Category: Inland Empire

Riverside packs a lot into the holiday season, starting with plenty to do in October. October is the month when things cool down a bit and start to get spooky. Our monthly guide is by no means comprehensive, but it offers plenty of reasons to get out of the house this month, ranked from “Not Spooky At All” to “Mommy, Hold Me!” Not Spooky At All Goeske Center Health Fair – October 2 Not taking care of yourself can be scary. The Janet Goeske Center provides essential care and companionship for our most experienced Riversiders. The Fifty & Better Health Fair is an opportunity to see what’s happening at the Goeske Center. The event is free and open to the public. Riverside Historical Society Book Fair – October 6 Don’t worry! You didn’t forget to study for your final exam in history class—that would be spooky. The Riverside Historical Society is having another book sale, and if you love local history, come listen to the experts share things you don’t know about our city. This is your first chance to buy the Historical Society’s new

I had brought my copy of “Perris, California” to Perris, California. That’s the novel released earlier this year that’s set in Perris — our Perris, not the one in Texas or the one in France. A story of poverty, hope and resilience, “Perris” bounces between 1992 and 1999 as we follow two women, Tessa and Melissa, first as friends at Perris High and then as they reunite as adults under changed circumstances. It’s a window into the lives of lower-class women. It’s gotten excellent reviews, although I don’t know what they think of it in Perris. I drove there the other day, hardcover in my passenger seat, to take a couple of photos and eat lunch. And also to drop by the library. I intended to ask if people had been checking out the book or discussing it in book clubs — only to learn that the library is closed for renovations, which led to its own column. Bonus! “Perris, California” author Rachel Stark spent her childhood in Perris in the 1990s. I met Stark, now a Colorado resident, in April when she was interviewed in

Dog and cat admissions have surged at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter since it began contracting with three new cities over the summer, outraging animal advocates and prompting a scramble to upgrade deteriorating facilities and add kennels. San Bernardino began accepting animals from Rialto, Colton and Fontana on June 26, and the shelter expects the number of animal intakes to double in the next year from 6,000 to 12,000, said San Bernardino Animal Services Director Kristine Watson. “We’re not talking about hundreds of animals,” Watson said. San Bernardino Animal Services Director Kristine Watson during a recent tour at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter, which has partnered with five cities to expand and upgrade the shelter in the next year to accommodate up to 700 dogs and cats daily. (Photo by Joe Nelson/SCNG) Kennels at San Bernardino Animal Shelter house adoptable dogs on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Grates of of unbuilt kennels at the San Bernardino Animal Shelter await the sign-off on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Staff at the San Bernardino Animal

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Rodeo returns this weekend to Glen Helen Regional Park for the 25th time. Bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and more brought lots of action and entertainment for the three-day event, where tickets sold out for two of the three days, according to the event’s Facebook page. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sheriff’s PRCA Pro Rodeo in San Bernardino County. The proceeds from the charity event go to benefit youth organizations in the county, the website says. Owen Redfeairn of Bakersfield competes in steer wrestling on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo at Glen Helen Regional Park. (Photo by Brian Spears, Contributing photographer) A rider holds the American flag during the national anthem on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo at Glen Helen Regional Park. (Photo by Brian Spears, Contributing photographer) Jade Church of Strathmore competes in tie-down roping on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo at Glen Helen Regional Park. (Photo by Brian Spears, Contributing photographer)

The Chino Valley school board will vote on a new “no deception” policy for school employees that requires full transparency when communicating with parents. But some are calling the proposal another move against LGBTQ+ and transgender students and a workaround to a court decision stopping parts of the district’s earlier rule to notify parents if a student is transgender. The board approved that rule more than a year ago, but later adjusted it to remove references to gender. The new proposal, discussed by the board last week, would require Chino Valley Unified School District teachers and staff to be completely “forthcoming” when they speak to parents about the health, safety and education of their child. The policy states that the district and its employees “shall at all times be truthful and honest and not misrepresent, either directly or by omission, to any parent or guardian any school-related undertakings and information that affects their child’s education and well-being.” It’s not known when the board might vote. The proposal is another point of contention in the district, which was the Inland Empire’s first to adopt a parent

