Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin also is expected to speak at the fundraiser, set for Wednesday, May 22, at the Temecula Stampede country music venue.

So is Kash Patel, who served in the Trump White House, and Alina Habba, an attorney who represented Donald Trump in court.

鈥淭he entire Trump family understands the need for patriotic Americans to get involved in the election process,鈥� PAC founder and 412 Church Temecula Valley Pastor Tim Thompson said via email.

鈥淥ur hope is Eric Trump will inspire the Temecula Valley and beyond to engage in a powerful way.鈥�

The Riverside County Democratic Party chairperson assailed the event.

鈥淭his fundraiser clearly shows how, and by whom, big money is being raised in the Inland Empire by the executors aiding the creation of a dictatorship under the guise of 鈥楩amily Values,鈥欌�� Joy Silver said via email.

A protest is scheduled to take place outside the fundraiser. 鈥淟et鈥檚 show Tim Thompson and the Trump Crime Family that their brand of fascism isn鈥檛 welcome here in our school districts!鈥� an online ad for the demonstration states.

Amy McKenzie, a Hestrin spokesperson, said via email that Hestrin, a Republican, 鈥渉as been invited to speak at the event to address criminal justice issues in California.鈥�

In February, Habba attended an event at a Temecula-area equestrian facility for , a Thompson-led organization that posts his commentaries and interviews with conservative activists and lawmakers on social media.

Habba 鈥渙ffered to connect us with her family friend, Eric Trump,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淲e gratefully accepted that offer.鈥�

Eric Trump鈥檚 wife, Lara, is co-chairperson of the Republican National Committee.

range from $200 for general admission to $1,000 for VIP seating and a meet-and-greet with Trump. Thompson said he hopes the event raises more than $100,000. As of Tuesday, May 14, tickets are still available, he said.

Habba frequently appears on cable news to praise the former president and blast efforts to prosecute Trump, .

While she is celebrated in conservative circles, the judge in Trump鈥檚 defamation trial — at one point after she interrupted him.

The plaintiff in that case, E. Jean Carroll, alleged Trump defamed her after a jury for sexually abusing her in the 1990s. Trump .

Patel served in various capacities in the Trump administration, including chief of staff in the Department of Defense and a counterterrorism adviser on the National Security Council.

In December, Patel that if Trump returns to the White House, 鈥渃onspirators鈥� in the media and government would be targeted — 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to come after you whether it鈥檚 criminally or civilly,鈥� he added.

Thompson鈥檚 PAC 聽to school boards in Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore.

PAC-endorsed candidates campaigned on a platform of restoring parents鈥� rights and ridding schools of 鈥渋ndoctrination.鈥� , including a majority on the Temecula Valley Unified School District board.

Once elected, the three Temecula conservatives , with over curriculum that indirectly referenced LGBTQ leader Harvey Milk and , among other controversial actions.

Critics say the conservatives, , want to impose a Christian nationalist agenda while ignoring pressing student needs. A recall election of one of the conservatives, board President Joseph Komrosky, .

While defeating the Komrosky recall 鈥渋s a top priority for us 鈥� the IE Family PAC continues to vet possible candidates for school board seats across the Inland Empire and will be announcing our endorsed candidates at a date to be determined,鈥� Thompson said.

鈥淲e focus solely on school board races as parental rights and the safety of our children are our main passion.鈥�

The fundraiser 鈥渋s yet another blatant example of the IE Family PAC鈥檚 mission to corrupt local nonpartisan school board seats with partisan politics and culture wars in an attempt to dismantle public education,鈥� Jeff Pack, co-founder of , which is spearheading the recall, said via email.

鈥� 鈥� IE Family PAC鈥檚 supported elected officials and candidates are singularly focused on indoctrinating our students religiously and politically. We find that shameful and antithetical to the American public education system.鈥�

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error. The Democrats of Southwest Riverside County club is not organizing a protest scheduled to take place outside the Wednesday, May 22, fundraiser.聽

Fort, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, will spend 11 days traveling east to Washington, D.C., with fellow riders, while keeping close the thoughts of his father who died in Vietnam and whose remains lie unrecovered many miles in the opposite direction.

The annual motorcycle trek will send about 1,400 riders on one of three routes leaving Tuesday or Wednesday from Ontario with the goal of reaching Washington for Memorial Day weekend. Among the events planned there is the moment in which the riders walk together to the Vietnam Veterans鈥� Memorial to view the names of those who died in that conflict.

Crossing the country, riders will visit schools, museums, military bases, veterans groups or hospitals. They will share their personal experiences with people along the way, asking them to remember all who have served.

For some riders 鈥� many of them Vietnam vets or associated with such a person 鈥� the cross-country trip can help to heal some wounds, physical and emotional, and honor those who sacrificed their lives in their country鈥檚 service. One of those is Fort鈥檚 father, Navy Lt. Eric Brice, who died when his disabled F-4 Phantom crashed into the Tonkin Gulf during a 1968 combat mission.

