Did you just feel that?

That was a whole lot of shaking a few minutes ago!

USGS is saying the earthquake was a magnitude 5.0 centered under San Bernardino. If you felt it, you should tell them.





And here's the shake intensity map (click for larger version):


Tags: Yucaipa

New Year's Eve in Yucaipa

Wednesday night we move from 2008 to 2009, and there are lots of ways to celebrate. You can gather together with your family and friends or you can go out for an end-of-the-year party. Casual or dressy, loud music or quiet cheer, there is something for everyone.

Below I've listed a few of the local options for live music on New Year's Eve. There are fewer than I expected that I could find details for so I went a bit further afield than Yucaipa - feel free to add more listings in the comments.

Events for December 31, 2008

• Angel's Roadhouse (32464 Dunlap Blvd.): New Year's Eve Bash featuring The 44's with Weeping Willow, Dug, 21+, $15 at the door or $10 with discount ticket. Price includes buffet, champagne toast and party favors.
  
• Shorter's (34536 Yucaipa Blvd.): New Year's Eve party featuring music by Massey Brothers and Baby Jane (formerly known as Daisy Cutter), 21+
• Diamond Jim's Opera House/Mill Creek Cattle Co. (1875 Mentone Blvd. in Mentone): New Year's Eve party with music by UndercoveR. $75, including full dinner, party favors and champagne.
• The Vault (14 E. Vine St., Redlands): New Year's Eve extravaganza with music by Rolling Reunion and an appearance by Mother Jones.
• Rock N' Saddle (1327 West Colton Ave., Redlands): Elegant New Year's Eve bash with music by DJ Cre-8, $50. 18+. Price includes red carpet entry with a photo taken, free hors d'oeuvres, and a glass of champagne/sparkling cider.

I'll update if I come across more listings.

Confidential to the people who make up the adverts: please look up how to spell champagne and hors d'oeuvres before printing and/or posting your ad. Proofreading is a good thing!

Tags: Yucaipa, New Year's Eve

Storm Troopers Invade Yucaipa!

OK, not really. But the 501st Legion - aka "Vader's Fist" - will be appearing at Chapman Heights Elementary on Wednesday, November 19th from 6pm-8pm. The event is "Family Night" for the school's first ever Book Fair. It sounds like a fun combination of books and SF - two of my favorite things!

The Book Fair itself is running from Nov 17-21 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Thanks to chairperson Erik Sahakian for the tip!

Tags: Yucaipa

Massive Earthquake Tomorrow!

At 10am tomorrow is the Great Southern California Shake Out, in which organizations across SoCal pretend there has been a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the Southern San Andreas Fault. That would be a bad one:

In an earthquake of this size, the shaking will last for nearly two minutes. The strongest shaking will occur near the fault (in the projected earthquake, the Coachella Valley, Inland Empire and Antelope Valley). Pockets of strong shaking will form away from the fault where sediments trap the waves (in the projected earthquake, it would occur in the San Gabriel Valley and in East Los Angeles).

Considering that the San Andreas fault runs near the edge of Yucaipa, we'd definitely be hit hard. It sounds like a regional disaster drill is a good idea.

So be forewarned: are out and about near one of the drill sites tomorrow you may see scattered bodies and emergency vehicles. The closest site to us is the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands, which will also have related presentations about earthquakes (9:30am-1pm).

Loma Linda University Medical Center is also participating in a full scale drill.

Tags: earthquakes

Did You Feel It?

The earthquake was 6 miles NE of Yucaipa (red star)

That wasn't too bad an earthquake - 4.1 on the Richter scale according to the USGS - but it was right in our backyard. Tell the USGS whether you felt it.

Tags: Yucaipa, earthquake

Fresh & Easy Opens in Yucaipa Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning there will be one more local option for buying groceries when the new Fresh & Easy market opens on Yucaipa Blvd. just below Oak Glen. Fresh & Easy is a division of Tesco, a British supermarket and retail chain. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, it's targeting shoppers who want convenience:

The smaller, convenience-sized stores seek to woo shoppers who are looking for ready-to-eat meals and fresh produce, and might not have time for a trip to a full-scale grocery store.

A little more descriptively, it's been called "an IKEA version of Trader Joe's". So look for fresh organic produce, prepared foods and wine at reasonable prices.

