November 2010 Archives

The final days of the current congressional session may provide an opportunity to pass legislation giving certain young people in the country illegally a path leading to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship.

Supporters of the Development, Relief and Education from Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM Act, along with its opponents say the proposal could very well be introduced shortly and come up for a vote.

"If it's going to happen it has to be between now and January," said Jose Calderon, an immigrant rights advocate and a sociology professor at Pitzer College in Claremont.

"After January it's going to be a while," he said, referring to the new session when the new Republican majority in the House will be in place.

But Calderon and others hope Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., will follow through on his commitment to introduce the proposal and hold a vote during the current lame duck session.

Opponents of the DREAM Act such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, also believe the proposal could come up for a vote.

"We take it very seriously," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for FAIR.

He added both Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appear committed to bringing the issue up for a vote.

"You have a number of members (of Congress) no longer accountable to constituents," he said. "They're going to try to push through amnesty for illegal aliens."

Achieving comprehensive immigration reform is not going to happen anytime soon but the DREAM Act has a chance of being adopted because it has support from some Democrats and Republicans, Calderon said.

If approved, the DREAM Act would affect young people who were brought to the United States illegally as children, have demonstrated good moral character and and meet a series of requirements including completing the first two years of college leading to a bachelor's degree or serving in the military.

Students would be given provisional residency to meet the initial requirements in what would be a multi-phase program leading to permanent residency and possibly citizenship.

Students would not be eligible for federal financial aid until they have become permanent residents, Calderon said.

Many of those who would qualify for legalization under the DREAM Act speak fluent English and have excelled academically in high school and college but cannot use their training because they are in the country illegally, Calderon said.

Supporters of the DREAM Act say this is not amnesty. If eligible young people fail to meet any of the requirements they will lose their chance to gain citizenship.

"These are children who grew up in the U.S. and know no other country," Calderon said. "They have done everything society has said they should."

Various studies have shown that if DREAM Act legislation was approved it would result in a positive economic impact, Calderon said.

Among this group of young people are students who have earned graduate and post-graduate degrees but can't have jobs because of their immigration status, Calderon said.

"Now they have all these skills but can't put them to use," he said. "It such a tragedy for the country not to develop pathways for those skills, for that knowledge."

The nation has a need for an educated work force and these young people can "pay taxes and contribute more," Calderon said. "It just doesn't make sense to not bring them in to the work force."

Mehlman said this is not the time for legislators to take up such a proposal. Lawmakers' time would be better spent on matters such as the budget or unemployment, he said.

"Any broad, new social legislation should be left to the next Congress," Mehlman said.

"The opportunity for sweeping immigration reform is gone," he said, adding pursuing the DREAM Act now "is more of a last gasp to salvage something."

Should a DREAM Act proposal be approved, it would be expensive, Mehlman said.

California is a state that is struggling with its budget and a proposal like the DREAM Act would result in additional pressure on the state's educational system and its financing.

It's the kind of pressure the governors and legislators of other states are not going to embrace, Mehlman said.

Everyone agrees immigration reform is needed and as part of it more must be done about enforcement at the nation's borders, Mehlman said

Calderon said the country does need comprehensive immigration reform but the support doesn't exist to tackle the matter.

To achieve larger immigration reform "is going to take a while and a lot of organizing at the grassroots level," he said.

Jesus Barrios, 20, of Pomona is a public health major at Cal State San Bernardino and an undocumented student.

He is a member of the Inland Empire Dream Team, a partnership of undocumented students and supporters concerned about issues affecting undocumented students.

Barrios was glad to see the California Supreme Court rule recently that illegal immigrants are entitled to pay in-state tuition at state colleges if they meet residency requirements

But Barrios said additional work is ahead involving the DREAM Act.

Undocumented students must give attention to Dream Act legislation and are doing all they can to encourage legislators to support its reintroduction and approval during the lame duck session, Barrios said.

Andrea Ortega of Fontana is also a member of the Inland Empire Dream Team. She is in the country legally but she has friends who are not.

They are young people who have the capacity to be successful college students at some of the country's most prestigious universities but they are often attending community college or other academic institutions because they don't have the money and don't qualify for financial aid, she said.

"I know so many who are working three jobs and are applying for every scholarship opportunity they can," Ortega said.

In some cases students take more than four years to earn degrees because they will take a quarter or semester off to work and earn money for school, she said.

When they do graduate they can't use the degree they worked so hard to earn, she said.

If the DREAM Act is approved these well-educated students will now be able to use their degrees and some may even be able to go on to enter professional programs for careers in medicine and other fields, Ortega said.

Ortega and others have been fundraising with the goal of paying the expenses for some undocumented students to travel to Washington, D.C., and lobby in favor of the Dream Act once it comes up, she said.

Thanksgiving is over and that means the 2010 Pomona Christmas Parade is just two weeks away.

"Christmas with a Kick," as the parade is themed, will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 11.

The parade will begin at Second and Gibbs streets then travel west on Second before heading south on Park Avenue.

The parade will conclude on Eighth Street, steps from the Pomona Civic Center Plaza where Holiday at the Plaza activities will take place until 4 p.m., said Larry Egan, executive director of the Downtown Pomona Owners Association.

The association is the principal sponsor and organizer of the event.

A ceremony will take place at the plaza recognizing the winners in different categories of the parade.

About 15 high school bands, including all of Pomona's, are expected to participate in the parade, Egan said.

Numerous service clubs, youth groups, dignitaries, floats and equestrian groups will also participate in addition to Santa Claus.