鈥淢y dad is on the wall,鈥� Fort said last week, as he prepared for the trip from Alabama to Ontario. 鈥淎s children of people whose names are on the wall, we want to move on with our lives but we still want to do justice to our heroes and to their memories.聽 This whole process helps that.鈥�

Several years ago, Fort stood on a freeway bridge saluting a group of the riders when they rode through Birmingham. 鈥淚 quickly realized that I needed to do more than just stand on a bridge,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was hooked.鈥�

Fort, a Marine Corps veteran, began joining the riders midway across the country and riding on to Washington. For the first time last year, he made the long trek to Ontario for the start of the coast-to-coast ride. This year, he is an assistant route coordinator for Midway route riders who leave a day ahead of other riders because of special events planned at a stop in Cookeville, Tennessee.

This journey helps him honor his father whose death came just before Fort鈥檚 birth in 1968.

Lt. Brice鈥檚 F-4 had been badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing raid on the Ho Chi Minh Trail but managed to reach the ocean. He told Lt. Bill Simmons, his 鈥淩IO鈥� (radar intercept officer), to eject, which he did successfully. But the plane went out of control and crashed into the sea before the pilot could get out safely.

The location is known, 20 miles off the coast, but no effort has been made to recover any remains due to the official conclusion the jet disintegrated upon impact. There is also resistance from Vietnam to allow such off-shore searches. In recent years Fort has made regular trips to the federal agency that attempts to recover lost military remains but has not yet generated much interest in searching for his father鈥檚 crash site.

鈥淚 do know that at least I know where and how he died and that he was not a prisoner,鈥� Fort said. 鈥淭here are many people whose military members are simply gone, missing without any knowledge of where they died or how it happened.鈥�

The first Run for the Wall was in 1989 by three Vietnam veterans who rode around giving talks and speaking to media members, seeking to raise interest in the thousands of unaccounted-for military personnel of all the nation鈥檚 wars.

鈥淚t is amazing how far people have come to participate in the ride,鈥� said Carol L. Olmstead of Simi Valley, the California coordinator for the event. 鈥淲e have people who have shipped their bikes from as far away as Hawaii and the United Kingdom.鈥�

For those wishing to salute the riders from freeway bridges as they depart locally, Fort鈥檚 Midway route group leaves Tuesday at 7 a.m., traveling out of town on the 10 Freeway, then north on the 15 to Barstow before heading east, mostly following the 40 Freeway.

On Wednesday at 7 a.m., riders of the Central and Southern routes will depart. The riders on the Central route, via the 15 Freeway and Cajon Pass, will reach Washington, D.C., by way of Colorado, Kansas. and Missouri, while the Southern riders go through Arizona, Texas and Arkansas before reaching the nation鈥檚 capital. Ontario police officers will escort the processions of riders on Holt Boulevard to the 10 Freeway entrance each morning.

Two years ago, a fourth route was added 鈥� the so-called Sandbox route has riders leaving Washington, D.C. on Sunday of the Memorial Day holiday weekend to go west to visit the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois.

Host for the run locally is the Ontario Elks Lodge, 1150 W. 4th St. Registration for riders will begin there at noon Sunday, May 12, and is open to the public, Elks Trustee Alan Wissing said.

Information: .

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the departure time for riders on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

The devastating blizzard that hit the San Bernardino Mountains in February and March 2023 caved in the roof of Goodwin & Son’s Market, destroying Crestline’s only grocery store.

“It was the hardest thing our company has ever gone through,” company vice-president Mike Johnstone said Wednesday, May 9. “We literally watched our livelihood and everything we had known fall to the ground.”

The company had good insurance, he said. Good enough, in fact, to keep paying many of their 120 employees during the rebuilding process.

Since then, the store has operated pop-up markets, selling a handful of essential items as they rebuilt.

On Monday afternoon, San Bernardino County gave the company its final approval: The store could reopen. After working overnight on the finishing touches, the owners reopened the store at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“And within minutes, we had hundreds of people” shopping, Johnstone said.

An official grand opening will take place on Aug. 20.

At midday Wednesday, there wasn’t an available spot in the parking lot. Inside the store, some customers pushed two full shopping carts at a time through the aisles.

“I think everybody’s been anticipating this so much, they were really excited to see us open,” Johnstone said.

An older woman interrupted, touching his forearm and interjecting: “We really appreciate you.”

“Thank you,” Johnstone said, smiling.

Out of the carnage came opportunity.

Johnstone said his uncle, CFO Martin Goodwin, “had the vision of doing this” completely redesigned store.

The new store’s fa莽ade looks like a Swiss chalet. Inside is an elevated dining area offering an unobstructed view of Lake Gregory and a fireplace to gather around in winter months.

“The vision was this is the community gathering place,” Johnstone听蝉补颈诲. “This is where everybody comes, this is where everybody meets, this is where everybody has coffee in the morning. We have people who eat three meals a day with us.

“So we wanted to keep the same feel as the old store — it’s generational, you know — but we wanted to just upgrade it and make it nice and new, with the same feel.”

The store’s layout is the same as the previous store, which was actually the second Goodwin & Son’s, built in 1984. The original store, built in 1946, is now a hardware store.

At the new store, the deli, produce and meat departments are in the same place as in the store destroyed last year. A sign written on butcher’s paper in the deli section reads “we are so happy to see you again!”

But the Goodwins expanded their previously small soda fountain by combining it with their coffee and juice bar that once occupied another part of the store.

To make the most of the rebuilding, Goodwins and team members toured more than 40 well-regarded grocery stores across California.

“We’ve kind of pulled pieces of all the different features we liked from this department or that and we put it all together on a Pinterest (style) board and pushed that to the designers,” Johnstone said. “And then they ran with it.”

