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Gutierrez faces more charges

2010-02-09T23:12:09Z

Prosecutors charged Councilman Rex Gutierrez with two additional felony counts today at a court appearance in San Bernardino in connection with the Assessor's Office investigation, according to courts reporter Mike Cruz.

Gutierrez appeared for arraignment in San Bernardino Superior Court on his original counts of grand theft and embezzlement. However, prosecutors added two additional counts -- grand theft and submitting a false claim -- which allegedly occurred between 2007 and 2009, court documents state.

For full story, click here.

Coffee Klatch expands

2010-02-09T19:58:15Z

When two Starbucks opened on the northwest corner of Vineyard and Foothill, coffee lovers held their breath and wondered what it would mean to the independent darling Coffee Klatch across the way.

Last year was probably a challenging one for Coffee Klatch. Its neighbor, Bobby Bajas, closed in December 2008 and major renovation of the Thomas Winery Plaza did not make the businesses there look very inviting. Nevertheless, the coffee shop always looked busy and one of the two Starbucks across the street closed. Today, Coffee Klatch opened its newest location in Ontario. The new shop on 951 Haven Avenue is a former Starbucks.

A grand opening celebration is scheduled at noon on Thursday.

View New Coffee Klatch in a larger map

Foreclosure help on the way

2010-02-09T15:47:05Z

The Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corp. will host a Home Foreclosure Prevention Seminar on Feb. 20 for anybody who is either going through a home foreclosure or thinks they might go through foreclosure. The seminar will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Park. Representatives from banks and counselors approved by the Housing and Urban Development will be there to answer questions about the loan modification process.

Pre-register online at www.ieerc.org.

Information: 909-723-8336

'Kickout' to benefit Haiti

2010-02-08T17:58:02Z

Karate students at Chozen Martial Arts are collecting donations for a Haiti Relief Kickout. Donors who contribute to the cause will sign a "breakthrough board," which the students will break at noon on Feb. 20. Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

Information: 909-941-7448

Local art association turns 68

2010-02-06T00:52:09Z

The Chaffey Community Art Association will mark its 68th year with a President's Dinner on March 7 at the Broadway Room of Imagine That! Betty Davenport-Ford will be honored as the artist of the year. For dinner reservations, call the museum at 909-463-3733. For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, call 909-945-0072.

Flea market to benefit animals

2010-02-05T23:43:25Z

Volunteers at the Animal Care and Adoption Center are looking for items to sell at a "Furry Friends Flea Market" scheduled for March 20 at the Lions Center. Proceeds from the flea market will be donated to the animal center.

Bring your donations (no large appliances or computers) to the animal center on 11780 Arrow Route through March 17.

For more information, e-mail Linda Bryan.

Children's theater company to hold auditions

2010-02-04T18:15:53Z

The Missoula Children's Theatre will host an audition for the production of "King Arthur's Quest" on Feb. 15 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Students kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to audition for the 50 roles available. The performance will be staged at the Lewis Family Playhouse on Feb. 19. There will be a $75 fee for those cast in the production.

Information: 909-477-2775 ext. 3736

Congratulations to Don and Dee

2010-02-04T05:10:06Z

Mayor Don Kurth and his wife, Dee, have adopted a baby girl. Daisy Grace Kurth went home with the happy couple yesterday. At the City Council meeting tonight, Kurth was surrounded by pink gifts. The baby girl's photo was shown at the Council Chambers which prompted Councilman Dennis Michael to declare, "She has more hair than I do."

Word of the day: decommissioning

2010-02-04T04:09:51Z

The bulk of tonight's City Council meeting is dedicated to landscape maintenance districts and what to do about the landscaping on public streets now that the city is running out of money.

Decommissioning is inevitable, said city staff members.

To save money, the city will decommission portions of public streets meaning it will pull out the plants, turn off the sprinklers and replace an area with mulch.

Maybe the word will catch on. "Honey, can you go decommission the back yard?"

Council decides against restaurant smoking ban

2010-02-04T02:34:04Z

The City Council decided today not to enforce a smoking ban in outdoor dining areas, citing concerns of negative impacts on local restaurants. Council members Sam Spagnolo, Dennis Michael and Diane Williams were concerned such restrictions would be too stringent on businesses that rely on sales generated from outdoor patios.

Williams said the government should not be the one to decide whether restaurant-goers can smoke in outdoor patios.

"I think every restaurant should have a choice, especially in these economic times," Williams said.

But Mayor Don Kurth disagreed.

"We should have the courage to advance this argument and make this city a safer place," Kurth said. "Smokers have a right to smoke but they don't have the right to expose others to lethal health risks.

"I think it's important to protect the people who may not have a say so -- like children."

Councilman Rex Gutierrez did not attend the special meeting.

Wine pairings on Valentine's Day

2010-02-03T20:05:48Z

Wine aficionados can celebrate Valentine's Day at Filippi Winery, where a multi-course dinner will be paired with Filippi wines on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The dinner is $100; $80 for wine club members. See the menu here.

Information: 909-899-5755

On the agenda: special, City Council meetings

2010-02-03T16:05:32Z

No-smoking regulations will be the topic of discussion at today's 3:30 p.m. special meeting at City Hall's Tri-Communities Room. The City Council will decide whether to enforce no-smoking policies in outdoor dining areas, streets and sidewalks. It will also consider a draft ordinance prohibiting smoking in outdoor service lines and transit stops.

At 7 p.m., the future of landscape maintenance districts 6 and 8 will be discussed at the City Council meeting. Property owners did not vote for a fee increase so the city will likely consider replacing plants with mulch, turning off sprinklers and other cost-saving measures. At the start of the meeting, Francisco Oaxaca will be sworn in as the new planning commissioner and Jeremy Kahn will be sworn in as the new Community Foundation board member.

Dual parties at VFW

2010-02-02T16:10:12Z

The VFW is lettin' loose next weekend.

On Feb. 12, The Old and Restless Country Band will perform 8 p.m. to midnight. There will be plenty of food and dancing. Tickets are $7; $5 in advance.

On Feb. 13, there will be a steak dinner to mark Valentine's Day from 6 to 8:30 p.m. There will be karaoke and a 50/50 drawing. Cost is $10.

VFW Post 8680 is on 8751 Industrial Lane.

Information: 909-980-5220, 909-957-1417

Tax season's here

2010-02-01T18:09:43Z

Free tax assistance will be available to low income residents and senior citizens every Saturday starting Feb. 6 at the Northtown Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the exception of Feb. 13, when the site will be closed.

Accounting students from Cal State San Bernardino will help prepare basic state and federal tax returns. The assistance will not be offered to non-residents, small business owners, owners of rental properties or those who are married and filing separately.

The center is on 10071 Feron Blvd. The program is provided by the Inland Empire United Way.

Upcoming blood drives in Feb.

2010-01-29T20:27:45Z

There are a number of opportunities to donate blood next month. The blood drives are hosted by LifeStream.

San Joaquin Valley College on 10641 Church St.
8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4

Sacred Heart Catholic Church on 12704 Foothill Blvd.
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 7

Mountainview Faith Community Church on 7986 Haven Ave.
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21

Church of Jesus Christ of LDS on 6829 Etiwanda Ave.
3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25