Four community heroes will be recognized as part of the parade. The community heroes are Willow, a bloodhound who is a member of the Pomona Police Department's canine unit; Pat Lambert, Pomona Public Library adult reference supervisor; Rev. Rick DeBruyne, pastor at Lincoln Avenue Community Church; and Marci Swett, curator and director of the dA Center for the Arts.

Applications to participate in the parade are still being accepted but must be submitted by the end of business Wednesday to the Downtown Pomona Owners Association.

Applications and details are available online at http://metropomona.com/christmas2010.php

For information go to www.metropomona.com or call the Downtown Pomona Owners Association at 909-469-1121.

Pomona residents interested in volunteering their time may want to consider serving on any of the city's various commissions.

Openings are available on the city's Community Life, Cultural Arts, Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Planning, and Board of Parking Place commissions. Openings are also available on the city's Library Board of Trustees.

Serving on a commission requires making a time commitment but offers commissioners an opportunity to serve the city and make recommendations to the City Council.

City Council members will soon be making selections to fill the openings.

Applications to serve on a commission are available through the city's website at www.ci.pomona.ca.us or can be picked up at the City Clerk's Office found on the second floor of City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave. For additional information, call 909-620-2341.

The Pomona Chamber of Commerce is collecting new unwrapped toys that will be turned over to the Pomona Police Department for the annual Santa Cop Program.

The toys will then be distributed to children from needy families living in Pomona.

Toys can be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce office, 101 W. Mission Blvd., Suite 222A.

Toy donations will be accepted until Dec. 13.

The Pomona Concert Band will help people get into the holiday spirit with a free concert at Palomares Park Community Center, 499 E. Arrow Highway.

The Seventh Annual Christmas Concert themed "The Sounds of Christmas Joy" begins at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. It is presented through a partnership of the Pomona Community Services Department and the Willie White Park Focus Group.

Classic holiday tunes will be part of the evening's musical program in addition to a performance of "A Latin Christmas," a piece written by the band's Assistant Conductor Jorge Garcia.

Pomona High School senior Isaac Gonzalez will be a featured performer.

Members of the public are invited to bring a new unwrapped toy which will go to the Pomona Police Department's Santa Cop Program. Toys will be distributed to disadvantaged children living in Pomona. For additional information visit go to http://www.pomonaconcertband.org.

Western University of Health Sciences raised $125,000 for student scholarships through its annual "A Tribute to Caring" gala.

About 500 guests turned out for the event which took place Nov. 13 in Anaheim's Disneyland Hotel, according to a statement from the the university.

The event also provided an opportunity to recognize supporters of the university.

Honored was the Harold W. Harris Foundation which received the Access to Caring Award in recognition of its support of the university's Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy.

The foundation continues the legacy of the Harris family, according to the statement.

Eleanore Harris was a teenager when she became a quadriplegic in 1934 as a result of a car accident.

Thelma, Alvin and Harold Harris promised to remain together until their sister regained her ability to walk.

Eleanore Harris did not walk again but the siblings kept their promise to remain together, the statement said.

They developed and ran several businesses.

The last surviving sibling, Harold Harris, died in 2001. His wish was to have his family's money used in support of research and public policies so that people with disabilities, like his sister Eleanore, could increase their independence and self-reliance, the statement said.

Among the guests who attended the gala were Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte and Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-El Monte, presented certificates of recognition to the university.

The last time the Mt. San Antonio College Planetarium hosted a holiday program was 2003.

Seven years and $1 million worth of renovations later the planetarium will re-open and offer a holiday program, "Season of Lights."

The program will be offered at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11, 17, and 18.

The planetarium is in Building 26C near the Temple and Bonita avenues entrance to the campus. The campus is at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut.

"Since the planetarium's last holiday program was presented in December 2003, it is highly appropriate to reopen the facility this season with this holiday classic, 'Season of Lights'," Julie Bray-Ali, Mt. SAC Earth Sciences and Astronomy Department chairwoman, said in a college statement.

The college started a fund-raising campaign in October 2003 that drew support from corporate and individual donors including Jim and Eleanor Randall, author Ray Bradbury and actor George Takei, the statement said.

Work on the facility, which originally opened in 1968, included refurbishing its 35-foot dome, and replacing its outdated projector with a $480,000 state-of-the-art projection system.

"The new projection system creates spectacular celestial presentations with three-dimensional effects that will make audiences feel like they're traveling in space," Bray Ali said.

Since it opened in the late 1960s the facility has been an educational resource for students in Mt. SAC's astronomy program and many other disciplines in addition to elementary schools and the public, the statement said.

Through the "Season of Light" program audiences will learn about the astronomical phenomenon of the "Christmas Star" and the start of several holiday traditions.

General admission tickets are $5 and $3 for seniors, students and children under 12.

For information and purchases visit www.4tix.org or call the Mt. SAC Performing Arts Box Office at 909 468-4050

Published Friday, November 26, 2010

POMONA - After days of cooking, Pomona Valley Christian Center served about 2,000 Thanksgiving Day meals on Thursday.

Last year, the church provided Thanksgiving meals to 1,200 families, the elderly and many others in need, but the church was able to provide dinner to many more on Thursday thanks to the help of area churches as well as volunteers from various schools, colleges and nonprofits.

The year's dinner "moved to a whole different other level," said Pamela Lynn, church administrator and community donation coordi nator. Dinner with all the fixings was provided to people who came to the church.