In addition to the insurance payment received for storm-related damages, the family sank its own money into the new store.

“It was a commitment from our family to say if we’re going to do this, let’s do this right,” Johnstone said. “Let’s go big. Let’s do this thing that’s going to solidify us for generations and make this more of a community hub that will keep us relevant and strong for years to come.”

And perhaps the most important part of the redesign: making sure nothing like the March 2023 disaster happens to the market again.

“At the beginning, we were thinking, ‘man, this is excessive,’ ” Johnstone said. “It’s over-engineered, you know. But as we started going through it, (we thought) it’s better to overbuild. We don’t want anything like (that) happening.”

The new roof can handle almost twice the weight that the old roof could, and has four times as many drains to handle runoff.

“It’s built for snow,” Johnstone said. “It’s built for strength.”

The new store has an open structure inside. The massive beams of wood and steel support structures are visible reassurances to customers: This store isn’t going anywhere.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the last name of Mike Johnstone, the company’ vice-president.

More on the 2023 winter storms

• Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestline鈥檚 only grocery store
• 6 months after San Bernardino Mountains battered by storms, recovery far from over
• San Bernardino County officials expected milder storms before mountains were hammered, records show
• Sheriff鈥檚 report on San Bernardino winter storms calls out communication, organization problems
• San Bernardino County 2023 winter storm response hampered by communication, organizational failures, report finds
• One year after brutal storms in the San Bernardino Mountains, what has been learned?

The election, scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, could have implications for the balance of power on the sharply divided board, which garnered statewide and national attention for, among other actions, and requiring parents to be told .

Voting is limited to the approximately 21,000 registered voters in Komrosky鈥檚 , which includes areas between Temecula Parkway and Rancho California Road and extends into Temecula Valley Wine Country.

Unlike previous recalls in which California voters were asked whether to oust someone and pick a replacement, there will be just one question facing Komrosky recall voters: Should he be recalled?

If a simple majority votes yes, Komrosky, whose term runs through 2026, would have to leave office immediately. After that, the remaining board members could either call for a special election or appoint someone to fill the open seat.

The recall is a pivotal moment in a showdown that started in 2022, when Komrosky and two other Christian conservatives — Danny Gonzalez and Jen Wiersma — .

The night they took office in December 2022, the trio banned critical race theory from being taught in Temecula schools. They also:

• Passed the transgender notification policy.
• Feuded with with a reference to civil rights leader Harvey Milk.
• and the renewal of existing tower leases on school property. A board-commissioned study later found tower emissions .
• Banned learning materials deemed to be obscene or pornographic as well as LGBTQ pride flags — or any non-U.S. or non-state flag — from being displayed on school grounds.

The conservative majority ended in December , leaving the board in a 2-2 deadlock with Komrosky and Wiersma on one side and board members Allison Barclay and Steven Schwartz, who typically oppose the conservatives鈥� agenda, on the other.

The conservatives鈥� supporters argue Komrosky and Wiersma are keeping their campaign promises to restore parents鈥� rights and protect children鈥檚 innocence. Critics maintain the conservative are pursuing an extreme Christian nationalist agenda that wastes taxpayer money and has nothing to do with the nuts and bolts of public education.

, which describes itself as opposed to extremism in local government, pushed to recall the conservatives. In December, the PAC — 1,000 more than required — to force a Komrosky recall election.

To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before June 4 and received by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters no later than June 11. Ballots can be tracked by going to .

Ballots can either put in the mail or dropped off at the following locations:

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays from Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 24, at the Temecula Valley Unified School District office, Room 3303, 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays from Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 31, at Riverside County Fire Station 96, 37700 Glen Oaks Road, Temecula.
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Monday, May 6 to Monday, June 3, at the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office, 2720 Gateway Drive, Riverside. A secure 24/7 ballot drop box is located outside the office.

In-person voting is available from:

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25,聽 to Monday, June 3, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the Temecula school district office, Room 3303.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, to Monday, June 3, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at Fire Station 96.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, to Monday, June 3 and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at Temecula Middle School, classrooms 904 and 905,聽 42075 Meadows Parkway, Temecula.
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Monday, May 6, to Monday, June 3; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the registrar鈥檚 office in Riverside.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error. The Riverside County Registrar of Voters’ office is at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside.聽

Primary votes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties took almost a month to count, a process drawn out by policies to ensure accurate results and make voting widely accessible.

The results show a local electorate that showed up in relatively low numbers, but made choices that shook up city councils and perhaps set the stage for a mini-political dynasty. California鈥檚 secretary of state is expected to certify election results by April 12.

Here are five takeaways from the Inland Empire鈥檚 primary.

Lower than low

Primaries tend to have lower voter turnout than general elections. California鈥檚 2024 primary .

Statewide, 35% of voters cast ballots on or before March 5, . Turnout was even lower in the Inland Empire, with just 30.8% of Riverside County voters and 26.2% of San Bernardino County voters mailing in a ballot or voting early or on Election Day.

A number of factors could explain voter apathy. Before the primary, we pretty much knew and would be their respective parties鈥� White House nominees, depriving California of a hotly contested and attention-drawing race that could have lured more voters to the ballot box.

Lower-than-average turnout continues to be a challenge locally. Voting tends to happen more regularly among wealthier, highly educated people, both populations the Inland Empire lacks in comparison to coastal counties where turnout is usually higher.

