la nueva voz · assembly’s moderate caucus. she is continuing to support efforts by the city of...

Retired Pomona Police Chief JoeRomero is being remembered for hiswork in and his love for Pomona fol-lowing his death Monday in an On-tario rehabilitation hospitalapparently of complications associ-ated with kidney failure and relatedmedical issues. He was 57.

He had been ill since late lastsummer.

Romero, who was born and raisedin Pomona and graduated fromGanesha High School in 1973, re-ceived a bachelor’s degree from theUniversity of La Verne and a mas-ter’s degree from Boston University.

He started his career in law en-forcement as a police explorer longbefore he was hired by the depart-ment.

SACRAMENTO -- In an exclu-sive interview in her Capitol officelast month with La Nueva Voz, As-semblymember Norma Torres (D-Chino) said she continues to supportlocal control of LA/Ontario Interna-tional Airport, believes Gov. JerryBrown “is being realistic about ourmoney problems,” and argues that thegovernor is doing his part to reducethe size of state government.

Torres, former Mayor of Pomona,spent an afternoon in Sacramentowith La Nueva Voz in a wide-ranginginterview that covered tough topics

including the shut-down of Califor-nia’s redevelopment agencies, “true”government reorganization, costs totaxpayers of state pensions and eventhe controversial issue of Sacramentoreturning to a part-time legislature.

Representing California’s 61st As-

Thursday, February 23, 2012 www.lanuevavoz.net

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Torres backs Ontario Airport, supports governor’s budget, needs further review of high-speed railsembly District – which includesChino, Montclair, Ontario andPomona – for the past three years,Torres characterizes herself as a“moderate” and is a member of theAssembly’s moderate caucus.

She is continuing to support effortsby the City of Ontario to take over thelocal airport and, in fact, was co-au-thor of a bill introduced a year agothat would make the local takeoverpossible.

“Obviously, a deal has to be madebetween Los Angeles city and On-tario, as long as the right price is ne-gotiated,” she said, adding that twomembers of the Los Angeles CityCouncil have requested that the itembe placed on the Los Angeles CityCouncil agenda.

“I think that’s a good step in theright direction,” she said.

Any agreement would have to bebetween the twocities, although shesaid if there is any-thing she could doto help, she “wouldabsolutely.”

The City of On-tario currently has a$250 million offeron the table totransfer title andoperations of thefacility.

REVIEWING THE ASSEMBLY DAILY FILE –La Nueva Voz publisher Jeff Schenkel, seatedat Assemblymember Norma Torresʼ desk on thefloor of the California Assembly in the stateCapitol, reviews the Assembly Daily File, knownas the “bill list,” essentially the dayʼs agenda,during last monthʼs visit to Sacramento. Pic-tured, from left, are La Nueva Voz AdvertisingManager Renee Barbee; Schenkel; and As-semblymember Torres.

State CapitolSacramento

NEW MISS POMONA CROWNED -- Diamond Ranch High School junior Danielle Garciais crowned 2012 Miss Pomona last week by last year's Miss Pomona, Mansi Patel. (Seestory and more photos on page 2.)

COMP ELIMINATORS -- A comp eliminator burns a little rubber before opening it up down the quarter-mile track on opening day of the 52nd Win-ternationals at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. The season opener included everything from five-second Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top AlcoholFunny Cars to 15-second Stockers. (See more photos on page 7.)

Tacos $1 • Menudos $4 • Sopes $2

Tacos Jicamexx"Second location, original spot!"

1076 W. Phillips Blvd. (at Hamilton Boulevard) in PomonaIn front of M & H Market and near Palm Lake Golf Course

(909) 994-3759 • Open seven days 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sacramento... pg 10 Romero... pg 4

Retired Police Chief JoeRomero remembered for his love of Pomona

Joe Romero

Make yourreservations today forQuinceanera, weddings,special eventsand parties!

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(909) 445-1200

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Karaoke nights Mon-Wed-Fri

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2 • Thursday, February 23, 2012 • La Nueva Voz

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Tel: (909) [email protected]

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JUDGES AT THE MISS POMONA PAGEANT -- This year's judges, hard at work during the final round of competition last week, are, fromleft, Pomona City Councilmember Danielle Soto; Pomona businesswoman Catherine Tessier; Victor Caceres, executive director of the Boysand Girls Clubs of Pomona Valley; Pomona Unified School Board Member Frank Guzman; and Dr. Philip Pumerantz, President and founderof Western University of Health Sciences.

Diamond Ranch High School jun-ior Danielle Garcia was crownedMiss Pomona last week at the 2012Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant atthe Pomona Fox Theater, sponsoredby the Downtown Pomona Owner’sAssociation.

The 17-year-old Garcia wasnamed Miss Pomona byPomona Mayor Elliott Roth-man. She was crowned byMansi Patel, last year’s MissPomona.

Garcia, one of three con-testants competing in thefinal round, said in her pres-entation she has had the op-portunity to serve hercommunity and “to be apartner with those who wantto make a change.”

“It’s amazing to see justhow many people are proudof our beautiful city,” shesaid, referring to her volun-teer work on Pomona Beau-tification Day.

She also addressed thetopic presented to the threefinalists this year – “Giventhe current economic situa-tion, how do you feel theyouth in our community canbeter promote Pomona in be-coming a more vibrant, safeand successful city?”

“By giving back, by step-ping up and taking backwhat’s ours... (from) those

Diamond Ranch junior Danielle Garcia crowned 2012 Miss Pomonawho for their own personal gain con-tinue to tell us we are not old enoughto make change and our ideas are notimportant enough to listen to,” shesaid.

She said those words mean “noth-ing,” adding that “rather than beingtombstones of our dreams, I’m using

them as stepping stones to agreat future.”

“Those of you heretonight devoting your timeand effort to this worthycause have started the ballrolling to improving ourcommunity and we, theyouth of today, must con-tinue that momentum,” shesaid.

“It truly takes a village toraise a child,” she added.“And if we are going to

make our city a vibrant and safeplace for your youth, our future, we

MISS POMONA FINALISTS -- The three finalists in the2012 Miss Pomona competition -- pictured before the finalround last week in the "green room" upstairs above thestage at the Pomona Fox Theater -- are, from left, JasmineRojas, Miss Pomona Danielle Garcia, and Jelitza Herrera.Former Miss Pomona Lorena Matarrita chaired the MissPomona Pageant Committee and Andre Robinson, ownerof Pomona's two UPS Stores, served as master of cere-monies.

need to get back to what we alllearned in kindergarten, the goldenrule – to treat others the way youwant to be treated.”

