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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: masonb@mckinleycc.org 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

San Dimas has been exploring what it would take for the city to break off from the LA County Public Health Department to start our own or partner with other cities to establish a new health department. Despite the great expense associated with breaking away from the county, San Dimas is watching closely as the city of West Covina considers creating a regional health department from the ground up. In this episode, Shawn Granger sheds light on why West Covina is embarking on this monumental undertaking as well as what the potential benefits and costs would be. As a San Dimas resident, public administration doctoral student at the University of La Verne, and IT Manager for West Covina, Shawn's personal, professional, and academic interests intersect around this important topic. Links + resources for this episode: How much would a new L.A. city health department cost? $330 million, says budget analyst, Los Angeles Daily News 6/17/2013

Forensic psychologist Dr. Shiloh of the podcast L.A. Not So Confidential joins me as we uncover the story of God's Salvation Church, also known as Chen Tao or the True Way Cult, which called San Dimas home for a short time in the mid-1990's. The cult originated in Taiwan, and congregants believed they would be saved by God aboard a spaceship. As we explore this interesting bit of San Dimas history, Dr. Shiloh and I discuss what makes a cult, explore how cults work, and touch on some modern-day cults and conspiracy theories. Related media recommended by Dr. Shiloh: L.A. Not So Confidential: QAnon and the Psychology of Conspiracy Theories L.A. Not So Confidential: California Cults Die-Alogue: Rick Alan Ross | Cult Expert, Part 1 Die-Alogue: Rick Alan Ross | Cult Expert, Part 2 Die-Alogue: Janja Lalich, Cult Expert, Sociologist, Author Die-Alogue: Frank Lyford, Heaven's Gate Cult Survivor Die-Alogue: Female Persuasion: Women and Cults HBO's The Vow Links + resources for this episode Congregants Wait for Spaceship, Associated Press 12/23/1997 Chen Tao (True Way Cult), Wikipedia Taiwanese Group Prepares to Meet God--In Texas, The New York Times 3/4/1998 San Dimas City Council Study Session: February 9, 2021 | 5:30pm | Watch here San Dimas City Council Meeting: February 9, 2021 | 7pm | Watch here

In this episode, I have a little "soapbox" moment and share my thoughts about why civic engagement matters--especially on the local level. Whether you volunteer with seniors, join a commission or advocate to improve the parking situation in your neighborhood, there are countless ways for you to get involved and make San Dimas an even better place to live! Links + resources for this episode Isabel in San Dimas: No Big Hotel Isabel in San Dimas: Pioneer Square City of San Dimas Agendas & Minutes Page Isabel in San Dimas: How to Speak at a City Council Meeting San Dimas Community Post San Dimas City Council Meeting: January 26, 2021 | 7pm | Watch here

In this first episode of the new year, Angelica Hernandez of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence joins me to talk about the work her non-profit organization does to promote healthy living and prevent alcohol and drug use in communities. We talk about Stay Well San Dimas, a health-oriented coalition for local residents, and we dive into one of their current campaigns to reduce second-hand smoke and tobacco use in San Dimas and neighboring cities. Links + resources for this episode: Stay Well San Dimas Facebook page + Instagram page Angelica Hernandez's contact information: ahernandez@ncaddsgv.org Stay Well San Dimas Community Coalition meeting: January 26 | 3pm State of Tobacco Control 2020, California Local Grades, American Lung Association San Dimas City Council Meeting: January 12, 2021 | 7pm | Watch here | Join via Zoom Isabel in San Dimas: What is the Specific Plan No. 23 Moratorium? San Dimas Community Post

We all need a little bit of hope this 2020 holiday season, so I decided to do a series featuring local non-profit organizations doing good work. For this first episode, I interview Ryan Russek, founder of Wish Upon a Toy, a non-profit that delivers gifts on Christmas Day to cancer patients at the City of Hope. The idea for Wish Upon a Toy started when Ryan and his father, a cancer patient himself, decided to deliver Christmas gifts to the pediatric patients at City of Hope. Ryan's dad lost his battle to cancer on Christmas Day 2005, but his legacy lives on in the joy that Wish Upon a Toy delivers every year. Links + resources for this episode Wish Upon a Toy 12 Days of San Dimas San Dimas City Council Meeting: December 8, 2020 | 7pm | Watch here Parks and Recreation Commission Vacancy Isabel in San Dimas: What is the Specific Plan No. 23 Moratorium? Isabel in San Dimas: "Crown of the Citrus Belt" GoFundMe: Support Andrea, Lizzie and Ernest Spark of Joy: Accepting donations at Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 64 | 164 S. Walnut Ave.

My husband Phil Ebiner joins me on the show today to talk about his participation in the City of San Dimas Housing Element Subcommittee. San Dimas is going through a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), a state-mandated process to zone for additional housing. Because of RHNA, you may have heard rumors that low-income and high-density housing are coming to town. My husband Phil Ebiner, who is a member of the Housing Element Subcommittee as part of the RHNA process, joins me to confirm some facts and dispel some myths around housing in San Dimas. Listen to this episode to learn more about what the Subcommittee is working on and what housing may look like in San Dimas in the not-too-distant future. And don’t forget to complete the City’s Housing Element Survey to make sure your voice is heard! Links + resources for this episode: San Dimas Housing Element Survey California Department of Housing and Community Development Southern California Association of Governments City of San Dimas Demographics City of San Dimas Housing Element 2014-2021

A lifelong San Dimas resident, 23-year-old Savannah Spillman discovered San Dimas's very own skatepark just three years ago when she started learning how to skateboard. In that short time, Savannah fostered a sense of community among the skating youth, became known as "Skatepark Mom," and submitted a proposal to the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission to improve lighting and safety at the skatepark. Listen to this episode to learn more about skate culture in San Dimas and hear some sage advice that may even inspire you to pick up a skateboard.

At a joint study session on October 13, 2020, the City Council and Planning Commission will consider zoning changes in Via Verde that could have potential impacts on all of San Dimas. The conversation hinges around increasing the amount of grading (or excavating) 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. Listen to this episode to hear how this issue could affect you.

Peter Hidalgo is running for the Mt. San Antonio College Board of Trustee position for Area 1, which covers San Dimas. Born in Ecuador and raised by a single mother, a young Peter had aspirations to manage a KFC location until a $100 scholarship to attend Mt. SAC changed the trajectory of his life. Listen to my interview with Peter, get a sense of what his vision for the community college is, and learn why this race should matter to San Dimas. Learn more about Peter Hidalgo by visiting his official campaign website.

I recently became a member of the City of San Dimas's Urban Forest Sub-Committee. Part of my role as a Sub-Committee member is to help provide education and outreach about San Dimas's Urban Forest, which is basically all of the public and community trees that you see here in our city. In this episode, I provide information about the overall benefits of trees in any community, details about San Dimas's trees in particular, and tips about how to take care of your trees.   Visit IsabelinSanDimas.com for show notes and to share your thoughts on this episode.