In March, we did a special feature on Martha Graham for Women’s History Month. Chifra Holt reached out to us and we discovered one of Corona’s own residents studied under Graham. This is her memory of dancing with Martha Graham in her own words. She lives in Corona with her husband. She has one daughter.

Martha Graham's Contemporary Dance Figure 1

Martha Graham was a great Dance Artist, I did not know of her until I started formal dance training. I had always danced and improvised and just loved to move. Movement was just like breathing to me and it still is. I recall that during my high schools years I would improvise to poetry as it was read aloud. At that time I never thought of dance as a career.

In New York City where I was born and later danced, there were many Settlement Houses that offered classes in English for new immigrants, as well as training in Music, Dance, and Theatre.  I first began my dance training at the Henry Street Playhouse, a Settlement House on the lower east side. The director of the Dance Program was Alwin Nikolais.

At the Playhouse we had an excellent theatre with a large stage and we would often have Modern Dance classes and practice our choreography on stage. As a result we were very comfortable on stage and did not have the sense of it being an unfamiliar experience and did not experience stage fright when we had to perform.  I was fortunate in that I was awarded a scholarship that covered much of my cost for dance classes.  After 3 months of classes at the Playhouse, Alwin Nikolais invited me to augment the main dance company for their special Christmas performances for children. I was thrilled and couldn’t believe how lucky I was!  I remained at the Playhouse for almost 4 years.

MARTHA GRAHAM, A GENIUS

Figure 2

The first time that I saw Martha Graham perform was at The 92nd Street Y in New York city. She performed a solo in which she was St. Joan.  I was dumbstruck! I felt that I could hear her thoughts and feel her feelings.  Her power was overwhelming. The experience was unlike any I had experienced before at any dance performance. Martha Graham was relatively short but she had such power.

I decided that I needed to study with her and went to her school, the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, for my first class.  It just happened to be the class she was teaching. It was packed, a big studio, but really packed. As I was leaving that first class, she was at the door and she said to me “It’s an honor to have you in my class.”

Figure 3

I’ll never forget that! It almost makes me cry now to remember. This great lady said that to me!! I decided to continue my dance training at her school.  I auditioned for a scholarship and was very fortunate. I was awarded a scholarship!

While studying at her school I was asked by one of the other dance students if I wanted to audition for the Pearl Lang Dance Company. Pearl Lang had been a major dancer with the Graham Company and then formed her own dance company.  Again, I was fortunate. I auditioned for the Company and was invited to join.  I was thrilled and joined the Company!

Throughout my dance career I have been exceedingly fortunate, encouraged by wonderful teachers and had numerous performing opportunities.

Alan Shelton has lived a seemingly dual life of developing into a quintessential corporate manager while simultaneously engaging in the seeker’s quest. Born in California, Alan grew up within the sixties’ vision of infinite possibility. In his twenties, he worked tirelessly to master the nuts and bolts of his craft; within five years, he was at the pinnacle of his field.

Beginning at the age of thirty-eight, he spent four years over a ten-year period sitting with sages in India, blending his personal search with his love for the corporate adventure. These two territories had appeared to be incompatible, but in the wake of an event that permanently altered his perception and experience of reality, he realized that these worlds can be united in the domain called leadership.

Observing that the leadership community is in the process of expanding their stewardship by demanding and creating a platform for personal development, he decided to write Awakened Leadership, using his life story as a laboratory. He sensed that the story of the development and subsequent relaxation of his ego could become both a pointer and an inspiration for others’ awakening.

At the core of Alan’s world is the irresistible challenge and examination of the assumptions upon which people base their lives. Many presuppositions that are collectively held by our culture, corporate or otherwise, are responsible for both the lack of leadership and the discontent evident in society today. Alan has experienced the unwinding of these in his own awakening. Now his work centers on supporting others to deconstruct assumptions, thus opening the doorway to their own possibility of living as the awakened self. [Read more.]

Alan Shelton is a native of Corona. He grew up here and graduated from Corona High School. After a long successful career managing and advising multi-national companies, Alan began offering corporate coaching and facilitating leadership workshops. His book Awakened Leadership: Beyond Self Mastery is releasing this month and he will be holding his talk “Leadership in a Facebook World” at the Corona Public Library.

“Leadership in a Facebook World”
This program is free and copies of Awakened Leadership will be made available free of charge to high school students attending.
Date: Monday, June 11, 2012
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Location: Community Rooms, Corona Public Library [MAP]

We already talked about how Asian Pacific Heritage Month came about. What does Asian-Pacific American Heritage really mean? Where does the idea even come from? APHM is a way to honor many cultures. APHM spans from Hawaii & Polynesia, to China, Japan, Pakistan, Laos, India, Korea, Vietnam, and more.

