January 2009 Archives

A group of Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino accounting students are offering help to low income residents and seniors with their taxes. The free tax clinic, for those with a gross income of $60,000 or less, will take place at Northtown Community Center on 10071 Feron Blvd every Saturday from Feb. 7 to April 11 (closed on Feb. 14). The students are trained to prepare basic federal and state tax returns and will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Similar clinics will take place at the Boys & Girls Club in Fontana, Pomona and other sites.

Information: 1-888-435-7565 or visit the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Web site. 

It's hard not to feel second-rate at Famous Dave's, the barbecue restaurant on Fourth Street. EVERYBODY there is famous at that "legendary" eatery.

During a recent lunch, my perky waitress introduced herself. "Hi, I'm famous Shelly and I'll be your server today."

"Hi, I'm Wendy, a not-so-famous reporter and I'll be your crestfallen customer today," I wanted to say.

I picked up a business card on my way out, in case I want to do take-out next time. It was the general manager's card -- "Famous James Nille."

Daily Bulletin has a version of a famous Dave, who blogged about the restaurant last summer. You can read it here.

Sympathies to Chris, a Rancho resident, who recently asked this question on this blog. Vegan options are few and far between in this neck of the woods. Might I suggest you move to Santa Cruz, the beautiful city where I once lived and where I would regularly trip over vegan pizzas because there were that many.

Most vegan eateries, like Bright Star in Rancho and vegetarian eateries like Veggie Era in Upland and Veggie Tea House in San Dimas are of the Asian ilk.

While most pizza places are happy to make you a pizza sans meat and cheese, their crust may contain milk and eggs. The sauce at Boston's is vegan, for example, but the crust is not. However, Janet Forgrieve, spokeswoman for the Fourth Street pizza restaurant said in May, the chain will launch a whole wheat dough that has no animal products. The restaurant will also launch a gluten-free crust but that one has eggs.

If Bright Star, the lone vegan joint in this city, is your cup of tea, you might want to give it some business. I drove by there last night at 6 and 8 p.m. and it was completely empty. The establishment was David Allen's restaurant of the week earlier this month in his blog.

You can also explore the options in food blog Dine 909, which did an entry on vegetarian options in Inland Empire restaurants.    

H&M, the trendy Euro chic retailer that once gathered long queues during the grand openings of California's first stores, is coming to Victoria Gardens. The Swedish retailer is the only store, in my opinion, that The Shoppes in Chino Hills has over Victoria Gardens. The Rancho store will have men's and women's clothing, an advantage over the Chino Hills location, which has only women's.

The retailer has an avid following, partly because of its low prices. When H&M first opened in Pasadena, Costa Mesa and Woodland Hills, fans lined up hours prior to the grand opening. I can't imagine that happening at Victoria Gardens. In addition to the Chino Hills location, there are stores in Montclair Plaza, Brea Mall and Galleria at Tyler in Riverside.

No opening date yet set but Victoria Gardens marketing director Masa Liles said H&M could begin occupying the space within a week. It will be located at the former Impressions retailer, in the vicinity of American Apparel.

Joe Alex Cavalier of Victorville reads a copy of The Chaffey Review during the launch party at the Wignall Museum Monday night.






Thomas Cordova/Staff Photographer


Literary journal The Chaffey Review, which features works by current and former Chaffey students and other writers, was unveiled this week. You can get a copy at the Chaffey College bookstore for $5. Here are a few poems pulled from the 154-page review:

Visiting Dachau
by John Kay

Our old terrier plods across
the gravel roll--call field

under a hot summer sun,
when a blonde, teenage girl

approaches, offering a bottle
of spring water--for the dog.

My wife cups her hands,
my son pours the water,

and I struggle to catch what
spills before it touches the

ground--an infraction that brings
an instant beating or death.


Identity
by Brian McConnell

Running my fingers curiously over a small purple bruise just above the ankle while the television echoes: Reagan Re-elected.

Dancing to Diana Ross high on coke, on life, on lust.

Cramped into a bar on Christopher Street, crying a riotous flood of ruby red tears.

Sitting in a nervous circle in a small house in Silverlake defying the world -- doors locked -- blinds shut -- whispering an explosion: I'm gay too.

