March 2010 Archives

Dennis Michael, councilman and aspiring mayor, will speak at the Inland Valley Business Alliance's Ultimate Business Connection at 11:30 a.m. April 12 at Antonino's. The business alliance is a regular at Antonino's and meets there on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. The restaurant is on Foothill and Vineyard near Fresh and Easy. Lunch is $15.

Information: 909-477-6623, www.ivbusiness.org

Sending out vibes of big bucks to high school dance teacher Teri Ross, a Rancho Cucamonga resident who will be on Wheel of Fortune next Thursday. Her hobbies are listed for Pat Sajak as dancing, boating and pulling weeds. If the Wheel doesn't work out, maybe she can pull weeds for landscape maintenance district 6 for some extra cash.


















Photo courtesy of Carol Kaelson

The Wignall Museum at Chaffey College has a new exhibit and set of workshops throughout the week. Valyoued.org, the brainchild of local artist Cynde Miller, is a Web site that lists a number of activities and artistic projects that the community can lead or participate in. Some activities include knitting, art and film classes and many others. Click here for a schedule. There will be a reception on Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.  

Hoping to gain extra credit, I started reading "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" this week, ahead of the Big Read kickoff on April 10. I was pleased to find that the copy a friend loaned me had plenty of pictures.

The library will hold a reading initiative centered around the Mark Twain novel next month. This year marks the beloved author's 175th birthday.

A Mark Twain impersonator will lead a kickoff event from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Biane Library. On that day, you can pick up free tickets to see Ray Bradbury, who is coming to the city as part of the Big Read. The "Fahrenheit 451" author will give a speech at 7 p.m. on April 16.

There will also be a number of Little Read activities aimed at younger readers. The Tom Sawyer Fence Art Project will give students a chance to decorate a section of Tom's fence. The pieces will be joined together and displayed at the library in the month of April. Creative excuses to get out of this project may count as extra credit.

Information: 909-477-2720 

The deadline to nominate a city for Google's fiber project ends today, capping off a month-long effort by the city to get the search engine's attention. City Hall's "Rancho Googlemonga" initiative centered around a Facebook page that has garnered 848 friends. The page includes several videos including a flash forward that imagines Google selecting Rancho Cucamonga.

Google's Fiber for Communities project, as you may remember, is an experiment that would bring super high-speed broadband to one or more cities. For the past month, Google has been soliciting nominations. You can still participate by clicking here. Mike Nelson, economic development manager, estimates more than 1,000 people have nominated Rancho Cucamonga so far.

Nobody knows whether more nominations will give the city a better chance of grabbing this much coveted fiber. Google has been vague about what qualifications they're looking for. This might be why many cities are resorting to silliness.

Topeka, Kan. decided to rename itself Google, Kan. through a proclamation signed by the mayor. As a response, Duluth, Min. released a mock press conference announcing that all first-born males born in Duluth will be named Google Fiber.

   


     
In Sarasota, Fla., the mayor went for a swim in a shark tank. (Not sure what that has to do with fiber. Mayor Don Kurth, are you up for it?) And in Highlands Ranch, Colo., residents got together to form the words "We Love Google."

Much of the silliness in this city has been instigated by Francie Palmer, marketing manager for the community services department. She kickstarted a flash mob at Victoria Gardens, where more than 30 people screamed "Rancho Googlemonga me" and Palmer shot the action from the roof top. She's done similar videos throughout the city including city council meetings and the senior center.

Vincent Pantoja, of Chino, pictured, makes his way through the job fair put on by San Bernardino County today. The job fair at Victoria Gardens ended about an hour ago. Like most job fairs these days, there were a lot more job seekers than open positions. The Doubletree Hotel in Ontario had two part-time positions opened. A human resources manager said about 150 will apply for those positions after learning about them at today's job fair. See more online photos here.

Students interested in pursuing studies in architecture, landscape architecture or urban planning can apply for the Pitassi Architects and Northtown Housing Development Corp. scholarship. One or more students will receive up to $1,000 per year for up to five years for tuition and college expenses. The scholarship is open to current or former students of a Chaffey Joint Union School District school.

April 16 is the deadline for the scholarship. For information and application, visit www.pitassiarhitects.com.

