Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will offer a free 12 ounce holiday beverage on Nov. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. Pick from Holiday Blend coffee, Winter Dream Tea, Winter Dream Tea Latte, Peppermint Ice Blended & Latte, and Espresso Mint Chip Ice Blended.

All the California and Arizona stores are participating. The one in Rancho is on Haven and Foothill, across from City Hall. 

Alta Loma School District board president Pete Peterson announced in a letter Tuesday to the district's Educators Association he has accepted a job with the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

Peterson, who is seeking re-election to the board and who is endorsed by the ALEA, has accepted the position of director, planning and facilities of the k-12 school district.

"The CVUSD board is scheduled to take action on Monday, 11/3/08, so it's not a done deal, but they've never gone against a recommendation to hire a new director," Peterson writes in the letter.

He goes on to say, "If re-elected, my intent is to stay on the board long enough for the transition of the new superintendent, and the new member to be installed, then determine what is best for the district."

Peterson later writes he has been trying to get a new job similar to the one he's accepted, and "this one just became available within the last few weeks."

At the end of the letter Peterson apologized for any inconvenience and thanked ALEA for standing by him this year.

He also said he would return ALEA's check for $375 so they can use it for the next campaign.

Peterson is employed as Ontario-Montclair School District's assistant director of facility and planning

 

 

Put away your pots and pans and grab a big wave with cheese instead.

The Alta Loma Parent Teacher Association family fun night to benefit Victoria Groves school will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 6 at Islands restaurant, 11425 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.

After you're done with dinner catch a cool breeze, and what that translates to on the Islands menu is a smoothy with coconut cream, banana and strawberries.

Hang-10 dude and dudets!

The family fun night doesn't stop.
Deer Canyon school dine out night will be held from 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Vince's Spaghetti, 8241 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.

A group of Summit Intermediate eighth graders played the roles of Obama, McCain, their running mates and their spouses today in a mock debate that was both impressive and endearing. Here's a sampling:

"If my husband gets elected, I'm probably going to continue my life as it already is," said Lekaa Elhajjmoussa, playing Cindy McCain.

"If elected, I will lower the cost of drugs. Drugs are really expensive," said Breanna Foster, playing Sarah Palin. After some puzzled stares, Breanna added, "Pharmacy drugs. ... To cure diseases."

Antonio Lujan-Coleman, while playing Joe Biden, might have inserted some of his opinions in his speech. "Obama and I believe teachers should not spend all their time filling bubbles on standardized tests."

And on a couple of ocassions, Edgar Johnson was out of character playing the Illinois senator. "Barack Obama ... I mean, I believe ..."

Friday's article about Summit's mock debate follows.

I wish I covered the city when the Frost Bros. General Store was around. Imagine riding your horse to go do reporting on the grand opening of this store, which I'm sure, was the Victoria Gardens of its day.

"Hi, I'm Wendy with The Republican, doing a story on the Frost Bros. General Store. What does it mean to you to have this upscale store right in your backyard?"

This photo, taken in 1912, is courtesy of Jim Frost, the city's first mayor. Frost's family settled in Etiwanda in 1882 and ran this store, which was located on the southwest corner of Etiwanda Avenue and Victoria Street. Jim's grandfather, John Frost, is seen faintly in the driver's seat of the "delivery truck."

Got any old pics to share? E-mail them my way.  

All of Curtis and Mallory Bray's friends and family noticed when they dropped a total of 215 pounds. Even Oprah noticed.

She flew both of them to Chicago where they taped a show that will air today at 3 p.m. on Channel 7. Curtis Bray is a park and rec commissioner for the city and the married couple were recently on season five of The Biggest Loser.

The Brays weren't winners on The Biggest Loser; they were eliminated after losing 22 pounds. But the two kept at it. By the time the season ended, Curtis, who started at 381 pounds, shed 150 pounds. Mallory, who weighed 217 pounds at the start of the show, lost 65 pounds.

They didn't win but they were winners in Oprah's eyes. Curtis lost his father to obesity and realized it was time to change his lifestyle when he was denied health insurance because of his weight.

"It was kinda like signing my own death certificate," Curtis said.

He considered gastric bypass surgery and went through the entire process preparing for the surgery. His doctor set Jan 21, 2007 as the surgery date. Curtis had support from his family but he knew it was given reluctantly.

"It's like when your child signs up for the military. You support them and you know it's honorable but you kinda don't want them to go," Curtis said. "I knew I was disappointing my family."

Curtis didn't show up for that surgery. He got on The Biggest Loser instead and the rest is history.

Not many people have a story like that and not many people get to tell it to Oprah.

"The show seemed like Oprah's home and I felt welcomed at her home," Curtis said. "At one point, I was like, 'Wow, you're actually here.' And then it was over."

You can meet Curtis Sunday at the Grape Harvest Festival. He will be at the Healthy RC booth at The Epicenter from 1 to 3 p.m.

Photos courtesy of NBC and Inland Empire Magazine.

A two-weekend celebration kicks off Friday night at The Epicenter with the 69th annual Grape Harvest Festival featuring grape stomp, business booths and 32 carnival rides.

Friday's celebration is from 7:30 to midnight and will feature fireworks and a concert by the Phat Cat Swinger.

On Saturday, a Grape Pumpkin Race will be held at 1 p.m. with a race for special needs participants starting at noon. Participants will decorate their pumpkins, put wheels on them and release them on a race course. The pumpkin kit costs $20.

The Furry Friends Festival is also on Saturday. The pet-centric event will have a fashion contest (Fashion Fo-paws), a best trick contest (Tricks for Treats) and a pet and owner lookalike contest (Chews My Twin). Registration is at 10 a.m. Saturday's celebration is from 10 a.m. to midnight.

On Sunday, the fire department will host a fundraiser pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. The breakfast is $5 ($4 if you get your tickets ahead of time by calling (909) 477-2770). Proceeds go toward a fire district program aimed at reducing childhood injuries. Sunday is the last day of the festival. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Check back here to find out details of next week's Founder's Day Festival.

The Planning Commission revoked Pepper's entertainment permit and conditional use permit for serving alcohol last Wednesday but owner Frank Frias said he plans to file an appeal. This would mean the restaurant can continue alcohol service and live entertainment until the City Council makes a final decision. Frias, who has owned the establishment on 9740 19th St. for the last four years, claims he has complied with the Planning Department and changed Pepper's sports bar ambiance. Even though the appeal will buy him some time, Frias said he will eliminate the entertainment portion of the business and stop serving alcohol before its midnight closing.

On a 3-0 vote, the Planning Commission revoked Pepper's permits saying it had violated its conditional use and entertainment permits too many times and there had been too many calls for service with the police and fire departments. Frias must file the appeal by Monday. 

An article about a tutoring center to be published next week will feature information about free SAT practice tests in November and December.

Nicole Kwon, program director of the C2 Education learning center, said getting into college is extremely competitive these days. She recommends eighth grade students to start devising a college plan and map out steps to be college ready.

In eighth grade, my plan was to find a cute boy to hang out with during the lunch time dance. That might explain why I only got a 1020 on my SAT; 600 math and 420 verbal -- kinda pathetic for an aspiring English major. But my tale is evidence that a mediocre SAT score is not the end of the world. It just means that when you grow up, you might not write for the New York Times but you can still get a job at the Daily Bulletin. See, it's not that bad.   

The RC Quakes mascot Tremor will be at St. Nicks Pumpkin Patch giving out his autographs and taking photos.

All are welcome from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 at St. Nick's Pumpkin Patch, off of Central Avenue in Montclair in the old Macy's parking lot.

Metro columnist and staff epicure David Allen blogged about the closing of Pei Wei, that likable pan-Asian eatery just a stone's throw from City Hall. Apparently, the bad economy has affected restaurants like the Macaroni Grill and The Whole Enchilada. I didn't think Pei Wei would fall, too.