Volunteers also took meals to families in shelters, hotels and trailer parks, Lynn said.

Some people with disabilities or other special needs were provided boxes containing all they needed to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner at home.

The tiny church on 10th Street and Garey Avenue had been the center of activity for days. Shifts of volunteers cooked and cleaned in preparation for the guests' arrival.

Among the volunteers was Kevin Prewett, of Chino Hills, and a group that included his teenage son and daughter and two of her friends.

On Tuesday night, Prewett was in the church kitchen cooking onions and chopping ingredi ents for corn bread stuffing while the teens filled small containers with cranberry sauce to be included with each plate of food.

Being directly involved in preparing the meal "is a little bit more exciting" than packing boxes, Prewett said.

Working in the busy kitchen was a pleasant experience, Prewett said, one that made him feel like he was more involved in the effort.

Dalia Nassman of West Covina was among the returning volunteers. Last year, Nassman helped prepackage and serve meals. This year, her efforts included helping coordinate about 50 students from Western University of Health Sciences who are members of Pomona Home less Outreach Project, a campus organization.

Published Tuesday, November 23, 2010

POMONA - Three weeks after the Pomona City Council elections are still being counted and the margin in the District 5 race is a close one.

In the most recent election result update, made available late Friday, by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Record/County Clerk District 5 Challenger Ginna Escobar is ahead of Councilman Tim Saunders by 63 votes.

In such a close race Saunders could request a recount but he would have to pay for it, said Pomona City Clerk Marie Macias.

Although he hasn't made a decision on whether to pursue a recount "I'm giving that serious consideration," Saunders said Monday.

Some residents have spoken with him about a recount as well as about raising the $8,000 needed to pay the necessary costs associated with requesting and paying for a recount, Saunders said.

That kind of interest from members of the public "makes me feel pretty good," Saunders said.

If Saunders chose to pursue a recount he would have to submit a request to the county within five days after the canvas is completed, according to the California Elections Code.

Elections results are not official until the canvas of the election has been completed and that takes 28 days, said Eileen Shea, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

The canvas is expected to be completed Nov. 30 and at that point the results will be presented to the Board of Supervisors before going to state Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

"When she approves (the results) they become official," Shea said.

According to the Secretary of State's website, county elections officials must report final results by Dec. 3.

The Secretary of State then has until Dec. 10 to certify the election results.

The result of Pomona 's elections will then come back to the city, Macias said.

Once the results arrive members of the new City Council can be sworn in to office, she said.

So far a date has not been set for a swearing in ceremony although one could take place as part of a strategic planning meeting council members will hold Dec. 13, Macias said.

However, "we're playing it by ear," she said Monday.

Macias said she plans to contact the county Nov. 30 to see if it's possible to obtain the results of the canvas that week and hold a swearing-in ceremony before Dec. 13.

As of Thursday the county still had about 100,000 ballots, mostly provisional, to go through, Macias said.

Students, faculty and staff of Western University of Health Sciences have a new landmark on campus.

A large clock, reminiscent of those found along some of the nation's streets in years past, is on the campus' central walkway between the Banfield Veterinary Clinical Center and the Health Professions Center.

The custom-designed clock, which was dedicated this week, was a gift of Dr. Peter and Linghua Chen, parents of Thomas Chen, a first-year student in the University's College of Dental Medicine, according to a statement from Western University.

"We're dedicating a very timely addition to the university," said University President Philip Pumerantz in the statement.

"But this is more than just the dedication of a clock. We're gathered here because of a great vote of confidence that some very good friends and supporters have in what we're doing. That's Dr. and Mrs. Chen."

The 16-foot 7-inch, four-faced clock, has the look of a vintage timepiece but is equipped with modern equipment such as a global positioning system that will allow it to keep accurate time, the statement said.

The clock was built by Cincinnati-based Verdin Co.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center announced this week is has been named one of Thomson Reuters 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2011.

This is the first time the hospital has been recognized by Thomson Reuters.

The hospital is one of two in California to receive such an honor this year and has been listed under the category of teaching hospitals without cardiovascular residency programs, according to a hospital statement.

The Thomson Reuters list is the result of an annual quantitative study that identifies the nation's best providers of cardiovascular service, the statement said.

Winners are selected from more than 1,000 U.S. hospitals.

This year the list, which usually names 100 recipients, consisted of 50 winners.

"This prestigious award is indicative of the superb work done by the physicians and staff at PVHMC's Stead Heart and Vascular Center," said Richard Yochum, president and chief executive officer of the hospital.

"They are focused on the clinical needs and outcomes of our cardiovascular patients as well as their comfort, safety and long-term well-being. This award demonstrates their dedication and concern for our cardiovascular patients, and the clinical expertise and dedication of the entire cardiac team."

The winning hospitals have been found to save more lives, have better medical outcomes and do their work in a more cost effective manner than similar facilities that have not earned the award, the statement said.

"This award is a true testimony to the strong collaboration between cardiology, cardiac surgery and other disciplines supported by the dedication and care of our entire team," said Dr. Rama Thumati, medical director of cardiology at the hospital, in the statement.

Hospitals were broken up into three comparison groups and evaluated in several areas including risk-adjusted mortality and risk-adjusted complications as well as clinical process measures.

"We've chosen a more elite group of winners this year. These hospitals have raised the bar significantly," said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals program at Thomson Reuters in the statement.

