Metro Night Out January 2010

DPOA Receives Maintenance Contract from VPD

Farmers markets, Second Saturday Art Walk, Antique Collector's Street Fair, Christmas Parade, Miss Pomona Pageant, Fresh Air Flicks, Dodger Day, Metro Night Out, Summer Concerts, and other events are not the only function the DPOA performs for downtown Pomona. The organization also provides 24/7 security in the form of Pomona Police Officers and private security. But wait, there's more...the DPOA also provides maintenance and cleanup to the downtown by power washing sidewalks, emptying trash recepticles, leaf blowing, graffiti removal, weeding, and irrigation, but that's not all...The DPOA also involves itself, on behalf of downtown, in City ordinances, Parking District decisions, Planning Commission decisions, and other city commissions as an advocate for the rights of and the best interests of downtown property owners, merchants, businesses, and residents. And now we can add one more item to the list. Beginning March 1, 2010 the DPOA will take on the cleanup, and landscape maintenance in all VPD (Vehicle Parking District) lots. Under contract with the City of Pomona, via the VPD, the DPOA will insure that all VPD lots be free of litter, planters weeded and irrigated, shrubs and trees trimmed and in general make the lots more inviting to visitors and locals alike.

Pomona's Antique Street Fair A Success!

A beautiful day coupled with great antique finds brought out the people for 2010's first Antique Street Fair in downtown Pomona. As always, the early bird got the worm, or rather the best bargains. But there were plenty of finds to go around. The next street fair will be held March 27, 2010 on E. Second St., downtown Pomona. Mark your calendar now to save the date.

Wow What a Catch!

Downtown Pomona's Beautiful Lake Pomona was recently host to a big fish/trout/mackerel/any kind of fish derby. Some real whoppers were snagged and dragged to shore.

MISS POMONA 2010, BETSY SANTOYO !!!

An 18 year old senior honors student from Diamond Ranch High School, Bedsairy (Betsy) Santoyo, was crowned Miss Pomona 2010 last night at the Masonic Lodge, Pomona. From an original field of 22 applicants the selection committee narrowed the field to just eight young women who were interviewed and scored. All eight candidates were superb, making the decision to select the 3 finalists very difficult. The final three were judged at last night's ceremony for poise, assurance, presentation, and content of a 5-10 minute speech before a live audience of 100, and a five member panel of judges. When the judges' sheets were tabulated the 2010 Miss Pomona was crowned by Mayor Elliott Rothman and Pageant Co-Chair Mickey Gallivan. The two Princesses are Angela Hernandez a 17 year old senior honor student from Garey High School, and Daisy Cortes a 17 year old senior honor student from Ganesha High School.

Miss Pomona received a $2,000. scholarship and the two Princesses each received a $1,000. scholarship. Each of the five semi-finalists received a $500 scholarship. The semi-finalists are Alba Melisa Edesa, Pomona High School, Ana Saucedo, Village Academy High School, Mansi Patel, Village Academy High School, Marisela Pena, Ganesh High School, and Natalie Munoz, Park West High School.

The five member panel of judges were; Carolyn Hemming, DPOA, David Allen, Daily Bulletin, Phillp Pumerantz, Western University, John Avila, former PUSD board member, and Jonnie Owens, Cal Poly Pomona.

Miss Pomona Coronation Ceremony

The 2010 Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant Coronation will be held this Saturday January 23rd. at 5pm at the Masonic Lodge, 395 S. Thomas St. in Downtown Pomona.

A big thank you to all the sponsors for their support in making this possible.

Platinum Sponsors: D.P.O.A, The City of Pomona City Council Members.

Gold Sponsor: Manjit Singh, 7-Eleven Stores

Silver Sponsors: Valley Vista Services, Inland Empire Credit Union, Neil Franklin and Family.

Bronze Sponsor: UPS Store, Carolyn Hemming, Little Red 222

Other Sponsors and Contributors: Pomona Moose Chapter # 542, Western University of Health Sciences, Cherie Savoie - Savoie Hair Salon, Sheila Pilon - Hair and Make-Up, Historical Society of Pomona, Jim & Mickey Gallivan, Debra Martin, Precious Times Photography, Pomona Chamber of Commerce

City of Pomona Redevelopment Agency, I Do! Bridal, Pomona Masonic Lodge, Friends of the Fox, Pomona Frame House, Ferguson Flower Gallery, Pomona Flowers, Frantz Cleaners, Pomona Baking Company, Tacos & Carniceria Jicamex, Fairplex, and Flower Lane.

Valentine Opera!