Out of all the restaurants serving Chinese food that doesn't really taste like Chinese food, Pei Wei was my favorite. As a Hong Kong native, I can be pretty picky about my Chinese food, opting for the San Gabriel Valley ilk on most weekends. But Pei Wei was tasty and kept my stomach from grumbling at City Council meetings. It's one of those restaurants that I didn't pay much attention to while it was here but now that it's gone, I miss it.

  

The Art Pod, a new children's arts studio that recently opened on Jack Benny Drive, is hosting Halloween in the Daytime on Friday, a day full of activities and arts projects to keep children occupied before they go trick-or-treating. The first session is 9 a.m. to noon, the second session is 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $20 per child.

This studio is full of classes and events that I never got to participate in as a girl. Kids yoga, mandarin language, metalsmithing just weren't taught when I was young. Actually, I still don't know what metalsmithing is. Find out on the Art Pod Web site and see what else they offer.
  
Information: (909) 477-3007

A program, "A Walk Through Death Valley," will be offered Wednesday at the REI store, 12218 Foothill Blvd.

The free talk by Roger Homrich at 7 p.m. will be a photologue/slideshow on the preparation, conditioning and challenges in his trek across the length of Death Valley National Park.

Homrich this spring became the first known person to complete a cross-country traverse of Death Valley National Park, walking for more than two weeks and 225 miles. That is about 223 miles more than what I walk in a typical day.

Information: (909) 646-8360.

Trying to one-up The Ontario Center School principal Steve Markley, who last week dressed up as a banana, Rancho Cucamonga Middle School principal Bruce LaVallee and his staff members today got nearly 900 students to form the words "no drugs" on the school field. Shortly after, a Department of Homeland Security helicopter landed with two agents who talked to students about drug prevention. Tuesday's article about Red Ribbon Week follows.

Stor-N-Lock Self Storage, with a location on 10975 Arrow Route, will hold a Toys for Tots holiday collection drive from Nov. 1 through Dec. 10. New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Donations will go toward underprivileged children during the holiday season.
Information: 877-333-7867  

Rancho resident Judi Guizado, one of the authors of the cookbook "Stud Muffins: Luscious, Delectable, Yummy (and Good Muffin Recipes, Too!)" is blogging about her experiences on the road to being published at Judi's Journal. Her excitement from seeing her book next to Martha Stewart's at Barnes and Noble is kinda infectious.

It's great that Judi was able to combine two loves into one book -- baking and attractive men. I think it's fair to say that most women flipping through this book isn't studying the muffin recipes that closely. I'm tempted to steal her idea but somehow journalism and attractive men don't go as well together. I can't imagine that a hot guy posing in front of a typewriter or holding a reporter's notebook would turn anyone on other than myself.

If you're interested in ways to protect the planet and your health there may be a website just waiting for you: www.GoGreenOnline.com

Some ideas on the site include:

* Progressively make changes in each room of your house

* What you can do improve your home, health and enviroment.

* Take the 20% Energy Challenge: set your own baseline and track your
progress.

* Learn key facts and improve your knowledge.

Come on down to the Ladies' Night Out at Filippi Winery on Wednesday, October 29th from 6-9 PM. There will be wine, food, shopping and prizes. 

Authors of the cook book: "Stud Muffin" and some hunky male models will be on hand to sign copies.

 

Joseph Filippi Winery: 12467 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga

For ladies 21 and older

Tickets: $20

Hat's off to Etiwanda School District for receiving two Golden Bell Awards.

The district's CLOUDS preschool program and Summit Intermediate School's WOW program at Summit Intermediate will be honored in the 29 annual Golden Bell Awards program of the California School Boards Association.

The first award was won in the Special Education category CLOUDS, Creating Learning and Understanding Differences in Students, preschool program under the direction of Kristin Ludovico, preschool coordinator and assessor.

The second award as won in the Focus on Middle Grades category for WOW, Week of Welcome, program under the direction of Lori Arita, principal of Summit.

While CLOUDS is an innovative, inclusive preschool program servicing both generation and special education students, ages 3-5, the WOW program is designed to assist students from feeder elementary schools, and their families to successfully transition to Summit Intermediate.

The district will be honored during CSBA's awards luncheon Dec. 6 in San Diego.

You've heard of the phrase to "lend a helping hand," well, what about a shoe or sock?

As part of Bradford Jackson's Eagle Scout, Troup 66, service project he will host the Sole-d Out Concert For Shoes benefit concert 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Goldy Lewis Central Park, Etiwanda room, 11200 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga.

Instead of monetary donations for admission, Bradford, 16, is asking those who attend to donate a pair of new shoes or socks for orphaned children.

Bradford, who is an cellist since the age of 5, approached his teacher, Ana Maria Maldonado, about giving hosting the concert.

She agreed to perform the Dvorak cello concert, in her bare feet, in order to help Bradford collect footwear.

Bradford's goal is to collect 100 pairs of socks and 50 pairs of shoes.

Scouts from Troop 66 will help in packing the shoes for shipment to orphanages in Guatemala, Peru, China, Kenya, Lativa, Russia and Romania.

Bradford, is a junior at Etiwanda High School and has been a member of the Claremont Young Musician's Orchestra for over four years.

Information: (909) 899-3949.

Stakes will be high at the Rancho Cucamonga Community Foundation fundraiser. The foundation, along with Burrtec, is hosting a golf tournament on Nov. 17 at the Red Hill Country Club. For $2,500, golfers will have a stab at winning $100,000 worth of cash and other prizes. Proceeds go toward arts programming at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center.
Information: (909) 477-2760 

To mark a recent EPA recognition for being green, Frito Lay, the huge snacks manufacturer on Fourth and Archibald, gave local dignitaries and myself a tour.

"This is your first time?" asked a human resources manager. "You're in for a treat. But you might come out smelling like cheese."

That's me, always working on an interesting blog entry even if it means smelling like cheese.

Frito Lay is one of the city's largest employers, with 620 employees. The Rancho plant specializes in corn derived snacks -- Cheetos, Fritos, Doritos, Tostitos and Funyuns.

Surprise, surprise. Funyuns are made from corn, not onions. What was really surprising was finding out that the best-selling snack is the Flaming Hot Cheetos.

"We make more of the hot Cheetos than the regular ones," said technical manager Bob Biacsi. "This region likes it spicy."

I toured the Tostitos assembly line but not before I washed my hands, put on a hair net and goggles and gave my clothes a once-over with a lint brush. I had to take off all of my jewelry, too. God forbid an earring falls into a bag of Tostitos. The consequences could be worse than what happened with Kramer's Junior Mint.

As if that wasn't enough, I had to walk through a wind tunnel, which essentially blew away any other pieces of grime I skipped. So rest assured, your Tostitos are safe.

Next Friday's City News story about Frito Lay's EPA award follows.

From:

Inland Valley's Fetch Pet Care and the ASPCA

 

Safe Halloween Tips for Pets

October 17, 2008

The nation's first humane organization takes the scare out of Halloween with your pets!

 

Keeping your pets safe on Halloween doesn't have to be tricky. The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is offering the following tips to help pet parents avoid potential hazards as they celebrate Halloween this October.

 

"Many of our favorite Halloween traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals," says Dr. Steven Hansen, board-certified veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president, ASPCA Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Ill. "So as you start to make plans for trick-or-treating or Halloween costumes, pet parents should be aware of Halloween-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets." Here are just some of the ways animal lovers can keep their pets safe this Halloween:

 

Skip the sweets.

Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. "Chocolate, especially baker's and dark chocolate can also be potentially poisonous to animals, especially dogs," advises Dr. Hansen. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate and even seizures.

 

Watch out for those wrappers. Cats especially love to play with candy wrappers, but ingesting aluminum foil or cellophane can cause intestinal blockage and induce vomiting. Trick-or-treating is for kids, not pets. During trick-or-treating hours it is best to keep pets in a room away from your front door. "Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors constantly arriving at the door, and pets may escape the safety of their home. Be sure that your pet has identification tags should he or she accidentally get loose," recommends Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the ASPCA Pet Adoption Center in Manhattan. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags and/or is microchipped.

