Skip to main content
Isabel in San Dimas

Isabel in San Dimas

By Isabel Ebiner

Isabel in San Dimas is a podcast to spark conversations among neighbors about happenings in and around San Dimas. I am Isabel in San Dimas, and I am happy to be one of your neighbors.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

San Dimas Experimental Forest

Isabel in San DimasApr 06, 2020

00:00
21:03
Mr. Gee Rocks a New Album
Nov 08, 202101:11:55
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at McKinley
Oct 17, 202140:26
Secrets of the Masons

Secrets of the Masons

Dating back to Europe in the Middle Ages, freemasonry has a long history, seemingly shrouded in secrecy. And while you might find references to the masons in pop culture, they are very much a real organization, with a historical building right here in Old Town San Dimas.

Past Master of the San Dimas Masonic Lodge and longtime San Dimas resident Raymond Foster joins me in this episode to explore the origins of the freemasons and their history in the city. If you're interested in learning about the masons, including how the organization originated and if they really do have a secret handshake, take a listen to this episode!

Sep 07, 202151:24
San Dimas Chamber of Commerce
Jul 26, 202132:23
Local Author Dave Milbrandt Spills the Tea
Jun 14, 202137:32
Take Me Out to the Little League Game

Take Me Out to the Little League Game

San Dimas Little League President Geoff Charpentier and I discuss all things Little League in this episode. As a prospective parent and newbie to Little League, I ask Geoff how the league works, who can join, and how the community can support their efforts. If you played Little League or have kids who want to play in the not-too-distant future, take a listen to this episode and ...play ball!

May 18, 202140:18
Water Bill Increases - Coming Soon
May 04, 202129:16
Back to School for BUSD
Apr 03, 202150:07
Building a More Bikeable San Dimas

Building a More Bikeable San Dimas

A founding member of the La Verne Bicycle Coalition and local bike advocate, Doug Strange talks with me about cycling culture in San Dimas and surrounding areas, what a more bike-friendly city could look like, and what it would take to get more people out of their cars and on their bikes. As someone who loves biking but isn't the most confident rider around, this interview gave me a lot of hope and inspiration for riding my bike more in 2021.

Biking resources:
Four Types of Cyclists, Jennifer Dill, PhD
Level of Traffic Stress - What It Means for Building Better Bike Networks
Cycling Around La Verne Facebook group
La Verne Bicycle Coalition website, Facebook page + Instagram page
Gold Line Foothill Extension 2B First/Last Mile Plan, 6/20/2019
Arrow Highway Multimodal Regional Corridor Plan

Additional links for this episode:
San Dimas City Council Study Session: March, 23, 2021 | 5:30pm | Watch here | Join via Zoom
San Dimas City Council Meeting: March 23, 2021 | 7pm | Watch here | Join via Zoom
Isabel in San Dimas: Why Civic Engagement Matters
Isabel in San Dimas: Should San Dimas Break Up with the Public Health Department?
Isabel in San Dimas: Pioneer Square

Mar 21, 202149:32
How Changes in Via Verde Could Impact All of San Dimas (Again)
Mar 06, 202134:03
Should San Dimas Break Up with the Public Health Depatrment?
Feb 22, 202143:32
True Way Cult, Circa 1997
Feb 07, 202148:01
Why Civic Engagement Matters
Jan 25, 202126:14
Stay Well San Dimas
Jan 11, 202135:34
Wish Upon a Toy
Dec 07, 202052:27
Will San Dimas Build Low-Income Housing?
Nov 23, 202028:43
"Skatepark Mom" Talks San Dimas Skate Culture

"Skatepark Mom" Talks San Dimas Skate Culture

A lifelong San Dimas resident, 23-year-old Savannah Spillman discovered San Dimas's very own skatepark just three years ago when she started learning how to skateboard. In that short time, Savannah fostered a sense of community among the skating youth, became known as "Skatepark Mom," and submitted a proposal to the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission to improve lighting and safety at the skatepark. Listen to this episode to learn more about skate culture in San Dimas and hear some sage advice that may even inspire you to pick up a skateboard.