Hard no on Prop. 1

One of the primary鈥檚 top stories is how , a $6.4 billion bond measure to fund treatment centers and supportive housing for those struggling with addiction and mental illness, is barely squeaking by.

While Prop. 1 , Inland voters, as they鈥檝e done with previous statewide initiatives, voted no in fairly strong numbers.

San Bernardino County voters rejected Prop. 1 56% to 44%. In Riverside County, Prop. 1 lost 54% to 46%.

It鈥檚 risky to draw deep conclusions from low-turnout elections. But the Prop. 1 results are another bullet point for the argument that the Inland Empire is not as blue as California as a whole despite Democrats making up a plurality of registered Inland voters.

While Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Biden won Riverside and San Bernardino counties in their presidential races, the Inland Empire also is home to GOP strongholds like southwest Riverside County and outspoken conservatives like Assemblymember Bill Essayli, R-Corona, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

鈥淭he electorate that did turn out was more conservative, with (Republican U.S. Senate candidate) Steve Garvey outperforming expectations and doing especially well in the Inland Empire,鈥� Marcia Godwin, a professor of public administration at the University of La Verne, said via email.

鈥淧resumably, the general election turnout will be more Democratic than the primary, but it may or may not be more Democratic than in 2022.鈥�

One bright spot for Democrats? Western San Bernardino County, where legislative and congressional races 鈥渉ave gone from being competitive to being dominated by Democrats,鈥� Godwin said, noting that Assemblymember James Ramos, D-Highland, ran unopposed and Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, won a 鈥渟afe majority鈥� in the primary.

Also, the open 50th Assembly District 鈥渙nly attracted Democratic candidates鈥� and Democrats Judy Chu and Norma Torres hold safe seats representing San Bernardino County, Godwin said.

Storm blows over

Following San Bernardino County鈥檚 initially chaotic response to the winter storms that hammered San Bernardino Mountains communities in February and March 2023, a great deal of anger was directed at Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who represents those communities and also chairs the Board of Supervisors.

A talked-about recall effort never materialized, but Rowe faced three challengers in the primary, all of whom talked about the county鈥檚 response to the storm, which mountain communities have still not fully recovered from.

In the end, it wasn鈥檛 close. Rowe won 59% of the vote, decisively defeating her would-be rivals.

Cervantes strong

Clarissa and Sabrina Cervantes鈥� roots go back to the Coachella Valley, where their father, Greg, served as a Coachella city councilmember.

Their political future is rooted in western Riverside County, a region the sisters could represent in the legislature for the next few years after advancing out of their primaries.

Sabrina, a Democratic assemblymember from Riverside, finished second in the 31st Senate District primary, while Clarissa, a Democrat and Riverside city councilmember, in the 58th Assembly District.

Both sisters to advance to November. Clarissa faced a negative ad blitz focused , while Sabrina traded attack ads with Democrat and Riverside school board member Angelo Farooq.

City hall overhaul

Incumbents largely did OK in the primary. The same can鈥檛 be said for Inland city councils, where voters in Riverside and San Bernardino ousted incumbents.

In Riverside, Councilmember Gaby Plascencia , while Councilmember Erin Edwards . Philip Falcone avoided a runoff to win Edwards鈥� seat.

San Bernardino councilmembers Damon Alexander, Kimberly Calvin and Ben Reynoso also lost.

The Riverside City Council could see more change in November.

Councilmember Ronaldo Fierro gave up his seat in his unsuccessful bid for the 58th Assembly District. Clarissa Cervantes, who will be on the November ballot in the 58th, would have to give up her council seat if she becomes an assemblymember.

Staff writers Mercedes Cannon-Tran and Sarah Hofmann contributed to this report.聽

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error. Pomona City Councilmembers John Nolte and Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole will compete in November runoffs and seek to retain their seats.聽

Here’s a roundup of events in Riverside, San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles counties.

Riverside County

Jurupa Valley:聽The Spring Fling featuring egg hunts for children under age 12, face-painting, games, art and more will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23 at Shadow Rock Park, 6598 20th St. Information: www.jarpd.org or 951-361-2090

Lake Elsinore: The Bunny Trunk Hop will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 on Historic Main Street. Families stroll along the street, lined with cars decorated for spring, while children collect Easter eggs and treats. Photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts and more will be offered. Information:

Menifee: The Spring Fest featuring egg hunts for children under age 12, games, food and more will be 9 a.m. to noon March 23 at Underwood Park, 28251 Rouse Road. Children will be grouped by age for the egg hunts. Information: or 951-723-3880

Moreno Valley: The Springtastic Festival and Egg Hunt will be 9 a.m. to noon March 23 at Sunnymead Park, 12655 Perris Blvd. The free, family-friendly event will feature games, a rock wall and carnival games, and children ages 2 to 12 can hunt for eggs. Information: or 951-413-3280

Murrieta: The Spring Eggstravaganza begins at 9:30 a.m. March 23 at Town Square Park, 11 Town Square. Children under age 10 will be divided into age groups for the egg hunts. Participants can also check out the Recreation Expo. Egg hunt schedule and more information: www.