“You can listen to what we haveto say, and make us part of the solu-tion, not the problem,” she contin-ued.

The remaining two finalists, whowill serve during the year as mem-

bers of her court, were Jelitza Her-rera, 16, a junior at Pomona HighSchool, and Jasmine Rojas, 18, a sen-ior at Diamond Ranch High School.

Garcia, who maintains a 3.8 gradepoint average and holds a black beltin Tae Kwon Do, also excels in bothbasketball and softball.

She was a 2011 Miss PomonaPrincess.

El anuncio de Western Universityque se publicó el mes pasado en LaNueva Voz sobre la feria comuni-

taria gratuita que se llevará a cabo el3 de Marzo ofrecía una lista de ser-vicios que incluía exámenes dentalesy limpieza de dientes.

Los exámenes dentales se lle-varan a cabo, sin embargo lalimpieza de dientes no se podrá re-alizar.

El evento se llevará a cabo de 9a.m. a 2 p.m. en la iglesia ubicada enel 1100 al este de la Avenida Holt enPomona.

Para mayor información, llame al(909) 469-5340.

Rectificacion

La Nueva Voz • Thursday, February 23, 2012 • 3

Send your news tips to: [email protected]

Do you have a news story?Do you have a news story? We want to hear from you or your organization.

More than 175 high school sen-iors and college students in theBright Prospect Program gatheredlast month at Pomona’s VillageAcademy High School for an annual“Old-New Meeting” tolearn from college stu-dents who have gone be-fore them everything theywanted to know aboutcollege and college life.

Questions of the col-lege students participatingin the Bright ProspectProgram ranged from“how demanding are theacademics” to “how wasyour freshman year room-mate.”

The program brokeinto small groups basedon college type and cov-ered everything from thecollege decision process,professors and studentsloans to extracurricularactivities.

Pomona students par-ticipating in the programwere from Ganesha, Garey, Pomonaand Village Academy High Schools,as well as the School of Arts and En-terprise.

Other schools represented in-cluded Montclair, Ontario, Fremont,Palomares, Chaffey, Chino andCharter Oak.

“I feel more secure about the tran-sition to college and look forward tocoming back to see friends at nextyear’s Old-New Meeting,” saidPomona High School senior AlbertGuadarrama. “I am also proud of

my peers. We should get ready tochange the world because togetherwe can make a huge difference.”

Bright Prospect helps low incomestudents from California’s Inland

Empire region prepare for, gain ad-mission, and graduate from four-year universities by providinginformation, counseling and a com-prehensive support system of peersand professionals.

Students enroll in the program inthe summer after their ninth gradeyear and are mentored up until col-lege graduation.

For more information, contactBright Prospect in Pomona at (909)623-9007 or visit the web site atwww.brightprospect.org.

‘Bright Prospect’ students have their ‘college life’questions answered at annual ‘Old-New Meeting’

SHARING BENEFITS OF BRIGHT PROSPECT PROGRAM– Tessy Lopez, a senior at Pomonaʼs Ganesha High School,speaks at this monthʼs Bright Prospect “Old-New Meeting” dis-cussing what she has learned through the program.

POMONA'S PALOMARES ACADEMY OPENS RECREATION EQUIPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY IN OBESITY PREVENTIONEFFORT -- Pomona Unified School District's Palomares Academy opened a recently completed outdoor fitness area to the publiclast month as part of an obesity prevention effort targeting both students and members of the community. The strength and car-diovascular equipment will be available to the public during non-school hours through a joint-use agreement. The $42,500 cost ofthe equipment was paid by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health using federal grant funds, some of which camefrom the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pomona Unified provided the installation. Palomares teachers also partici-pated in an obesity prevention program funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, part of a $1.8 mil-lion contract over two years involving 146 teachers in seven school districts throughout Los Angeles County. Trainings wereadministered by the Los Angeles County Office of Education to increase teacher capacity to teach physical education in line withCalifornia's Physical Education Content Standards, giving students in grades 7 through 12 the opportunity to receive at least 400minutes of high quality physical education instruction every 10 school days. Pictured at the ribbon-cutting for the new fitness areaare, from left, Joanie Verderber, Ph.D., a project director with the Los Angeles County Office of Education School Health and Phys-ical Education Programs; Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Physical Activityand Cardiovascular Health Program; Pomona City Councilmembers Paula Lantz and Steve Atchley; Pomona Mayor Elliott Roth-man; Pomona Unified Supt. Richard Martinez; Monica Principe, Pomona Unified's director of secondary curriculum and instruction;and Pomona Unified Board members Adrienne Konigar-Macklin and Frank Guzman. Palomares Academy is located at 2211 N.Orange Ave., Pomona.

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La Escuela Católica de Pomonale invita al evento“Brindar Por Su Futuro”

“A Toast To Your Future”

Meet and GreetSunday, March 25, 2012

Pomona Catholic School

Domingo 25 de Marzo, 2012

533 West Holt AvenuePomona, CA 91768

Hora social 1:00-2:00pm

Representaciones estudiantiles y presentadores invitados 2:00-2:30pm

Recorrido por el campo de la escuela 2:30-3:00pm

Faith – Scholarship – Tradition – Empowerment

Fe – Conocimiento – Tradición – Empoderamiento

Come learn about our student life, athletics. Tour our historic campus. Meet faculty and students.

Venga a aprender sobre la vida escolar y atletismo.

Visite nuestro sitio escolar.

Conozca a los profesores y a los estudiantes.

Tel: 909.623.5297 ext. 13Fax: 909.620.6057

Visit us online at: pomonacatholic.org

Committee membersare already at work liningup participants, volun-teers, sponsors and sup-porters for Pomona’s2012 Relay for Life, anannual event to raisemoney and awareness tohelp make a differenceand save lives in the fightagainst cancer.

This year’s event –billed as part of theworld’s largest grassroots fundraising move-ment – is scheduled tobegin at 10 a.m. Satur-day, June 23, and contin-ues through Sunday at the PomonaFairplex.

Registration is $10 per person.“We want to put Pomona on the

relay map by growing our relay withmore teams and participation,” saidcommunity volunteer Virginia Madri-gal, this year’s chairman of the fourthannual Pomona event. She said shehopes it will be the best year ever.

Madrigal, of Pomona, who has losttwo family members to the disease,said this will be her fourth year withthe event as either a participant or acommittee member.

