October 2009 Archives

Chances are, Daren Gardner is still getting ready for Halloween even though he started decorating on Wednesday.

The Hunter Drive resident and his neighbors turn their street into a scary but safe environment for trick-or-treaters every year. The residential street near Beryl Park gets closed off to cars from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow night.

"Halloween's my Christmas," said Gardner.

To see more photos by Jennifer Cappucio Maher, click here for photo gallery.

The Daily Bulletin newsroom likes to use all kinds of excuses to throw pot lucks. Today's lunchtime bash marked Halloween. On the menu was a meat and rice dish that resembled a cat litter box, a mud pie that looked like dirt with gummy worms oozing out and a cheese plate in the shape of Frankenstein.

I contributed something more palatable -- Chinese chicken salad. When I make this dish, it's an inside joke among me and my friends. I hope this doesn't come as breaking news but Chinese chicken salad is not Chinese. The Chinese rarely eat raw vegetables and if we do, it never comes with crispy noodles.

In fifth grade, when I was still a new immigrant, Mrs. Werner threw a multicultural pot luck and she insisted I bring a Chinese chicken salad. I didn't know what that was but figured it was some traditional Chinese thing that I didn't understand. I was sure that my mom would know how to make it. I got really stressed out when she said she had no idea.

We ended up making fried rice, an ethnic yet non-offensive dish that drew praise from the PTA president. I didn't get in trouble for not bringing the salad and went home relieved albeit still unsure what Chinese chicken salad was. 

Q: Where is City Manager Jack Lam going tomorrow for vacation?

Lam and Councilman Dennis Michael, led by their wives, are some of the most traveled people I know. New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Peru are just some countries they've visited.

For the next several weeks, Lam and his wife, Linda, will be somewhere that's 0 to 25 degrees. They'll see seals, penguins and perhaps an orca or two.

When most Americans think of a faraway vacation, they think of spending the day at the Louvre and taking a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower.

But Linda Lam is more adventurous than that and holds the belief that the challenging corners of the world must be visited before one gets too old.

"She says, 'You can always travel to Europe on a walker,' " the city manager said.

A: Antarctica 

Donna Evans, left, and Patricia Morrison practice their number "A Couple of Swells" for the Silver Fox Follies to be staged at the Lewis Family Playhouse on Nov. 6, 7 and 8. The musical performance "We Remember Hollywood" will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $20 and are available at the senior center or the playhouse box office. Proceeds go toward meals for homebound seniors and programming for special needs youth.

Information: (909) 944-9929





Thomas Cordova/Staff Photographer
 

It's "fall back" time. A day to sleep an extra hour. A day to change your battery on your smoke alarm.

The fire department uses the end of daylight savings to remind residents to change their batteries. According to the department, three out of 10 reported household fires take place in homes with missing or dead batteries in smoke alarms.

Low-income residents and seniors are eligible for free smoke alarms. For more information, call  (909) 477-2770. 

If you've driven on Haven near the railroad tracks, you've probably seen the beginnings of this beautiful arch bridge. If you haven't, wait until December.

Starting 10 a.m. Friday, Haven will be closed between Arrow and Sixth. Northbound traffic will be directed to Sixth and Milliken. Southbound traffic will be directed to Arrow or Jersey and then to Milliken. It'll be nasty, so use Hermosa or Milliken instead.

When the street opens back up on or near Dec. 16, you'll be able to drive under this bridge and not have to stop for trains.

John Anicic, president of the Fontana Heritage Museum Association, gets ready for the opening of the Kaiser Museum. The museum will be opened Thursdays and Sundays starting Nov. 5.


Will Lester/
Staff Photographer

The Kaiser Museum on Hellman Avenue and San Bernardino Road in Rancho Cucamonga is small but it's packed with trinkets telling the history of Kaiser Steel.

Pigs -- This collection of pig figurines does not beat the one at Nancy's Cafe, the restaurant on Arrow and Archibald adorned with piggy trinkets, but it's sizable. If Kaiser had a mascot, it'd be the pig. The plant site was once a pig farm. The product of the blast furnace is the pig iron. The valve to the blast furnace is the snorter. And the company's monthly newsletter was also called the Snorter.

