#InlandEmpire Super Game Night Guide

Hi neighbors -

So it's the mother of Bowls - Super Bowl Sunday!  Whether you're a die hard fan or just a casual watcher game days are a great excuse to get together with friends, eat some greasy comfort food and yell at the TV.  Here is a list of just a few local spots where you can enjoy the game, some brews and friends.  And if you're not into the game but looking for something else to do we also have something for you in our guide below.

Let us know what you think.  Did we miss a big no-brainer?  Let us know by leaving us a comment, FB post or tweet.

Game on!

1. Yard House (Rancho Cucamonga) - 100-250 beers on tap - whoa!

2. Lake Alice Saloon & Eatery (Riverside) - Voted Best Bar in the I.E. by IE Weekly magazine

3. Espiau's Restaurant & Cantina (Claremont) - Wear your colors and show your spirit here!  Did you see their festive seasonal window display in the picture up top?  The leprechaun is especially adorable.  HA!

4. Events Sports Grill (Riverside) - Considered a locals favorite and a friend's recommention.  Haven't tried it but definitely has all the components of a great sports bar.

5. Upper Deck Sports Lounge (Redlands) - Did you know that Splash Kingdom Waterpark (formerly Pharoah's Adventure Park) has a sports lounge?  Massive sports lounge and no cover.  Ready to check this place out!

Not really into the game?  

image c/o International Day Spa

6. International Day Spa (Redlands) - And for the those who need a little pamper, pay $46 for regularly priced $59 treatments.  Choose from a 30 minute POM facial or a 30 minute Swedish/American massage with an aloe heat cream compress. Special rates are only available on Saturday 2/4/12 and Sunday 2/5/12.  Leave the game fans and get some R&R!  
Doesn't their cozy exterior in the picture here just reach out and give you a hug?  

7. Do good and have fun!  Prevent Child Abuse Riverside County is having a Super Bowl Sunday Game Day fundraiser. “On Feb. 5, more than a dozen former NFL All-Pros team together with Prevent Child Abuse Riverside for the 3rd Annual Super Bowl Sunday game day event, “Legends of the Gridiron.”


8. Totally not into the game?  How about shop and do good?  The Redlands American Cancer Society Discovery Shop has a 25% off entire store sale!  Ooo let me know what you get if you go.  Tag us @IEShineOn - would love to see!


O before I forget, I'm planning a special giveaway in a couple weeks.  You know my affinity towards eating so you can probably guess this giveaway will be food related.  You'll know more next week.  Just keep checking back with us on  FB or tweet.


Till next time...

#InlandEmpire #NationalPieDay Guide

illustration by Rosie Piter exclusively for Acclaim Images

Hi neighbors!

The weekend is drawing to a close but I'm not too sad.  I've been working hard this weekend and I could use a rest from working long nights.  Can't wait for a time where I only work during the days on the ieshineon.com site.  Sigh, one day.  But I digress.

I can't wait for the weekend to end also because I can't wait for #NationalPieDay, January 23rd!  Some super helpful Inland Empire Funsters on Twitter and Facebook - like @dine909, @keatingaround, @ie_foodtrucks and Mary Beth A.  have been giving me some great suggestions on where I should go to celebrate yet another holiday dedicated to baked pastries.  Love it!  So here is a list of some local Inland Empire favorites.  If we've missed any please don't hesitate to steer us in the right direction by leaving a post on FB or tweet us.

Oh and if you partake in Pie Day we'd love to see a pic of your deliciousness!  Post a picture and tag us @IEShineOn.  We'd love to see.

Bon apetit!  Till next time...

PIES PIES PIES
1. Mommie Helen's Bakery (Colton) - Enjoy this behind-the-scenes video of their bakery!

2. Mrs. Redd's Pie (Colton)

3. Corky's Kitchen and Bakery (Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Corona)

4. Apple Annie's Restaurant & Bakery (Oak Glen)

5. Law's Oak Glen Coffee Shop  (Oak Glen)

6. Apple's Dumplin's at Parrish Ranch  (Oak Glen)

7. Julian Pie (Julian) - While right outside of the IE they still sell to a lot of places in our neighborhood.  Here's where you can find them.  Plus did you know that Julian Pie is also listed in the Serious Eats List of Best Pie Places in America?

8. Thelma's Restaurant and Bakery (Big Bear)

9. Gerrard's Market (Redlands)

10. Kalura's Trattoria (Palm Springs)

11. Polly's Pies (so many locations, check out their site for more info)

12. Village Grille 50's Diner (Claremont)

13. Big Bell's Sweet Potato Pie (Palmdale) - never heard of this place but was doing some research and they sound amazing!  Here's an awesome video about them.  Honestly, now I can't wait to try!

