Awww Sweet Mystery of Life

O.K. So I've been lazy and haven't written a thought lately. As my dear French Grandmere used to say, "If you haven't got anything good to say, then shut up". It always sounded better in French.

So here we are at last, 2009. What do we do with it? Gas prices are starting to climb again, 1/2 million jobs were lost in December, and I listened this morning with great anticipation to our very refined new President Elect. Is he or isn't he? Will he or won't he? Does he or doesn't he? Can he or can't he? My head hurts. But truly, it's so refreshing to listen to someone intelligent speak. (Is potato still spelled with an "e"?) I'm still trying to get over Bush with the "deer in the headlights" look on 9/11. Still, I'm just so damn hopeful, and I find this very scary at my age.

So with the kiddies back at school - oh, before I forget - High Five to our 2 Pomona High Schools as being among the top 500 High Schools in America. BRAVO!! That would be Valley View and Diamond Ranch. Makes your heart proud. The Daily Bulletin had a little mention last December. I would have headlined it, but then, that's me.

Almost forgot - so with the kiddies back in school I decided to treat myself to a quiet breakfast alone with my new iphone. I remembered seeing a little restaurant (looking very out of place) tucked into an industrial park on Holt. Although it was only a brief glance, I mentally noted it at the time. So little restaurant looking out of place, let's see what's up. Sweet surprise. Love, love, sweet surprises. New (last May) small and very friendly. Although advertised as a Walnut address, it's actually a Pomona business. This is the kind of place I would love to have down here much more locally situated. The kind of place I always envisioned on 2ND St. The menu is not big, but simple and direct. I had the Bacon, Spinach, Cheddar Omelet with Hash Browns. Great and wonderful - the coffee bar is the treat. One of the owners, Obie (charming, charming) brewed for me a carafe of Nicaraguan coffee. They carry blends from all of the world. I know it hurt when I added cream and sweetener, but that's the Diva for ya. This was more than I could eat - 1/2 would have served me well.

If you are looking for Chicken Fried Steak and Biscuits and Gravy - this ain't the place honey. They cater mostly to the Cal Poly Students and the businesses around, but I loved the atmosphere and the friendliness - that counts very high for me. So Obie and all - good luck, and I will see you again soon. The Sugar Rush Cafe rates 5 stars and you can visit their website at www.cafesugarrush.com

I have to make mention that I highly agree with the Goddess on the Pomona Post Office. What a joke. Now don't get me wrong, I love my postman. He's just great and friendly, but that post office staff over on Monterey needs a huge attitude adjustment. I doubt I have ever encountered a bigger bunch of miserable looking employees. (Oh great, they will stop my mail delivery now). The lines are longer than at the DMV and there is usually only 1 or 2 windows open at the busiest time of the day. And then someone who had toooooo much time on their hand, decided to move the drop off mail box off Monterey into the parking lot. An accident waiting to happen.

I ran in a couple of weeks ago (line was out into the lobby) and quickly discovered that the stamp machine that dispenses singles was out of order. Just then a man came out wheeling a cart with stamps and started to fill the other machine that only dispenses "sets". Since I only needed 1 lousy, miserable, single stamp - I asked if I could buy just one from him. I guess that was a "pay grade higher" because he pointed to the line that was now out the door, and said he just couldn't do that. Screw your long line. I drove down to the Fedex station near Starbucks and they were more than happy to sell me one stamp and to mail the letter for me. Yes, the Diva can get very irritated.

Anyone going to the grand opening of the Saturday night Farmers Market?? This just might be interesting.

Until next time,

ciao

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

Be Still My Heart!

Great day in the neighborhood! Love, love, love the crispness of the morning air. And yes, that little gas station on the corner of Alvarado and Garey has gas for $1.97......who would have thought. Just as I know the Mayfair will stay the same for years, I know that gas prices will begin to crawl upwards again, but dang...let's enjoy. Just a small little perk for our side.

Speaking of which -we have that wonderful jewel of a Fox that is crawling out of the ashes - I would love to see the Mayfair also rise and shine. My hopes go UP and then come DOWN, DOWN, DOWN. I will not lose faith that someday my Avenger will come, and save the other corner. TADA - (hands on hips) "Here to save the dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!". I think we need a "Captain Pomona". I'll knit the cap.

My very favorite time of the year is here! THANKSGIVING! Who gives a crap if the first thanksgiving is a myth. It's Thanksgiving! A time for us to gather and gives thanks for all of it. For me it has always meant a special time of reaching out to those less blessed. Our table is full and always welcome for anyone to join.

Happy Thanksgiving Pomona!

Until next time - ciao!

Such a LOVERLY day in the neighborhood!

I was just dusting off a few things in the parlour - totally a rare sight, and came upon a Pomona Telephone Directory from November 1932. I had purchased it years ago and from time to time it filters out from under the dust bunnies. This really goes hand in hand with someone asking me where I got the large letter California postcard that has Pomona on it.

The postmark shows that it was mailed on May 1, 1944 from Pomona. Apparently large letter postcards were very collectible and people mailed them out to each other. This one was going from Mrs. R. Clifford, 1555 S. White Ave., Pomona to an address in Massachusetts. At first I thought it might have been someone in John Clifford's family, but Dawn asked John for me several years back, and he said nope. I think it's a rather charming piece of Pomona memorabilia, and I have from time to time made duplicates out of it and mailed them out. So I looked the name up in the old phone book, and sure enough, the Clifford family lived on White in 1932 phone number Pomona 6177.

