Results tagged “City of Calimesa” from Yucaipa Now

Albert R. Gonzales of Calimesa was one of the thousands of soldiers who fought in the bloody invasion of the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

"June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which 'we will accept nothing less than full victory.' More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high - more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded - but more than 100,000 soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler."

By Diana Sholley / Staff Writer

CALIMESA - On June 6,1944, thousands of young men crammed into the bellies of ships and planes and waited to meet their destiny on the beaches of Normandy.

Among exploding bombs, machine-gun fire and torpedo blasts, many brave men pushed on through a sea turned red with the blood of soldiers while others parachuted into Normandy.

Saturday marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Sharing his story from that day is Albert R. Gonzales, 85, from Calimesa.

On a barge on the waters off Omaha Beach, 400 soldiers, including Pfc. Albert R. Gonzales, received their D-Day instructions from the ship's captain.

"He said, 'When that door opens, go out running,'" Gonzales recalled. "We jumped out and into the water that was up to here," he said, motioning to his chest. "We held our guns over our heads and went for the beach."

Fallen heroes absent but not forgotten on this sacred day for veterans

Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Thomas Arredondo stood back soaking in the scene before him. He watched as people strolled among the hundreds of graves adorned with small American flags marking the permanent resting place of Calimesa and Yucaipa veterans who fought and died in service to their country.

The former Infantryman of the Army's First Infantry Division served in Vietnam from February 1967 to February 1968. He was one of the fortunate ones to come home alive, he said.

On Monday Arredondo paid his respects to those who didn't come home alive. He was one of about 500 who attended the Memorial Day Commemoration at Desert Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Calimesa.

"I come every year to remember and honor the men who died and didn't come home," said Arredondo of Mentone. "I had an uncle who was killed in Korea. He was only 18. I lost four or five of my friends and my bunker buddy was killed by either shrapnel or a bullet. I never want to forget them."

Calimesa Community Garden supporters and organizers held a groundbreaking, Tuesday, at the future site of the garden on land owned by the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church on Avenue L that the church is donating for the use of the garden.

CALIMESA - Isaac Kim stood on the fertile ground of the 4.7 acres of land on south Avenue L that the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church owns. The land lies unused, but in the near future, he envisions this patch of yellow stubble being transformed into a flourishing vegetable and herb garden in which the entire community can partake of its bounty.

As the Acting Senior Pastor of the church, Kim says that the church is pleased to offer part of the land for a useful and much-needed community project in Calimesa - a community garden.

"We are excited about this," Kim said. "This is all part of neighbors wanting to be good neighbors. This is what a church should be doing in a community. This is a wonderful bonding and sharing with our neighbors."

Veterans hope public will take time to pay respects

By Diana Sholley, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/23/2009 05:59:30 PM PDT
(An excerpt from Diana Sholley's terrific feature story, "Day to remember," that appeared in the SUN's Perspectives section today.)

YUCAIPA - As Gary Martin prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, he wonders how many of his fellow Americans will also take the time to honor the holiday. Will they host a backyard barbecue? Enjoy a day at the beach? Water ski on the river or take a long weekend getaway?

All great ways to spend free time. In the midst of sun, surf and summertime snacks, Martin hopes everyone who enjoys the freedom to celebrate however they choose can find some time to pay respects to the men and woman who provided all those possibilities.

"People seem to have lost focus on what Memorial Day is all about," said Martin, commander of the Yucaipa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7347. "I have strong feelings about veterans, especially those who have paid the ultimate price. With all our country's trials and tribulations, there's no one in the world that enjoys the freedoms we do."

Giving people an opportunity to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, the Yucaipa VFW Post 7347 has joined with the Yucaipa American Legion Post 426 to host an hour-long ceremony at Desert Lawn Cemetery.

Today volunteers will be out at Desert Lawn adorning the graves with American flags.

The event will include speakers, a rifle salute, flyover, taps and a roll call of all the Yucaipa and Calimesa residents who gave their lives after answering the call. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Attendance by Yucaipa Mayor Dick Riddell and Calimesa Mayor Jim Hyatt, along with one of the guest speakers, Calimesa Councilmember, Ray Quinto, are also expected.

For the past few years the Yucaipa's VFW and American Legion have joined for combined celebrations on Veterans and Memorial Day. Martin was saddened by last year's Veterans Day turnout at Yucaipa Regional Park.

"We probably had less than 150 people there," said Martin, 64, who served 10 years in the Marines and 10 years in the Army. "Within 100 yards or so of our celebration there were three pavilions filled with people having huge barbecues."

Through extensive planning and getting the word out, Martin hopes to revitalize the holiday, its true meaning and a sense of gratitude.

"Have a barbecue, go to a picnic; most Memorial Day events only last about an hour," he said. "Is it too much to ask to spend one hour a year to pay homage to a veteran that gave his life for your freedom?"

Monday's Memorial Day Commemoration at Desert Lawn will start at 10 a.m. and last for about an hour.

Desert Lawn Funeral Cemetery
11251 Desert Lawn Drive
Calimesa, CA 92323
(909) 795-2451
www.caringfuneralservice.com

Take time to read Diana's entire story by clicking on this link: Day To Remember

YUCAIPA / CALIMESA - I find it truly astounding and disturbing that Yucaipa and Calimesa were left off the TOP 100 Places To Live in America by Relocate America.

Which cities from California made the list? Riverside, Temecula, and Vacaville. All fine cities, sure, but once you've lived in the Yucaipa Valley, would you want to live "there?"

Throughout the calendar year, (Relocate America) accepts nominations for cities and towns throughout the country to be considered as a "top place to live."I guess we had better let the good folks at Relocate America know about Yucaipa and Calimesa!

Oh, the injustice of it all!

