October 2010 Archives

POMONA - Two years ago, Eric Shen bought a house in the 200 block of East Kingsley Avenue that was partially boarded up and had been stripped of much of its historic details.

That was the start of a major renovation project.

"Ever since it has been a non-stop labor of love," Shen said Friday.

On Sunday, Shen will open the doors of his home and let people take a look at his home, which is one of five vintage houses on Pomona Heritage's 26th Annual Historic Home Tour.

The tour is Pomona Heritage's major fund-raiser with proceeds going to pay for outreach activities, its Old Home Restoration Workshop and the Historic Restoration Grant program.

Shen bought the house built in 1909 shortly after he'd been laid off from a job in the mortgage business.

He thought he would dedicate six months to a year to the house while the mortgage industry improved. The list of work included removing vinyl siding and aluminum windows. He had a new roof put on and improved the kitchen and the bathroom.

As Shen worked on the house, he realized he didn't want to part with it.

Today, most of the major work on the house has been completed, Shen said.

"Now, I'd like to put in more of the historical elements. That's going to be fun," he said.

The home tour offers participants a chance to see what people have done with older houses and to get ideas for their own homes, said Kathleen Jones, president of Pomona Heritage.

Homes on the tour are generally in different stages of restoration, Jones said.

"It's an on-going thing," she said. "It's a way to see how somebody is bringing a house back."

Karen Escobedo, who with Megan Jones, is co-chairwoman of the home tour, said the tour allows people to see it is possible to live well in an older home.

"We want to see how modern people live in old houses," Escobedo said.

For those wondering if the should purchase an old home, the tour is also for them.

"If you're not sure your into older homes, you get to go in and get a feel for them," Escobedo said.

Shen was asked to be part of the tour early on, Escobedo said.

Her Victorian Free Classical home represents a transition period going from the Victorian to Craftman architectural styles.

The house has the smaller rooms frequently associated with the Victorian period. Outside the house has a rock foundation and clapboard siding that shows the Craftsman influence, Escobedo said.

Also on the tour are Craftsman and Spanish-style homes, she said.

"These historic houses, every single one of them is unique," Escobedo said.

Four of the five houses on the tour are in the Lincoln Park Historic District.

People interested in old home will want to take part in the tour. It's a chance to visit older neighborhoods and see the architectural treasures Pomona has.

FYI

Pomona Heritage's 26th Annual Historic Home Tour will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The tour begins at the Pomona Ebell Museum of History, 585 E. Holt Ave. which will open its doors at 10 a.m.

The Home Tour Antique and Craft Fair will take place at the Ebell from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features useful goods and services.

The Historical Society of Pomona Valley will sell lunch at the Ebell.

Tour tickets will be sold at the Ebell for $25 each.

For information go to pomonaheritage.org.

The American Museum of Ceramic Art will host an open house Sunday at what will be its future home - 399 N. Garey Ave. - the former PFF Bank building.

Between 2 and 4 p.m. visitors will be able to take a look inside the former bank building which contains a 77-foot by 7-foot Millard Sheets mural titled "Panorama of Pomona Valley."

David Armstrong, AMOCA founder, and his wife Julie recently purchased the building, according to museum statement. The building will be adapted to meet the museum's needs with work expected to be completed next year.

Plans call for creating an exhibit hall where the museum's permanent collection of ceramic art will go on display, the statement said. Another section will be available for rotating exhibits.

The building will hold a 3,000-volume reference library focusing on ceramics, the statement said.

Future plans include establishing a ceramics school and offering studio space that artists will be able to rent.

Sunday afternoon Armstrong along with Museum Director Christy Johnson will offer a presentation on the building.

Tours of the building along with information on artist studio sign-ups, planned giving and co-sponsorship opportunities will also be available Sunday.

Pomona Unified School District middle school students interested in health careers will return to Western University of Health Sciences today Saturday for the start of the third year of the Pomona Health Career Ladder program.

The program began with six graders and has added a grade level each year. The program now includes sixth, seventh and eighth graders, according to a statement from the university.

About 200 students and their parents are expected to participate in a series of workshops this year, said Elizabeth Rega, the university's director of strategic alliances and special projects in the statement.

The Pomona Health Career Ladder is a partnership involving Western University, the school district and Cal Poly Pomona. The goal is to begin preparing students at an early age for the educational journey leading to a career as a health care professional.

