March 2009 Archives

An item in "Education Now" on Page A5 on March 23 had an incorrect date for the next Etiwanda School District board meeting. 

The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. April 7 at the district office, 6061 East Ave., Rancho Cucamonga. 

For a schedule of board meetings, visit www.etiwanda.k12.ca.us or call (909) 899-2451.

RC Now will return on April 6, after a two-week paid/unpaid vacation which I'll call "furlocation." I am going on a trip to Baja California where I will go whale watching, scuba diving and drug lord dodging. Wish me luck. 

 
You can follow Hopkins' company on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and Flickr. Or you can just good old fashion e-mail him.

The Missoula Children's Theatre is hosting auditions for the production of "The Little Mermaid" on March 23 at 3 p.m. About 50 roles are available for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Most students cast will be expected to rehearse about 4 hours every day, Monday through Friday, in preparation for the March 27 show. A fee of $60; $70 for non-residents will be charged to those in the production.

"The Little Mermaid" will be staged at the Lewis Family Playhouse on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling (909) 477-2752.

Information: (909) 477-2775 ext. 3736

The Rancho Cucamonga-based Kevin R. Blandford Memorial Pipe Band will give a concert at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel at 4 p.m. on March 29. "Pipes of Spring" will present an afternoon of traditional bagpipe and drum music. Tickets can be purchased online for $20; $15 for seniors and students; $10 for children 5 to 12.

Information: (909) 474-7764 or send an e-mail to info@blandfordbands.org  

The Cucamonga Valley Water District board will vote on two water conservation ordinances on March 24 at 6 p.m. at the district office located 10440 Ashford St. The ordinances will address possibly penalties during severe water shortage and recommendations for conservation. Read more about the ordinances here.

The city's community services department, along with the city's high schools, will host a career expo tomorrow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center. Students can learn about apprenticeship programs, high-tech careers and other options after high school.

Information: (909) 477-2760 ext. 2391 

If the council members' thumbs look busy at tonight's meeting, I'll know why.

Planning Commissioner Ray Wimberly suggested to the council members last week they should Twitter during the City Council meetings, just like so many politicians are now doing.

I don't advocate adding Twitter to my job responsibilities, but I wholeheartedly support it for others -- and especially for my sources.

I can see it now.

Editor: Get a comment from the mayor about the Quakes sale.

Me: I don't have to. It's on his Twitter. Can I give you the quote in 140 characters or less?

Twittering is also a good idea if the council wants to reach out to the young students who attend the meetings for government class. Most of the high schoolers are text messaging during the meetings anyway, so why not make them the council's followers? Also, students leave the meetings at 9 p.m., long before the council makes their three-minute messages. Twittering would be a great way to get the council comments out.

I can see it now.

Williams: U should go to the library & ride ur bikes on the PE trail.

Michael: Or ride Omnitrans. I'm on da board, u know.

Spagnolo: Time for leg. up-d8. Sac. spends 2 much $. We balance our bud. Y don't they?

Gutierrez: Speaking of Sac. I'm running for Assembly. R U 18 yet? Vote 4 me.

Kurth: Bang! (That's my gavel on Twitter.) G2G. Mtg. adjourned. 

 

The McDonald's on Base Line and Carnelian is under new management and will hold a grand opening celebration tomorrow from 5 to 8 p.m. Owner Reggie Webb, who runs 14 other McDonald's in the area, spruced up this one with a cappuccino bar. Free food and drinks will be available during the ribbon cutting. 

If you're bored watching the Council meeting on Channel 3, you can hop over to Channel 5 and cheer on Nijah Harris, a Rancho resident and contestant on "America's Next Top Model." The 18-year-old model survived the last two elimination. Way to represent, Nijah.








Courtesy photo

During the announcements and presentations portion of tonight's meeting, Congressman David Dreier will announce the April 8 job fair he is hosting at Central Park. Also, Vince's Spaghetti will be applauded for installing solar panels in their restaurant.