Nov 09, 202032:04
How Via Verde Zoning Changes Could Impact All of San Dimas

How Via Verde Zoning Changes Could Impact All of San Dimas

At a joint study session on October 13, 2020, the City Council and Planning Commission will consider zoning changes in Via Verde that could have potential impacts on all of San Dimas. The conversation hinges around increasing the amount of grading (or excavating) allowed in Specific Plan 11, which comprises properties in the Via Verde Ridge Homeowners Association. The concerns from residents range from aesthetic, to environmental, to ethical. Listen to this episode to hear how this issue could affect you.

Oct 12, 202026:38
Candidate Spotlight: Peter Hidalgo
Oct 05, 202045:13
The Urban Forest

The Urban Forest

I recently became a member of the City of San Dimas's Urban Forest Sub-Committee. Part of my role as a Sub-Committee member is to help provide education and outreach about San Dimas's Urban Forest, which is basically all of the public and community trees that you see here in our city. In this episode, I provide information about the overall benefits of trees in any community, details about San Dimas's trees in particular, and tips about how to take care of your trees.

 

Visit IsabelinSanDimas.com for show notes and to share your thoughts on this episode.

Sep 21, 202028:29
Gilead and the Price of Life-Saving Drugs

Gilead and the Price of Life-Saving Drugs

When COVID-19 first hit in early 2020, I was intrigued that several big companies working to fight the pandemic had offices here in sleepy San Dimas. I reached out to Gilead Sciences for a podcast interview but never heard back. Later on in July, I learned that San Dimas resident Keith Buck had been conducting a one-man protest at Gilead over their sky-high prices for remdesivir, a life-saving drug used to treat the novel coronavirus. In today's episode, I interview my neighbor Keith about Gilead's exorbitant profit margins and why Keith felt it was important to take a stand on this issue.

 

Visit IsabelinSanDimas.com for show notes and to share your thoughts on this episode.

Sep 07, 202031:23
Bill & Ted's Excellent Finale
Aug 24, 202029:37
Bonelli Park R11 Parkway Closure

Bonelli Park R11 Parkway Closure

When the Covid-19 closures began back in March 2020, the County of Los Angeles required Bonelli Bluffs RV Park to close as well. This led to a temporary closure of what is known as the R11 Walkway, which allowed members of the public to complete an uninterrupted loop around Puddingstone Lake at Bonelli Park. Since March, that temporary closure became permanent, upsetting hundreds of local residents and users of the path. In this episode, I speak with Crystal DeMott, a San Dimas resident who reached out to Bonelli Bluffs and the County. Listen to this episode to learn how she used her voice and how the necessary stakeholders are now working toward a resolution to benefit all parties involved.

Aug 10, 202046:33
The Power of Local Journalism

The Power of Local Journalism

In this episode, I talk with San Dimas resident and design director for TheLAnd Magazine Evan Solano. A former page designer for the Southern California News Group and Editor-in-Chief of the Citrus College Clarion newspaper, Evan has a background in journalism. We chat about our mutual love for local news as well as the recent struggles of local journalism. Listen to the episode now to hear more about the important role local journalism plays in communities everywhere.

Jul 27, 202045:17
Black Lives Matter: A Family Affair

Black Lives Matter: A Family Affair

In this episode, I talk with Crystal Jones Bacon and Chloe Jones, San Dimas residents who organized a rally in front of City Hall on June 23, in support of Councilmember Ebiner's resolution denouncing George Floyd's death, systemic racism, and police brutality. This mother-daughter duo share about what Black Lives Matter means to them, why they got involved in San Dimas, and what they learned about civic engagement locally.

Jul 13, 202001:04:57
Why I Am Still Hopeful

Why I Am Still Hopeful

At the San Dimas City Council meeting on June 23, 2020, members of the community showed up in large numbers to support a resolution by Councilmember Ebiner condemning the death of George Floyd, racism, and injustice. Despite this overwhelming support, Councilmember Ebiner's resolution failed, and a resolution that the public had no opportunity to comment on was adopted. What's more: Councilmember Vienna, visibly disappointed in the entire process, publicly berated Councilmember Ebiner, me, our family, and other engaged members of the community. In this episode, I reflect on what happened at this most recent City Council meeting, how it affected me, and why I am still hopeful that change for the better is possible.