The next team captain meeting for

Pomona’s Relay for Life looking for participants, supporters for June event at Fairplex

the Pomona event is scheduled forMarch 20. Sponsorships and in-kinddonations are also needed.

The Relay for Life, with events na-tionwide and in 20 other countries, issponsored by the American Cancer So-ciety.

Communities throughout the coun-try will celebrate survivors who havebattled cancer, remember loved oneslost, and provide participants with anopportunity to fight back against thedisease.

For more information, contactMadrigal at (909) 627-4450 or visit theweb site at www.RelayForLife.org.

SIGNING UP FOR RELAY FOR LIFE -- Rick Elias, at right, thisyear's event co-chair for the Pomona 2012 Relay for Life, and hisdaughter, Marlene Elias, chairman of the Luminaria Ceremony,which remembers those who have fallen ill with cancer or thosewhose lives were lost, go to work signing up participants at lastmonth's Pomona Pride event in the Pomona Civic Center. TheRelay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, helpsraise money and awareness to make a difference in the fightagainst cancer.

He worked in all of its divisionsat one time or another in his 33-yearcareer after he was sworn in at age21 in 1975 by then-Police ChiefRichard Slaght.

In 1994, he became the depart-ment’s first Latino police captain.

He was sworn in as police chief in2006 and retired in 2008. He wassucceeded as chief by Dave Keetle,who was assistant chief at the time.

“It’s been an honor to serve thiscommunity,” Romero said at thetime.

Romero said in a 2007 interviewthat in the aftermath of the 9/11(2001) terrorist attacks he was proudof Pomona’s ability to spread theword about emergency preparednessat the neighborhood level.

He was active in Pomona Rotary,Pomona Breakfast Optimists, theCommunity Engagement Group, theBoys and Girls Clubs of PomonaValley and much more.

Pomona Police Chief Keetle, whohad worked with Romero since Kee-tle joined the department in 1984,said the entire police department“was saddened to hear of the pass-ing of Chief Romero.”

“Joe dedicated his life to policework and to the community,” Keetlesaid. “Throughout his 30-plus yearcareer, he had an impact on many

lives.”“Joe’s death is a great loss to the

city and the police department inparticular,” Keetle added. “He willbe missed.”

Janet Roy, general manager ofPomona Valley Memorial Park anda fellow Rotarian and Rotary Boardmember with Romero, called him a“very good man.”

“I was thinking how fortunate weall are that got to know this man,”she said. “He had virtue, characterand lived what he believed. He sawthe world through the eyes of a childat times.”

M. Joyce Bakersmith succeededRomero last fall as president ofPomona Breakfast Optimists, al-though she said she met him whilestill secretary for the Willie WhitePark Focus Group.

“Even prior to becoming chief hewas very supportive of our group be-cause we were trying to make it abetter place,” she said. “He lovedPomona and everything he did wasfor the betterment of Pomona. Heloved the police department. Heknew the people of Pomona. He hadvery high standards. He alwaysloved the children.”

“He’s an example of what can beachieved in Pomona,” Bakersmithsaid.

Romero... from pg. 1Community volunteer Virginia

Madrigal, treasurer of PomonaBreakfast Optimists, said Romerostarted an annual overnight campoutfor Pomona’s kids, for two yearsheld in the Pomona Civic Center butfor the next four years held at Fair-plex.

The event, now known as theYouth Campout at Fairplex, providessleeping bags, dinner and breakfast,games and more for 300 ofPomona’s kids each year. The cam-pout is sponsored by the CommunityEngagement Group and numerousother organizations in Pomona.

Madrigal worked with Romero toset up the GREAT program, or GangResistance Education and Training,a program created by the U.S. De-partment of Justice to help at-riskyouth make better choices, stay outof gangs and off drugs.

“Joe was the kind of guy that re-ally had a love for his family andthey were very, very important tohim,” she said. “He also loved theCity of Pomona. He was dedicatedto his community.”

“Joe was the best person in lawenforcement I have known,” saidFrank Garcia, Executive Director ofthe Pomona Chamber of Commerce.

Romero’s younger brotherM i c h a e l Romero... pg. 6


Deje que WesternU le Ayude con su Saluden la

Feria Comunitaria de la Salud GRATUITA

• Exámenes Médicos Gratuitos

• Exámenes de la Vista

• Exámenes Estructurales (incluye tratamiento)

• Exámenes Dentales

• Pruebas de Balance, Resistencia y Flexibilidad

• Pruebas de la Diabetes/Azúcar en la Sangre

• Exámenes de la Presión Arterial

• Cálculos del Indice de Masa Corporal

Sábado, 3 de Marzo de 9:00 am a 2:00 pmen la Iglesia Comunitaria Nueva Dirección

1100 al Este de la Avenida Holt en Pomonapatrocinado por la Asociación de Gobierno Estudiantil WesternU y la

Iglesia Comunitaria Nueva Dirección, y el Dr. Raymond E. Watts, Obispo y Pastor Titular

¡Actividades divertidas sobre la salud para los niños!

EXÁMENES MÉDICOS E INFORMACIÓN• Información Acerca de la Nutrición y el Ejercicio

• Información Sobre el Cuidado de sus Mascotas

• Exámen de Salud Para Su Perro

• Información Acerca del Corazón

The discipline of learning. The art of caring.

• Información Sobre Recetas Médicas: Traiga sus

medicamentos, vitaminas, hierbas medicinales, etc.

que usted esta tomando y recibirá consejos

sobre posibles reacciones y alergias.

Para más información, llame al 909-469-5340o por email: [email protected]


As yet another sign that the economyis bouncing back, Jicamexx Tacos hasopened its second location – right here inPomona and, interestingly, at the site ofits original store.

The new restaurant – where the entiremenu ranks among the best in Pomonaand tacos cost only $1 – is located at 1076W. Phillips Blvd., in front of M & HMarket and near Palm Lake Golf Course.

Jicamexx has operated for the past

three years out of the“Big Yellow House”at 604 E. MissionBlvd., Pomona.

The taco standoperated out of thefront of M & H Mar-ket for 10 years be-fore that afterrunning a taco truck that started doingbusiness about 20 years ago.

Jicamexx Tacos opens second location – back at its original site!Owners Jesus

and Ellie Fernan-dez have at-tempted to create aquality restaurantwith a good familyenvironment thatis “down to earth,”Ellie said.

Jesus and Ellie also cater for groups ofall sizes.

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JICAMEXX TACOS -- Jicamexx Tacos opensits second location in South Pomona -- and it isback in its original spot at 1076 W. Phillips Blvd.(at Hamilton Blvd.) in front of M & H Market.

