As always, you are invited to call us if you would like to contribute material that would benefit the 50,000 households who receive this publication (or if you would like to advertise). Call us at (909) 941-4886 or write to us at 7349 Milliken Avenue, Suites 140-234, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.  

The Grapevine Press is meant to be uplifting, yet candid. It's a small, family business, so be patient. We will return your calls!  

About our cover -- Cucamonga Beauty: 
 

Our logo at the top of the front cover is a decades old label once used on grape boxes at the DeAmbrogio Vineyards. The vineyard still stands at he southwest corner of Haven and Foothill. Our thanks to family matriarch Mary DeAmbrogio and daughter Bonnie Kinney for permitting us to display the label which was called "Cucamonga Beauty."

Also on the front cover are six kindergartners ready to take on the world. They are (top, left to right): Brian Walls, Rex Gutierrez and Cody Johnson, (bottom, left to right) McKenna Lynch, Georgia Burckel, and Michael Goedel. Thanks kids, and good luck! 

The focus of this issue is on education. Children today are being formally taught in public school, private schools, and at home. 

Regardless of our choice of how and where to educate our children, one thing is perfectly clear: parents absolutely must take an interest in their children and participate in their education. Television and video games cannot dominate a child's day and curiosity must be encouraged and fostered. 

Our thanks to Alta Loman Alan Haskvitz for providing two great quotes: 1) "The whole of teaching is in the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards." (Anatole France, 1844-1924) 2) "Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a rigorous mind." (Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784). 

We as parents (and you grandparents too) can make a special effort to encourage curiosity, discovery and inquiry in the young minds who are our charges. 

Recent data from the Stanford 9 test scores suggest, at worst, mediocrity. At best, they suggest students are scoring slightly better than their counterparts throughout the nation. We will analyze test scores in Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Upland and Claremont in next month's issue. 

Of course, test scores don't tell the total picture anyway. In Claremont, for example, 4^th graders scored in the 59^th percentile in reading and in the 47^th percentile in math (a rank of 50 would mean that students were at the average compared to a national sample). Claremont's 8^th graders scored in the 61^st percentile in reading and 68^th percentile in math. 

Eleventh graders scored in the 56^th percentile in reading and the 66^th percentile in math. The drop in reading scores from 8^th grade to 11^th grade is a statewide phenomenon and a troubling one; however, those scores are much better than state averages as a whole. 
 

I believe that public education works for children who are highly motivated; and who are lucky enough to have teachers who challenge them.  Unfortunately, not all teachers challenge their students to sail into deeper waters, where discovery and greater inquiry awaits them. But many do. And the vast majority tries. We as parents need to ignite the passion for inquiry in our children before they get to the classroom.

Text on Picture (from page 3):  Dodge Delivering the first Case of California Wines Consigned to  President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Cucamonga Valley Wine Co. Dec. 5, 1933

All of us, from time to time, are deeply affected by a teacher or professor. Here's hoping that our students will be inspired by dedicated teachers not just occasionally but often. 

And here's hoping that you teachers out there will know that you are admired and appreciated for your efforts to uplift and inspire the human mind. Now go to it! The bell is ringing. 

The Grapevine Press is published by Rancho Cucamonga Maverick Publications, 7349 Milliken Ave., Suite 140-234, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, (909) 941-4886. It is published every month and distributed to 50,000 households and businesses. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services herein. The publisher of this publication assumes no liability for products, services or statements made by advertisers. Opinions of the columnists do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.  Editor and Publisher Rex Gutierrez Contributing Writers Dean Rither, Aubrey Cambell, Eunice Burns, Harvey Cohen, M.D., Donna Geary, Alan Haskvitz, Mike Werndle, Paul Cheatham, Joe Estrada, Helena Johnson, Julia Bjelland, George Rivera