W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD
IECN
Vol 15, N O. 1 4
THIS WEEK
.com
December 2 1, 2017
Dozens make mer r y during December Senior Social
Gloria’s Cor ner A3
Kiwanis SB 30th annual toy giveaway A5
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By Marina rojas
t was a Winter Wonderland theme at the Senior Social held on Thursday, December 14 at the Grace Vargas Senior Center in Rialto. Sponsored by Anthem CareMore, the holiday
Holiday community health, resource fair A7
INSIDE ONE SECTION, 12 PAGES
Gloria’s Corner
A3
Legal Notices
A9
Words To think About A5
Opinion
Classified
A4
A7
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IECN PHOTO
Marina rojas
From left back row: Diane Brandon, Grace Lujan, Dominga Gonzalez, Wayne Moore, sandie shapiro, Ben Piso; seated: Marcia Ungles, and Carmelina osoy were just a few of the many who converged at the Grace Vargas Senior Center last Thursday for a holiday party.
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party saw a turnout of over 50 people who came to enjoy music, refreshments and raffles. Mauricio Vera, a representative for Anthem CareMore and his coworker Efrain Morales greeted seniors as they entered the community center’s Berglund room. Music was playing and people
were dancing to holiday tunes. Others were sitting together talking and laughing, while others bunched together for selfies and times of friendship. For Grace Lujan, this was her seventh year at the December Senior Social at the center. “I’ve been here every year without fail.
There’s a lot of friends to spend time with, I always enjoy my time here.” Lujan, who is legally blind said that she also participates in Zumba and Fit and Sit classes at the Center. Bob Webster had invited his friend Evelyn Alcarez to come to the Social. “I’ve not been doing well with my health lately,” said Webster, “but I’m always coming here on Wednesdays for the shows, and I wanted to come to this event and have some fun.” For Alcarez, this was her first time at the center. “We’re having a lot of fun,” she said, “this was a good time for both of us,” she shared. “I want some lively music to dance to,” said Juanita Atilano as she stood in front of the Christmas tree for a picture. Heading back into the Berglund room to the party, she smiled and said she was having a very good time. Many of the party-goers had won raffle prizes and some were remarking about their surprising good luck. “These are really nice gifts!” said Sandie Shapiro, while Ben Piso had doubled his luck and won twice! The December Senior Social is just another event available for older Rialto residents at the Grace Vargas Senior Center at 1411 South Riverside Avenue in Rialto. Contact them at 909-877-9706. Additional pictures on next page
Healthy Rialto doles out Far mer Bucks to residents
By Marina rojas
n Wednesday, Dec. 13 the Healthy Rialto program provided about 200 free food coupon booklets to residents attending the weekly Rialto Certified Farmers Market. According to City Clerk Office Specialist Cristian Gutierrez, booklets were courtesy of generous sponsors throughout Rialto. “This program was created by City Clerk Barbara McGee in 2007,” explained Gutierrez, “and each year (usually very close to the holidays) we are able to give out a special treat to the people in Rialto because of those who personally donate towards the Farmer Bucks distribution. The City of Rialto and its sponsors are proud to provide this service to our residents. Not only does it help financially, it encourages a healthy-eating lifestyle.” Each booklet contained 20 coupons worth $1 each, and they were spendable at the Rialto Certified Farmers Market that day. The coupons could be used
at any of the vendor booths at the market. A line queued up early in front of the City Clerk’s tables to take advantage of this giveaway. Deputy City Clerk Maria Rodriguez verified everyone’s residency, and as she ushered them to the tables, volunteers Sarah Ramey, Betty Luvert and Paul Verdugo rechecked the ID cards and handed out the bright yellow booklets to each family. Verdugo, a current commissioner on the Historical Preservation Commission, has volunteered at the City Clerk’s booth for about a year. He said he really enjoys working at the Farmers Market each Wednesday and added, “For me, this is way of giving back,” as he smiled and greeted the people coming to his table. Farmer Bucks recipient Brenda Bristow said she had heard about the Farmers Bucks giveaway by word of mouth and had spent the morning calling friends to make sure they were able to come out to receive the coupon booklets too. Bucks, cont. on next pg.
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Marina rojas
Rialto Deputy City Clerk Maria rodriguez and City Clerk Office Specialist Cristian Gutierrez in front of the sponsor board during Healthy Rialto program last Wednesday, Dec. 13.