Across Rancho Cucamonga and the Inland Empire, bands are tuning up, dancing shoes are getting a polish and singers are practicing their scales, all to support the Rancho Cucamonga Library and Performing Arts Telethon, broadcasting live from the Lewis Family Playhouse in the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center on March 13-15. Carried by Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable networks, the Telethon will be webcasted and can be viewed across the world by accessing http://telethon.cityofrc.com.

Whereas the programming lineup is currently being created, with several telethon highlights planned:

•Rod Gilfry, world renowned baritone, will perform selections from his cabaret show on Saturday evening, March 14. Some of Rod’s most recent appearances include The Royal Albert Hall in London, the Zurich Opera House, and Carnegie Hall in New York.

•The Great Y Circus, co-sponsored by the Redlands YMCA and the Community Circus Arts Corporation will be coming to town on Friday evening, March 13.

•For all those trivia buffs, the Team Trivia Challenge will be held on Saturday afternoon, March 14.

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From Rancho Cucamonga Library and Performing Arts Telethon 2007

Telethon 2009 will showcase the fabulous services and programs offered at the Rancho Cucamonga Libraries as well as raise money to support those programs and services. Donors to Telethon 2009 will receive special “thank you” gifts for their donations, including books or DVDs for donations of $50 or more. Throughout the event, special prizes will be offered by local merchants, including gift certificates and restaurant coupons.

In previous years, money raised from the Telethon has supported new books for the Bookmobile, the Back 2 Basics after-school tutoring program for children, the Technology Center, the Adult Literacy Program, story times, and lots of new books. In challenging economic times like we have today, libraries across the country are getting busier and busier, and the Rancho Cucamonga Libraries are no exception. Supporting the Telethon will support those essential programs and services the library strives to offer each and every day.

Pledging to the Telethon can be done by phone during the event by calling 909-477-READ. Pledges can be made prior to the event through Paypal by visiting the Telethon Web site at http://telethon.cityofrc.com or by mailing a check to the Rancho Cucamonga Library Foundation, 7368 Archibald, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

For further information, please call 909-477-2720, extension 5040.