Kids Come First and vying for $5k grant from Los Angeles Lakers

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Kids Come First and the Los Angles Lakers — The two don’t immediately come to mind at the same time but organizers of the nonprofit would like you to do so.
The Ontario-based nonprofit is among five finalists for a $5,000 grant from the Lakers to support Kids Come First’s obesity program.
“But… the final decision will be made not on the merits of the program, but on the number of votes we can generate from the community,” said Beverly Speak, executive director
Speak encourages others to help them spread the word about the contest.
Visit the http://www.nba.com/lakers/community/1213_yougrant_march. Scroll down to the voting section.

Dancing with the Stars winner to speak at Ontario Convention Center

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Ontario City Library will host J. R. Martinez, actor, inspirational speaker, radio talk show host, and author of “Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit,” at the Ontario Convention Center on April 10.
Martinez will deliver his message of hope, “Facing Adversity with Optimism and Resilience,” followed by a book sale and signing. Martinez most recently won the 13th season of the television show “Dancing With the Stars.”
In addition, Martinez has received many awards and honors for his military service and his commitment to helping others: the 2012 National Red Cross Spirit Award, the 2012 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award, and the 2012 California Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award, to name a few.
He has also appeared on numerous television programs, and he is involved with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Rebuilding American Warriors, and the USO.
Martinez was born in Shreveport, La. He was raised in Shreveport and in Dalton, Ga. Growing up, he was an athlete who enjoyed playing football in high school. Following his graduation, Martinez joined the U. S. Army and viewed his enlistment as a way to give something back to the country that had given so much to him and his family.
After Martinez underwent basic and advanced training, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
He was deployed to Iraq. Less than a month into his deployment, while driving a Humvee, he hit a roadside bomb.
Trapped inside the vehicle, he suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body.
He spent 34 months in recovery and underwent 33 different surgeries, including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.
This event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free. It is open to the public of all ages.
For more information, call 909-395-2252.
Ontario Convention Center is at 2000 E. Convention Center Way in Ontario.

Women, documentaries and discussion

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During March, National Women’s History Month, the Ovitt Family Community Library will be screening documentaries about women who have made a mark on history.
Selected films examine a variety of themes from different perspectives: women soldiers in combat, the challenges faced by Muslim women, Hispanic mothers as activists, and female Asian labor organizers. Each documentary will be followed by a facilitated discussion.
All films are scheduled to be shown at 6 p.m. on consecutive Wednesdays through March 27.
These screenings are free and open to the public age 16 and older. The library is at 215 E. C St., in Ontario. For more information, call 909-395 – 2252.

Easter Egg-Stravanganza in Ontario March 30

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Looking to fill Easter baskets? Then you may want to head over to the Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel for a chance to shop from more than local 30 vendors selling a ranges of products. Besides food there will also be refreshments and raffles. Bring a friend and get an extra raffle ticket.
The event will be on March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel (Orchid Ballroom), 429 N. Vineyard Ave in Ontario.
For more information, call 909-503-3770 or via email sunreiphoto@yahoo.com

Inland Empire United Way recognizes OMSD

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Inland Empire United Way has named Ontario-Montclair School District as the 2013 February Agency of the Month for its recent efforts to assist the community.
Over the past several years, Inland Empire United Way has partnered with Ontario-Montclair School District to help disadvantaged children and families in the district to receive much needed resources.
For several years, OMSD employees have supported IEUW through the annual employee giving campaign. This year, OMSD re-launched the campaign to benefit not only IEUW, but also the newly formed OMSD Foundation and the Promise Scholars program.
OMSD employees from the 33 school sites, administrative offices and other service departments raised more than $28,000, representing an increase of $15,000 from the previous year’s campaign.
OMSD serves the cities of Ontario, Montclair, portions of Upland, and unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. The District is the third largest elementary district in the State.

Firefighters to host basketball tourney

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The Ontario Professional Firefighters (Local 1430) and Rancho Cucamonga Professional Firefighters (Local 2274) will be participating in the fourth annual Hoops for Hope basketball tournament at Los Osos High School on March 9. Tipoff will be at noon.
Hoops for Hope is a basketball tournament with an eight-team format comprised of fire agencies along with a local hospital, playing in a double elimination tournament.
Hoops for Hope is a concept dreamed by Coach Dave Smith, Los Osos boys basketball coach, and
Richard “Chip” Smith, battalion chief at the Ontario Fire Department, Both were undergoing intense treatment for Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Both Dave and Chip dreamed of a series of basketball games to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and education.
This year’s games are being dedicated to Jimmy Schiller son of Jim Schiller a battalion chief of the Ontario Fire Department and Jennifer Schiller R.N. from San Antonio Community Hospital. Jimmy also happens to be a local first responder paramedic and is battling Stage 3 testical cancer.
Proceeds will be given to San Antonio Community Hospital Cancer Education Center and the Teri Large foundation.
Large was one of the original supportive persons getting Hoops for Hope off the ground and a member of Rancho Cucamonga High School’s Cancer Awareness Team (CAST). Large lost her fight to cancer last year.
Participants this year will include teams from L.A./Ontario International Airport Firefighters, Upland Firefighters, Chino Valley Independent Firefighters, Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters and Ontario Firefighters, San Bernardino County Firefighters and San Antonio Community Hospital and American Medical Response.
Games being held at, 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. and the championship game at 5:30 p.m.
For additional information call Battalion Chief Jim Schiller from the Ontario Fire Department at 760-954-8635 or visitwww.HOOPSFORHOPE.INFO.