The city will also discuss the Chino Basin Water Efficient Landscape Model Ordinance while it develops its own water efficient landscape ordinance.  

Mike Morrell is running as a Republican candidate for the 63rd Assembly District on a no tax hike platform. The Rancho Cucamonga resident said Sacramento is simply spending way too much.

"I'm a fan of limiting the power of government. Raising taxes is not a way to solve the state's problems. Californians have been taxed enough. Taxing people doesn't work period. Living within your means does."

                                                                             Will Lester/Staff Photographer

The city's minor league team has a new owner. Quakes president and majority owner Hank Stickney sold the Class A affiliate of the Angels to Hall of Famer George Brett and his brother Bobby Brett.

Mayor Don Kurth praised Stickney for working closely with the city and being community minded.

"In terms of putting Rancho Cucamonga on the map, he has probably done more than any person outside of Jack Benny," Kurth said. "Any place I travel to, people know the Quakes. If they know anything about baseball, they'll ask about the Quakes or Tremor."
 

Fontana Councilwoman Acquanetta Warren is the latest 63rd Assembly District hopeful, eyeing a seat that Mayor Don Kurth and Councilman Rex Gutierrez are fighting for. Warren, who recently termed out from the California Republican Board of Directors, e-mailed me about her higher office plans.

"I resigned from the State Board of Parks and Recreation on March 11 so that my ties to the state level are open," Warren wrote. "I'm a state candidate ready to go. It's official."

Warren is so far the lone non-Rancho Republican candidate in the 2010 race. In addition to Kurth and Gutierrez, Rancho resident Mike Morrell is also planning to replace the termed out Assemblyman Bill Emmerson.

There's a rumor out there that if county supervisors appoint Sen. Bob Dutton to be the assessor, Emmerson, who has plans to run for Dutton's seat, will then run in a special election leaving his 63rd District seat open earlier than usual. If Emmerson wins, that would mean Warren, Kurth, Gutierrez and Morrell could face off in a special election sooner than anticipated.

Of course, all the planets would have to align perfectly for this to happen.  

I gave my barista a $5 bill for my coffee yesterday and got back $5.10 in change. I was getting paid a dime to drink coffee, it was my lucky break! But there was no way I could have kept it, especially having just read the following letter to the editor in Friday's paper:

We witnessed a true lesson in honesty a few days ago when my husband and I went to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.

We walked in to Thai T at Vineyard and Foothill in Rancho Cucamonga. We were then seated by the very friendly young lady and given our menus. The person whom I believe is the owner/manager then walked up to our table and stated to us that when we were last in, which was before Thanksgiving, we had paid our bill with a $100 bill and a $20 bill, thinking we had left $30. She then handed us $80 and said she had been holding this for us until we came back in. I asked her if she was sure it was us, and she stated that she remembered us.

I was so impressed with her honesty. In a day when money is tight for everyone, even the business owners, this was truly amazing to me to find such honesty. In the past we have recommended this restaurant for their great food and friendliness. Now we will also add their honesty. Thank you, Thai T, for your great service.

Richard and Jayne Davison
  Alta Loma  

Cucamonga School District Superintendent Claudia Maidenberg is retiring after leading the four-school district for seven years. Her retirement is effective July 31.

Due to budget constraints, the district is not expected to fill the superintendent position. The board is expected to select an interim superintendent among three assistant superintendents.

"We're a small district," said Board Member David Ortega. "With two assistant (superintendents), it's a fair number for our district."

Jeanne Siriani, president of the Cucamonga Teachers Association, agreed.

"I think for a district that's made up of four schools, not replacing Claudia, especially at this time, is a very good idea," Siriani said.

Maidenberg called in sick today and was not available for comment. Click below to see the letter she plans to send to district staff members.

CSD.pdf

Good thing we don't have to call the whole thing off. Any pronunciation of this city's unique name is welcomed.