Western University students and faculty members have developed curriculum that will help students and parents learn about health careers and clear up questions about medical education, the statement said.

Western University students will also work with Pomona Unified students, referred to as biomedical scholars, who will assist in leading workshops for the younger students in the program.

Shana Nelson, a second-year student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific program, is the eighth grade scholar coordinator for the Career Ladder.

"Right now, these students are just beginning to prepare for high school, a pivotal point in choosing a career," Nelson said in the statement. "I think the workshops and lectures will make them enthusiastic about pursuing and continuing their education in health sciences."

Students in the Pomona Health Career Ladder program meet one Saturday a month from October through April from 8:45 a.m. to noon at Western University's Health Professions Center.

For more information on the program or to apply for it visit the Pomona Health Career Ladder website - http://www.westernu.edu/ladder/mission.html - or call Jaime Servin at 909-469-8239.

Members of the Pomona Breakfast Optimist Club recognized three Pomona students for their citizenship and their academic achievement during a recent meeting of the service organization.

Daniel Terrazas and Alissa Rodriguez, both 11 years old and students at James Madison Elementary School, were recognized along with Cammar Lewis, 9, of Decker Elementary School.

Cammar Lewis drew attention after he found $100 recently. After finding the money Cammar immediately alerted others of the find with the goal of locating the owner of the money which turned out to be a senior citizen, according to a statement from the Optimist Club.

All three children are members of the Boys & Girls Club of Pomona Valley and were nominated by the club's program director, Stefany Fuentes.

Former Pomona Police Chief and Optimist President Joe Romero along with Pomona Unified School District Superintendent Richard Martinez were present to honor the children.

Each student was awarded a certificate of recognition and gift cards.

Mazes, ghouls and hair-raising activities are part of "Nightmare...a Haunted Attraction" at Fairplex.

Nightmare runs for 7 to 11 Saturday; Oct. 21 through 23 and Oct. 28 through 31

Five mazes - Bride of Pitchfork, Cleopatra's Tomb, Transylvania Terror, Skull Island and Zombies of the Grave - are part of the Halloween-themed attraction.

General admission tickets are $15 each and $10 each for groups of 10 or more.

For information on group sales call 909-865-4051.

Discount tickets are available for sale for $10 each at Bowlium Montclair, 4666 Holt Blvd. Information is available by going to www.bowlium.com or calling 909-626-3528.

For additional information or to purchase tickets online go to www.fairplex.com/nightmare

The event is not recommended for children under 13. Guests cannot enter the event if they are wearing costumes.

Event parking is available at Gate 9 off White Avenue.

Members of the Pomona Charter Review Commission are inviting residents to their upcoming meeting where they will discuss Article 4 of the charter which addresses city elected officers. Residents are invited to comment on the article.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ganesha Park Community Center, 1575 N. White Ave.

Commissioners are reviewing the city's charter and when completed any recommended changes will be placed on a future ballot so that the electorate can vote on them.

To access a copy of the current city charter along with the Commission's agendas and minutes go to http://www.ci.pomona.ca.us/CharterReview.php .

For additional information call the City Clerk's Office at 909-620-2341.

The League of Women Voters of the Claremont Area and the Pomona Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority have organized a City Council candidates forum scheduled for Thursday.

The two-hour forum will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ganesha Park Community Center, 1575 N. White Ave.

All candidates running for seats in District 2, 3 and 5 have been invited to participate.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Willie White Park Focus Group will hold the 10th Annual Pomona Cultural Festival Oct. 23 at the Willie White Park, 3065 Battram St.

Festivities will begin at noon and conclude at 5 p.m.

Among this year's activities will be a classic car and bike show, according to a statement from event organizers.

The afternoon will kick off with a short ceremony that will include the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Ayonna Stokes from the School of Arts and Enterprise will sing the national anthem.

Various cultures will be represented through their cuisine and music.

Among the performers will be Jonny Come Lately, the School of Arts and Enterprise Gospel Singers, Jazz Band, and Drum Corps, the Heart and Soul Line Dancers, and the No Te Rajes Jalisco Folklorico.

Activities will include games, health screenings by Western University of Health Sciences and demonstrations by the Pomona Police Department K-9 Unit. Visitors will be able to see a Los Angeles County Fire Department engine.

