Tis The Season!

Well, after all of this "around town sadness" since our elections, I really needed last night. The whole family trekked up the hill to the Christmas recital at Diamond Ranch High School and I left in AWE!

The evening event was so stunning. I don't know about anyone else, but in times like these, I look to our children and hope springs eternal. I have until last night felt not in the Christmas spirit. The Music Director at Diamond Ranch has done and outstanding job and the students are so talented. Our middle schooler did a fine job and I suppose she needs a new violin after last night. She felt inadequate after hearing the strings section from the high schoolers, but I reminded her that they didn't get that way without practice. AND, they had the same music teacher that she has now when they were in middle school. Bravo to all last night. Ya made me proud.

Feeling so much more "Christmassy", I glanced out at the streetlight at the end of the driveway and couldn't help but feel sadness knowing that a pig banner will fly in September, but no Holiday banner flying in December. I think that I will protest the pig banner in 2009. If ya can't give me an American flag banner for the 4th, and something in keeping with the Holidays in December - then no pig banner in Sept.

OK...I opened my mouth and Pomona Cultural Arts Commissioner Moore marched over with a big jar. She wants me to fill it up! The 2009 High Schools of Pomona Mural Competition is in needs of fundage. So here goes....it's our kids. We need to encourage them as much as we can, and if that's through even the smallest of donations, let's give. We need to show them how much we appreciate them and their talents. If you want to donate, I will have to call and find out where best to send it - unless someone knows and can post it. Although, I will be collecting at the yarn shop and will make sure it gets to Cindy. You might even spot me around town with the jar.

Looking forward to all the events that are being held this Second Saturday. Especially the ceramic bowls filled with Chili that are being offered for sale at AMOCA. The cost is $12/bowl and will be from noon until 8pm. Can you think of anything better with this crisp weather?

Until next time,

ciao

Pomona Chill

There's a chill in the air and I'm loving it. Having transplanted from Maine, I adore this weather.

I've been away from the blog for a couple of weeks, but am now back in rare form. I do want to mention a 'high five" to our own Uber Garden Maven and her nice article a week ago. Fine job Dawn. A very nice positive for our Pomona. Keep up the great work.

I am very disturbed about the news this week of the firing of Capt. Romero. I am left speechless! Is Pomona going Feudal??? Please let me know someone as I can dig out my old Renaissance dresses and get ready for the josting contests at the Chamber meetings. This is insane. I dug out my little crystal ball to see what the future holds for my dear Pomona, alas - the view is murky. Perhaps some fine wine will help clear up my vision. As I said in a prior post - just waiting for the other shoe to fall.

I do have to take the time to answer Ed's inquiry as to the schooling situation. It's call NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND or NCLB as the teachers refer to it. After raising 5 of my own, I discovered God has a sense of humor. Instead of basking in the glory of old age, I am raising 2 grandchildren. And believe me...I'm keeping up with young mommas.

I discovered to my dismay that here in north Pomona, our elementary schools only go to grade 5. Middle schools are grades 6, 7 and 8. I really felt that I wanted the oldest to continue in an elementary environment for at least another year. If one ventures to the PUSD website, one will find posted all the API scores for our school district. Diamond Bar is split between Pomona Unified and Walnut. One of the elementary schools in our district is Golden Springs Elementary. Which I am jazzed to say has an API rating of 912. Palomares at last check was somewhere in the 300's. (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). For me it was a no brainer and was I fortunate to be able to get the children placed in that school taking advantage of the No Child Left Behind rule. It exists for a reason, one just has to take advantage of it.

What we are seeing now over in Diamond Bar/Pomona is that there are so many kids wanting to take advantage of the amazing school programs, that we are now in lotteries. I imagine that shortly we will see tuition for public schools - it's not far away. That is why I am so happy to see Golden Springs going K-8. It's the way life should be. I will also say that I think Abraham Lincoln is an amazing school with a fine principal. It's scores are high enough not to be considered NCLB.

And now my fave subject - THE FOX! You are looking so marvelous dahlink! Love, love, love the colors on the marquee! Had a nice chat with John recently at the wine bar and the progress and plans are amazing. So excited to see her in full bloom again. Maybe someone could dress up as Greta Garbo and drop on by at the opening. Super exciting! Well done all!

Until next time,

ciao