January 2011 Archives

Cal Poly Pomona will welcome the 1988 Democratic party's presidential nominee to campus.

Michael Dukakis will deliver the speech "Public Service, A Great Career" at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Bronco Student Center's Ursa Major room. The campus is at 3801 W. Temple Ave.

The talk is free and open to the public.

Cal Poly's dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences is sponsoring the event, which is organized by the Department of Political Science and Master of Public Administration, the university announced in a statement.

Dukakis' talk is designed to stimulate discussion about the importance of public service, James Kim, assistant professor of political science, said in the statement.

Currently, Dukakis is serving as a distinguished professor of political science at Northeastern University in Boston.

He has been an advocate of public service.

His own entry into public service came when he was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1962. He went on to be elected Massachusetts governor in 1974 and in 1988 ran unsuccessfully against Vice President George H.W. Bush.

Dukakis has also been an advocate of public transportation and served as a member of the board of directors of Amtrak and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

Pomona Unified School District Board members will hold Wednesday's meeting at Pantera Elementary, 801 Pantera Drive, in Diamond Bar.

The open portion of the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

If the turnout at the meeting is high, the board will schedule a future meeting at another district campus.

Based on the success of the two meetings the board may begin scheduling more of its meetings at district schools, a school spokesman said.

Heart disease and women who have overcome cardiovascular disease will be the focus of the Power of Red luncheon hosted by Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Foundation on Thursday.

A panel of women will discuss some of the cardiovascular problems they've encountered and how they have addressed them.

More than one in three female adults has some form of cardiovascular disease, which includes a combination of all cardiac diseases and strokes, according to a statement from Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

According to the American Heart Association, since 1984 the number of cardiovascular disease deaths for women has exceeded those for males, the statement said.

The event will also include a talk by Dr. Haritha R. Alla, a Pomona cardiologist and a member of the hospital's Stead Heart and Vascular Services team, on "The Tools You Need to Fight Heart Disease."

The Power of Red luncheon is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Meeting House on the grounds of Hillcrest Homes in La Verne.

The cost of the luncheon is $50 or $100 for both the luncheon and a Power of Red membership.

All guests are asked to wear red.

For reservations call 909-865-9139.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Stead Heart for Women program at the hospital's Stead Heart and Vascular Center.

Parents with children attending schools surrounding Emerson Middle School in northeast Pomona are invited to meet with Pomona Unified School District Superintendent Richard Martinez.

"Coffee with the Superintendent" sessions are informal gatherings hosted by Martinez and designed to give parents an opportunity to present questions or concerns about matters related to their children's schools or the district.

The gathering at Emerson Middle School, 635 Lincoln Ave., will begin at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 10. Coffee and pastries will be served.

The meeting is open to the public but is meant to give parents of students at Allison, Kingsley, Lincoln, Montvue, San Antonio and Pueblo elementaries, Emerson Middle School, Pomona High and Village Academy High a chance to talk about any issues affect the neighboring schools.

The next "Coffee with the Superintendent" is set for 8:30 a.m. March 3 at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences, 2211 N. Orange Grove Ave.

For additional information: Tim McGillivray at 909-397-4800, ext. 3040.

The president of Pitzer College will be the guest speaker at Pilgrim Memorial Library's annual coffee.

Laura Skandera Trombley will discuss her book, "Mark Twain's Other Woman" which is about Twain's final years, according to a statement from the library.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 11 at Pilgrim Congregational Church's Memorial Library, 600 N. Garey Ave.

The presentation will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

For additional information, call 909-622-1373.

Mt. San Antonio College's radio station, KSAK 90.1, won three Golden Mike awards during the recent Radio and Television News Association of Southern California's annual awards ceremony.

Students Claudia Amezcua of Pomona and Cason Smith of Rowland Heights, KSAK operations coordinator, together won Golden Mikes in the best entertainment reporting and best use of sound in the category of radio stations with fewer than six full-time staff, according to a college statement.

Amezcua and Smith won for a piece on the opening of the 2010 Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire.

Smith, who has served as KSAK operations coordinator for nine years and teaches broadcasting at the college, also won an award for the same piece in the Association's Division B best individual writing category.

The Mt. SAC radio station has won 19 Golden Mikes in the past six years.

Every year the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California recognizes the best work in radio and television from major networks to college stations.

This year's awards ceremony took place Jan. 22 at the Universal Hilton in Hollywood.

A Village Academy High School has been named 2011 Miss Pomona.

Mansi Patel was crowned during the 2011 Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant ceremony that took place Saturday at the Fox Theater in the city's downtown, according to a statement from the Downtown Pomona Owners Association.

The Owners Association organized the event in collaboration with the Miss Pomona Pageant Committee.

The runners up, the 2011 Pomona Princesses, are Danielle Cruz Garcia and Jessie Gomez. Both are students at Diamond Ranch High School.

Patel, 17, plans to apply to participate in the Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant taking place in Irvine this Spring.

Among Patel's goals attending Duke University where she will major in math; becoming a math professor; and working with Pomona youth, the statement said.

"Mansi is such an inspiration and positive role model to all our youth," Mickey Gallivan, co-chairwoman of the Pageant Committee said in a statement.

As part of her responsibilities Patel will represent Pomona at various public events and activities.

All of the young women who participated in the pageant are positive role models who will make significant contributions to society in the future, Gallivan said Tuesday.

Often Gallivan is asked why she is involved in the organization of the pageant.

"The reason I keep doing it is because (the young people) inspire me," she said. "They make me feel so hopeful for the future....Sometimes you have to see greatness in action."

Organizers said the event drew a large audience to the Fox.

Teachers, family members and friends of all three pageant finalists were among the crowd, Gallivan said.

Having the pageant at the Fox contributed to the event's atmosphere, she said.

"It added to the prestige, it added to the glamour of the evening and added glamour to downtown," Gallivan said.

The participation of sponsoring businesses has also been important to the event.

The contributions allowed organizers to present Miss Pomona a $3,000 scholarship and each princess a $2,000 scholarship, Gallivan said, adding that's the most organizers have been able to award.

For additional information on the Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant visit www.metropomona.com.

Although the governor's budget proposal spares kindergarten to 12th grade education from massive cuts the financial future for schools is still gloomy, members of the Pomona Unified School District board of education were told today.

