Corona, CA: California poised to vote on new 'clean car' regulations

The head of California's air quality board on Thursday called proposed rules that would require automakers to build less-polluting cars and trucks by 2025 a historic move for a cleaner environment.

California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols said she hopes the rules to require that vehicles emit about 75 percent less smog-producing pollutants will "lead the nation and the world."

Corona, CA: Suspicious vehicle spurs evacs, freeway closure

Update: 91 Freeway in Corona briefly re-opened in both directions; 71 Freeway closed at Euclid

The 91 Freeway was shut down in both directions in Corona due to police activity Friday afternoon.

Westbound traffic was being taken off at Maple Street, and eastbound traffic was being taken off at Coal Canyon Road.

The 71 Freeway has also been shut down at Euclid Avenue.

Police were investigating a U-Haul truck parked in a Corona parking lot for about two days. Police suspected the vehicle was suspicious.

Police deployed a remote-controlled robot to investigate the truck. The robot smashed the passenger-side window of the truck so police could take a closer look inside.

A hazardous-materials team was called to the scene.

A parking lot, several restaurants, a gas station and an office complex were evacuated as a precaution, in addition to the freeway closures.

A body was found inside the truck's cab. Firefighters took the body away from the vehicle so paramedics could attend to it. The body was loaded into an ambulance and was transported from the scene.

East- and westbound 91 lanes were re-opened at 4:15 p.m.

Chino Hills, CA: The Shoppes At Chino Hills Adding Two New Restaurants

Dillon's Irish Pub & Grill and Dripp, Coffee Boutique and Ice Cream Sandwich Shop, New to Chino Hills

The Shoppes at Chino Hills is adding popular Los Angeles restaurant, Dillon's Irish Pub & Grill, and Dripp, a new concept coffee boutique and ice cream sandwich shop, to its lineup. These new restaurants join the growing list of dining options available at The Shoppes such as P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Chipotle Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Yard House, and Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill.

"We are excited to be bringing two firsts to Chino Hills," said The Shoppes General Manager Rick Jones. "Dillon's and Dripp add to our increasing list of dining choices offered to visitors."

Dillon's Irish Pub & Grill will occupy an 8,000-square-foot space near H & M, with an anticipated opening date scheduled for fall 2011. Just like its sister restaurant, Dillon's Irish Pub & Grill in Hollywood, Dillon's will feature quality comfort food, as well as a wide variety of draft beers in a warm, authentic pub environment, all at affordable prices. For more information, please visit http://www.dillonsirishpub.com.

New concept coffee boutique, Dripp, is preparing to open this summer across from California Pizza Kitchen. Dripp is the first of owner Rabih Sater's new concept coffee boutiques, which he plans to open in multiple locations in the future. Utilizing a unique Japanese slow drip technique, Dripp hand brews one cup of coffee at a time, to order, using specialty-roasted, ground daily coffees and espressos from all over the world. An array of ice cream flavors and freshly baked cookies will also be offered that can be combined for made-to-order ice cream sandwiches. For more information, please visit http://www.dripp.com

Seau carries Ruby Tuesday into San Bernardino; plans for Chino Hills and Temecula coming soon.

Having played 18 seasons in the National Football League, Junior Seau is used to going through training camp. But his training camp for Ruby Tuesday, while not physical, definitely was hard work for Seau.

"There was a lot to learn," said Seau on the eve of the grand opening of his restaurant at 996 Hospitality Ave. in San Bernardino. "I had to go to Nashville, which as a San Diego guy, isn't the most fun. But it's the price of doing things right and being a success."

Seau, a surefire Hall of Fame linebacker who has played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and, most recently, the Super Bowl-runner up New England Patriots, has combined with a group of investors to open a Ruby Tuesday in San Bernardino, the first of seven he hopes to open in the Inland Empire in the next 16 months.

While the restaurant, at the eastern end of Restaurant Row in San Bernardino, officially opens to the public at 4:30 p.m. today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday, with the restaurant hosting several luminaries in the San Bernardino community.

One of those was San Bernardino mayor Pat Morris, who felt honored that his city was chosen by Seau as the launching point for Ruby Tuesday's campaign in the Inland Empire.