Wooden shoe -- Workers in the coke ovens had to wear a wooden shoe in addition to their regular shoes. These ovens would get about 125 degrees so these wooden shoes were necessary. A former employee told me without them, you'd get a "hot foot" in about a minute.

Neon arrow -- An old neon sign at Foothill and Sierra used to hang over the intersection pointing toward downtown Fontana. The sign was torn down and abandoned in some field before it was rescued. It looks like a crumpled piece of metal now but museum organizers are thinking of making a replica because, well, neon's awesome.

Hard hats -- Before fiberglass hard hats were used, there were metal hard hats. That was not a good idea because workers would get electrocuted. Among the collection is one metal hat belonging to former Fontana Mayor Frank Horzen, who was a foreman at Kaiser.


Organizers are planning a grand opening and a Kaiser employee reunion in January. If the turnout is good, the museum won't be able to house them all. Perhaps they can have it at a local bar restaurant like Sycamore Inn. Back in the day, local bars would be teeming with Kaiser employees, especially on payday.

Bert Bene, who worked there for 20 years, remember it well.

"The Kaiser Steel paycheck was honored every where," he said. "You'd have it crumpled up ... with grease on it, and they'd still take it. It was like gold." 


Here's the article about the museum in today's newspaper.       

Local baseball losses have quashed hopes of a so-called freeway series, which is good news for a scattering of Yankee fans out here. So why are some around town wearing Yankee caps and a long face?

At a Chamber of Commerce breakfast last week, Frank Annunziato of Sons of Italy and local optometrist Bob Rothbard -- both New Yorkers -- sat themselves at a table of Angels fans. Trash talking ensued. The bantering ended with an agreement that supporters of the losing team would have to wear baseball caps of the winning team for an entire month.

I asked the pin stripe-loving Annunziato before the Bronx victory how he would be able to stand wearing red for 30 days.

"I have confidence in the Yankees," he said.

It was a good thing he did.  

The Link Program at the senior center is looking for donations to fill gift bags for homebound seniors this holiday season. This year, the program is looking to deliver to 600 seniors.

Hygiene items such as toothpaste, hand soap, disposable razors, body wash, tissue, soft toothbrushes, dish soap, shampoo and conditioner are welcomed. Other items such as a deck of cards, puzzle books, stamps and stationary are great, too.

Donations will be collected at the Central Park senior center all this week.
  

In yesterday's article, I wrote about meeting a Rancho Cucamonga resident who was dubbed "fastest gun alive" after winning a cowboy fast draw championship. I'm not sure how Gilbert Guerra Jr., or any other cowboy fast draw competitors, do it. In a fraction of a second, they have to watch a light turn on, reach into their holsters and shoot a target 21 feet away.

As a writer, I feel fast meeting daily deadlines or typing 40 or 50 words a minute. But reacting in less than one second?

One second is actually a long time, Guerra's wife, Jennifer Guerra, said. She once broke a world record herself so she knows what she's talking about. "One Mississippi," she said. "See? It's a long time."

Here's a video of what this fast gun can do in one Mississippi. 

 

What is it about fun toys that make grown adults happy?

Library officials are getting ready to develop these prototypes, a sort of movable play areas to be housed at both libraries. The purpose is to give the community a sneak peak of what's to come on the second floor of the Biane Library. It's not coming any time soon, but once money is available,the city will build an interactive area for children called Rancho KIDS (Kids Interactive Discovery Space).

This made my editor super excited, even though he is about 54 years older than Rancho KIDS' target audience.

The prototypes are expected to be complete this March. Above is the Big Dig, a station with colored sand where children can either dig for dinosaurs or grow a make-believe garden. At left is an art station with space to hang paintings and a light table for tracing.

"We want it to be educational," said Assistant Library Director Michelle Perera. "We don't want to just chuck a bunch of toys and say, 'go ahead.' "

She called this "purposeful play."