Fresh & Easy apparently attempst to be as green as it can, by recycling or reusing shipping and display materials, transporting food in "environmentally friendly trailers" and building a distribution center in Riverside with California's "largest solar roof installation". They also try to be good for both the customers and employees:

Fresh & Easy has gone to great lengths to ensure all its private label products contain no added trans fats, artificial colors or flavors, and have limited amounts of preservatives. Deliveries will be made daily to each store to ensure all products are as fresh as possible.

Each Fresh & Easy store will employ approximately 20 to 30 people. The company interviews on-site at each store location, aiming to hire from the local neighborhood. Fresh & Easy intends all store employees will work 20 hours a week or more, and be eligible for comprehensive health care and other benefits. Entry-level positions will pay well over the minimum wage, starting at $10 an hour in California, and offer a potential bonus of up to 10% on top.

So assuming the food is tasty and the prices are reasonable, it's a win for us consumers, Fresh & Easy and its employees. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

Tags: Yucaipa, Fresh & Easy

Lunar Eclipse Tonight

If the weather clears up, you'll be able to see a total lunar eclipse tonight between 7pm and 8pm. The next total eclipse won't be until December 2010, so I'm hoping this one is visible.
Tags: Yucaipa, eclipse

Local Blogging and Resolutions for the New Year

One of the fun things about blogging is meeting people I would otherwise have never met. Most of my acquaintances are electronic only, with our only contact through blog comments or e-mails or Facebook messages. That's why it felt like a bit of a special occasion on Saturday when I met Jessie, a former Yucaipan and current Beaumont blogger, in real life. You should check out her blog and her book about healthy eating, Eat Your Colors (recently profiled in the News Mirror).

Anyway, she encouraged me to write more about my personal experiences and thoughts. Way back in ought six, when I started this blog I had a bit more of that, but over time it just kind of petered out. So that's my New Year's resolution, gentle readers, more blogging about my personal view of Yucaipa. Stay tuned!

(Oh, and one of the things we talked about was self-promotion, so in that spirit: if you have a geeky and/or nerdy bent, you might want to check out one of my other blogs, Women in Science or Biology in Science Fiction)

Tags: Beaumont, Eat Your Colors, Yucaipa, blogging

Make a Difference to those Affected by the Fires

We are so fortunate here in Yucaipa that the worst we're getting from the fires is smoky air. I saw fliers up around town about collections to help those who have been displaced from their homes.

You can donate either at Farmer Boy's on Yucaipa Blvd (map) or Yucaipa High School (Monday 10/29-Wednesday 10/31, 3pm-5pm).

They are looking for:

• bottled water and gatorade
• canned food
• blankets
• diapers for all ages
• unused toys
• wrapped candy

Other Places to Donate

The Highland Apple Tree Learning Center is hosting a "Feed Our Firefighters" food drive as long as the Slide Fire and Grass Valley Fire are burning. Donations can be made at 28909 Base Line, at Church Street, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. From the City of Highland web site:

DONATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED DAILY TO THE FIRE FIGHTERS IN THE MOUNTAIN AREAS. AS OF TUESDAY 10/ 23 MORE THAN 20 CRATES OF FOOD, 30+ CRATES OF WATER, AND TEN HOT PIZZAS FROM AMERICAN PIZZA (THANK YOU) HAVE BEEN DELIVERED. ALBERTSONS GAVE A GENEROUS OFFERING OF WATER, CANNED FRUIT, AND SNACK FOODS. MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS HAVE DROPPED OFF DONATIONS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. IT IS ALL APPRECIATED. LISTS OF SUGGESTED ITEMS ARE POSTED AT ALBERTSONS AND THE GREENSPOT STATER BROTHERS. AS LONG AS DONATIONS COME IN WE WILL GET IT DELIVERED.

According to the Associated Press, most charities actually prefer donations of money, so they can purchase what is needed most. Some charities collecting donations:

• American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: 800-HELP-NOW or 800-257-7575 for Spanish speakers, http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
• San Diego American Red Cross: 858-309-1200, http://www.sdarc.org/donate/
  Designate option 2, San Diego/Imperial Counties Local Disaster Fund, to support the Harris/Witch Creek response operations.
• Orange County American Red Cross: 714-481-5300, http://www.oc-redcross.org/
• Businesses who are interested in making bulk donations of needed items may call 714-481-5370.
• Los Angeles American Red Cross: 800-435-7669, http://www.redcrossla.org
• Corporations and businesses interested in making in-kind donations may call 800-746-5463.
• San Diego Food Bank: 866-350-3663, http://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/
• Goodwill Southern California: 888-4-GOODWILL, http://www.goodwillsocal.org/
• Salvation Army Southern California: 213-896-9160, http://www.salvationarmysocal.org/
• Governor's Office of Emergency Services: 800-750-2858, http://www.californiavolunteers.org/
• Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 888-SPCA-LA1, http://www.spcala.com/

For the latest information on the Slide and Grass Valley fires near Lake Arrowhead, check out RimOfTheWorld.net, which has news, discussion boards and a chat room.

Tags: Yucaipa, fire

Getting Cool

If you don't have air conditioning, finding a cool place can literally be a lifesaver. Southern California Edison maintains a list of "Cool Centers" that can help you through this heat wave. From the information of the SCE web site:

Transportation to and from the centers, as well as refreshments, will be provided. To arrange for transportation, customers can call the appropriate center.

Here are our local centers:

Yucaipa Senior Center
12202 First Street, Yucaipa, CA
(909) 797-1177

Rancho Calimesa Mobile Home Ranch
10320 Calimesa Blvd., Calimesa, CA
(909) 795-7669

They are there to help, so give them a call!

Tags: Yucaipa, weather

Lunar Eclipse

If you are up late tonight, keep an eye on the moon - a total lunar eclipse begins at 2:52 am (you may be able to see some shadow before then) and will peak at 3:37 am. The NASA web site has all the details. From the NASA information:

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch. Protective filters are not necessary and neither is a telescope. A lunar eclipse can be observed with nothing more than the naked eye. However, a pair of binoculars will magnify the view and make the red coloration brighter and easier to see. A standard pair of 7x35 or 7x50 binoculars is sufficient.

During totality, the summer and fall constellations will be well placed for viewing. The Moon will be in southern Aquarius and crosses the descending node of its orbit during the eclipse. The great square of Pegasus will be to the west of the Moon while Taurus and Orion are rising to the east.

Although total eclipses of the Moon are of minor scientific value, they are remarkably beautiful events which do not require expensive equipment. They help to cultivate interest in science and astronomy in children and to provide a unique learning opportunity for families, students and teachers. To the nature lover and naturalist, the lunar eclipse can be appreciated and celebrated as an event which vividly illustrates our place among the planets in the solar system. The three dimensional reality of our universe comes alive in a graceful celestial ballet as the Moon swings through the Earth's shadow. Hope for clear skies, dress warmly and enjoy the show!

Tonight is forecast to be mostly clear, so it should be a lovely sight.

Tags: lunar eclipse

The Essence of Summer: Raspberry Picking

Having out-of-town family visiting is a great excuse to be a tourist at home. Honestly, we sometimes talk about driving up to Oak Glen, but somehow don't ever seem to get there. It's not like the 15 minute drive is too far, it's, well, it's probably a bit of laziness to be honest.

Anyway, last Friday my brother was in town, and he was enthusiastic about the idea of raspberry picking. So up we drove to Riley's Farm. The weather was lovely - and not too hot - and the raspberries were ripe. A great way to spend part of the afternoon and the reward is a delicious dessert. (Click for larger images.)

Photos courtesy of Brian.

The fields of zinnias were also in bloom, and I couldn't resist getting a bunch at a nickle a piece.
Even now, almost a week later, the flowers are only just starting to fade . . .

And Riley's isn't your only option: Snow-Line Orchards (and probably others) also have raspberry picking. I recommend it - go!

Tags: Oak Glen, raspberry picking,Riley's Farm

Boom! Boom!

Just about 1PM this afternoon there were two loud booms. Was it an earthquake? Well, the USGS did register a 2.6 Earthquake at 12:44 PM with an epicenter in Calimesa. But earthquakes don't usually boom.

So, what was it? Sonic booms from the space shuttle Atlantis as it approached Edwards Air Force Base for a landing.

Tags: Yucaipa, space shuttle, Atlantis

Animating Local Development

Trulia Hindsight is web site that shows the growth of U.S. towns by animating spots representing the year properties were built. The truliaHindsight map for the Yucaipa area clearly shows the cycles of development that began after WWII and the big boom over the past few years.

Tags: Yucaipa, map, real estate

Local Web Site: Gary Richards Real Estate Yucaipa Page

Do you have a Yucaipa-related web site or blog? I'd be happy to give you a shout out. Just leave a comment or drop me an e-mail.

For example, the Gary Richards Real Estate web site has a page devoted to Yucaipa with local info, demographics, and, of course, real estate listings. Take a look.

