David Allen

O’Day Short Elementary dedicated in Fontana, righting an old wrong The school’s name honors a Black family killed by vigilantes in 1945, one of the most notorious moments in Fontana’s history, columnist David Allen writes.

My latest: O'Day Short Elementary is dedicated in Fontana, righting a historical wrong. School name honors Black family killed by vigilantes in 1945 for crossing the city's color line. “Today we are choosing justice over silence,” school superintendent says. www.sbsun.com/2025/08/05/o...

Stack of four books on edge of bookshelf

What I read in July: a comic novel about a man who works for very niche magazines, short stories by a Golden Age SF writer, essays about pop songs and articles + photos about the Mojave Desert. www.insidesocal.com/davidallen/2...

In Pomona, arts-based affordable housing coming to downtown 75-unit project on East Mission Boulevard will reserve space for artists and for the developmentally disabled. Columnist David Allen attends the groundbreaking.

My latest: In Pomona, arts-based affordable housing coming to East Mission Blvd. 75-unit complex will reserve 15 units as live-work spaces for artists and boast art gallery at ground level. Next door, 38 townhomes are under construction. It's a welcome sight. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/08/03/i...

Good to see you! I’m cross posting here and the other place 😏

Tesla Supercharger station in Upland shuts down as county pulls plug 64-charger station is offline after failing a San Bernardino County inspection, columnist David Allen reports. Until the issue is resolved, shops in the business center are losing business.

My latest: Tesla Supercharger station in Upland shuts down as San Bernardino County pulls the plug. Why? The 64 chargers failed a Weights and Measures inspection and were covered in white shrouds starting July 9. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/31/t...

Lummis House offers a glimpse of LA’s eccentric past Rock-clad house was built by Charles Fletcher Lummis, an early librarian, writer and civic booster. Columnist David Allen takes a tour.

My latest: I tour Lummis House, the rustic 1908 home built in Highland Park by writer, librarian and civic booster Charles Fletcher Lummis. It's open two days a week for free tours. He walked across the country from Ohio to LA in 1884-5. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/29/l...

Cole’s French Dips in LA suddenly in demand now that it’s closing 117-year-old restaurant is closing due to slow business. In response, there are lines down the block. Columnist David Allen, a sometime customer, visits.

My latest: Cole's French Dip in LA is suddenly in demand now that it's closing. I try to go for one last meal and find a line down the block! Here's some history of the 117yo bar and eatery that claims to have invented the French dip (as does Philippe). www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/27/c...

Return from vacation cut short by illness Columnist David Allen had barely returned from two weeks away when he was laid low. He’ll be back Sunday.

A mini-column in place of a real column today. I'll be back Sunday! www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/24/r...

Travel itinerary: baseball, subtle protests, custard, local encounters Columnist David Allen vacationed in Houston, where he saw an Astros game while wearing a Dodger-themed shirt, and in St. Louis, where Braves fans doing the tomahawk chop were sneered.

My latest: I write about seeing MLB games in Houston and St. Louis, on a vacation that began with an amusingly worded U of Redlands ad at ONT, in my welcome-back column. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/22/t...

Woman at the next restaurant booth is telling her husband that The Phoenician Scheme (the new Wes Anderson) is “the dumbest movie of the century.” 🙃

Construction site with walls going up

A Starbucks is under construction in my hometown of Olney, Illinois, population 8,500. Nearest Starbucks? 44 miles away.

Stack of six books at edge of bookshelf

What I read in June: 3 local history books, a 1946 novel, a memoir by Janis Joplin's road manager and an exploration of T.S. Eliot's pathetic love life (in which he led on a Scripps College prof for years). www.insidesocal.com/davidallen/2...

After 5 years in Riverside, newcomer is now a regular around town David Allen’s column expanded to Riverside in July 2020. He reflects on getting to know and like California’s 12th-largest city.

My latest: After 5 years, this newcomer is now a regular around Riverside. My column expanded to the Press-Enterprise in July 2020. I reflect on getting to know and like California's 12th-largest city as well as on the challenges of this expanded role. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/07/08/a...

Marquee sign at Pilgrim Cleaners has custom message: “PRAYING FOR MYSTIC AND CENTRAL TEXAS!”

Seen in Houston ❤️

At 5-year mark, readers say: ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing’ Five years after the July 2020 expansion of his territory to encompass the Inland Empire, columnist David Allen gets good grades from readers.

My latest: At 5-year mark, readers tell me: 'Just keep doing what you're doing.' I asked for feedback on my work five years after my column expanded to the Press-Enterprise and Redlands Daily Facts in July 2020. (It joined the SB Sun a year earlier.) www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/06/a...

Extra! Extra! 1966 Pomona paperboy trophy delivers nostalgia Trophy bought at an estate sale is gifted to columnist David Allen, who carries it to the old Progress-Bulletin headquarters in homage.

My latest: Extra! Extra! 1966 Pomona paperboy trophy delivers nostalgia. Reader snaps up trophy at an estate sale and gifts it to me. Plus: a few words about museum exhibits in Ontario and Upland, and about the time Jimmy Swaggart was arrested in the IE. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/07/03/e...

