Rome

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — It’s been 10 months and a little over a week since last season ended, but when the Glendale Community College football team kicks off its 2009 season at home against West Los Angeles College on Saturday, it will be 11 months to the day since the Vaqueros last won a game. For the entire team, but particularly the 20 returning sophomores second-year Coach John Rome welcomes back, much of the focus during the buildup to the new season has centered around improving on the previous one, in which the team showed early promise, but splintered under the weight of a rash of injuries and a five-game losing streak to play out the schedule.

SOUTHEAST GLENDALE ? The Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club, in its 66th year, meets Tuesdays at the Elk?s Lodge. The following are odds and ends from the third meeting of the year . ? VISIONS OF RILEY HAVE YET TO VANISH Here?s how Crescenta Valley High football Coach Tony Zarrillo summed up the experience of watching St. Francis High standout running back Dietrich Riley , the reigning All-Area Player of the Year. ?He?s a wonderful athlete from a spectator?

NORTHEAST GLENDALE ? Between a coaching staff rich in Vaqueros history and an expansive array of homegrown talent, the 2008 Glendale Community College football team is certainly keeping the ?Community? in GCC. While first-year Coach John Rome estimates he?s just about the only coach on his staff who didn?t once wear the Vaquero uniform, he?s got a strong background in the program, having served as offensive coordinator for the last six years under former Coach John Cicuto, who resigned following the 2007 season after 19 years at the helm.

GLENDALE — Glendale Community College Athletic Director John Cicuto didn’t have to look farther than the press box to find the school’s new football coach. Glendale college named John Rome as its latest football coach Monday. Rome, who served as offensive coordinator for the Vaqueros the past six seasons, succeeds Cicuto, who resigned as coach in December after 19 years to concentrate on his duties as the school’s athletic director. Rome, a Burbank resident who turned 52 on Monday, will be the program’s third coach since 1972 and 18th overall since it formed in 1928.

Those seeking to end their Mother's Day celebrations on Sunday, May 13, literally on a high note will want to take Mom ? and the rest of the family ? to Pasadena City College's Sexson Auditorium, when the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO) presents its annual spring concert, "The Pines of Rome." The program, which will begin at 4 p.m., will include The Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi; Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 , featuring Jonathan Lee, who is not only an accomplished pianist but principal cellist for PYMO; Poem for Flute and Orchestra , with flutist and PYMO member Carina Jette, by Charles Griffes; and Rimsky Korsaov's Capriccio Espanol . "The concert will be a unique and wonderful way to celebrate Mother's Day," says Jo Raquel Stoup, music director of the orchestra, whose members attend 32 different high schools and junior colleges throughout Southern California.

Maximus the Dogimus embarked on his Roman adventure during the summer of 2006. Packed in his doggy backpack were his city guides, liver treats, doggy water, and his blue poop scoop bags (even in Italy, Maximus knows that cleanliness is next to Roman godliness). Maximus is on a mission ? a doggy mission. He's now 5 years old and all grown into his sturdy ? albeit small ? Shih-Tzu frame. Max's mission is to stand in the centuries-old arena where gladiatorial combats were staged during the glory days of ancient Rome and where his namesake battled to victory on the silver screen.

Across the world people are remembering the remarkable life of Pope John Paul II, who died last Saturday. He was elected Pope in 1978, succeeding Pope John Paul I. Millions of people, from all faiths, are flocking to Rome to say their final farewells as his body lies in repose at St. Peter's Basilica. International heads of state are coalescing for the funeral mass to be held at 10 a.m., Rome time, this Friday, April 8. The funeral will be held at St. Peter's Basilica, where Pope John Paul II will also be entombed.

PREDICTABLE AND NOT THAT FUNNY Megan Kelly, 15, is a ninth-grader at Crescenta Valley High School. I found this movie to be a real bore. I thought the plot was predictable, and I disliked the pop star angle, because it wasn't believable. I found it hard to believe Lizzie could learn an entire dance routine in high heels in a couple of hours, when she couldn't even walk across the platform at her graduation without tripping. I also was disappointed that Miranda, Lizzie's best friend, wasn't in the movie.

Gary Moskowitz NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- As 12-year-old Joseph Tecson leaped across the finish line after running a race, he threw up his arms and fell to the ground in the dramatic splendor of an Olympic moment. The race was one event in Mark Keppel Elementary School's Sixth-Grade Olympics Tuesday, a much-anticipated day for Keppel students. The school has been hosting the event for about 20 years. "I like learning about the Olympics because I love sports.

Hamlet Nalbandyan GLENDORA -- It was a sight one wouldn't expect after a week- three victory, but considering the circumstances, it was understandable. The Glendale Community College football team used a punishing rushing attack and a stable defense to beat Citrus College on the road, 30-25, Saturday. Afterward, they celebrated on the Owl field, and they made sure the Owls saw it. The celebration had somewhat to do with it being GCC's first victory of the season in an important Western State Conference Mountain Division game.