This week’s Asian hero is Dalip Singh Saund—the first Asian American Congressman, the first Indian American Congressman, and the first and only Sikh Congressman.

Dalip Singh Saund was born in India (Chhajulwadi, Punjab) in 1899. There was no public school system in India at that time, and Saund’s father had to pay for his education. Saund did well and continued into the University of Punjab where he graduated in 1919. Soon after this he came to California to study agriculture at Berkeley. He was a great admirer of many American philosophers and his original intention had been to take what he learned at Berkley and bring that knowledge back to India to work with his family.

Saund may or may not have planned on falling in love with America, but he did. Saund campaigned for an end to the restrictions prohibiting the naturalization of India natives as U.S. citizens. His campaign organization became the India Association of America with Saund as its national head. It became successful in 1946 when the bill was signed by President Harry Truman. –Source

Though he was criticized for being foreign born, he ran for Justice of the Peace for Westmorland Township and won. This was the real beginning of his political career and eventual election to Congress. During his life he wrote three books My Mother India, Congressman from India, and Gandhi, the Man and His Message. Learn more about Saund.

Are you ready for summer fun and sun? Get ready, Corona has you covered with crafts, performing arts camp, Book-a-Palooza, afternoon movies and more!

CAT of Corona Theater Summer Day Camp [MAP]
Gymnastics and Cheer Summer Camp [MAP]

Corona Public Library [MAP]
Tuesday June 5, 5-8 p.m.
Summerfest Kickoff Book-A-Palooza

Children’s Programs (951) 736-2388
Wednesday Events June – July 2:00 p.m.
Music Group, Hullabaloo: Jun 13
Wild Wonders Animal Show: Jun 20
The Wacko Show: Jun 27
The Found Object Juggling Show with Michael Rayner: July 11
The Buster Balloon Show: July 18

Thursday Afternoon Movies June – August at 2:00 p.m.

Bedtime Stories: Jun 14
Alice in Wonderland: Jun 21
How to Train Your Dragon: Jun 28
Anastasia: July 5
Puss in Boots: July 12
Kung Fu Panda 2: July 26
Happy Feet 2: Aug 2
The Lorax: Aug 9

Summer Reading Program
June 11 – July 19
Dream Big, READ

Young Adult Programs (951) 736-2404
Teen Summer Reading Program June 11 – July 19
Own the Night

Teen Summer Craft Workshops – Tuesdays 3:00 p.m. (6th—12th grade)
Fantastic Paper Crafts: Jun 12
Dream Catchers: Jun 19
Dreamy Bleach T-Shirts: July 3
Clothespin Creatures of the Night: July 10
Colorful CD Scratch Art: July 17

More summer ideas for kids and adults!
Adult Programs at the Library!

The Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a vital asset not only for the City of Ontario but to the entire region. Our ability to provide adequate transportation amenities is the key to successful commerce and job creation. Corona has experienced growth of nearly 19% over the last ten years and this growth must be supported by efficient transportation and aviation infrastructure.

Unfortunately, ONT is no longer able to provide the flight options and low cost alternatives that it once provided this region. Passenger traffic is down 37%, destinations and departures are down 56%, and most of the low cost carriers have fled ONT and settled at LAX and other less expensive airports. The neglect of ONT has cost the region 9,250 jobs and has a negative economic impact of $500 million annually.

On August 17, 2011, the City of Corona passed a formal resolution supporting the transfer of ONT to local control. To date, over 80 Southern California public agencies, elected officials and concerned organizations have joined with the City of Ontario to demand that Los Angeles return ONT to local control. It is critical we act in partnership to send a clear message to Los Angeles city officials that we will not stand on the sidelines as our airport continues to decline.

If you value ONT and the benefits it offers you and your community, please TAKE ACTION to insure its future success.  There are a number of ways to get involved:

1. Visit SetONTarioFree to learn more.
2. Sign the online petition to express your support of local control.
3. Like the campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SetONTarioFree
4. Call your Local, State and Federal elected officials and encourage them to take a position.
5. Tell your neighbor!

You can contact the Set ONTario Free Airport Transition Team at 909-395-2010 or SetOntarioFree@ci.ontario.ca.us.

With your support, we will be able to regain local control of Ontario Airport and restore the region’s most valuable economic engine and job creator.  Set ONTario Free!