Strapped into a chair shocked with volts of discipline every time I "respond" to a passing picture of a beautiful man.

Stitching a pink triangle onto my jacket, repulsed by the clashing colors.

Entertaining the bourgeoisie New Yorkers crazy for a light footed pansy with wit.

Apple martinis and cigarettes -- this bar on the corner of Santa Monica and Robertson -- this Saturday afternoon.

Rod Hoops, who led Rancho's police department for five years starting 1997, was picked to fill the remaining two years of Sheriff Gary Penrod's term. The county supervisors made the unanimous vote earlier today.

"I couldn't think of anyone more prepared to step into Sheriff Penrod's shoes than Rod Hoops," said Supervisor Paul Biane, who was on the City Council when Hoops was captain. "I saw the day-to-day, top-to-bottom way he ran the police department for the city of Rancho Cucamonga."

Read more on the Breaking News blog.

 

Victoria Gardens is launching a kids club on Saturday with a party hosted by a dinosaur mascot named Shadow. The party at Chaffey Town Square starts 10 a.m. and will feature singers Brandon Kane and Neenah Taylor. There will be games, prizes and an opportunity to sign up for the VG Kidz membership club. Members will get the VIP treatment at various children's events, movies screenings and birthday parties. The Web site www.vgkidz.com will also launch Saturday. 

Ah, my kind of guy. Too bad the only way I'll meet him is to get a job delivering pizzas.

That romantic quote came from Alf Whit and appeared at the start of a Boston's press release announcing the sale of their heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine's Day. The pizza restaurant/sports bar on Fourth Street, will be selling them on Feb. 12 to 14. A small heart-shaped pizza will go from $8.79 to $14.49 depending on the toppings. A medium will set you back anywhere from $12.99 to $20.99. In other words, it'll be a cheap date.

Boston's will donate $1 from each pie sold to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.

When it comes to planning policies, Rancho residents aren't shy about airing their opinions, Sam Gennawey, the city-hired General Plan consultant, told me.

The Planning Department is gathering input on how the city should be developed in the next 10 years as it conducts its General Plan update. Gennawey said one Rancho lover is so enamored by the city that he wants a cemetery built so he can be buried here. Talk about devotion.

More than 700 people who live, work and play in the city filled out a "visioneering" card last year and identified key issues facing the city. The results of the poll can be found here:

VisioneeringResults.pdf 

The majority responses are typical. For instance, 162 people thought traffic was one of the two most important issues facing the city. Ninety people were most pessimistic about overcrowding.

The minority opinion is much more interesting. When asked to complete the sentence "When I think about Rancho's future, I am most optimistic about ...," five Debbie Downers said, "not optimistic." Maybe that crowd should hang out with the 17 who said nothing was unique about where they lived.

Also noteworthy: There were two people who thought the septic system made the place where they live unique. And when asked to finish the statement, "When I think about Rancho's future, I am most pessimistic about ...," one person said, "too much diversity."

Want to know more about the General Plan process or tell the Planning Department you want a cemetery, too? Visit www.rcgeneralplan.com. 

The Rising Stars Foundation is having an auction to benefit severely autistic children at the Magic Lamp Inn restaurant on Feb. 8. Participants can drop off items to be auctioned off that day from 8 to 10 a.m. Lunch and cocktails will be served from 11 a.m. to noon, with the auction starting at noon. All items will start at $1.

Call Tracy Romanow (909) 484-3323 for more information.

Wishing RC Now readers a happy year of the ox. Chinese New Year's Day is today.

I just learned that our new president was born in the year of the ox. Not only that, according to an Asian American Journalist Association article, Obama is an "earth ox" and so is this upcoming year. That means, Obama will stumble upon lots of luck this year, if he's Chinese.

This blogger, by the way, is a dragon. If you don't know which animal of the Chinese zodiac you belong to, check the place mat of your local Chinese restaurant.

Other oxen leaders include Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher, Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler. Yikes.  

The "Imagine No Religion" billboard, a source of much controversy in this city, is now up in Hollywood near the intersection of Fountain and Highland avenues.

It's nearly identical to the one that went up on Foothill and Archibald, near The Deli. That sign, put up by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, lasted less than a week because motorists who drove by were offended and complained to the city and sign company.