"They deliver higher survival rates, shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions, and lower costs -- which adds up to enormous value for the communities they serve. As a result, everyone benefits: patients, families, employers, insurers and the hospital itself."

The Thomson Reuters analysis was based on an analysis of Medicare patients information for 2008 and 2009 from several sources including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

City Council members approved conducting an appeal hearing on Dec. 6 involving a project that calls for converting 20 barn and stable buildings at Fairplex into a business park and a self-storage facility.

Members of the city's Planning Commission in October granted permission to Fairplex officials to carry out the project but added a condition limiting how much space can be used for warehousing purposes by a tenant.

Fairplex officials seek to lift the 50 percent limit set by the Planning Commission.

Representatives of a nearby self-storage facility in La Verne also filed an appeal saying additional information is needed about the Fairplex project.

The hearing will take place during the Dec. 6 City Council meeting. The closed portion of the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the open portion begins at 6:45 p.m. in City Hall, 505. S Garey Ave.

Pomona residents interested in volunteering their time may want to consider serving on any of the city's various commissions.

Openings are available on the city's Community Life, Cultural Arts, Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Planning, and Board of Parking Place Commissions. Openings are also available on the city's Library Board of Trustees.

Serving on a commission requires making a time commitment but offers commissioners an opportunity to serve the city and make recommendations to the City Council.

City Council members will soon be making selections to fill the openings.

Applications to serve on a commission are available through the city's website at www.ci.pomona.ca.us or can be picked up at the City Clerk's Office found on the second floor of City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave. For additional information, call the City Clerk's Office at 909-620-2341.

Business hours will change the coming week at City Hall and the Public Library due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

City Hall will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. City Hall will return to its regular business hours on Nov. 29.

The library will be open on Monday but will be closed from Tuesday through Friday. It will be open on Nov. 27.

Pomona trash collection for the holiday is as follows:

Residents who have Thursday as their regular trash collection day will have their trash picked up on Friday. Residents who have their trash picked up on Friday will have it collected on Saturday.

Mt. San Antonio College will hold its 13th annual Wassail Dinner and Concert Dec. 2-4 at 6 p.m., in the college's dance studio and the William H. Feddersen Recital Hall.

The holiday event combines dinner and choral music, according to a statement from the college.

Dinner is served in a hall with a holiday winter theme that includes strolling carolers.

At the end of dinner guests will attend a holiday music concert that features Mt. SAC's award-winning chamber singers and concert choir.

General admission are $44 each.

The last day to purchase tickets is Nov. 29.

For tickets or additional information, call the Performing Art Box Office at 909-468-4050.

Tickets may also be purchased online at www.4tix.org.

Various local businesses and non-profit groups will be offering Thanksgiving meals to needy families and individuals.

Here are some of those organizations who will open their doors and offer a free warm meal.

For the second consecutive year, J&J's BBQ & Fish will provide a turkey feast to the hungry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The meals will be served in the parking lot of J&J's, 751 Indian Hill Blvd.

Various businesses and organizations are collaborating in the effort including Ms. Smith's X-cessories Shopping Center, The Top Ladies of Distinction of the Inland Empire and others.

A local businessman and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's St. Joseph Conference will continue their partnership and put on the 13th annual Community Thanksgiving Day Meal.

Jacob Jouni of Jouni's Catering and the volunteers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's St. Joseph Conference will serve the free meal to those in need and those who would like to share a meal in the company of others.

The Thanksgiving Day meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Church, 1150 W. Holt Ave.

Member of St. Joseph's American Arab Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus, Council 877, will also assist with the feast.

Information: 909-469-9773.

Representatives of the L.A. County Fair presented a donation of more than $63,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California this week.

The money was collected through the McDonald's Wednesdays promotion carried out during the L.A. County Fair.

Los Angeles County Fair Association and Fairplex Chief Executive Officer Jim Henwood presented the donation to Nicole Rubin, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California chief executive officer, and Brad Calhoun, chief development officer, at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House.

The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House is a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, which functions as "a home-away-from-home for families whose children are being treated for serious illnesses at local hospitals," according to a statement from Fairplex.

"We are proud to have developed and maintained this worthwhile partnership with McDonald's," Henwood said in the statement. "The L.A. County Fair is a family destination and a partnership such as this one gives back to those people who need help the most. It's a win-win situation for our Fair guests and for McDonald's charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California."

This was the fifth year the L.A. County Fair has partnered with McDonald's restaurants to offer Fair admission and a carnival ride voucher for just $20, the statement said. A portion of each McDonald's Wednesday ticket purchased was donated to the McDonald charitable organization.

To date, the L.A. County Fair has donated $214,000 to the organization which assists children and families through its various programs, which including Ronald McDonald Houses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times and Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Published Thursday, November 18, 2010

POMONA - Thousands of Southern Californians arrived at Fairplex on Wednesday as citizens of about 120 countries and left as new U.S. citizens.

More than 5,800 people became naturalized citizens during two ceremonies.

U.S. District Judge R.S.W. Lew presided over the morning's proceedings.

After administering the Oath of Allegiance, he invited the new citizens to give themselves a round of applause.

When the applause had died down, he encouraged them to congratulate their fellow citizens.

"Look to your front, look to your left, look to your right, look behind you and greet yourselves as new citizens of this country," Lew said.

Lew said the new citizens had gone through "a long, arduous process" that included a great deal of study to reach their goal.

"You probably know a lot more about America than our students born in this country," he said. "A lot of years went by to arrive at this point."

The process is long but necessary to ensure that upstanding people become citizens, he said.