It was something that Councilman Dennis Michael wouldn't mind incorporating into his schedule.

"You talk about purposeful play. God, I'm 62 and I need that," Michael said.

Don't we all.

Read more about the library's future plans in Saturday's Tuesday's newspaper.


 

Council gadfly Jim Moffatt had a message for Don Kurth at yesterday's City Council meeting but the mayor was absent. The message was -- hey, why aren't you here?

"If he wants to be assemblyman, he can spend all the time he wants running for Assembly. He was elected to do a job and I'm sure all the residents of Rancho Cucamonga expect him here," Moffatt said.

Perhaps the message would be more effective if Moffatt saved it for Kurth's return.

The mayor was in Washington D.C. yesterday speaking to legislators about health care reform.

The Chaffey College Car Club is putting on Truck or Treat for families to enjoy a safe Halloween evening. The event is 5 to 7 p.m. next Saturday at parking lot 18, which is near the Automotive Technology building in the southwest part of the school.

There were enough gifts to throw a white elephant party this morning at Etiwanda High, where a posse of British dignitaries arrived to invite the school's marching band to the London New Year's Parade.

School officials and council members had the tough job of giving gifts to some VIPs from the motherland -- former Lord Mayor of Westminster Catherine Longworth, pictured, and parade director Bob Bone. The event officially put local leaders like Fontana Councilwoman Aquanetta Warren one degree away from the Queen. Gasp!

Councilman Dennis Michael was also there. He could have pulled an Obama and presented Longworth a DVD collection (perhaps Rancho Cucamonga themed DVDs like Jack Benny and Ice Cube's "Friday") but instead offered lapel pins and pens with the city logo. I'm sure the British guests were pleased the presents were small and easy to pack.

In turn, Michael received crystal tumblers with the Westminster and Buckingham Palace insignia.

Warren and Fontana Councilman John Roberts gave the visitors Afghan blankets with a design that tells the history of Fontana. I'm sure the British guests were pleased since they won't have to pay extra for blankets on the plane. The blankets also teach a thing or two about Fontana, a place that the delegation did not get to visit.

"It'll remind you that you have been near the city," Warren said.

Warren received a paper weight. Roberts got a pair of cuff links designed with the Westminster coat of arms, which Roberts quickly put on, replacing his Rotary Club links.

Perhaps the best gift we Yankees offered was the smashing weather -- 80 degrees with clear skies and no wind. Jonathan Whaley, a parade organizer from rainy London, made note of the California sunshine.

"We enjoy this wonderful weather all the time at home," Whaley deadpanned.

I guess the only thing dry about England is the humor.


 

Library Director Robert Karatsu will lead a workshop on future plans for the second floor of the Biane Library at a special meeting today with the City Council, library board and library foundation board. It'll be 3 p.m. at the Cultural Center Celebration Hall.

The agenda for the 7 p.m. City Council meeting is very light. Organizers behind National Night Out, Linda Bryan of the Military Family Support Group and Minuteman Press will be honored at the start of the meeting. Planning Director James Troyer will present the results of a community survey as part of the General Plan update process. The Community Services department will present the Healthy RC Living show and Web site.
 

The Inland Korean-American Association will host Korean Culture Day this Saturday at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. Traditional folk music, tae kwon do demonstrations and dance performances are scheduled 1 to 5 p.m.

Information: (213) 519-7298, (951) 264-7896

Carol Grisham, left, and Mario Sanchez play Elizabeth and John Proctor in "The Crucible."

The Rancho Cucamonga Community Theatre program will stage the Arthur Miller classic at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, 29, 30, 31 and 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Lewis Family Playhouse. Tickets are $16.50 for adults; $14.50 for youth and seniors.

Children love Halloween because of the candy but what if they could get cash?

The Children's Dentistry of Inland Empire & Orthodontics is offering $1 for every pound of candy on Nov. 2. It's kind of a cash for Gobstoppers program. All the candy will be sent to troops overseas.

To participate, visit the office from 2 to 5 p.m. at 8209 Rochester Ave., Suite 101.