An inter-faith mental health confer-ence on the theme “Widening the Wel-come and Deepening the Support:Faith Communities Responding toMental Illness” will be held Tuesdayand Wednesday at Temple Beth Israelin Pomona.

The event, scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m.Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.on Wednesday, is a follow-up to thegroup’s first conference held last May.

NAMI (National Alliance on Men-tal Illness) and Tri-City Mental HealthCenter partnered to form the Inter-

Inter-faith mental health conference set for next week in Pomona

Faith Collaboration on Mental Health,and local faith communities, commu-nity based organizations and mentalhealth providers have come togetherto respond to the growing need for ef-fective responses to mental healthneeds.

The evening session on Tuesday,Feb. 28, is free. Tickets for Wednes-day’s session are $15.

For more information and registra-tion, contact NAMI Pomona Valley at(909) 625-2382 or by e-mail [email protected].

Romero, a former Marine who alsowent into a career in law enforce-ment and is now a minister, said hisbrother received two medals of valorfrom the City of Pomona.

“Joe believed in what he set upabout COPS – community orientedpolicing,” he said. “My brother be-lieved in community. He worked inthe youth programs and not being afather I believe he was a father tomany.”

“He was definitely a devotedfamily man, devoted to his wife, tohis parents when they were alive,”he said. “He was always there forus.”

He said his brother and his wife

Romero... from pg. 4were never able to have children, ap-parently due to injuries resultingfrom a car accident years ago, butthat his widow currently is pregnantand is expecting a child in April.

Romero is survived by his widow,Carolyn, brothers Michael and Tim-othy, and sister Laurie Silva-Romero.

Viewing is scheduled for 5 to 8p.m. Thursday, March 1, at ToddMemorial Chapel in Pomona.

Funeral services – which will beopen to the public – are set for 9 a.m.Friday, March 2, also at Todd Me-morial Chapel. Burial will followimmediately at Forest Lawn CovinaHills.

Star Scout Aleksandre Howeshas been awarded the title “Scoutof the Year, 2011” for Pomona’sBoy Scout Troop 101, the oldestscout troop west of the MississippiRiver.

The award was presented re-cently at an awards banquet atPomona First Baptist Church.

To earn the title, Howes, 12, aseventh grade student at the Cali-fornia Virtual Academy in Los An-geles, advanced two ranks, earned30 merit badges and logged morethan 60 hours of community serv-ice during the year.

A resident of Pomona, Howes isa member of the National JuniorHonor Society. His parents areChris and Dr. Carrie Howes.

Pomona’s Troop 101 currentlyis celebrating its 102nd birthdaythis month.


BODY CHECK -- Drivers line up for body checks before opening day of this year's four-dayO'Reilly Auto Parts National Hot Rod Association 52nd Winternationals at the Auto Club Race-way at Pomona's Fairplex.

WINTERNATIONALS OPENING DAY -- Drivers warm up their tires before a run down the quarter-mile track on opening day of this year's 52nd Winternationals at the AutoClub Raceway in Pomona. The Winternationals kicked off the 2012 racing season.

JUNIORS RACING -- Visitors get an up-close look at some of the "juniors" carsassembled for this year's Winternationalsat the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona'sFairplex. The NHRA Junior Drag RacingLeague offers kids ages 8 to 17 a chanceto race a half-scale dragster in a con-trolled environment.

Boy Scout Aleksandre Howesnamed ‘Scout of the Year’by Pomona’s Troop 101

Aleksandre HowesScout of the Year

Pick up your free copy of La Nueva Voz at these locations and dozens more:

• Pomona City Hall lobby

• Pomona library

• Pomona Chamber of Commerce, 101 W. Mission Blvd., Pomona

• Downtown Pomona Owners Association, 119 W. 2nd St., Pomona

• Pomona Unified School District administration building lobby

• Western University of Health Sciences Administration Building & Patient Care Center

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Pomona Valley, 1420 S. Garey Ave., Pomona

• Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center main lobby, maternity lobby

• My Bakery Group, Inc. Panaderia, 782 E. Arrow Highway, Pomona

• Fairplex Chevron, Fairplex Drive and San Bernardino Freeway, Pomona

• American Legion Post #30, 239 E. Holt Ave., Pomona


Project: Caring & Sharing provides varioussupport services to local churches, school-agechildren, ex-offenders, DCFS, DPSS andProbation Department clients.Our mission is to provide high quality services to individuals (youth & adults) and families in a safe nurturing, familyoriented, multi-cultural, multi-age learning environment that will promote academic excellence, promote positive self-image and educational enthusiasm resulting in responsible productive citizens. In short, our goal is to SAVE LIVES ANDREUNITE FAMILIES. We believe the Family is the most important institution in our society. We have accepted thechallenge to strengthen two of the most vital educating institutions — the FAMILY and the SCHOOL.

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:• PARENTING: A 16-week class that was developed to assist parents and expecting parents. The curriculum wasdeveloped with the intentions of empowering the participants with information and helps the parent understand theimportance of working as a team to support, educate, nurture and discipline children. The classes are facilitated by certifiedcounselors.

• MOTHERHOOD: A 26-week class that supports and prepares mothers looking for ways to help their children cope withthe fears and uncertainties that are a natural part of our world and its many crisis situations. The curriculum was developedwith the intentions of empowering the participants with information and helping the mother support, educate, nurture anddiscipline children. The methods work well with children ages 12 and under. The groups are taught under two differentcategories: married and single mothers. The classes are facilitated by certified counselors.

• FATHERHOOD: A 26-week class where fathers can deal with and heal unresolved issues that disrupt their relationshipswith their children and others. The Fatherhood Curriculum is designed to help fathers engage and support their childrenand simply be better fathers. The curriculum can and will endorse decision making, unselfish discussion, communication,and real relationship building. There are far too many children raised with little or no involvement from their biologicalfathers. There are far too many of these young men and women becoming parents without knowing how to raise a childbecause they were never fathered by a responsible male.

• STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: The Strengthening Families Program is a 14-session, science-based parenting skills,children's life skills, and family life skills training program specifically designed for high-risk families. Parents and childrenparticipate in SFP, both separately and together. Group Leader Manuals contain a complete lesson for every session.Parents' and children's Handbooks/ Handouts are also provided for every session.

• ANGER MANAGEMENT: A 26- to 52-week class, depending upon the needs of the individual. The groups are taughtunder two different categories: children and adults. The class will define anger, the difference between anger andaggression, positive ways to deal with anger and more. The classes are facilitated by certified counselors.

• THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUGS: An 18-week class for youth, ages 12 years to 18 years old, that gives an up-frontapproach to presenting facts about the most commonly used drugs, how to get help and guide the individual to a healthierlifestyle. The curriculum was designed to help students gain a thorough understanding of the short-term and long-termhealth impact of the most commonly abused substances. Our hope is that this information will help the individual makethe decision to create a healthier life by joining the growing number of individuals abstaining from drug abuse. Theclasses are facilitated by certified counselors.

FEE SCHEDULE: Fees are based on a sliding scale.

260 S. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA 91766 • 909.643.5157Email: [email protected] • Web: www.projectcaring.org

Our ServicesSunday: Morning Worship 9 a.m. / Sunday School 11 a.m.

Tuesday: Morning Manna 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Single & Parenting 6 p.m. / Strengthening Families 6 p.m.

Thursday: Prayer 6:30 p.m. / Family Ministry 7 p.m.

Friday: Friday Night Live 7 p.m.

985 West Holt Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Phone: (909) 622-6292Email: [email protected] • Web: www.bmtpomona.org

A Multicultural Ministry Where God and MankindCome Together to Meet the Needs of People

EXHIBITION BOXING -- Youth boxers demonstrate their skills in one of Sugar Shane Mosley's practice rings that was set up in the Pomona CivicCenter for the Pomona Pride event last month. The event was presented by Diamond's Love Foundation, in association with Sugar Shane Mosley.The purpose was to bring pride back to Pomona through community awareness, education, health, nutrition and peace awareness. For more infor-mation, contact (909) 622-9092.

FAMILY SUPPORT CLASSES

A NEW CHAMBER IN TOWN -- Leticia Torres and Vanessa Pacheco, both of Pomona, staff thebooth of the new Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Pomona at last month's Pomona Pride eventin the Pomona Civic Center.

A new La Nueva Voz publishes each month on the fourth Thursday of the month.

• La Verne City Hall lobby

• La Verne Senior Citizens Center

• La Verne library

• Claremont library

• Claremont City Hall lobby

• The UPS Store, 168 W. Willow St., Pomona

• Gold Strike Market Carniceria, 412 N. Park Ave., Pomona

• Jicamex Tacos Y Carniceria, 604 E. Mission Blvd., Pomona

• Central Market, Towne Avenue and Phillips Boulevard, Pomona

• Discount Market, Philadelphia Street and Towne Avenue, Pomona

When people need medical attention and are incapable of transporting themselves,Family Care Medical Transportation will provide a safe, timely, courteous andpersonalized transport service that get you comfortably to and from yourdestination.

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CLAREMONT SYMPHONY CONCERT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE -- Members of the Claremont Symphony Orchestra pre-sented a free concert for young people last month in the Bridges Hall of Music in Claremont. Featured performers were SoJeong (Alicia) Lee on the violin, at left, a native of Seoul, Korea, and an 11th grader at Etiwanda High School in RanchoCucamonga, and Jahnavi Curlin, on the flute, an 11th grader at Claremont High School. The two were winners of the Clare-mont Youth Symphony Orchestra concerto competition. Gary Iida and Brandon Johnson were conductors for the evening'sperformance.

Photos by Peter Dumaual

InternationalPolytechnic HighSchool (iPoly) atCal Poly Pomonahas been namedone of six nationald e m o n s t r a t i o nschools by theVerizon Founda-tion to pilot theuse of two class-room sets of iPadtablets in conjunc-tion with researchresources pro-vided on Veri-zon’s educationalportal Thinkfin-ity.org.

The school re-ceived a $75,000grant following asite visit by Veri-zon last year. Thegrant made possi-ble the purchase of the iPads, software andwi-fi carts. It also included stipends forteachers.

The award was based on the school’s pre-existing expertise in technology, according toa school spokesperson.

Resources included in the package rangefrom interactive lesson plans, activities,videos and webinars for teachers, as well asactivities, educational games and resourcesfor students and parents.

The web site also connects students andfaculty to a network of professional contentpartners including National Endowment forthe Humanities, National Geographic Soci-ety, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Per-forming Arts and iPoly’s key content partnerthe Smithsonian’s National Museum ofAmerican History.

iPoly High School receives $75,000 iPadgrant from Verizon Foundation

STUDENTS BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH iPADS – David Lara, of Ontario, a 10th grader atiPoly High School, and his classmates in two classrooms get used to working with iPads in apilot project made possible by a $75,000 grant.

Teachers will be testing the iPads to deter-mine the utility of mobile tablets in class-rooms. They will also videotape lessons thatintegrate the resources and give feedback toan evaluation team from Pace University inNew York.

The school has committed to a one-yearpartnership with the Verizon Foundation,with discussions under way to extend an ad-ditional year after initial evaluation.

Administered by the Los Angeles CountyOffice of Education, iPoly partners with CalPoly Pomona. It is a specialized public col-lege prep high school serving 500 studentsfrom more than 40 cities representing LosAngeles, Riverside, Orange and SanBernardino counties.

For more information, visit the web site atwww.ipolyhighschool.org.


Great Vision and Healthy EyesWe are offering a Wellness Eye Exam and a complete pair of

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The following public service adsare courtesy of La Nueva Voz:

The future of the airport – whereairline traffic is down and flights arebeing reduced – would be uncertainif left under the control of the City ofLos Angeles, Ontario officials havesaid.

Governor’s budget proposalTurning her attention to the gover-

nor’s budget proposal, she said Cali-fornia has “this huge hole” in itsfinances.

“It’s been difficult all three yearsI’ve been here,” she said. “I think(the governor) is being realistic aboutour money problems and I’m encour-aged by how aggressive he hasbeen... in public.”

Torres said nobody likes to cutprograms that help California’s resi-dents, and particularly the poor.

“Look at who I represent – I rep-resent some of the poorest communi-ties in the state,” she said. “The mostdisadvantaged areas are in my dis-trict. So it’s really difficult.”

“But we needed that,” she added.“We needed somebody who is able tocommunicate with the public and wasserious about not living on a creditcard. I think we have lived on acredit card for too many years.”

“The voters have a lot of blame toshare because they’ve approved a lotof these bond initiatives without areal source of funding,” she said.

“It sounds really sexy to add men-tal health programs, it’s great, weneed them, we look at our jails, ourstreets, homeless, drug abuse, we ab-solutely need it,” Torres said. “But asvoters we just can’t say this is a greatprogram, we want it, but you figureout how to pay for it. That’s not real-ity.”

