This event is a great opportunity for members of the community to switch out their old halogen lamps for a new, safe, energy efficient fluorescent lamp. Making the switch from a halogen torchiere lamp to a fluorescent model can cut energy usage by 70% and save up to $250. Participants will have their choice of either a black, white or satin nickel lamp FREE while supplies last.

Earlier this year, Brian was able to purchase a home of his own and put down roots right here in the City of Corona with the assistance of Corona’s Home Owners Assistance Program (HOAP Now).  Brian is actually the first HOAP Now applicant to find and purchase a home through this new program...

Mark your calendars and get ready! On November 15th, Dos Lagos will be featuring a vendor showcase with live entertainment along with celebrating it's grand opening of the Lakeside Pavilion. It all starts at 11:00am and admission is FREE! [Flyer]

The Corona Animal Shelter’s non-profit group CCARE - The Corona Companion Animal Rescue Effort will be hosting a “BINGO” event November 7th from 6pm to 9pm. Cost is $20.00. This event is open to the public on a first come basis and is has occupancy limits so get your tickets early. All proceeds benefit the companion animals in our care. [Read]

The Society for Financial Awareness is offering a free seminar at the Corona Public Library on Estate Planning. Bring your lunch and learn about probate, wills, trusts, and other variables of this crucial area of your finances. [Read]

If you would like to impact the life of a developmentally disabled 'Ridger', participate in the Love Walk for The Peppermint Ridge on Saturday, November 14th at Crossroads Church[Map] from 9:30pm to 12:30pm.  Food, Fun, and Friendship will be available for all.  Proceeds from the Walk will support resident activities and general operations of Peppermint Ridge. 

Become a Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze contributor by donating to the Library's Magazine Collection. This collection is used by the casual reader as well as the researcher in your family. For as little as $25 you can help the Library continue its magazine subscriptions. [Flyer]

Youth basketball also offers an amazing opportunity for adults to help shape the future of our community and be role models to the youth of Corona. Volunteering to be a coach is an essential element to the success of our program and a great way to give back to your community. Volunteer coaches are special individuals who take on the role of leader, mentor and ambassador to the community all at once.

Get creative this holiday season and give the gift that keeps on giving. Design and create personalized invitations, greeting or holiday cards! [Read]

The Corona-Norco Unified School District is being proactive in its endeavor to make our schools as safe as possible for students and staff. While there’s no way to eliminate the H1N1 virus, steps can certainly be taken to minimize the spread of it and other viruses this year and that is exactly what the officials are striving for.

When asked about particular concerns, Assistant Superintendent, David Hansen said, ‘One school we are especially concerned about is Victress Bowers since students there are already frail. As we do for all our students, we want to protect them and keep them safe.’

To that end an effort is being made at the district, school and classroom levels. Employees of CNUSD receive updates and information on the flu and symptoms. Posters and flyers have been disseminated throughout the district.



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The Traffic Bureau is proud to present its "Drive 4 Life" teen driver safety program. This program is designed for young drivers who have a license as well as those who are about to get one. Our goal is to provide a FREE service to our community by educating our young drivers and their parents in an effort to promote traffic safety on our roadways and to prevent fatal traffic collisions.

We focus on the four most common factors that lead to fatal traffic collisions involving young drivers. Speeding, driving under the influence, seatbelts, and street racing are addressed in detail. The 4 you see in the middle of the title represents these four major causes.

This four hour program includes short movies, a dynamic power point presentation, interactive role playing (field sobriety tests and mock traffic trial), comedy, static displays and guest speakers. Local businesses and the Corona Police Officer's Association have given us their support and have provided us with gifts to provide the students to encourage interaction and participation.

Classes will be held at the Corona Public Library West Room, located at 650 South Main Street. Class sizes will be at a maximum of 60. Certificates will be awarded to the students at the end of the class. Please enroll by completing the registration form or call (951) 736-2355 for availability and dates.

We are also working in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department E.V.O.C. Training Center.  They host an 8 hour Teen Survival Driving Skills Course.  This course provides physical driving skills training such as precision driving, accident avoidance, vehicular control, emergency lane change, skid recovery and controlled braking.  For those students who have completed Corona's "Drive 4 Life" program, EVOC is offering a $50 discount for their driving course.

Each year to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season, the City of Corona sponsors a Holiday Lighting Ceremony. In the past, the event was held on the first Thursday of December and included entertainment by local performing groups and lighting of the Civic Center Complex. The Corona Parks and Community Services Department decided to expand what had long been a small and limited evening celebration, into a community-wide event.