School board members met for a special meeting this morning where Leslie Barnes, the district's assistant superintendent of business services and chief financial officer, spoke about the state's financial picture and how it will affect local schools.

Barnes said district administrators attended a recent presentation on Gov. Jerry Brown's budget proposal where they learned California's $26.7 billion deficit is the largest in state history.

The state has used billions in one-time monies to balance the budget but in the process has created a $30.1 billion debt that will make future deficits worst, she said.

Under the governor's proposal voters must approve extending some taxes for a five year period in order to prevent cuts to schools, she said.

However, if voters don't approve the tax extensions schools can expects to see cuts to the tune of $2.3 billion for the 2011-2012 school year, Barnes said.

Although the proposal says funding for schools will remain at the same level as the prior year the formula for calculating funding will result in a lose of money for schools in 2011-2012, she said.

For Pomona Unified the loss would total about $9.5 million, Barnes said.

The district's financial plans for 2011-2012 submitted to the Los Angeles County Office of Education already call for cutting $19 million but the number would grow to $28.5 million if voters reject extending taxes, Barnes said.

In the coming months Los Angeles County Office of Education personnel have informed school districts that in the coming months they will have to show how they plan to address future cuts.

At the same meeting school board meeting district lawyer Kasey Haws gave a presentation on that state's open meeting law, better known as the Brown Act, and under what circumstances the school board can go behind closed doors for a discussion.

Published Monday, Jan. 24, 2011

POMONA - For nine months, members of Pomona 's Charter Review Commission have been reviewing and developing proposed changes to the city's charter.

Last week the group learned two commission members have been replaced.

"I was shocked and outraged," said commission member John Clifford.

Like some other members of the commission, Clifford was troubled by changes to the body's make-up when its work is to be completed by May.

Councilwoman Ginna Escobar, who was elected to the council in November, replaced Victor Caceres, a commission co-chairman, and Edmund Simien.

In their place Escobar appointed Debra Martin and DeAndre Valencia.

Although Escobar said Friday she had no comment on the matter she did say that even though the Charter Review Commission is close to wrapping up its work, two new members on the body can make valuable contributions.

"There's new perspectives, new opinions, and new ways of seeing things," she said.

Escobar appointed new members to various city commissions including the Charter Review Commission this month.

City staff members asked for the opinion of the City Attorney in relation to Charter Review Commission appointments, said Mark Gluba, assistant to the city manager.

The response was that Escobar could make the changes, Gluba said.

Simien said he learned about being replaced through an e-mail and an accompanying letter from City Clerk Marie Macias the week prior to the commission's Jan. 19 meeting.

The news caught him off guard but it didn't completely surprised him, Simien said.

Escobar has the right to make appointments to city commissions, he said.

"The only problem with taking Victor and me off is we're nine months into a one year commitment," he said. "The new people have no background on what has been discussed or recommended" up to this point.

Making a change at this stage may not be the best for the commission or the residents of the city, he said.

"To me it doesn't seem like a logical thing to do," Simien said.

Some of the 15 commission members said the Charter Review Commission is unlike others in the city.

Unlike other commissions, the Charter Review Commission exists for 12 months and must complete its work in that time.

It was empaneled last year as called for by the charter that was updated in the mid 1990s and approved by voters in 1998.

Although the charter called for the council to establish a commission in January 2010, and every 10 years after that, council members did not name panel members until early May.

Commission members must review the city's charter, produce a report and, if necessary, propose changes that would go to voters for approval in 2012.

Caceres said he would have liked to serve on the commission until its work was done but understands that Escobar wanted to make her own appointments to the body.

Leaving the commission as it was would have been better in order to have consistency, Caceres said.

He added changes at this late stage could slow down the momentum the commission had developed.

"We were doing really good work," he said. Now "it may take a little longer to finish."

Commission member Julie Roberts-Fronk said the change was a distraction and "it's disrespectful to the process" not to mention commission members including those who have been replaced and the newly appointed.

A great deal of research has been completed and the new commission members must now be brought up to speed on all that has taken place up to now so they can participate in the process, she said.

It was to be expected that in the course of the commission's short life some people would leave and a few have, Roberts-Fronk said.

Changes like that can have an impact on the commission, she said, adding any additional changes only serve to unsettle the pace of the commission's work.

"It seems prudent to not interfere with the process any more than need be," Roberts-Fronk said.

Commission member Arturo Jimenez said although he understands the feelings of his fellow commission members the body isn't about to stop its work.

"I think we should just soldier on," he said.

Although some commission members may have felt disrespected, Jimenez said he is not among them.

Changes should be expected when there are changes in the make up of a city council, he said.

Jimenez said he is not about to dwell on the changes because the commission has work to complete.

He added he did support the concept of creating a temporary committee of the commission to draft a letter to the City Council expressing the body's concerns.

The letter will be reviewed by the commission at its February meeting, commissioners said.

Escobar's appointments could result in the commission revisiting a section of the charter dealing with the Charter Review Commission, Clifford said.

The commission had already approved some proposed changes to that portion of the charter but commissioners may return to it and add language about changes to the body's make-up, he said.

Published Saturday, Jan. 2011

The L.A. County Fair was ranked fourth in the annual list of top 50 fairs and festivals in North America by Venues Today, an industry publication, Fairplex announced this week.

Based on attendance the L.A. County Fair remained among the top 10 fairs in North America, according to a statement from Fairplex.

The 23-day 2010 L.A. County Fair had an attendance of 1,374,673.

Published Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

A free presentation on cancer-fighting foods will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center, 1910 Royalty Drive.

Registered dietician Vanessa Wada will talk about foods that help keep people healthy.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2010 close to 300,000 men and 270,000 women died of cancer, according to a hospital statement.

In 2007 United States mortality statistics listed cancer as the second cause of death behind heart disease, the statement said.

The lifetime probability of developing cancer, for all cancers combined, for both men and women in 2004-06, was one in two for men and one in three for women, the statement said.

"Neglecting good dietary habits can have a significant, long-term effect on the prevention of cancer," Wada said in the statement. "People need to be aware of, better manage and take action within their lifestyle and eating habits. Although cancer may not present itself in the short-term, it can be a long-term consequence of poor habits."

Additional information on the presentation is available on the hospital's website at www.pvhmc.org.

