August 2008 Archives

Restaurateurs this weekend are banking on some business now that Labor Day and NASCAR are here and the Olympics, which turn many into instant couch potatoes, are gone.

 

In Sunday's paper, I wrote about the closing of The Whole Enchilada and Macaroni Grill and posed the question of whether the restaurant market is saturated. A more interesting question might be whether the steakhouse market is saturated.

 

Developer consultant Chuck Buquet told me Morton's is looking to land in Rancho. Buquet said the restaurant trend in this city is getting more upscale. Which makes sense, I guess. People who spend $40 on a steak probably don't notice when a tank of gas costs nearly twice that.

 

Morton's, which has locations in the Palm Desert and Beverly Hills, bills itself as the "best steak anywhere." I wonder what folks at Magic Lamp, Sycamore Inn, Cask 'n Cleaver, Steer 'N Stein and Fleming's think about that.

 

It's surprising to me that every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

 

On Sept. 20, the Alzheimer's Association will be hosting Memory Walk, the largest fundraiser of the year for the organization, at The Epicenter. Last year, more than 300 people participated, raising $100,000. Organizers expect 400 to 500 people will walk this year.

 

Registration for the 5K walk begins 7:30 a.m. The event ends at noon. Sign up online or call (909) 931-1580 for more info.

In a message left by an anonymous caller this morning, it came to my attention classified employees were also at the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Back to School Kick-Off.

The call was in response to a City News article I wrote that came out today in Ontario/Montclair and Rancho Cucamonga/Fontana/Rialto sections.

Teachers and school administrators were also joined by classified employees at Chaffey Joint Union High School District's Back to School Kick-Off Aug. 21 at the Gardiner Spring Auditorium at Chaffey High School in Ontario.

It seems that every election season, there are new voter subgroups that the media loves to explain. One voter block that has been discussed lately is the hip-hop voter, an 18- to 29-year-old group being courted with get-out-the-vote efforts infused with hip-hop culture. I guess this is more about age than music preference. I went to Rock The Bells this month but sadly, (sob), I don't qualify.

That young white guy driving in front of me on Day Creek and Highland yesterday might be one such voter. He looked like he was having a good time, rapping to his radio station a la Office Space. His bumper was covered with stickers that read: "I (heart) hip-hop," "Drum and bass 'till I die" and "Drop beats, not bombs."

The DNC ended last night and I'm sure all the Rancho Republicans are pleased the Obama love fest will subside. There are a lot of Rancholicans in this town wondering who McCain's sidekick will be. Is it possible that he still hasn't decided yet?

It's no surprise that Councilman Rex Gutierrez is gunning for Mitt Romney. He volunteered for the Romney campaign, which had a small office on Arrow and Haven. Gutierrez said he's a pessimist at heart and expects the worst so that he's happily surprised later.

 

"I would still be surprised if McCain went with Romney. I just think they have a natural dislike for each other," Gutierrez said. "But I think they're a perfect fit."

 

The spirited presidential election has certainly unified some in the city. Issues like fire fighter salary and closing off a street can pit one neighbor against another but when it comes to standing by a presidential candidate, people start holding hands. Take Gutierrez and council gadfly John Lyons for example. Lyons once put his heart and soul trying to recall Gutierrez. But earlier this year, the two were bonded by one goal - getting Romney elected. Lyons has hardly anything critical to say at the council meetings these days. Who would have thunk?

 

8:10 a.m. Friday:  Maybe Rex was right to be pessimistic. McCain, who turns 72 today, is expected to name Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate later today.

The car club Oldskool 66 Cruzers, whose name is too cool for school, will host a show featuring Corvettes, street rods and a host of other classic cars from the 1920s to 1970s benefiting the meals program for homebound seniors. The money raised will ensure the city's seniors get their meals fresh and hot.

"We call it wheels for meals," said Bobby Darish, an event organizer.

More than 200 classic cars will be on display outside the James L. Brulte Senior Center on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be food vendors and raffle opportunities throughout the day. Tickets are $20 with pre-registration and $25 on the day of the event. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Bobby Darish at (909) 786-9944 or Dave Wilson at (951) 232-1129.

The state budget is more than 10 weeks late. It's so late in fact that Gov. Schwarzenegger probably won't attend the RNC next week because of it. If I was 10 weeks late in filing my articles, I'd be scared what my editor would do.

Might I suggest the gov use some birthday money to ease this deficit? Word is that he spent his birthday in Rancho Cucamonga last month, holding a fundraiser at developer Jeff Burum's house and charging $25,000 a head. I was disappointed that the gov's foray into Rancho didn't make Wonkette.

 

I'm not used to spending $25,000 on dinner. I'm used to having dinner with people who make $25,000. With that kind of cash, you could treat 2,900 of your friends to a dinner at Vince's.

A student at Red Dragon Karate, the school next door to El Loco Cantina inside Masi Plaza, told the Planning Commission tonight that he hopes he won't find glass and vomit outside the Mexican eatery in the near future. Who can blame him? I hate glass and vomit.

 

Something tells me this issue won't be as steamy as Margarita Beach, the now defunct bar that faced consternation from neighbors and some on the City Council two and a half years ago.

 

El Loco Cantina, site of the former Felipe's Mexican Restaurant, might be a little too loco based on some complaints the city has received from neighbors. A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 10, the next Planning Commission meeting.

The Biane Library is celebrating Hispanic heritage and it's not even Cinco de Mayo. The family friendly festivities on Friday, Sept. 5 is from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be live music, folklorico dancers, storytellers and refreshments. Sounds kinda rowdy and late night for a library. What ever happened to the shushing librarian? The event is free but you'll have to pick up tickets at the Biane library.

This is the latest Daily Bulletin foray into the blogosphere. The idea is to gather happenings and observations about this city, a virtual Rancho Cucamonga downtown, where you can stop by when you're free, find out what's going on if you're bored, and comment when you have two cents to share.

 

It might be for those who don't typically pick up a newspaper but have a few minutes to spare while surfing on the Blackberry. Maybe it's for that person who doesn't have time to write a letter to the editor but is irked enough to leave a short comment. And it's even for faithful newspaper readers who want to get extra tidbits on this city of 174,000.

 

Welcome.

Alta Loma School District is seeking applicants for district superintendent because Janet Morey resigned Aug. 8.
Morey, who had been with the district since February 2003, took a job with Fullerton Elementary School District as assistant superintendent of educational services.
The application deadline is Sept. 15.
Those interested in applying should contact Robert Hodges, at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Human Resources Division, 601 N. E St., San Bernardino, CA 92410-3093.
For more information about the district , visit www.alsd.k12. ca.us.
Information: (909) 386-2440, www.acsajoblink.com or www.edjoin.org