Haunted RAP for October

Haunted houses and cemeteries of Pomona was the overall theme for the October Ride Around Pomona. A smaller group than I had expected set out from Shaun Diamond Plaza, greeted by some cheers and "go Ride Around Pomona" from a group gathered outside a local business. "Hmmm," I thought, "what could that be about?" I would find out later.

Leader Marcus took us on a slightly longer loop this month, and into some areas with which we, or at least most of us, were unfamiliar. Starting out with a haunted house, actually maybe spooky, creepy house would be more descriptive, since the only haunting taking place is, perhaps, being accomplished by cats. The story is that some years in the past the authorities were called to this old place where they found many, many cats as well as crypts, cat crypts, for the many, many cats whose lives had passed.

From there it was on to the Pomona Cemetery, as well as the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery just around the corner. As usual there was a short history talk at each stop.

Spadra was the next stop, that one-time town with grandiose plans for the future is now, largely, an industrial area of Pomona. The old cemetery lies behind a locked gate down a dirt alley, across some railroad tracks, tucked in below Elephant Hill and between Altec Industries and Highway 57. It is an odd place not willingly given to visitors, nor passers-by. In fact I doubt many of the people who travel along Pomona Boulevard even know of its existence. We chose not to trespass upon both the private property, nor the eternal resting place of many of Pomona's earliest residents. With the Phillips Mansion (and other historic buildings) around the broad sweep of Elephant Hill I am surprised the city has never combined the two into an expanded historic site. With a little planning there could easily be an interpretive trail linking the two.

Anyway... that is a matter for another time.

Arriving back at the Arts Colony, we chose to forgo the usual Mi Cafecito in order to check out a new place, or more correctly, a place that has made a return to downtown Pomona - Cafe con libros, "a non-profit organization determined to provide a space that creates community, that nurtures creativity, and literacy in all its forms." Within their space is a little lending library, a gallery space, and shop with merchandise to benefit their mission. Today was their grand opening, but I am sure you can check them out at other times, and especially during the 2nd Saturday Art Walk. They have a number of ofrenda's for Dia de los Muertos set up inside right now, where you can honor and pay respects to the ancestors of the people who created them.

Iron and Kin Coffee Co. provided cafe beverages. Good brews, check them out wherever they pop-up next. Five of us made it to the line in time to be among the first 100 served today - which meant free coffee drinks (I believe they were paid by Cafe con libros, so thanks to both), we all thought they were tasty.