 

Careful with costumes! If you dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his movement, hearing, sight or ability to breathe or bark. Also check the costume for choking hazards. A smart alternative to dressing your pet from head-to-paw? A simple, festive Halloween bandana.

 

Decorations can be dangerous. Re-think putting candles in Jack-O-Lanterns. Pets can easily knock over Jack-O-Lanterns and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames. Also take care to prevent your pets from having access to wires and cords from holiday decorations. If chewed, a wire can damage your pet's mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock. If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, please consult your veterinarian or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee applies) or www.aspca.org/apcc. For more information on having a fun, safe Halloween with your pets, please visit www.aspca.org.

 

Diane Fedele, who was responsible for printing "Obama bucks" in the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated newsletter sent this letter to members today.

October 20, 2008

To:  Members of Chaffey Community Republican Women

I offer my sincere apology to everyone, especially club members, the Federation, and the Republican Party for my poor judgment and lack of insight and sensitivity in the offensive satric political cartoon I am responsible for including in our club newsletter.

Neither I, nor members of our club, took part in the creation of the satiric political cartoon and the products depicted on it. It was obtained through a chain e-mail that has been hitting in-boxes along with a slew of others aimed at providing discredit to both presidential candidates and their running mates. I am solely responsible for it being included in our club newsletter which was distributed to approximately 200 people, most of which had not seen the newsletter until the media coverage began.


  

Lesly Duarte is turning her life around at Valley View High School.

The senior came to the continuation school from Rancho Cucamonga High School, where she wasn't passing her classes and didn't have any positive influences.

Now she has above average grades, is very well spoken, has aspirations to becoming a preschool teacher and then coming back to Valley View to teach.

Lesly was acknowledged by the Chaffey Joint Union High School District at their board meeting, Tuesday night, for her ability to overcome adversity and to persevere.

The president of the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated has resigned over a group newsletter that included racist imagery, said club member and Fontana Councilwoman Acquanetta Warren.

Group president Diane Fedele has been under fire for publishing a graphic of "Obama bucks," which features a photo of Barack Obama next to pictures of fried chicken, ribs, watermelon and Kool-Aid.

"I think it was the best thing to do," Warren said about the resignation. "Hopefully people will move on from this."

Fedele did not return calls for comment and several board members hung up on a reporter making inquiries into the matter.

The organization's monthly meeting was scheduled for tonight at the Magic Lamp restaurant but has been canceled. Marji Mayo is the group's first vice president but it has not been determined whether she will be Fedele's successor.

The newsletter was sent to more than 200 members earlier this month and has sparked outrage from political leaders and members of the conservative group. A caption was printed under the "Obama bucks" graphic that read, "Obama talks about all those presidents that got their names on bills. If elected, what bill would he be on? Food stamps, what else!"

Fedele has since apologized for the incident citing poor judgment but members like Warren have called for a public apology.

Warren said she hopes with Fedele's resignation, things will finally quiet down for the group. 

Mother nature has a cruel way of marking the fifth anniversary of the Grand Prix Fire.

A 250-acre fire started early this morning near the Fontana/Rancho border, where staff photographer Will Lester took this photo.

Etiwanda Colony Elementary and Summit Intermediate schools were canceled today and others in the Etiwanda School District are moving outdoor activities inside.

The blaze, dubbed the Foxborough Fire, is in the Hunters Ridge area along the San Sevaine wash. So far, no homes are under serious threat and there have been no mandatory evacuations. The Central Park Senior Center today is prepared to be an evacuation center if the fire intensifies. So far, the facility has remained empty.

The Grand Prix Fire started on Oct. 23, 2003 and burned 59,000 acres.

Rancho de Philo, voted 2008 best dessert wine of the show at the LA County Fair
International Wine Competition, has sold its award winning Sherry - only one week a year - for more than 25 years.

This year's sale is from Nov. 8 through 16

Prices:

2008 blend - $24.95
2007 blend - $34.95
2006 blend - $39.95

Rancho de Philo Winery
10050 Wilson Avenue, Alta Loma
Phone: (909) 987-4208

 

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3

o Eastbound Interstate 10 at Live Oak Canyon Road is Scheduled to Close on :

November 5, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

A full closure of eastbound Interstate 10 at Live Oak Canyon Road is scheduled on November 5, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists will be detoured off the freeway via the eastbound off-ramp at Live Oak Canyon Road, across Live Oak Canyon Road and back onto the freeway via the

eastbound on-ramp. The inside lane on westbound Interstate 10 also is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

o Westbound Interstate 10 at Live Oak Canyon Road is Scheduled to Close on: November 6, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

A full closure of westbound Interstate 10 at Live Oak Canyon Road is scheduled on November 6, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Motorists will be detoured off the freeway via the westbound off-ramp at Live Oak Canyon Road, across Live Oak Canyon Road and back onto the freeway via the westbound on-ramp. The inside lane on eastbound Interstate 10 also is scheduled to be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

o Live Oak Canyon Road Bridge over Interstate 10 is Scheduled to Close on: November 5 and 6, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

A full closure of Live Oak Canyon Road bridge at I-10, between 14th Street/Calimesa Blvd, and Outer Highway 10 South is scheduled on November 5 and 6, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Freeway access will not be available, except for the following exceptions;

• Motorists traveling northbound on Live Oak Canyon Road will have access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp both nights

• Motorists traveling southbound on Live Oak Canyon Road will have access to the I-10 westbound on-ramp during the November 5 closure only.

Alternate freeway access is available at County Line Road and Yucaipa Blvd., with access across the freeway at 16th Street.

Contest Winner Will Receive Kitchen Makeover Worth More Than $9,000

ONTARIO, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2008) Who has the ugliest kitchen in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties? Granite Transformations of Ontario is about to find out. As part of the companys Ugliest Kitchen Contest, homeowners are asked to submit photos of their style-challenged kitchen by Oct. 31. The winning homeowner will receive a kitchen makeover valued at more than $9,000. To enter, please go to www.granitetransformations.com/Ontario.

For those homeowners who are still waiting for avocado green tiles to come back into fashion, this is the chance to make a giant style leap forward with beautiful new Granite Transformations countertops from its Ontario showroom located at 4295 Jurupa Street. Granite Transformations countertops are manufactured using 95 percent granite and a specially formulated polymer that is cast into lightweight slabs that are then custom cut and installed directly over existing countertops. The resulting transformation, from old and worn to beautiful granite countertops that resist scratching and staining, takes as little as one to two days.

To enter, homeowners simply need to send in the photo that best illustrates why their ugly, out-of-date kitchen deserves a makeover. Granite Transformations judges will do the rest. This is a contest that will show the dramatic transformation that can happen in one or two days using Granite Transformations unique installation process, which easily covers existing counters with beautiful new surfaces. Take your kitchen from ugly to gorgeous just in time for the holidays.

The winner of the Ugliest Kitchen Contest will receive Granite Transformations countertops and backsplash, a Wind Crest gas or electric cooktop, a new sink and a kitchen faucet set. Total makeover is valued at more than $9,000.

The dedication ceremony for the Etiwanda School District's Education Center was far more entertaining than some might think.

While most people zone out during the introduction of guests and special presentations Superintendent Shawn Judson made staying awake worth while at Monday's ceremony.

As representative from state Sen. Bob Dutton office,  Larry Broedow, approached the podium he handed a note to the superintendent saying something like "Sorry the senator couldn't make it, but it's OK because I've got a note from his father excusing him."

The crowd immediately chuckled.

After accepting the senators good wishes Judson commented on the note.

"Looking at the senators (father's) note we'll have to give him an A minus in his handwriting," he said. "It needs a little more of a slant."

The roast continued.

As Judson introduced state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod's representative, Wendy Medina, he stumbled with her last name.

Like Judson, when Medina got on stage she too made a comment right after she corrected her last name.

"Maybe I'll just give you a C in pronunciation," she said.

Judson responded to his defense with saying it wasn't fair because the senator's office changed who they originally were going to send.

"I was prepared all day to pronounce Rufino Bautista," he said.

I was laughing so hard I had to remind myself I was in a public place and I had to keep some composure.