At last night's City Council/Planning Commission meeting, General Plan consultant Sam Gennawey kept pronouncing it "Cuca-mawnga", sounding like Japanese "manga."

He knew most people pronounce it "Cuca-munga" but he wasn't apologizing.

"I've been saying Rancho 'Cuca-mawnga' so long, I can't say the other pronunciation," Gennawey said.
 
That's okay, Sam. In this space, I call the city R.C., which I pronounce "are see."

Columnist David Allen devoted a whole column on Cucamonga pronunciations back in 2003. Yes, he gets paid for that.

I really like it when old timers evoke cucumber and pronounce it "Kyew-camunga." It sounds like "cute" and that's kinda nice.

Town hall meetings are usually the most effective when they are well attended but unfortunately, the joint City Council/Planning Commission klatch on the General Plan last night drew just two dozen or so. Gwyn Frost, the city's first first lady, pointed out that the first General Plan meetings during incorporation took place at Alta Loma High School and drew so many participants that the venue was standing-room only.

"This room is not as full as it should be," Frost said at Celebration Hall.

One reason last night's meet was subdued is because the Planning Department has already been through a pretty aggressive public outreach effort to bring the meeting to the people. They've conducted 40 or so meetings about the General Plan's draft guiding principles prior to last night's meeting.

There weren't a lot of people but the ones who came were sassy and outspoken. Frost said she was disappointed that the Founder's Day Parade has been commercialized by the Victoria Gardens venue. Some wanted a better recycling program. Others wanted stricter language on hillside development.

It wasn't the last opportunity to share ideas on the General Plan. A community workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m., May 16 at Central Park.

Might I suggest some bribing techniques to bolster civic engagment?

Food -- Ontario is known for its cookies offered during City Council meetings and so is dinky Montclair, which boasts three, count 'em, three kinds of cookies, coffee and two, count 'em, two kinds of creamer. Ahem, Rancho.

Drinks -- Wine guru Gino Filippi attended the meeting last night. Maybe he could have hosted a wine tasting. And since the topic of the evening was "Spirit of RC," why not some spirits?

I don't know, it's just a thought.

The station, pictured in 1966 and again in 1999, has seen a lot in the 50-some years it served as a fueling station on Route 66. The station closed in 1972. And "Dolly's Diner," a converted bus that served food behind the station, is also no more.

The building was built by Henry Klusman, who was also responsible for the Virginia Dare Winery, Old Stone Church and a host of other structures. From 1945 to 1971, the station was run by Arvid Lewis, who was the first full-time fire chief in Cucamonga.

For more information about the station, see the Historical Preservation Association's research on the topic. GasStation.doc   

It's nearly impossible to keep up with the latest comings and goings of Rancho businesses. Let's start with the good news.

The center on the northeast corner of Foothill and Rochester is shaping up. There's a new Subway, Kiwi Frost (frozen yogurt, I'm guessing) and Maui Wowi coffee. The Costa Mesa-based Chronic Tacos, wedged between Subway and the frogurt place, is opening Friday.

Over on Kenyon near Albertson's, Bad Ass Coffee will host its grand opening party on Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., customers can get a free Kona coffee at 11460 Kenyon Way #108. The Hawaiian themed shop has free Wi-Fi and that's pretty bad ass in my book.

Also, I noticed near Richie's Diner, a Shakey's Pizza is coming soon in that plaza that's sort of Victoria Gardens but not really.

Some businesses haven't found any luck this year, however. Camille's, a Fourth Street sandwich/salad spot, has closed. So has Dinner My Way, the meal prep store on Haven and Base Line. The Daily Bulletin and Inland Living magazine gave some attention to these meal prep businesses two years ago. At one time, there were four of these concept stores in the city. After a quick Internet and 411 search, it appears with Dinner My Way closing, there are now none. 

Note to editor: Am I allowed to use the word "ass" on my blog?
 

