Known as Mr. G to his middle school students, teacher Steven Guiles is also an artist and musician, and he is creating a new album in his San Dimas home studio. Inspired and challenged by recent events, both global and personal, Steven has spent a lot of time reflecting, chatting, listening - and now making music - to make sense of it all. In this episode, we dive deep into Steven's musical background, his inspirations, and his latest project Transitions: A new album by Steven Wesley Guiles. Take a listen to this episode, and enjoy our first ever live musical recording on the show! Links + resources for this episode: New Cool Now Steven Wesley Guiles Kickstarter campaign for Transitions: A new album by Steven Wesley Guiles "Waiting For You" by New Cool Now "I Got to Go Pee" by Mr. Gee "Get Happy Lucky  Hearts" by Dove Pilot (featured on The Babysitters Club)

McKinley is a local nonprofit organization based in San Dimas. Founded over 100 years ago as a residential facility for orphaned children, McKinley has grown in size and scope. The organization now serves diverse populations through a variety of services and programs. Listen to my interview with McKinley's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison Bria Mason to learn more about the nonprofit and the good work that they do. Links for this episode: McKinley McKinley on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bria Mason's contact information: [email protected] Halloween Spooktacular: October 22-23, 2021 | Civic Center Park Nature Crawl: October 23, 2021| 3-6pm | San Dimas Canyon Nature Center, 1628 Sycamore Canyon Road, San Dimas

Dating back to Europe in the Middle Ages, freemasonry has a long history, seemingly shrouded in secrecy. And while you might find references to the masons in pop culture, they are very much a real organization, with a historical building right here in Old Town San Dimas. Past Master of the San Dimas Masonic Lodge and longtime San Dimas resident Raymond Foster joins me in this episode to explore the origins of the freemasons and their history in the city. If you're interested in learning about the masons, including how the organization originated and if they really do have a secret handshake, take a listen to this episode!

The San Dimas Chamber of Commerce is the economic and business hub of our community. A nonprofit organization, the San Dimas Chamber started back in 1909 as the Board of Trade and served as the foundation for today's city of San Dimas. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chair Marilyn Sparks and CEO Silvia Melendez join me in this episode to talk all about the Chamber, including what services they offer, how they are a resource for local businesses, and what they do to enrich the community at large. Links + resources for this episode: San Dimas Chamber of Commerce Music in the Park: Wednesdays through July 28 | 7-9pm | Civic Center Park City of San Dimas 61st Birthday BBQ: August 7 | 5-9pm | Civic Center Park

While I love to read, I do NOT like to write. Naturally, I admire anyone who has the creativity and the patience to put pen to paper and author an entire book! When I learned that Dave Milbrandt--a local resident, teacher, and author--had a new book, Fool's Luck, coming out in July, I invited him to chat. In this episode, Dave shares a little bit about his newest protagonist Myles Bradford as well as some thoughts about his writing process, inspiration, and more. Links + resources for this episode: DaveMildbrandt.com San Dimas Music in the Park 2021: Wednesdays, June 16-July 28 | 7pm| Register here

San Dimas Little League President Geoff Charpentier and I discuss all things Little League in this episode. As a prospective parent and newbie to Little League, I ask Geoff how the league works, who can join, and how the community can support their efforts. If you played Little League or have kids who want to play in the not-too-distant future, take a listen to this episode and ...play ball!

In a standard process that occurs every three years, Golden State Water Company proposed rate increases for 2022 through 2024. If approved, consumers in Region 3--which includes San Dimas-- would see an increase of approximately 23.5% to their monthly water bill over the next three years. In this episode, I explain Golden State's rationale for the rate increases, if the increases seem fair, and what you can do to make your voice heard. Information about water rates: Submit Public Comments for Golden State Rate Case No. 20-07-012 before May 25, 2021 2022-24 General Rate Case Fact Sheet, Golden State Water Company Golden State Water Company: 2016 General Rate Case, Public Advocates Office Golden State, city attorneys to go head-to-head in court, Claremont Courier 4/23/2015 Judge favors Golden State Water Company in fight for water system, Claremont Courier 11/11/2016 Water Issues in the City of Claremont, The League of Women Voters of the Claremont Area, 2005 California Alternate Rates for Water Program, Golden State Water Company San Dimas Customer Service Area Rebates and Programs, Golden State Water Company Additional links for this episode: City Council Passes Anti-Nepotism Policy, San Dimas Community Post 4/10/2021 Locations to pick up a copy of the San Dimas Community Post

After more than a year of distance learning, Bonita Unified School District elementary students will finally have the option to return to school for in-person learning two days per week starting April 5. Middle and high school students can return to campus on April 12. There is a lot to unpack and understand about school re-openings, so I invited Bonita Superintendent Carl Coles to talk about the ins and outs with me. I asked a lot of questions, and the Superintendent answered. Listen to this episode to learn more about what on-campus learning means for your family and children. Links + resources for this episode: State of the School District Address and Career and Technical Education Presentation School District Addresses COVID-19, Career and Technical Education Programs, San Dimas Community Post 3/15/21 City Manager Releases Statement Regarding Suspect in Park Stabbing, San Dimas Community Post 4/1/21 San Dimas City Council Study Session: April 8, 2021 | 6pm | Watch here | Join via Zoom | Call in (909) 394-6206

A founding member of the La Verne Bicycle Coalition and local bike advocate, Doug Strange talks with me about cycling culture in San Dimas and surrounding areas, what a more bike-friendly city could look like, and what it would take to get more people out of their cars and on their bikes. As someone who loves biking but isn't the most confident rider around, this interview gave me a lot of hope and inspiration for riding my bike more in 2021. Biking resources: Four Types of Cyclists, Jennifer Dill, PhD Level of Traffic Stress - What It Means for Building Better Bike Networks Cycling Around La Verne Facebook group La Verne Bicycle Coalition website, Facebook page + Instagram page Gold Line Foothill Extension 2B First/Last Mile Plan, 6/20/2019 Arrow Highway Multimodal Regional Corridor Plan Additional links for this episode: San Dimas City Council Study Session: March, 23, 2021 | 5:30pm | Watch here | Join via Zoom San Dimas City Council Meeting: March 23, 2021 | 7pm | Watch here | Join via Zoom Isabel in San Dimas: Why Civic Engagement Matters Isabel in San Dimas: Should San Dimas Break Up with the Public Health Department? Isabel in San Dimas: Pioneer Square

At the City Council meeting on March 9, the Council will--once again--consider changes to Via Verde could have potential impacts on all of San Dimas. The conversation hinges around increasing the amount of grading (or excavating or moving dirt around) allowed in Specific Plan 11, which comprises properties in the Via Verde Ridge Homeowners Association. The concerns from residents range from aesthetic, to environmental, to ethical. And the impacts of the Council's decision has the potential to impact communities all over San Dimas. Listen to this episode to hear how this issue could affect you. Resources + links for this episode: San Dimas City Council Meeting: March 9, 2021 | 7pm | Join via Zoom | Call in (909) 394-6206 | Watch here Grading Restrictions Stir Tensions between Via Verde Ridge Homeowners Association and Residents, San Dimas Community Post 1/19/2021 Isabel in San Dimas: Why Civic Engagement Matters San Dimas candidates spend moderately on March 3 election--so far, Daily Bulletin 2/25/2020 City of San Dimas Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure Video of July 14, 2020 City Council Meeting (Grading discussion begins around 01:55:30) Video of September 22, 2020 City Council and Planning Commission Joint Study Session Bunny Trail Drive-Through: March 25-27