 

 

Congrats to Mike and Amber DeMaria, a Rancho couple who just saw their family triple in size with the arrival of quadruplets. Anthony, Michael, Jaileigh (the only girl) and Jakob are all doing well. Three are home while Anthony is due home next week.

You can read about their experience and send them well wishes on their blog.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Before you walk into the Etiwanda School District's Education Center you might notice a couple of changes.

Aside from the fact it is now a two-story building, one of the major additions is an engraved brick walkway at the entrance recognizing former students, as well as staff and district members and retirees who have served the district.

"It feels very good that he's remembered even after all these years," said Isabel Campos of the remembrance brick with her son's name of it.

Isabel Campos' son, Eddie Villa Jr. was an Etiwanda Intermediate student who died of cancer in December 1999.

Isabel Campos was one of 100 community members, district staff and employees and city and state officials who attended the dedication ceremony for the modernized Etiwanda Education Center on Monday.

The new Etiwanda Education Center is an addition to the existing district office which was the East Avenue school site first occupied in 1973.

The two-story addition was designed for office space for current and future staff and contains the personnel, instruction, special education and professional development departments.

Extra space will be used for district nurses and records.

Standing at the brick paved entrance Superintendent Shawn Judson called the modernized office a "great place."

"It will be able to support and serve our staff and students for another 125 years," he said of the district which has been a part of the community for that period of time.

Judson pointed a few of his favorite features, including the way the new building compliments the old building, the brick walkway and the large clock.

"It's great, you always associate clocks with school, so it makes sense it's in front of the building," he said.

After walking through the left wing of the center, Ted Campos, Eddie's stepfather, said he feels the new office will serve the community "much better."

"The large rooms will really be able to accommodate parents, meetings and the community," he said.

Both Isabel and Ted Campos said having a having a brick in honor of their son makes them feel honored.

"Eddied also has a remembrance tree at Etiwanda Intermediate and now with this brick it takes it up to another level," Ted Campos said.

 

Victoria Gardens newcomer American Apparel is looking for workers to join their team. The open call is on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. for all positions including day and night shifts. Stop by the store, which is at the former Sharper Image location on 12434 South Mainstreet. If you can't make it, you can still e-mail your resume to yanyan@americanapparel.net.

I appreciate readers who take time out to call or e-mail regardless of how angry and disgusted they are. Today, my voice mail and phone conversations regarding the article on a same-sex wedding ranged from mild disappointment ("Don't you believe in God? I think you better open your Bible and read," said Pat from Montclair.) to utter disappointment ("You need to report on actual happenings," said an anonymous caller. "Get rid of that sh%* and start doing your job.")

Some were angry but still polite.

"I just canceled my subscription to the paper because of your promotion of gay marriage. I think it's sickening. Have a good night. Bye," Howard said.

Thanks Howard, I did have a nice evening. I'm sorry you canceled our paper but you have a good night, too.

Finally, there was Edward who has been married to his wife for 20+ years.

"Whether you're a man or woman ... man with a man or woman with a woman ... it's who you love and who you want to be with. If you love somebody and you want to marry somebody, that's the way it should be. I think that's pretty awesome," Edward said.

Among our readers, Edward, you're a minority. Thanks for calling.

The Rancho Cucamonga Woman's Club will hold a membership mixer at the Atria Del Rey Retirement Community at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Prospective members who are interested in the club's activities are encouraged to attend.

The group is currently collecting donations of new children's pajamas to give to children in crisis. Donations can be dropped off at Atria Del Rey, 8825 Base Line Road.

RC Quakes, the traveling baseball team of 13 year olds, will be shaving their heads for St. Baldrick's Foundation, a fundraising organization benefiting children with cancer. The clippers turn on 4 p.m. Tuesday at Omaha Jack's.

Support the team by donating here or eating lunch or dinner at Omaha Jack's on Tuesday. The steak house will be donating a portion of the proceeds that day to St. Baldrick's so make sure you mention the foundation to your server.

Staff photographer Thomas Cordova and I began following Rancho Cucamonga couple Alison Bowen, left, and Laurie Roades shortly after the California Supreme Court lifted a ban on same-sex marriages. We wanted to put a face behind one of the most controversial issues of this election season.

They are a down-to-earth couple, not one who would normally invite perfect strangers into their personal affairs. But if seven judges had a say in whether or not their dream could be fulfilled and if Californian voters could suddenly take that away, they knew their very private story had to also be a public one.

Their wedding took place on Sept. 6, fulfilling their girlhood fantasy of getting married.

"You don't say, 'Someday when I grow up, I want a domestic partnership,' " Bowen said.

The article about the Rancho Cucamonga newlyweds follows.

Most of the propositions this year will be overshadowed by Prop. 8, the initiative that would put a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, if passed. It has been hard this week to get a spokesperson from either side of the debate to return calls because they've been so busy. A spokeswoman from Yes on 8 told me, "We're running this like a White House campaign."

When it comes to raising money, the Yes side was ahead during the period of January to September with $25.5 million. The No side trailed by about $10 million. Since then, celebrities and other No supporters have stepped up to match funds and the California Teachers Association put in their own $1 million. 

Pockets of the Inland Valley, like the Chino Valley, are Yes strongholds. The Chino Valley Unified School District has approved a resolution supporting the proposition and Calvary Chapel has given at least $2,000 to Yes on 8. That means plenty of Yes placards for parishioners to display.

Not all churches think alike, of course. The article in today's paper highlighting the views of one Loma Linda Adventist follows.

Today, eight artists at 4 Color Fantasies will create a 24-page comic book in 24 hours starting 1 p.m. The comics store on Archibald will post updates throughout the day on its Web site.

Events for the 24-hour Comics Challenge are taking place across the country today. 4 Color Fantasies will publish a compilation of the eight finished comics with proceeds going toward the Hero Initiative.

 

A Caltrans Commuter Alert has been issued for those planning to travel this weekend on the eastbound 210 Freeway and the I-15 in the Cajon Pass.

A filming permit has been approved to close the eastbound Route 210 in Rialto and San Bernardino from Ayala to State Streets, approximately three miles, on Saturday and Sunday.
The route will be closed from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on both days.

Motorists are advised to alter their travel times and use alternate routes to avoid the closure.
Caltrans would also like to remind motorists that I-15 in Cajon Pass, near Kenwood Avenue, will be closed intermittently in both directions on Sunday between 7 and 10 a.m.

This closure is for permit work being completed by Southern California Edison.

Saturday is a day for political expression, it seems. The No on Prop. 8 camp will be staging a rally near Victoria Gardens, countering the yes camp that is planning on rallying throughout the city. To join the no camp, meet at Day Creek and Foothill at 11 a.m. The rally will go on for a couple of hours.

Remember, yes on Prop. 8 means you are against gay marriage. No on Prop. 8 means you're for it.

7 p.m.: The Yes on Prop. 8 group will stage rallies on Saturday as well but organizers requested the information be removed from the blog.

The candidates' forum hosted by the Alta Loma Riding Club on Tuesday will have a Q & A portion that will allow residents to ask questions. This week, the City Council candidates received one question selected by the riding club in advance to be answered on Tuesday. Most of those questions are about open space, equestrian trails and other issues pertinent to the Alta Loma neighborhood.

The first candidates' debate of the season hosted by the Chamber was relatively lackluster. Councilman Dennis Michael said the local election season so far has been strangely quiet.

"I wonder if it's the calm before the storm," he said.

To find out, attend the forum at 7:30 p.m. but get there early for a seat. The event is located in the Heritage Park community building on 5546 Beryl St.

 

Tricks to a Healthy Halloween

 

1)      Plan Ahead.  Make a plan prior to Halloween so that you can keep tabs on what your children will be consuming on Halloween.  Talk to teachers (many schools hold Halloween events), party host(s) and neighbors to agree on the types treats to be handed out to children. 

2)      Negotiate with Kids. Talk to kids and set-up expectations for Halloween day.  Make sure that they do their homework and chores before trick-or-treating. 