The Planning Commission voted unanimously tonight to give the Cucamonga Service Station on Foothill near Archibald historic landmark status. The 94-year-old station was built by Henry Klusman and is currently owned by Lamar Advertising.

The matter will be forwarded to the City Council for a final vote. 

The library's big fundraiser event starts Friday with performances by Rod Gilfry, Redlands YMCA Circus and many other local acts. Word is that City Manager Jack Lam has donated $500 for the City Council to make a fool ... I mean, to perform alongside the circus on Friday.

You can watch the show on Channel 3 or online here at these times:

Starting June 1, U.S. citizens entering the country at sea or land ports of entry will have to carry a valid passport or passport card.

You can get one at City Hall, which has processed more than 11,500 passports since it started offering the service in 2001. Appointments are required and can be made Monday or Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by calling (909) 477-2700, ext. 2023.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site or the city's Web site.  

Protests calling for an end to Chinese rule in Tibet have been staged around the world today, the 50th anniversary of the uprising that resulted in the exile of the Dalai Lama.

Americans' interest in the Free Tibet movement tends to come in waves and this year, interest is piqued once again. The spiritual leader is now 73 years old and nobody is certain who will replace the Dalai Lama and what the future holds for Tibetans. As China grows into its role as an economic superpower, that question becomes more pressing.

That is the subject of Rick Ray's "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama," a documentary to be screened Tuesday at the Lewis Family Playhouse.

Ray believes Tibetan Buddhism is at a crossroads because the Chinese government will insist on picking the Dalai Lama's successor, while Tibetans will, no doubt, pick their own. That could result in a split in Tibetan Buddhism.

"Sort of like a Shiite/Sunni split," Ray said. "I wish I can say I'm very optimistic because I'm an optimistic person. But I don't think I've very optimistic."

Ray will be available for a Q & A following the movie. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or by calling (909) 477-2752.

Mercury Insurance Group laid off 363 employees throughout the company yesterday, including positions in the Foothill Boulevard office. The Rancho office employs 606 people, according to 2008 figures from the Redevelopment Agency, making the company the third largest private employer in the city.

The company, which deals mostly with automobile and homeowners insurance, did not disclose how many Rancho employees were affected.

"Over the past year, Mercury has initiated several cost containment measures, such as freezing salaries for all employees, halting most hiring, and cutting expenses across the board," according to a company statement. "While these measures have been successful, as the economy has continued to worsen it has become evident that further action is needed."  

You might have caught syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts Jr.'s vow in our Opinion page last week to never send you a tweet. I wish I can make that same promise but I'm afraid I can't.

Many people -- from Sen. John McCain using it to poke fun of the spending bill to our flagship paper the Daily News bringing breaking news in tiny url form -- are using the 140-character tweets as a way of communicating. When blogs first got popular, I never thought I would have my own. But now I'm often seen pounding away on my lap top in the back of city meetings. Someday, I'm sure, I'll be asked to tweet away.

For a person who works in communication, I'm not all that into communicating. I used to think that my aversion to social networking sites and Twitter came from a fear of technology but that's not so. I just really hate talking about what I'm doing and what I'm thinking. I am after all, Chinese born in the British colony of Hong Kong, which means my culture calls on me to be both reserved and have a stiff upper lip.

To piggy back on Pitts' sentiments, "I am not that interesting." Furthermore, Rancho City Council meetings, the source for most of my stories, aren't all that interesting either. The problem is the character constraint. At 140 characters, most of City Council actions would be reduced to boring ordinance numbers, such as:


Is there anybody out there who would like to get their news through Twitter? Comment here, please, don't send tweets.
 

They say if you don't get involved, you can't complain. Well, here's your chance to earn your complaining rights.

The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a joint workshop to solicit comments on the draft principles of the General Plan. The 6:30 p.m. meeting on Thursday will be held at the Victoria Gardens Celebration Hall.

