Ole

Bob’s Big Boy – Norco, CA

November 21, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

Cowboy Bob was unveiled last week at Bob’s Big Boy in Norco. Bob is now sporting a cowboy hat and boots, along with a much bigger burger.

Cowboy Bob got the prime location by the front door, while poor regular Bob was moved to the side of the building.

We’ve been to Bob’s a few times over the past few months. Like a lot of people, I remember Bob’s from when I was a kid. Until we visited the Bob’s in Norco, I probably hadn’t been to one in 20+ years.

The boys like Bob’s food better than the girls, but we all agree that the hand-dipped shakes are worth the visit.

Bob’s Big Boy
3521 Hamner Avenue
Norco, CA 92860

Cowboy Bob Unveiling; Bob’s Big Boy, Norco

November 12, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

For all the Bob’s Big Boy fans out there…

Cowboy Bob will be unveiled in Norco on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at 5 pm. I took the family to Bob’s this week and picked up this flyer:

20091117

In-N-Out: The Best Burger?

October 21, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

Double Double In-N-Out is the “cuisine winner” for burgers in Los Angeles according to the press release for Zagat’s 2010 America’s Top Restaurants survey.

The only other California market listed in the press release was San Francisco. SF’s burger choice? In-N-Out.

After reading this, I decided to get a Double-Double today at the In-N-Out in Norco. As usual, my Double-Double and fries were hot and fresh.

In-N-Out consistently makes good burgers. But the best?

Bumblebee Sighting – OC Auto Show

October 20, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

Bumblebee showed up at the Orange County Auto Show over the weekend. The kids were happy.
The Corvette Stingray Concept (aka Sideswipe) also showed up. Dad was happy.

Super Mex – Riverside, CA

October 20, 2009 by Ole 1 Comment

Every time I walk into Super Mex in Riverside, I tell myself that I’m going to order something new. I fail every time.

I’ve eaten at Super Mex about five times now, and I’ve ordered the Chorizo Burrito every time. For the uninitiated, chorizo (or at least the kind of chorizo I’ve always found in Mexican food restaurants and my refrigerator) is a spicy pork sausage that practically begs to be combined with eggs. Not being a cook or the primary grocery shopper in my house, all I really know is that when chorizo is prepared correctly, it is spicy goodness.

Super Mex makes the best chorizo and egg burrito I have ever eaten.

Chips and salsa are served a bit differently here. Instead of chips, you get whole, fried corn tortillas with a chunky salsa. The tortillas always seem to be freshly prepared, but I have to admit that I would like some different salsa options.

Mrs. Ole has joined me on a few of my visits, and we’ve shared some of the antojitos (snacks) including the mini chimis and the cheese quesadilla. Both are pretty good, but my quesadilla-eating experience would be much better if I had some different salsa or hot sauce to spice it up.

My wife has tried the carne asada tacos and shredded beef hard tacos. The carne asada tacos come with onions, cilantro and guacamole, and she has tried them both fully loaded and plain. The carne asada is tender but could use more flavor. The refried beans are awesome. Note to self: it is much easier to see the food if I unwrap it before taking a picture… duh.

Super Mex has good food and good service. Someday soon, I hope to overcome the power of the Chorizo Burrito and actually try something different.

Super Mex Riverside

3444 Arlington Avenue

Riverside, CA 92506

www.supermex.com

Bob Buster to Discuss Dufferin and “A” Street

September 23, 2009 by Ole 1 Comment

From Supervisor Bob Buster’s official County website (see the flyer for more information):

Supervisor sets Dufferin meeting
Supervisor Buster will discuss concerns about the closure of Dufferin Ave. and plans for a new access road in the area at a public meeting on September 24, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Finally.

Dufferin / “A” Street Meeting

September 24, 2009

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Lake Hills Fire Station

17452 Lakepointe Drive

Riverside, CA 92503

Cajalco Road Rehabilitation and Future Plans

August 25, 2009 by Ole 1 Comment

cajalco-road-rehab If you drive on Cajalco Road between La Sierra Avenue and Temescal Canyon Road, you know that roadwork is in progress.

In addition to grinding, re-grading and re-paving the road, the County of Riverside is adding a traffic signal at La Sierra and Cajalco, and two turnouts for trucks going uphill. I’ve noticed that the lanes are also being widened, which is a welcomed improvement.

In the following picture, you can see the transition from the existing road to the new and slightly wider road.

cajalco-transition According to the County’s News Release, nightly closures for the construction work are expected to continue until the work is completed in October 2009.

If you were hoping that the existing project would add lanes to Cajalco, you will have to wait a while longer. You have probably heard that the portion of the proposed Mid County Parkway from the 215 to the 15 is no longer under consideration. Instead, the County plans to widen Cajalco between the 215 and the 15 to 4 to 6 lanes. However, the Cajalco widening is not expected to begin until fiscal year 2011/12.