Published Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

The Mt. San Antonio College flying team will participate in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's national competition after taking second place during a recent regional air meet held at Brackett Field in La Verne, the college announced recently.

First place went to Arizona's Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University, and third place was awarded to San Diego Christian College.

The national Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference will be held at Ohio State University from May 16 to 21.

A total of 95 students representing six colleges participated in the 2011 Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference, which is a regional competition for university and community college flying teams, according to a Mt. SAC statement.

Mt. SAC's team earned an award as the top two-year school and also grabbed the tournament's sportsmanship award, the statement said.

Students also earned a total of 29 individual awards.

Among the individual award winners was San Dimas resident Kate Darwin, who earned the top female pilot award; Montclair resident David Calleros, who took first place in the aircraft preflight inspection category; Glendora resident Rick Palkovic, who earned first place in the flight simulator competition; and Moreno Valley residents Darwin and Ian Doolittle, who took first place in the crew resource management event.

Published Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

The deadline is approaching for submitting a design that could become a float in the 2012 Rose Parade.

Students from Cal Poly campuses at Pomona and San Luis Obispo are accepting design entries until 5 p.m. Friday.

The students' 2011 award-winning entry, "Galactic Expedition," was designed by Michael Roussin, a Cal Poly Pomona third-year mechanical engineering student, a university statement said.

The design earned the Cal Poly Universities both the tournament's Fantasy Trophy and the Viewers' Choice Award.

"Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take great pride in making our float participation a volunteer event," said Sergio Hernandez, student involvement intern at the Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers in the statement. "Selecting the theme for the float is part of that tradition."

Participation is open to the public, and multiple entries are allowed.

Entries should be no larger than 11-by-17 inches and done in black and white.

The entries should be anonymous and accompanied by a sealed envelope containing the entry and float description. Copyright infringement, such as depicting cartoon characters, is not allowed, the statement said.

Entry details are available at rosefloat.org/wp-content/ uploads/2011/01/2012-Concept -Contest-Guidelines.pdf.

The grand-prize winner can choose between two tickets to the 2012 Rose Bowl game or $1,000 cash.

The Tournament of Roses will announce the parade theme next week.

"In concept, the theme will be about potential and hope, discoveries and fascinations, and the search for beauty in things rare and common," the statement said.

"The Cal Poly Universities' concept should play off the parade theme, but there is great latitude for interpretation," Hernandez said. "We're looking forward to a wide spectrum of ideas."

Published Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

Residents and business owners of the northeastern part of Pomona are invited to bring questions or concerns about their neighborhoods to a meeting hosted by members of the Police Department.

Although the focus of the meeting will be the northeast area of the city, residents from across the city can attend.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Emerson Middle School, 635 Lincoln Ave.

A part of the meeting will be devoted to a discussion of youth services within the context of crime prevention.

Residents, business owners and Neighborhood Watch members are asked to call in or e-mail questions or concerns ahead of time to police Lt. Eddie Vazquez so that he can bring answers to the meeting.

Questions or comments can be e-mailed to AreaCommander_Northeast@ci.pomona.ca.us or they can be phoned in to 909-802-7494.

The city's northeast quadrant is made up of the area east of Garey Avenue and north of Holt Avenue.

For more information, call the Police Department's crime prevention office at 909-620-2318.

Published Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

Western University of Health Sciences is accepting sign-ups from potential students interested in learning about its education programs leading to health careers.

The university's Preview Day will be on March 5 in and around Western University's Health Education Center, 701 E. Second St.

Those attending will find information on the university's programs in various health fields, the university's admissions process and financial aid opportunities, according to a statement from the university.

Information on how to be a stand-out applicant will be offered. Attendees will also be able to talk with current students and members of the faculty.

A resource fair and various panels and questions and answer sessions on the university's programs and other university-related topics will be offered along with tours of the campus.

Registering for Preview Day can be done by going to westernu.info/preview.

Published Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

POMONA - A couple of bright yellow Union Pacific engines pulling three railroad passenger cars traveled up and down the tracks parallel to Pomona 's First Street on Friday.

In the morning, the train was part of an operation that involved Union Pacific Police, Pomona Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The three agencies were looking for people - pedestrians and motorists alike - who ignored signs and other signals warning them of approaching trains.

About a dozen citations were issued between 7 and 11:30a.m., said Sgt. Christian Hsu of the Pomona Police Department's traffic services bureau.

Citations were issued to pedestrians and drivers who did not obey the lights and bells at train crossings and either drove or walked across the tracks, he said.

"A lot of times (pedestrians) think because they don't see or hear a train ... they can cross," Hsu said.

Law enforcement personnel cited people and explained to them that what they did was dangerous.

They explained that "once the bells and lights go on, don't even try to beat (the train) over" the tracks, he said.

Whether on foot or in a vehicle, people must stay behind railroad crossing gates, Hsu said.

Enforcement was one part of educating the public.

Midday the same train took a handful of passengers on a short ride along the tracks.

The train, which made stops in San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire cities this week, was visiting places where train engineers have reported people engaging in dangerous behavior on or near the train tracks, said Lupe Valdez, director of public affairs for Union Pacific Railroad.

"We constantly have to remind people these trains can't stop on a dime," Valdez said.

In 2009, California recorded 57 deaths - more than any other state - resulting from people trespassing on railroad property, according to Federal Railroad Administration figures.

The same year, California was among the top in the number of highway-rail grade crossing incidents.

As part of Union Pacific's education efforts, it invites elected officials and regional planning organizations to ride the train.

"It's just to give them an idea of what we do and the issues of safety" engineers face, Valdez said.

Kurt Blodgett, director of claims with Union Pacific, said it's difficult for a train to stop quickly, but it's even more difficult for freight trains carrying large, heavy loads.

"If you're involved in a collision with a train ... there is a high propensity of death," he said.

In quiet zones - an area where trains refrain from sounding their horns - locomotives will still sound them occasionally.

Train engineers will sound a horn if they see someone or something that could be a danger to themselves or the train, Blodgett said.

Train horns will also sound if railroad employees are doing maintenance on tracks or working on trains, Valdez said.

POMONA - Kiera Reed and her neighbor Rocio Castaneda were among a group of young people who put a fresh coat of paint on a wall in their apartment complex Monday morning in the 1300 block of east Kingsley Avenue.

