Recently in Norco Category

The Norco Bob's Big Boy will be hosting a "Hope for Japan" fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday night (May 3).

The restaurant will be donating 10% of their sales during those hours to the American Red Cross for their Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts.

The Norco Bob's Big Boy is at 3521 Hamner Ave.

At the end of last year, I mentioned that the former Bob's Big Boy in Colton was being transformed into a Food Connection.

Reader Steve wrote, letting us know that a Food Connection was also moving into a former Sizzler location in Norco, at 1750 Hamner Ave., competing with a Polly's Pies, which is right across the street.

Well, this week I finally made it out to Norco to check and...they're already open!

That will make the Colton Food Connection their fourth location when it opens.

St. Bernardine Medical Center is helping to kick off the holiday spirit a tad early this year.

Beginning at 4 p.m. today (November 23), they're celebrating their 16th year of providing Thanksgiving dinners for those who might otherwise go without.

The event will be held at the hospital's Family Focus Center, 1931 N. E St. in San Bernardino.

They're expecting to serve more than 800 people.

In addition, they're hosting a free health fair, at which free flu shots, blood pressure checks and dental screenings will be offered. Those attending can also receive health information and mini health kits -- which include purifying hand gel and tips on how to remain healthy during flu season -- will be given out.

Also, families will also have the opportunity to choose from coats donated through the center's coat and jacket drive.

Follow the jump to find other volunteer opportunities in the Inland Empire.

It seems like there is a boomlet of new 7-Eleven stores opening up here in the Inland Empire.

This past Saturday (December 12), a new store in Norco (1091 Sixth St., at Corona Avenue) held a grand opening, complete with Laker Girls.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday (December 19), the new Rancho Cucamonga store at 9638 Milliken Ave. (at Fourth Street) will be celebrating their grand opening. (Hey...I just noticed that was there the other day after the Reign hockey game!)

I also noticed the other day that they are putting together a new store in Redlands, at the site of the former Enchanted Florist, 1601 W. Redlands Blvd. (at Alabama Street). Looks like that'll be ready in a couple of weeks or less.

Yep, three more reasons to say "Oh, thank heaven!"

Tonight in Norco, Bob's Big Boy got the boot.

Actually, a pair of boots and a cowboy hat.

What seemed like half the town of Norco showed up to celebrate the culmination of a two-year journey for the Western-clad statue.

When the restaurant was in the planning stages in late 2007, the planning commission of "Horsetown USA" didn't think the iconic mascot was Western enough. So they requested a makeover.

The restaurant's headquarters, having complied once before by putting a Tyrolean hat on the Big Boy statue in Alpine-themed Gaylord, Mich., agreed to the change.

The restaurant opened in March of this year, but without the customized Big Boy.

The statue finally arrived late last month and the date for the big debut was chosen.

Question: What does Norco have that no other place in the world has?

Horses? Nope. Lots of places have horses. But you're kinda close.

The Lake Norconian Club? Well, yes...but this is a food blog.

OK, then, Starbucks Coffee? That's ridiculous. You know there's a Starbucks on practically every corner in Southern California.

Fine. I give up. Sheesh, you give up easily.

The thing that Norco has that no other place in the world has...is a Western Bob's Big Boy statue!

And Dine 909 has an exclusive sneak peek after the jump!