Fontana, where the gangstas at?

Birthplace of the Hell's Angels.

In contrast to the neighbor to the west (Rancho Cucamonga) Fontana has a reputation for such things as: white trash (Nascar), drugs, Mexicans (not unique to SoCal), and crime.

Not too long ago I was driving in Fontana when I was regretfully forced to think the worst of the people in this city.

I approached a red light and sat patiently in my car, windows down, with the dreamy tunes of Jason Mraz coming from the radio. Suddenly, I was nearly deafened by the loud hip hop of the low rider that pulled up next to me. No big deal, I like me some hip hop, just don't appreciate the unexpected loudness.

The two men in the car next to me are dancing in their seats to the music, and I can tell they are looking at me. I get it, I'm hot stuff, I'd look at me too. The loud music and guys staring, that is in no way unique or noteworthy. The thing about this scene that makes it noteworthy is what they are drinking.

Both men, driver and passenger, are swinging cans of beer as they bounce to the music.

Puh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeze! Could you possibly be any dumber? Drinking while you drive, and at 1 in the afternoon, seriously that is a new level I didn't even know existed in the Inland Empire.

I'm willing to embrace a partial bad-reputation for our area because I realize that's kind of what makes us, but let's all agree that alcohol is best served outside a vehicle.

RC, you know it's lame when...

Rancho Cucamonga, the "Gateway to a Southern California Adventure," there are so many things to be said about this place. I called it home for many years (unlike my Ontario counterpart) and it will forever have a place in my heart.

Today is not the day to get into all the details of this place. But, it is the day to share with you a typical scene of boring I experienced today.

After another lazy day of unemployment spent with Vanessa at Victoria Gardens (the premier Inland Valley shopping centre) I was driving on Day Creek when I noticed flashing lights. As I appraoch I see three police cars with lights flashing, each car is empty with the officiers all standing outside talking. I'm thinking, "Oh snaps! Drug bust?" What else could possibly warrant three patrol cars? Now I should have remembered that I was in Rancho and that a drug bust is far more likely in Fontana or Ontario, but I let my imagination wander beyond logic. I tend to hope that there is more action in Rancho than there actually is, makes me feel like the city is more exciting and newsworthy.

Much to my dismay, I notice that a single car has been pulled over and the driver and passenger, both older women, do not look threatening nor like drug dealers.
What the heck? What a total let down, those police officers were just trying to pass another lame day in the suburbs. I suppose we are alike in that mission.

So, you know this city is lame when three officers are called to pull over late middle-aged women, and it was probably for a simple traffic violation.