Kiera and Rocio, both 11, wanted to make the walls that surround a small courtyard in the Casa Grande complex look better.

"Here it was all messed up," Kiera said, while using a paint brush to touch up some parts of the wall. "There was graffiti on the wall and everything was faded on the floor."

Kiera was referring to the hopscotch and four-square game markings on the courtyard floor.

The improved courtyard will be good for the children in the complex, Kiera said.

"They'll be something for the kids to do," she said. "It's going to be better than it was before."

Kiera was among those who marked Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day by carrying out community service projects.

About 70 people came together at the complex. About half were residents of the complex and the surrounding neighborhoods. The other half were part of the Inland Empire United Way's Hands on Inland Empire.

On the surface, what was taking place was a beautification effort but there was more to it than that, said Armando Lopez, a member of the Pomona 's Community Development Department and a site director with the city's Weed and Seed community improvement efforts.

The bigger project was to get people to know each other and begin building relationships so they can work together on larger community efforts such as Neighborhood Watch, Lopez said.

Having the involvement of additional volunteers, such as college students and members of the California Conservation Corps, boosted the effort, he said.

Volunteers signed up to give their time on the birthday of the civil rights leader and help out on various projects, including the apartment complex cleanup, said Francine Gobert, an event specialist with the Inland Empire United Way.

Pomona resident Maria Negrete lives on nearby Karesh Avenue but she was busy sweeping up leaves Monday.

"I think this is important for the community," she said in Spanish. "I think together we can do much."

By working together residents can make improvements to their community and along the way "you can even make it look nice," she said.

Brisa Quintero is a resident of nearby Abbey Lane. Helping the apartment residents is good because it bring residents together and "it keeps everyone communicating," she said.

Elizabeth Oh of Ontario and her neighbor, Bianca Moreno, helped with different tasks Monday, from picking up trash and helping prepare soil for planting flower beds to helping paint lines for children's games.

Oh, a bio-chemistry student at Cal State San Bernardino, said she liked to see so many residents involved.

"All the members of the community seem to be very active here and that's encouraging," Oh said.

Although Oh signed up for volunteer projects in the past this was the first she carried out on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"You all of a sudden hear his speeches and it gets to you," she said. "It definitely encourages me to just give more."

California Conservation Corps member Breahna Dawson of Montclair said volunteering on King's birthday is a way of living out the civil rights leader's vision.

"Martin Luther King always wanted everyone to come together and get along," she said.

Published Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011

As Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' condition continues to improve she moves closer to beginning intensive therapy that will be part of her rehabilitation, those with expertise in addressing brain injuries say.

In general people who have survived injuries such as Giffords are good candidates for rehabilitation, said Dr. Austin Colohan, chief of the department of neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

However, "recovery can take several years," Colohan said.

The Scripps College graduate was shot in the head outside a Tucson supermarket Jan. 8 when a gunman opened fire at a meet-and-greet event she was hosting.

Six people were killed. Giffords was among 13 seriously wounded.

Early on, Giffords responded to simple orders and Wednesday evening while surrounded by her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, close friends from Congress and President Barack Obama, she opened her eyes on her own.

One of her physicians, Dr. Michael Lemole said Friday her eyes are opening more frequently and she is carrying out complex sequences of activity on her own.

Experts said that based on information from news reports Giffords will probably need physical, occupational and speech therapy along with cognitive rehabilitation.

Colohan said Giffords will probably be evaluated soon for rehabilitation if that hasn't happened already.

Before she moves on to intensive therapy her medical condition must be addressed.

Giffords will probably spend a few more days in intensive care before being moved to a hospital unit where the surroundings are closer to those of regular hospital room but is still monitored closely, said David Hovda, professor of neurosurgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center.

After two to three days there she will probably be sent off to rehabilitation, Hovda said.

The gunshot injured the left side of Giffords' brain.

Her injuries, treatment and recovery depend on various factors including what side of Giffords' head the bullet entered and exited from and its trajectory, experts said.

Giffords could have problems moving her right arm, leg and foot, may have vision problems on her right side and speech problems as a result of the injury.

She may also have problems controlling emotions and may become uninhibited depending on what part of her brain suffered the greatest damage, specialists said.

Such difficulties may require cognitive therapy to help her control her emotions, Hovda said.

Patients can make great strides in their rehabilitation but they can lose ground before making progress again, Hovda said.

That can be frustrating for the family and the patient, he said.

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona has worked with military personnel who suffered traumatic brain injuries while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Through its Survive and Thrive program, injured service personnel and their families both learn to adapt to the new person the injured person becomes.

Patients may say things that are inappropriate because the injury affects a part of the brain that could make them uninhibited or emotional.

Families and the patient must learn to adapt to such changes, said Dr. Sepehr Khonsari, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, at Casa Colina.

Family is important in the progress a patient makes, he said.

"I've seen it. Patients who don't have that support, we can never make the same progress," Khonsari said.

"It's a voice that they've heard and it triggers something."

Hovda agrees the support of the family is important.

"I'm a big believer in that," Hovda said. "I think the thing that is really important is to have a very supportive family."

Patients may become emotional at times yet "patients have every reason to be emotional," he said.

Giffords will probably experience the same thing.

"The more love she receives from family, prayers and support...it's very, very good," Hovda said.

She probably will get exhausted quickly during therapy.

The human brain represents 2 percent of the body's mass but it uses 20 percent of the body's energy, he said.

The brain is working overtime to do the work of the healthy parts and those that are injured, Hovda said.

"Now it's going to add to it" by taking on rehabilitation.

Giffords will probably benefit from going to an acute rehabilitation facility, similar to Casa Colina, where the care could include the administration of neurostimulants, Khonsari said.

Casa Colina uses medications commonly used in the treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's disease and attention deficit disorder "to stimulate the brain and try to promote recovery," Khonsari said.

Parents with questions or concerns about Pomona Unified School District schools are invited to attend one of a series of community meetings hosted by Superintendent Richard Martinez at the district's various middle schools.

The goal is to listen to concerns of parents who have children attending schools in the neighborhoods surrounding each district middle school, said Tim McGillivray, district spokesman.

Often schools served by the same middle school have common interests and concerns, he said.