Information: (909) 484-9555

For all the recessionistas out there (and you know who you are), Dickey's Barbecue Pit is offering $1 sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. The eatery on Haven and Fourth (actually, it's Trademark but we'll say Fourth) is marking it's 68th year since opening its first location in Dallas.

You can only get two sandwiches, that's the limit.

Information: (909) 477-4555

In today's article about landscape maintenance district fees, I made a mistake in describing potential future increases.

If majority of voters support an increase in landscape maintenance fees, the fee will not automatically increase every year. The fees will only increase if the maintenance costs increase and that will be capped at 3.5 percent. According to Deputy City Manager John Gillison, it's common for the city to get maintenance contracts with prices locked in for several years. In that case, the fees would not go up for the property owner.

I had to wear high heels to my assignment at The Savannah Cat Shoppe. At 5 foot, I was rather intimidated about meeting the world's tallest cat.

Scarlett's Magic is a Savannah cat owned by Rancho Cucamonga residents Lee and Kimberly (pictured) Draper. The Guinness Book of World Records recently named her the tallest domestic cat in the whole wide world, putting her in the same company as a dog who broke the record for having the most tennis balls in his mouth and the oldest married couple.

At 17.1 inches tall from shoulder to toe, Scarlett's Magic is just 55 inches shorter than me. I was glad I wore heels.


Look in Sunday's article for more about Scarlett's Magic.

Information: 800-881-0006                                                    Will Lester/Staff Photographer   

Traffic Engineer Jon Gillespie presented a plethora of traffic calming options for Red Hill last night -- speed humps, speed pillows, rumble strips and radar speed signs. None were approved.

For one, they're just too noisy. Residents could be driven crazy with the sound of cars going over humps and bumps in front of their house.

They're also ugly. The radar speed signs, which are run on solar power and remind motorists how fast they're going, seem like a good idea. But most people probably don't want one in front of their house, said Gillespie.

One resident complained to Gillespie after the city installed such a sign, saying he didn't like looking out the window in the middle of the night and seeing "Your speed 50."

He also told Gillespie, "It just didn't fit with my landscaping."

 

An 'American Graffiti' themed car show will take place 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Mel's Drive-In. Candy Clark, star of the 1973 movie, and Elvis impersonator Joe "E" Banuelos will be in attendance.

Car buffs who want to take part in the car show can call Little John at (909) 921-3185.   

Kudos to Councilman Dennis Michael, who was recently named president of the Inland Empire division of the League of California Cities. Michael will serve a two-year term.

The League is an association of local leaders advocating legislation that help cities. The Inland Empire division represents 15 cities in the San Bernardino County.  

That lonely void left by Sisley's at Victoria Gardens will soon be filled.

Italian restaurant Paisano is leaving its Fontana location and moving next to Lucille's at Victoria Gardens. The eatery is expected to open mid-December, said Masa Liles, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens.



 

Two and three-dimensional pieces by artists who hand cut paper will be on display at Chaffey College's Wignall Museum from Oct. 19 to Nov. 21. "Cut: Makings of Removal" is a group exhibit that blends drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, photography and collage.

An artist reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20.

A Day of the Dead-inspired workshop led by paper cutter Margaret Sosa is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24. Sosa will teach participants the Mexican style of paper cutting known as papel picado. To sign up for the free workshop, e-mail Rebecca Trawick.

Information: (909) 652-6490

Red Hill traffic -- it never ends.

Come to the neighborhood meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday at Valle Vista School for a Power Point presentation on rumble strips, traffic islands and chokers, radar speed signs, speed humps and raised medians.

Traffic Engineer Jon Gillespie will explain it all but I'll give it a shot. Rumble strips are the little bumps on the road that make your car go "da, da, da, da, da." Islands and chokers are obstacles that make a straight street seem curvy.

Those alternatives probably won't get as much traction as raised medians, which prevent left-hand turns. For example, if you put a median on Foothill, drivers won't be able to turn left onto Red Hill Country Club Drive. Some residents back this as plan B to the Red Hill Country Club Drive closure.

Starting Oct. 21, there will be bingo at the Central Park senior center every Wednesday. Doors open 5 p.m.; early bird is 5:30 and main session is 6 p.m. Early bird buy-in is $2 or $5; 10-game main session is $10. Proceeds go toward senior center programming.

Information: (909) 477-2780

This newsroom is primarily a hub for Dodgers fans with a couple of Red Sox and Angels fans who always look lost. That's why I took notice when Frank Annunziato of the Sons (and Daughters) of Italy walked into the newsroom today with his Yankees hat.

Annunziato, a Bronx native, grew up just 10 blocks from Yankee Stadium. In 1939, when he was 10 years old, he was at the Stadium when Lou Gehrig gave his famous speech after being diagnosed with ALS. Babe Ruth was also there and patted the young Annunziato on the head.

"I didn't wash my head for a month," Annunziato said.

Great story, Frank. We forgive you for being a Yankees fan.  

The Jersey Fire Station is hosting an open house on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's a day full of children-friendly activities including tours and giveaways. Firefighters will demonstrate the Jaws of Life and simulate a structure fire. Young ones can dress up like firefighters and have their pictures taken.    

Station 174 is located at the corner of Jersey and Milliken.

The City Council voted to raise parking ticket fees last night. So in about a month or so, the parking violation that would cost you $30 today will cost you $50.

Most tickets (parking in "no parking" zone, at a red, white or yellow curb, violating the 72-hour rule, blocking a driveway) will go from $30 to $50.

The most expensive ticket you can get in the city is parking or blocking a handicap stall. That ticket will go from $255 to $300. But who does that?

The City Council gave a preliminary ok to let Massage Envy open near Henry's at the southeast corner of Base Line and Day Creek tonight. The Planning Commission would still have to set the conditions and the City Council would have to approve them.

Apparently, no massage parlors are permitted west of Haven under current zoning. The decision tonight would allow massage operations within the Victoria Arbors Master Plan, which is bordered by Base Line, Etiwanda, Foothill and Day Creek.

It's race weekend, John Lyons, a regular at the City Council meeting, reminded everybody tonight.

Many out-of-towners heading to the Autoclub Speedway will be passing through Rancho Cucamonga and frequenting local businesses.

"They don't know where they're going. ... But instead of flipping them off, thank them," Lyons said.

Councilman Rex Gutierrez, a fan of meatballs, did not need coaxing from Frank Annunziato of Sons (and Daughters) of Italy, before committing to the pasta dinner slated for Oct. 24 at the senior center.

"Frank, I'm going to get my checkbook," Gutierrez said, before Annunziato made it to the podium during the public comment portion of tonight's meeting. With that, Gutierrez left the council chambers.

"Write me one, too, Rex," said Councilman Dennis Michael.

The Italian-American service club is holding its second annual pasta and meatball dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Central Park senior center. For $10 bucks, you get a dinner cooked by Antonino's owner Sartaj Singh.

You'll likely get humor, too.

Annunziato talked about temporarily losing his sight and speech abilities after a recent stroke but fortunately, got them back.

"It's fortunate for me, unfortunate for you," he told the council.

Pilates and aerobics classes at the senior center helped Annunziato and for that, he was extremely thankful.

"In a sense," Annunziato said, "I owe you my life."

Information: (909) 483-9606 

It might not have been the meeting that Mayor Don Kurth wanted ...

The City Council took the middle ground in regards to anti-smoking legislation earlier today, remaining hesitant to back strict restrictions on apartments and local businesses.

But it agreed that a ban should be in place for some public areas and directed staff members to draft an ordinance that would prohibit smoking in transit stops and outdoor service lines.

It was a mild defeat for Kurth, a physician specializing in addiction medicine who led the effort to enact a smoking ban on city-owned properties. Kurth felt the need to protect non-smokers' right to breath clean air but his colleagues felt the need to protect local businesses in this sinking economy.