3)      Dinner First.  On Halloween night, give children an extra-nutritious dinner before trick-or-treating.   It will reduce their appetite for sweets.  A meal filled with lean protein, whole grains and vegetables are the way to go!  Remember to serve a glass of low fat or nonfat milk with the meal for extra nutrition. Drinking milk is proven to strengthen teeth, prevent cavities, boost calcium, vitamin D and potassium levels.

4)      Non-Food Treats.  Consider handing out treats like themed school supplies like pencils and erasers to school-age children as they will come in handy for class.  Small toys are also appropriate in reducing the amount of candy children eat during Halloween.  Plus, they're fun!

5)      Power Trick-or-Treat.  Make sure children get enough physical activity to burn off excess sugar and fat.  Trick-or-treating can be a fun way to incorporate walking and exercise.  Plan a few extra loops around the neighborhood.  This process can tire out kids and prepare them to hit the sack when they get home.

6)      GOT  MILK?  Serving chocolate milk after trick or treating is a great, healthy treat.  It doesn't deprive kids of the chocolate closely associated with Halloween, while still providing them great nutrition.   If you want to help your kids sleep on Halloween night, a glass of warm low fat or nonfat milk prior to bed will do the trick.  Milk contains tryptophan which helps people snooze. 

7)      Set Limits.  Set boundaries with your child on how many pieces of candy they're allowed to eat on Halloween and while trick-or-treating.   Allow your children to make their own selections, but tell them they can only pick a few pieces.   

8)      Exchange Program.   Trade your children's Halloween candy for a desired toy to reduce candy consumption.  Many schools, doctors and dentists have similar programs.  Just ask! 

9)      Out of Sight. Out of Mind.  Bring candy to work or throw them away.  Kids don't eat what they can't see. 

10)  Set an Example.  Parents should also stay away from eating too much candy during Halloween.  They need to be role models for their children.

 

 

Courtesy of the California Milk Processor Board and the California Dietetic Association 

Residents who are interested in being a part of the General Plan update process are encouraged to attend a General Plan Advisory Committee meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Central Park Community Center Game Point room. The committee provides direction to the city's General Plan update process.

Check out the General Plan Web site for other ways to get involved or call the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750.

Politics tend to turn ugly closer to Election Day but Sheila Raines and Acquanetta Warren, two black members of the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated organization, had no idea just how nasty it could get until now.

In the latest edition of the group's newsletter, The Trumpeter, a photo of Barack Obama is superimposed on a food stamps bill that has images of fried chicken, watermelon, ribs and Kool-Aid.

The caption reads, "If elected, what bill would he be on? Food stamps, what else!"

Women, Federated is a conservative public service group with more than 200 members across the Inland Valley. It holds monthly meetings at the Magic Lamp restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga.

Raines said she thought members would be in an uproar after the newsletter came out last week but unfortunately nobody acknowledged it.

"It's just painful," Raines said. "It's unacceptable for 2008. It's unacceptable for the Republican Party."

Representatives from the Obama campaign are aware of the newsletter and said they would not comment on the matter.

                                                                       A screening of the documentary "Who Was Dashiell Hammett?" will be held at 7 p.m. Friday with a Q & A featuring Julie Rivett, granddaughter of Dashiell Hammett, at the Archibald Library. Tickets are free and can be picked up at either library.

 

 

Dashiell Hammett penned "The Maltese Falcon," the focus of this year's Big Read initiative. Other future movie screenings will include the film version of "The Maltese Falcon" at the Archibald Library on Saturday at 2 p.m. and on the big screen at Lewis Family Playhouse on Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. "North By Northwest" will be screened on Oct. 20 at the Biane Library starting 6:30 p.m.

See the calendar for other Big and Little Read events.

The city of Rancho Cucamonga and neighboring cities are sponsoring a home foreclosure prevention seminar hosted by Supervisor Paul Biane's office and Housing and Urban Development. The free workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Scheu Family YMCA on 1150 E. Foothill Boulevard in Upland. There will be one-on-one counseling with lenders, banks and nonprofit groups approved by HUD. 

Get some pre-event information here.

Brian Tucker, left, at the site of Punta Brava in Baja California, where Tiger Woods, right, will design a 70 par golf course. It will be the third golf course by Woods.

 

 

Punta Brava is in a small peninsula 65 miles south of San Diego in rapidly developing Baja California. By 2011, it will be the first ocean front golf course designed by Tiger Woods.

One of the partners in the project is Brian Tucker, 32, a native of Rancho Cucamonga. In 2006, Tucker fell in love with the site and knew it was perfect for a high-end golf resort.

"The only thing better is if Tiger Woods could be a part of it," he thought.

Two weeks later, Woods launched his design company.

A story in Saturday's paper about Tucker, the Etiwanda High graduate, follows. 

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The long wait is over -- Rebecca Lawrence has been named superintendent of the Alta Loma School District after a three-month search.

Lawrence comes to the district with 20 years of experience as Etiwanda School District's assistant superintendent of instruction and pupil services, prior to that she worked in the Rialto and Fontana school districts.

"I'm very excited -- elated," said the new superintendent. "I'm thrilled to be able to continue my career in Rancho Cucamonga."

Board President Pete Peterson made the announcement at Tuesday's meeting by reading a brief biography about Lawrence.

"Those who know her will find that students are her No. 1 priority," Peterson read aloud. "Above all, she believes that students can and will succeed."

Board member Rebecca Davies said Lawrence's experience and expertise in education was one of the reasons why she's the perfect candidate for the Alta Loma district.

"Being she came from our neighboring district, we've been able to see how Etiwanda has grown and what she's been able to bring to the district as far as strong programs," she said.

Peterson said it was Lawrence's experience at Etiwanda that gave her a "leg up" over other candidates.
"We had some good candidates, but she really stood out especially during interviews," he said.

lawrence came to Etiwanda in 1989 and was hired as the principal to open the district's fourth school, West Heritage Elementary.

One of Lawrence's major accomplishments is building the Professional Development Center, which began in the Etiwanda district in 1989 to train vice principals and principals.

Peterson said Lawrence came across as someone who is sure of herself, her abilities and her vision for the district.

"She knows there are issues with the state budget, issues with declining enrollment and bringing our Academic Performance Index score up," Peterson said.

Although the district's API is already high at 829 (the state goal for districts is 800), Peterson said that score can always be higher and believes the new superintendent will help in setting a higher goal.

Lawrence said she is confident she is the perfect match for the district.

"They want to be No. 1 in test scores, and student achievement is one of my top priorities," she said. "And that's one of the reasons why we really see eye to eye, and that will really make us a good team."

Although Lawrence doesn't begin her new position until Nov. 3, the community will get a chance to meet her at the next school board meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday at the Alta Loma School District Support Center, 9390 Base Line Road.

The City Council approved tonight the relocation of a digital sign that was originally planned for Arrow Route and the 15 Freeway. The sign will now be placed at 8975 Rochester Avenue, near the 15 Freeway. Plans to build the sign at the new location have been approved by Caltrans.

In April, the city voted to allow Lamar Central Outdoor to remove their nine billboards currently in the city and replace them with two digital signs at the intersection of Archibald Avenue and Foothill Boulevard and one freeway oriented digital sign on Arrow Route. But because future improvements are planned for the Arrow/15 Freeway interchange, the company realized there wasn't enough room to place a sign there.

When I interview voters outside polling stations during past elections, I come across many who are too shy to talk about their picks.

Council gadfly John Lyons, however, has no qualms about that. He listed his endorsements tonight at the City Council meeting, the last meeting before Election Day.

For the record, Lyons announced his support for Sam Spagnolo (whose nickname, we learned, is "Spaggi") and Dennis Michael. No surprise there since he had a baseball cap made that reads "Michael Spagnolo." Lyons is also endorsing Jim Frost for treasurer. "Jim is the longest person I've known in this room. ... My wife knows his wife. Women used to stay home after they have babies." He's endorsing Bob Dutton for Senate. "I go way back with Bob." Other endorsements include Jim Curatalo for Cucamonga Valley Water District and John McCain.