The first "Coffee with the Superintendent" is scheduled for 8:30 to10 a.m. Wednesday at Lorbeer Middle School, 501 Diamond Bar Blvd., in Diamond Bar and is geared for parents with children in the district's Diamond Bar campuses. Those schools are Armstrong Elementary, Diamond Point Elementary, Pantera Elementary, Golden Springs Elementary, Decker Elementary, Ranch Hills Elementary, Lorbeer Middle School and Diamond Ranch High School.

The meetings are intended to be a casual gathering without set agendas. Parents are encouraged to bring up any school-related topic.

The following is the schedule for the next five "Coffee with the Superintendent" meetings":

Feb. 10: Emerson Middle School

March 3: Palomares Academy of Health Sciences

March 10: Marshall Middle School

March 31: Simons Middle School

April 14: Fremont Academy of Engineering & Design.

Pomona Unified board members are going to take their next meeting on the road.

The school board's Feb. 2 meeting will take place at Pantera Elementary, 801 Pantera Drive, in Diamond Bar. The open portion of the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Depending on the success of the first meeting, the school board could conduct another one of its meetings at a different campus, said Tim McGillivray, district spokesman.

The next school to host a meeting is expected to be Harrison Elementary, sometime this spring.

If the community response to holding school board meetings on district campuses is successful, board members may opt to schedule future meetings at different campuses, McGillivray said.

Pomona resident Ron Hardin will sign copies of his Christian poetry book, "His Heart's Collection" on Sunday.

The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 3625 Grand Ave., Chino Hills.

The book contains some of the poems Hardin, a minister, has written since 1983, according to his website.

The Downtown Pomona Owners Association and the Miss Pomona Pageant Committee announced this week the names of the three finalists in the 2011 Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant.

The finalists are Jessie Gomez, a junior at Diamond Ranch High School; Danielle Cruz Garcia, a junior at Diamond Ranch; and Mansi Patel, a senior at Village Academy High School.

"Selecting the three finalists for the Miss Pomona Pageant was not an easy process. Each candidate that we interviewed was incredibly special in her own unique way," said Mickey Gallivan, co-chairwoman of the Pageant Committee in a statement.

The final phase of competition will take place at 5 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Pomona Fox Theater, 301 S. Garey Ave. On that evening, each finalist will deliver a speech on a topic related to Pomona. A panel of judges will then determine the winner, who will be crowned that evening.

Contestants are judged based on academic scholarship, leadership skills, school and community involvement and verbal and written communication skills, the statement said.

Miss Pomona and her court will be awarded scholarships and will make appearances representing the city at various events during the year.

The winner of Miss Pomona will also have the opportunity to compete for the Miss Teen California pageant.

For information on the event or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.metropomona.com

Western University of Health Sciences announced this week the dean of its College of Dental Medicine will be leaving to take a new job on the East Coast.

Dr. James Koelbl, founding dean of Western's College of Dental Medicine, has accepted a position at the University of New England to establish a dental college at that institution.

The university has campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine.

Koelbl will continue with Western University until spring and then move to Maine, Western University officials said in a statement.

The college's associate dean, Dr. Steven Friedrichsen, has been named its interim dean and will take over leadership Feb. 1.

A Cal State Long Beach administrator has been named dean of Cal Poly Pomona's College of Engineering. The announcement was made this week.

Mahyar Amouzegar, associate dean of engineering for research and graduate studies at Long Beach, will begin his new duties at Cal Poly July 17, the university said in a statement.

In addition to being associate dean Amouzegar is also professor of electrical engineering at Long Beach.

At Long Beach, Amouzegar was responsible for the management and supervision of more than 100 research projects, 40 research faculty and an annual budget of more than $4 million, the statement said.

Amouzegar also directed the Center for the Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies and served as chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department.

"It's an honor to join one of the nation's distinguished engineering programs," Amouzegar said in the statement. "Cal Poly Pomona has long enjoyed an exceptional reputation within both academia and industry. I look forward to working alongside an innovative community of faculty, staff, students and industry professionals as we elevate our research profile, expand the graduate program and develop new career opportunities for our students."

Prior to serving at Long Beach, Amouzegar served as senior analyst in the National Security Division of the RAND Corp. where he managed numerous research projects. He was an assistant professor of mathematics at Massey University in New Zealand and served as a visiting professor at UCLA and Cal State Los Angeles.

Amouzegar has multiple degrees, including a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from UCLA. He earned a bachelor's degree in applied math from San Francisco State University.

The Pomona Police Department is accepting applications from residents interested in attending its eight-week Citizens' Police Academy.

The Citizens Police Academy is designed to give residents and those who work in the city a chance to learn about the workings of the department and its programs, according to a department statement.

Participants will learn about the various parts of the department including patrol operations, criminal investigations unit, forensics, canine operations, SWAT, narcotics investigations, aero bureau, traffic and police personnel.

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in some hands-on demonstrations.

All sessions will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with the first one on Feb. 23. The last session will be April 13. Space is limited. Deadline to submit applications for the program is 5 p.m. Feb. 9.

Applications are available at the front desk of the Pomona Police Department, 490 W. Mission Blvd. or at the Crime Prevention Office found on the second floor of Pomona City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave.

For applications and program information contact the department's Crime Prevention Office at 909-620-2318.

The Repertory Opera Company will offer three performance of Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" next month.

Performances will begin at 2 p.m. on Feb. 2, 12 and 19 at First Christian Church, 1751 N. Park Ave.

This is the second opera of the company's 2010-2011 season.

Tickets are $30 each.

For information on the Repertory Opera Company or to purchase tickets go to www.repertoryoperacompany.org or call 909-230-4949.

Published Friday, Jan. 14, 2011

POMONA - Layoff notices were mailed out Thursday to six Pomona Unified School District employees who make up the district's capital facilities staff.

District school board members voted 3-1 Wednesday evening to issue the notices. Board member Roberta Perlman voted in opposition while member Richard Rodriguez abstained.

Superintendent Richard Martinez said the layoffs represent what will be an on-going savings of $700,000 a year for the district which will have to cut $27 million to have a balanced budget for the 2011-2012 school year.

Although Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing a state budget that spared kindergarten to 12th grade education from cuts, part of his strategy calls for asking voters for extending the life of certain taxes to provide for schools, Martinez said.

