Gosh...there are some pretty good blog comments out there! I love it! I did not get to attend the meeting Thursday night, but did get to the one on Wednesday at the Antioch Baptist Church. I see that there will be one at the Diamond Bar Center this coming week. I'm not sure about the time or the day.
Wednesday was a little enlightening for me. I really liked what Adrienne Konigar-Macklin had to say. She seemed to be right on her game as well as Hank Mollet. I like Hank. I introduced myself after the meeing and had a chance to chat with him in the parking lot for a while.
Absent from the meeting was Robert Torres and also Jason Rothman. I would have liked to hear what they had to say. I would also like to know since they are Pomona kids, what schools they attended.
One of the questions asked that evening of the candidates is the issue of the achievement gap within our district. Y'all know how I feel about this issue. I am so totally not impressed with a candidate that states that parents should be given more opportunity to send their children to other schools. Let's not take care of the problem...let's just do more busing. Wake up Wong.
Ms. Konigar-Macklin introduced me to Maria Garcia who is a liason between the district and parent leads who pass on important information to other parents at their school. Ms. Garcia attached a schedule for H1N1 free vaccinations that are being given at the Bunny Clinc. The clinic is located at 200 E. 7th Street in Pomona. Vaccines will be provided during the regular clinic hours of Tuesdays 1:30-6:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. I do hope we can get this information out to as many as need be.
ciao
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pomona Schools
Meg...you lit a fire under me. I read the article on the candidates and the forum that was held last Thursday. What am I missing here? The disparity within our schools in this school district as to the state rankings is embarrassing! Can anyone tell me what can be done about this? Why do I have to drive to Diamond Bar everyday in order for my children to have the benefit of a school that ranks 10 as opposed to attending the one that they should be going to that has a rank of 1? I'm referring to API scoring and school ranks for the state of California.
Throwing the responsiblility back into the laps of parents as to motivating their children when upwards to 50% of them haven't even finished high school themselves is insane. Pomona school rankings & API Scores The education ship in our district is sinking folks. How can we help these kids when the teachers and parents need so much help themselves.
I suck at math and I have a college degree. So how do I help with Algebra?? The last time I studied for Algebra and Geometry was to cram for the CBEST and I prayed through the whole thing. Our kids are getting Algebra in 7th grade now. Lucky for Lizzie that she was able to get tutoring every morning last year from her Algebra teacher. But, she had to get up extra early for the whole year and get to school an hour early every day. God Bless Mr. Tim over at Lorbeer. Last week she got her progress report and there was an A+ in Algebra.
Credit recovery programs are helpful, but this is after the fact. If we can't take care of these kids on the elementary/middle school levels, they are certain to be candidates for a credit recovery program once they start to fail on the high school level because we have let them down.
What I want to hear is how we can get Lincoln, Lopez, Kingsley, Madison, etc. which all have ranks of 1, 2 or 3 up to the rank of Decker (rank 8) and Ranch Hills Elementary with a rank of 10. How do schools here in MY neighborhood such as Palomares Middle school (rank 1) get to the level of Lorbeer Middle school with a rank of 10. How do we get Garey HS (rank 3), Ganesha (rank 2) with Diamond Ranch which has a rank of 9 and is also listed along with Village Academy as one of the top 500 high schools in the United States. What can we do for the parents of these kids that have to struggle in this depressed economy, so that they can motivate their children? What do we do for the kids that want to attend these higher ranking schools but can't get lucky enough in the lottery? And why do we have to even think about busing them when we should able to offer them the same opportunity here in our neighborhood. Do we just keep handing out bandaids when they start dropping out??
I know the state is out of money and that our schools have been stripped naked. It was very painful to watch really great teachers having to fear for their jobs earlier this year. I wish I had a wand to wave over the whole place...because I really feel deeply about our children and that they should each and every one of them be entitled to a very rich education. My hat is off to all our teachers that have had their hands tied by this sorry state of affairs we are living with in California.
So candidates....let's put some meat into this. Dazzle me. The Diva needs to be dazzled.
Throwing the responsiblility back into the laps of parents as to motivating their children when upwards to 50% of them haven't even finished high school themselves is insane. Pomona school rankings & API Scores The education ship in our district is sinking folks. How can we help these kids when the teachers and parents need so much help themselves.
I suck at math and I have a college degree. So how do I help with Algebra?? The last time I studied for Algebra and Geometry was to cram for the CBEST and I prayed through the whole thing. Our kids are getting Algebra in 7th grade now. Lucky for Lizzie that she was able to get tutoring every morning last year from her Algebra teacher. But, she had to get up extra early for the whole year and get to school an hour early every day. God Bless Mr. Tim over at Lorbeer. Last week she got her progress report and there was an A+ in Algebra.
Credit recovery programs are helpful, but this is after the fact. If we can't take care of these kids on the elementary/middle school levels, they are certain to be candidates for a credit recovery program once they start to fail on the high school level because we have let them down.