"Being affiliated with a person like Junior Seau means a lot to this community," Morris said. "Junior Seau stands out by himself as far as NFL players go. He's is above his peers, a legend. He does a great deal in the community for young people with The Junior Seau Foundation and we are looking forward to having him be a part of ours."

Seau and his investment group - which includes Ted Davenport, Jeff Howie, Scott Rodi, Scott Nunokawa, Rick Nakashima and Ken Nascimento - has plans for additional Ruby Tuesdays in Chino Hills, Fontana, Temecula, Hemet, Menefee and Wildomar, eventually expanding the brand to 20 restaurants ranging from the Inland Empire to Seau's hometown of San Diego.

Seau mentioned Chino Hills and Temecula as the likely launching points for his next two restaurants, but said that was subject to change due to various factors.

As for why his group chose to launch in San Bernardino, Seau said that the city did everything possible to make the process as easy as painless as possible.

"This is something that's been two years in the making," Seau said.

"San Bernardino has been extremely cooperative and extremely excited about this venture and it is a perfect place to start things off."

Seau, who has been working out religiously but is still up in the air about playing a 19 th NFL season, isn't just an athlete looking to haphazardly put his name on a new product. He has already excelled in the restaurant business, opening the wildly successful sports bar "Seau's" in 1996.

"I took out 52,000 square feet in Mission Valley 13 years ago and people said I was crazy," Seau said. "They said it couldn't be done and that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. Thirteen years later it's still going and it's the most successful sports bar in San Diego."

That success is something Seau hopes to build on with Ruby Tuesday, as he hopes his entrepreneurial success will match the success he had as a 12-time Pro Bowler on the gridiron.

"This is what I want to do with my post-football career," Seau said.

"I have to keep busy and I put everything in what I'm doing. I like restaurants because I like to deal with people and provide them a service. Restaurants are one of the best ways to do that."

Jacuzzi Signs for New HQ at Opus Project in Chino Hills

Jacuzzi Brands Corp. has signed a lease with developer Opus West to relocate the corporation's headquarters into 30,813 sf at the Irvine-based developer's new Shoppes at Chino Hills office space in Chino Hills. The six-year office lease is one of the largest ever signed in the Chino Valley.
Jacuzzi's space will be in the office portion of the 750,000-sf master-planned Shoppes at Chino Hills project, a lifestyle center that will incorporate retail, office and a new civic center in Chino Hills. The hot tub maker is slated to occupy the space in August in a relocation of its world headquarters from nearby Chino to the second level of the Shoppes project.

The Jacuzzi headquarters will sit atop retailers. It will include a luxury showroom, a private entry, operable windows, a balcony overlooking the Chino Valley and immediate access to more than 70 retailers set to open their doors in May 23, according to Jeff Hill, vice president of real estate development at Opus West.

Taylor Ing and Michael Day of CB Richard Ellis represented both Opus West and Jacuzzi. The Opus West project was designed by architect Altoon+Porter and is situated on 50 acres. It will feature a 400,000-sf regional center, 60,000 sf of office space built over retail, 250 units of housing, a new civic center, a community library and a police station.

The overall concept of the 750,000-sf master plan is to create a downtown that includes outdoor shopping along landscaped streets, allowing parking adjacent to stores. One component of the site will be designed as a pedestrian-only promenade with shaded seating areas and fountains.

Opus West cites a number of factors driving the demand for the center, including a growing Chino Hills population, housing density and upscale demographics that have attracted 50 retailers and restaurants to the Shoppes at Chino Hills.

In addition to Jacuzzi, the tenant roster includes H&M, Barnes & Noble, Banana Republic,, Trader Joe’s,, American Eagle Outfitters, Lululemon Athletica, Sunglass Hut, Jos A. Bank, Gymboree, the Walking Co., Active, Pinkberry,, Aveda Salon, J. Jill, PacSun, Chico’s, White HouseBlack Market, New York & Co., Ann Taylor Loft, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and others.

Restaurants include the Yard House, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, California Pizza Kitchen and Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill.