One Door Closes, A Dozen More Open: Your Redlands Weekend

Vons says goodbye, but live music, new trails, and community spirit remind us why Redlands keeps moving forward

Vons on Orange Street Is Closing. Here's What We Know.

The phone calls started last week. "Did you hear about Vons?"

Yeah. We heard. And if you haven't yet, here it is straight: the Vons at 522 N. Orange Street is closing. Expected shutdown date is March 19. Seventy employees are affected. Albertsons, Vons' parent company, notified the state's Employment Development Department in mid-January and says it's working to transfer those workers to nearby stores.

If you're a regular, the store is still open and operating on normal hours (6 AM to 10 PM daily) through mid-March. Don't forget to transfer any pharmacy prescriptions before the final day.

Wine, Blues & Community Spirit: Saturday Night Done Right

There are weekends that pass you by, and then there are weekends that remind you exactly why you chose to call Redlands home.

This Saturday evening, the historic Mitten Building transforms into something special—a gathering place where good wine meets great blues music, all for a purpose that matters. The Rotary Club of Redlands presents Red Wine & Blues, running from 4:30 to 7:00 PM on February 21st.

Here's what makes this event worth your Saturday: live blues performances filling the air while you sample carefully selected wines, all while supporting meaningful local causes. The Rotary Club has quietly become one of our community's most effective forces for good—funding scholarships, supporting local projects, and making Redlands stronger one initiative at a time.

Tickets are available online now, and the event promises an intimate evening where you'll run into neighbors, make new friends, and maybe discover your new favorite vintage. The Mitten Building itself—located at 345 N 5th Street A—adds character you simply can't replicate.

Details:
📍 The Mitten Building, 345 N 5th St A, Redlands
🕐 Saturday, February 21, 4:30–7:00 PM
🎟️ Get tickets here

📸 Spotted Around Town

• The orange blossoms are starting their early show along Sunset Drive—that unmistakable fragrance that reminds you why they call this the "Jewel of the Inland Empire"
  
  
• New murals going up on the alley behind State Street—local artists transforming downtown one wall at a time
  
  
• The historic Kimberly Crest gardens are in full bloom—if you haven't visited lately, it's worth the drive up the hill

🌤️ Weather Watch

• This weekend's forecast: sunny, mid-70s—perfect farmers market weather
  
  
• Mountain snow visible from downtown—Big Bear got dumped on, which means our mountain views are spectacular right now
  
  
• Evening temps dropping to the 50s—patio season requires a light jacket, but nobody's complaining

🎓 Campus Corner

• University of Redlands spring semester in full swing—expect extra foot traffic downtown on weekends

🚗 Getting Around

• State Street construction updates: plan extra time downtown during weekday mornings
• Parking tip: the structure behind City Hall is underutilized—easy walk to all the State Street action
• Bike lanes on Citrus Avenue getting more use—spring weather brings out the cyclists

Your ears deserve a good weekend too. Here's what's playing in and around Redlands.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

Redlands continues proving it's the Inland Empire's hidden music gem. Here's where to catch live performances this weekend:

Friday Night, February 20

The Artlands Creative (7:00 PM)
Ricardo Acevedo brings poetry, performance art, and experimental film to downtown's creative hub. This isn't your typical Friday night—it's where Redlands' arts scene gets interesting. For those who appreciate the unconventional.

The Three Stags Irish Pub (8:00 PM, 328 Orange St)
Friday live music kicks off the weekend at downtown's favorite Irish pub. Authentic atmosphere, quality performances, and the kind of venue where you can actually hear the music and your friends.

Saturday Night, February 21

Red Wine & Blues at The Mitten Building (4:30–7:00 PM, 345 N 5th St A)
Live blues music paired with wine tastings—all supporting Rotary scholarships and community projects. Early evening timing means you can catch this and still have Saturday night ahead.

Whiskey Sunday at The Three Stags (8:00 PM, 328 Orange St)
One of Redlands' most popular live acts returns. Arrive early—weekends at Three Stags fill up fast, and for good reason. Great music, authentic Irish pub atmosphere, and a crowd that actually came to listen.