(Not a paid advert, just a friendly link exchange)

Total Lunar Eclipse Will Be Too Early to See

There will be a total lunar eclipse on the afternoon of March 3.

According to the U.S. Naval Observatory's Lunar Eclipse Calculator the following is true for Yucaipa (Pacific Standard Time):

                                                      Moon's
                                               Azimuth   Altitude
                                    h  m            o        o
Moonrise               2007 Mar 03  17:48          82.4     ----
Moon leaves penumbra   2007 Mar 03  18:25.4        87.6      6.8
Moonset                2007 Mar 04  06:34         274.0     ----

To translate: the moon will just be leaving Earth's shadow as it is rising for us. We'll catch the tail end. If you love eclipses, don't despair. We should be able to catch the August 28 total lunar eclipse. The NASA 2007 Eclipse page has more details.

Spectacular Sunset

I have a few photos of tonight's beautiful sunset on my other blog.


Tags: Yucaipa, sunset

Rain Rain Go Away

At least the sun is finally coming out!

Tell People What You Think

One of the great advances of the internet is the ability to find out what other people are saying. YELP is a (relatively) new site that lets you review businesses and restaurants.

Check out what people are saying about Yucaipa and Oak Glen businesses on Yelp, both the good and the bad, then add your own comments.

Yucaipa in the Movies?

The Inland Empire Film Commission promotes what they call "Hollywood's Largest Backlot!" In addition to a directory of local services (hotels, equipment rental, animal trainers and more) and information about getting permits, it has a photo database of potential shooting locations. (NOTE: since I accessed the site last, they added a requirement for free registration)

Not too many Yucaipa locations made the database, but here is what they found promotion-worthy:

Yucaipa

• Yucaipa Lake (Yucaipa state park)

Oak Glen

• Oak Glen Animal Park
• Oak Glen Conference Center
• Oak Glen School
• Oak Glen Castle

Loch Leven Summer Camp and Conference Center (Mentone)

• Old Highway
• Motel and motel

The January edition of their newsletter notes that the soon-to-be-released horror movie, Neowolf:The Band From Hell ("Two young lovers face an ancient evil when a strange rock band comes to town.") was filmed, in part, in Yucaipa. At least one of the local shoots was at Crafton Hills College:

Crafton Hills College, a beautiful little-known tree dotted campus in Yucaipa on the edge of the San Bernardino mountains off Interstate 10 recently had sightings of werewolves on the campus and a missing student was reportedly killed in the hills nearby, although not enough of the body was left for positive identification. The mauling was reported by another student, claiming to be a friend of the missing boy, as an attack by werewolves. Police are investigating the incident with agencies of the National Forest Service.
[snip]
We're a good old all-American God-fearing community here and don't get much call to investigate reports of werewolves," said one local police official who requested not to be identified. "Coyotes and mountain lions will attack a hiker from time to time, sure, but we just don't welcome the spawn of evil in our city."

I'll be on the lookout for werewolves, for sure.

According to the IMDb, several other movies used locations in Yucaipa:

• Son Up (2005): Chapman University student Andrew Shearer won Best Student Film at Cinequest and made the regional finals in the Student Academy Awards for this short drama.
  

  After spending a few months writing the script, it was time to scout locations which add a moody atmosphere to the film. He decided to shoot in Yucaipa/Calimesa, the small California towns located 60 miles from LA which he had used for his previous film The Way of Dale. "Every Saturday or Sunday, I'd drive out there and just drive around off a few exits from the 10 freeway until I found something that spoke to a certain scene in the film," said Andrew. "Then, I started taking my DP, Marc Levy, out there with me and we'd take pictures. We went every weekend, for nearly two months before the shoot. Sometimes it's overwhelming to decide how to block scenes when you're in wide open spaces."

• The The Way of Dale (2004): Another short drama by Andrew Shearer, that won the Audience Award at the Asheville Film Festival.
  
• Princess and the Pea (2001) : An "old west" version of this fairy tale produced in IMAX format by USC film students. It was also filmed in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah.
• The Taste of Pomegranate (1998): apparently a romance.
• Satellites and You (1989): This short documentary features "Issac Newton traveling the world, explaining the benefits of satellites for visitors to Kennedy Space Center." At least one scene takes place in an apple orchard - perhaps that was filmed in Oak Glen?

I may try to find a copy of one of these, just to try to spot familiar locations.

Tags: Yucaipa, movies