Thursday is a good day to get your passport application and photo taken care of. The City Hall will extends its passport office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Normally, the office is opened Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make an appointment, call 909-477-2700 ext. 2023. City Hall is on 10500 Civic Center Drive.  

Registration has begun for the Cucamonga Challenge, an annual ride to benefit the Pacific Electric Trail. On May 8, walkers, runners and cyclists can chose their course (5K, 10K, 5 mile or 29 mile) starting at Central Park. The fundraiser, in its fifth year and organized by the Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail, promotes Healthy RC and raises money for trail enhancements.

Online registration ends 5 p.m. May 7. The cost is $40; $30 for seniors and $10 for children. Registration includes T-shirt, lunch, giveaways and a chance to win raffle prizes.

We The People California's Crusader, an anti-illegal immigration group founded by former Minuteman spokesman Raymond Herrera, will host a "No Amnesty, Support American Workers" rally 2 p.m. Sunday on Haven Avenue, one block north of the 210 Freeway.

The rally is a counter protest to the March For America, which is scheduled on the same day in Washington DC and organized by Reform Immigration for America.    

Walk to Remember, a nonprofit support group for families dealing with the loss of their baby through pregnancy or infancy, will hold a charity rummage sale Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at Northkirk Presbyterian Church. Proceeds will go toward the Walk to Remember event scheduled Oct. 16. The church is on 9101 19th Street.

Former community services supervisor Bill Pallotto was appointed by the City Council to fill a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Councilman Sam Spagnolo made the announcement around 11 p.m. last night, less than 24 hours before Pallotto begins his four-year term at tonight's meeting.

Pallotto is a human services manager for the city of Claremont and an active coach for youth sports in this community. He fills the seat left vacant by Francisco Oaxaca, who was appointed to the Planning Commission in January.   

It was hard not to think about Margarita Beach at last night's meeting even though Omaha Jack's was the subject of discussion. Councilman Dennis Michael likened Omaha to Beach and wondered whether more and more restaurants are operating as nightclubs to see if they can get away with it.

Councilman Rex Gutierrez's comments to Mayor Don Kurth were also reminiscent of the low blow dealt to former Mayor Bill Alexander when discussing Beach.

Last night, Gutierrez and Kurth were at odds over Omaha. The mayor didn't support anything short of an entertainment permit revocation because he thought the number of DUIs coming out of the establishment was "shocking." Gutierrez, who backed a six-month suspension instead, thought Omaha should get a second chance.

"I just want to ask you, Don. How many chances have you had?" Gutierrez asked.

Back in the day, Kurth had some run-ins with the law. When he talks about his past, Kurth often credits a judge for giving him a second chance by letting him go through drug rehab as opposed to jail.

Kurth ignored Gutierrez's comment unlike Alexander, who rarely fell silent when Gutierrez picked a fight. In 2005, when the City Council discussed whether Beach was bringing too many problems into the neighborhood, Gutierrez and Alexander were at odds. During City
Council comments, Gutierrez brought up the fact that Alexander's son once had run-ins with police.

The underlying message seems to be -- don't be so quick to judge riffraffs when you or someone you know were once a riffraff.

Alexander later called Gutierrez a disgrace. Gutierrez apologized.

The City Council revoked the entertainment permit of a Foothill Boulevard restaurant and brewery tonight on a 3-2 vote. Council members Diane Williams and Rex Gutierrez, who supported a six-month suspension instead, were the dissenting votes.

"I think there's a dangerous condition here," said Mayor Don Kurth. "I think the entertainment permit has to go."

Drunken fights and other disturbances associated with Omaha Jack's got the Planning Commission's attention last month when it warned owners to run a restaurant and not a night club. Planning commissioners said they would not make any changes to Omaha Jack's permits but would revisit the issue in 90 days.

However, council members Sam Spagnolo and Dennis Michael said they were concerned with the situation at Masi Plaza and didn't want to wait 90 days for another review.

With tonight's vote, Omaha Jack's will not be allowed to provide bands, karaoke or any other forms of entertainment. After one year, the business can apply for a new entertainment permit.