The Hollywood sign is the first to go up in Southern California since the Rancho one was taken down in November. But the foundation, which bills itself as the largest group of atheists and agnostics in the nation with 2,000 members in California, has been busy in other corners of the country.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the foundation, said there are several billboards planned to commemorate Darwin's bicentennial. The sign will feature a silhouette of the evolutionary biologist with the message, "Praise Darwin. Evolve beyond belief."

There are currently 10 "Imagine No Religion" signs in Portland and three in San Francisco.

Late registration for Vineyard Little League will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Etiwanda Intermediate School, 6925 Etiwanda Ave. Registration forms can be downloaded here.
 
Information: (909) 899-9630

All signs say yes, unfortunately.

A friend told me during my lunch hour today that the fancy French/Italian bistro is having its last night tonight. I called during business hours and got the machine telling me to call back during business hours. Then I went on its Web site and tried to make an online reservation, only to be told that the restaurant was offline. So like a gal who just doesn't get that he's not all that into you, I drove to the Masi Plaza eatery from my Ontario newsroom and found a darkened restaurant. There was no sign announcing a closure, no note thanking its customers. It was like being dumped through a mutual friend. No letter, not even a text message.

But Le Bellissimo and I weren't even dating. Wine expert Gino Filippi told me on several occasions that it was a swell restaurant. But with Kobe beef and coq au vin on the menu (the dish pictured is their venison), Le Bellissimo wasn't really a restaurant I would go to by myself. I kept hoping that a Prince Charming with a palate for expensive wines would fall from the sky and take me to Le Bellissimo. Sigh. I waited too long and now the restaurant has become the latest recession victim.

At the City Council meeting tonight, Masa Liles, the marketing director for Victoria Gardens (or as Liles calls it, VG) unveiled the new KIDZ Club, a marketing effort aimed for children.

The club, which will be unveiled on Jan. 31, will feature special birthday parties, kids meals and other specials to lure young families to VG.

Liles said the average age of shoppers at other shopping centers is 37 but at VG, the average age is 30. So at the very young age of 32, yours truly is officially too old to hang out at VG. Maybe I can spend my lunch hour at the Brulte Senior Center. I hear their meat loaf is not bad.

At the City Council meeting tonight, which coincides with the season premiere of "Lost," the Planning Department will give an update of the General Plan revision process and the city will consider amending the drainage improvement fee provisions. The City Council is also expected to revise its street parking regulation to discourage motorists from parking on the street for 72 hours, then moving it as little as 1 foot forward. (Yes, that happens.) The regulation, if passed tonight, will require motorists to move the car two-tenths of a mile within 72 hours.

The City Council was scheduled to hear the appeal of Pepper's Mexican Restaurant but the item was postponed until March 4.

Mayor Don Kurth is absent today because he is in Washington D.C.

Local performers are encouraged to audition for "Spotlight on RC," the annual talent show taking place at the Lewis Family Playhouse on March 28. The auditions will be on 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, but you must sign up by Thursday, Jan. 22.

Semi-finalists chosen from Sunday's auditions will reprise their acts on the Lewis Family Playhouse stage during the library semi-annual telethon. The final ten acts will be selected to perform in the March 28 show.

Performers with music skills or comedy and novelty acts are encouraged to audition. RSVP for a spot by calling (909) 477-2775 ext. 3736. 
   

I commented in this space last week about the new British bus ads that read "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." The British Humanist Assn. received an outpouring of funds for the ads but the scene in Italy is apparently much different.

The Times reported that conservatives in Genoa voiced strong opposition against a bus ad that reads, "The bad news is that God doesn't exist. The good news is that you don't need him." The ad was set to run on the city's buses but a publicity agency changed its mind saying the message violated an ethics in advertising code. 

Rancho Cucamonga High School Principal Kern Oduro had a goal today.

"I told myself I wasn't going to cry," he said. "I'm just going to enjoy the day and maybe go home to my wife and cry."

Oduro, a Ghana native, started the day reminding students through the intercom to emulate the hard work and integrity that brought Barack Obama to his inauguration this morning. Then he watched the speech with a group of U.S. history students with pursed lips and eyes brimming with emotion.