14. Loma Linda Market (Loma Linda) - Have never been here before but they say it has a bakery.  They're a large, all vegetarian grocery ran by the Loma Linda University.

Ok, I know we have a ton more to list but this is it for now.  If you want to learn more about pies you can go to the American Pie Council's site - yes, there's actually a pie council.  Again, if you think we've missed one please give us a shout on FB and tweet us!

Till next time...nom nom nom....

** EDIT **
We apologize, but we forgot a huge local favorite - Flo's Airport Cafe in Chino!  How could we forget their huge servings and their featured pie of the day?  Forgive us, Flo's!  Thanks for the reminder, @davidallen909!

#IE Lunar New Year Guide

c/o http://www.friscokids.net

Is it in the air or is it just me?  Everyone seems to be hearing the roar of the upcoming Year of the Dragon.  If you're in the IE and you plan on celebrating then you probably plan on heading to the big celebration in Riverside - the Riverside's Asian Pacific Lunar Festival.  But if Riverside is too far you probably don't need to head out that far to stumble upon red, gold, dancing, food and maybe even a dragon.


Take a gander at our list below and let us know if you're heading out to any of these places.  You can tag us in one of your photos (@IEShineOn - o we would love that!).  But if we've missed any spots you think should be on our list then please let us know and forgive our shame.  You can give us a holler on Facebook or Tweet us.

1. Riverside Asian-Pacific Lunar New Year Festival - 1/28, Saturday, parade starts at 10 a.m. and festivities continue through the rest of the day.  Here's a performance guide to help you get around.  Enjoy!  And we've posted a video of last year's sumo demonstration on our FB page created by "socalevents."  Check it out :)

c/o of City of Ontario

2. Chinese New Year Family Discovery Day at the Ontario Museum of History & Art - 1/21, Saturday, 12-4 p.m.

3. San Bernardino 4th Annual Chinese New Year Banquet & Fundraiser - 1/21, Saturday, at the Lotus Garden Restaurant

4. Kung Fu Panda 2 playing at the La Sierra Public Library - 1/22, Sunday at 2pm.  Branch info is here.

5. Happy Hour all night at Wang's in the Desert - 1/23, Mon (doesn't say for sure on their site so just double check by calling them).  Get some friends together and go enjoy some Chinese eats - you know Chinese food is usually family style.  That's more for everyone!

Wang's in the Desert is just one of thousands of Asian restaurants in the Inland Empire.  Who's your favorite?  Share it with us on our Facebook page or Tweet us.

Till next time...Happy Lunar New Year!

MLK Weekend Good Times

Hi neighbors!

It's the first three day weekend of the year and I could use a little break already! I'm looking forward to escaping the fluorescent lights of my office and heading outside. I've compiled a list of local spots where good times could be had by all this three day weekend.

Do you already have plans or have I missed something that's a definite no-brainer must do? I'd love to hear where you'll be headed. Give us a shout on Facebook or Tweet us.  

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THREE DAY WEEKEND ITINERARY

OUTDOORS
Let's start the day with a brisk hike at any of our local mountains or a U.S. National Park. All weekend U.S. National Parks will be FREE! (FYI, Joshua Tree National Park is a local favorite).  Or join a local hiking group in Big Bear.  If I'm not feeling like a hike I may try to catch the Saturday morning Garden Walking Club at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont.

ACTIVE
Or try something new like belly dancing at Rancho's own Hadia Habib's. If not belly dancing there's always kickboxing in Redlands. First class is FREE!

RELAX
After a work out I'll probably head to any one of our local spas like Glen Ivy Spa in Corona or Ontario's Ciela Mio Day Spa. $29 for a 30 minute massage sounds like a great way to relax.




GETAWAY
Also, it's not too late to just get away entirely and book a place in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and another one of my favorites - Idyllwild. This place in particular just seems like a fun modern treehouse, no?  Plus it's on the waterfront.

Another one of my favorite things to do during a long weekend - or at any time really - is eat out!  I'm going to check out a few new spots I've been dying to try.  I'll be getting my sweet fix at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. Also, I'm especially looking forward to RaPour's jazz brunch on Sunday and I'll probably top if off with some outstanding burgers from Eureka!Burger in Claremont.



Whew...that seems like quite a list but I know I'm leaving out a lot.  I'll just have to cram in as much fun in a 72 hour period as humanly possible.  Have a wonderful three-day, everyone!

Till next time...