The draft principles is a 950-word document that will act as a blueprint for all development in the city. Public comments made on Thursday will be forwarded to the members of the General Plan Advisory Committee, who will work on a final draft to be adopted by the City Council in May.

The city is half way through a two-year process of updating its General Plan, which is scheduled to be unveiled next spring. The Thursday meeting will culminate a public outreach project by the Planning Department to collect comments on the draft principles.   

Organizers for the Library Telethon are seeking schools, businesses and other organizations to participate in the team trivia challenge. You can either boast your trivia know-how or be laughed at before a television and Internet audience, all while promoting your club.

Entry fee is $200. If you're really jonesing for the grand prize trophy, you can pay $20 once per round and "Ask a Librarian," which I assume is like getting a lifeline.

Interested? Call a librarian at (909) 477-2720 ext. 5009 or 5031

The Library Telethon is March 13 to 15. The trivia challenge will be at 5 p.m. on March 14.  

Community leaders beyond Pomona this week are expressing warm wishes to Nell Soto, the former state legislator who died last Thursday. Last night's City Council meeting was adjourned in her memory.

Councilwoman Diane Williams said Soto may not have been a representative of Rancho Cucamonga but she was a friend of local government and an advocate for the Inland Empire.

"We did lose an icon," Williams said.

Services were held on Tuesday at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pomona and at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, pictured.

At the funeral, Soto's son, Tom Soto, said his mother ran the household with the same vigor as she had for the Assembly. He remembered one of her signature sayings, "Well, let's shoot for the moon and come back with a piece of cheese."            

Soto died of complications from a stroke at the age of 82.

A business assistance workshop offering free confidential business analysis will take place on March 18 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Victoria Gardens Celebration Hall. The event, sponsored by the county and the city, will advise businesses on ways to cut costs, increase revenue and market their product.

To reserve a spot, e-mail Vanessa Gilmore or call her at (909) 387-9851.

Margaritas are ok for now, the City Council told Pepper's at a public hearing tonight. But the restaurant on 19th Street was warned that even though it's getting a second chance, it doesn't mean the business is off the hook.

Because Pepper's had been operating like a bar and not a restaurant that serves alcohol -- as it's permitted to operate -- the establishment faced losing its ability to serve liquor tonight. The planning department told the council that if distilled spirits is no longer allowed, Pepper's would resemble more like a restaurant, less like a bar. The police department agreed, saying no liquor would probably mean less service calls to that area.

But the City Council decided to give Pepper's one more chance, telling owner Frank Frias that he can continue serving liquor but must close at 11 p.m. Council members warned Pepper's that the city will monitor the situation and come back on July 15 to revisit the matter.

"I personally believe in the God of second chances," Mayor Don Kurth told Frias. "If I were you, I'd make sure I was squeaky clean."

Kurth, a former patron of Pepper's, also said something surprising about the strip mall establishment. When he was having lunch there once, Arnold Schwarzenegger was eating at the next table. There was no information about whether police calls increased that day.

I can't say I know much about Pepper's. Anybody out there have an opinion about that place?  

There's never a dull moment at the fast and uber cheap Mexican joint Taco Hut.

The gals who run the place enjoy stirring things up when a Hut newcomer visits.

"We've got a virgin here!" one waitress announced this evening about the couple eating their dinner next to me. Another waitress rang the bell and cued Madonna's "Like a Virgin."

"Thanks for the orgasmic vibrations," said the virgin.

The restaurant is on Foothill near Klusman. Look for the neon Budweiser and Clamato sign out front. 

Red Hill is brimming with traffic problems. Motorists speed, burn tires and plow through stop signs. Residents say their kids can't play outside and they can't walk their dogs. Even getting the mail is hairy.

The solution, according to a group of residents, is to close Red Hill Country Club Drive between Foothill and Calle Carabe. This, they said, will close off access to the hill from Foothill, discouraging short-cut fans from using the neighborhood to get to and from Base Line.