This morning was a poignant moment for all Americans, whether they were witnessing history in DC or on TV. But for many blacks like Oduro, the day has a special brand of personal significance that words fail to describe. Oduro said his father used to tell stories about coming to the U.S. in the 1960s and defiantly jumping into community swimming pools that prohibited blacks.

"That someone of African heritage can achieve this and be president ... it's huge," Oduro said.

 I think at least for the day, tears are allowed.

 

He is seen here drilling a hole for a fire extinguisher holder at the Riverside Community Center and then with Dee at the Marvin Gaye Park. Props to the couple for volunteering but I wished they brought along a copy of the Daily Bulletin so they can hold it up in the photo. Maybe next time, Don.

Read on for more about MLK Day in Kurth's point of view. 

Gregory Puetz blew smoke in my face.

He wasn't being rude. I asked him to do it.

From his Rancho office, he puffed away on his electronic cigarette and I tried to decipher some kind of scent that would offend the most sensitive nonsmoker. But alas, the smoke was just water vapor. It was like sticking my nose under a mister at the amusement park.

Puetz is demonstrating his product in this picture shot by staff photographer Jennifer Cappuccio Maher. The glow is not fire but an LED light.

In case you missed it, I wrote a story in Sunday's paper about Puetz selling the electronic cigarette. It's weird, so weird that I had to try it.

I asked Puetz to set the cigarette to the "no nicotine" level because I quit smoking two years ago. (You can set it also to low, medium or high.) The battery operated e-cigarette (or as one British reporter from the Guardian puts it, e-fag) is made out of stainless steel with liquid nicotine and a flavoring called propylene glycol inside. I didn't get the effects of a cigarette, since it was sans nicotine, but you get the sensation of smoking.

You dangle it between your fingers, inhale, exhale, then repeat. It tastes sweeter than a cigarette but it's tobacco-ish. I guess it's a cigarette version 2.0.

Puetz hopes that as cities like Rancho begins restricting outdoor smoking, his electronic cigarette will flourish. You can smoke it inside, he said, because it's not really smoking.

But the e-cig is relatively unknown in the U.S. and I would be too self conscious to smoke this indoors even if there is no odor. Can you imagine, puffing away inside a restaurant or on a plane and blowing out water vapor? Honest, this isn't really a cigarette, you would have to explain every two minutes. It's just too many conversations than I care to have with strangers and stern flight attendants.

Besides, I quit smoking two years ago.  

Wine expert Michael Biane will give his monthly "Michael Speaks ... About Wine" dinner on Wednesday at the Pierre Biane Winery building from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Cost is $65 and includes a meal catered by Impressions Gourmet and wine tasting. The winery is located on 8th Street between Archibald and Hermosa.

Biane, whose family founded the Brookside Winery, will present a number of local wines and offer a historical perspective of area wineries. For reservations, call Jewel Promo Group at (909) 262-4747 or visit www.michaelbiane.com.

A page-a-day calendar on my desk featuring stupid things people say has once again made me realize how much I'll miss President Bush.

"Wow! Brazil is big," Bush said, after the Brazilian president showed him a map of the South American nation.

And don't forget ...

"Russia's big and so is China," Bush said, at the G-8 Summit.

If Obama can give us hungry-for-humor journalists just one of these gems in the next four years, I'll be happy.

Many community leaders are urging those who have a day off on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to spend it volunteering, just like the late civil rights leader would have wanted. Rancho resident Russ Warner, who most recently ran against Rep. David Dreier for Congress, shared with me his thoughts for Monday:

Although I was just a young boy when John F. Kennedy became president of the United States, his election had a profound impact on me. It was then I realized that the success or failure of our great nation rests in the hands of each and every American.

No other president has had such a huge influence on me, until now. That's why I have been counting down the days, hours and minutes until Barack Obama's inauguration Tuesday.

Like JFK, President-elect Obama recognizes we must work together to effect positive change. In his own inaugural address, Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." In the same vein, President-elect Obama has called on each and every one of us to spend the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in service to our communities.

In and around my own community there's a wide range of activities to take part in, from giving blood at the Red Cross in Pomona, participating in the creation of a beautiful mural in Montclair or volunteering with literacy programs at the Foothill Family Shelter in Upland. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood by visiting the National Day of Service Web site at www.usaservice.org.