El Loco Cantina, a neighbor of Omaha Jack's, is also under fire by the city. Last week, the Planning Commission revoked two key permits, thereby taking away the cantina's ability to serve hard liquor and provide entertainment.   

The City Council gave final approval to an ordinance tonight that will ban smoking in ATM lines, bus stops and other outdoor service lines. The city will spend about $6,000 to put up no-smoking signs at bus stops.

Restaurant owner Jim Moffatt, a staunch opponent of smoking restrictions, wondered if there was a better way to spend the money, such as give it to landscape maintenance district 6, which no longer has money to keep public landscaping well maintained.

"Where do you find this $6,000 for things that you want?" Moffatt asked. "Why don't you give it to (LMD 6) and do something constructive with it?"

The smoking ban was approved unanimously and will go in effect after 30 days.

The City Council meeting got a full house tonight thanks to residents from landscape maintenance district 6 who believe the city has mismanaged the district's funds. The landscape maintenance district was on the agenda tonight but the item was postponed for 30 days so staff can have more time to work with neighbors on a solution. Some neighbors in the district formed a coalition on Saturday with the hopes of working with city staff members to keep the landscape maintenance at a high level without bringing in work release laborers.

 

The community services subcommittee, consisting of council members Diane Williams and Sam Spagnolo, will interview candidates for the Parks and Recreation Commission at a 4 p.m. special meeting. Three residents are hoping to be appointed -- Bill Pallotto, Christine Dahlstrom Maki and Victoria Jones. The subcommittee will announce the appointment at the end of the City Council meeting.

The 7 p.m. regular meeting has a packed agenda tonight. Council members are expected to give final approval of a smoking ordinance that would ban tobacco use in outdoor service lines and transit stops.

The City Council will hear from city staff members and owners of Omaha Jack's about the Masi Plaza establishment. Last month, the Planning Commission did not revoke Omaha Jack's permits but gave them 90 days to make changes to its business. But the City Council did not want to wait 90 days and is thus holding a public hearing tonight. The City Council could chose to uphold, modify or deny the Planning Commission decision.

Landscape Maintenance District 6 is also on the agenda. After a rebid process, staff members will recommend the city hire Mariposa Landscape, the lowest bidder. When this issue was discussed at the last meeting, the city considered using work release laborers to do landscape work. Staff members will no longer recommend this option.

San Bernardino County will host At Your Service Community Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Thursday at Victoria Gardens. Participants can find a job, adopt a pet, get a health screening and learn about the different types of services offered by the county. A job fair is scheduled 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Information: 888-818-8988  

Chipotle is opening its third location in Rancho Cucamonga next Friday at Victoria Gardens (near Pinkberry). The first 100 customers will get a free T-shirt and be entered in a drawing for a year's worth of free burritos. Chipotle is opened daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you have a fancy car to show off, Vineyard Junior High School is interested. The school's Parent Teacher Student Association will hold a car show fundraiser on April 1. A suggested donation of $10 per entry will go toward student programming. To enter, call Arla at 909-945-1306. 

El Loco Cantina's entertainment and conditional use permits were revoked by a 5-0 vote last night but it does not mean the party is over quite yet.

With the Planning Commission vote, the restaurant/bar will no longer be allowed to serve alcohol and provide entertainment. However, the owner of the business has 10 days to appeal. Once the appeal is filed, a public hearing will be scheduled with the City Council and El Loco will have another opportunity to state its case. If the City Council upholds the Planning Commission decision, the taps will close and the DJ will get the boot. 

Unhappy with El Loco Cantina's nightclub vibe and the unsavory activities that it brings, the Planning Commission revoked the establishment's conditional use and entertainment permits tonight, prohibiting the owner from serving alcohol and providing entertainment in the cantina.

Commissioner Ray Wimberly said the business presents "a clear and present danger to the safety of the city." 

After a three-hour public hearing, the commission voted unanimously for the revocation.

We are about half an hour into the El Loco Cantina public hearing and staff from the planning and sheriff's departments have finished their presentation. One piece of evidence a sheriff's deputy showed to prove that the cantina is not the family-friendly business its permit requires the establishment to be is a link to My Fox LA. Fans of the Foothill Boulevard cantina voted it the best dance club in the Inland Empire. It won fifth place.