"We are protecting America. This is your America," Lew said.

Lew, the son of Chinese immigrants, shared his family's story.

His father arrived in 1920 from southern China and shortly after learned he could not marry here because the Chinese Exclusion Act barred him from doing so.

Lew's father returned to his country, where he married Lew's mother, and returned to the U.S.

Lew's mother was able to come to the U.S. in 1939 with the first of the couple's children.

The Lews established a family business and had nine children.

When Lew was 10, in 1951, his father became a naturalized citizen.

Just as he shared the story of his immigrant parents, Lew urged the new citizens to share their stories of coming to their new country with their children and future generations.

Christian L. Swoboda of Hesperia was among the new citizens. He came to the United States as a baby with his family from Austria.

The family entered the country through Ellis Island on Dec. 27, 1948, when Swoboda was 8 months old, but it wasn't until about two years ago when he applied for Social Security benefits that he learned he was not a citizen.

"It was shocking to me that I was not a citizen," he said.

At the time of the family's arrival, a press photographer took a picture of the family with each family member holding their immigration cards.

Even though he was a baby, someone put the immigration documents in Swoboda's hand. At some point, the baby dropped the card.

"Somebody, a good Samaritan, found it and turned it in," he said.

But Swoboda never had his permanent resident card - often referred to as a green card - and went through life thinking he was a citizen.

Years later, he found the U.S. immigration authorities still had the document, he said.

Completing the citizenship process meant a great deal to Swoboda.

"This is a very precious moment for me," he said, adding that Nov. 17, 2010, is now a date with special meaning.

"It's like a new birthday," he said.

Artik Zarukian of Glendale came to the U.S. from Armenia.

"Eleven years I've been waiting for this moment," he said. "I'm happy, very happy!"

"And proud," added his son, Armen.

Artik Zarukian said the United States is a strong country where people have freedom, and he wanted to be a part of such a nation by becoming a citizen.

Mimi Chang of Arcadia, who came to the U.S. from Taiwan, said, "I'm so happy! The United States is a free country, and people are very nice."

Chang said she did not find the citizenship exam, part of the naturalization process, difficult.

It's not difficult if one is willing to take the time to study, she said.

Like many of the new citizens, Juan Carlos Salazar-Aguja had his photograph taken while holding his naturalization certificate and a small American flag.

"It's like being born again and this is my birth certificate," said the resident of Lake Forest.

Having a photograph of himself was important to Salazar-Aguja.

"This is a historic moment in my life," said the native of Colombia. "It's a moment that can't be repeated."

Published Sunday, November 14, 2010

POMONA - Downtown's Thomas Plaza was one giant canvas Saturday for artists who participated in the annual Chalk Art Festival.

Many of the chalk art designs were in line with this year's festival theme, "Fahrenheit 451," this year's selection for the Pomona Big Read.

Anna Yao, 17, and three classmates from Diamond Ranch High School created a chalk drawing depicting a firefighter surrounded by burning buildings and burning books.

Anna and her classmates were inspired by Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451," a novel about a futuristic society where books are burned.

The students used the first hour of the festival to brainstorm.

"We talked about the book and came up with the idea," Anna said.

Ganesha High School students Raul Romero, 16, and Abraham Briseno, 17, drew the image of a creature that was part flamingo and part dragon.

"We just drew whatever came to our minds," Raul said.

The two had never participated in the festival before but both would like to do so again as a team.

A total of 398 individuals and teams signed up to take part in the festival, said Mickey Gallivan, a member of the city's Cultural Arts Commission who served on the Chalk Art Festival Committee.

Participants included 20 professional artists along with elementary schools, high schools and family teams, Gallivan said.

When the Chalk Art Festival was first organized in 2007 it had no connection to the Pomona Big Read. The relationship began in 2008.

"I think that being associated with the Big Read gave (the festival) a big push, and it really got it going," she said.

The event is now an activity many people look forward to, Gallivan said.

"It has become established, and it has become pretty well respected," she said.

The event brings literature and art together, said Pat Lambert, senior librarian at the Pomona Public Library and a Big Read coordinator.

Partnerships are a key to making the Big Read a success and the one with the Chalk Art Festival is just as important, she said.

"I feel like the Chalk Art Festival is one of the cornerstones of the Big Read," Lambert said.

Since the festival comes at the end of Big Read activities, it has become a finale of sorts for the Pomona Big Read, she said.

For a group of 76 Pomona Unified School District students who overcame a variety of challenge graduation came this week.

The students took part in 2nd annual fall commencement ceremony at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel Wednesday, said Tim McGillivray, district spokesman.

Students wore caps and gowns in the colors of their high schools just as their classmates did during their June graduation ceremonies.

Students from the district's Adult and Career Education program along with Ganesha, Garey,Pomona and Village Academy high schools participated in the ceremony, McGillivray said.

"They are to be admired. Many overcame situations beyond their control...Yet they kept their eye on the goal" of earning their high school diploma, said Enrique Medina, director of Adult and Career Education and of the Credit Recovery program.

Many of the students found themselves in different difficult situations such as having to take on jobs to help support their families and were unable to focus all their attention on their studies, Medina said.

Students remained motivated and used various means available through the district to achieve their goals, he said.

Some students enrolled in the district's adult school program and took classes after school they needed to reach graduation.

Others used the Credit Recovery program which includes online courses and class sessions before school, after school or on Saturdays.

Now that they have their diploma students will enroll in four-year college, in community college and others will enroll in technical programs, Medina said.