If you are able, I urge you to help and remember the words of President-elect Obama: "We are one people: we are one nation; and together we will begin the next great chapter in America's story."

Lots of luck to Don Marcos, the Mexican restaurant set to open Jan. 19 on 10276 Foothill Blvd. Owner Mark Alan, right, and General Manager Juan De La O are optimistic despite restaurants all around them shuttering. They believe the closings of Zendejas, Bobby Bajas, Los Campanas and others have left Mexican food fans hungry.

I studied the Don Marcos menu and it looks like standard Mexican fare with several creative, regional dishes thrown in. Few things on the fairly extensive menu were more than $15. A typical meal might look like this: nachos ($6.99), albondigas soup ($5.99), picadillo burrito ($7.99), carne asada con camarones ($16.99, it's the most expensive dish on the menu), a slice of Mexican cheesecakes ($3.99) and soft drinks ($2.49). There's also a kid's menu with six items including the typical tacos and quesadillas for $4.99. In the near future, Alan wants to start a Sunday champagne brunch buffet costing in the $15 range.

Judging from the prices, would you eat here?

Leading up to the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, the Daily Bulletin will profile several Inland Valley residents attending the ceremonies in Washington D.C.

The first of seven stories on the upcoming event was about Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Don Kurth.

In the story, he said he plans to take advantage of the trip by speaking with area federal representatives about Obama's bailout package.

Kurth also plans to attend several events and catch up with his former Harvard Kennedy School of Government classmates. One event is a party given by some of his Harvard "buddies" asking everyone to come dressed up as a United State political figure, mistress, the nation's founders or CNN political star.

The trip, which Kurth is paying for out of his pocket, began Thursday and concludes Jan.21

The Mayor will be accompanied by his wife on the trip and will stay with her relatives to keep the price of their vacation costs down.

"Everything in Washington was booked and everything 50 miles out of the area is also booked," Kurth said.

The couple began saving for their trip back in December and although Kurth said the trip is a little pricey "it is worth it."

Kurth has picked out his suit for the Inaugural Black Tie Gala, but his wife is still on the search for a dress.

"She's picked out a dress that we'll bring with us but when she gets there, she's also going to shop for one," he said.

Although the couple is registered opposite political parties -- Kurth a Republican, his wife a Democrat -- he said in the end it doesn't matter.

"Whether you voted for him or not we need to get behind him and work to get our country back on track," he said.

For the original story click here. 

San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane released this statement in regards to the arrest of Assessor Bill Postmus this afternoon:

"First, I want to assure residents that the arrest of Assessor Bill Postmus today will in no way impact operations in the Office of the Assessor. Employees who work in the office are fully qualified to keep it operating effectively and efficiently so there will be absolutely no disruption in service.

"If Bill, as it appears, is still struggling with drug addiction, it's my hope he will take the appropriate steps to truly address his problem. He should not continue this battle while dealing with the many pressures associated with public office. Bill must devote his full time and attention to overcoming the demons that are apparently continuing to haunt him."

From San Bernardino Sun reporter Stacia Glenn on the arrest of Rancho resident and county assessor Bill Postmus, whose booking photo from this morning is shown.

Assessor Bill Postmus was arrested this morning after investigators found methamphetamine in his Rancho Cucamonga house while serving a search warrant for an ongoing investigation related to possible abuse of his authority as a county official.

About 50 San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office investigators and investigative technicians served 10 search warrants in six cities, including San Bernardino, Highland, Apple Valley, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga and Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County.

District Attorney spokeswoman Susan Mickey said she could not disclose specific locations. But she did confirm that a search warrant was also served at the office of Jim Erwin, a former assistant assessor who now serves as Supervisor Neil Derry's chief of staff.

Derry confirmed receiving a courtesy call from District Attorney Michael A. Ramos, informing him that investigators were serving search warrants at the office of his top staffer.

Postmus, who has been under investigation following a grand jury report released last June that found he misused the power of his office, was arrested at 7:10 a.m. on suspicion of possession of paraphernalia and felony possession of methamphetamine.

Postmus was booked at 10:47 a.m. at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Bail was set at $11,450.

The Ontario Fire Department will play a charity game against the Fire Department of New York this Saturday at the Citizen's Bank Arena. The 16 New York firefighters will be staying in this city at the Aloft Hotel, which was lauded by our mayor in his State of the City speech yesterday. They're scheduled to arrive at noon today, in case men in uniforms are your thing.