Brewery, pickleball may be coming to Riverside’s Fairmount Park armory Lease talks are underway for the old armory, columnist David Allen reports after a community workshop at the park June 26.

My latest: Brewery, pickleball may be coming to Riverside's Fairmount Park armory. Lease talks are underway with potential operators for the long-dormant space. That came out at a community meeting last week at the armory, which I attended. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/07/01/b...

Hammers swing at Museum of Riverside to mark start of construction Event is ceremonial beginning of long-awaited expansion of the museum, which closed in 2017 and is expected to reopen in 2027, columnist David Allen writes.

My latest: Hammers swing at Museum of Riverside to mark the start of renovation and expansion. "It's not a ground-breaking," mayor says, "it's a drywall-smashing." Closed since 2017, the museum is expected to reopen in 2027. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/06/28/h...

Drew Oberjuerge, director of The Cheech, to leave Riverside for new job After 13 years at the helm of the Riverside Art Museum to much praise, she’s going to the Maloof Foundation in Rancho Cucamonga, columnist David Allen reports.

My latest: Drew Oberjuerge is departing as executive director of Riverside's The Cheech and Riverside Art Museum to take the same job in Rancho Cucamonga at the Maloof Foundation. "I'm really proud of what we've done here," she says. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/06/26/d...

Corona’s forgotten train depot to be demolished for lumber storage 1937 depot became hard to access after the Main Street overpass was built and now is due for demolition by its new owner, columnist David Allen writes.

My latest: Corona's 1937 Santa Fe depot has been bought by a lumber yard and will be demolished to make way for storage. The former depot became marginalized over time as rail service ceased, an overpass cut off access and its tenant, a bar, left. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/06/24/c...

Genealogy group in Pomona disbands, closing book on 70 years Age, declining interest and the internet spell end of Pomona Valley Genealogical Society, which was founded in 1955, columnist David Allen writes.

My latest: The Pomona Valley Genealogical Society, established in 1955, has disbanded due to age, declining interest and the internet. "People want instant gratification," president laments. Society's collection of genealogy materials numbers over 10,000. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/06/22/g...

Work to reopen Palm Springs’ 1930s Plaza Theatre is in full swing $34 million overhaul of long-closed theater is racing toward its Dec. 2 reopening. Columnist David Allen gets a construction tour.

My latest: Work to reopen Palm Springs' 1930s Plaza Theatre is in full swing. I got a peek inside on my recent visit. Closed since 2014, and now undergoing a $34 million overhaul, the theater is racing toward its Dec. 2 reopening show by Lily Tomlin. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/06/19/w...

Cheech brought up the movie to me in today's context: "I made Born in East LA 40 years ago. 40 years ago! And it's the same story."

This painting at Riverside’s The Cheech seems drawn from headlines To Cheech Marin, 1996 painting depicting the arrest of L.A. ice cream vendors exemplifies Chicano protest because of its humor, he tells columnist David Allen.

My latest: With cops aiming guns at paleta vendors, 1996 painting The Arrest of the Paleteros at Riverside's @thecheechcenter.bsky.social could be commentary on current events. I talk with Cheech Marin himself about this piece of art and this political moment. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/06/17/t...

Former mayor known as ‘Mr. La Verne’ departs after lifetime in city Jon Blickenstaff and wife are honored before joining family in Santa Ynez. “After 80 years, it’s going to be a big change,” he tells columnist David Allen.

My latest: Jon Blickenstaff, a well-liked former mayor, has called La Verne home for 80 years. But he and his wife have moved away to be closer to family. "It's going to be a big change," he admits. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/06/15/f...

Ontario’s Graber Olive House to return as developer teams with family Renowned business may reopen as soon as November as Graber family partners with local developer who specializes in historic properties, columnist David Allen writes.

My latest: Graber Olive House, an Ontario, Calif., icon since 1894 that has been dormant since 2023, is on its way back. Graber is partnering with developer Arteco Partners to can olives and reopen the gift shop in November and host weddings and events. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/06/12/o...

Stack of four books, spines out, at edge of bookshelf

What I read in May: Carey McWilliams, Elizabeth Strout (@lizstrout.bsky.social), Malcolm Gladwell and a photo book from Joshua Tree. How about you? www.insidesocal.com/davidallen/2...

Remembering Mickey Gallivan, who pushed to save Pomona history “She just didn’t give up,” her pastor said at the funeral for Gallivan, a longtime leader at the Historical Society, who died May 15 at 80. Columnist David Allen pays tribute.

My latest: Remembering Mickey Gallivan, who pushed to save Pomona history. Slight of stature and mild of manner, she nevertheless won protections for sites, buildings and entire neighborhoods. She died May 15 at age 80 and was buried Friday. www.dailybulletin.com/2025/05/31/r...

Pioneering Black actor Clarence Muse to be honored at Perris festival Muse, who had a lengthy Hollywood career, lived in Perris before his 1979 death. Columnist David Allen shares details about a tribute event May 31 in Perris.

My latest: Pioneering Black actor Clarence Muse, whose film career stretched from 1929-1979, was a longtime and active Perris resident. The Clarence Muse Art Festival on 5/31 will highlight him and raise money for a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. www.pressenterprise.com/2025/05/29/p...

Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?