yay, you, LAT

This screenshot is from the LAT website at 6:04pm.

Am I the only person who has a problem with it? Maybe I'm too sensitive; maybe it's unreasonable to ask the international desk to know the difference between Chile and Argentina, much less the difference between Concepción and Santiago. That's my problem -- I'm just too pedantic.

TOPomona CHEF

My name is Meg, and I am a reality-tv addict.

I don't watch 'em all, but I watch enough to qualify -- Project Runway, Shear Genius, Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, Real World (a story for another day), and the best of the lot, Top Chef.

Lo and behold, Top Chef is coming to Pomona! Ilan Hall, the cute-but-goofy winner of Season 2, is going to be giving a cooking demonstration at Cal Poly, and then serving a three course meal, all for the low, low price of $40. Alas, I can't go -- we'll be driving back from a trip to deep snow -- but you can. And if you do, please take notes and let us know all about it!

Hm... If Top Chef can come to Pomona, why not Real World? There's some great real estate downtown; they could posh it up, the roommates could move in, and they could embarrass themselves at Characters, the Drink, dba, and Acerogami. Quick, someone call MTV!

'nuff said

Courtesy of Jill Carroll, photographer to the royals:

Curley's Key Shop to the Rescue

Pride in Garfield Park is having internet troubles, so I'm posting this heartwarming story of Pomona Triumphant in her behalf.

A friend asked recently for a recommendation of a "key guy." We suggested Curley's Key Shop at 306 E Monterey Ave, here in P-town. The friend dropped me an e-mail this evening to rave about her very positive experience at Curley's. To summarize the review, she said, "Your key guy rocks!"

I asked her to describe the nature of her need; here's what she said:

We bought a used car. It came with key and the automagic-door-unlocky-thingy.

The key worked in the ignition but none of the doors. The
unlocky-thingy worked on the doors (which is why I didn't notice the
problem with the key until we got home).

A Claremont vendor hemmed and hawed and gave me a hard time for buying a used car. Said it probably went to a chop shop and gave me lots of horror stories about other things that might be wrong with the car.

Curley's took the door apart, made a new key and it worked. Then they
made more keys!

Plus they were pleasant and didn't try to make me feel like an idiot.

I heart Curley's. I heart Pomona.

So there you have it. Another vote of confidence for Curley's Key Shop.

movie mayhem

A friend who lives on the 200 block of Columbia called me this morning to ask whom to call about inconsiderate asshole movie crews. Actually, the word he used was "right fuckers."

The neighbors did receive warning, including notice that they needed to move their cars by 8am. So my friend had a guy banging on his door *yelling* at him about his car at 5:40am. That's the way to start a great day!

It's also garbage day, and the garbage truck came by in a hurry, throwing all the recycling, yard waste, and trash together, so that it will all end up in the landfill.

Then the movie crew heaved the bins into yards to get them out of the way, crushing plants and in some cases throwing them against the sides of houses.

Overall, my friend reports that they are being completely inconsiderate in every possible way, and that when he tried to talk to them, they told him that he was should be grateful they were there.

His question is, whom does he contact to complain? I suggested emailing our city council rep and phoning the mayor's office. Any other suggestions?

saturday night fever

We're gonna be at Art Walk tonight -- will we see you there? It's the place to be, especially as Bunny Gunner has a new show opening tonight.

I know you read the MetroPomona blog, but go over and contribute some reasons to love P-Town -- they'll never get to 909 reasons without your help.

This afternoon I met a friend for lunch at Shalizar, the new Persian restaurant at Foothill and Towne Center that replaced the old Persian restaurant, Falcon's Nest. Maybe it was what we ordered, but the food was better than the time K. and I tried Falcon's Nest.

The two of us split an eggplant starter that I can't remember the name of (not baba ganoush), and I had a bowl of Ash-Reshteh (noodle soup). My pal had a chicken stew of some kind I can't recall -- maybe fesenjan? Anyway, everything was very tasty.

Please complete the Community Needs Survey

If you haven't already done so, please pLeAsE PLEASE complete the city's Community Needs Survey. Not sure why your responses matter? Check out my elevator speech at the PomonaWatch blog.

Opera_tunities

The Repertory Opera Company, Pomona's own resident opera company, has announced their upcoming performances.