"I don't want Rancho Cucamonga to be known for being lackadaisical about smoking but I don't want the city to be known for being a nanny city either," said Councilwoman Diane Williams.

"What about the kids? What about the people who don't want to inhale smoke?" asked Kurth. "We as government are responsible for protecting the rights of those who wish not to breath that smoke. I think it's time for our council to protect those who are not in the position to protect themselves."

Today's award for City Hall's most gracious employee goes to ... Fabian Villenas, the principal management analyst for the City Manager's Office who has led the work on the smoking ban issue under City Council direction.

Commenting on remarks made by the community in a smoking survey, Villenas said, "No matter where you stood on the issue (the comments) were very compelling and very genuine."

But Villenas failed to mention one comment from a disgruntled person: "Passing regulations on information that is highly suspect, IS WRONG!!!! ... Lets dump Fabian Villenas now. I WANT TO LIVE IN A FREE CITY AND COUNTRY!!!"

Maybe you were among the 773 people who completed a city survey earlier this year on smoking. Maybe you were among those who wrote these comments:

"This is obsurd...."

"I quit smoking over six months ago."

"Stop trying to turn Rancho Cucamonga into Berkeley and leave us alone!"

"whats next no blacks allowed in rancho Cucamonga No Jews allowed no muslins only yellow shoes ect. ect. This is America !!!!!!!!! You are going to far !!!!!"

"This would be awesome to have these places smokefree. Nothing kills your appetite or evening more than sitting down on a patio at dinner and having the people next to you start smoking. Yuck! I would like to taste my dinner, not die because I went out to dinner."

"Your priorities are all screwed up. Build Central Park. Second hand smoke kills...but outdoors, second hand smoke is non existant due to the fact of being outside. Stop acting like children and build this city on Rock and Roll."

"Do not prohibit smoking. It is enjoyable and relaxing at restaurants and hotels."

"Barbequs is proven to create canser."

"Thank you for asking!"

"Come on, in restaurant patios...if they can't stop smoking for 45 minutes or so to eat, then they should save money by eating at home then they can smoke all they want. Didn't knwo eating was so stressful. Thanks for the survey."

 

It was nice to take a month-long break from City Council meetings. Today, it's back to work.

Smoking ban is the topic of a special meeting at 3:30. Council members will mull extending the ban in the Tri-Communities Room on the first floor of City Hall.

At the start of the 7 p.m. meeting, the council will say some nice words about former Fire Chief Peter Bryan and then welcome in Chief Mike Bell.

Several parking issues will be addressed including the neighborhood near Cucamonga Canyon, where a permit parking system will likely be approved. Also, the city will likely approve new fines for parking tickets.

The city will also finalize the specifics of the landscape maintenance district special election and set Dec. 2 as the date in which the ballots will be due and counted.

Get to City Hall early for a good parking space. Half the lot is closed for renovation.  

Everyone's talking about swine flu but don't forget about West Nile.

Last week, a 71-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident came down with the infection, becoming the first West Nile human victim in the county this year. She is recovering and expected to live.

According to the West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, 50 mosquito samples, 13 dead birds and five sentinel chickens have been tested positive for the virus in the area. Don't forget to dump out standing water and wear mosquito repellent when you're outdoors.

Give West Valley a call to report green pools or other mosquito problems.

Information: (909) 635-0307

It'll be early but it's a good cause.

The Rancho Cucamonga High School girls basketball team will hold a flapjack breakfast at Applebee's from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. For $10, you'll get pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee while helping the team raise funds for tournaments, transportion and other costs.

Applebee's is on 10709 Foothill Blvd.

Andy Morales (Guiding Young Cloud), right, of the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe lead a bird song at the North Etiwanda Preserve on Saturday. Visit a photo gallery by Staff Photographer Thomas Cordova to see more pictures.


"If people forgot (about the preserve), then all our exercise would be on the treadmill."

"The great thing about this is it's close to home."

"I'm jumping up and down, I'm really excited. Well, I'm not really jumping up and down."

I'm definitely not a morning person, which is why I needed to stop at Starbucks before my 9 a.m. assignment yesterday.

