from the editor

A matter of perspective

CLARITY of purpose is a gift.

And perspective lies at the root of clarity. In the 1970s, the writings of then-UCLA anthropologist Carlos Castaneda were en vogue around college campuses. He told tales of mystic encounters with a Yaqui shaman named Don Juan.

In an early meeting between the two, Don Juan wrenched Castaneda’s neck to give him a new view of the world because the way he encountered his environment was tired and stale. If only it were only that simple.

Today, interest in perspective is no less strong. Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life” sold 20 million copies in the two years after its 2002 release. Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” was at last count No. 1 in its category on The New York Times’ best-seller list some 17 weeks after its release.

Why the interest? Likely because we want to make sense of our lives and realize that, at some level, the world actually is as we choose it to be. We each are responsible for the world of our encounters, and our vision and dealings with others affects their worlds, too. For this issue, we wanted to spend time with some Inland Empire residents with their own world views.

The people we sought were varied: a former state Senate and Assembly leader, an automaker working on electric cars, the CEO of the Red Cross chapter in our area, an accomplished architect and a man who lives in one world and works in another. Our thinking was these people had stories to tell.

We wanted to listen and hope you do also.

Also in this issue, resident vintner Gino L. Filippi explores how the flavors of wine work on the palate and what happens when food enters the picture. Gino’s a resourceful guy, but he didn’t go it alone on this one.

He enlisted chef Ernie Briones of the Cal Poly Pomona hospitality school, Margie Ferree Jones of the Collins College and Mary Ellen Cole of the L.A. County Fair to sort out “taste” and ideas for food-and- wine combinations.

Of course food alwaysgets our attention.

This month we explore the new Pines Restaurant at San Manual Indian Bingo & Casino, RA Sushi at The Shoppes at Chino Hills and a Riverside event that offers an opportunity to savor the city’s finer fare.

This month’s expanded Can’t Miss package has an update on the IE’s fall classics: Route 66, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Rodeo, the San Dimas Rodeo and the grand- daddy of them all, the L.A. County Fair.

We hope, as always, you’ll find something fun, useful and informative this month in Inland Living.

Don Sproul don@inlandlivingmagazine.com (909) 386-3899