Norco: Children 12 and under can bring their baskets and join Easter egg hunts beginning at 10 a.m. March 23 at Wayne Makin Shearer Sports Complex, 3364 Western Ave. The egg hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny are free but there’s a $5 cost to participate in other activities. Information: or 951-270-5632

Perris: The Breakfast with Bunny & Community Egg Hunt will be held 9 to 11:45 a.m. March 23 at City Hall Lawn, 101 N. D St. Two seating times are available for breakfast: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The egg hunt for children under 12 will be held 9 to 11 a.m. Registration and information: or 951-943-6603

Temecula: The city hosts its annual Easter Egg Hunt for children under age 12 at 10 a.m. March 30 at three locations — Harveston Community Park, 28582 Harveston Drive; Patricia H. Birdsall Sports Park, 32380 Deer Hollow Way; and Temeku Hills Park, 31367 La Serena Way. Guests are asked to bring their own baskets for collecting eggs and urged to arrive between 9 and 9:30 a.m. for the free event. Teens are invited to grab their flashlights and join the Teen Egg-Stravaganza from 8 to 9:30 p.m. March 22 at The Sports Ranch at Sommers Bend, 32101 Sommers Bend. Information:

San Bernardino County

Chino Hills: Easter Egg-Citement, with egg hunts for children, pictures with the Easter Bunny and more, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 at Chino Hills Community Park, 3280 Eucalyptus Ave. No outside bags or baskets will be allowed; the city will provide bags for the egg hunt. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Information: 909-364-2700

Colton: The city’s annual Spring Celebration will feature egg hunts and celebrate Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon March 30 at Veterans Park, 290 E. O St. Pet licensing and pet vaccinations will also be available. Information: 909-370-5099

Fontana: Family-friendly activities will be featured at the Easter Eggs-travaganza from 10 a.m. to noon March 30 at three locations: Cypress Center, 8380 Cypress Ave.; Don Day Center, 14501 Live Oak Ave.; and Jessie Turner Center, 15556 Summit Ave. Information: or 909-349-6900

Ontario: Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to join The Grand Ontario Egg Hunts, from 10 a.m. to noon on both March 24 at Celebration Park North, 4980 S. Celebration Ave., and March 30 at Ontario Town Square, 224 N. Euclid Ave. Registration is required for the event featuring crafts, games and more. Meantime, beginning March 25, residents can be on the lookout for Ontario’s Grand Eggs hidden around town. Rules and more information: or 909-395-2020

Montclair: The Easter Eggstravaganza and Pancake Breakfast is 9 to 11 a.m. March 30 at Alma Hofman Park, 5201 Benito St. Children under 12 are asked to bring their own basket or bag for the egg hunt, and photos with the Easter Bunny will be available for $3. The pancake breakfast is $5 while supplies last. Information:聽 or 909-625-9479

Redlands: Families can join the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at Prospect Park’s Carriage House, 1352 Prospect Drive, for a private event featuring an egg hunt, a craft station by Art In Motion, a bounce house, and more. Registration and information:

Rialto: Spring EGGstravaganza will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30 at Frisbie Park, 1901 N. Acacia Ave, featuring egg hunts, arts and crafts, games and more. All-access wristbands are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the event. Registration is open for a Color Run starting at 9 a.m. Information: 909-421-4949

San Bernardino: The Egg-Stravaganza Egg Hunt will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23 at Fiscalini Field, 1135 E. Highland Ave. Children under age 12 are asked to bring their own baskets to join the egg hunts, which will be staggered by age group. Information: or 909-384-5233

Upland: The Spring Egg Scramble for Kids will be 9 a.m. to noon March 30 at Memorial Park, 1100 E. Foothill Blvd. Pre-registration is required. Children under 12 can hunt for eggs, enjoy crafts and games, take photos with the Easter Bunny and more. Information:

Yucaipa: There’s fun for families, teens and grownups this Easter. The annual Eggstravaganza for families with children under age 12 will begin at 10 a.m. March 23. The second annual Teen Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt will begin at 8 p.m. March 22 and the city’s first 聽Adult Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt will begin at 8 p.m. March 23. All events will be held at Yucaipa Community Park, 聽34900 Oak Glen Road. Information:

Los Angeles County

Claremont: A Spring Celebration will be held 9 to 11 a.m. March 30 at Memorial park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd. A pancake breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Claremont will be served for $7 per person at 8 a.m. A petting zoo, magic show, photos with Mr. & Mrs. Bunny and egg hunts for children will also be offered beginning at 9 a.m. Information: or 909-399-5490

La Verne: The second annual Eggcellent Adventure will be 9 a.m. to noon March 23 at Heritage Park, 5001 Via de Mansion. Egg hunts, visits with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, prizes and more will be offered at the free event. Information: 909-596-8776

Pomona: The Spring Egg Hunt will be held 9 a.m. to noon March 23 at four locations: Ganesha Park, 1575 N. White Ave.; Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 800 W. Lexington Ave.; Ted Green Park, 2105 N. Orange Grove Ave.; and Philadelphia Park, 700 E. Philadelphia St. Family-friendly games and activities will be offered, and the egg hunts will begin at 10 a.m. Information: 909-802-7730

San Dimas: Children ages 2 to 10 can join Easter egg hunts beginning at 10 a.m. March 30 at two locations: Civic Center Park, 245 E. Bonita Ave., and Via Verde Park, 1010 Puente St. Selfies with the Easter Bunny will be available after the egg hunts until 11:30 a.m. Information: 909-394-6200

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct dates for events in Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley and Perris.