"I have a political joke tonight," Lyons ended, a cue for me to take out my notebook. "You want change? You got it, here's 50 cents!"

Lyons, of course, wasn't the only one gabbing about Nov. 4. Candidates used their five minutes to announce their qualifications and Web sites. Jan Reynolds, Ryan Orr, Jim Moffatt all took turns. Reynolds, who's running for city clerk, said city clerk duties are a lot of work.

"There's no time for on-the-job training," Reynolds said, evoking McCain, you know, Lyons' pick for president.  

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Rancho Cucamonga, has no idea what he's getting himself into.

Emmerson is hosting his third annual open house on Oct. 24. His Halloween-inspired event -- Scary Stories -- is a chance for citizens to meet with the him and "share their most frightening tales of government interference and inefficiency."

I wonder if reporters are able to attend to share tales of unreturned phone calls.

The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at his office, Suite 325, 10681 Foothill Blvd. Light refreshments, candy and food will be available.
 
Information: (909) 466-9096.

A rummage sale to raise funds for the Rancho Cucamonga High Cougar Booster Club will be held Oct. 25 at 7 a.m. to noon.

The club will also be having a car wash for a donation of $5.

The event will be at the school parking lot, 11801 Lark Drive.

Information: (909) 781-9280

A public hearing at tonight's 7 p.m. meeting will be about the location of digital signs.

Earlier this year, the city approved a request by Lamar Central Outdoor to remove nine of their billboards in exchange for two electronic billboards at Foothill and Archibald and one facing the 15 freeway at Arrow. Since than, the company has decided that there isn't enough room to construct a sign there because Caltrans and the city is planning future infrastructure improvements at the Arrow/15 Freeway interchange. Now the company wants to put the sign at 8975 Rochester Ave., which is also close to the 15 Freeway.

Rebecca Lawrence was named the new superintendent for the Alta Loma School District during Tuesday evenings meeting.

She comes to the district with 20 years of experience from neighboring Etiwanda School District as their assistant superintendent of instruction and pupil services.

"I'm very excited - elated," Lawrence said.

You can meet the new superintendent at the next school board meeting at 7 p.m., Oct. 22 at the Alta Loma School District Support Center, 9390 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga.

 

The hole that Sharper Image left at Victoria Gardens will become the L.A.-based clothing store American Apparel. Take that, Shoppes.

The store, which has a location at Claremont's Village Expansion, is shooting for a Nov. 1 opening date. Shawn Shahani, outreach coordinator for the company, said he has been trolling for all the "pseudo hipster hot spots" in the 909, looking for prospective employees. Good luck, Shawn. Finding good workers will be much easier than finding hipster hang outs, I'm sure.

Wanna work for American Apparel? Give Shawn a call at (213) 488-0226 ext.1676

British playwright David Wood will be in Rancho Friday and the next several days as an artist in residence. Wood adapted Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach" and will lead post-play discussions with the audience on Saturday at the Lewis Family Playhouse.

"James and the Giant Peach" will run Oct. 18, 25, 26 and Nov. 1. Saturday shows are 1 and 4 p.m.; the Sunday show is at 1 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 for adults, $14.50 for seniors and $13.50 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets online or call (909) 477-2752.

Wood will also make an appearance at the Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop on 1030 Bonita Ave. in La Verne at 1 p.m. on Sunday. He will also conduct a storytime at the Biane Library next Tuesday at 4 p.m. Tickets are free and required for the storytime. Pick them up at the Biane Library children's department.

A library fundraiser featuring opera singer Rod Gilfry will be held at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. Wine expert Gino Filippi will pair wines with appetizers created by chef Ricardo Santana of Impressions Gourmet Catering. Tickets are $50 and need to be purchased in advance.

Interested? Shoot Michelle Perera or Gino Filippi an e-mail.

Oct. 15:  Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Center box office, which is opened noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. They can also be purchased by calling (909) 477-2775 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online via credit card.

Chicken -- it's what's for dinner.

Mark you calendars for and Parent Teacher Association family fun night to benefit Alta Loma School District schools on Oct. 15.

Banyan Elementary PTA will host their family night from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A, 12190 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.

Dine Out to benefit Jasper Elementary from 4 to 10 p.m. at Chick-fil-A at Colonies Crossroads in Upland.

The Santa Anas should be a bit calmer today; they sure were fierce last night.

Reader Joseph Urso took this picture of the latest storm victim near Rochester and Vintage. Yet another sign that a faltering newspaper industry is undergoing turbulent times. Sigh!

It has been one of those days when driving required both hands and tumble weeds kept getting in the way. Our deputy photo editor Jeff Malet caught this one jumping over a freeway wall near the 15 and 60 interchange

The Santa Ana winds brought plenty of debris out on the streets but they didn't keep too many people from staying home. Shoppers at Victoria Gardens were more interested in the Columbus Day sale than getting their hair messed up. I felt sorry for the guy who had to rake up the wayward leaves. As soon as he dumped them into the trash can, they blew back out.

Driving back to our Ontario newsroom, I noticed that the winds weren't kind to the political signs. A David Dreier sign was ripped in half. "Dre for congress," it read.

While surfing on the Internet, I found City Data, which cited two category 2 tornadoes in Rancho. One was in 1982 and another in 1966. A category 2 is between 113 to 157 mph. Today's winds were just half as fast.

Read on to find out what's in store tomorrow.

Visit the city's Teen Center at the RC Family Sport Center on 9059 San Bernardino Road for an open house to see the different activities geared for young adults. The event will be held from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Parents, teachers and teens are invited to take a tour, visit the new computer lab and participate in games.

Information: (909) 477- 2760 ext. 2386, 2398

The Times' Up To Speed blog recently posted about the Mazda Kiyora, a car of the future that collects rain water and filters it for human consumption. Kinda like the Cucamonga Valley Water District's Frontier Project but in a car.

And what a car. Imagine parking that on Victoria Garden's North Mainstreet.

The rain water goes through an extensive filtration process and gets deposited into a fancy bottle. No more feeling guilty about buying Evian or reusing its bottles.

The Frontier Project, by comparison, has a filtration system that puts grey water (kitchen sink runoff for example) to use for ground irrigation. The building has a water retention system that captures rainwater, too. 

A seemingly great idea but Up To Speed makes a good point. In this ultra dry Southern California climate, this car's feature might never by fully utilized. The driver might look cool in this Mazda but he'd still be really thirsty.

"The Maltese Falcon" seemed an unusual choice for this year's Big Read because of its mature content. The detective novel has elements of love, death and a whole lot of Bacardi drinking -- very different from "To Kill a Mockingbird" of last year.

That's where The Little Read comes in. The children will have their own events to attend surrounding the book "The Malted Falcon," a spoof of Dashiell Hammett's novel.

A screening of "Harriet the Spy" will take place tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Archibald Library and on Oct. 18 at the Biane Library. Bruce Hale, author of "The Malted Falcon" will also make an appearance at the library and at Grapeland Elementary.

See the calendar of events for a complete listing or give the library a call for more information at (909) 477-2720.

Fire station 174 will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow for an open house filled with children's activities. The young ones will get a chance to dress up in firefighter gear, have their pics taken near a fire engine and see several live demonstrations. For lunch, there will be hot dogs. Sounds like every 7-year-old's idea of a perfect day.

Station 174 is on the corner of Jersey Boulevard and Milliken Avenue.

At least one person is excited about The Big Read. Councilman Rex Gutierrez joshed at the last City Council meeting that he finished a whole chapter of "The Maltese Falcon" during the four-hour meeting. The attention seeking councilman is seen here at the library's version of Sam Spade's office.

As part of The Big Read month of mystery, the Biane Library will be hosting an author panel moderated by Denise Hamilton, creator of the Eve Diamond crime novels and featuring "Los Angeles Noir" contributing writers Susan Straight, Jim Pascoe and Emory Holmes II. The event starts at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets, available at both libraries, are free but required.

See the calendar for other Big Read events such as a screening of "Rear Window" and children's activities.