The Saturday match benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Fund starts at 3 p.m., as reported in Ontario Now. There will be a special fire truck display in the arena parking lot.

                                                                             Thomas Cordova/Staff Photographer

Mayor Don Kurth gave his State of the City speech this afternoon to a group of city, business, school and water district representatives at the Red Hill Country Club. He touched on the challenges of the rocky economy but remained mainly optimistic that a turn-around is near. The event will be shown on Channel 3 but not for another four to six weeks, according to Charter's cameraman/editor. Until then, here's the complete speech, which followed an introduction by Chamber of Commerce Chairman Haig Jamgotchian.


Thank you Haig, and let me also thank the Chamber Board and staff and the wonderful
people of the Red Hill Country Club for hosting us here today.

Before I begin, I would like to recognize and thank my colleagues for working closely
with me this year. They are Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Michael, Council members Rex
Gutierrez, Sam Spagnolo and Diane Williams.

And, I can't forget my wife Dee, thank you for your love and support.

My fellow citizens, two years ago I stood before you and delivered my first state of the
city speech. In that speech I highlighted the many accomplishments we were making
as a city and our vision for the years to come.

And while we have diligently followed our vision, things are much different today than
we -- or anybody for that matter -- could have imagined. Our national and state
economy is in turmoil, and the American economy is threatened. Today, more
Americans are out of work or are facing downsizing and cuts in their respective
industries. Some families have lost their homes, and even more are seeing their home
values plummet. These realities are hitting every city in America and Rancho
Cucamonga is no exception.

Senior readers are invited to join a new book club that will meet the third Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. No sign-ups are necessary and the meetings will be held in the Crafter's Den at the Brulte Senior Center at Central Park.

Information: (909) 477-2720

The library is looking for volunteers to help deliver books to homebound residents for its house calls program. The program offers books and other library materials to homebound residents free of charge. If you have a few hours each week to spare and reliable transportation, you can apply by calling (909) 477-2720 ext. 5023 or download the application here.  

HandsOn, a volunteer initiative by the Inland Empire United Way, is encouraging the community to volunteer their time on a service project to mark Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Many volunteer opportunities are planned across the Inland Valley that day with one in this city.

Knitters are encouraged to sign up and spend about two hours to help create a "unity quilt" for low-income seniors. The event is at the Coffee Klatch, 8916 Foothill Blvd, on Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Go online to register or to find out more information.

Martin Luther King, by the way, would have turned 80 this year. Most government agencies will be closed Jan. 19, including City Hall.

The British Humanist Assn. has unveiled its ad "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." The sign will be displayed on 800 buses this month.

The Times today did a Q&A with Richard Dawkins, the author of "The God Delusion." It seems the Brits have welcomed this ad more than residents in this city probably would. The "Imagine No Religion" billboard, which was taken down after a few days, offended many. But in Britain, nonbelievers donated a total of 130,000 pounds (about $195,000) for the ad. The Times explained it best. Britain is a "secular country that finds religious fervor a tad awkward."

You might have noticed a large plume of smoke near Foothill and Baker this afternoon.

Rancho firefighters put out a vegetation fire around 1 p.m. this afternoon in the drainage channel north of Foothill and east of Baker. The blaze was near a homeless encampment, the site of another fire last Friday. There were no injuries in either fires.

Nearly 20 firefighters responded to the one-acre fire this afternoon.

Thanks to reader Jennifer Lynn Nguyen for sending the pic.

I wasn't aware that Bobby Baja's, the Mexican eatery on Vineyard and Foothill, closed on Dec. 16 until reader Bob Terry mentioned it on this blog.

Bobby's was a popular joint, most known for its restaurant-styled tacos at fast food prices on Tuesdays. The scent from the kitchen was always hard to ignore at the Thomas Winery plaza. You drive in wanting caffeine at The Coffee Klatch and you end up driving away with a cappuccino and three fish tacos.

Word is the owner might keep the catering side of the business but is still uncertain.



John Valenzuela/Staff 

Ring in the Year of the Ox at the Biane Library on Jan. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets for the Chinese New Year festival are free and can be picked up starting today at the Biane Library information desk. See flier here.