The governor’s budgetproposal – a $137 billionstate spending plan – in-cludes a combination ofbudget cuts and proposalsto temporarily increaseCalifornia’s sales and in-come taxes to help solvethe state’s budget crisis.The proposal assumes thetax increase initiative willbe approved by voters andincludes numerous addi-tional built-in programcuts – including more cutsto K-12 education, com-munity colleges and publicuniversities – if it fails.

And, while the gover-nor’s office claims thestate’s fiscal condition is improving,the state still faces a $9.2 billionbudget shortfall this year and futureannual budget gaps of $5 billion orless (compared to a $26.6 billionshortfall last year).

The governor’s revised budgetwill be available in mid-May.

High speed rail proposalThen what about the high-speed

rail proposal, which calls for a systemof electrically-powered 220 miles perhour trains initially running from SanFrancisco to Los Angeles and Orange

County in two hours and 40 minutesand, later, to Sacramento and SanDiego?

The project is currently estimatedto cost $99 billion – a cost that hastripled since voters approved theproject in 2008.

Gov. Brown has continued to sup-port the proposal.

“I think that his vision is creatingthe jobs,” Torres said. “He’s lookingat it from that perspective and thepossibilities of having that manyjobs... and what that could do to oureconomy.”

Asked if she would support it, shesaid that she did not in the beginningbut today wants to continue to ex-plore it.

“I don’t think that we’re ready tothrow it out yet,” she said.

Torres explained that some of thereasons for the dramatic increases incosts on the project came from law-

La Nueva Voz goes to Sacramento... from pg. 1

Sacramento... pg 12

RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS -- AssemblymemberNorma Torres responds to questions in an interview inher Capitol office with La Nueva Voz.


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Itwas“GiveKidsaSmile”dayat the Western University ofHealth Sciences Dental Centerthis month as more than 230 chil-drenlinedupforfreedentalexamsand cleanings.

About 100 College of DentalMedicinestudentsvolunteeredforthe day.

The annual one-day volunteerevent,heldinconjunctionwiththeAmericanDentalAssociationandtheTri-CountyDentalSocietyasapartofNationalChildren’sDentalHealth Month, provides free edu-cationalandpreventiveoralhealthservices to children. At WesternUniversity, that included sealantsand fluoride treatments as well,according to Veronica Lozano, ofPomona, a registered dental assis-tant at the dental center.

Lozano said this was the pro-gram’s second year, adding thatshe is “very appreciative” of theservices offered at Western Uni-versity. Shesaid the low-costden-tal center – which providesservices for patients with or without in-surance–needsmorepatientsyear-round.

Dental students provided services tothe children this month, supervised byfaculty members, working at all of thedental stations in thestate-of-the-art facil-ity throughout the five-hour event.

Thestudents’effortswereappreciatedby parents bringing their kids in for treat-ment.

Pomona resident Alejandra Fuertebrought her three children in for the sec-ond consecutive year.

“A lot of parents cannot afford dentalinsurance,” she said. “It’s a struggle tohave kids go through pain. I think this isreally wonderful. I think (Western Uni-versity) made a difference in these kids’world.”

Theprogramplacesemphasisonpro-vidinghealthcare to thelessfortunateand

‘Give Kids a Smile’ day a success at Western University’s Dental CenterMasde230niños recibieronservicios

gratuitos de exámenes dentales ylimpiezabucal enelevento“GiveKidsaSmile” ofrecido por el Centro Dental deCiencias de Salud Western University.Alrededor de 100 estudiantes del Cole-gio de Medicina Dental rindieron servi-cio voluntario.

El evento anual, en conjunto con laAsociación Dental Americana y la Tri-County Dental Society, provee edu-cación y servicios de salud oral gratuita.La Universidad Western también pro-porcionó selladores y tratamiento confluoruro, de acuerdo a Veronica Lozano,residente de Pomona, una asistente den-tal registrada.

Lozano dijo que es el segundo añoque se ofrece este servicio, agregandoquesesientemuyagradecidapor losser-vicios que ofrece Western University.Lozano dijo que el centro dental de bajocosto – el cual provee servicios para pa-

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY THE TOOTHFAIRY – Even the tooth fairy (Western Univer-sityʼs Patricia Walker) turned out this month –just in case – for the “Give Kids a Smile” den-tal health event at Western University of HealthSciences. Pictured with the tooth fairy is Reg-istered Dental Assistant Veronica Lozano.

Hada de dientes - Se aparecio la hada de di-entes (Patricia Walker) en el evento de la saludoral. Con la hada aparece la asistente dentalregistrada Veronica Lozano.

cientes con o sin seguro – necesita máspacientes a través del año.

Losestudiantesproveyeronservicioalos niños bajo la supervisión de losmiembros de la facultad en establec-imientos de alta tecnología.

El programa pone énfasis en proveercuidado médico a pacientes de bajos re-cursos y a aquellos que tienen accesolimitado al cuidado médico, de acuerdoal Dr. David Lazarchik, decano asistentepara el cuidado del paciente y educaciónclínica.

“Los estudiantes aprenden el valor deayudar a estos pacientes quienes proba-blemente no tienen acceso básico alcuidado dental. Educamos a los estudi-antes con la esperanza de que ellos sellevenelhabito derendirserviciopúblicocuando se conviertan en profesionistas.”

Para más información, llame al (909)469-8488 o visite el sitio web enwww.westernupcc.com.

Regalando Sonrisasto those with limited access to care, ac-cording to Dr. David Lazarchik, assistantdean for patient care and clinical educa-tion.

“Students learn the value of helpingthese patients who probably don’t haveaccess to regular dental care,” he said.“It’spartof thesolutiontoanationalprob-lemdealingwithaccess tocare. It’s train-ing them as students and hopefully theywillcarry thesehabitswhentheybecomepractitioners.”

Lozano said the school’s dental train-ing facility includes a total of 73 dentalstations including the surgical stations.

Free dental screenings for adults alsowillbeavailable throughoutMarchonanappointment basis.

Western University’s Dental Center islocatedat795E.SecondStreet,Pomona.Parking is free. For more information,call (909)469-8488orvisit thewebsiteatwww.westernupcc.com.

GIVING KIDS A SMILE – Western University of HealthSciences dental students provided free dental examsand cleanings this month as part of a national program toprovide educational and preventive oral health servicesto children. Pictured is third-year dental student Dr. ChadGage, of Rancho Santa Margarita, who expects to grad-uate in 2013. He is working on Ronald Jimenez, 5, ofPomona.