The newspaper's editorial board has endorsed Dennis Michael and Frank Schiavone for City Council. Schiavone, a virtual unknown, is a surprise pick.

I consider Schiavone as the green candidate. When I asked him to e-mail me three reasons why he's running, Schiavone's first reason was a page long and full of ideas on protecting the environment. The other two reasons were several sentences long.

Schiavone, a strong opponent to hillside development, will likely participate in the next candidate's debate since open space issues typically dominate forums hosted by the Alta Loma Riding Club. It should be a good opportunity to meet the six other candidates as well.

You think the average wait time at the Cheesecake Factory is long now. Imagine how long it would be if 300 condominium units were added in addition to the ones that are already west of Victoria Gardens.

The "lifestyle center" is thinking of building up -- think nine, ten, maybe even a dozen stories. Friday's article about Victoria Garden's future plans follows.

Staff photographer Will Lester caught this street scene today at the corner of Archibald and Baseline. Nobody is violating the new sign ordinance, which allows one sign per candidate per parcel, but this certainly looks like the kind of blight that the City Council hoped to avoid.

It's easy to forget that Rancho is a small town. Growth is always hammered into the city's description and you certainly feel it driving on Foothill.

But when election season rolls around, the small town feel returns. Candidates start courting the residents, reminding them that despite being in a crowd of 180,000, they somehow matter.

Take the candidate's statement from Jim Frost that ran in today's paper, for instance. The city's first mayor and current treasurer is seeking re-election and hoping to fight off challenger Ryan Orr. In the statement, he gives his e-mail address and tells Inland Valley readers that he's listed in the phone book and feel free to call.

Cucamonga Valley Water District board candidate Hank Stoy one ups Frost by having his home number printed in the sample ballot book. But City Councilman Sam Spagnolo might have won the accessibility contest when he told voters his cell phone number at the last debate, which is being broadcast on channel 3 all month. 

The second City Council debate of the year will be on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The Alta Loma Riding Club, which doesn't endorse any candidate, will host the forum at Heritage Park located 5546 Beryl Street.

The riding club forum is typically more intimate and less structured than the one sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. It's held in the small community building and seating runs out quickly.

All seven candidates have been invited to the event. Each will be asked a question that concerns the equestrian community and residents living in the foothills -- mainly open space and quality of life issues. There will also be an opportunity for the public to ask some questions as well.    

The deadline for candidates running for election on Nov. 4 to file their campaign statements, or 460, was 6 p.m. yesterday. City Council candidates Dennis Gutierrez and Charles Shanks missed their deadline.

Incumbent Dennis Michael was the biggest spender of the group, having raised $6,800 and spending $17,245 in the period of July 1, 2008 to Sept. 30, 2008. Other candidates follows:


Joseph McCaffrey 460.pdf
L. dennis michael 460.pdf
Jim Moffatt 460.pdf

If you haven't visited the Archibald Library since its remodel, tomorrow might be a good time to bring the children. Buster Balloon will make an appearance at 7 p.m. at the Archibald Library's children's department. Free tickets are now available at both libraries.

Information: (909) 477-2720 ext. 5025

I paid a visit to the Cucamonga Valley Water District recently to see how the Frontier Project is shaping up and smelled wine.

The Frontier Project is an ambitious green building and one of the materials that will be used are wood planks from Filippi wine barrels. Talk about incorporating the city's viticultural past into the project.

The dark brown trellis seen in this artist rendering is how the redwood will be used. The wood will shade the building and provide a natural cooling system.

The Filippis city had $500,000 worth of this wood from wine barrels no longer in use and donated them to the Frontier Project. When it opens next fall, stick your nose in it, it smells like Zinfandel.

Vice President of the Frontier Project Foundation Jo Lynne Russo-Pereyra said about two inches worth of wine residue crystallized on the wood. I expected her to follow this with an offer for a tasting but I got a bottle of CVWD water instead. Refreshing, but no Zinfandel.

A preview of Tuesday's article on the sustainability showcase building follows.

[The wood was actually donated by the city. According to Gino Filippi, the city is the owner of the casks which the wood was sourced.]
 

Karl Rove, who will speak at a San Bernardino County Republican Party fundraiser at the Etiwanda Gardens on Friday, might get a friendlier reception here than in Claremont but it's too soon to tell. The event, spearheaded by Jim Brulte, begins at 3 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m.  5 p.m. 

The Backbone Campaign, the folks who brought you the chain gang pictured here, are already organizing a "welcome party" for Rove. Let's see how they will fare in this Republican city.

[Oct. 8: The sheriff's apparently are prepared.] 

What's your favorite street in this city? And don't say South Mainstreet just because Macy's is there.

The Planning Department wants to display the images you submit of your favorite street at City Hall to mark national community planning month in October.

Longtime resident Tony Cummings has a soft spot for Spruce Avenue. He snapped this photo of the tree lined street, the north-south artery running between Haven and Milliken. Spruce begins at the Best Western Hotel and Mimi's Cafe to the south and travels north past what Cummings believes to be well planned master communities before ending at Central Park. Cummings said even the drivers on Spruce seem more polite.

"It is as if the travelers on Spruce unconsciously do not want to harm the roadway," Cummings wrote in an e-mail.

If you have a street dear to your heart, call the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750.

The dual Macy's is celebrating its re-opening with a weekend full of activities starting today. Both of the Victoria Gardens anchors had been undergoing construction so that the women's store is separated from the men's, kid's and home departments.

The activities include a fashion show, baking lesson and mini makeovers. Spiderman will make an appearance for the children and Prince Charming will have a special shoe for ladies at the shoe department. If it fits, you get to keep the pair. Approach with caution, however, rumor has it that the prince has a foot fetish. The three-day schedule follows ... 
 

Today marks my third year covering Rancho for the Daily Bulletin. Back then, the city had just one library, one Macy's and one Chipotle.

Maybe I'm egotistical but I'd like to think that I've had a visible presence in this community, at least in places I cover like City Hall. Imagine my surprise when I got mail from the city's building and safety division today that was addressed to the Progress Bulletin.

The Prog, as you might know, was the Pomona based paper before it merged with the Daily Report to become the Daily Bulletin in 1990. Either someone at City Hall made a typo or they haven't changed their address labels in more than 18 years.

By the way, before the Prog, there was the Pomona Weekly Times, which first went to publication 126 years ago this month. History columnist Joe Blackstock wrote about it last year. If the PWT was still around, I wonder if it would have bloggers.

AccuWeather.com reports the powerful Pacific storm moving into the Pacific Northwest today will not only bring dramatic changes to the West, it will influence the weather across the country through early next week.

A weak storm system moved into the Northwest on Thursday, setting the stage for the second, more powerful storm arriving today. On Saturday, the precipitation fans out across the Intermountain West.

Satellite imagery shows a large plume of moisture streaming into the West Coast. Rain and wind will intensify through the day from northern California to the lower mainland of British Columbia. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph will lash coastal areas with the rain and strong surf adding to the nasty conditions.

According to AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet, the rain becomes less concentrated as it moves through the mountains. "The heavy rain on the coast turns to blotches of rain in the mountains," said Kocet.

Showers this weekend will reach into areas of California that have seen little or no rain since the spring, including Los Angeles and San Diego.

In addition to the rain,  the storm system will bring an end to the record-breaking heat across the west. Highs this weekend in Los Angeles will be in the mid-70s after the high on Wednesday in downtown L.A. reached 100 degrees.

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For a story on the weekend weather, check out my story in tomorrow's paper.

 

Our staff photographer Jennifer Cappuccio-Maher caught the smiles of Youcheng Zhang of Rancho Cucamonga, left, and Delbra Woodard of Fontana, as they celebrate their win during a table tennis match at the James L. Brulte Senior Center. Wanna join them? Give the senior center a call at (909) 477-2780.

Help the Inland Valley Foster Parents Association raise $50,000 for local children at the charity walk tomorrow. The Somebody Loves Me 5K Walk-a-thon starts at 9 a.m., with registration at 8 a.m., at the Central Park community center. Registration fee is $30. Money raised will go toward scholarships, tutoring, gifts and other resources for foster children.