Last week , we delved into the art of turning glass jars into sound makers, perhaps inspiring some of you to create a rhythmic masterpiece with your kitchen tools or weave a sonic tale that carried listeners to distant places. Maybe you even found yourself tuning into the everyday symphony of sounds around you, heightened by the simple act of placing a jar over your ear. This week, our creative focus shifts to something a bit more grounded—drink coasters. These little objects often scattered around spaces where drinks shouldn’t be, yet always are, have quietly enabled our beverages for as long as we’ve had fine furniture and a need to stay hydrated. Maybe you’ve scribbled on a coaster while waiting for a friend in a coffee shop, or used them to build a makeshift tower while passing time. Coasters, in all their simplicity, offer a blank slate for relaxed artistic expression. Isn’t it about time we elevated the humble coaster and unleashed our creativity through tactile exploration? Gather a collection—cork, ceramic, cardboard, or paper, whatever you’ve got. Maybe it’s the perfect moment to dust off

Another Rancho Cucamonga teen has killed himself on the 210 Freeway near the Haven Avenue overpass, officials said. “I’m sorry to share tragic news with you regarding a fellow Grizzly,” Los Osos High School principal Eric Cypher said in a message to school families early Thursday, Sept. 26. “We have learned that early this morning, a senior and beloved Grizzly, Connor Furutan, has passed away. Connor was involved in drama and choir. … Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they grieve.” Counselors, student peer counselors and district therapists would be available in the school’s on-campus wellness center for those who need support, Cypher said. He also directed families who needed immediate support to call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. “Please know that we love you and want to support you at this time,” he concluded. Furutan’s death comes almost two weeks after the suicide of another Los Osos student. Emily Gold, 17, killed herself on Sept. 13 at the same location. On Friday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a second person had killed themselves at the Haven

The Southland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, directed by Sylvia Lee Mann, will present “Power and Passion,” its season-opening concert, 4 p.m. Oct. 6 at Bethel Congregational Church, 536 N. Euclid Ave., Ontario. The concert will feature music by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) — the “Cantique de Jean Racine”; Requiem in D minor, with soloists Coril Prochnow, soprano, and Michal Dawson Connor, baritone; and “Elegie” for cello and orchestra. Jocelyn Francis, the orchestra’s principal cellist, is the soloist in the “Elegie,” and Adam Timney, who won the 2023-24 season finale conducting prize, will conduct that piece, according to a news release. The concert will also include “The Heavenly Country,” a piece for cello and strings by Michal Dawson Connor, featuring cellist Jocelyn Francis; and the world premiere of “Daring Voyage” by Noah Cisneros, a violinist with the Southland Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $10 and $20, available in advance at givebutter.com/c/SSO-SeasonOpener2024. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door. The orchestra also offers free admission for those who cannot afford a ticket, according to the news release. The Southland Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2011

The Chino Basin Water Conservation District will hold its annual Waterwise Garden and Pumpkin Fest 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Waterwise Community Center, 4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair. The event, celebrating Southern California’s planting season, will include a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating and making pumpkin centerpieces, plus free children’s crafts and activities, a bounce house, face painting and petting zoo, according to a news release. There will also be a sale of native plants, and free compost will be available. “The Waterwise Garden and Pumpkin Fest is not only about celebrating the season but also about raising awareness on water conservation in a fun and engaging way,” Mark Ligtenberg, president of the Chino Basin Water Conservation District board, said in the news release. “We look forward to welcoming families from across the community to enjoy the festivities and learn more about water-saving practices and free community resources.” Admission is free and food will be available for purchase. For information, go to cbwcd.org/waterwisefest.