But Red Hill is not the Highland Avenue of 2009. The Highland folks may be just as passionate as the Red Hill clan but they were united. They had a leader. They spoke with, more or less, one voice. They even had the same T-shirts made. With the exception of Councilman Sam Spagnolo, former Mayor Bill Alexander and John Lyons, nobody really got in their way.

Red Hill is different. There are 622 homes in that neighborhood bordering Upland and it seems like there are 622 opinions. It's hard to get a consensus on the street closure and neighbors are getting frustrated.

Some want speed humps. But Traffic Engineer Jon Gillespie thinks once the locations have been set, those people living near a proposed speed hump would not be so happy. At the neighborhood meeting last night, Gillespie said some on the council said they were opposed to the speed humps last year but that doesn't mean they can't change their minds.

"But most of them don't have any minds," somebody yelled out.

Almost everybody was cynical; a few got snarky. Several people argued over the definition of "anecdotal evidence."

A typical City Council meeting produces five or six public comment cards. Gillespie on Tuesday got 20.

Bob Jones, the Debbie Downer of the group, had some kind of snide remark to offer after nearly every speaker. But Jones managed to say something that summed everything up: "I don't know if this is fixable."   

Pepper's -- a spicy issue in this city because the restaurant stands to lose the ability to sell liquor -- will be addressed by the City Council at 7 p.m. this evening. The Planning Commission has not been happy with this restaurant on 19th Street and voted in October to revoke Pepper's conditional use permit. The restaurant is permitted to operate as a restaurant that serves alcohol but the planning department believes it's operating as a bar. I think the bar stools, beer ads and DJs gave it away.

Restaurant owner Frank Frias has filed an appeal. If the City Council does not grant the appeal, it means no more distilled spirits at Pepper's.

Other noteworthy items on the agenda: Rod Hoops, the new sheriff in town, will get some love from the City Council. The former Rancho captain will be introduced at the start of the meeting. Also, the city will discuss an ordinance aimed to keep foreclosed and abandoned properties pretty. If this ordinance is adopted, the city can fine owners for neglecting their property. It would also allow the use of green spray paint to "beautify" dead lawns.

Get advice on foreclosure prevention and meet with financial counselors this Saturday at the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center at Central Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your income, expense and loan information.

The workshop is presented by Sen. Bob Dutton's office, Assemblyman Bill Emmerson's office and the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Ontario and Fontana.

Information: (909) 477-2700 ext. 2051

The Knights of Columbus will host a Lenten fish fry every Friday through April 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall at Eighth and Hermosa. Dinners are $6; $7 for a heartier version and $4.50 for children. (I'd go for the heartier version; it's only $1 more.)

Information: (909) 989-1415.

It's not just rabbits who multiply like rabbits, says the city's animal care and adoption center. Dogs and cats do, too.

To curb pet overpopulation, the department is offering a "double discount" -- save $100 on dog and $50 on cat spays and neuters. (Discounts in the past had been $25 off for cats and $50 off for dogs.)

You must pick up a voucher before March 24 and bring proof of residency. The center is on 11780 Arrow Route.

Information: (909) 466-7387, www.rcpets.info  

What's a salmonella-fearing person to do?

Well, this Friday kicks off the season for Girl Scouts cookies and the organization is anticipating slow sales due to the economy and the salmonella outbreak. According to a Girl Scouts release, their suppliers are not part of the current peanut butter warning. That means their peanut butter patties, Tagalongs, are safe to eat.

All varieties are $4. You can purchase them in front of a supermarket or through the form that's probably circulating in your office.

Meanwhile, Fresh & Easy has started a voluntary recall because of a possible health risk in three of their products. They are: Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters, Sweet & Salty Granola Bars and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

The market removed these products in January and are offering a full refund for the products purchased any time prior. The voluntary recall is a precautionary measure; there have been no illnesses reported.

Call Fresh & Easy at 1 (800) 648-8622 for questions about the recall. See here for more information about other peanut and peanut butter recalls.