Week in Metro Pomona

After last Saturday's Fox First Night and all the buzz the opening generated, you would think that things would slow down in town and people would be catching their breath and resting up for the next big gig. Apparently Pomonans need no such recharging of batteries. Monday saw a lengthy City Council meeting in which topics and debates included serious budget matters to open container drinking ordinances (item was continued for more study). This was followed by the Planning Commission Wednesday evening which also ran long debating such heavy issues as Sakuri Ichi's request to extend operating hours from 10:30 PM to 2:00 AM Friday and Saturday nights (item was continued for more study).

Also on Wednesday evening the Farmers Market saw a crowd of over 400. Moving on to Thursday evening the Downtown Pomona Owner's Association (DPOA) held its monthly board meeting with discussions centering on budget items, antique lamp posts, downtown security, the Fox opening and Amoca's founders event. Also, the Glass House had a sold out crowd with lines stretching around the block.

This brings us to Friday and the openeing of Smogdance. The red carpet was rolled out once again and the balcony of the Fox was full (those are the soft seats). A crowd of 150-200 attended opening night and bids were running high on the silent auction items. The Big Time Gathering, or Pow Wow, kicked off for the weekend in Antique Row's north parking lot. The event was packed with what appeared to be over 1000 participants and vistors.

Saturday brought the First Annual Mac and Chesse Cookoff at the dba256 with judges David Allen, Natalie Rojas, and Larry Egan. There were nine fantastic entries, but alas only one winner. The winner was Cherie Savoie of Savoie's hair salon. Some entries were downright creative using ingredients such as lobster, bacon, tomatoes, black olives, and of course all kinds of chesse. Last Saturday Art Walk kicked in along with Metro Night Out, featuring a street fair and farmers market and a fantastic Pirate band performing at Thomas Plaza. Smogdance opened for its 2nd night with an all new movie list. The Pow Wow continued with even larger crowds, and the Glass House was busy with an event. Downtown was alive with all sorts of people enjoying themselves. Restuarants and watering holes were busy as well. A quick check with the police told us that all was peacful in the downtown. Folks, this is exactly the kind of downtown that city officials, merchants, and property owners have been working so hard to build. It would appear that Downtown Pomona has arrived! (again).

There is more happening on Sunday (today). The wind-down of the Pow Wow, the final night of Smogdance and the conclusion of the silent auction at the Fox.

Next week, more excitiment. The state of the city address, farmers market, and the hustle and bustle of taking down all the art shows and installing new shows for the next 2nd Saturday Art Walk.

So, if you haven't visited downtown Pomona in a while, come on down. We'd love to show you around!