Happy Thursday Chewies!
It's been gray and drizzly all week, which means my windshield wipers are finally getting their moment. If you're anything like me, you've been rotating between "cozy vibes" and "why is everyone forgetting how to drive."
me staring out the rain pretending to be in a music video
Either way, we've got plenty happening this week to get you out of the house — or give you an excuse to stay in.
Let's get into it.
Here are some things that happened around us, in 60 seconds or more.
Business & Development
🏛️ Rod Hill unanimously appointed Chino Hills City Manager, taking over April 1. Former assistant city manager since 2019 brings 37 years local government experience.
💼 Chino moving forward with new business license tax structure after 40 years—variable gross receipts model aims to generate $6M annually, appearing on November ballot.
🏘️ Chino Hills selling vacant 19,280 sq ft lot at 13650 Third Street (owned since 1998), appraised at $750,000. Council approved up to $65,000 for assessments and brokerage fees.
🚚 Country Store in Los Serranos has two years to phase out U-Haul rental operation after Chino Hills updated non-conforming land use ordinance. Co-owner says it will significantly impact business.
Community
🚨 Three children ages 5, 9, 10 safely recovered in San Fernando after father's alleged abduction and threats prompted statewide Amber Alert. Father turned himself in, released on bail.
⚖️ Criminal charges dismissed against Chino Hills man accused of kidnapping and torturing woman for six months in 2022 after courts deemed him mentally incompetent. Now under Murphy conservatorship.
🕊️ Bob Ulloa, husband of Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa and community supporter for 40+ years, passed away at 87. Navy veteran, hot air balloon pilot, married 50 years.
⚖️ Chino Valley Unified ordered to pay $134,000 legal fees to Freedom From Religion Foundation after losing prayer lawsuit. District plans to appeal.
🎾 Tons of activities live in the Chino CSPR website — lots of sports of kiddos! Check it out here.
🥰 Partner With The Chew 🐮
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Small-batch sponsorships mean your business actually stands out. No algorithm games. No fighting for attention. Just real people reading about real local businesses.
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We're still in the Land Use chapter - how Chino turns struggling shopping centers into something residents actually use. This week: When Strip Malls Grow Up
Chino has a lot of aging commercial corridors that were built for a different era - car-centric, single-use, half-empty. The 2045 General Plan has a plan for that. Key corridors like Central Avenue, Schaefer Avenue, and Chino Avenue are designated for "mixed-use corridor" treatment: ground-floor retail or services with housing above, walkable streetscapes, and community-gathering spaces baked in.
The idea is to stop treating these areas like throwaways and start treating them like neighborhoods. Instead of a strip mall that empties out at 9pm, think coffee shops, small offices, apartments, and maybe a pocket park - all in one block. The city can use zoning tools and incentives to attract the right developers. Like downtown, some of these changes will require a Measure M vote.
Next week: how Chino is planning for 9,700 new homes by 2045 - and where they're all supposed to go.
The Chino Chew Dinner Club is Back — with a Global Twist
In partnership with Distrofino
The Chino Chew Dinner Club: Global Charcuterie Edition is your passport for the evening. Join us at Argonza Cellars for a guided luxury wine tasting paired with globally sourced charcuterie—designed to highlight how wine and food travel together.
Expect thoughtful pairings like a Bordeaux-style blend alongside aged Gouda, Manchego Reserva, Spanish chorizo, bresaola, fig jam, and Marcona almonds (if you don’t know most of these words, it’s the perfect reason to attend!). Such delicacies will be followed by a silky Merlot matched with triple-cream brie, Fromage d’Affinois (creamy French cheese), lavender honey, cornichons, and cherries. And this is just a small example of what you might enjoy that night! Each pairing is curated to highlight balance, texture, and how wine and food shine together.
For those looking to level up, optional luxury tastings will be available on-site, including ultra-limited selections like Rogue River Blue cheese ($80+/lb) and Wagyu bresaola ($70+/lb), offered as an add-on experience. These are difficult to procure globally, but you can have it right in your backdoor in Chino.