Restaurants and other food vendors ordered to close and allowed to reopen by San Bernardino County health inspectors from Sept. 19 to Sept. 26. Flame Broiler, 2535 Del Rosa Ave., San Bernardino Closed: Sept. 23 Reason: Insufficient hot water Reopened: Sept. 24 This list is published weekly with closures since the previous week’s list. Status updates are published the following week. Source: San Bernardino County Department of Public Health — Ian Wheeler Related Articles Local News | San Bernardino County restaurants shut down by health inspectors, Sept. 12-19 Local News | San Bernardino County restaurants shut down by health inspectors, Sept. 5-12 Local News | San Bernardino County restaurants shut down by health inspectors, Aug. 28-Sept. 5 Local News | San Bernardino County restaurants shut down by health inspectors, Aug. 21-29 Local News | San Bernardino County restaurants reopened by health inspectors, Aug. 15-22

The California Botanic Garden in Claremont offers nighttime fun with the return of its Things That Go Bump in the Night event 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19. For the event, guests are encouraged to bring flashlights to explore the nocturnal worlds of plants and animals at booths and stages that will be scattered throughout the garden. There will be interactive activities and shows, guided flashlight tours and opportunities to connect with live animals, make creepy-crawly crafts and get dinner from a food truck, according to a news release. Partners and exhibitors include Pomona Valley Audubon Society, San Dimas Canyon Nature Center, Guardians of the Wolves, SoCal Bat Working Group and scientists from Harvey Mudd College and the UCR entomology department. Tickets for California Botanic Garden members are $15 for adults and $10 for students with ID, seniors and children ages 3 to 12. Tickets for nonmembers are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and children. Tickets are available at calbg.org/events-programs/events, and advance purchase is recommended, as the event is likely to sell out, according to the news release. The California Botanic Garden

It was in the year 1217, and there was, as usual, tension and violence in the Holy Land. The Muslim population of the land was plagued by internal conspiracies and rivalries between various powers. The Christian community was in a state of considerable anxiety because they were losing their grip in the Middle East. The First Crusade of 1055 was a bloody success, but every crusade after was a disaster. The Fourth Crusade of 1222-1204 never even made it to the Holy Land because the Crusaders changed their mind mid-crusade and decided to plunder Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire. But out of this chaos emerged two men who took their religion more seriously than most and tried to make peace. In 1217, Pope Innocent III proclaimed the Fifth Crusade, with the intention of retaking the holy city of Jerusalem. Various kings agreed to join the Crusade, and the Papal Legate, Cardinal Pelagius Galvani was nominally in charge. The cardinal had the distinction of being one of the most obstinate blockheads to reach leadership in the Church. After some initial blundering in Syria, the Crusaders adopted

Every Friday, we bring you a quick rundown of Riversiders achieving athletic excellence and a guide to sporting events around the city. These events provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment and foster civic pride and community connections. See you in the bleachers! The Riverside Derby The California Baptist University Lancers and the UCR Highlanders battled to a scoreless draw Wednesday night at the Crosstown Showdown. Both teams had four shots on goal, with the biggest play being CBU’s three-time WAC goalkeeper of the week, Hugo DeRego, coming up big with a penalty save. Both teams have been on a bit of a scoring drought and will need to figure it out with conference play starting next week. Good luck to the Lancers and Highlanders on the rest of their season. Hopefully, we’ll see you both in the NCAA tournament again! Poly Hall of Fame and Homecoming It’s a light schedule for high school football this weekend, with many local schools not seeing action until next week. Poly will host Redlands at Wheelock Stadium for their Homecoming Game on Saturday at 7:00 PM. On Friday at 5:00 PM

“Like many other projects in Riverside, this book was Jane Block’s idea.” These are the opening words from Inlandia’s latest publication, “Riverside Women Creating Change.” Several years in the making, this new groundbreaking book includes oral interview transcripts of women in the city of Riverside, women who’ve worked hard to lift each other up, to build equity, support initiatives, and strengthen community. I’ve written about this project before. Finally, after four years, it’s here. In the time it’s taken to produce the book, some of the women have gone to join the ancestors: Ofelia Valdez-Yeager, Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely, Nancy Takano. There’s no time like the present to get things done. Jane Block herself just celebrated her 95th birthday. “Riverside Women Creating Change” is the Inlandia Institute’s latest publication. (Courtesy of Inlandia Institute) “Dead bodies hadn’t been all that common at Boy Scout Camp Matulia, so Harry Vincent quickly became the focus of scuttlebutt.” This is the opening gambit of “Scouts’ Honor” by Carlos Cortés, a debut novelist at the tender age of 90. Carlos may be best known as professor emeritus of history at UC Riverside