Some will return to the district adult school program while others will be enlisting in the military, he said.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's satellite centers in Claremont and Chino Hills will offer flu shots Saturday for a $15 cash payment.

Shots will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pomona Valley Health Center at Crossroads, 3110 Chino Ave., Suite 150 A in Chino Hills and at Pomona Valley Health Center at Claremont, 1601 Monte Vista Ave. in Claremont.

The shots are available for adults and children who are 9 years old or older, according to a statement from the hospital.

The immunization to be used includes the vaccine for the H1N1 flu virus.

The community flu shot clinics are being offered in partnership with the Premier Family Medicine Associates.

The love for art and love for literature will come together Saturday at the annual Chalk Art Festival.

The event is one associated with the Pomona Big Read.

The event will take place today at Thomas Plaza on Second and Thomas streets in downtown starting at 9 a.m.

Visitors are welcome to watch professional and student artists working on their chalk art creations, which will have as a theme Ray Bradbury's novel, "Fahrenheit 451"

Prizes will be awarded for best of theme, most creative and most realistic.

At 3 p.m. winners will be announced.

Although Pomona Big Read activities are winding down there is one related activity that amateur photographers of all ages may want to take part in.

The Friends of the Pomona Public Library are sponsoring a photography contest as part of the Pomona Big Read.

The subject of the photograph must be a resident of Pomona or someone who works in Pomona. The person must be photographed with his or her favorite book.

Contest rules and application forms are available at the Pomona Public Library or by e-mailing fo_ppl@yahoo.com or online at pomlibfriends.blogspot.com.

Deadline to submit contest entries is Dec. 1.

For additional information call the Friends' Bookstore at 909-802-7756 or call the library's reference desk at 909-620-2043.

The American Museum of Ceramic Art will be having a Chili Bowl fundraiser Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.

Ceramic bowls will be sold for $12 and guest will be able to use their purchases to enjoy a bowl of chili which will be donated by Original Tommy's Burgers and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Aerie 2251.

The bowls are food, microwave and dishwasher-safe.

Cal Poly Pomona's Collins College of Hospitality Management announced this week it has received a $2 million donation for its academic building expansion.

The donation comes from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, according to a statement from the college. To recognize the gift the college will name a classroom building within the proposed facility after the Marriott family.

The foundation's donation will be combined with a matching gift from Carol and Jim Collins, long time supporters of the college and the family for whom the institution was named.

In 2008 the Collinses pledged to match a donation of up to $5 million in order to help build a $10 million educational complex.

The recent gift puts the pledges for the project at $7 million, the statement said.

"This donation is pivotal as The Collins College embarks on a $10 million expansion plan," said Dean Andy Feinstein in the statement. "In giving us this gift, the Marriott Foundation is making an investment in hospitality management education, thus they are investing in the future of the hospitality industry. I am grateful for their support."

The foundation and Marriott's corporate divisions have assisted the college for many years by actively recruiting students and alumni and through other financial contributions that have bolstered student services, the statement said.

The college also benefits significantly by having the expertise of Marriott executives on its Board of Advisors, Feinstein said.

"The Collins College is a wonderful hospitality management program that values educational excellence and diversity. These are values that the Marriott Foundation also shares," said Richard Marriott, chairman of the foundation in the statement. "Investing in the college's expansion plans will help the college reach even more students in the future."

The educational complex will allow the college to expand and accommodate more students as well as providing classroom and other study space designed to accommodate it's new graduate program, which launched this fall, the statement said.

Preliminary plans call for four buildings to make up the new space-efficient and environmentally friendly complex.

Early plans call for the complex to have three 46-seat classrooms, four 32-seat classrooms designed for graduate classes, a student lounge, study area and eight faculty offices.

Construction of the complex can move forward once the college raises the remain $3 million needed for the project.

The Marriott gift and Collins matching gift are part of Cal Poly Pomona's comprehensive campaign, which entered the public phase this fall. The university has achieved more than half of its fund-raising goal of $150 million.

Online registration for the winter intersession at Mt. San Antonio College will begin Wednesday.

Classes in the six-week credit intersession begin Jan. 10, the college announced in a statement.

New and returning students must register for classes online and can do so at my.mtsac.edu. New students must submit an admission application online, the statement said.

The college's admissions office is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Prior to registering students must activate personal Mt. SAC portal accounts at my.mtsac.edu where instructions on setting up the accounts are available.

Through the accounts students will learn the time and date they can register.

Before registering, new students must sign-up for an orientation session through the Mt. SAC Counseling Department at 909-274-4380.

Students who don't have access to a computer can use computers located in the Student Services Center during business hours.

Enrollment fees are $26 per unit for California residents and must be paid at the time of registration.

Additional registration information is available at www.mtsac.edu or by call the admissions and records office at 909-274-4415.

Mt. San Antonio College is looking for local organizations interested in recruiting volunteers.

The college will hold its fall Community Volunteer Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Student Life Center patio area on campus, 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut.

Through the fair students can find opportunities to become involved in public service, get hands-on learning experiences and give to their communities.

Among the organizations that have signed up to participate in the fair are the American Red Cross, Peace Corps, Pomona's Community Services Department, Girl Scout Council of Greater Los Angeles, House of Ruth, Inland Empire United Way, Reach Out West End Mentoring Program, Coachart, state Sen. Bob Huff's office, and Rep. Grace Napolitano's office.