Tonight's Planning Commission meeting has begun.

Ed Dietl of the Historic Preservation Association started things off, reminding commissioners that the old gas station on Foothill and Archibald is up for sale. Dietl has big dreams for the historic property, which includes a museum to honor the rich history of old Cucamonga. His association doesn't have the money to purchase the property but he's hoping the city might.

How much is the property listed for? asked Commissioner Frances Howdyshell.

$300,000, said Planning Director James Troyer.

Local animal lovers will put on a flea market next Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lions Park West on 9161 Base Line Road. "Gently used" tools, furniture, televisions, clothes, jewelry, toys and other items will be for sale. Proceeds will go toward the Animal Care and Adoption Center.   

The Frontier Project hosts a monthly Sustainable Saturday Series for the public. This Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., learn how to create an edible garden. Experts will go through steps of creating a do-it-yourself garden that's water efficient and attractive. The Frontier Project is on 10435 Ashford St.

Information: 909-944-6025

Planning Commission, City Council, El Loco Cantina, Omaha Jacks -- it's been like a game of Pong.

Tonight's meeting will focus on El Loco Cantina. Commissioners will discuss whether to revoke, modify or uphold the restaurant's conditional use permit. This item was continued from two weeks ago, when lawyers from El Loco requested more time to prepare arguments.

Here's how it works: Wear a red, blue, yellow or green (Google colors) shirt and a jacket over it. Head to Victoria Gardens Thursday and at exactly 4:04 p.m. take off your jacket to flash your primary color. Look up at a rooftop camera and yell "Rancho Googlemonga me!"

This flash mob idea was brought to you by Francie Palmer of the Community Services Department. Click here to see PC Magazine's mention of "Rancho Googlemonga" and a flash mob for Google's sake in Columbia, Mo. 

More than 65 years ago, when most people thought "glass ceiling" was an architectural term, more than a thousand women flew military planes on ferrying missions across the country. They were called Women Airforce Service Pilots and they will receive their Congressional Gold Medals tomorrow in Washington DC.

Some of those skilled pilots are Inland Valley residents -- Catherine Bridge of Claremont, Iris Critchell of Claremont and Pearl Judd of Rancho Cucamonga. I first wrote about them last August when President Barack Obama signed the bill authorizing the congressional honor.

Judd continues to speak at local schools and service clubs about her missions. She never flew again having tried once but airport officials didn't believe her past experience. Bridge taught grounds school and went on to run a citrus ranch with her husband Arthur Bridge. When they lived in Rancho Cucamonga, the Bridges were instrumental in the city's incorporation efforts. Critchell went on to a 70-year career in aviation and taught at Harvey Mudd College.
   

Nearly ten months following the arrest of Rex Gutierrez, the polarizing councilman has lost some of the defiance he once displayed. Last May, he told his supporters, "We will fight, and we will win," but lately he has been talking about the possibility of not running for re-election.

"I'm thinking of running but I don't know what my future holds," he said in an interview late last month. "If things don't go in my favor, I may not get to run."

Gutierrez, who was the top vote getter in the 1996 and 2006 elections, is now wondering whether he was meant to be a city councilman after all.

"The legal process does wear you down," he said. "My mission in life was to be in public service. It could be the possibility that I could be wrong. It does make me kind of sad. On the other hand, it's a little thrilling in some way that I don't know what the future will hold."

So basically, Gutierrez may run or he may not. He's kind of sad but also thrilled. But one thing is for sure, Gutierrez has no regrets.

"I feel it's been a fairly successful career with four elections I've won -- certainly not without controversy," Gutierrez said. "I feel it's been worth it. I would have done it all the same. I know I haven't done anything wrong."

Several factors will make the 2010 local elections interesting in this city.

Councilman Dennis Michael, who currently serves as mayor pro tem, is running for Mayor Don Kurth's seat. Michael has the support of council members Diane Williams and Sam Spagnolo.

"I know Dennis will bring some leadership and integrity to the mayor's position," said Spagnolo, adding that he is not knocking Kurth. "Dennis doesn't have any ambition to higher office."

Kurth is not going to talk about his mayoral endorsements at this time because it all depends whether he'll win the Republican primaries for the 63rd Assembly District. When asked what he thinks about Michael seeking his seat, Kurth ducked the question.