For additional information contact Melba Robison at (909) 596-4273 or M. Joyce Bakersmith at (909) 392-8666 or (626) 806-5501.

Ray Moors, Republican candidate for the 61st Assembly district and owner of Joey's Bar-B-Q, is inviting assembly district residents to attend his meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at his restaurant at 117 W. Second St. in downtown Pomona.

Moors will talk about his proposals and ideas for improving the economy.

To RSVP call 909-865-0699.

For additional information on Moors go to www.raymoors.com

The 61st Assembly district encompasses Chino, Montclair, Ontario and Pomona.

Mt. San Antonio College has a new dean to head up its business division, the institution announced this week.

Dean Joumana McGowan will be responsible for overseeing the division's faculty and staff along with the departments of accounting and management, business administration, child development, computer information systems, and consumer science.

In addition to those responsibilities McGowan will build relationships with area businesses to make sure students develop the skills companies seek and will look for in the future, a college statement said.

"Dr. McGowan brings a wealth of experience in both academics and administration, which are needed to take our excellent business program to the next level," Mt. SAC Vice President of Instruction Virginia Burley said in the statement. "She comes at a critical time during our troubled economy when unemployed people are coming to community colleges seeking new skills in order to find jobs in different fields."

Before joining Mt. SAC, McGowan served as dean of business and computer information systems at Coastline Community College, the statement said.

McGowan is also past chairwoman of the Fullerton College business management department where she also lead that institution's Academic Senate.

In addition to having experience teaching business courses, McGowan has been a member since 2009 of the statewide Business Education Advisory Council and served on the Business Industry Collaborative.

McGowan has bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Cal Poly Pomona and a doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest campus has received more than 1,400 applications from people interested in filling one of the 100 seats in the institution's new program in Lebanon, Oregon.

The first class in the University's new program will arrive in Fall 2011, the university announced this week in a statement.

The interview process for the new program began on Oct. 9 with applications being accepted until Feb. 1, 2011, the statement said.

"The early deluge of applications only codifies our historic belief that there was a significant unmet need both for medical education and health care services in geographic locations outside the major metropolitan areas of Seattle and Portland," said Clinton Adams, DO, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.

A group of 39 applicants who were mostly from the northwest region of the U.S. participated in formal interviews on Oct. 9 in Oregon.

The interview is the final step in the application process to medical school following the primary and secondary written application documents.

"It's very difficult for Oregonians and students from the Northwest to access medical education in the Northwest," Adams said. "These students coming from the Northwest, educated in the Northwest, offer a significant solution to the health care needs of the Northwest as we face the ever-increasing demand for primary care and specialty services. The creation of a new opportunity for medical education in a small-town, rural environment will go a long way toward achieving our objective of providing health care to the many underserved areas of the Northwest."

The College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest will be the first new medical school built in Oregon in more than a century, the statement said.

The new COMP-Northwest facility is a 54,000-square-foot building due to be completed in spring 2011. The building contains two large lecture halls and four 60-seat classroom spaces, 15 student breakout and study rooms, an anatomy lab, an osteopathic manual medicine lab and significant research space.

Games, prizes and a bat cave obstacle course are just some of the many activities that will be offered during Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation's first Harvest Festival scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Casa Colina Children's Services Center, 255 E. Bonita Ave.

Admission to the event is free and proceeds raised through the festival will benefit Casa Colina Children's Services.

Children are invited to attend the festival dressed in a costume.

Casa Colina Children's Services offers specialized care to children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, developmental delay, and other challenging conditions, according to a statement from the centers.

Through Children's Services young patients work with speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and early interventionists who help children achieve developmental mildstones such as sitting up, talking, standing, playing and more.

The Casa Colina Foundation subsidizes each treatment visit at Casa Colina Children's Services and proceeds from the Harvest Festival will continue to help these efforts.

Last year Casa Colina provided more than 14,500 treatment visits with the Foundation providing a total of $175,000 in subsidies, the statement said.

"We have created a unique center that is unlike other in southern California," said Cindy Sendor, director of Children's Services at Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation, in the statement. "By providing children with acquired or developmental disabilities a warm and enriching environment, as well as the latest diagnostic and treatment technology, they have an opportunity to overcome nearly any obstacle that stands in their way."

For more information about the Harvest Festival and to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please e-mail events@casacolina.org, visit www.casacolina.org or call (909) 596-7733 Ext. 2223.