Nos quisieron enterrar, pero no sabían que éramos semillas.

Jun 29, 202053:15
Locally Owned: United Yoga Studio
Jun 15, 202048:21
Graduating Class of Covid-19

Graduating Class of Covid-19

In a time when a global pandemic has impacted all aspects of life around the world, students everywhere have had to adapt to school closures and online learning. This time has been particularly challenging for graduates, who deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated, but are unable to commemorate this special time with traditional graduation ceremonies. In this week's show, San Dimas residents and high school seniors Andrea and Chris reflect with me on their final semester and how the community around them is rallying to celebrate this major accomplishment.

Jun 01, 202030:09
How to Speak at a City Council Meeting
May 18, 202019:07
A Conversation with Isabel
May 04, 202024:17
True Crime San Dimas: Constable Funkhouser's Unsolved Murder, 1922

True Crime San Dimas: Constable Funkhouser's Unsolved Murder, 1922

In this episode, I collaborate with Dr. Shiloh--a forensic psychologist, podcast host of L.A. Not So Confidential, and San Dimas native--to share the story and honor the memory of Constable W.E. Funkhouser, an old-time San Dimas hero. Constable Funkhouser gave his life while attempting to apprehend a burglar along the Santa Fe railroad in 1922. Join us as we uncover this interesting piece of San Dimas history.

Visit IsabelinSanDimas.com for show notes and to share your thoughts on this episode.

Apr 20, 202036:11
San Dimas Experimental Forest
Apr 06, 202021:03
Locally Owned: Palermo Cafe and Bakery
Mar 23, 202032:23
A Moment of Pause
Mar 16, 202009:42
"Crown of the Citrus Belt"
Mar 09, 202059:19
San Dimas March 2020 Election: A Recap
Feb 24, 202019:31
Candidate Spotlight: John Ebiner
Feb 17, 202043:11
Candidate Spotlight: Emma Ramirez
Feb 10, 202042:42
Candidate Spotlight: Nichole Gonzales
Feb 03, 202036:13
Candidate Spotlight: David Estrada
Jan 27, 202042:37
Candidate Spotlight: Eric Weber
Jan 20, 202042:25
What is the Specific Plan No. 23 Moratorium?
Jan 13, 202030:21
Traffic Safety Around Schools
Jan 06, 202033:38
The Historic Walker House
Dec 23, 201931:36
New Graffiti Hotline
Dec 16, 201914:55
Pioneer Square
Dec 07, 201930:09
Salon Dimas
Dec 02, 201932:37
Sales Tax on the March 2020 Ballot

Sales Tax on the March 2020 Ballot

On November 12, 2019, the City Council unanimously voted 5-0 to add a proposed 0.75% sales tax increase on the March 2020 ballot.

Historically, the City has been very fiscally conservative with healthy reserves, so why did the Council put this measure on the ballot? Listen to this episode to get more information about the City's rationale behind the decision as well as details about what the sales tax could mean for the City and its residents.

Visit IsabelinSanDimas.com for show notes and to share your thoughts on this episode.

Ballot Measure Text:
SAN DIMAS ESSENTIAL SERVICES PRESERVATION MEASURE
To preserve San Dimas’ long-term financial stability; maintain emergency response, neighborhood sheriff patrols; prevent thefts/burglaries; protect/clean local water sources; keep public areas safe/clean; repair streets/potholes; maintain senior, youth/afterschool services/other general services; shall a measure be adopted establishing a 0.75% sales tax providing approximately $4,700,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits/public disclosure of all spending, all funds benefiting San Dimas residents?

Nov 25, 201916:15
No Big Hotel in Our Small Town
Nov 18, 201917:05
Our Neighborhood Coyotes
Nov 09, 201915:56