The district must be prepared in case voters don't support the tax extensions, he said.

The layoffs are the start of what will be additional rounds of reductions, Martinez told board members.

Early next month a proposal will be presented to school board members calling for layoffs of some of the classified personnel working in the district's child development programs, he said.

Later in the month a proposal to issue preliminary layoff notices for some certificated employees which includes teachers, counselors and school psychologists will be presented to board members.

"This is the difficult reality of our situation," he said during the meeting.

The six affected employees are part of the district's administrative ranks and include Scott Stark, director of capital facilities.

The department, among other things is responsible for administering and carrying out school renovation plans being paid with a $235 million bond measure - Measure PS - that district voters approved in November 2008.

Stark told board members using consultants to carry out the work he and his staff handled would be costly.

Their work involved "guiding and scrutinizing consultants" in order to control costs and have a successful construction program, Stark said.

He suggested that the district move the employees salaries out of the general fund and use bond funds to pay for their wages.

"Our bond staff could and should be transferred to bond funding," he said.

Board member Andrew Wong said district residents were told money raised through the bond measure would be used to complete those projects and not be used to pay staff.

During the last two summers, capital facilities staff have supervised the completion of relatively smaller projects at more than 20 campuses around the district, he said.

However, larger projects are coming up.

"The most complex work we're doing is right around the corner," Stark said.

Phil Ripa, a member of the district's Measure PS oversight committee, said spending the money on staff would go toward ensuring projects are completed correctly and cost effectively.

Stark has been responsible for questioning contractors and consultants, Ripa said.

"He's looked at these things. He has scrutinized," he said.

Martinez said the district has administrators who are capable of working with the district's construction consultants and supervising the projects.

One of the administrators, Purchasing Director Nathaniel Holt, already has some responsibilities involving bond measure projects and has worked with the district's construction consultant, Martinez said after the meeting.

Holt has also had involvement in a previous district bond measure, Martinez said.

Perlman had requested board members hold off on a decision until next month so that she could have greater information.

"I'm not confident I understand all the fiscal ramifications" involved, she said.

That proposal was voted down, 3-2, with Rodriguez joining Perlman in opposition.

Wong said he had spoken with Stark about the matter.

"This is one of those very difficult decisions," Wong said. "We're in a very difficult time."

The district is using the services of a consultant so continued employment of district staff is "resulting in a redundancy," Wong said.

Board President Adrienne Konigar-Macklin said if the board acted Wednesday evening it could undo the action if it chose to do so at a later date.

After the meeting Steve Horowitz, assistant superintendent of personnel services, said notices were to be distributed Thursday and affected employees would work for the district until the end of February.

It's possible some of the six employees may be able to take other positions in the districts, he said

Published Friday, Jan. 14, 2011

POMONA - The make-believe officers ordered the pretend suspected car thief out a car.

"Driver, let me see your hands," called out one of the members of Pomona Police Explorer Post 160 Tuesday evening.

The driver, also a member the Explorer post, raised his hands while in the car.

"Throw the keys out," the Explorer said before ordering the suspect to slowly get out of the car.

Carefully the Explorers playing the roles of law enforcement officers went through the process of having the thief leave the car, move toward them, search him and arrest him - all under the watchful eyes of their parents and post advisors.

The demonstration was part of Parents Night held at the Pomona Police Department's training center on East First Street Tuesday evening.

Dozens of parents turned out to get an understanding of what the Explorer program is and what it can do for young people.

The program, which is under the umbrella of the Boys Scouts of America, is open to youth ages 15 to 20 with an interest in law enforcement, said Pomona Police Cpl. Ryan Rodriguez , a post adviser.

Much like those interested in working for a law enforcement agency, youth go through background checks, written tests and interviews when applying to join the post.

Good personal conduct and academic performance are also things Explorers must have, Rodriguez told parents.

Youth must have at least a C average to participate, said Cpl. J.T. Garcia, another adviser.

If grades slip, Explorers can be restricted from taking part in activities but often its fellow Explorers who push each other to work on their grades, he said.

"It's peers telling them you need to pick this up," Garcia said.

The annual Parents Night is a post activity that provides parents a chance to see what their children are doing during their bi-monthly meetings and ask questions, said Officer Reggie Villanueva, a post adviser.

"Our concept is that if parents are well-informed about what is happening from 6 to sometimes 9 at night it puts the parent at ease," he said.

Parents Night also helps parents get involved by helping guide their children in managing their time so they can meet their home and school responsibilities and still take part in Explorer activities, Villanueva said.

Taking part in the Explorer program is "the greatest way to expose someone to law enforcement," he said.

It can help a young person determine if that is truly the career they want for themselves.

Often youth who take part in the Explorer program join one of the branches of the military while others chose to pursue careers in law enforcement, as firefighters, and health-related fields, Villanueva said. Others chose different careers.

Through the Explorer program youth become more disciplined, develop self-confidence and leadership skills all while learning to work as part of a team and to work with members of the public.

Those are all skills that are valuable to anyone who wants to be a contributing members of their community, advisors said.

Explorer Jesus Diaz, 16, of Chino attended with his parents Isabel and Miguel Diaz.

For Jesus becoming an Explorer started out as a way to have access to tutoring but the teen knew little else about Explorers.

"At first I didn't know what I was getting into," Jesus said.

There was much he didn't understand until advisers explained what the program was about.

Before long he was attending the Explorer training academy and enjoying what he was doing.

"They help you be more prepared, more disciplined. They help you deal with stress better," he said.

And all that is valuable because Jesus has decided he would like to have a career in law enforcement.

His parents said the program is a valuable one that parents should consider allowing their children to participate in.

Isabel Diaz said such a program helps youth live healthy, disciplined lives.

The program is a positive activity for youth, Miguel Diaz said.

"It's the kind of program that keeps youth occupied in positive activities," he said. "It also teaches them positive things they will use in the future."

For information on Pomona Police Explorer Post call Cpl. Rodriguez at 909-620-3641.

Published Friday, Jan. 14, 2011

Melba and Primo Castro had only been married a few months when they attended their first Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in January 2008.

They attended the event and heard Gayle Claiborne, president of the Pomona -Inland Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Project, speak of the volunteer organization's need for new members.

