Claremont's First Friday Artwalk

Apparently, there are still ArtWalks in Claremont and have been for some time. I was under the impressions that they no longer had them. I remember going for one and the packing house lay an empty place with children workshops. Someone was telling me there wasn't much support for it, which also lead to their art gallery/museum closure.

Again, I'm wrong, and there will be one this Friday March 4, 2011. The times seem to be a mixture of either 5:30pm to 8:30pm, or perhaps 6:00pm to 9:00pm. I would advise being there at those times, as unlike the Pomona Artwalk, which can unofficially go 'til 11pm at times, this one I'm sure is on full schedule.

For more info and directions visit: ArtWalk Clremont.com

Earliest Monopoly Games Sells

This old round gameboard is made from oilcloth, one of 5000 made by Charles Darrow in 1933. This is the last original circular Monopoly game known to still exist. All hand drawn in pen and ink, with the pieces made of wood moulding. Darrow's game is based on political activist Lizzie Magie’s Landlord’s Game, which she created to point out social injustice at the turn of the last century. Darrow produced his game in Atlantic City, during the Great Depression when he was unemployed and had a family to support. He sold the rights of Monopoly to Parker Brothers Games in 1934, putting an end to his financial worries.

You can read the more detailed article over at Daily Mail UK.

This Sunday @Fox Pomona:

(Click Image For More Info)

Double Bevmo Visit

My birthday has passed now, about 2 weeks ago to be exact. I received 2 wonderful gifts from my sisters, $75 total in Gift Cards to BevMo. While I generally go to BevMo for their awesome wine sales, I don't frequent them as much as Liquorama and Walnut Liquors for quality microbrews.

I started off with a trip to the BevMo in Rancho Unga-Bunga (Cucamonga). I figured, okay, this is the I.E., there ain't shit to do out here so I'm assuming there might be plenty of beer connoisseurs out here. I realized it must be inventory day, the store seemed rather small and it just so happened they were working in the beer section. The isles were small and it felt crowded, especially with the annoying worker going back and forth without saying excuse me or anything. I also noticed alot of their beers were past their prime and dusty. Some beers noted 'drink by November 2010'. Yuck... so I spent alot of time not only looking at varieties, but pulling bottles out for dates. They either state the day their made or when to drink by for best flavor. I wanted to try the Alaskan IPA 6-pack, but the date freaked me out. I ended up settling for a 22oz of it, along with some Big Sky IPA from the state of Montana. Grabbed an Alesmith IPA 22oz for tasting as well.

While I was there, 2 tall blondes were looking for beers in the same aisle. As I mentioned, it was crowded just with us. Lo and behold, I hear a 'pop' and 'smash' and witness one of the girls drop a 22oz. of Coastal Fog. Cleanup on aisle microbrews please! Dingbats... I left the store and wasn't satisfied with it, this one sucks. I guess I.E. loves their monster drinks, domestic beer and sideways flat bill caps.

Later that evening, I drove to the BevMo in Glendora. Ah, this one seems a little more roomier and the staff is pretty friendly. Walked towards the back where the beer section was once again. The aisles were a bit wider and there was a worker doing the inventory/stock thing again. This guy was courteous as he worked. I asked him questions and he was very helpful. He didn't mind stopping and helping me look for something, or to even explain his experience with the brews. I felt at home here... although some beer here also was past its prime as well.

Left home with a Moose Drool Brown Ale 6-ack from Montana, Deadlift Imperial IPA 4-pack, Lagunitas IPA 6-pack, Coastal Fog IPA 12-pack, Sam Adams Noble Pils 6-pack, several Stone 22oz and others. The staff was friendly all the way to the register. They probably thought I was some kind of drunk buying all this beer.

Nah, I'm just stashing away in the garage for the Spring to come backyard BBQs. I will however, sift a taste of these fine brews tonight with the wife!

It's Raining! Vote For Franz

Finally... took a while there. Sure, the sunny days were nice of course. But not yet please! At least it still got a bit chilly at night though. Regardless, I'm outside enjoying the on/off pouring rain.

And while I'm at it, I think I'll sing this song performed by a Pomona artist/local named Franz Keller:



By the way, he's in some kind of contest and would appreciate a click on the THUMBS UP icon!

THIS WEEK: Boys Basketball CIF Playoffs

CIF-SS Boys Basketball Playoff Schedule


All games start at 7 p.m.

