When Bill and I moved to Banning in 2002, I spent
many a night crying myself to sleep. I was sickened by the fact that Sun
Lakes watered their golf courses with drinking water.
My first instinct was to blame Sun Lakes. That would have been wrong! It is
the City of Banning that remains woefully behind in bringing recycled water
to the city. This column isn't about water but I will certainly be writing
more on that topic in the near future.
Back then, culturally, I felt like Alice, falling through a black hole into
Š nothingness. When queried about where things were located, the real estate
agent who sold us our house kept saying, “20 minutes: everything is 20
minutes away.” She was right. In the nearly six years I have been here, I
still spend a disproportionate amount of time and money to drive to places
to shop and have things to do.
Sure, Beaumont has put in a slew of houses (before the meltdown) and lots of
commercial ventures. I know Š HAVE YOU TRIED DRIVING NORTH OR SOUTH ON
HIGHLAND SPRINGS LATELY? That is another story for another time and future
columns.
If I want to shop at Trader Joe's, and I most certainly do, I have to plan
my trips around business appointments or errands in Redlands or the
Coachella Valley. Costco - one of the reasons I live - is a trek to Palm
Desert, San Bernardino, or Moreno Valley, which would make me drive Highway
60; which I don't do unless there is no alternative.
I'm thrilled that we have the Fox Cineplex in Banning (save for the back
theatre, which I don't like and Bill would never go to). The price is right
and Mike does an outstanding job of bringing first rate movies to the Pass.
I JUST WANT MORE CHOICES. Get it? I'm just a pro-choice kind of person.
Okay, too many things in
Banning still haven't changed but progress is being made; I'm told. The
degrees of forwardness are gauged by whom you speak to. You will assuredly
get different responses from certain council members and staff vs. mere
residents who are anxious for some forward motion. I'm a dreamer and I'm
here for the long haul, so I'll do what I can to make whatever changes are
in the offing productive.
With a city in need of more activities, there is a
gem in our midst - it is the San Gorgonio Ballet. While the performance was
not held in Banning but at the Annenberg Theatre at the Palm Springs Desert
Museum, founding Artistic Director and performer Julie Olsen-Rodriquez
deserve accolades for acquiring the rights and presenting “Remember
Charlie.”
I'm a Charlie Chaplin fan so it was nice to hear
his music in the background as the talented troupe danced to it. Check out
their website, which will hopefully be kept up to date:
http://sangorgonioballet.org/. RejoiceŠ We
have a ballet company in the San Gorgonio Pass!
New meaning was brought to Halloween this year, as
the Banning Chamber, Banning Unified School District, Banning & San Gorgonio
Pass Rotary clubs, lots of businesses from throughout the Pass Area;
including the Beaumont Chamber came together to make Halloween a safe, fun
places for youngsters and their adult companions.
Most estimates are that close to a 1,000 people
collected free candy, partook of games and generally enjoyed themselves for
a couple of hours on Halloween night. Ramsey Street was closed from San
Gorgonio to Allesandro, so folks could mingle
and walk without vehicular interference. It was a great event and thanks to
those who spearheaded it. Let's hope that next year sees at least equal
participation.
I've been a fan of the space program from the
beginning. I would regularly set my alarm clock to some unfathomable hour to
make certain I could participate as each mission was launched. I'm sure NASA
must know that I propelled each space ship into orbit my gripping the arms
of the chair I was glued into.
During two days last week, I was privileged to
hear a local girl come home to cheers and accolades. The first was a
luncheon hosted by the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce (joined by the Banning
and Calimesa Chambers). A sellout group rose to their feet as Dr. Tracy
Caldwell entered the room.
Her former coach and teacher Gary
Hakala regaled the audience with how Tracy
struggled with math while she attended Beaumont High School. He couldn't
help but show his pride as he told the assembled that Tracy had gone on to
achieve a doctorate in Chemistry. There's lots of math here folks and Tracy
did not become Dr. Caldwell without a great deal of hard work.
She dazzled the group with a presentation of life
in space and all that led up to the mission. She could have continued for
hours and I would have loved it. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I swear
people left the Four Seasons facility with a new spring in their step.
The next day, the City of Beaumont honored
astronaut, Dr. Tracy Caldwell with a parade. I love parades and this one was
terrific. With the flag draped between two ladders on fire engines, Dr.
Caldwell, local dignitaries, the school bands and a parade of fire trucks
came down 6th Street to City Hall.
Once there, all were invited into the gymnasium to
hear Dr. Caldwell speak. Now I thought I would be hearing a repeat of what I
heard the day before at the chamber luncheon but the only thing that was
similar was Tracy Caldwell's enthusiasm. She is an ambassador of goodwill
for NASA and the U.S.A.
She had been speaking at local schools for the
past few days and I can only suspect that her talks and encouragement
infused local youngsters with the reality that if one works hard enough Š
anything is possible. I wouldn't be surprised if a young girl or boy caught
‘astronaut fever' and follows in the footsteps of this outstanding young
woman. Her parents have every right to be proud and I was delighted to have
heard her speak twice in two days. I know I will now follow her career with
profound respect and a more personal interest.
IN THE REAL WORD is written for the Record Gazette
by Gail Paparian, a Banning resident for nearly six years, has served on
Banning (and Riverside County) commissions and committees. She currently
serves on the following boards: Community Blood Bank, San Gorgonio Pass
Rotary, San Gorgonio Pass Boys and Girls Club and a member of the Banning
Economic Development Committee.