"We just looked at each other, discussed it briefly and said we have to get involved," said Primo Castro, now the organization's treasurer.

The couple's values and commitment to social justice aligned with the mission of the organization, said Melba Schneider Castro, now vice president of the organization.

They saw the importance of the organization which for decades has worked to promote social justice, racial equity and worked to supported and encourage young scholars in the region to do the same.

"We just couldn't let an organizations with so much history, an organization that has helped students further their education, just fade away," Castro said.

They are participating in the 29th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration starting at 6 p.m. Sunday at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 600 N. Garey Ave.

The couple said they felt they had to do their part to support the organization.

Melba Schneider Castro grew up in Santa Ana and Primo Castro grew up in Pomona. Both come from modest, working class families.

Both began working as pre-teens to help out their families, and both had role models as children and teens who instilled in them the importance of higher education and using their knowledge in service to the community.

Both had mentors who as young professionals who encouraged them to lend a hand and assist others in accessing opportunities similar to the ones that allowed them obtain an education.

Today Schneider Castro is director of First Year Student Success programs at UC Riverside. Castro is a field representative for the state's 28th Senate District.

The Castros believe strongly in social justice and say it involves more than recalling the words and actions of civil rights leaders annually.

"It's making sure there are equal opportunities for individuals on a daily basis," Schneider Castro said.

Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez who stand for social justice and giving to the community must be honored, she said.

But one must also try to live out their teachings.

"I try to embody that in my actions professionally and in my community," Schneider Castro said.

Part of the work of the project involves raising money to provide awards to young people involved in their communities and working to fulfill King's dream of social and racial justice.

The financial awards - which will be presented during Sunday's event - can provide some assistance as a students heads off to college or other educational program or help in the purchase of textbooks, Castro said.

The awards may also serve to encourage students to return to their neighborhoods after college and contribute to their community, Castro said.

"Regardless of where you are in life, don't forget your neighborhood," he said.

The Castros often attend Project meetings along with the their 16-month-old daughter, Madison Eva.

"She's a community activist in training," Schneider Castro said joking.

Having their daughter attend activities with them is one way of starting to instill in her the importance of being active in the city she lives in, Castro said.

It also a way of preparing future generations to participate in groups such as the Pomona-Inland Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Project.

"In order to continue the legacy of giving back you have to lead the young ones," Castro said.

Pomona lawn bowlers will begin their winter league activities today with the first home game scheduled for Jan 15.

The group's home matches will take place at the Pomona Lawn Bowl Club, 451 E. Arrow Highway, next to the Palomares Adobe.

The team's home games are scheduled for Jan. 15 and 22; and Feb. 5, 12 and 19.

Weekly games will take place Saturdays starting at 9 a.m. and will finish May 12 when the club holds playoffs.

A total of 12 teams representing Alhambra, Hermosa Beach, Friendly Hills, Santa Anita, Pasadena, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach and Pomona will compete.

Teams will play in one of the various 12 teams' greens each week.

Spectators are welcome and invited to learn about lawn bowling.

For league or Pomona Lawn Bowl Club information call 909-625-5532 or 626-340-5676.

The EVE Gallery in downtown Pomona will host a show centered around Elvis Presley today.

The show coincides with Presley's 76th birthday.

Works from various artists, many of them local, will be part of the show. Members of the public are invited to visit.

Elvis look-a-likes and impersonators are welcome to attend the event.

The EVE Gallery is to the rear of Futures Collide furniture store, 280 W. Second St.

Gallery hours are 6 to 11 p.m.

The gallery phone number is (909) 638-1053.

On-line spring semester registration for Mt. San Antonio College students will begin Jan. 19, the institution announced this week.

Spring semester classes begin Feb. 28.

Continuing credit students along with new students should go to my.mtsac.edu to register for classes, according to a Mt. SAC statement.

New students must submit admission applications on-line.

Before new students can register they must activate their personal Mt. SAC portal accounts using the my.mtsac.edu site where information on setting up the accounts is also available.

Through the accounts students will receive their assigned registration times and dates.

Also, before registering new students must sign up for a required orientation session. To sign up for an orientation session students can contact the Mt. SAC counseling department at 909-274-4380.

Students who do not have access to computers can go to the Student Services Center on campus during business hours where they will and find computers and assistance if needed.

College enrollment fees are $26 per unit for California residents. All fees are due upon registration.

The Mt. SAC admissions office is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For registration information visit www.mtsac.edu or call the Mt. SAC admissions and records office at 909-274-4415.

Among his last acts as governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a proclamation recognizing the work of Western University of Health Sciences President Philip Pumerantz.

The University announced this week the former governor sent the proclamation last month in which he praised Pumerantz for his leadership and service to the state and to health care.

Schwarzenegger left office Monday.

"It is a pleasure to extend my gratitude for your years of service to the osteopathic medical community," states the proclamation.

"Your distinguished career is a testament to your outstanding mentorship of your peers and extensive contributions to the medical community. Your ability to balance a wide range of roles is admirable and you have earned the respect and admiration of your peers. Your work will have a tremendous impact on future generations of Californians and you are truly an inspiring example to all of us."

Pumerantz is the founding president of the university, which was established in 1977 as the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.

Since then the institution has grown into a comprehensive health sciences university with nine colleges and 21 degree programs.

Teams from several educational institutions will gather at La Verne's Brackett Field next week for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's 2011 regional airmeet hosted by Mt. San Antonio College.

The meet will begin Thursday (Jan. 13) and conclude Jan. 16, according to a statement from Mt. SAC.

"The regional airmeet is the beginning of flight competition that eventually leads to the national airmeet, and the competition at this stage is always tough," said Robert Rogus, Mt. SAC Flying Team adviser and aeronautics professor.

The competition is for for university and community college flying teams, the statement said.

Seven teams are expected to participate in competitive events such as navigation, power off landings and message drop.

Taking part in the airmeet will be the Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, San Jose State University, Cypress College, Orange Coast College, San Diego Christian College and Mt. SAC.

The top two teams will advance to the national Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference airmeet to be held at Ohio State University May 16-21.

Mt. SAC has consistently earned awards during the competition, the statement said.

For information on the regional airmeet, call Mt. SAC Aeronautics at 909-594-5611, ext. 5006.