J. Riley Distillery: Live Music Saturday Saturday, February 21 | Evening 420 Oriental Ave., Downtown Redlands

J. Riley hosts live music every Saturday night. Grab a seat inside the distillery or out on the patio, order a California Clear or their house bourbon, and let the music roll. Check their Instagram @jrileydistillery for this week's lineup. Kitchen's open too. (909) 513-6103

The Big Four at Yaamava' Theater Saturday, February 21 | 8:00 PM Yaamava' Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland

Saturday night at Yaamava' brings The Big Four to the stage. 21+ only. Tickets on AXS. Free parking. yaamava.com/entertainment

Sunday, February 22

Redlands Daylight Market: UNDER THE SUN (12:00–7:00 PM)
Open-air house music all day at what's becoming Redlands' answer to summer festival vibes—in February. Local vendors, pop-up shops, food, and DJ sets that keep the energy flowing. Located at Redlands Public Market area (330 3rd St).

Redlands Recital Series: Aristides Rivas, Cello Sunday, February 22 | 2:30 PM First Presbyterian Church of Redlands, 100 Cajon St.

The Redlands Symphony Association's Recital Series brings cellist Aristides Rivas to the stage for an afternoon of music for cello and piano. If you've never caught one of these recitals, First Presbyterian's acoustics make it feel like the music is sitting right next to you. Intimate, beautiful, and one of Redlands' best-kept cultural secrets. Tickets at redlandssymphony.com

Beyond Redlands: Worth the Drive

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes at Yaamava' Theater Friday, February 20 | 8:00 PM Yaamava' Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland

The comedian and former MadTV cast member brings her stand-up to the Yaamava' Theater stage Friday night. If you need a hard laugh after a long week, this is it. 21+ only. Tickets on AXS. yaamava.com

San Bernardino Symphony: American Voices (Saturday, Feb 21, 3:00 PM)
"Lift Every Voice and Sing!" celebrates American musical legends—Gershwin, Joplin, Marsalis. A tribute to iconic American music at 3 PM gives you plenty of time to catch evening events back in Redlands.

Lunar New Year Celebration (Saturday, Feb 21, San Bernardino)
The City of San Bernardino hosts a vibrant afternoon of live entertainment, music, and cultural performances. Perfect if you're looking for family-friendly celebration before Saturday evening plans.

TUesday, February 25 | 11 AM – 1 PM
East Valley Association of Realtors, Redlands

You're nine days from closing. Buyer's pre-approved. Your commission check is practically printed.

Then the lender pulls transcripts and finds a $50,000 IRS lien nobody saw coming.

Deal dies. Commission evaporates.

What You'll Learn:

✅ Spot tax red flags BEFORE they blow up escrow
✅ Read IRS transcripts like a pro
✅ Understand what lenders actually need
✅ Get word-for-word scripts for handling tax emergencies

"80% of real estate transactions threatened by tax problems can be saved—if you know what to do in the first 48 hours."
— Carlos Samaniego, EA, Tax Resolution Specialist

FREE Workshop | Lunch Included | Limited to 35 Seats

📍 East Valley Association of Realtors, Redlands
📅 Tuesday, February 25, 2026
10:30 Registration
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Register Now: SaveYourCommission.com
📞 Call: 909-570-1103

Sponsored by Tax Debt Consultants LLC
Real tools. Real strategies. Real results.

Good news: the rain clears out Friday. Saturday looks gorgeous at 61 degrees, and Sunday climbs to 68. Get outside.

"Devil in a Blue Dress" Free Film Screening Saturday, February 21 | 2:00 PM Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St., Redlands

A.K. Smiley Public Library's Southern California in Film series brings the 1995 neo-noir thriller starring Denzel Washington to Redlands. Based on Walter Mosley's novel, the film follows a WWII veteran searching for a missing woman across 1940s Los Angeles. Shot at the Griffith Park Observatory, the Ambassador Hotel, and locations across Pasadena, Whittier, and Hollywood. The film was nominated for multiple awards and landed on AFI's Top 10 Mystery Films list. Rated R. Free admission. More info at A.K. Smiley Public Library

"Aria's" at Redlands Footlighters Theatre Friday, February 20 | 7:30 PM Saturday, February 21 | 7:30 PM Sunday, February 22 | 2:00 PM Redlands Footlighters Theatre, 1810 Barton Road (next to the Asistencia)

This warm comedy by Robert Merrill is set in a small Italian restaurant on the "wrong" side of a rapidly redeveloping downtown. A widow fights to keep her late husband's restaurant alive while the neighborhood changes around her. If you love stories about grit, family loyalty, and refusing to fold when the world says you should, this one's for you. Running weekends through March 1. Tickets at redlandsfootlighters.org

Grove School Farmers Market Saturday, February 21 | 8:00 AM - Noon (rain or shine) 11126 Iowa Street, Redlands

Your Saturday morning ritual. Local produce, local vendors, local community. Show up early for the best picks.

