Smoke from the Airport Fire in Orange County, as seen from Canyon Crest. (Bob Sirotnik)
Wednesday Gazette: September 11, 2024
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday.
"Never forget" has become the cultural refrain for September 11. A week like this one, where Riverside's skies are orange and smoke-filled as firefighters continue battling two massive fires to our East and West while others flare up in the river bottom, is another reminder of how critical our first responders are to our well-being.
If you're particularly proud of a local first responder working diligently amidst these fires, please let us know so we can show our appreciation.
The Bailey Family rescued the beloved University Avenue building, which helped to maintain some of the character of Mid-Century Riverside.
Workers replace the Farm House Motel sign on University Avenue. (Jen Mermilliod)
I’m 46 years old. I may be part of the last generation that grew up eating at great University Avenue restaurants like El Gato Gordo, Harry C’s, and Chan’s Chinese food. These places were unique. This wasn’t open-floor plans or casual dining. These places looked like what you were eating. The design was thematically heavy, and Chinese restaurants didn’t look like Mexican food restaurants. Why would they?
Very little is left of what made University Avenue a regional dining and entertainment destination half a century ago. The drive from Downtown, east on the avenue, was lined with kitschy hotels and restaurants, and neon signs’ characteristic buzzing glow was everywhere. There are still a few remnants of the glory days. The neon signs at the Thunderbird and Skylark motels are still there. The building that is now Madre’s Brunch was the Coachman. The buildings that house Los Jilberto’s and Templo Del Sol still retain their original structure, but practically, they are all gone.
Facility with state-of-the-art amenities for student-athletes will host Western Athletic Conference Softball Tournament in 2025.
Lancer Athletics dedicates new Baseball and Softball Clubhouse. (Courtesy California Baptist University)
California Baptist University dedicated its new Baseball and Softball Clubhouse on Sept. 4 in front of a crowd of donors, fans, and student-athletes. The 14,411-square-foot facility is located where the former softball office and locker room stood on Lancer Lane in the leftfield corner of the baseball field.
"The champions in athletics are the coaches," CBU President Dr. Ronald Ellis said. "They're the ones who are going to be out there recruiting and developing the talent, making it a team, getting everybody working together, and then going out and accomplishing time and time again as they compete. Then you've got to have great players. They're going to come because there are great facilities and wonderful academic programs and atmosphere."
On Monday, "19 [trash] trucks were out of service due to overheating and lack of air conditioning, with temperatures inside the cabs exceeding 120 degrees," reported Councilmember Mill, "High pressure at our CNG fueling stations also caused delays in refueling."
The Airport Fire, just over the hill in Orange County, was started by a "public works employee using heavy equipment to move boulders," reports LAist; in California, humans — intentional or accidental — are responsible for 95% of wildfires.
For those who want to be more prepared for the threat of fire, two years ago this month, LAist released The Big Burn, an eight-episode podcast, sharing "what we can do to survive and maybe even thrive while the world around us burns."
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