Congratulations to Vicentia Elementary School, they have been honored as a Title I Academic Achievement Award winner. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced April 11 that 117 California public schools have been selected for the 2011-12 awards. In addition to this honor, Vicentia was recently named a 2012 California Distinguished School.

“The staff, students and community have worked hard through the years, and it is wonderful for all parties involved to be recognized for their efforts,” said Vicentia Elementary Assistant Principal Dominic C. Nguyen. “It strengthens my belief that all students deserve and can attain a quality education.”

The Title I Academic Achievement Award is given only to schools receiving federal Title I funds as authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Title I is the single largest federal educational program for K-12 public education. Title I funds assist schools in meeting the educational needs of students living at or below the poverty line. Of the more than 9,000 schools in California, more than 6,000 of them participate in the Title I program.

The criteria to qualify for the Title I award have become more rigorous in recent years. To meet the criteria for this distinction, the school must demonstrate that all students are making significant progress toward proficiency on California’s academic content standards. Additionally, the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged students must have doubled the achievement targets set for them for two consecutive years.

“The progress being made at these schools, which serve our neediest students, should serve as a beacon of hope for California. At a time of fiscal crisis and economic uncertainty, they continue to improve, building a brighter future for their students,” said Torlakson. “Their accomplishments prove the value of investing in our schools, and I thank the hardworking parents, teachers, administrators and school employees at these campuses for their efforts.”

Vicentia will join the other Title I Achieving Schools, 2012 California Distinguished Schools and 2010-11 National Blue Ribbon Schools at award ceremonies held during the month of May in six different regions throughout the state.

For more information about Vicentia Elementary and the Corona-Norco Unified School District, please visit their website. To learn more about Title I awards, please visit the CDE Web page at: Title I Academic Achievement Awards.

Click here to download the full size wallpaper for your mom

“To her whose heart is my heart’s quiet home,
To my first Love, my Mother, on whose knee
I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome.”
~ Christina Rossetti

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
~Unknown

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you…I could walk through my garden forever.”
~Alfred Lord Tennyson

“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”
~Chinese Proverb

“A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.”
~Dorothy Canfield Fisher

May all the love
you give to others
come back to you
on this special day.

Have a Wonderful Mother’s Day

Events

Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant [MAP]
All moms will receive a special gift when they dine with us  Mother’s Day Weekend
Open for Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. on Mother’s Day
Reservations welcome

Claim Jumper [MAP]
Opening 10:30 a.m. for a special Mother’s Day Brunch

Citrus City Grill [MAP]
Special champagne brunch buffet 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mother’s Day

TAPS Fish House & Brewery [MAP]
Experience the flavors of France, Asia, and New Orleans in our daily celebration of fresh seafood, prime steaks and thick chops.  Join us for lunch or dinner, or for our Sunday Brunch extravaganza. Our extensive menu choices will please any palate. Reservations are accepted, and encouraged for larger parties and weekend evenings.

On June 6th, from 11:30 a.m. at the Sizzler Restaurant (1461 Rimpau Avenue MAP), the Greater Corona Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Corona, is pleased to present “Overcoming Personal Crisis” as part of the Women’s Leadership Luncheon series. The meeting will feature Rayanne Thorn, Marketing Director for Broadbean Technology, a recruiting software company based in London.  Rayanne’s specialties at the company include writing and social marketing.  She describes social media as the “New Front Porch”, the place where we meet and greet, gossip and unwind, listen and speak, learn and change. In order to be at the successful place she is now, Rayanne has had to

survive personal and financial crisis.  She has risen from the pain of domestic abuse and near-financial ruin to find personal success and keeps on kicking the tires of life.  Her personal mantra is to “Find the Better Way.”  She considers this her personal quest and is eager to share what she has learned along the way. Since February of 2009, she has been writing Bonus Track, a blog for staying positive and moving forward professionally and personally, every single day.

Tickets for the June 6th Women’s Leadership Luncheon are on sale now at the Greater Corona Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Women’s Leadership Luncheon series are meant for those interested in personal growth and not restricted to members only. They are held the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Sizzler Restaurant. The cost for each luncheon is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. You can save $5 from this amount the Thursday before (May 31) at the Chamber.  For more information, feel free to contact Denea Breitenbucher at (951) 737-3350 or Karen Spiegel at (951) 833-8136.

This month’s topic is overcoming personal crisis. As human beings, we’re constantly confronted with problems be they small, seemingly insignificant things; large, looming issues that build over time; or a sudden crisis that can take on a life of its own. In our fast-paced society, it can seem as if your world has been turned over in a flash of a second when crisis hits. With little room for error, experiencing a significant personal crisis can feel and appear overwhelming at times.  However overwhelming it may seem and how difficult it may be in the moment, it’s possible to overcome personal crisis and continue a successful and fulfilling life.

It is perfectly normal for your life to be invaded by crisis from time to time. Sometimes, a crisis can be self-made or it can be something beyond your control. Your daily responsibilities may overwhelm you and bring your life into a crisis; you may have been involved in an unhealthy relationship; you may have lost a loved one; or you may have lost your job as your employer downsized and retrenched. All these amount to crisis in your life and are things that occur on a daily basis to people.

Depending on the situation, overcoming personal crisis often takes strength, courage, support, and patience with yourself as well as others. Whether your personal problems are
related to financial difficulties, relationship problems, or other kinds of crisis related troubles, you can take heart that life’s circumstances need not overpower you physically or emotionally. There are steps you can take that are universal to build an individualized framework in order to put your life back together. There is no right or wrong way to overcome these personal trauma situations, no set timelines that need to be met, just what feels right for you and moves you beyond the crisis is what’s critical to success.

As a first step, it’s important to understand the cause of the crisis in your life. Give yourself a moment to take a step back and notice, really notice, what you are experiencing emotionally and cognitively. The failure to do so will amount to curing the symptoms of the crisis, but not necessarily the cause. The problem will not be addressed and resolved if you concentrate on the symptoms as you need to confront the root of the problem to truly overcome it

As difficult as it may be, keep calm when your life is in a crisis and seek inner peace. How you do this depends on you. Some say you need a fair amount of quiet time in order to see more clearly while others say get moving! In fact, taking time to step back into solitude and nature can be the best thing for you to find a sense of calm. For others, engaging in some physical activity, no matter how small, can help regulate your emotions and relieve stress. Perhaps a combination of both by going hiking is where you will find peace. Whatever it is or wherever you feel most comfortable seek out that place as a harbor from the storm of things surrounding you.

Do not be afraid to ask for support from others such as friends and family. Having the support of others as a shoulder to cry on or even to divert your attention if only for a short time, can prove invaluable to overcoming personal crisis.  Having someone to express your feelings to, empathize with your situation, provide another perspective, or to take your mind off things will give you a good chance to review the journey that led you in the circumstances you are in and perhaps illuminate the path ahead.

Most importantly, be gentle with yourself, as well as forgiving. Allow yourself the time you need without pressuring yourself to “just get over it”. We need time to absorb crises, as well as to work through the many stages of coping. We also tend to take steps forward, only to find we then take giant leaps back. Eventually we get there. So, again, remind yourself of this, and allow yourself the time you need and if you need to seek professional resources. Eventually we get there.

Then & Now; Corona Unveiled is a photographic history of Corona. Then & Now will be the focus of a special program on Saturday, May 19 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Corona Public Library 650 S. Main St. [MAP]

Join the Friends of the Corona Public Library, the Corona Historic Preservation Society and the Corona Heritage Foundation as they host this free event that will feature author and historian Mary Bryner Winn. Mary will discuss her new book as well as a presentation with all new pictures.

This is a perfect time if you are new to Corona to learn more about our beautiful city and its rich history.  But even if you have lived in Corona for some time, you are sure to enjoy this program. Books will be available for purchase and signing and all proceeds will go to the Corona Historic Preservation Society. Light refreshments will be served.  More information can be found at: FriendsOfCoronaPublicLibrary.org or Corona-History.org.

Life in Corona features a great interview with Mary Winn on her latest book. As well as giving readers some great information on how to help the Historical Society. A preview is available for you below:

The new book you are working on is called “Then & Now: Corona” and it will explore locations throughout the city as they appeared in the past and how they look now.  Have you come across any imagery in your research that has totally astounded you, or has much of the imagery been seen before?

I don’t believe that I have been astounded, but I have indeed been amazed at how generous members of our community and former members of our community have been in sharing their photographs with me.  I have also been somewhat disappointed that some folks have declined to share their historic photographs.  With vigorous networking with others, I have made every effort to include images not previously published.  But, there are a few previously published photographs that had to be included because contrasting photographs seemed to contribute so much to Corona’s historical context.

Since you have already completed two books on the city, has it been hard to collect new and original imagery that hasn’t been previously used?

It took quite a bit of time to make contact with others but it has not been difficult to collect new photographs or imagery. My biggest disappointment is that some precious images from Corona’s past simply did not meet the high quality standards required for publication. Some original photos had deteriorated over time. [Read more]

For more information on the event, download our PDF.