MARK: Welcome to Happening in Upland for Monday, October 19th, 2026. I'm Mark.

JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. Today, we're tracking a massive 237 million dollar school bond on the horizon, the line dancing craze taking over Rescue Brewing, and a serious midweek storm system that's about to ruin your car wash.

MARK: Let's start with the big number that's going to make everyone's property tax bill look like a phone number from the nineties. The Upland Unified School District officially has Measure A on the November 3rd ballot, and they're asking for a cool 236.7 million dollars. They say it's for 'essential repairs', which in government-speak usually means the roof is held together by prayer and duct tape.

JOLEEN: Look, I know you hate opening your wallet, but some of these campuses were built in the 1950s. We've got pipes under there that probably remember the Eisenhower administration. The district's been dealing with plumbing and HVAC failures that are costing a fortune in 'deferred maintenance'--which is just a fancy way of saying they're putting out fires as they happen.

MARK: yeah I'm not saying the schools don't need work, but the math is what gets me. It's forty-seven dollars and fifty cents per hundred thousand dollars of assessed value every year. For most of us in Upland, that's not just pocket change. Even if your house was assessed back when the 210 was just a dream, it adds up. And they're raising 14.2 million dollars annually with this.

JOLEEN: But think about what it covers. We're talking security cameras, secure entry points, and actual labs for job training. Upland High's been trying to prep kids for 21st-century careers in buildings that look like they're ready for a Cold War drill. If we want the Highlanders to actually have a future beyond just surviving the summer heat without the AC dying, we've gotta pay for it.

MARK: They've promised that 'no funds' will go to administrator salaries. There's going to be an independent citizens' oversight committee and annual audits. I've heard that song before. It's the same one they play right before the project goes over budget and we're left wondering why the new gym has gold-plated whistles while the science labs still use bunsen burners from the Carter era.

JOLEEN: You're so cynical. The board voted unanimously to put this on the ballot because they've realized the state isn't coming to save us. California's funding for facility upgrades is basically a 'maybe' followed by a 'not today.' We need a 55 percent 'yes' vote for this to pass. I'm guessing the parents are going to be a lot more enthusiastic about it than the people who haven't seen the inside of a classroom since disco was king.

MARK: Well, while the school district is looking for millions, Rescue Brewing is just looking for people who can find the beat. Apparently, line dancing has become the official sport of Downtown Upland. They're doing this 'Western Wednesday' thing every week now, and it's actually drawing a crowd.

JOLEEN: It's not just a crowd; it's a movement! DJ Buckin' Dave is down there every Wednesday from 6 to 9 PM. It's all ages, all levels, and honestly, it's the most life I've seen on Second Avenue on a weeknight in years. Plus, they've got those five-dollar 'American AF' pints. You can't beat that for a mid-week mood booster.

MARK: I saw the photos in the Daily Bulletin. It's a lot of boots and a lot of very synchronized pointing. It feels a bit like a suburban fever dream. I prefer my breweries to involve less cardio and more staring blankly at a coaster, but I guess people are desperate for a reason to wear a cowboy hat in public.

JOLEEN: Oh, come on. It's fun! They've got the street closed off for '2nd on Second' some nights, but the line dancing is a taproom staple now. Even if you have two left feet, they've got lessons. It's better than sitting on the couch watching another rerun of a show you didn't like the first time.

MARK: I'll stick to the beer and leave the 'electric slide' to the professionals. Speaking of professionals, real estate agents are having a weird month. The latest Resideline data from October 12th shows Upland is officially a 'balanced market.' We've got 32 active listings and a pending-to-active ratio that says buyers actually have a little room to breathe for once.

JOLEEN: Don't let that 'balanced' label fool you. It's a tale of two cities. If you're looking in North Upland, those ranch homes are still holding onto that 800k-plus price tag like it's a life raft. But downtown is a different story. The average price there actually dropped recently, but not because people don't want to live there.