Click Here To See TOP 100 Places

CALIMESA - For book lovers and parents searching for ways to keep their children entertained while also learning something, then the Calimesa Library is the place to go. Check it out, you'll be pleased in the service this little library provides.

BOOKS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Maybe you are looking for new authors to read, or perhaps there is an older title by your favorite author you have missed. This is a new section at the Calimesa Library dedicated to highlighting books which may have been overlooked. Come in and discover such titles as:

"Thud!" By Terry Pratchett
"Match Me if You Can" By Susan Elizabeth Phillips
"The Family" By Mario Puzo
"Watchman" By Ian Rankin

HOT OFF THE PRESS
"Batman: Heart of Hush" By Paul Dini
"Kids Letters to President Obama" By Bill Adler
"Look Again" By Lisa Scottoline
"Deadlock" By Iris Johansen
"Boneman's Daughter" By Ted Dekker
"Borderline" By Nevada Barr

CALIMESA - It was the kind of weather a gardner would like, overcast and raining. Just right for putting moisture in the soil and sprouting up plants.

And that was pretty much the idea behind the second meeting of about 35 community organizers on a rainy, overcast Tuesday night at Morgan's Creek Nursery in Calimesa:

Let's get us a community garden and start planting.

For the cities of Yucaipa and Calimesa, and organizations in the Yucaipa Valley, please let reporter, Jason Pesick, know as soon as possible if you have events taking place on Christmas.

You can email Jason at: jason.pesick@inlandnewspapers.com.

Or you can contact me, and I can relay the information to Jason.

Thanks,
Bob Otto

CALIMESA - The City Council bid their outgoing mayor, John Chlebnik, goodbye and thanked him for his 11 years of service, then on a 3-2 vote, the council voted in Jim Hyatt as its new mayor on Thursday, Dec. 4. Hyatt formerly served as mayor pro-tem.

Chlebnik, with 1,269 votes, was defeated in the November 4 General Election by Joyce McIntire, with 1,869 votes; Ella Zanowic, 1,937; and Bill Davis with 1,734. Zanowic was voted to serve as mayor pro-tem on a 3-2 vote.

A Swearing In ceremony was held for the three new council members who will serve a term of four years and join with Hyatt, and Ray Quinto as Calimesa's City Council.

the council also recognized several outgoing city commissioners:

Community Services Commission
Dottie Davis, Kathleen Houlihan, Donna Lotz, and Ella Zanowic
Library Commission
Carol Taylor, Ray Williams, Frances Garnham, and Laura Winningham
Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Board
Michael Morales and Toni Barron
Planning Commission
Dennis Draeger, Jeffrey Hewitt, and Lori DeWitt
Public Works and Safety Commission
Rod Deluhery, Daniel Bennett, Shenna Moqeet, and Ron Schrempp
Trails, Open Space and Beautification
Janet Gudgell, Ray Pocta, and Dale Denver
General Plan Advisory Commission Recognition
Darron Dixon, Patty Plummer, Mike Barron, Brenda Hyatt, Carol Taylor, Chris Elliott, Jan Gudgell, and Ray Pocta

YUCAIPA - Hamilton has commented that perhaps the SUN is endorsing Ken Smith for Yucaipa City Council and that the blog lacks fairness because nothing appears about the other candidates.

If candidates wish to run their bio's, photos, and participate in a Q&A, by all means you are welcome. So far only Sherry Haviland, Robert Coleman, and Ken Smith have submitted any information about themselves (along with school board candidates, Jim Taylor, Jane Smith, Andrew Matlock, and Chuck Christie.)

So to the 11 incumbents and candidates remaining, if you wish to take part, your are welcome. I would be happy to run whatever information you provide.

This invitation also goes out to you Calimesa candidates.

CALIMESA - The Wholistic Wellness Center owned and managed by Krista McPhail will open on Friday, Oct. 17, in the Crown Village Center.

The Wellness Center will offer several health-related services for all ages, ranging from birth to senior citizens, said McPail.

A list of the services offered include:

• Colon Hydrotherapy


• Herbalist


• Yoga Classes


• Pilates Classes


• Baby Massage Classes

"The baby massage classes is a four week course for (two separate age groups)," McPhail said. "This is a great way to learn how to calm a baby. It relieves colic and anxiety and offers a soothing technique."

Politicking and pontificating is in full force as Nov. 4 general election creeps ever closer.

The northeast corner of Bryant Street and Oak Glen Road is covered with signs of candidates running for either the school board, city council, or state or national offices. Reportedly in Calimesa, a few posted City Council candidates' signs have mysteriously disappeared. Nothing reported so far in Yucaipa, though. But this year's City Council races in both Calimesa and Yucaipa have become a bit "energized" of late.

From left, Jim Taylor, Jane Smith, Andrew Matlock, and Chuck Christie, who
are candidates for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified Board of Education.

But I must say the school board candidates forum at the Norton Younglove Senior Center in Calimesa on Monday night was one of decorum and civility, as Jim Taylor, Jane Smith, Chuck Christie, and Andrew Matlock focused soley on their agendas and what they hope to accomplish if elected. I'm not sure you could find four better candidates. To bad only three of them can serve. I would take all four in a heartbeat.

If only our pols in D.C. would follow their lead...

Thursday night concerts come to a summer's end

The Andy Rau Band's high-energy instrumentals of banjo, mandolin,
and guitars kept the audience engaged Thursday night.

Calimesa - For many, the Calimesa Concerts On The Green series came to an all too soon close on Thursday night at the Calimesa Golf And Country Club with the instrumental delights of banjo-playing Andy Rau and his band's blend of contemporary folk and country, along with some bluegrass, blues and pop.

"The music is all good and a good variety," said John Walczak of Calimesa. "I wish it would go on."