From the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s (RCTC) July 8, 2009 agenda:

Additionally, the County is proceeding with plans to improve Cajalco Road. The County has already initiated environmental work for the section between I-215 and Wood Road with construction anticipated to begin in FY 2011/12. Preliminary planning has also begun for the section from Wood Road to Temescal Canyon Road. The County’s planned improvements to widen Cajalco Road will provide significant traffic benefit at a much lower cost, estimated at $200 million.

From RCTC’s Mid County Parkway website:

Does RCTC plan to pursue plans for the proposed western section of the Mid County Parkway between I-15 and I-215?

No, that portion of the original project is no longer under consideration. By refocusing the project, RCTC can move more quickly on the greatly-needed 16-miles of the Mid County Parkway planned between I-215 and SR-79 and avoid the time-consuming delays tied to the environmental constraints and community challenges that lie along the MCP’s proposed route between the I-15 and I-215. However, modifying the Mid County Parkway project does not eliminate the need for a future route that will one day connect I-15 to I-215, as identified in CETAP, and RCTC remains committed to that long-term vision. When regional mobility needs prompt consideration of a new or improved link between I-15 and I-215, a new environmental process will need to be initiated.

Will the proposed widening of Cajalco Road be sufficient to accommodate traffic through the I-15/I-215 in the future?

The County’s Planned improvements to widen Cajalco Road to four to six lanes between I-15 and I-215 should accommodate traffic demands for the next 20 years.

The Alibi Bar & Grill, Corona

August 24, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

The Alibi - new sign A few months back I wrote the post “Goodbye Counter, Hello Alibi“, which was about The Counter owners reopening their location in Dos Lagos as The Alibi Bar & Grill. Since that post, we have visited The Alibi a few times.

The fries and onion strings are still good, although the appetizer is now called a “Half n Half” instead of a “50/50”. They also make good salads, such as the Chef (Cobb) Salad.

We LOVED The Counter’s burgers, and were happy to find out that burgers are still on the menu. We’ve tried a few of the different burgers, including the Western burger and the Breakfast burger. We will miss The Counter experience, but The Alibi burgers are still good (and big at 1/2 lb.), just not quite the same.

If you’re not in the mood for a burger, The Alibi has so much more to offer.

My personal favorite is The Club sandwich. Many of the club sandwiches I have tried are light on turkey and bacon, loaded with lettuce, and completely devoid of cheese. The Alibi does it right by combining roast beef, turkey, ham and bacon, with lettuce, tomato AND cheese. Good stuff.

We’ve also tried the Asada Sandwich (thinly-sliced carne asada and swiss cheese), the Bratwurst and the Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, which are 12 square cut sandwiches with different cheeses served with tomato soup for dipping. Another addition is breakfast, which they serve until noon on the weekends.

The interior has been revamped with darker colors, dark wood tables and a dark wood bar. Although I liked the clean look of the metal tables and chairs, the darker colors look good too. They have also added Karaoke nights, and although I haven’t been to one, I did drive past The Alibi on a Thursday night after seeing a late movie and the place seemed to be packed with people having a good time.

After all, they do have 30 beers on tap.

The Alibi Bar & Grill

The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos

2785 Cabot Drive Suite 110

Corona, CA

Fender Benders

August 22, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

As I was walking out of the Edwards / Regal movie theater at The Crossings at Corona last night after seeing Inglorious B… (I guess the movie I saw isn’t important), I heard some guy over a loudspeaker tell people to come over to the side of the fountain for a free rock and roll show. Curious, I walked over.

It turned out to be an exhibition for the Fender Center’s Kids Rock Free Program that featured bands made up of kids in the program. According to the Fender Museum website, this program offers free and low cost musical instruction to children aged 7 to 17.

The first band up was the Fender Benders, which appeared to be made up of high school kids. They started the set with Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” followed by Heart’s “Barracuda”. I was surprised that they were playing classic rock – songs that were classic even when I was in high school – but they were good songs for the band’s female lead singer. I did feel bad for them when they broke out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”. They played it well, but I feel bad for anyone in high school that has to be subjected to Journey. I went to high school in the 80’s and I couldn’t stand Journey. They followed up with “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley, which helped me forget about Journey.

While I enjoy classic rock, and definitely appreciate the talent it takes to play these songs, I do hope that these bands get to pick some more contemporary music too.

I guess the Fender Center’s program is pretty good because all five members of the band are talented. In fact, the announcer at the beginning said that one of the guitarists had been accepted into the Berklee College of Music in Boston. If I understood the announcer correctly, kids in the program rotate through the different bands, so last night’s makeup of the Fender Benders might look different the next time.

If I didn’t have another commitment, I would have stayed longer to see the other bands. I left during the band’s rendition of “Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas.

Fender Museum

Fender Center

Kids Rock Free Program

www.fendermuseum.com

Dufferin Emergency Access Gates

August 19, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

dufferin-concrete-20090814

The emergency access gates concrete barriers on Dufferin Avenue.