Sunday Morning Market at Olive Avenue Market Sunday, February 22 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 530 W. Olive Ave., Redlands

Small businesses and makers every Sunday. A perfect way to ease into the week.

Redlands Trail Just Got 3.8 Miles Longer

If you bike, hike, walk, or just need an excuse to get out the door, this one matters.

The Santa Ana River Trail Phase III officially opened last Thursday, February 12, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew county supervisors, cyclists, and community members. The new 3.8-mile stretch runs from Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino to California Street right here in Redlands. That means 11 continuous miles of paved, multi-use trail are now connected, running from north of California Street through San Bernardino, through Colton, and nearly to the western end of Riverside.

Heritage Awards Photo Contest Now Open: The Redlands Area Historical Society and Redlands Camera Club are sponsoring a photography competition celebrating 50 years of the Heritage Awards program. Snap photos of Heritage Award-winning homes and buildings around Redlands and submit up to three entries. Contest runs through April 30. Winners announced June 9 at the Contemporary Club. Entry form at forms.gle/ni2yQPCD6DP3Er9N9

The ultimate vision for the Santa Ana River Trail is a complete path from the San Bernardino National Forest boundary in Mentone all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach. Phase IV is already in design. The first section will extend from California Street to Opal Avenue in Mentone, funded by a $6.8 million grant from the State Coastal Conservancy, with construction set to begin after bird nesting season.

This is the kind of infrastructure that changes how a city lives. More trail means more families walking after dinner. More bikes instead of cars on short commutes. More connection between communities that used to feel far apart. Lace up and go see it for yourself this weekend.

Quick Reads

🎓 CSUSB Extended Application Deadline: Cal State San Bernardino pushed undergraduate admission deadlines to March 31 for Fall 2026—good news for any high school seniors still finalizing college plans.

🚴 Bicycle Classic Gets Major Sponsor: SERVPRO signed on as presenting sponsor for the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic, ensuring this iconic cycling event continues its legacy.

🍔 Fish Fridays Are Back: Local restaurants are rolling out Lenten specials including fish sandwiches, tacos, and seafood options—from fast food favorites to local spots.

📚 A.K. Smiley Library Events: Saturday, February 21 brings a Southern California in Film series screening of Devil in a Blue Dress (2:00 PM), plus Sunday, February 22 features a free Flute Concert (2:30 PM) presented with The Contemporary Club.

Robert Watchorn Lecture - Feb. 24: The Redlands Area Historical Society hosts a free program about Robert Watchorn, the man who donated Redlands' Lincoln Memorial Shrine in 1932. Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 PM. Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St. Perfect for history lovers and anyone curious about why this little shrine exists in our town.

Weekend Weather: Rain wraps up today (Thursday). Friday partly cloudy, high of 50. Saturday beautiful at 61. Sunday even better at 68. Plan accordingly.

GRATITUDE & COMMUNITY

I just got back from celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary with my wife Liz in Sedona. Beautiful place—red rocks, clear skies, the kind of scenery that makes you stop and appreciate what you've got.

But you know what? It's always great to be back home.

Coming back gives you fresh eyes. You notice the new 3.8-mile trail that just opened. The Rotary volunteers organizing Saturday's fundraiser. The student-led farmers market. The theater volunteers. The library programs. The weekend musicians. All the people showing up to make this town work.

Vons closing doesn't define Redlands. What defines us is the hundreds of people who'll wake up Monday morning and keep building, creating, and showing up—whether there's a newsletter about it or not.

That's the community I'm proud to call home.

See you around the groves,

Sponsorship Opportunities

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Contact us at info@redlandsnow.com to learn about sponsorship opportunities and tell us about your upcoming events.

That's all for this week! Thanks for reading, and we'll see you around the groves.

Stay connected, stay local,
Carlos Samaniego, EA

The RedlandsNow.com Team