Stay tuned for the return of the Vineyard Press’ map of the Cucamonga Valley marked up to reflect the new restaurants and other businesses opening for your enjoyment and patronage. Here are a few samples of what’s going on in the economic sector.

In case you didn’t notice, political signs were not a huge issue in the last election because of a new political sign ordinance. For private property owners, only one sign per candidate was allowed per lot. That includes large commercial properties like Lewis Properties in Terra Vista. On public property, no signs are allowed, but the city looked the other way when it came to signs that were placed in the public right of way; for example, in the bushes away from the sidewalk on corners like Baseline and Day Creek. Of course, signs are never tolerated on telephone poles, light posts, utility boxes, etc. But the city did not enforce the new rules near busy public right-of-ways near residential areas. Case in point: busy Milliken Avenue around intersections north of Foothill and south of Banyan.

First it was The Whole Enchilada. Macaroni Grill followed suit. Now, Las Campanas and Pei Wei have recently closed their doors.

The loss of Las Campanas particularly hurts, because it was a locally-owned business. Duane Roberts, owner of Riverside’s Mission Inn, opened Las Campanas at the corner of Milliken and Foothill. The restaurant was modeled after the original Las Campanas at the Mission Inn.

For thirty years the Appels were kind and helpful to their neighbors on the 9600 block of Carrari Court in Alta Loma. They never caused any trouble and contributed to society. Neighbors say they were generous with their home-grown citrus and even watched the neighborhood when others were away on vacation. That’s why the Vineyard Press says, “Farewell and Godspeed” to the Appels.