The targeted titles include 鈥淭he Bluest Eye,鈥� by Toni Morrison; “Beyond Magenta,” by Susan Kuklin; “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick; “Lucky,” by Alice Sebold; and “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins.

RELATED:

However, most who spoke at the meeting opposed any policy to limit or ban library books in the . And school trustees and board members said they already have rules in place for parents to challenge books.

Those concerned about the content of the books cited the sexual nature of some of them, with a few speakers labeling the books as “pornography.”

Some added that they did not think students should be subjected to the sensitive topics in these books, which they said include discussions of incest, sexual exploration, prostitution, rape and sexual abuse — regardless of the context.

鈥淭he Bluest Eye鈥� was brought up because of its depiction of childhood sexual abuse. “Beyond Magenta” was cited for its discussion of LGBTQ youths and their paths to sexual identity. “Sold,” speakers said, is an account of a sexual slavery. “Lucky” was cited for its depiction of trauma and rape and “Tricks” because it features rape, sexual exploration and prostitution.

Redlands parent Candy Olson spoke, and one of her comments drew a few astonished laughs from others.

Olson is backed by supporters from Awaken Redlands, a group of parents and community members focused on “preserving traditional values” in the city.

“No one wants to ban books,” Olson said. “Let’s just get that straight for the record. We don’t want to force our beliefs on others. You are all free to read pornography as much as you like, obscene content as much as you like to your children at home.”

But the school board did not propose or discuss implementing a ban. Members did discuss challenged books that have been reviewed by a committee. Trustees added that parents can request that their kids not check out certain books from the library.

“I also trust our staff and librarians to know what books are allowed to be in our libraries,” board member Jim O’Neill said at the meeting. “Because there is a list that comes from the state department of education.”

O’Neill also said that Redlands parents should be involved in their children’s lives and their relationship with books, even “controversial” ones.

Board members said they may look into streamlining that process, but no policy changes were made or proposed Tuesday.

The district’s policy for “book challenges” begins with a review by the principal. If the principal decides to keep a book in the library, then a complaint can be filed and a committee will review the book and make a decision, 听蝉补颈诲.

Board meetings in Redlands in the past and included discussions on pride flags in schools and how the district has handled over the years.

Tensions have grown between community groups and parents sharing differing opinions toward books in school libraries. The same group at the Tuesday meeting has been vocal at past meetings, where they previously protested pride flags displayed in Redlands classrooms.

Awaken Redlands has been opposed at meetings by another organization, Safe Redlands Schools, a group of “antifascist parents organizing for student and community safety.”

Joshua Hall, a Redlands resident, said the books were not suitable for students.

“If we were to pull every pornographic book that has sexual explicit material from the school district,” Hall said at the meeting, “you can still go to the Smiley Library and rent them.”

Speaking directly after Olson, but on the other side of the argument, Josephine Swanson, a third-year education major at UC Riverside, said she started her education in Redlands Unified.

“I do remember ‘Fahrenheit 451,’” Swanson said. “And while it has been seven years since I read it, I do remember that the main point was the people banning and burning the books were not the victims.”

Samantha Trad, also a former Redlands student and now a district parent, said some of the books people were looking to remove from the library are books that affected her life in a positive way.

“The way that they talk about it, you would think there is Hustler and Playboy at the Redlands High School library and I just don’t think that it’s there,” Trad said.

The books are there in schools for a reason, she added, citing a separation of church and state.

Redlands is not the only school district to see such a debate over books.

board in October wanted to introduce more measures to control the books available to students. In November, the school board , allowing books to be pulled from the shelf for complaints about sexually explicit content.

A similar issue arose in Temecula schools, where in December the school board , erotica and 鈥渋nappropriate vulgarity or profanity鈥� from instructional materials.

Led by what was then a conservative majority, the Temecula Valley Unified School District board voted 3-2 on a revised policy. It prohibits, in part, depictions of sexual violence and 鈥渋nappropriate vulgarity or profanity, or other obscene material.鈥� It also calls for learning materials to be 鈥渆ducationally suitable.鈥�

Earlier in 2023, a that her teenage daughter had read the play 鈥淎ngels in America鈥� for a drama class. The drama, which explores the AIDS epidemic and homosexuality in the 1980s, contains sex scenes, profanity and adult themes.

Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” has been a familiar title in book ban discussions.

In 2020, the previously put on Toni Morrison books.

And, in mid 2023, the Bonita school board decided to .

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Jim O’Neill.

Author Truman Capote, who died in 1984 at age 59, is making headlines again with the new season of 鈥淔eud鈥� on FX. 鈥淐apote vs. the Swans鈥� draws viewers back into the orbit of the author who, at the height of his fame in the mid-1960s, befriended and eventually betrayed women from the highest echelons of New York society. 鈥淪wans鈥� sensationalizes Capote鈥檚 literary genius (and its decline), his savage wit and craven need for attention, his status as a gay outsider, his substance abuse, and the inevitable social banishment that ultimately haunted him.

Many lovers of books and films know Capote for his 1958 novel 鈥淏reakfast at Tiffany鈥檚,鈥� adapted for the 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn. But from a nonfiction writer鈥檚 perspective, Capote鈥檚 most substantive literary contribution would be 鈥淚n Cold Blood.鈥� Published in 1966, the book provided his account of a gruesome Kansas murder, its perpetrators, and its aftermath.