Published Oct. 15, 2010

POMONA - An organization representing Pomona Unified School Districts' teachers will not support the district's parcel tax proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Associated Pomona Teachers President Tyra Weis said her organization's membership recently voted against support Measure SS. The measure, if approved, would generate about $4 million a year for four years, according to the text of the measure.

The association will not oppose the measure, but it will not campaign in its favor. Members are free to support the measure as individuals, Weis said.

The school board's decision to add wording to the ballot language played a role in the membership's decision, Weis said.

Language in the ballot says money generated from the tax will not go to administrators or consultants salaries.

However, board members added language that said an exception would be consultants who provide direct support to student programs.

Members of the association have called for cutting consultants in the past.

"That has been our on-going mantra," Weis said.

This summer, before school board members voted to place the proposal on the ballot, Weis said teachers would be more open to supporting the measure if the money it generates would not go to administrators or consultants.

The money raised would fund academic programs, minimize class size increases, continue teacher professional training, provide funds for visual and performing arts as well as money for teachers and staff to carry out these programs.

If voters approve the tax, property owners would pay an additional $96 per parcel annually, according to text of the ballot. Multi-family properties with two to four units would pay $192 a year and those with five or more units would pay $480.

A parcel tax is levied on any property in the school district assessed by the Los Angeles County tax collector.

Measure SS will require a two-thirds majority of votes cast to pass.

Another matter of concern to association members is that Pomona voters will also be asked to increase the city's utility users tax with Measure SP, Weis said.

School Board President Richard Rodriguez said the vote of the association's membership surprised him and others.

"We, for the life of us, can't understand why they did that," Rodriguez said.

People understand the challenges schools face, Rodriguez said, adding revenue from Measure SS would "give us a real shot."

The funding would also help in averting some teacher layoff in the coming school year, he said.

The consultants the district hires are often retired district personnel who are familiar with the district and the task they are being asked to do and who can do it cost- effectively, Rodriguez said.

Micheal Phillips, a member of the Committee for Successful Schools and co-chairman of its phone bank subcommittee, said volunteers have been making calls to voters for about the last three weeks.

In the course of making calls, volunteers have spoken to people sympathetic to the district and those who oppose any tax increase, he said.

Phillips said when he and other committee members and volunteers learned about the association's position, "we respected that."

However, those participating in the committee's work think the measure is necessary to meet the needs of the district's students, he said.

If the measure is approved, "This money is going to be a key component to supporting the schools," said Phillips, a former administrator with the district and current parent in the district.

Published Oct. 14, 2010

POMONA - The city's business environment, taxes and cuts were among the topics discussed during at this week's City Council candidates forum.

Seven of the nine candidates running for council seats in districts 2, 3 and 5 participated in the forum, which was organized by the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce.

Absent from the forum were District 3 Councilwoman Cristina Carrizosa, who had a family emergency, and District 5 candidate Ingrid Luevano.

Among the evening's questions for the candidates was what would each do, if elected, to make City Hall friendly to businesses and developers.

District 3 challenger Virginia Madrigal said there have been instances in which businesses worked with the city and spent substantial amounts of money on projects only to have the city back away.

"We have a reputation for not being business-friendly," Madrigal said. "If we don't support local businesses, we're not going to get anywhere."

Jorge Grajeda, a District 5 challenger, said he attempted to start a business in the city in 2006 and sought the required permits.

"At the end of six months, I got nowhere," he said. "We need to change our business practices."

Appointed District 5 incumbent Tim Saunders said the city could create a system through which people interested in opening a business can work with one department instead of going to multiple city offices.

District 3 challenger Leonard Baleon said the city and businesses must work together to be more efficient. Businesses are then "going to see we are going to make our own changes," he said.

District 5 challenger Ginna Escobar said the city must shift from concentrating on quantity and focus on quality. At the same time, the city "needs to make sure our background and application process moves faster," she said.

Councilman Freddie Rodriguez, who represents District 2, said the city should streamline the permitting process, but it also needs to work with the media to draw attention to the positive things that happen in the city.

District 2 challenger Tomas Ursua said Rodriguez had a good idea but failed to act on it. The city's utility tax is the highest in the area and should be reduced even though that will mean more cuts for the city before the economy improves, Ursua said.

Without a reduction, "why would you want to come to Pomona when you can go elsewhere ... and have lower fees," he said.