A Valentine to the Community
Serenades of Love

Repertory Opera Company presents an elegantly romantic afternoon with extravagant desserts and a concert of beloved melodies on Sunday, February 14 at 2 pm at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pomona, located at 242 E. Alvarado Street, Pomona, CA  91767.

ROC's gifted 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 music.

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

Reservations are required.  For reservations or more information, call (909) 230-4949.  Seating is limited. 

 

Upcoming events -

Repertory Opera Company will be performing
   La Traviata , Saturday, March 13 & 24 at 2pm 
   Carmen, Saturday, June 12, 19 and 26 at 2pm

At First Christian Church of Pomona, 
1571 N. Park Ave

Looking for a place to watch the big game?

If you're looking for a fun place to watch the Super Bowl, consider the Finish Line or Honolulu Harry's.

The Finish Line is a big ol' sports bar connected to an OTB joint on the grounds of the Pomona Fairplex. The Finish Line boasts many large screens, reasonable beverage prices, and hearty bar fare. I called to inquire about tomorrow's specials, but nobody picked up. 2201 N. White Ave, Pomona.

Honolulu Harry's is located on Central, just north of the 60. This tiki joint's retro flare and excellent food and drink specials are sure to satisfy. 1/2 price appetizers and $3 well drinks during the game. 12206 Central, Chino.

step right up!

I know that 99.9% of M-M-M-My Pomona's readership also checks out the Metro Pomona blog (99.5% of them before coming here), but for that fraction of folks who doesn't, head over there now and take their poll.

Do it for me.

gitalong, little dogies

Ms. Lois at the Pomona Public Library has written to let us know that the annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Gingerbread Sociable is going to be held in the children's room of the library -- that's the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Room -- this saturday from 1-3pm. There will be storytelling, crafts, gingerbread by the Pomona Baking Company, and general bibliophilic good cheer. Meg-Bob sez check it out! (Ms. Lois's joke of the day is also particularly good.)

I'll try to stop by (although I have to work on saturday, wah), out of a strong sense of support for our library. Fie on anyone who wants to dump our local library (by Pomonans, for Pomonans) in favor of being another half-toothed cog in the sub-operational machinery of the LA County system!

Get a Haircut for Haiti

The Savoie Salon in downtown Pomona is hosting a fundraiser for Haiti on Sunday, February 7 from 12 - 4 PM. The stylists are offering $20 hair cuts (blow dry not included so that they may fit in as many clients as possible). The event is first come, first serve. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.

because print journalism isn't dying fast enough

Just when you thought the LA Times didn't have another foot to shoot itself in, it miraculously finds one.

I was working at home this morning when I hear a bellow from the living room: "The @#$% LA Times has found another way to shrink the comics!" (You gotta understand, the comics page is the first thing either one of us reads, and it's probably the only reason we still get the paper.) Sure enough, there's a giant banner ad in the middle of the funnies.

You know, I'm happy (okay, well, grudgingly willing) to be part of the hospice staff for the slow demise of the LA Times, but as you'll see in the picture, this wasn't even a paid ad. What the motherfucking hell is up with that?!? Go ahead and destroy my reading experience in the name of increased ad revenues, but shrinking the funnies for sheer (and pointless) self-promotion is just a thumb in the eye.

Dear LA Times: This is my fist, and I'm shakin' it at you!

Applicants Sought For the City's Charter Review Commission

The following is from the Pomona Chamber of Commerce blog.

Pomona City Council seeks individuals interested in serving on a Charter Review Commission. Commissioners will have an opportunity to make a difference in the community by providing recommendations to the City Council to update the City Charter. Commissioners serve on a volunteer basis and are appointed by the City Council. The City of Pomona is seeking individuals with a strong interest in the community to be considered for the commission.

A link to the Charter Review Commission Application Form can be found on the City's website at www.ci.pomona.ca.us. Applications are also available at Pomona City Hall, Office of the city Clerk, 505 S. Garey Ave. The deadline for filing an application has been extended to Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 5:00pm. Applications should be filed in the City Clerk Development.

For further information, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 909-620-23411.

Me again: This will be an important commission. The original deadline was Jan. 27 but it was extended due to a lack of applicants.  If you're concerned about how the city is run and want to have a say in city government, this is your opportunity. There will be 15 people appointed to this commission, two by each councilperson and three by the mayor.