Community organizations interested in participating in the fair should call the Mt. SAC Student Life Office at 909-274-5951.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences in Pomona are seeking donations needed to assemble Thanksgiving dinner baskets for distribution to disadvantaged families and individuals.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's St. Joseph Conference at 1150 W. Holt Blvd. needs canned corn, canned green beans, canned fruit, mixed vegetables, pies, stuffing, instant potatoes, bagged rice and bagged beans for 100 families.

Volunteers will also accept financial contributions to purchase needed food.

Financial gifts can be mailed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Joseph Conference, 1150 W. Holt Blvd., Pomona 91768. Checks should include "Thanksgiving 2010" on the lower left hand corner.

For information call 909-469-9773.

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's St. Madeleine Conference at 931 E. Kingsley Ave., Pomona are also in need of donations.

Volunteers are asking for frozen or canned hams, stuffing, instant potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin pies, canned vegetables and canned fruit for 100 families.

Financial donations can be mailed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Madeleine Conference, 931 E. Kingsley Ave., Pomona 91767.

Checks should have "Thanksgiving 2010" on the lower left hand corner. Donations can be dropped off at the Kingsley Avenue address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Nov. 19.

For information call 909-865-4433.

Pomona's American Legion Post 30 is inviting ninth through 12th grade students to sign up for its Constitution Speech contest.

The contest is designed to help participants develop a deeper knowledge and an appreciation for the United States Constitution, according to a statement from organizers.

Local contestants will have a chance to advance in the competition and possibly go on to the final round of the national competition where thousand of dollars will be award to the first, second and third place winners, the statement said.

The local competition is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 11.

For additional information on the local competition call 909-620-0943 and leave and a name and phone number.

Published Friday, Nov. 12, 2010

Recipients of original Medicare should keep an eye out for letters arriving soon from the federal government explain a new program designed to reduce the cost of medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and oxygen supplies.

The Department of Health and Human Services along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began mailing out letters Wednesday along with a brochure explaining what Medicare 's new competitive bidding program is about and where to get answers to questions.

"Some people may very well have (letters) in their hand now," said David Sayen, regional administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Medicare is launching its competitive bidding program Jan. 1 in a handful of regions across the nation including the Inland Empire.

Affected will be original Medicare recipients living in southwestern San Bernardino and western Riverside counties.

Under the program suppliers of items such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment and mail order diabetic testing supplies submitted bids to Medicare .

Starting in January successful bidders will provide medical equipment to beneficiaries at prices about 30 percent below current costs.

The new system is also expected to reduce fraud.

Medicare released the names of the successful bidders last week and is now focusing on outreach efforts that include notifying beneficiaries along with doctors, hospital discharge planners, social workers and others who work with recipients in need of medical equipment.

As part of Medicare 's outreach efforts to recipients it has bolstered its customer services.

"We have put additional people on the 1-800 line," Sayen said.

English- and Spanish-speaking customer service representatives prepared to answer questions about the program will be available, he said.

In addition, an ombudsman will be available to work with suppliers, Sayen said.

Some Medicare recipients may have questions as to whether their supplier is part of the program, he said. Recipients should contact their supplier to find out if it is participating in the program.

In some cases suppliers may be interested in continuing to provide a client services for several months until their equipment agreements conclude, Sayen said.

"But those suppliers have to tell us if they want to be grandfathered in," he said.

Organizations such as Inland Agency, which provides the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, or HICAP, to Medicare beneficiaries living in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties, have geared for an expected increase in calls from Medicare beneficiaries with questions about the new program, said Sandra Corbitt, program manager for Inland Agency's HICAP program.

"We're kind of bracing ourselves for it," Corbitt said.

The organization has prepared its Medicare counselors to handle questions by phone and in one-on-one meetings with beneficiaries, Corbitt said.

"We are also increasing our outreach efforts," she said.

Among those outreach efforts is the Medicare Annual Enrollment "Kick-Off Event" taking place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday at the James Brulte Senior Center, 11200 Base Line Road in Rancho Cucamonga.

The event will bring together experts in Medicare from agencies such as Inland Agency's HICAP, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration to one location.

All will be prepared to answer questions on various Medicare programs - including the new the durable medical equipment competitive bidding program - at the free event, Corbitt said.

FYI

Original Medicare beneficiaries can find information on suppliers and the new competitive bidding program by going to www. medicare .gov and clicking on "Find Suppliers and Medical Equipment," entering their ZIP code and then clicking on the yellow icon with the word "New" in it. Beneficiaries can also call 1-800-633-4227. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

To reach Inland Agency's HICAP program call 1-800-434-0222.

Published Monday, Nov. 8, 2010

POMONA - Representatives of churches, labor groups and others came together Sunday afternoon to announce their partnership with a local educational institution that will prepare people to work in well-paid construction jobs.

Nearly 150 people turned out for The People's Economic Summit organized by the Inland Empire Sponsoring Committee, an outgrowth of the Pomona Valley cluster of One LA, at First Christian Church of Pomona .

The Pomona Valley cluster of One LA is a grass-roots group focusing on issues critical to families such as education, public safety, housing and employment.

At the summit, Sponsoring Committee leaders announced they will enter into an agreement with the Career & Technical Education Center, or CTEC, at Fairplex.

CTEC will give students the type of training to get them entry-level positions in heavy industry construction, and the Sponsoring Committee will recruit candidates committed to the program.