Ursua's remark prompted Rodriguez to ask how Ursua could be trusted when he had headed "a failed charter school and a failed community center," referring to two programs he operated in the city.

Ursua responded: "As least I was out doing something ... Freddie was part of a little clique that doesn't want to see individual initiatives."

Candidates were asked if they support or oppose Measure SP. The measure calls for increasing the city's 9 percent utility users' tax rate by 2 percent for two years and two months unless the council votes to maintain the tax at that rate.

The money would go to city services, including police, fire, street improvements, parks and recreation programs as well as the library.

Ursua said the utility tax is "the city's Achilles' heel" and proposed gradually reducing it to 4 percent.

Rodriguez said the utility tax is high, but until the city's revenue stream improves and has something to replace it, the tax can't be reduced.

Escobar said she doesn't support increasing taxes and instead "we need to see how we can attack" the problem and determine how the city can best use the money it has.

Baleon said he doesn't favor a utility-tax increase and added he needed to further study the issue before he could comment.

Saunders said the utility tax matter needs to be addressed and that part of the solution is bringing more businesses into the city.

Grajeda said he is opposed to a tax increase.

"We need to live within our means," he said.

Madrigal said she would support the utility-tax increase because the city needs it to provide services.

Candidates were asked where they would make additional budget cuts, if needed.

Madrigal said the city must look at reducing services and said she would propose taking an engine out of service at Fire Station 181 on Park Avenue downtown along with cutting council members' discretionary funds.

City Council members are annually allocated $33,310 each that they can use to pay for things such as conferences, city-related gas mileage and postage. The mayor's discretionary allocation is $39,318 annually.

Grajeda said the city must reduce costs.

"We need to cut down (the council's) discretionary expenditures ... $3,000 to $5,000 should be good enough," he said.

Cuts should be made to upper-level management salaries and "get them to work for less," Saunders said.

Saunders added council discretionary funds help support programs that keep young people engaged in positive activities and which the school district can't afford to support.

Baleon said the police and fire departments combined make up the largest part of the city's general fund.

"We have to work with them to take it down," he said. "We have to find another way to save money."

Escobar said, "I do not believe Pomona can take additional cuts."

"Perhaps, we need to consolidate city departments and city services," she said. "I think what we need to do is consolidate all these city services."

Rodriguez said, "I think we've done enough cuts."

He said he could agree to reducing council members discretionary funds by 5 percent to 10 percent but pointed out the money is used to assist various community programs.

"Nobody else helps them but the members of the council," Rodriguez said. "If we're not here to help out the youth in the city, who will?"

Ursua said, if elected, he would propose reducing discretionary funds.

"I would bring a vote ... to slash, if not eliminate it," Ursua said. "I'm prepared to live without it."

If council members wish to provide financial support to community groups and other causes "let the council take the money out of their own pockets."

Published Oct. 11, 2010 

POMONA - Hundreds of people converged on the Western University of Health Sciences campus Friday night to listen to one of America's literary greats - author Ray Bradbury.

A 356-seat auditorium in the university's Health Education Center was filled to capacity and the overflow crowd went into another room where audience members watched Sam Weller, Bradbury's authorized biographer, interview the author via a closed circuit television system.

By the end of the evening, event organizers estimated about 600 people turned out for the event.

Bradbury, 90, talked about his love for books and libraries.

As a young man Bradbury said he didn't have the money to attend college but he could read the books in the library of an institution like UCLA.

"Libraries were the center of my life and are so precious to me," he said.

It was at the UCLA library that he began writing what went on to become the novel "Fahrenheit 451."

The novel, published in the 1950s, is a story about a futuristic American society where books are burned.

Bradbury said books are a critical part of life and society.

"The most important thing in school is the books," he said, adding that a student can pick up a book and take it anywhere in or out of school and learn from it.

Bradbury also said burning books isn't the only way to harm a culture - restricting people's access to books can be just as damaging.

"Without libraries there would be no past," he said. "Without a library there will be no future."

After the chat with Weller, Bradbury took questions from the audience. Some were related to Bradbury's books, to the literary business and to writing itself.

Deborah Martinez of Rancho Cucamonga sought advice to take to her seventh-grade students at Harrison Elementary School in Pomona.

"What pearls of wisdom can you give writers of tomorrow?" she asked.