What I want to hear is how we can get Lincoln, Lopez, Kingsley, Madison, etc. which all have ranks of 1, 2 or 3 up to the rank of Decker (rank 8) and Ranch Hills Elementary with a rank of 10. How do schools here in MY neighborhood such as Palomares Middle school (rank 1) get to the level of Lorbeer Middle school with a rank of 10. How do we get Garey HS (rank 3), Ganesha (rank 2) with Diamond Ranch which has a rank of 9 and is also listed along with Village Academy as one of the top 500 high schools in the United States. What can we do for the parents of these kids that have to struggle in this depressed economy, so that they can motivate their children? What do we do for the kids that want to attend these higher ranking schools but can't get lucky enough in the lottery? And why do we have to even think about busing them when we should able to offer them the same opportunity here in our neighborhood. Do we just keep handing out bandaids when they start dropping out??
I know the state is out of money and that our schools have been stripped naked. It was very painful to watch really great teachers having to fear for their jobs earlier this year. I wish I had a wand to wave over the whole place...because I really feel deeply about our children and that they should each and every one of them be entitled to a very rich education. My hat is off to all our teachers that have had their hands tied by this sorry state of affairs we are living with in California.
So candidates....let's put some meat into this. Dazzle me. The Diva needs to be dazzled.
Top Notch Job Heritage!
A great event this past Sunday and everyone needs to take a bow! Although I didn't get to take the tour I was very impressed with the event at the Ebell Club. What a grand building and well turned. Nice to see so many familiar faces and thanks for the well wishes. I even managed to spy the Pomona Goddess....thought you got by me eh?
The event was not without note. One of the vendors had some valuable jewelry stolen. My concern being that the same person that helped themselves was also going to tour the houses. Let's hope all went well. What a sleazy thing to do.
There's a big smile on my face as the construction of my little shed nears completion. A place where I can actually once again have a space of my own to work. Being a true Yankee, I bartered the Pomona Queen necklace that I had made for Sunday to Dawn, who in turn is going to fill my window boxes full of herbs and wonderful stuff. Color me sooooo happy.
I didn't have a chance to blog after that rain last week, but meant too (the road to hell being paved with.....) I opened the trailer door to find that I now had beach front property!! Visions of cabanas with women reclining in chaise lounges wearing big floppy hats and sipping drinks with tiny umbrellas danced in my head. I considered it do-able until the next day when the whole damn thing dried up. Pomona Beach was such a loverly little dream. I think that when the dozers arrive, they had better not leave me alone with one....Pomona Beach....hmmmmmmm.
If y'all happen to be driving through Diamond Bar and are at the corner of Golden Springs and Diamond Bar Blvd...and if you happen to glance up at the Lorbeer bulletin board...yes that is my Elizabeth who made student of the week again. That girl does make me proud considering that all she was able to salvage from the fire was her Bible, her green violin, her journal and her teddy bear. Awwwww sweet youth.
caio
The event was not without note. One of the vendors had some valuable jewelry stolen. My concern being that the same person that helped themselves was also going to tour the houses. Let's hope all went well. What a sleazy thing to do.
There's a big smile on my face as the construction of my little shed nears completion. A place where I can actually once again have a space of my own to work. Being a true Yankee, I bartered the Pomona Queen necklace that I had made for Sunday to Dawn, who in turn is going to fill my window boxes full of herbs and wonderful stuff. Color me sooooo happy.
I didn't have a chance to blog after that rain last week, but meant too (the road to hell being paved with.....) I opened the trailer door to find that I now had beach front property!! Visions of cabanas with women reclining in chaise lounges wearing big floppy hats and sipping drinks with tiny umbrellas danced in my head. I considered it do-able until the next day when the whole damn thing dried up. Pomona Beach was such a loverly little dream. I think that when the dozers arrive, they had better not leave me alone with one....Pomona Beach....hmmmmmmm.
If y'all happen to be driving through Diamond Bar and are at the corner of Golden Springs and Diamond Bar Blvd...and if you happen to glance up at the Lorbeer bulletin board...yes that is my Elizabeth who made student of the week again. That girl does make me proud considering that all she was able to salvage from the fire was her Bible, her green violin, her journal and her teddy bear. Awwwww sweet youth.
caio
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Is is really October?????
1901 Halloween Card - amazingly Harry Potter
Today is the Herb Fest and although there is much work to do here, I'll be popping through the fence.
As for the projects here...that grand old cottage is finally gone. In it's place will be an equally charming cottage, but without the wonderfulness that the 1887 cottage had. I'm trying to be very positive here! There's just only so much one can do when you can't replace that which was irreplaceable
Any day now one should be able to see some positive flow around here. Perhaps even the sound of a hammer or too. All in good time. There are just so many hoops to jump through...and someone keeps holding them higher. Lend me a ladder for the next one...lost mine in the fire.
