Results tagged “Rancho Cucamonga” from Behind the Story

Despite a downturn in holiday shopping, Christmas Tree Farms across San Bernardino County are reporting solid sales.
"Sales have been pretty good," said Gregg Palmer, owner of Live Oak Canyon Tree Farm in Redlands. "We have a loyal following."
Palmer credited his business' steady sale of Christmas trees to a couple factors. One is a returning customer base - families who want to trudge out across the land, select their favorite tree and bring it home.
The other may have to do with the economic downturn. A number of customers have mentioned that they are staying home this year and are putting in extra effort toward decorating, and, of course, buying a tree, Palmer said.
Palmer launched the business in 1980. Each year, the business sells thousands of pine and fir trees.
Still, Palmer was concerned this holiday season that sales might dip as consumers cut back spending, so he erected a 62-foot-tall lighted tree that is visible for miles to attract new customers.
Over at Christmas Conifers in Bloomington, owner Mark Rye is witnessing a similar trend.
"We're running almost even with last year as far as sales," said Rye, who has owned the business for six years. "We have a big repeat clientele."
Rye expects Christmas tree sales will peak over the next two weekends, which will determine whether business will be as good as last year.
He also is relying on a niche market in "giants," Christmas trees over 15 feet tall, to attract customers.
This year he hopes to sell up to 4,000 Monterey pines.
Gail Edwards, who owns Casazza Christmas Tree Farm in Rancho Cucamonga with her husband Don, relies on advertising, the Internet and word of mouth to lure in their regional customer base.
"It's about the same as last year," Edwards said of business.
The tree farm, which opened in 1955, is the oldest in Southern California.
Edwards did not seem overly concerned about the economy.
"Everybody wants a tree," Edwards said. "It's a family tradition. And, it's Christmas."

State Sen. Bob Dutton, a Republican from Rancho Cucamonga, the City of Rancho Cucamonga and Assemblyman Bill Emmerson will host a free workshop to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

The workshop will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Celebration Hall in the Cultural Center at Victoria Gardens; 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga.

State Sen. Bob Dutton, a Republican from Rancho Cucamonga, is partnering with Golden State Water Company for "Operation Gobble" to give Thanksgiving turkeys to needy families.
 
The distribution of turkeys will take place 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the G.A.P. Food Bank, 8768 Helms Street, Suite A, in Rancho Cucamonga (south of 9th Street, east of Hellman).  
 

It's one of Supervisor Paul Biane's pet projects - the annual nonprofit seminar.

The Nonprofit Resource Seminar was started help nonprofit groups secure funds, create partnerships and promote their organizations.

Professionals in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, strategic planning and board development will teach the workshops. The seminar is broken down into three one-hour sessions. Participants can choose from a list of workshops for each session to tailor their learning experience to their needs.

When: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8
Where: Central Park Community Center,11200 Baseline Rd., Rancho Cucamonga.
Registration: www.sbcounty.gov/biane or call (909) 945-4297.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a $1.6 million project to  improve access to a nature preserve nestled in the foothills above Rancho Cucamonga.

The 1,176-acre North Etiwanda Preserve was originally set aside as open space following the construction of the 210 Freeway. A number of residents enjoy hiking in the preserve, but the remote area is also been a target for illegal dumping and people driving off-road, which is illegal in the preserve.

"Attracting more legitimate visitors to the preserve will help curtail illegal dumping and off-roading because it will mean more eyes watching for these illegal and damaging activities," Chairman Paul Biane said in a statement.

The money approved by the supervisors will be used to construct a parking lot, restrooms, shaded picnic areas and a trail with interpretive signs. Boulders and gates will be used to keep unauthorized vehicles out of the preserve. Ten monument signs will installed noting places of interest in the preserve.

The preserve is home to a variety of threatened and endangered plants and animals including the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat, San Diego Horned Lizard and Coastal California Gnatcatcher.

The North Etiwanda Preserve enhancement project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2009. The San Bernardino County Department of Special Districts will continue to oversee maintenance of the preserve and the new amenities.