People can be distracted by money and its pursuit, Bradbury said.

"Forget the money. Do what you love and love what you do," he said, adding that if one takes that approach, life will be more fulfilling and the money will come later.

After the talk, Martinez said she has students who couldn't attend the event due to lack of transportation and she wanted to be able to bring them a message from the author.

"It's so awe-inspiring to be in the presence of that kind of greatness," Martinez said.

Another audience member said space exploration was an element in some of Bradbury's work and wanted to know if it is still important.

"Our destiny is to leave Earth and go to the moon, then Mars," Bradbury said. "You have to leave Earth behind. You have to leave war behind. ... (On Earth) there is too much worry, too much stupidity," he said.

People should move away from Earth to other planets where people can live forever, he said.

"I want you to live forever with me," he said, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Eleazar Guzman of Pomona said after the talk that attending the event "is the best thing I did."

"I thought it was very, very inspiring," said the 17-year-old who is a senior at the School of Arts and Enterprise in Pomona's downtown. "He inspired me to read over what I read now. To read books in general."

Bradbury's visit kicks off this year's Big Read, a city-wide program carried out with the help of a grant the National Endowment for the Arts awarded to the Pomona Public Library.

For more than a month, various groups and organizations will offer activities for adults and youth revolving around a book, which this year is "Fahrenheit 451."

This is the fourth year the city has taken part in the Big Read but never has an event drawn as big a crowd as Bradbury's visit did, said Greg Shapton, director of the Pomona Public Library and the city's Community Services Department.

Someone like Bradbury can motivate people to turn out for an event.

"He's such a popular author. People love him," Shapton said.

POMONA - A dispute over Pomona Unified School District Board of Education's alleged lack of compliance with the state's open meeting law appears to have come to an end. 

Board members last week authorized their lawyer to sign a letter directed to a San Dimas open government advocate's attorney stating the board did not comply with provisions of the Brown Act when it put on the agenda items for discussion under the closed portion section of four meetings. 

Music, a hair show and tattoos will be part of today's "Tattoos for the Cure" at Ink'd Chronicles, 264 W. Second St.

The event runs from noon to midnight.

This is the third year Ink's Chronicles organized the event designed to raise money for the Breast Health Program at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center, according to a statement from organizers.

The event includes a hair show hosted by Platform Color Style Salon, tattoo-inspired art, music by live bands, and a disc jockey.

A key component of the event involves artists tattooing breast cancer pink ribbons on donors.

The minimum donation for a pink ribbon tattoo is $80 and body piercing is $35.

Donations are tax deductible.

Those interested in the pink ribbon tattoo or body piercing can sign up by calling Ink'd Chronicles at 909-622-5351.

The Pomona Chamber of Commerce will present a forum for all candidates running for seats on the City Council in the Nov. 2 election.

The candidates' forum will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave.

Three seats on the Pomona City Council are up for grabs in the election. In District 2, incumbent Freddie Rodriguez is being challenged by Tomas Ursua. In District 3, incumbent Cristina Carrizosa faces Leonard Baleon and Virginia Madrigal. In District 5, incumbent Tim Saunders is opposed by Ginna Escobar, Jorge Grajeda and Ingrid Luevano.

Candidates will present prepared statements and then will field questions from the forum moderator, Jeff Keating, and the audience.

Information: 909-622-1256

Residents, business people and Neighborhood Watch groups of the city's Northeast quadrant are invited to attend the Northeast Area Commander Meeting on Tuesday at St. Madeleine Catholic Church, 931 E. Kingsley Ave.

The 90-minute meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Lt. Mike Ellis will lead the meeting, which will include a discussion on youth safety, the crime-prevention topic for this gathering.

Residents are invited to call in or e-mail questions or concerns related to this section of the city ahead of time so police can bring answers or information to the meeting.

The northeast quadrant includes the area east of Garey Avenue and north of Holt Avenue.

Questions or concerns can be e-mailed to Ellis at AreaCommander_Northeast@ci.pomona.ca.us or call 909-802-7494.

Associated Pomona Teachers President Tyra Weis has been named Hope Award winner for 2010, the Pomona Valley Democratic Club announced this week.

The award, the highest honor granted by the club, honors residents of the Pomona Valley "that have come to embody not just our Democratic values and principles, but have inspired us through their hard work, personal courage and great sacrifice," according to a statement from the club.

