Late last month, ABC7 Los Angeles ran a feature on Saverino's Italian Deli & Market at 617 W. State Street, telling the rest of Southern California what Redlands has known for well over a decade: this little shop makes some of the best Italian sandwiches anywhere. I'll say it plainly. Saverino's is my favorite sandwich shop in town.

David Saverino has been building that reputation one sandwich at a time since the early 2010s. The meats are sliced right, the bread holds up, and the marinara earned such a following that back in 2014 he started bottling it to take home. Today the shop sits at a 4.8 rating across nearly 1,500 Google reviews, the kind of number you can't buy and can't fake.

Here's the insider part: Saverino's keeps deli hours, not restaurant hours. Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Go at 11:30 or plan to wait, because the lunch rush knows what it's doing. And if the TV coverage makes that line a little longer for a while, good. Businesses like this one are exactly why I write this newsletter.

saverinosdeli.com

LifeHouse Theater opens its newest original production this weekend, and it's one you won't see anywhere else. The Little Mermaid, running August 22 through September 27, is LifeHouse's own comedic take on the Hans Christian Andersen tale, with the little mermaid Angelica battling the evil Octavia for the undersea kingdom, helped along by a silly sea turtle, a snappy seahorse, and a calypso beat.

If you caught Winnie the Poohsical there last month, you know the drill: LifeHouse writes and debuts these shows right here in Redlands, so opening weekend on Church Street is a genuine premiere. Opening night is Saturday, August 22 at 7 PM, with a Sunday matinee at 2 PM. Tickets run $29 to $35 for adults and $17 to $21 for kids 3 to 12.

lifehousetheater.com

Police vs. Fire, settled with a softball. Saturday, August 29, Redlands Family Fun Day comes to Coyazo Park, 2016 Domestic Ave, 10 AM to 2 PM: a Public Safety Softball Showdown between our police and fire departments, a free kids zone, live music, and free Habit Burger meals for the first 200 through the gate. Proceeds support both departments' foundations.

The Rare Market is spreading. Two weeks after its debut at Redlands Public Market, the Rare Market is partnering with Mountain Grove on a new farmers market on the Mountain Grove Lawn, Saturday, August 29, 9 AM to 1 PM.

Still time for Italy. The wine class Liz and I raved about last week has its next session this Saturday, August 22: From Tip to Toe, A Wine Tour of Italy at Total Wine in Mountain Grove, 5 to 6:30 PM, $20 per person. The last one sold out. This one will too.

Mountain Grove Lawn — Jimmy Becker

📍 27511 San Bernardino Ave, Redlands, CA | 🕐 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The summer Solo Sessions series winds toward its September finish.

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery — Karaoke Night

📍 1710 Sessums Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 6:30 PM

Bring a voice, or just a beer and an opinion.

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery — Courtney Nunez, then DJ Bucky

📍 1710 Sessums Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 Dinner set 6:00 PM, main set 8:30 PM

Courtney Nunez carries the dinner hour, then DJ Bucky takes it through last call.

Citrus Plaza Food Court — Live Music, performer to be announced

📍 27510 W Lugonia Ave, Redlands, CA | 🕐 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Check mtgrove.com/events for this week's performer.

Septembers Taproom & Eatery — Live Music

📍 515 Orange St, Ste B, Redlands, CA | 🕐 8:30 PM

Check @septemberstaproom on Instagram for this week's performer.

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery — Jon Major, then Dulane & Company

📍 1710 Sessums Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 Dinner set 6:00 PM, main set 8:30 PM

A full Saturday of music under the flight path.

Ritual Brewing Co. — Live Music

📍 1315 Research Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 Typically 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Check @ritualbrewing on Instagram for this week's performer.

The Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music

📍 328 Orange St, Redlands, CA | 🕐 4:00 PM

The Sunday afternoon session. Check the pub's Instagram for this week's performer.

This week I'm grateful for the businesses that earned their reputations long before a camera crew showed up, and for the neighbors who kept them busy all those years.

 If you do one thing this weekend, take your family to opening night of The Little Mermaid at LifeHouse on Saturday.

A brand new show born in Redlands deserves a full house.

See you around town,

— Carlos Samaniego
RedlandsNow.com