For the Record Gazette


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.