Weis has been a teacher for 15 years and is a a 33-year resident of the city.

The award will be presented at the Toast to Hope Wine Tasting and Fundraising at 7 p.m. Thursday at 2nd Street Bistro, 171 W. Second St., in downtown Pomona.

The club is asking for $20 donation for tickets.

For additional information on the event or to RSVP, e-mail membership@pomonavalleydems.org, or call Primo Castro at 909-677-0600.

A production of Ken Ludwig's backstage farce, "Moon Over Buffalo" will be performed Oct. 15, 16 and 17 at Mt. San Antonio College's Sophia B. Clarke Theater.

Performances are will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16. A 2 p.m. performance will be Oct. 17.

"Moon Over Buffalo" takes place in the 1950s and centers around the declining careers of two Broadway actors who believe their last chance at achieving stardom is tied to making a positive impression on director Frank Capra, according to a college statement.

Tacey Adams directs the production.

General admission tickets are $12. Tickets are $9 for seniors, students and children under 12.

Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.4tix.org or at the Performing Arts Box Office at the Walnut college. For ticket or performance information, call 909-468-4050.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is inviting area residents age 50 and older to have a free seasonal flu shot administered during its annual Senior Drive-Thru Flu Clinic on Oct. 23.

The clinic begins at 8 a.m. and concludes about noon or when the vaccine supply runs out, according to a statement from the hospital.

The clinic will be offered in the hospital's parking lot at 360 Vinton Ave., which is two blocks away from the hospital and across the street from the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center.

Clinic organizers ask that participants wear short-sleeved clothing.

Flu shots are recommended for those 50 or older; adults with chronic medical conditions affecting the pulmonary or cardiovascular system, including asthma; those who required regular medical care this year for chronic metabolic disease, including diabetes, renal dysfunction or suppressed immune systems; and people who care for children or adults at risk of developing the flu.

Vaccines will not be administered to children. Those who are allergic to eggs or have serious illnesses should see their doctor for flu shots.

For additional details on the vaccination program, contact the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's volunteer department at 909-865-9669.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is offering digital mammograms for $50 in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The mammograms will be offered through Oct. 31, according to a hospital statement.

"The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening mammography for women beginning at age 40. Mammograms continue to be the most effective way to identify early-stage breast cancer," said Dr. Paul Reisch in the statement.

Reisch is a radiologist and medical director of the Breast Health Center at the hospital.

To be eligible for the mammograms, a woman must be age 40 or older and cannot have breast implants, must have no history of breast cancer in the last five years, and not have symptoms of breast problems.

The mammograms must be pre-scheduled with payment due at the time of the exam. The exam can be paid by cash, check or credit card.

Mammograms are available at the Breast Health Center, which is within the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center, at 1910 Royalty Drive.

The tests will also be offered at Pomona Valley Health Center, 1601 Monte Vista Ave., Suite 107, Claremont, or the Pomona Valley Imaging Center, 2140 Grand Ave., Suite 115, Chino Hills.

To schedule an appointment at any of the three locations, call 909-469-9395.

Pomona Heritage's 26th annual Home Tour will be Oct. 17 with proceeds going to support the organization's restoration grants program.

The tour runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but doors at the Pomona Ebell Museum of History -- where tour begins -- open at 10 a.m.

The cost of the tour is $20, in advance, and $25 on the day of the tour.

In addition to the tour, there will be an antique and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, 585 E. Holt Ave.

Information: 866-833-4086 or www.pomonaheritage.org.

The third annual "Tattoos for the Cure" event to benefit the breast health program of the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center will take place Saturday (Oct. 9).

Ink'd Chronicles and Platform Color Style Salon are working together for the cancer program.

The event runs from noon to midnight at Ink'd Chronicles, 264 W. 2nd St., Pomona.

Terry Dipple, owner of Ink'd Chronicles, said the event will include a hair show hosted by Platform Color Style Salon, tattoo-inspired art, a DJ and live bands.

The minimum donation for a pink ribbon tattoo is $80 and body piercing is $35. Those interested in the pink ribbon tattoo or body piercing can sign up by calling 909-622-5351.

Orlando Johnson from Pomona, suffering from hydrocephalus, had his wish to visit the Florida theme parks granted through national children's charity, Kids Wish Network.

According to the charity, the 5-year-old had originally said he wanted to be Spiderman.

