‘Monster train’ created monster enthusiasm

Did you hear about the so-called “monster train” that chugged through the Inland Valley on Jan. 10? This 3.5-mile Union Pacific test train, which traveled from Texas to Long Beach, was said to be the longest freight train in California history. At one point in its journey, the train spanned virtually the entire length of Pomona.

Well, an Ontario man named Joe Perry, who’s a railroad buff, followed the train from Imperial County to Ontario, documenting various legs of the trip on his website, www.chasingsteel.com. Below is a video he shot from the Mountain Avenue overpass at about 2 p.m. The train, with nine locomotives and nearly 300 cars, takes almost five minutes to pass. You can read Perry’s account here.

If you were in a hurry, you wouldn’t have wanted to be among the motorists stuck at a railroad crossing. You can see them streaming across the tracks the last few seconds of the video.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Plusone Linkedin Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Caught on tape

The Images of Pomona blog asked to interview me. I complied — why not? — but spoke almost inaudibly (cars rushing by 50 feet away on Garey turned out to be louder than me, as you’ll notice). What can I say, I’m a soft-spoken person. I also couldn’t figure out what to do with my hands. Other than that, it was a huge success. At least for Whitney Hanlon, the interviewer.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Plusone Linkedin Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Restaurant of the Week: Shakey’s Pizza, Rancho Cucamonga

36475-shakeysrc.jpg

Shakey’s Pizza, 12455 Victoria Garden Lane (at Monet), Rancho Cucamonga

While it’s rare that I write about a chain restaurant, I have a soft spot from childhood for Shakey’s, and the new location at Victoria Gardens, which opened in December 2009, was mentioned in our paper recently for its “green” features. It has bamboo flooring, recycles its oil for biofuel and has 100 percent recycled napkins. Oh, and they serve pizza, too.

The ragtime music, straw boaters and picnic seating are long gone, I’m afraid, but this Shakey’s still does a lunch buffet ($6.99) plus soda ($1.99) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, with chicken, “Mojo” potatoes and plenty of pizza. At the peak of lunch they had 10 pizzas on the buffet. Shakey’s is my favorite corporate pizza. I like the crispy crust. The buffet also has salad, as well as a watery pasta that should be avoided.

This Shakey’s has a bar with 12 beers on tap, including Sierra Nevada, Newcastle and Blue Moon. I sat at the bar because it’s the best seating for a solo buffet diner, read a Jack Smith book and sipped a Pepsi. The bar is said to be a twist on the “Ye Olde Public House” identity of the chain and an appeal to adults, not just families and youth sports teams.

The restaurant also plays up its own kitsch to good effect with vintage advertisements and signs from the chain’s glory days.

“Ye Olde Notice,” one reads. “Take advantage of Shakey’s generosity…Persons over 90 accompanied by parents receive free pizza.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Plusone Linkedin Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

It ain’t me, babe

36383-daveallen.JPG

A news release from the Upland Public Library:

“UPLAND — Race on in to the Upland Public Library to hear Dave Allen, Vice President Marketing and Sales, Auto Club Speedway talk about the history of the Auto Club Speedway. Mr. Allen will also be sharing his personal racing experiences from his early childhood karting days at Laguna Seca to Crew Chief of a World of Outlaws Sprint Car Team. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about a local racing venue and one of the most popular spectator sports in the world — Automobile Racing.

“This free program will be presented in the Multipurpose Room of the Library on Saturday, January 16th, 2 – 3 p.m. The Upland Public Library is located at 450 N. Euclid Avenue in Upland. For more information about the Meet the Expert series contact the Library at 909-931-4205.”

I’m tempted to attend just to meet my doppelganger, Mr. Dave Allen. But if we shook hands, would the universe explode?

Dave Allen (courtesy photo)

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Plusone Linkedin Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

‘It’s an excellent work of literature,’ she added

As I made a purchase at a Victoria Gardens bookstore Monday, a clerk, for the first time in my recollection, tried to upsell, as if we were at Applebee’s or something. Pointing to copies of a paperback novel displayed on the counter for impulse purchase, she asked, more or less: “Would you be interested in ‘A Reliable Wife‘?”

Insert your own punchline below.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Plusone Linkedin Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email