The event will showcase lion dancers, martial arts experts, a feng shui discussion, storytelling and arts projects for children and teens. Call (909) 477-2720 for more info.

Lunar New Year, by the way, is on Jan. 26 making Sunday, Jan. 25 new year's eve. One more reason to party.

The annual State of the City speech, which will take place at Red Hill Country Club on Jan. 14, is sold out. But the Chamber of Commerce is starting a waiting list and you can get on it by calling (909) 987-1012.

The cost for lunch and the opportunity to hear Mayor Don Kurth speak is $30. 

With a face like this, how can you discipline him?

Don't let the adorable face fool you, said Nancy Turnage, a dog behavioral therapist for Bark Busters. Labradors like this and the one featured on "Marley & Me" need discipline or else they get out of control.

The Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson film has put the unique behavior of Labs in the spotlight. Turnage said the movie will not likely spawn a mad dash to buy Labs the way "101 Dalmatians" did. The flick certainly paints a picture of a high-energy and hard to manage dog.

Frenzy or not, the dog made at least one man from Orange resort to desperate measures. Right before Christmas, the man went into a Pet City and stole a 3-month-old yellow Labrador worth $1,300.

Somehow, I don't think he was planning to pay for dog training.

For more info on how Turnage trains Labs, read the article in Saturday's paper. You can also call Turnage at (909) 969-3699 or e-mail her.

I've written in this space about the City Council's wish to tighten smoking regulations. It seems that the Los Angeles City Council is pondering a similar ban.

According to an article in today's Times, a measure that would ban smoking on restaurant patios or within 10 feet outside any establishment could go in effect this summer.

Staff members in Rancho Cucamonga are currently researching legislation that would restrict smoking in places like Victoria Gardens and outdoor patios. The City Council also wants to look into increasing the percentage of smoke-free apartment units and hotel rooms required by owners.

Good news -- Victoria Gardens shoppers can keep their dual Macy's.

Macy's announced closures of 11 underperforming stores today. The Macy's Citicorp Plaza on Seventh Street in Los Angeles is among the victims. The other closures are in Colorado, Florida and other states.

The Rancho Cucamonga Women's Connection is having a luncheon Jan. 13th at 11:15 a.m. at the Upland Hills Country Club.

Susan Anderson, singer and associate producer for the Young Americans Performing Group and soloist Dianne Jackson will be key speakers.

The Country Club is at 1231 E. 16th St., Upland.

Cost is $16 for a meal and presentation.

For more information, call Joan at (909) 949-2837 or Cecilia at (909) 987-7069 or visit http://www.stonecroft.org/

Judging from comments on this blog, there are Rex fans, Rex foes and one who wants Rex to run for mayor of Los Angeles. I assume they might be interested in Councilman Rex Gutierrez's new blog, "Rex's Blog -- Thoughts, and news from day to day," which is through his online publication Vineyard Press.

The councilman has written four posts so far -- most of them are about his family and beloved USC Trojans. He also writes about matters of the city which he subtitles "Rex, and the city."

It's an amusing read with some touching sentiments about seeing his daughter off to college. Some disappointments, though. For one, there's bad comma usage. Also, he mentions reading the L.A. Times without saying a thing about the Daily Bulletin. And as a Mormon (or as he calls it "Christian of the Latter-day Saint persuasion"), Gutierrez really should have elaborated on his visit to Rexburg, home of Brigham Young University Idaho.

A group of about 20 Norm MacKenzie supporters came to the City Council meeting this evening to applaud the former Chamber of Commerce president and give him a standing ovation.

At the meeting, the City Council presented MacKenzie with a proclamation, thanking him for his 10 years of service.

MacKenzie left the chamber a month ago. He told me, "The chamber wanted to go in one direction, I wanted to go in another." MacKenzie said he will remain active in the community and work as a consultant for neighboring chambers.

The city has decided to start contract talks with ConFire (Consolidated Fire Agencies of the East Valley) to provide communication and emergency medical dispatch services for the city. That means, the city will let its current contract with the city of Ontario's dispatch center run out.

At the special meeting this afternoon, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bell put it this way: "This is a huge move for our organization. ... I've likened this to when Brooklyn Dodgers left to L.A. It's got that kind of emotional bent to it," Bell said.