This is a relaxed, social night meant for curious palates, shared tables, and discovering global flavors—no wine expertise required, just an appetite.
🎟 Tickets: Only 16 left!
✨ Optional luxury tastings: +$15 (available at the event)
📅 February 27th at 6:30 PM
📍 Argonza Cellars, Chino
🎉Herd It Around Chino
And FINALLY, your ultimate weekend planner for Chino and beyond. Want to submit an event? Use our link here 🪩 🪅
Friday, February 20
🎉 Jersey Shore Party: 18+ bash at 300 S Thomas St, Pomona, 9pm. GTL vibes! Tickets here.
💕 Speed Dating 40s-50s: Singles mixer at Dragons Tale Brewery, 8920 Vernon Ave, Montclair, 6:30-8:30pm. Sign up here.
💕 Speed Dating 20s-30s: Separate session at Dragons Tale Brewery, 8-10pm. Register here.
🍷 Black Wines Celebration: Black History Month tasting at Wine Now!, 8419 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, 7-10pm. Wine 101 included. Tickets here.
Saturday, February 21
🔫 Women's Firearms Intro: Beginner class at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Rd, Chino, 9am-12pm. Safety-focused. Tickets here.
🔫 Handgun Workshop: Skills refinement at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 12:30-3:30pm. Perfect refresher course. Sign up here.
🎊 Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Horse at The Shoppes at Chino Hills fountain area, 11am-4pm. Dancing, music, food, shopping! Radio AM1300 DJ live. Dog-friendly!
🌽 Heritage Farmers Market: Terra Vista at RC Sports Complex, 8408 Rochester Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, 9am-2pm. Small local vendors, community vibes.
🎉 Code Ninjas Opening: Grand opening at Chino Preserve, 10am-2pm. Games, prizes, tours, deals!
🌱 Plant Swap: Trade/Swap event at private location, 11am. Email [email protected] for details.
🛍️ Modern Makers Mart: At Cravings Eastvale, 4926 Hamner Ave, 11am-4pm. Details here.
🐾 Pet Griever's Club: Support group at Lopez Urban Farm, 1034 W Mission Blvd, Pomona, 11am-1pm. Love & loss. Info here.
🌮 Michelada & Taco Fest: At 9942 Mission Blvd, Riverside, 3-10pm. Flavor explosion! Tickets here.
🎨 Clay Workshop: Beginner-friendly at Buzzworthy Beverages, 305 Harvard Ave N, Claremont, 2-3:30pm. Sign up here.
Sunday, February 22
🎉 Sunday Funday: Family fest at Derby Room Pomona/Fairplex, 2201 N White Ave, 11am-10pm. All-day celebration! Details here.
💃 West Coast Swing Dance: Afternoon social at RhythmAddict Dance Studio, 9651 Business Center Dr, Bldg 15, Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga, 1-5pm. Contact (909) 453-4325. Tickets here.
🎨 Paint n Sip: Oldies vibes at Temple Bar Urban Eats, 128 N Grand Ave, West Covina, 4-7pm. Register here.
💪 Galentine's Pilates: Women's empowerment event at Spaggi's, 16880 Seville Ave, Fontana, 9am-1pm. Wellness collaboration. Sign up here.
🎨 Paint on the Patio: At Oggi's Fontana, 16918 S Highland Ave, 3-6pm. Tickets here.
🧘 Love Your Body Pilates: Mat class at Xhale Yoga Studio, 7168 Archibald Ave #270, Rancho Cucamonga, 1-2pm. Reserve here.
👑 Crown and Canvas: Art session at 2377 W Foothill Blvd, Upland, 4:30-6:30pm. Details here.
That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed this issue, forward this to someone who loves the rain.
As always, you can DM us on Instagram (@thechinochew), or say hello at [email protected]. For event submissions, please use the form instead 🙂
Have a great weekend, Chino! 😎