In addition, the Sponsoring Committee announced it will work with the Pomona Redevelopment Agency with the goal of creating a health care corridor along Garey Avenue. A number of health care institutions - both large and small - exist there, but more could be established leading to job opportunities in the health field.

"Business, government, social service agencies all seem overwhelmed and over- extended. The only people we can depend upon is we the people," said the Rev. Robert Linthicum, interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Pomona and chairman of One LA's and the Sponsoring Committee's Workforce and Economic Development Team.

Partnering with CTEC is one way of addressing the needs of the people who are members of churches and other institutions that are part of the grass-roots group, Linthicum said prior to the summit.

Also prior to the summit, Dan Harden, CTEC's director of education, said plans call for starting a training course as early as February that will give participants the skills they need to secure jobs in heavy construction.

When they complete the class "they'll have the entry- level skills an employer is looking for," Harden said. "This is a significant training program."

At the end of the course, students will be tested with the goal of earning certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

The certification shows a student is prepared to meet the standards the industry requires, Harden said.

The skills a person develops through the course will prepare him or her to work in areas such as construction of subway systems and roadways, he said.

Linthicum said there will be opportunities for people to continue developing their skills and earning industry certification in other fields.

Harden committed to working with the Sponsoring Committee and One LA as did Raymond Fong, Pomona 's redevelopment director.

Fong said that for several years, as the city has been working on updating its general plan, it has identified health care as one of Pomona 's assets.

Garey Avenue is already home to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation, and various other smaller health-related businesses can become a corridor focusing on health care, Fong said Sunday.

Linthicum said prior to the meeting that creating such a corridor needs the involvement of many organizations.

Establishing such a health care corridor would provide numerous job opportunities for residents in health-related careers, Linthicum said.

Pomona Unified School District Superintendent Richard Martinez also supported the health care corridor concept.

Pomona Unified is already working on several initiatives at various grade levels meant to prepare students for different types of health careers.

Among the initiatives is the Pomona Health Career Ladder, designed to expose students starting at sixth grade to health careers and provide the support that will help them reach their goal. The program is a partnership of the district, Cal Poly Pomona and Western University of Health Sciences.

The Rev. Julie Roberts- Fronk, pastor at First Christian Church, said east Los Angeles County along with San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been hit hard by the current economic climate.

"The Inland Empire is suffering, and suffering more than any other" region in the nation, Roberts-Fronk said.

Residents of the region have felt the pain resulting from the foreclosure crisis, unemployment and the explosion of the warehousing industry, which relies heavily on low paid temporary workers.

To address the region's problems requires working together, pushing leaders and others in the region to do what's needed to improve conditions for residents, and helping people acquire the skills that will help them improve theirs and their families' lives, Sponsoring Committee members said.

Published Monday, Nov. 8, 2010

POMONA - The defeat of Measure SS means school district administrators will have to look for ways to reduce costs as they prepare to build a 2010-11 school year budget, officials said.

Had Measure SS passed, it would have generated about $4million a year for four years for academic programs, technology upgrades, visual and performing arts and the teachers to run them.

The measure received support from voters but not enough to reach the two-thirds threshold needed for approval.

Now Pomona Unified administrators will begin looking for ways to lower costs and prepare for what is expected to be $15million in cuts for the 2010-2011 school year, said Superintendent Richard Martinez.

"We're going to be taking a looking at all programs," Martinez said. "We'll be reconvening the ( Superintendent's) Budget Advisory Committee.

Martinez said it may be possible to carry over some of the $4.9million the district was allocated this year from a federal jobs bill for next academic year.

But even by taking such a step, the fiscal picture looks grim and it's unclear if the state will come through and provide funds for education that appear in the state budget, he said.

School board President Richard Rodriguez said the district will have to stretch out its already thin resources.

Time may not improve the financial picture.

"I think we'll be in for some trouble next spring," Rodriguez said, adding the district will probably have to make layoffs.

Earlier this year, the school district issued layoff notices but through various steps, including the arrival of federal funds, administrators were able to call back the majority of those teachers in September.

The federal money helped "but who knows if it's going to happen again," Rodriguez said.

Going back to the voters again may be an option but pursuing another parcel tax like Measure SS may require some time and a better economy, Rodriguez said.

"Maybe the economy will pick up and people will make a sacrifice for our kids," he said.

Associated Pomona Teachers President Tyra Weis said the election of Jerry Brown as governor is positive for education in California.

If Brown, state lawmakers and teachers work together it may be possible to improve funding for schools, she said.

Locally, Weis said she can foresee teachers doing all they can to provide for their students but things don't end there.

All sides in the community must work together for the benefit of students, she said.

In the current climate, early planning is what Pomona Unified and other districts will have to do, said Carl Cohn, professor and co-director of the Urban Leadership Program at Claremont Graduate University's School of Educational Studies.

Such planning will include reviewing "big ticket items" that will affect personnel, he said.

"There aren't any rosy scenarios for California districts," Cohn said. "This is a period of prolonged fiscal famine."

Districts must consider increasing class sizes, he said.

"But in increasing class size the fallout from that is the laying off of teachers," he said.

Furloughs and reductions in benefits are also options but those require labor negotiations, he said. In many instances, labor organizations have shown a willingness to help out, Cohn said.

Prolonged fiscal difficulties can force institutions such as school districts to change the way they do business, he said.

That can include reducing central office personnel but that also requires cooperation from state and federal governments, he said.

Often district ends up hiring administrators to handle the documentation and other measures required to show state and federal administrators how they are handling funding or the administration of certain government funded programs.