Regalando sonrisas - En la foto aparece el Dr. ChadGage, estudiando en su tercer año para dentista y quienespera graduarse en el 2013. El Dr. Gage trabaja en losdientes de Ronald Jimenez de 5 años, de Pomona.


suits resulting from the proposed railline going through individual com-munities.

“If voters approved such a project,you would think that voters wouldsupport such a project going throughtheir community, but that didn’t hap-pen,” she said. One major area ofconcern, she said, was in the CentralValley area where farmers said theyobjected to the rail line splitting theirfarms.

Elimination ofredevelopment agencies

In another sweeping move to bal-ance the budget, the governor ap-proved legislation last yeareliminating all redevelopment agen-cies in California cities – more than400 of them statewide – and return-ing redevelopment funds to the state.The governor’s current budget pro-

posal includes full credit for tax rev-enues that would have gone toredevelopment agencies – a movethat already has been upheld by theCalifornia Supreme Court.

The governor’s budget includes areference that because of this move,an estimated $1.05 billion in addi-tional property tax revenues will goto K-12 schools, an additional $340million will go to counties, $220 mil-lion to cities and $170 million to spe-cial districts – all numbers that areexpected to increase in future yearsas property tax values increase andadditional redevelopment agencydebt is retired.

Redevelopment agencies havebeen allowed under California lawsince the 1950s, originally as a wayof eliminating blight in communities– redevelopment areas are identified,property taxes are frozen, redevelop-ment bonds are issued and thosebonds are repaid based on tax incre-

ment financing, or the difference inproperty taxes on the project sitesafter redevelopment is complete.

Torres’position is that the redevel-opment funds in the hands of local re-development agencies are not“everybody’s money,” but that thestate created the entire redevelopmentagency process and “made a prom-ise” to school districts that proceedswould help finance education in Cal-ifornia.

Instead, the state began the prac-tice of allowing the cities and coun-ties to keep the money for economicredevelopment that the state would“backfill.”

“So in the good days, when wewere issuing half a million dollarchecks to our cities, that was fine, be-cause we had the money in the stateto do that,” she said. “But in thiseconomy the reality is that the statecan no longer continue to backfillthat.”

Torres added that unfortunately,the cities characterized this as“they’re raiding our funds.”

“And I was there, too, as Mayor ofPomona. I was there fighting thatfight, too,” she said.

But “the reality is it wasn’t yourmoney to keep, the money was sup-posed to go to the schools. None ofthat money is coming to the state tobe put in our general fund.”

“All that means is that the statewill save that portion from having tobackfill that to schools,” she ex-plained.

Even so, “for me, the reality is thatfolks in the district need some type ofprogram for economic redevelop-ment.”

A couple of bills currently aremaking their way through the As-sembly that would retain some re-

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maining money for affordable hous-ing.

Currently, Torres said, “there’s nofunding source for affordable hous-ing.”

“My district has been a championin building affordable housing unitsbut it’s still not enough,” she said.“There’s a lot of seniors that still can’tafford a place to live.”True government reorganization

Where does Torres stand on effortsto bring about a true reorganization ofCalifornia’s government to reducecosts?

“This is a key topic that I think(the governor) needs to do a lot morework in getting the information out tothe public as to how much we havedecreased our state government in thelast three years,” she said.

Torres provided numbers thatshow in the 2011-2012 budget alone,the state’s work force was reduced bymore than 15,000 positions.

In addition, some 20 boards, com-missions, task forces, offices and de-partments also were eliminated.

One problem she pointed out isthat the more staff cuts in state gov-ernment, the higher the overall un-employment rate appears inCalifornia – something that becomesan even greater concern when com-bined with cuts at the federal andlocal level in California.

But, she admitted, “you can’t con-tinue to keep employees on the pay-roll if the money isn’t coming in, andyou might need the services but youhave to understand that it’s going totake a little longer.”

“What I don’t understand is placeslike DMV (California Department ofMotor Vehicles) – it doesn’t makesense to shut down DMV offices.That’s customer service,” Torres said.

Sacramento... from pg. 10“And if we need to pay another dol-lar for a driver’s license, then that’swhat we need to do. But when I needto make an appointment, I don’t wantto wait three months to make an ap-pointment.”

She also talked about emergency“911” telephone calls which, in manyinstances under Gov. ArnoldSchwarzenegger’s administration,she said, were going unanswered be-cause there were not enough 911 dis-patchers.

Her Assembly Bill 912 created apilot program that ended last Decem-ber allowing local police departmentsto apply for funding for training andrecruitment of 911 dispatchers.

She said the bill created 500 jobsin the 911 sector.

“These are positions that wereneeded but police departments werenot hiring because they did not havethe funding to train their folks,” saidTorres, who served as a 911 dis-patcher herself for more than 18 yearswith the Los Angeles Police Depart-ment.

“It’s made a huge difference be-cause part of the requirements for thelocal departments to apply for thismoney (is) they have to agree to an-swer their 911 cell (phone) calls,” shesaid, adding that many departmentsallow those calls to go straight to theCalifornia Highway Patrol, requiringan additional transfer to the local de-partment.

State pension costsWhat about spiraling pension costs

for retired state employees?Torres said state legislators them-

selves do not have a pension throughthe state, adding that those were elim-inated when term limits were ap-proved under Proposition 140 in1990.

“But pension reform (for employ-ees) is at the top of the list this year,”she said. “The issue that you havethere is you have people that have al-ready retired from their position.”

Obviously, she added, to go backand “undo those retirements” wouldresult in lawsuits.

“So whatever reform and howeverthe reform shapes in this coming yearis going to have to be for future em-ployees,” she said. “The savings willbe five, 10, 15 years from now. Wewon’t necessarily see the savingsnow but it needs to happen ab-solutely.”

Part time legislatureThen what about the possible sav-

ings to the taxpayers from a ballotinitiative currently being proposed

that would return the California leg-islature to a part-time legislature – asit was in 1966?

Proponents would need more than807,000 qualified signatures to getthe proposal on the November ballot.

Torres answered the question witha question:

“Are you OK with running theeighth largest economy in the worldon a part time basis?”

“I think that we need full time,”she said, “when I look at even thetime that I spent on the Pomona CityCouncil.”

“Whether you like the currentcouncil members or not, the oversightthat is needed at that level requiresfull time work.”

She said she worked the graveyardshift as a 911 dispatcher so she couldbe there during the day.