In a more pleasant note..my knitting class decided that our project this semester is to make small caps for "newborns" and the donation will be to Pomona Valley Hospital. So even if you aren't in the class and still feel that you would like to contribute, drop me a note or stop by. I can even email you the patterns in knit and crochet. The other project that we are working on is making two afghans to be given to the homeless shelter. The rectangle pieces measure 7" x 9"...either crochet or knitted. Any color, but worsted weight. Need guidance? I have stitch patterns for this also. Call me anytime 909.319.2519.
caio
Friday, September 4, 2009
Amazing Grace & Camp Pomona
So I think it would be very cool to put the logo on "Grace"....such an amazing car. Problem is, just don't know where I would be able to fit it in. And then, white would not show that well...I'll have to check to see if they can print one up in black.
Something exciting to add...the knitting group is starting up again! We will have a Sunday late afternoon barbeque and then a knit along here at "Camp Pomona" at the rear of 823 N. Garey. Anyone wanting to join in, just bring along some yarn and needles...or your latest project. This is the first time the group has been together since the fire. Nice to get back to something called "normal"?
caio
Something exciting to add...the knitting group is starting up again! We will have a Sunday late afternoon barbeque and then a knit along here at "Camp Pomona" at the rear of 823 N. Garey. Anyone wanting to join in, just bring along some yarn and needles...or your latest project. This is the first time the group has been together since the fire. Nice to get back to something called "normal"?
caio
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tub Time??
Coming back from school shopping yesterday, Lizzie commented that there was someone in our backyard taking pictures. Pictures?? Our backyard??
As it turned out, 2 aspiring photographers visiting Pomona to take pictures with vintage settings, happened upon our spot. (not really a house, but more a spot). They had with them a very attractive young lady and had asked to take pictures for their portfolios using this mess as a background. Who am I to stand in the way of dreams.
They were so excited about the whole thing! Click, click, snap, snap.
Mr. Wonderful got home to find the following scene..
Life is looking better everyday!
caio!
What A Week
If I read horoscopes I'm certain that mine would say something to the effect that the summer of 2009 will absolutely suck.
Who's that little guy that walks around in the comic strips with a cloud over this head?? The name escapes me. But I think that's what I've morphed into.
Mr. Wonderful had to take my car to the car doctor as the computer finally quit...too much smoke inhalation I suspect. (I'm sure you have seen me tooling around town in "Grace". The SUV with all the writing on it. ) At the same time he had the "Dali" taillight fixed and new wipers put on. Sometime during the 3 days that it took...someone ripped off my GPS...the nerve!! And of course, no one knows anything about it. So now if you see me driving aimlessly around town, just stop and point me in the right direction. I'm really harmless. WAAAAAAAAA!!
I've survived the Mitzie thing, and she is doing well. Barking once again...which is nice to hear. So Saturday I delved into making my "Pommes de Pomona Diva" out in the backyard inferno, trying to beat the raising heat level. Goddess of Garey had to sadly withdraw as she had duty at the Garden. I poured the potato dish into one of those aluminium pans and ran downtown to support the event being held at Tibi's. Feeling quite the accomplished person, I pulled up out front, opened the back hatch, and proceed to dump almost the whole pan onto 3rd street. WAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Managed to salvage about 1/4 which was still in the pan. It was nice to see that at least 6 others had brought in their dishes. A really unique presentation from the Pomona Bakery....Potato Lollipops.... you had to be there.
Who's that little guy that walks around in the comic strips with a cloud over this head?? The name escapes me. But I think that's what I've morphed into.
Mr. Wonderful had to take my car to the car doctor as the computer finally quit...too much smoke inhalation I suspect. (I'm sure you have seen me tooling around town in "Grace". The SUV with all the writing on it. ) At the same time he had the "Dali" taillight fixed and new wipers put on. Sometime during the 3 days that it took...someone ripped off my GPS...the nerve!! And of course, no one knows anything about it. So now if you see me driving aimlessly around town, just stop and point me in the right direction. I'm really harmless. WAAAAAAAAA!!
I've survived the Mitzie thing, and she is doing well. Barking once again...which is nice to hear. So Saturday I delved into making my "Pommes de Pomona Diva" out in the backyard inferno, trying to beat the raising heat level. Goddess of Garey had to sadly withdraw as she had duty at the Garden. I poured the potato dish into one of those aluminium pans and ran downtown to support the event being held at Tibi's. Feeling quite the accomplished person, I pulled up out front, opened the back hatch, and proceed to dump almost the whole pan onto 3rd street. WAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Managed to salvage about 1/4 which was still in the pan. It was nice to see that at least 6 others had brought in their dishes. A really unique presentation from the Pomona Bakery....Potato Lollipops.... you had to be there.
When the Goddess of Garey came to visit in the afternoon she brought the offering of a ticket to the Opera!!!! I was so elated! Of course I will go with you. So very excited. Until midnight, while the flu fairy came to visit me. Nasty. But Olympia did come by today and said that it was great. Bravo Fox!! I envy all that were able to attend. WAAAAAAAAAAA!
Thank Goodness that week is over!
caio
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