Love it or hate it, this bestseller offered a premonition of our contemporary preoccupation with true crime literature and entertainment. Capote referred to 鈥淚n Cold Blood鈥� as a 鈥渘onfiction novel,鈥� a deliberately provocative genre description at the time, even as the book landed squarely among works of 鈥渢he new journalism鈥� created by other authors experimenting with form and voice — including Joan Didion, Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson, and Gay Talese. Each of these writers was publishing material about real events and people while attending closely to storytelling elements often associated with fiction. In the 21st century, we usually call this approach literary journalism, longform journalism, or creative nonfiction.

As a nonfiction author who has spent many years researching and writing about crimes of the most heinous as well as insidious variety, I contended with 鈥淚n Cold Blood鈥� long ago. The book raises ethical questions that any writer must address, and its commercial success is both a credit to Capote鈥檚 skill and a warning to those who write themselves into the abyss.

“Feud” will likely bring many readers back to Capote鈥檚 work again, particularly 鈥淎nswered Prayers,鈥� his last and unfinished novel, muffled by the fallout depicted in 鈥淪wans鈥� and the undertow of drug and alcohol abuse he could not escape. I am sure many will come to 鈥淏reakfast at Tiffany鈥檚鈥� for the first time perhaps to discover how different it is from the much-beloved film, and I expect to see 鈥淚n Cold Blood鈥� on paperback tables again soon.

But for me as a writer, it鈥檚 one of Capote鈥檚 shorter works that made an indelible impact on my understanding of what was possible on the page, and it remains a story to which I often return. 鈥淎 Christmas Memory鈥� was first published in 1956 not in 鈥淭he New Yorker鈥� (where installments of 鈥淚n Cold Blood鈥� first appeared) or in 鈥淓squire鈥� (which published a preview of 鈥淎nswered Prayers鈥�) but in 鈥淢ademoiselle,鈥� a now-defunct magazine then-aimed at young women in college. The story is based on Capote鈥檚 early childhood in rural Alabama, where he lived with distant relatives and formed a special bond with an elderly cousin, two outcasts surviving under the same roof.

The story opens with the friends鈥� annual ritual baking fruitcakes, a holiday dessert I strenuously avoid. I was astonished my first time reading how Capote鈥檚 descriptions at every turn — from the harvesting of windfall pecans, to gathering pennies for purchasing forbidden whiskey, to the details of stirring and baking — made a food that repelled me sound not only delicious but magical.

The precision of Capote鈥檚 language cannot be separated from his attention to sound and rhythm: The stretched-out sentences, stylistic fragments set like jewels inside the lyrical (sometimes shockingly long) paragraphs I do not want to end, the timing of dialogue alongside first-person admissions and vivid parenthetical asides. Capote is also a virtuoso of image-as-coda, as in his description of Christmas Eve: 鈥淭he candle burns too short to hold. Out it goes, exposing the starlight, the stars spinning at the window like a visible caroling that slowly, slowly daybreak silences.鈥�

The rich layers of style here, in addition to the poignant characters and simple plot elements, may explain why the story has lent itself readily to adaptations in so many forms: For television, theater, musical, and even opera.

Unlike his longer works, 鈥淎 Christmas Memory鈥� is so absorbing as to render genre categorization somewhat immaterial. Every time I reread it, I feel the truth in Capote鈥檚 vulnerable alter-ego narrator, 鈥淏uddy,鈥� a boy who was neglected and loyal, who longed for joy and connection. The story offers a miniature master class in astute narrative observation as well as tenderness — years before audiences craved an invitation to the author鈥檚 glamorous and infamous Black and White masquerade party.

It intrigues me when an author鈥檚 fame can overshadow the qualities of what might be some of their best, or least hyped, creative output. When you think of writers or other artists who achieve a level of prominence, respect, or even notoriety, are there any works you wish would get more attention?

Jo Scott-Coe鈥檚 new book is 鈥淯nheard Witness: The Life and Death of Kathy Leissner Whitman,鈥� published in October 2023 by University of Texas Press.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error. Jo Scott-Coe鈥檚 book, 鈥淯nheard Witness: The Life and Death of Kathy Leissner Whitman,鈥� was published in October by University of Texas Press.

“Mary Poppins” returns as the festival’s musical theater offering and several artists are returning as well, including Brass Transit, a Chicago-tribute band, and the Air Force Band of the Golden West. “Mary Poppins” was last performed on the Bowl stage in 2015.

The season opens June 21 with Daniel Emmet, recently seen in a PBS special, 鈥淪imply the Best.鈥� Emmet has multiple No. 1 singles on iTunes classical chart and has headlined shows in Las Vegas and worldwide. He has toured extensively with David Foster. The concert evening will be conducted under the baton of Nolan Livesay, Redlands Bowl Performing Arts announced in a news release.

鈥淲e are thrilled to begin the second chapter of the history of the Redlands Bowl with the stellar 101st season we have planned! From our opening night to our closing symphony, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy,鈥� RBPA executive director Beverly Noerr said in the release.

Performances are Tuesdays and Fridays through Aug. 16, except for July 5, and as always, there’s no charge for admission though donations are welcome. Shows begin at 8 p.m. on performance evenings at the Bowl, 25 Grant St. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.