There are some great ads in the book and I will get them scanned and share them with ya'll. The book includes the areas of Chino, Claremont, LaVerne and San Dimas. Dr. Knight, a dentist, located at 2nd and Garey offered tooth extractions for $1.00. Oh my. Interesting to find your address and see who was actually living in your house back then. Way cool.

Until next time....ciao!

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like whipping out a Monopoly Game board and start playing when they pass the Boardwalk Apartments on Park?? I swear I can hear strains of Harry James and Benny Goodman drifting through the air. Gotta be the damn cutest apartment setting I've ever seen.

Got a speeding ticket (my first ever) this past January as I was boot scootin down Holt taking the Willow Bean to school. The speed limit is 35 and yes, I was over the speed limit. Of course I got the old "where ya going in such a hurry" line. I was tempted to say "a fire", but he didn't look like the engaging type. He had zipped up behind me when I had stopped for a light, and I silently said a prayer to the Guardian Angel of Grandmothers, but to no avail. Yes, I got a ticket. He had fun reading by license plate holder.

Now I'm quite aware that there are, at times, several motorcycle policemen patrolling Holt against the speeders....my thought is, has anyone told them about Garey Ave.?? Why are they always on Holt and not on Garey? One can get serious whiplash from watching the speeders in the morning (or actually any time of the day) on their way to the courthouses - I think to pay their speeding tickets from Holt.

And while I'm on the subject of Garey Ave, the doorway to Antique Row and the Art's Colony - think anyone from the city gives thought to how crappy it looks driving along the way. Not inviting AT ALL. Sometimes I will sit on the porch and daydream about the city actually putting in an island down the avenue with trees and grass. Giving at least part of the street a warm, inviting and expectant appeal for things yet to be revealed upon arriving in Pomona. Now I will allow that it looks a little better than when we had the massage parlour next door to Abraham Lincoln school, but we still have a long way to go. And as for me, I'd rather have the streetlight in front of my house waving a flag with the name of soldier serving his country, than a banner inviting us to visit a pig at the fair. But then again, that's just me.

Until next time, ciao!

I caught the photos of the Fox project on Ren's blog. I've been watching the project with baited breath. Can't wait to see the finished results. Thank you Ren.

So should I stop holding my breath on the Pomona Chop House? I really wanted that one to happen too. The web site is awesome for the Fox construction progress, but could someone update it? Or am I not looking in the right spot? Looks to me like the last update was in May 2008.

As for the events held in Pomona last Saturday, the comment was wouldn't it be nice if someone had put the whole thing together downtown. Ahhhhh, ya. I also think it would have been nice if someone in charge would have approached the businesses in and around downtown to help sponsor the chalk drawing event.

Last year at the first event, I think Donohue's had donated the chicken for the lunch (correct me if I'm wrong). There was also cake and soft drinks. And there was so much food that the parents were invited to participate in the lunch. Sadly this year there was 1/2 a banana, a bottle of water and a very small muffin for each one of the students. Vicky and crew did an awesome job, now we have to as a community get behind them with a little do, re, mi. Got it?? I will gladly donate. Gladly. Anyone out there with a big jar??

And while I'm on the subject, fliers were not sent out to the schools (not enough money for fliers). Emails were sent instead. Apparently Gold Springs Elementary did not get theirs, or else someone didn't hit the right button. We found out word of mouth. The Willow Bean was the loner from the school. I've done the shame on you to Mr. P the principal. He promises not to let this fall by the way next year. (Like I would let him!) Love you Mr. P!! Love, love, love Golden Springs Elementary...which will be expanding to include 7 and 8Th grades within the next 2 years. Sort of like wrapping your child in a blanket of warmth and knowledge everyday. API 921. You go Cougars!!

So who do you think should have been able to think "out of the box" and pull the events together downtown?? I'll take a moment to look around here. Hmmmmmm. The Farmer's Market is a BIG joke. I'm embarrassed to say that's our Pomona's best effort at it. Saturday's Market in the Baptist Church parking lot is great. But then they won't let crafters participate in the event. And why is that do you suppose?? Monrovia and other marketplaces that I have participated in through the years have been most successful when combining both the farmers and also the crafters. Talked to someone at the city several times years ago and offered ideas ....... (this is where we do a "pregnant pause"). THERE IS NO ONE TO PULL IT ALL TOGETHER! WAAAAAAAAA!!

Many years ago I took a proposal to the city and they immediately said "No-no". Like I was touching a forbidden fruit or something. I was referred to a young lady who was supposed to direct you or guide you or something, something (blocked the whole damn thing out of my memory). The meeting was so ridiculous that I wanted to puke. She had the nerve to say "Why do you want to do this in Pomona?" I think I sat there with the deer in the headlights look. She didn't live here and arrived everyday via the 71 freeway. Never had been down Garey Ave. And SOMEONE had hired her for that job!! So I thanked her and took my proposal and bowed out the door. Talk about feeling like someone had forgotten to bring life jackets on the boat trip. And to tell you the truth, I don't think that much more has really changed to date. Sort of like when I went to the city (another office) and said I was opening a yarn shop in my home on Garey. The person looked at me and said...why there?? Look at the eye sore businesses across the street from you. She was trying to talk me into taking a spot downtown. I guess no one had told her I already made my "bones" on Thomas along with Ma Belle Pru. I survived Amos and the Raves for goodness sakes! So once again, I bowed my way out of an office looking for a life jacket. THERE IS NO ONE TO PULL IT ALL TOGETHER! WAAAAAAAAA!!

My musings for today and don't even think about t-ping my house. Either another body part just gave out, or I have the flu today. I have to get this out of my system as cancelling the Friday Night Knitting Club is not an option. They would skewer me on their knitting needles.

Until next time....ciao