Information: (909) 633-8472, (909) 518-1039, (909) 224-2073 

The controversy surrounding the armed forces banner program could have dragged on much longer but the city got a few breaks. First, an anonymous donor offered to fund a large portion of the program. Second, the company that makes the banners offered to incorporate the image of the service personnel on the banner at no additional cost. A photo was something Rex Gutierrez really wanted after seeing how nice they looked in Chino Hills.

Military families who apply for a banner by the end of this month will see their banners with the new design in November. Families with existing banners can submit a photo of the service member for a new banner. Call the redevelopment agency at 477-2700 or send an email to Donna Vega for more information.

The consensus is, the new banners are a marked improvement because the American flag background was just too busy. Compare for yourself.

UPDATED ARMED FORCES BANNER DESIGN-3.pdf
CURRENT ARMED FORCES BANNER DESIGN-2.pdf

An article to appear in Tuesday's paper follows.

Red Ribbon Week is one of the many ways Alta Loma School District promotes drug-free living.

The district will host Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31.

Wear your red and wear it proud!

 

Chicken -- it's what's for dinner.

Mark you calendars for and Parent Teacher Association family fun night to benefit Alta Loma School District schools on Oct. 15.

Banyan Elementary PTA will host their family night from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A, 12190 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.

Dine Out to benefit Jasper Elementary from 4 to 10 p.m. at Chick-fil-A at Colonies Crossroads in Upland.

Alta Loma School District is on its way to getting a new superintendent.

On Saturday the board will meet in closed session for superintendent interviews followed by  visiting the community of chosen candidate.

On Oct. 14 the board will meet in closed session again to  select superintendent.

Finally, the Alta Loma School board plans to announce who the district's new superintendent is at the Oct. 22 meeting.

 

 

I always thought the Rotary Club was a milquetoast kind of service club. It's got great intentions but a Rotary Club meeting isn't my idea of a Friday night.

Unless it's Oct. 17 when the club hosts the annual Texas Hold'em championship with a buy in at $150. The price, (credit cards accepted), includes a dinner buffet and unlimited beer, wine and soda. Woo-hoo!

The fun starts at 5 p.m. at Etiwanda Gardens located 7576 Etiwanda Ave. Proceeds go toward scholarships, libraries and other club sponsored charities.

Call Dick at (909) 463-6687 for questions about the event. Want to know more about the club? Send Joe Bert an e-mail.  

I'm a single gal with no immediate plans to have maternity in my destination. But it seems that everyone around me is pregnant (three baby showers in four months!) and they all gush about Destination Maternity, the boutique geared for moms-to-be. Even my editor, who's a man and not pregnant, wanted me to write about it.

I paid a visit to Destination Maternity, which is located in that area near Richie's Diner that's sorta Victoria Gardens but not really. I imagine it's hard for most expectant mothers to not spend money here because everything is so darn adorable. I especially liked the Dr. Seuss inspired onesies but they didn't have one my size.

Also notable are the maternity classes offered in conjunction with San Antonio Community Hospital. There are childbirth preparation, prenatal yoga and prenatal pilates courses offered at the store, which is at 12455 Victoria Gardens Lane.

Fees vary and pre-registration by calling (909) 980-2229 is required. Read on for the schedule and descriptions of October classes.

You might have seen the fire this afternoon in the southern part of the city.

Around 2 p.m., Brownwood Furniture on the 9800 block of Sixth Street caught fire. The blaze engulfed the roof and rear loading dock. About 40 firefighters from Rancho and Ontario fire departments got the fire under control in 30 minutes. The 80 employees who were inside evacuated safely.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Curves women's fitness centers in the Inland Empire are giving away a breast self-exam kit to women who try the new Curve workout systems during the month of October.

The free kits are being given away to promote October as National Breast Caner Awareness Month.

For a Curves near you go to www.inlandempirecurves.com or (877) 772-2287.

 

Learn more about how you can be safe during the year at the 2008 School Safety Summit Conference.

The free county wide event is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Ontario Police Department, 2500 S. Archibald Ave., Ontario.

The event will be presented by the Countywide Gangs and Drugs Task Force, in collaboration with the Law Enforcement and Education Partnership and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

California gang expert Alfonso Valdez of the University of California, Irvine, and Aquil Basheer, CEO of the BUILD Youth Empowerment Academy, will be two featured speakers.

Information: (909) 386-2902.

 

Who knew Post-It's are so poplar -- OfficeMax does.

As part of their nation-wide surprise event called 'A Day Made Better' OfficeMax delivered $1,000 worth of school supplies today to Annette Cortez's first-grade class at Bear Gulch Elementary School.

"This really helps me a lot because the more innovative you are the more supplies you need," Cortez said.

The teacher received everything from paper clips, permanent markers, highlighters, dry erase markers, tape, label maker, a brand new chair and a waterproof Olympus Stylus digital camera with added memory stick.

The surprise in-school ceremonies are part of the office supply retailer's campaign to eliminate teacher-funded classrooms, especially during this time of economic burned on school district across the nation.

More than 1,000 teachers across the nation were surprised today with donation of classroom supplies.

OfficeMax partners with Adopt-A-Classroom to identify school and teachers across the country, including Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands, for recognition of their dedication and innovative approaches to education on one day.

Looking for something cute, cuddly, fluffy and white -- then hop on over to the seventh annual Bunny Expo.

The Bunny Bunch is pleased to announce their biggest fundraiser of the year, Bunny Expo 2008, an education and adoption event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 4601-1 Brooks Street, Montclair.

Bunny Expo 2008 gives potential pet owners opportunity to visit adoptable bunnies, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.

If you already have a guinea pig or a bunny, they could probably use a honey! The expo will have bunny and piggy dating, so bring your little friend by to find their perfect match.

The event will also include free nail trims, light grooming, and free care information.

Be sure to snack at the Hop Café.

There will be a large silent auction, as well as a bunny photo contest.

The categories in the photo contest are "cutest bunny butt", "funny bunny", and "cutest pair or group".

Bunny Expo 2008 will also be where we debut our 2009 bunny calendar, which features bunnies adopted from the Bunny Bunch.

Also, don't miss a talk by Sari Kanfer D.V.M. on how to care for sick and aging bunnies.

While you're at Bunny Expo be sure to check out the Bunny Bunch Boutique, which has everything that your bunny could possibly want, as well as adorable bunny items for you.

Information: Caroline Charland, (909) 631-9552.

Meet your local school board members, candidates and elected officials at the West End Chapter of the California Parents Association of America Parent Town Hall Meeting.

An informal panel discussion to talk about the state of education in San Bernardino County will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Ontario City Library, Room 1, 215 East C St, Ontario.

Join Upland School Board member candidate Bob Bennett, San Bernardino County School Board candidate Randall Ceniceros, Mountain View School District candidate Cathy Cooke Ontario-Montclair School Board member candidate Moe Mendoza, Pomona Mayor and State Assembly candidate Norma Torres and Chaffey Joint School Board Member candidate Andrea Woore.

Come let your voices be heard to key decision makers and raise issues of concern to you and your children.

Mark your calendars for the following upcoming events: Special education advocacy workshop on Oct. 18 and an Education Rally on Oct. 28.

Information: Andrea Woore, (909) 261-3487 or Martina Ortega, (909) 983-3581.

 

A long day of meetings begin at 3 p.m. today when the public works subcommittee consisting of Dennis Michael and Diane Williams will discuss markers and restriction signs on the Pacific Electric Trail.

At 4 p.m., the newly formed abandoned residential property subcommittee consisting of Dennis Michael and Sam Spagnolo will review a draft vacant and abandoned residential property registration ordinance.

Finally at 7 p.m., the City Council will have its regular meeting. Items on the agenda include a General Plan amendment to change the land use designation at Base Line Rooad and San Carmela Court from neighborhood commercial to medium residential in order for 67 condo units to be built. The council will also discuss replacing the current military banners with new ones that feature a photo of the service person.