A few additional thoughts on the closure after reading additional City and County documents:

Emergency access gates are required, yet the City barricaded Dufferin immediately after the City Council’s vote. Over a month later, there are still no emergency access gates.

Section 10. That the modification of the of the traffic pattern and vacation of Dufferin as depicted in Exhibits “A” and “B” shall occur only after the applicable conditions contained in the staff reports to the City Council and on file with the City Clerk, as approved or amended by the City Council, have been satisfied.

– From Resolution No. 21856 adopted by the Riverside City Council on July 14, 2009 (emphasis added)

Furthermore , the plot plan for this project has been updated to reflect the condition of approval requiring emergency access gates on the closed portion of Dufferin Avenue.

– From the Planning Division’s July 14, 2009 memo to the City Council (emphasis added)

The City agreed with the County to keep Dufferin Avenue open until Street “A” is completed. Street “A” is not built but the City closed Dufferin anyway.

The City and County of Riverside reached an understanding regarding the closure of McAllister and Dufferin. The understanding was that McAllister Avenue would be closed at the City/County border as part of the on-going residential development south of the City after McAllister Parkway was completed between McAllister Avenue and La Sierra Ave. McAllister Parkway has been completed and McAllister Ave has been closed. A new roadway was also planned between Van Buren Blvd and McAllister Avenue as part of a new residential and golf course development east of McAllister Avenue. When this new roadway is complete Dufferin will be closed at McAllister Parkway. This new road has not been constructed.

– From a Mayor’s Night Out (MNO) document dated April 30, 2008 (emphasis added)

While staff understands that there was a conceptual agreement that the closure of Dufferin Avenue and accompanying traffic pattern modifications would not occur until after Street “A” was complete, Street “A” is not planned to be constructed any time in the near future.

– From the May 7 Planning Commission report (included as an attachment – page 1-16 – to the July 14, 2009 memo; emphasis added)

Due to significant concerns from nearby County residents, both the City and the County agreed to keep the minor, de-emphasized connection between McAllister Pkwy and Dufferin (which is about 2000 ft westerly of where the direct connection of McAllister was) on an interim basis at least until such time as new route (“A” Street) was to be constructed between McAllister Pkwy and Van Buren to the east.

From an April 23, 2009 letter from the County’s Director of Transportation to the City’s Planning Division (included as an attachment – page 1-40 – to the July 14, 2009 memo; emphasis added)

By the way, according to City and County documents the City was actually taking the lead in acquiring the right-of-way for Street “A”:

Under the terms of the Agreement, the City of Riverside has agreed to take the lead role in acquiring the rights of way required for the construction of Street “A” […]

– From a letter agreement approved by the Riverside City Manager in November, 2007 (emphasis added)

The City of Riverside has requested to take the lead in acquiring the necessary right-of-way for Street “A.”

– From a December 10, 2007 submittal to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors

In my last post about this issue I wrote that we need to pressure the County to build Street “A”. It turns out that we need to pressure both the City and the County.

The City states that Dufferin is unnecessary for present or prospective use, but states that Street “A” is a “necessity”. Since both streets connect McAllister to Van Buren, the City seems to agree that this is a vital route, yet the City closed the only existing connection. By doing this, the City blocked school buses, emergency vehicles, residents and local workers from using this direct and vital route.

Section 3. That the City Council finds, based upon all of the evidence submitted, whether written or oral, including all staff reports and presentations, that that portion of Dufferin Avenue proposed for vacation and modification is unnecessary for present or prospective use […]

– From Resolution No. 21856 (emphasis added)

The public interest and necessity require the development of Street “A”

From the “RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT” approved by the Riverside City Council on August 14, 2007 and signed by the City Manager on August 22, 2007 (emphasis added)

Why did the City Council break its agreement with the County and close Dufferin so quickly, especially when the City agrees that a route between McAllister and Dufferin is required for “the public interest and necessity”? I still haven’t heard a decent answer.

For people who attended the July 14th, 2009 hearing who thought that the City Council members might have already made up their minds on the closure, I found the following excerpt in a Mayor’s Night Out recap from January 28, 2009 (over 3 months prior to the City Planning Commission’s meeting on May 7, 2009 in which it voted to recommend the closure to the City Council and over 5 months before the July 14th hearing):

Q – What is the time table for the closure of Dufferin Avenue at McAllister Street?

A – The City anticipates closing Dufferin Avenue this summer after completion of the necessary environmental review.

– From a Mayor’s Night Out (MNO) document dated January 28, 2009

Judging from last week’s meeting with the Mayor, the local homeowner’s associations seem to be working together on this issue.

While the Mayor didn’t have answers for all of the questions asked of him, he did let us know that Councilmember Chris Mac Arthur is supposed to meet soon with Supervisor Bob Buster to discuss Street “A”, and he welcomed future meetings. In fairness to the Mayor, he was expecting to meet with a small group in someone’s home, not close to 150 people on a basketball court.

I’ll keep posting updates as I learn of them.