The NEW Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration to be held on Sunday, December 6, 2009 will include entertainment by the Corona Symphony Jazz Band and a special performance by the world famous All American Boys Chorus. The event will also include a ride on the polar express (trackless train), Santa’s workshop (children's crafts), photos with Santa provided by CAT theater ($5.00 each) and hot cocoa, apple cider and cookies. The event will culminate with the lighting of the holiday tree. In order to accommodate the expanded program, the event will be held at the City Hall South Lawn which is directly behind the Civic Center Complex. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the lighting ceremony to take place around 7:00 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate the holiday season.

• Corona Crossing Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Dos Lagos Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Corona-Norco Settlement House was established in 1912 to give temporary emergency aid to itinerant workers and their families. Although the Citrus Groves are all but completely gone, the need for help for some of the poorest of families continues even today.

The Settlement House is a registered non-profit 501c3 which functions by the mission that ‘no family or individual will go without food or shelter and that no child will go to school without proper clothes. To that end the organization provides services that ease the lives of many and provides for those with the greatest needs.

While many of the services are provided year round, the holiday season is when the community bonds together and steps up to make sure the Settlement House can function as a major facilitator and provider of holiday giving in the Corona area. Settlement House has three holiday giving programs it offers to community families in need. The Food Drive and Thanksgiving Family Sponsorship are two that serve families and the Holiday Toy Program which makes the holiday season special for children.

FOOD DRIVE
It is in November that the main food drive begins as a collaborative effort with the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Students are encouraged to bring canned goods to school to be put in the 500-700 food baskets that are given out for the holidays in December. People are also encouraged to bring canned goods to the City Hall tree lighting and various other events around the town.

THANKSGIVING
Although the on-going pantry is available, the Settlement House has created a program especially for this holiday. For those who are able, the Settlement house arranges family sponsorship whereby a person, business or organization can choose to sponsor a family’s Thanksgiving dinner. The sponsor is responsible for purchasing the food and delivering it to the home of the family. Last year 27 families were recipients of a Thanksgiving dinner.

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Brainfuse is available through the Corona Public Library's website and has features beneficial to all learners.  Included in this free resource is live tutor help, a 24 hour writing lab, and skills building tutorials.  Elementary to advanced High School students to adult learners can received guidance and assistance on their homework and skills.  Visit the Library's website at www.coronapubliclibrary.org and click on the Brainfuse icon.  You will be guided through the brief first time set up and then you are on your way! 

The Library's Brainfuse subscription was originally funded through a grant from the California State Library.  As its use has grown and satisfaction has been expressed by users of Brainfuse, the Library has worked to continue to pay for this wonderful resource. 

More information: Click Here

Kids & Cops

The 7th annual Corona Police Department “Kids & Cops Holiday Magic” will take place this December, at Sheridan Park. The event provides craft and game activities for underprivileged children from our community. Last year, over 1000 underprivileged children were presented with gifts made possible through generous donations. The sponsors will be recognized in the media.

The “Kids & Cops Holiday Magic” Program is made possible through community donations. With this mind, the department is seeking donations to provide gifts for the children or gifts appropriate for ages 3-12 years and valued at $10 - $15. Any donation from your business would be greatly appreciated. The partnerships created when the Police Department joins together with the community, create a positive teamwork atmosphere and enhance the working relationships between everyone involved.

Locations include: It’s a Grind (Eagle Glen), All American Karate, Cal Olympics, Miguel's Resturants (all Corona locations).

High Speed Rail (HSP) is the future when it comes to leisure travel in California. It provides a clean and efficient way to travel long distances. High speed rail consumes nearly 10 times less fuel than cars and six times less than planes.

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Sharon Wade and Scott Flower were looking for a simple and quick place to get married, and they found it at City Hall. “We planned this wedding last minute. We wanted a small wedding ceremony with just a few close family and friends and we are going to have a big reception later. This place fit the bill!” explained bride-to-be Wade. With 2.3 million weddings performed in the United States every year, many couples today are opting for a civil ceremony. A civil ceremony is known by most as the fastest, easiest and most cost-efficient way to get married. The real beauty of a civil ceremony is its flexibility. The ceremony details are determined by the bride and groom and there is no limit to the customization they can bring to the process.

