov/WomenMinority/Conference.aspx

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