MAR 2013 – President’s Article by Daney Bachiu

March, in like a lion, out like a lamb. You probably won’t get this unless you come from the cold North or East, in Redlands it is more like, in like a navel, out like an avocado March. This is my third message, the time certainly is going quickly. Just about the time I get comfortable in my roll as “Queen”, it will be time to abdicate.

I attended the Feb. 20th City Council meeting to voice Chamber support of the underpass improvement program. The areas targeted for improvements are the underpasses at Eureka St, along Pearl Ave to the Orange and 6th Street underpasses. The improvements include upgraded lighting, landscaping, and murals painted on the underpasses. The results of these improvements will enhance the downtown shopping areas and welcome visitors and businesses looking to locate in Redlands. This project will also connect North and South Redlands serving as a conduit to what has long been perceived as a physical division through the center of town. Council directed staff to begin the development process to begin the enhancements.

At the last chamber of commerce board meeting, we set the wheels in motion for our Fantastically Fun Fundraisers. The first on the calendar is our third annual and very popular Cruisin’ Cuisine. If you are not familiar with this event, it showcases ten local restaurants with samplings from their menus. Ticket holders are given a wrist band and walk to each restaurant in no particular order. The event is limited to 200 and I have already sold 4 tickets even though they are not yet printed. It’s a fun way to discover new eateries in and fabulous menus in Redlands.  So, if you want to eat your way through downtown Redlands, buy your tickets or reserve your tickets now before they are sold out! This event will be held Saturday, June 8.

Our second next fabulous event brand new and promises to be all kinds of fun…it’s a “Black Tie” evening at the Bowl. What is so different about that you may ask? Well, it is not the Redlands Bowl, but the Empire Bowl! Yes, that’s right, you will get all glammed up to go bowling…for BLACK TIE BOWLING!!!.

Step out on the red carpet in your gorgeous gown and your dashing tux…. Dine on delectable hors d’oeuvres then slip into your bobby socks and bowling shoes and toss your ball down the alley hoping for a strike!!!! With limited space get your team of 5 together and don’t delay. The Chamber’s Black Tie Bowling will be scheduled in October so start warming up now and call Jan at the chamber to reserve your alley. We have been unsuccessful in procuring land to wallow in the mud, so we decided to take it to the streets in electrical splendor! Kathie Thurston and I went to Irvine in December 2012 to watch their Electric run and it was phenomenal…they had 9000 runners! We don’t have the details hammered out on this one yet, but it will be in December. We will keep all you runners that want to get lit at the Redlands 5K, posted watch for details.

This is all the Queen has to report until April.

The Queen