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West Corona Little League (WCLL) is a place where children of all ages can come out and participate. With seven divisions ranging from 4-16 years of age, our league strives hard in making sure that every child plays and is dedicated to bringing a fun, fair and exciting experience to every player. We believe that so much can come out of children interacting with kids there own age. Here they learn to believe in themselves and others and have the opportunity to be a part of some great memories and milestones. They also learn to work together and build self-esteem and respect for the game and others. Working as a team alone is an overall great experience for them.

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It is Christmas Eve 1862 and a weary, wounded Union soldier, Robert, is desperately trying to get home. Lonely and forlorn, somehow the thought of being home with his family has become his single focus, in fact has made him reckless in his pursuit. Lost in a blinding blizzard, Robert is with haunted by flash backs of what he longs for and what he has lost, and is all but overcome by cold and despair when, providentially he finds himself inexplicably rescued by the most unlikely circumstance. Meanwhile, in a poor, spare Irish coal miner's shanty a young wife, Catherine, puts a single candle in her window and waits, praying for a miracle for herself and her infant for Christmas. When the sick and wounded officer arrives unexpectedly at Catherine’s door, it sets off a chain of circumstances that will change both of their lives forever.

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Going to join the masses in an attempt to pull down the best Holiday gifts for dollars less? We certianly are. If you were planning on waiting eagely for this Friday's ads in your morning paper, don't bother. Black Friday Ads have your complete source of ads. Not sure where you want to shop? No worries, here are a few to get you started!


If you have a Gadget lover in the family, try Gizmodo's complete gadget Black Friday guide.

Newscaster Rick Lozano runs a yearly project at FOX 11 during the Christmas Holidays that benifits the Toys For Tots Foundation. Rick hosts a number of  events which are aimed at raising money in order to take thousands of underprivileged children from thoughout Southern California on a fantastic Christmas shopping spree.

For the 3rd year in a row the Toys For Tots train will stop at Corona Batting Cages. Rick will typically have 4 or 5 live broadcasts from Corona Cages from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM during FOX 11 News and Good Day LA. Our goal this year is to raise $15,000. If you donate at least $1.00, they will be well on their way to reaching their goal!

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The Holiday season does not have to be a burden on the environment. With a little effort and imagination, we can reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season. The City of Corona supports a Green Holiday Season.

During the Holiday Season, approximately 50 million trees are sold in the United States, of which 30 million end up in landfills. Although plastic trees may appear as a likely solution, they are made of petroleum (PVC), and use up resources in both the manufacture and shipping impacting our environment. While artificial trees theoretically last forever, research shows that they are typically discarded when repeated use makes them less attractive. Discarded artificial trees are then sent to landfills, where their plastic content makes them last forever.

Live trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource grown on tree farms that are replanted regularly. They contribute to air quality while growing, and almost ninety percent are recycled into mulch. Live trees are usually locally grown and sold, saving both transportation costs and added air pollution. Live trees also smell like the Holidays!

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Inland Empire firefighters will be working together to “fill the boot” at various locations on Friday, November 27th from 8:00am to noon. In Corona, our firefighters will be located at McKinley and Griffin at the entrance to the Costco shopping center.

Firefighters are holding this “fill the boot” fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for the Burn Institute – Inland Empire (BI-IE) which is based out of the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. This center is important to Inland Empire firefighters because it is the only center of its kind in the area. The BI-IE treats victims of fires that Inland Empire firefighters respond to.
“Fill the boot” fundraisers have been used for decades by firefighters to raise funds to keep the community safe. Today, the fundraisers are used to support charitable organizations that support the community the firefighters serve. Support the cause and “fill the boot” on Friday, November 27th.

Fall is finally here, along with cooler temperatures. That means it’s time to break out your winter wardrobe, holiday decorations, get ready to eat a huge turkey dinner, change the batteries in your fire alarm and…adjust your landscape timer? The last one is what most people forget about. Cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall mean that run times for each of your landscape controller stations need to be reduced. In most cases, a few minutes per station will suffice.
Remember to shut off your timer for several days after it rains, too. And while you’re changing the batteries in your fire alarms, you may also want to check your landscape timer. Many timers contain a battery back up system to help keep power going in the event of a power outage. 