Wednesday's first round:

Division 1AA
Leuzinger at Chino Hills

Division 1A
Diamond Bar at Cajon
West Covina at Capistrano Valley
Tesoro at Walnut

Division 2A
Ontario at Rowland
Eastside at Glendora
Baldwin Park at Foothill
Don Lugo at Ayala

Division 3AA
Arroyo at Nogales
Claremont at La Verne Lutheran

Division 3A
Calabasas at Diamond Ranch
Temple City at Bonita
Agoura at Damien

Division 4AA
St. Francis at Sierra Vista
Northwood at Northview
South El Monte at Atascadero
San Luis Obispo at Bishop Amat
Servite at San Dimas
Tahquitz at Mountain View

Division 4A
Workman at Whittier Christian
Rubidoux at La Puente
Wilson at Desert Hot Springs
Ganesha at Ontario Christian
Covina at Morro Bay

Artwalk & Other Things

The kids were off this past Friday, so it made for a very long weekend. Made some time to attend the Pomona ArtWalk and it was a wonderful one. The area was packed, especially with Snoop Dogg performing at the Fox. The Art was incredible too, lots of new stuff, especially the Bunny Gunner with it's 'All You Can Eat' Art buffet. Ran into some old time friends and had a few drinks around town as usual. Ern's Loft Beats was happening too!


While on my little 'walk and drink', I got word that there will be a place in downtown Pomona serving NOTHING BUT American Made Microbrews on tap. I am excited and my palate and liver are doing flips over this. I was told this will happen as soon as the last drip of Newcastle is finished from tap. I will keep you posted as to when this happens.

What else is in the news? I'd like to congratulate the city of Baldwin Park's Sierra Vista High School 'DONS' for their great basketball season. The Freshman and JV teams won league, and the Varsity is playing their CIF Playoff game at home against St. Francis on Wednesday 7pm. Varsity finished 2nd in the Montview league, with a 12-2 league record.

(Delan Diaz of Sierra Vista HS)
What else, what else... hmmm. I'm a little upset with politics locally right now, but I'll get over it soon and I hate to vent this second. On a lighter note, it was recently my Birthday and I received $75 in gift cards for BEVMO. There, that made me S M I L E !

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day yesterday (if you care for it).

The New Indentured Servitude

(Click To Enlarge)

And While We're On The Jobs Topic...

New Bill For Unemployed 99ers

As many of you are or may know someone who's been unemployed for a while now, it's good to hear that some in Congress are trying to introduce a bill to help the 99'ers. These are those who have exhausted all their unemployment benefits and are no longer collecting. The bill is to add another extension of 14 weeks to everyone.

Most of the 99'ers have worked in between (like myself) but the jobs are temporary or aren't long term for many reasons. I have a relative who has had 3 jobs since being laid off his main job for about 1 1/2 years. The jobs lasted only 2-4 months due to cuts at work. So back they go to unemployed and searching. The most wonderful thing about the benefits is that this money is pumped right back into the economy keeping it rolling, it's the most effective way.

The 'give the super rich tax breaks and it'll create jobs' is plain bullshit. You give them more money and they keep more money. Just look at how much cash is being held by corporations today, more than ever in history! Not to mention record profits continuing for them...

Anyways, here's the article from the: L.A. Times.

City of Pomona Cultural Plan Passed

(Photo by REN)
"After a year of hard work by a group of diligent and dedicated citizens under the stewardship of Terry Wolverton, a grant from the NEA, fabulous support from Emiko Ono and the Cultural Arts Commission, the City of Pomona unanimously passed a Strategic Cultural Arts Plan last night."

In 2010, the City of Pomona was selected to join four other municipalities throughout Los Angeles County to receive support from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts to develop a Cultural Plan for the City. Spearheaded by the Cultural Arts Commission—Rochelle Bryant, Earnest P. Campos, Douglass Dorado, Mickey Gallivan, Joy McAllister, Cindy Moore and Rita Romero—the cultural planning process has allowed Pomona to engage its residents and other stakeholders in considering how arts and culture can improve the quality of life for those who live and work here. Over 100 representatives of the arts, business, social service, educational and civic communities have advised this plan.

Visit for more info: Pomona Cultural Plan

(thanks to A.S. Ashley and Andi Campognone for the heads up!)

The Sam Adams Family For Winter

We have some guests over at the 'Skrip' house this winter. And I will say, they're certainly a tasty bunch. Let me introduce you...


Standing from left to right are: Boston Lager (Father), White Ale, Latitude 48 IPA, Chocolate Bock, Winter Lager, Holiday Porter, and the Old Fezziwig Ale (Mother).

What a gorgeous shot of the kids, surrounded on both ends by their parents!

2nd Street Cigars

No, not on 2nd Street in Downtown Pomona, but on 2nd Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

I was there for a fundraiser last Thursday and it was a blast. Dignity Cigars was hosting the event for the Youth Speak Foundation. There were also a variety of Red and White wines, as well as cheeses to go with it. Here are some shots of the event:






For more information on 2nd Street Cigars, visit their website.

Photos by Rudy Espinoza