Ontario councilwoman reminds public to prepare

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When Councilwoman Debra Dorst-Porada isn’t sitting behind the dais making key decisions for the city, she is working as a registered nurse.
Recently, the latter has kept her busy focusing on efforts to get the public prepared for a natural or major disaster.
“I was really, really amazed by the apathy out there,” she said.
Oftentimes, people think they can either call 9-1-1 or the government will be there to take care of them when a major disaster strikes, she said. That’s just not the case, adding the population is too big for the government to take care of everyone.
“In the city we have 165,000. There’s just not enough resources and water for us to feed 165,000 people. I can’t express just enough how much you need to have 10 days of food and water at your home no matter how big of a catastrophe,” she said.
For example, in the case of hurricanes Sandy and Katrina or the earthquake in Japan, it took the government time to setup a response tactic. Dorst-Porada said government agencies needs at least two weeks to get organized to put together the resources to help people.
Dorst-Porada said she recently attended an event with Caltech quakes expert Lucy Jones who told those in attendance that after a major disaster it could be four to five months just to rebuild the water infrastructure in the region.
“Don’t be apathic now, that earthquake is going to happen any day now,” she said.

Ontario police, fire teams hold fundraiser

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The Ontario Firefighters Association and the Ontario Police Officers Association will participate in the 3rd annual Chaffey High School softball challenge on Friday.
The event pits the two associations against each other in a friendly softball game. Following that, alumni from Chaffey and Ontario highs schools will play in a baseball game.
“The police department and the fire department are the best and always thinking of the community and their hearts are always in the activities in fundraiser, their always in a giving mode,” Councilman Jim Bowman.
Fire Chief Floyd Clark said all the proceeds from the event goes toward the two high school teams’ programs.
“It’s a good time for fun and real benefit for the community,” Clark said.
Councilwoman Debra Dorst-Porada said she found her glove, “I don’t know if I could participate but I’d like to.”
Jay Littleton Ballpark is at the southeast corner of 4th Street and Grove Avenue.

Los Angeles mayoral candidates discuss ONT

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The Los Angeles Times recently conducted a thorough interview of all the mayoral candidates asking them a range of topics including LA/Ontario International Airport. Yup, that’s right. The competing newspaper asking the candidates what they thought about local control and if they’ed be in favor of selling the medium-hub airport.

Several of the candidates (I’m sure to the delight of Ontario officials) have expressed their favor of local ownership but didn’t really seem to favor selling the airport.

To read the responses for yourself, click here

Once you are on the page click the transportation link on the left side. Then, scroll down to question 12.

Ontario Reign to host annual career fair

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The Ontario Reign will present its annual Sports and Entertainment Career Fair and Networking Event at Citizens Business Bank Arena on March 1 starting at 2:30 p.m.
This event is open to the public with a $15 admission and will be hosted in the arena before the Reign take on the Colorado Eagles for their 7 p.m. game.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with sports and entertainment industry representatives seeking potential new hires, listen to speakers with professional industry experience, and network at the Sailor Jerry Bar. After the event, all attendees have a seat for the regularly scheduled Reign home game with an optional $10.00 upgrade for Center Ice seats; this is a limited opportunity and will be fulfilled on a first-come first-serve basis.
Organizations represented at this year’s event include the Los Angeles Kings, the Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Sparks. Chivas USA, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, AEG, Citizens Business Bank Arena, the Ontario Reign, as well as other professional teams are also scheduled to appear.
The scheduled speakers for the event are Jonathan Lowe, vice president, marketing for AEG Sports, and Ryan Miller, director of ticket sales and service for the Ontario Reign.
The networking event at the Sailor Jerry Bar offers attendees and representatives the opportunity to get to know one another in a casual atmosphere, while including amenities such as shuffle board, foosball, pool and a cash bar.
Check-in for this event begins at 2:30 p.m., the speaker series starts at 4:45 p.m. followed by the networking portion in the Sailor Jerry Bar starts at 5:30 p.m. Th event will end with the Reign facing the Eagles at 7 p.m.
For further information: Cody Smith at 909-941-7821 or by email atcsmith@ontarioreign.com.