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 The holiday season is the season of giving. Many people are compelled to donate to food drives and non-profit organizations this time of year, but your time can be the most valuable and rewarding thing you can give. The City of Corona has many opportunities for volunteering your time this holiday season. Settlement House in Corona is one such place. “I came to Settlement house because I wanted to help. Settlement House has helped me and I wanted to give back to my community. It’s a great way to relieve stress and distract you from other things that might be going on. I started coming everyday because there is so much work to do here! Every day people are lined up to get their food, and in between doing that I am doing office work. It was easy to get started, I just came in and signed up and they called me right away. It makes me feel good to help out,” said Corona resident Elsa Morales.

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Beginning in 2007, the Corona Friends of the Library have sponsored a yearly photography contest. This year’s theme was “Cover Story,” where entrants were asked to take a photograph that would make a great cover for their favorite book. Nearly 100 entries were received, and several photographs were chosen to be displayed at City Hall. One of the photographs chosen was taken by Thierry Bys, a French fashion and beauty photographer represented by a local Corona woman, Roxanne Dauer. Bys’ credits include shooting for Vogue, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaulthier. The photograph Bys entered into the contest was inspired by the story The Birds, and depicts a woman standing on a television that has Alfred Hitchcock on the screen while a flock of large black birds seem to be flying into the window. “Mr. Bys loves American cinema, and Alfred Hitchcock in particular, so he was inspired by the story The Birds which Hitchcock turned into a memorable film” said Dauer. When Bys heard that his work was chosen to be displayed at City Hall that he flew from his home in France to Corona to see it in person. While he was here, Bys had a chance to meet Mayor Steve Nolan. “It is an honor to have my work displayed at City Hall and I am doubly thrilled to have been able to meet the mayor” said Bys.
Bys’ work, along with other contest entries, is currently on display at City Hall. City Hall is located at 400 S. Vicentia Avenue, Corona, CA 92882.

By DAYNA STRAEHLEY
The Press-Enterprise

Moving seventh- and eighth-graders living in the Eagle Glen neighborhood of Corona from Citrus Hills Intermediate School to El Cerrito Middle School was among several boundary changes proposed Tuesday to save several hundred thousand dollars.

Another proposal would add a seventh- and eighth-grade center at Home Gardens Elementary, which is being rebuilt with Measure U bond funds. That change would mean 211 students no longer would need to be bused after 2011-12.

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Professional musician Steven McMorran examines a bass guitar in the Fender guitar manufacturing plant in Corona. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

By Michael Hiltzik

November 12, 2009

The sound of California business success came to my ears the moment I stepped through the door of Fender Musical Instruments Corp.'s 3-acre manufacturing plant in Corona.

It reached me as riffs and scales on electric guitar, audible over the thud of metal stamping and the grind of band saws that one might customarily hear on a factory floor.

But this is no ordinary plant. The last step in Fender's quality-control process requires an experienced musician to play every note on a finished guitar, listening for a stray vibration or tuning flaw to be corrected before any model, including the American Standard Stratocaster that is the plant's bread and butter, reaches a dealer.
 

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Looking for something safe for your teen to do on a Friday night AND has nothing to do with a Playstation or Wii?! Send them for a night of fun at the Civic Center gym, located at 502 S. Vicentia Ave., with teens from all of Corona’s Jr. Highs! Teens in 6th – 8th grade are invited to attend the “Winter Wonderland Dance” on Friday, December 4 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. A DJ, video game room, dancing and prizes will be available for all teens to enjoy! There will also be a snack bar with food and drinks available for purchase!

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The Corona-Norco Unified School District implemented $38 million in state budget cuts during the 2008-2009 school year alone. These cuts led to higher class sizes and reducing programs and staff. However, these changes haven’t led to a decline in test scores. In fact, it is just the opposite. California Standards Test scores all saw an increase for the 2008-2009 school year and attendance rates also improved. In addition, of the 15 largest school districts in California, Corona-Norco is the only district to have met all of the accountability standards for the federal No Child Left Behind program. When asked what these extraordinary achievements were attributed to, Assistant Superintendent Thomas Pike replied, “Even though we have had $52.5 million in budget cuts we have been successful in keeping them as far away from the classroom as possible. Students are continuing to achieve due to outstanding teachers, focused curriculum and outstanding support from our principals and educational services.”

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People of Corona! We want to hear from you! Do you have something you want us to know? Not sure how to share your idea with the City of Corona? We have you covered. Simply click the feedback button on the left side of this website and let us know what is on your mind. Shout out your ideas, they will be added to the feeback forum where other residents can vote up or down your idea. We'll try to get something done on all the feedback, priority will be determined by the voters.