The City Council voted 4-0 ,with Councilman Rex Gutierrez absent, to hire ConFire.

 

                                                                        Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Photographer

I always thought the city's first Fresh & Easy would be either on Foothill and Vineyard or Haven and Church -- two locations that are being planned. I was wrong.

The U.K.-based grocer, which opened a new store in Chino Hills today, will open a location on Foothill and Day Creek in the plaza where BevMo and REI are. The site was once occupied by Drexel Heritage furniture store.

Carol Plowman, the broker of that center, said the lease was recently signed and the store is expected to open by June.

Possible changes to communications and emergency medical dispatch services will be discussed during a 2 p.m. special meeting in the City Council chambers today.

Several community members will be honored during the 7 p.m. City Council meeting tonight. Norm MacKenzie, who recently left the Chamber of Commerce, will receive a proclamation. Martin Dickey, who resigned after 10 years serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission, will be honored. Finally, Maegan Ridley, fresh from her victory in the Miss Rodeo America contest, will be recognized.

Later, the City Council is expected to appoint Janet Ryerson to fill Dickey's seat on the Park and Recreation Commission.

Columnist David Allen wrote about three Victoria Gardens eateries closing -- Nathan's, Wapango and Sisley -- on his blog today.

With Don Marcos opening, that's like taking one step forward, three steps back.

Or even better, chain link fence around an empty restaurant no more.

Don Marcos, a new Mexican restaurant taking over the former Whole Enchilada on Foothill near Center, looks geared toward a grand opening. Economic Development Manager Mike Nelson tells me the owner of Don Marcos is Mark Alan, the former owner of McAlan's Pub & Grill.

Buena suerte, Mark. This blogger prays you have a killer shrimp cocktail on the menu.

 

Of all the 2008 news recaps that writers and pundits have been publishing in recent weeks, my favorite nugget o' news comes from my editor Steve Lambert (I'm not sucking up, I swear!), who wrote about Rancho's right-wing darling Jim Brulte and his preference for a shirtless Obama over a shirtless Putin. In a Drudge Report poll on which politician/stud we'd like to see shirtless, Brulte wrote, "I will be damned if I am going to let a godless thug like Putin beat our President Elect in anything."

I love seeing politicians, or former politicians, cross party lines. This is change I can believe in.

In a recent hour-long interview I had with Councilwoman Diane Williams, who's a Republican, on city matters, about 30 minutes were spent on how babelicious our shirtless leader looked in Hawaii. (Most of the talking was done by the interviewer.)

"He's a hunk," Williams said and quickly followed with, "and don't you print that. ... Well, go ahead. I'm too old for that to matter."

As a woman who tries very hard to be a serious journalist, looking at a photo so easy on the eyes is not easy for me.

We all know: paparazzi = bad. Sensational journalism = bad. But look at him. This is the change of clothing I can believe in.

When news of a teetering economy first surfaced, Sen. Bob Dutton asked me why we in the mainstream press (and I just love speaking on behalf of the entire mainstream press) didn't write about the severity of a recession but instead concentrated on who's sleeping with whom and what Michelle Obama was wearing.

I must say it's a common criticism and I have no good answer. But can't we have both? In a time when we can't seem to finish a sentence without the words "foreclosure," "layoffs" or "bailout," can't we let our eyes linger on this shirtless Obama for a little longer? I think even Brulte would say that's alright.   

This year, I resolve to come up with better New Year's resolutions. Eating better and exercising more is so passe. Plus, who keeps those resolutions anyways?

This year, I will try my darndest not to smoke. And it's not because the mayor frowns on it or that I can't afford to but because after quitting two years ago, it would be such a shame to fall off the wagon now. So resolution #1, no smoking. Not even when the City Council meetings run past midnight or the computer crashes during a flash of brilliance.

This year, I will stop complaining about lengthy City Council meetings. Covering them is my job, something I get paid to sit through. So resolution #2, no more complaining. Not even when the mayor gives a long soliloquy on the hazards of smoking or when the meeting is scheduled during the season premiere of "Lost."

And finally, I will try to stop blogging about myself. RC Now is supposed to be a daily news source for Rancho Cucamonga. So resolution #3, stop talking about yourself. Nobody cares!