“Mary Poppins” will be performed four times, July 25-28, with a聽public dress rehearsal on July 23.

Here’s a look at the full lineup:

Tuesday, June 25 — The Grand Finals of the Young Artist Concerto Competition, Roger Kalia, music director and conductor

Friday, June 28 鈥� Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago

Tuesday, July 2 鈥� Air Force Band of the Golden West

Tuesday, July 9 鈥� Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives

Friday, July 12 鈥� Americana Women

Tuesday, July 16 鈥� Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Jazz Orchestra

Friday, July 19 鈥� The Gentlemen鈥檚 Quartet

Tuesday, July 23 鈥� Public Dress Rehearsal for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh鈥檚 Mary Poppins

Thursday to Sunday, July 25-28 鈥� Disney and Cameron Mackintosh鈥檚 Mary Poppins

Tuesday, July 30 鈥� Gordon Goodwin鈥檚 Big Phat Band

Friday, Aug. 2 鈥� Tango Del Cielo

Tuesday, Aug. 6 鈥� Forever Motown

Friday, Aug. 9 鈥� The Kalama Brothers and Puahi鈥檚 Polynesian Dancers

Tuesday, Aug. 13 鈥� Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

Friday, Aug. 16 鈥� Fireworks Finale! Show features the Redlands Symphony conducted by Ransom Wilson performing the works of Danny Elfman. Featured guest artist Chaeyoung Park will perform Rachmaninoff鈥檚 Piano Concerto No.2

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correctly spell the name of Daniel Emmet, who will perform June 21 at the Redlands Bowl.

Additional results for some districts were released about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6.

RELATED:

The two candidates with the most votes — regardless of party affiliation — will head to a November run-off.

District 41 is one of the region’s most closely-watched races this year, as its outcome whether the Democrats or Republicans control Congress.

See the latest election results.

Currently, Republicans in the House, , a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College, said in January, meaning “Democrats can win control by flipping just a few seats.”

District 41’s runoff will include Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, and Democrat Will Rollins, a . As of 3:01 a.m., Calvert and Rollins had 50.2% and 41.0% of the vote, respectively. Democrat Anna Nevenic, a registered nurse and author, is also running.

“It’s official, Riverside County,” Rollins Tuesday night. “I am your Democratic nominee to take back California’s 41st and defeat our state’s longest serving election-denier.”

In a Tuesday night statement, Calvert said he’s humbled by voters’ support.

“I look forward to earning voters support again in November and showing why we cannot afford to elect another radical, soft-on-crime Democrat like Will Rollins,鈥� he said.

Here are the latest results as of about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Incumbents are noted with an asterisk.

DISTRICT 23

Includes Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Hesperia, Twentynine Palms, Victorville, Yucca Valley, Yucaipa, parts of Colton, Highland Loma Linda, Redlands and San Bernardino, and parts of Kern and Los Angeles counties.

Derek Marshall, D: 37.6%

*Jay Obernolte, R: 62.4%

DISTRICT 25

Includes Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Needles, San Jacinto, part of Hemet and all of Imperial County.

Ryan Dean Burkett, no party preference: 1.2%

Miguel Chapa, R: 5.5%

Oscar Ortiz, D: 8.6%

*Raul Ruiz, D: 48.6%

Ceci “Cecilia” Truman, R: 16.7%

Ian M. Weeks, R: 19.4%

DISTRICT 28

Includes Alhambra, Arcadia, Claremont, La Ca帽ada Flintridge, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, and parts of Glendora, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.

Jose Castaneda, Libertarian: 2.1%

*Judy Chu, D: 60.1%

William Patterson, Peace and Freedom: 2.0%

April A. Verlato, R: 35.7%

DISTRICT 33

Includes Grand Terrace, Rialto, and parts of Colton, Fontana, Highland, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands and San Bernardino.

*Pete Aguilar, D: 57.1%

Tom Herman, R: 42.9%

DISTRICT 35

Includes Chino, Montclair, Ontario, and parts of Chino Hills, Eastvale, Fontana, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.

Mike Cargile, R: 39.5%

Melissa May, D: 7.2%

Vijal Suthar, R: 4.9%

*Norma J. Torres, D: 48.4%

DISTRICT 39

Includes Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris and part of Riverside.

David Serpa, R: 43.9%

*Mark Takano, D: 56.1%

DISTRICT 40

Includes Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Tustin, Villa Park, and parts of Anaheim, Brea, Chino Hills, Corona, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Orange and Yorba Linda and part of Riverside County.

Allyson Mu帽iz Damikolas, D: 16.4%

Joe Kerr, D: 25.8%

*Young Kim, R: 57.8%

DISTRICT 41

Includes Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Indian Wells, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Menifee, Norco, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Wildomar, and parts of Corona, Eastvale, Hemet and Riverside.

*Ken Calvert, R: 50.2%

Anna Nevenic, D: 8.8%

Will Rollins, D: 41.0%

DISTRICT 48

Includes Murrieta, Temecula and inland San Diego County.

Stephen Houlahan, D: 15.2%

*Darrell E. Issa, R: 61.1%

Lucinda KWH Jahn, no party preference: 1.1%

Matthew G. Rascon, D: 2.5%

Whitney Shanahan, D: 11.9%

Mike Simon, D: 8.2%

Editor鈥檚 note: This story has been updated with additional election results.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error. The two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, will head to a November runoff.