As Riverside County’s 27th city, it’s all about you, Eastvale!  Welcome to the inaugural issue of Inland Empire underground’s Eastvale Insider. Within the pages of this publication, we attempt to take you “off the beaten path” by providing short, quick reads about interesting people and places.

Most of the stories will be written by residents or by people with a link to Eastvale. The stories are intended to be uplifting and fun escapism.

Often, we post extra content, such as photos and resources, online at www.IEunderground.com; stories will alert you if more is available on the Web.

If you have a story idea or hobby you would like to share, send us your suggestions. If you like what you see, send us your feedback and comments. Be patient with us while we get into the swing of things–everything improves with age.

Congratulations Eastvale!

As September came to a close, it was not easy to detect if fall was on its way. Over the past week, the weather was unusually hot and humid—as if we were back east in Florida in the middle of the summer. October made its appearance with thunderheads, spot showers and rainbows, an interesting lead-in to fall. Nevertheless, soon we’ll be lighting our fireplaces and gathering with family to celebrate the fun times.

If Halloween happens to be your forte, there are plenty of creepy pleasures to be had, never too far for a day trip from Eastvale. Of course there is the traditional faire offered by Knotts Berry Farm and our own local ghoul portal, Coffin Creek at Crossroads Park (www.CoffinCreek.com)…and don’t forget to check out the old Northcott Ranch on Wineville Ave. near 65^th Street where the infamous Chicken Coop Murders occurred in 1928—apparently there is knocking about the old neighborhood.

Eastvale Insider had the priviledge of sitting down with the City of Eastvale’s first mayor to bring you a picture of the inner Adam Rush.

Why did you decide to run for city council?

I decided to run for City Council because I believe strongly in Eastvale Cityhood and wanted to bring more than seven years of knowledge and experience in economic and regional planning to our community to attract growth and prosperity.

Eastvale’s history is greatly tied to that of its neighbors—Chino and Ontario. For at least the last 176 years, the land was used for farming and the dairy industry.

By 1834, the Mexican government had seized Spain’s missions and taken control over its land from Native Americans and Spaniards. In an effort to colonize the area and encourage farming and raising livestock, the government handed out land grants to influential and wealthy Mexican politicians. After California became the 31^st state in 1850, the land in Riverside County was shared between San Bernardino and San Diego Counties (as of 1853). It wasn’t until 1893, that Riverside County was created. In the minutes of one of the first meetings of the Riverside County Board of Commissioners, “East Vale” is listed as one of 53 school districts.

Making the drive to Nana’s in Eastvale from Ventura, without running off the road at some point, can be a mission near impossible. The problem stems in the last leg of the journey once the vehicle has exited off of the 71 and heads east towards the Prado Preserve. Who’s to blame for the distraction? The birds!

Prado Preserve is home to a menagerie of spectacular avian species, especially during the wet season. As the sun shared its last few rays with the Inland Empire on a January evening, I passed by the preserve and noticed a flock of birds feeding in a newly formed pond due to the rains. In the excitement of this new find, I realized my lane was ending, immediately. Oops.

The new bird sighting required gathering the ornithological expert in the family. Destination: Nana’s house as quickly and safely as possible.

“GET IN NANA!” and off we went for a birding experience like no other, yet. Hundreds of rare White Faced Ibises gathered to feed at the Prado Preserve in a flooded field along with a breeding pair of Northern Shovelers and several other species. This is just one of many places in the great IE to see birds that are extraordinary.

Ok, “The Pox and the Covenant” is a history book, but history of what? Early 1700s Boston? Puritanism vs. Materialism? Science vs. Religion? The Small Pox epidemic? Politicians vs. Medical Progress? Or, all of the above?

Throw in a sort of biography of the ‘fire and brimstone’ preacher Cotton Mather (there are many quotes from the Bible) and lurid descriptions of how it is to die of the Small Pox and you have a book that is a very cumbersome read.

In 210 pages, Williams manages to work in prejudice against Africans and Muslims, the Salem Witch Trials, Slavery, Indians, Funeral Procedures and laws regarding funerals, prejudice against women, and child birthing methods. A ponderous disordered read, even for those interested in the subject—whatever that subject may turn out to be. Not a day-at-the-beach read.

**Two stars for the 60 pages of reference works at the merciful end.