Looking for something unusual and romantic to do with your squeezable other this Valentine's Day? Stop searching. Pomona's own opera company offers a unique and fun way to treat your Valentine.

Repertory Opera Company celebrates Valentine's Day with an afternoon of musical serenades. ROC's amazing singers will soothe you with melodies of Puccini, Mozart, Brahms and many others. Bring your partner or bring a whole table of friends and enjoy decadent desserts and beautiful melodies.

“Repertory Opera Company… entertains operatic veterans and newcomers alike…”

- Jerry L. Jackson, MetroLA “astonishingly talented local singers…”

- Entertainment Today, Sunday, February 14 at 2 pm

at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 242 E. Alvarado Street, Pomona, CA 91767

Tickets are $30 for coffee, tea, desserts and concert.

Reservations are required.

For reservations or more information, call (909) 230-4949.

Repertory Opera Company, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization,invites your contributions.

www.repertoryoperacompany.org

M.L.K.

Pomona Unified School District

At last Wednesday's PUSD Board meeting the DPOA was given a certificate of appreciation from the board in appreciation of the DPOA's community involvement and for organizing and hosting the 2009 Christmas Parade. It was an honor to receive the award and a pleasure to host the parade.

Thursday evening the Chamber, DPOA, and other organizations hosted a reception at the Sheraton Fairplex to welcome PUSD's new Superintendent and Board Members. Posted here are pictures of that event.

DIFFICULT DECISIONS

Twenty two very qualified young ladies submitted applications to become Miss Pomona 2010. The selection committee had the unenviable position of screening the applicants, evaluating their questionnaire and selecting eight semi-finalists to move forward to the next round. Letters were then mailed to the fourteen applicants who will not continue on, encouraging them to continue their good works in the community and to re-apply next year if they are still eligible.

The selection committee next scheduled interviews with the eight semi-finalists to determine who the three finalists will be. The selections have been made, now the task of choosing Miss Pomona 2010. On Saturday, January 23, 2010 a panel of judges will hear a 5-10 minute speech from each of the finalists and determine which young lady will represent the City as Miss Pomona 2010.

The judges are DPOA president Carolyn Hemming, Western University President Phillip Pumerantz Ph.D, Daily Bulletin Columnist David Allen, Director of Community Outreach College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences Cal Poly Pomona, Jonnie Owens, and former teacher and PUSD Board Member John Avila.

The Miss Pomona Pageant judging and Coronation will take place at 5PM on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the Masonic Lodge, 330 S. Thomas St., Pomona. The public is welcome, but please RSVP to (909) 469-1121

The Place Was Jumpin!

Last night's art walk in downtown Pomona was the place to be. So much was going on the streets were literally alive with people. An estimated 4 to 5 thousand people came to view the art, taste the food, drink in the atmosphere and have a good time. At any given moment you would see families with children of all ages wondering at the activity and festive spirit that permeated the area. Sparkling lights up and down 2nd St. set the mood, along with the live music from the farmers market at Thomas Plaza and from bands and D.J.'s all through the downtown. Many first time visitors were pleased to discover our downtown, several of them commenting on the clean and safe environment. Unable to see it all in one visit, many vowed to return again and again. The mood continued late into the night. If you missed it don't despair, the next walk will be Saturday, January 30 and again Saturday February 13. Mark your calendars and make plans to come visit us in downtown Pomona, you'll have a great time!

Metro Gallery

The newest art gallery to join downtown Pomona's Art Colony is now open for showings. Located at 119 W. 2nd St., next door to Joey's BBQ, the new Metro Gallery is housed in the office space of the DPOA and is curated each month by local artists and curators.

This month the show is curated by A.S. Ashley and features large pieces by all local artists; Cheryl Bookout, Joy McAlister, Fr. Bill Moore, Thomas Pathe, Juan Thorp, Kimber Berry, Joseph Todorovich, and Max King.

These are wonderfully gifted artists who are not only widely shown and accepted, but who also live right here in downtown Pomona's Art Colony. Now I ask you, could it get any better?

The new Metro Gallery is open weekdays as well as Second Saturdays and last Saturday's Metro Night Out. Come visit us, we'd love to show you around.

Farmers Market Update

The Wednesday night farmers market at 2nd and Garey in downtown Pomona is moving! Beginning this Wednesday, January 6, 2010 after a 3+ year run at its current location it was decided to move the market to Thomas Plaza, 2nd and Thomas,downtown Pomona, same day, Wednesday, same hours, 4PM to 8PM. Please continue your support at the new location.