The 29th Annual MLK Celebration will take place Jan. 16 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 600 N. Garey Ave.

The event, organized by The Pomona Inland Valley Martin Luther King, Jr. Project, will include Michael Ajakwe, Jr., as keynote speaker.

Ajakwe, a writer on television shows such as "Martin," "Eve," and "The Parkers," will deliver a speech titled "Racism, the media and the 21st Century."

Through the annual event organizers work to continue "a legacy of inspiring younger generations to emulate the late Dr. King," according to a statement from the Project.

During the event the Project will recognize several Inland Valley teens with the MLK Youth Social Justice Awards.

The awards are presented to youth ages 15 to 19 for their commitment to community and the philosophies of King, the statement said.

For additional information on the Project go to www.pivmlk.org.

The 2011 Miss Pomona will be crowned in a ceremony scheduled to take place Jan. 22, at the Pomona Fox Theater.

Miss Pomona and two princesses will be crowned after a long process that involves several elimination rounds to come up with three finalists.

Each of the finalists will deliver a prepared speech at the ceremony, according to a statement from the Downtown Pomona Owners Association, which is hosting the Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant along with the Miss Pomona Pageant Committee.

Miss Pomona and the members of her court are selected based on academic scholarship, leadership skills, school and community involvement along with written and verbal communication skills, the statement said.

"The Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant is a great opportunity for our ambitious young ladies to celebrate their achievements, and help them pursue their dreams," said Betsy Santoyo, Miss Pomona 2010, in the statement. "I am very proud to have been able to participate in this event."

Miss Pomona and her court will receive scholarships and will make special appearances representing Pomona this year.

Miss Pomona will have the opportunity to apply and compete in the Miss Teen California pageant if she wishes.

Serving on this year's judging panel will be Richard Martinez, Pomona Unified School District superintendent; Carolyn Hemming, president of the Downtown Pomona Owners Association; Ginna Escobar, Pomona councilwoman; Philip Pumerantz, president of Western University of Health Sciences; and Pat Lambert, Pomona Public Library senior librarian.

Sponsors at all levels are being sought for the event.

"It is only through the generous contributions from our sponsors that we are able to provide these bright young ladies with scholarships to help them along as they further pursue their academic interests," said Mickey Gallivan, co-chairwoman of the Pageant Committee. "And for all of their dedicated support we are truly grateful."

For more on sponsorship opportunities visit www.metropomona.com.

While some people in the Inland Valley were in the midst of celebrating the start of 2011 early Saturday, others were waiting for the arrival of new babies.

That was the case for Roxanne and William Laird of Corona, who at 3:11 a.m. welcomed their first child, Wyatt Benjamin Laird, into world.

Wyatt was the first baby born in 2011 at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center.

Wyatt, who weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 21 inches long, made his arrival a few days earlier than expected, his mother said.

"He was supposed to come January 5," Roxanne said.

But at about 1 p.m. Friday, Wyatt let his mom know his birth was closer than expected.

"My water broke while we were out shopping," she said. "I had a feeling he would come early."

Roxanne said she thought her baby might be born before the end of 2010.

Wyatt is the first grandchild on his mother's side of the family, Roxanne said.

"Most of my family was here waiting" for the baby's birth, she said. "His family was texting for updates."

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's first baby of the year was Jaiden Matthew Cabrera, who arrived at 3:31 a.m.

Jaiden, who weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 18 3/4 inches, is the first child of Claudia and Carlos Cabrera of Ontario.

On Saturday afternoon, Jaiden had the attention of several members of his extended family at the Pomona site.

While the newborn slept in his father's arms, relatives chatted happily and snapped pictures of the infant.

Jaiden also arrived ahead of schedule. He wasn't expected until Jan. 11, his father said.

The infant's early arrival means he has a special birth date.

"One, one, one, one - four ones," said Jaiden's dad.

"Maybe he'll have good luck," his mother said.

Jaiden was also the first New Year's Day baby for his and his mother's nurse, Kelly Pineda, who family members invited to be part of a group picture.

San Antonio Community Hospital's first baby of 2011 was Sienna Bautista, who arrived at 4:01 a.m., said Jaynie Boren, vice president of strategic planning and business development.

Sienna is the first child of Cynthia and Seneca Bautista of Corona.

The Upland hospital said Sienna weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

Published  Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011

POMONA - A group of laborers went through several gift bags Thursday morning looking for a knit cap that would fit Sebastian Bonilla.

"That one looks good," said Joe Marquez of Pomona.

The men and Sebastian's mother, Maria Bonilla of Fontana, agreed the small beanie in green and yellow pastel colors would fit the newborn.

One of the men then set the cap in a space at the top of the infant's bassinet at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

The men, workers from the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, also known as the Pomona Day Labor Center, delivered 40 hand-made caps to the hospital for distribution to infants and children.

Various workers participated in the project knitting caps at the center while they waited for work in various construction trades and handy work.

Absent from Thursday's visit to the hospital was Miguel Dimas, a Pomona resident who suggested he and his fellow workers take up the project, Diaz said.

Dimas, who was out of the country tending to a family matter in Mexico, heard of the idea of knitting children's caps and then donating them, Diaz said.

After taking the idea to center officials it was presented to the workers, Diaz said.

"The workers accepted and accepted donating the caps," Diaz said in Spanish. "We then bought the yarn and materials."

To the workers the caps are a small gift to the hospital but one that may help others.

"It may be insignificant but we're giving it with love and affection," Diaz said.

Alfredo Saucedo of Pomona said he helped make two caps, and it was a challenge for him to learn to knit.

"One never picks up a needle to mend a pair of pants," he said in Spanish. "But this was a good cause."

Diaz said workers will keep in touch with hospital representatives and if the caps are found to be useful they will craft more and maybe even make additional garments.

The caps were turned over to the hospital's Volunteer Department to be sorted by size, said Kathy Roche, hospital spokeswoman.

Caps could go to one or more departments such as labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care, and pediatrics, Roche said.

"For NICU and newborns (caps) help them maintain heat," she said.

Babies in NICU are "fragile and we want to do anything we can, even simple things, for them," Roche said.

After delivering a cap to Sebastian and turning over the rest to hospital personnel the men were pleased.

"It's beautiful to give. If feels different from receiving. It's a beautiful feeling," Diaz said.