Although the wish coordinator assigned to him at national children's charity Kids Wish Network could not make that particular crime-fighting dream come true, she did offer him a fun alternative: how about meeting Spiderman at his "home" in Universal Studios in Florida?

When Orlando was just three months old, he was diagnosed with having hydrocephalus - a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull - caused by a hemorrhage which was blocking the flow of blood to his brain.

Doctors implanted a shunt in the infant's head to drain the fluid, but, unfortunately, it was placed incorrectly and had to be revised through yet another surgery. Orlando's hydrocephalus later caused cerebral palsy, a condition that blocks the brain's messages to the body's muscles.

Orlando's grandmother was the one who referred him to Kids Wish Network to possibly have a wish granted.

Orlando and his family found themselves on their way to a fun family getaway, following an itinerary that provided dinners, accommodations and tickets to every theme park that Orlando wanted to visit, especially Universal Studios.

"I felt so overwhelmed at first," said Orlando's mom, Vanessa. "But when we got the itinerary with everything laid out, I felt a lot better...it was a real treat!"

In addition to Universal Studios, Orlando and his family visited SeaWorld, the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom. At each park, Orlando, his parents and his older sister Mercedes thoroughly enjoyed themselves while riding rides, watching the parades and just enjoying the vacation.

Orlando's trip was made possible through the assistance of Compassion Partners, Royal Plaza Hotel, The California Pizza Kitchen, Wonderworks, Pirate's Dinner Adventure Theater and Dollar Thrifty Automotive.

Information on Kids Wish Network: 888-918-9004 or www.kidswishnetwork.org

The Pomona Chamber of Commerce will host a forum for all candidates vying for seats on the City Council in the Nov. 2 election.

The candidates' forum will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave.

Three seats are coming open on the Pomona City Council in the election. In District 2, incumbent Freddie Rodriguez is vying with Tomas Ursua. In District 3, incumbent Cristina Carrizosa faces Leonard Baleon and Virginia Madrigal. In District 5, incumbent Tim Saunders is opposed by Ginna Escobar, Jorge Grajeda and Ingrid Luevano.

Candidates will present prepared statements, then will field questions from the forum moderator Jeff Keating and the audience.

Information: 909-622-1256.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center has been awarded a $51,615 grant to support its family practice residency training program.

The local grant was one of 25 given by the state Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development through agency's Song-Brown Program.

The funds cover a fraction of what it costs to run residency programs, which has been estimated to be more than $150,000 per resident. The awards are utilized by the residency programs to develop new curriculum, develop clinical training sites and other necessary expenses. It does not help cover resident tuition.

Students at Pomona's Garey High School have been notified that their proposal to create a Teen Study Center at the school has been awarded a $5,000 grant.

America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth provided the grant. That organization recently launched the My Idea Grant Program, which is a part of Grad Nation, a national effort to reduce dropout rates, and increase high school graduation rates and college attendance.

That money will help create a place for students to continue their school work after hours.

The proposal came from five students taking part in the school's AVID program. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, and is designed to help motivate students who are capable of moving on to college but who may not know whether or how to pursue the opportunity.

Garey juniors Panarot Sam, Jeanna McKinnie, Norma Rodriguez, Adeline Flores, and Shauntavia Johnson, working with guidance from AVID elective teacher, Danielle Moatakef, wrote a grant proposal to America's Promise.

In the proposal they identified the need on campus for "a place where students can come do homework and projects...instead of committing acts of street violence in the community." They explained that such a dedicated location at their school could "help students improve their grades...giving them self-esteem and confidence."

Garey Principal Stacey Wilkins has already set aside space at the school for the new Teen Study Center.

"I'm very impressed with the dedication and desire of our AVID students to inspire and help all their fellow students," he said. "This is another important step in equipping our students with the life and personal skills needed to succeed."

To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Casa Colina Diagnostic Imaging Center is offering women in the community access to low-cost mammography screening exams.

Casa Colina Diagnostic Imaging Center, created through a partnership between Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation and Claremont Imaging Associates, will provide a discounted mammography screening for only $80 in addition to its regular services that specifically target women's health issues.

This month, the center will extend its hours of operation will be Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All women receiving services in October will receive a gift set that includes a planner and a breast shower card with easy to follow instructions for a self-breast examination.

Information: 909-450-0398.