Behind me was a chipper man too chipper for his own good.

"Good morning, I love you!" he told the barista.

"I love you? I've never heard that before."

"I'll have six shots of espresso with half and half foam and lots of love. So, shot, love, shot, love, shot, love, shot, love, shot, love, shot, love and foam. ... How do you do the love?"

"I just smile while I pour it."

                                                                                                                        Frank Perez/Correspondent

Of all the big-name stars who have graced the Lewis Family Playhouse stage, Edward James Olmos, who spoke Friday night, might very well be the coolest. And it was free to see him!

On his Chicano identity while growing up in East L.A.: "I knew exactly who I was, I was never confused."

On his grandmother, who swept the dirt floor of their garage: "I would say, 'Grandma, it's dirt.' And she'd say, 'But we're gonna have the cleanest dirt.' "

On Raymond Kurzweil's book "Singularity is Near": "Read that book. The preface stunned me."

On aging: "I'm going to live until I'm 120 and if I don't, I'm gonna die trying."

On the city that hosted him: "Whenever you tell someone where you live, you should say 'Cucamonga. ... We've got a great library.' "

Read the complete story from today's paper.

Yesterday, I quietly marked my fourth anniversary at the Daily Bulletin.

Sad but true, this is the longest I've ever worked at one job. I guess I really like it here. (Or maybe I didn't really like all the other jobs.)

Unlike other reporters who have dipped their toes in multiple beats, I've stayed put, covering Rancho Cucamonga for all those years. I guess I really like Rancho. (Or maybe nobody else does.)

For a person who likes to talk and likes to listen even more, a job as a daily newspaper reporter can't be beat. For example, this past week, I've interviewed: Supervisor Paul Biane, Mayor Don Kurth, Councilman Sam Spagnolo and Actor Edward James Olmos. I also interviewed a Coca-Cola employee, a member of the Brown Beret, a hardcord K-FROG fan, the manager of Fresh & Easy, an environmentalist and the San Manuel tribal chairman. I also talked to a person who really likes Spam, a man who owns the world's tallest cat and a woman who would not give her name but cried for 10 minutes about losing her job.

All in one week!

If you're lucky enough to have a job, how long have you been there?

If you shop at the Victoria Garden's Macy's, you might have noticed Benefit Cosmetics, the company that etched out a sizable corner of the department store. It's sort of a store within a store.

Benefit is marking its one-year anniversary at the Vic with a party on Oct. 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers can get makeup tips with refreshments and music. Waxing and lash services will be offered.

A $50 purchase will get you a free gift; a $100 purchase will get your hair styled.

Just show up or make an appointment by calling (909) 646-3333 ext. 3111.

The charming Christmas House on Archibald Avenue is hosting a murder mystery afternoon tea on Oct. 11 for $45. The event, according to the release, is titled "Silk and Cyanide" because "Arsenic and Old Lace" was taken.

Back in the 80s, the bed and breakfast operation hosted several murder mysteries events. This year, they're bringing murder back.

Participants will be sent all through the Victorian home searching for clues and meeting strange characters to solve a crime.

High tea is at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Reservations are a must. The Christmas House is on 9240 Archibald Ave.

Information: (909) 980-6450 or e-mail contact@christmashouseinn.com

Organizers for the Rancho Cucamonga Community Garden will be at a couple of events to raise funds and dispense gardening advice. Check them out at this weekend's Grape Harvest Festival (at Victoria Gardens Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday) and at the Mainstreet Marketplace (at Victoria Gardens every Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. for the rest of this month). 

The garden folks will be selling baked goods, seedlings, plant kits and flower pots. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Groundbreaking for the garden, to be located at the Edison corridor near Day Creek and Foothill, is planned later this month.

Questions? Send an e-mail to rcgardens@live.com



  

For more tidbits on the Fresh & Easy grand opening, check out Dine 909, a food blog that I occasionally contribute to. There are pics of the mayor holding giant scissors for the ribbon cutting. There's no video, but you can almost hear him crack a half joke, "How about these scissors!"