9-9-09 in the 909

I'd have to make a huge decision. After donning my trashy clothes, popping a country or tejano music 8-track into my car, and cooking up my meth for the day, I'd have to decide whether to visit my homies in Chino or just hang around a faceless shopping center next to an anonymous, never-ending housing tract.

Incidentally, until I saw your Facebook update, I hadn't even connected our beloved area code to the numerological events of the day.

[That's what I'm here for, John. -- DA]

Since we're just counting the last two digits of the year... how 'bout Sep. 9, 1909? We don't have to go back two thousand years, is what I'm saying. The bit about the area code still holds, though.

[My blog needs an editor, obviously. Well, that aside, how would you celebrate? -- DA, trying to shift attention]

Only one place to experience the full spectrum of the 909 -- good, bad and indifferent -- in one place, with a touch of nostalgia and indigestion, and you can go there right now: The LA County Fair. Its agrarian roots are way more IE than LA. From Millard Sheets and Betty Davenport Ford art to a tacky carnival midway, to the Plaza de las Americas, to the Pomona-specific outdoor train layout and, finally, the fair-goers themselves, for me the Fair is the very definition of the 909.

[Nicely said, Bob. All hail the Fair! -- DA]

GREETINGS:
First, I hasten to remind you that for many longtime residents this was the 714 for many, many years. But that wouldn't help your quest until July 14th!

As for the best way to start the day, let's begin with an early morning walk along the bike/pedestrian trail that runs through Upland. That should prepare the way for breakfast at Flo's Airport Cafe in Chino.

After that, it's off to downtown Pomona to visit the antique stores and shops. From there, drop by Pizza N Stuff in La Verne, pick up a salad to go and take it up to San Dimas Canyon Park for a leisurely lunch.

Next, it's a drive east along Foothill Boulevard/Route 66 to get a taste of the "Mother Road" as it exists here and now. That trek concludes at Victoria Gardens with a visit to Bass Pro's Outdoor World. I know people who spend entire weekends at Bass Pro, so an hour or so should be considered a "quick glimpse."

From there, let's drive up to the 210 Freeway and go east to the Mountain Avenue exit in Upland. Take Mountain north into the foothills, enjoying the view of the valley below. Follow Mountain to where it meets with Euclid Avenue and begin a drive south along that beautiful thoroughfare.

A stop at Ramon's Cactus Patch Cafe for dinner is a must, and then it's back to Euclid and continue the trip all the way down to the 71. At that point, it's a short drive to Los Serranos GC to hit a bucket of balls on the driving range.

That's a full day of fun in the Inland Valley, featuring food, shopping, driving tours and scenic vistas. There's even a little physical activity thrown in to make you feel better about yourself.

What do you say, David, want to make a day of it?

[You make me wish I had today off, Charles. Thanks for the vicarious scenic tour. -- DA]

Hi David,

With today's re-re-re-re-re-re-release of Beatles catalog, I've been thinking all day of the Beatles'"One After 909." I've never heard you mention it. Are you familiar with it? It was one of the first Lennon-McCartney compositions, dating back as early as 1957, but wasn't recorded 'til '69.

Dennis

[I like that song a lot. The only time I've mentioned it was indirectly, several years back. If memory serves, a proposal was floated for an area code overlay in which one would have to dial a one and the area code prior to any local call. The "jump headline" on the continuation of my column on the second page, which I wrote, was "One before 909." Oh, I slay myself. -- DA]

Well David, I really think you would celebrate in Downtown Pomona, home of the 909. There are at least 909 reasons to do so...reason #76, we only have one Starbucks.

I predate any area code. Our phone number (a party line) was preceded by YUkon— no area code. The only area code I had until 909 was 714.

There were no zip codes, only zone numbers in big cities (not Ontario). Zip codes then took on snob appeal. We had the West End Opera Association, the Padua Hills Theater, and the Claremont colleges. Fine dining was the Sycamore Inn or the Magic Lamp. Of course, we went into “The City” for anything else. I didn’t know we were lacking much here except tons of people. Now we even have those.

Because I missed the peace and quiet of a small community, I chucked the snooty zip code and moved to Baldy. We don’t even have a market or gas station, and fine dining is the Lodge. We now have the shopping, the culture, and the fine dining in the 909. I don’t feel the least bit deprived. I think all those other area codes are jealous of us.