“I just think that it’s a lot to askpeople to hold a full time job and thento be full time, it’s not a part time po-sition,” Torres said. “Then whatyou’re asking is for only certain folksto be able to serve. You’ll have onlyretirees serving and only wealthy in-dividuals so working moms like me,I couldn’t afford to serve.”

“As it is, when our pay gets cut,it’s illegal for me to work my job as a911 dispatcher,” she continued. “Butit’s not illegal for a lawyer or for adoctor to go and work at their prac-tice or run legislation for their em-ployers, that’s not a conflict ofinterest, but it is for me to answer a911 call because I work for a govern-mental agency.”

Pending legislation in the worksTorres has been working for the

past four months on a bill she hopesto introduce that would provideguidelines for driving under the in-fluence of marijuana.

She said she is still in conversationwith different organizations on this,but said currently there are no stan-dards.

“DUI (driving under the influence)is DUI whether it is Tylenol withcodeine, whether it is an alcoholicbeverage or whether it is marijuana,”she said. “It is very difficult for lawenforcement to cite on those becausemarijuana stays in your system forlonger than you are high.”

Today, law enforcement can use ablood test, look at the driver’s pupilsand test reactions.

“But they need to have someguidelines,” she said, to standardizethe process.

For more information or to contactTorres, contact the Capitol office at(916) 319-2061, the district office at(909) 902-9606, or visit the websiteat http://asmdc.org/members/a61/.

For information on the governor’sproposed budget, visit www.ebud-get.ca.gov.

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK -- Father Rick Van De Water of St. Joseph CatholicChurch in Pomona celebrates a special mass at Pomona Catholic to commemoratethe beginning of Catholic Schools Week last month. He said the special week givesthe community "an opportunity to remind ourselves what Catholic Schools are allabout." He added that Catholic schools are known for their academics and high stan-dards, and that even non-Catholics often send their children to Catholic schools forthese reasons. The mass kicked off an entire calendar of activities the students hadplanned for the week -- including collecting 500 pairs of socks for the homeless.Pomona Catholic currently has an enrollment that has grown to 310 students, includ-ing 70 middle school and 240 high school students.

WHEN I GROW UP -- Profes-sional road (track) American Mo-torcyclist Association ProSuperbike racer Dean Mizdal vis-ited with the kids at the Boys andGirls Clubs of Pomona Valley lastweek to give them a close-uplook at his motorcycle and to tellthem the importance of findingsomething in life they really love.Mizdal, who owns M Racing andPerformance in Glendora, toldthe kids it also helps to find amentor to help them live theirdream. Mizdal, who has beenracing for 20 years, said hereaches speeds of nearly 200miles per hour on his bike, ridingon a closed asphalt track. "Mo-torcycling is a very exciting sportbut it's not for everybody," hesaid. He appeared as a"spokesracer" with Racers WhoCare to share with the kids hisown personal life skills secretsfor meeting and beating chal-lenges. Pictured with Mizdal onthe bike is Daisy Gomez, 11, ofPomona. Racers Who Care is aWest Hollywood-based non-profitcharitable corporation dedicatedto making a positive differencefor the next generation.

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUBJECT OF NEW MOVIE SCREENED IN POMONADURING 'HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH' LAST MONTH --"Flesh -- bought and sold in the U.S.," an original film focusing on the global andlocal issue of human sexual exploitation and forced labor, was presented atPomona's Fox Theater last month by Mosaic, a new community faith-based or-ganization. The film's public screenings began last year. The documentary wasdeveloped over the past six years. Director Kristin Lauterbach told La Nueva Vozthat a girl in Compton needs the same compassion as the 13-year-old girl in Thai-land who is being exploited, since human trafficking presents the same issues onthe street in this country. According to Lauterbach, the average age of entry intoprostitution in the U.S. is 12 to 14. She said human trafficking is the largest sourceof illegal income worldwide, exceeded only by drug trafficking. Pictured during aninterview with La Nueva Voz at the Fox are, from left, producer Christina LeeStorm and Lauterbach. For more information on Mosaic, contact Pam Neighborat (909) 519-4309.


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Heart Association, Cardenas Markets partner to help raise heart disease awareness in Latino community

of heart disease which, he said, is thenumber one killer of Latino women.

Included was everything from check-

The American Heart Associationteamed up with Cardenas Markets forthe first time this month – duringAmer-ican Heart Month – to kick off a com-prehensive program to help raise heartdisease awareness and funding to fightheart disease and stroke in the Latinocommunity.

American Heart Association volun-teer Ninfa Delgado, speaking at a newsconference in the market’s Ontario store,said many women are unaware of thethreat of heart disease, particularly toLatino women.

And “the woman in the household isthe leader in health,” she added. “Heartdisease can be prevented.”

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon said he hasbeen working for the past eight years onahealth initiative which recently resultedin Kaiser Permanente granting $1 mil-lion to work on healthy eating and ac-tive living in Ontario to “change themindset of our families.”

“We are becoming more aware thatwe are what we eat,” he added. “Thisstore has plenty of opportunities for usto make wise decisions about what weeat.”

Cardenas spokesman Marco Roblessaid the news conference marked thelaunch of a number of activities through-out the month of February at severalstore locations to help raise awareness

CARDENAS TAKES AIM AT HEARTDISEASE -- Cardenas Markets did theirpart for American Heart Month thismonth, kicking off events with a newsconference at the Ontario store. Pic-tured, clockwise, from top right are On-tario Mayor Paul Leon, at left, and MarcoRobles, public affairs director for Carde-nas Markets; Alma Orozco rolls out thepandulce, Hispanic sweet bread, full ofhealthy ingredients; Dr. Antemio Millot, ofLas Palmas Dental Group, performs adental screening on Arcelia Chavez, ofRancho Cucamonga, pointing out the re-lationship between gum disease andheart disease; and Abby Chupina, at left,performs a blood pressure check for Is-abel Chavez, of Rancho Cucamonga.

out stand television monitor messagesabout heart disease prevention, displaysof heart-healthy foods throughout thestore, and more.

The event also featured a mini-healthfair with medical providers offeringeverything from free blood pressure andblood sugar checks to dental screenings.Health screenings were scheduled to beoffered at store locations throughout theInland Empire.

“We are very proud to join theAmer-ican Heart Association and many otherorganizations across the nation in thisvery important effort to prevent heartdisease and save lives,” said Cardenasfounder and senior vice president LuzCardenas.

The company, a family-owned busi-ness headquartered in Ontario, operates28 stores throughout Southern Califor-nia and Las Vegas.

la nueva voz · assembly’s moderate caucus. she is continuing to support efforts by the city of...

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