"He has certainly done a good job on the council," Kurth said.

Also interesting is the possibility of former Mayor Bill Alexander staging a comeback. The once popular mayor said he now wants to be a councilman. If he follows through, he'll likely run as the anti-Kurth.

"He's always out of town," Alexander said, referring to Kurth's Harvard stint. "Don Kurth knew he was going to be an AWOL mayor before he was elected."

There are some wild cards, too.

Erick Jimenez, 31, is a Fed-Ex driver and Rancho native who filed his statement of intention. He's young, Latino and a Democrat.

There's also Tim Johnson, a district director for Supervisor Paul Biane. Johnson did not say he will run but he could make an announcement after the close of Biane's re-election bid this summer. At 28, Johnson is 22 years younger than the youngest member of the current council. Councilman Rex Gutierrez is 50.

Check Monday's paper for more on this topic. As always, leave your comments here on who should be sitting up on the council dais next year.

Paisano and Candelas, two sit-down restaurants, have filled two formerly vacant sites at Victoria Gardens.

Candelas, which picked up its liquor license a couple days ago, offers contemporary Mexican fare at a location that Wapango once occupied. Paisano is near the AMC Theater and dishes up Italian cuisine.

One commenter on this blog has raved about Paisano's pizza. Anyone else tried these restaurants?

Chipotle, which will open soon at Victoria Gardens, is hosting a job fair tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Getting there will be tricky: Head to Chaffey Town Square, go through the glass doors next to Helzberg Diamonds, then follow the signs.

You might find a job or the Mad Hatter.

                                                                                Thomas Cordova/Staff Photographer

The Cucamonga district Lions Club and the Rancho Cucamonga Optometric Center will host a wine tasting dinner 6 p.m. next Saturday at Antonino's. The seven-course dinner is $75 and proceeds benefit local and international Lions Club charities. Antonino's is located at Foothill and Vineyard near Fresh and Easy.

To RSVP, call Jim Peugh at 909-948-5150.   

Two weeks after a Fox producer approached Mayor Don Kurth for an interview at the Council Chambers, the city has put up ropes restricting access to the dais.

A producer and cameraman approached the dais during a special meeting wanting Kurth to answer questions about the Carrari Ranch project. Yelling and pushing ensued. Kurth said he feared for his safety.

Tonight, there are two ropes with a sign that reads "No public access." 

Rancho Cucamonga, or is it Rancho Googlemonga?, isn't the only city trying to get a piece of Google's fiber optics pie.

Topeka has temporarily changed its name to Google, Kan. in a move to get the search engine giant to take notice. In a proclamation signed by Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten, for the month of March, "the city of Topeka will be known as Google, Kansas -- the city of fiber optics." You can read the proclamation here.

Since it's temporary, I don't think Google, Kan. will appear on Google maps.

The City Council will meet a bit earlier today, at 6:30 p.m., in order to present proclamations to the Rancho Cucamonga Friends of the Library and congratulate the Upland Christian Academy girls volleyball team for winning the CIF Southern Section championship. The Upland Christian Academy campus is at Abundant Living Family Church in Rancho Cucamonga.

Later, the council is expected to give initial approval of an ordinance that would prohibit smoking at transit stops and outdoor service lines. The city will also discuss the mid-year budget and consider ways to trim the budget gap. 

Rent opens Friday night at the Lewis Family Playhouse for a total of six performances. For schedule and tickets, click here.

Tickets are $33.50 but if you're a Lewis Family Playhouse Facebook fan, you can get opening night tickets for $25.

Who doesn't love unlimited pancakes on a Saturday morning? To get that along with unlimited sausage, coffee and orange juice, head to Applebee's on Foothill Boulevard this Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. For $10, you can get filled up and raise funds to benefit the city's homebound seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the senior center or at the restaurant on the day of the breakfast.

Information: 909-477-2780

Did you see Saturday's article about Rancho Googlemonga?

Google will soon select one or several communities for its ultra high-speed broadband experiment. If the city is selected, anyone with a computer will get Internet speeds of 1 whole gigabit per second. To nominate the city, click here.