MARK: Right, it's the 'City Ventures' effect. They built those new townhomes on First Avenue, and since they're attached units priced in the 500s and 600s, they're dragging the neighborhood median down. It makes it look like the market is cooling, but really, we're just finally seeing some supply that doesn't require a lottery win to afford.

JOLEEN: Exactly. Those North Upland lots are 10,000 square feet or more. People are paying for the land and the mature trees. But downtown is attracting the younger crowd that wants to walk to the Metrolink and the breweries. It's interesting to see the city actually growing vertically instead of just spreading out toward the mountains.

MARK: Vertical growth is fine until you realize our infrastructure is horizontal and aging. If you've been driving Foothill Boulevard lately, you've seen the 'Notable News'--and by that, I mean you've seen the traffic cones. They're working on the catch basins between Mulberry and San Antonio right now.

JOLEEN: And if you're a business owner on the south side of Foothill between Mountain and San Antonio, keep your eye on the calendar. There are some major water shutdowns coming. They've scheduled them for overnight work on Tuesday the 20th, Thursday the 22nd, and next Tuesday the 27th.

MARK: I'm sure the local shops love that. 'Hey, we're doing road improvements, so we're just going to turn off your ability to flush or wash hands for a bit.' They're doing it between Mountain and Benson too, putting in 'median fill material' in preparation for grouted rock. It sounds very solid, but I'm sure it's making the morning commute even more of a headache.

JOLEEN: It's part of the Foothill Rehabilitation project. It's annoying, but we can't exactly have 1970s asphalt forever. Speaking of things that are worth the wait, I actually checked out The Heights Restaurant and Bar on North Campus Avenue. They've gone full Oktoberfest mode.

MARK: I usually avoid anything titled 'The Heights' because it sounds like a place that charges twenty dollars for a side of fries. But they've been doing a Sunday brunch that's actually getting some traction. They're open until 9 PM most nights, but their kitchen closes early at 8:30. It's that classic Upland vibe where the city goes to sleep before the sun is even fully down.

JOLEEN: The Oktoberfest menu is the real draw right now. It's a nice alternative if you don't want to deal with the crowds in downtown. Plus, it's one of those spots that feels a bit more 'local gem' and less 'chain restaurant Row.' I'm all for supporting the places that actually stay open for brunch on Sundays when I'm too tired to cook.

MARK: If you're looking for something to do this weekend that involves fewer calories and more dogs, Dogtoberfest is coming up on Sunday, October 25th. It's taking over the city calendar. I'm assuming it's exactly what it sounds like--beer for humans and a lot of confused golden retrievers in lederhosen.

JOLEEN: I'll be there! It's one of the best community events we have. And don't forget the Farmers Market is still every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM downtown. It's a great place to pick up some fresh produce before the storm hits--because trust me, you're going to want to be stocked up by Wednesday.

MARK: The National Weather Service isn't messing around this week. Today and tomorrow are beautiful--sunny with highs in the low 80s. But Wednesday is when the sky falls. We've got a 70 percent chance of rain showers starting after 11 AM, with highs dropping to 73.

JOLEEN: oh wow It gets worse! Wednesday night is a 90 percent chance of rain, and by Thursday, we're looking at a 72 percent chance of actual thunderstorms. The high on Thursday is only 67 degrees. It's going to be one of those 'stay inside and question your life choices' kind of days.

MARK: Which is perfect, because our roads are already a mess. Add a little water and some Upland drivers, and the 210 is basically going to be a parking lot with wipers. If you have to head toward San Bernardino, watch out for that SR-210 Waterman off-ramp closure this month too. It's a 55-hour weekend closure that's going to ripple all the way back to us.

JOLEEN: The good news is that by Friday, the sun is back. We'll be at 71 degrees and sunny for the weekend, so Dogtoberfest on Sunday should be safe. Just try to survive the thunder on Thursday without losing your mind.

MARK: I'll be fine. I've got plenty of skeptical observations to keep me warm. Before we go, make sure to follow or subscribe to Happening in Upland so you don't miss next week's episode. If you've got a tip or just want to tell us how much you love or hate line dancing, email us at upland@thehappeningnetwork.com.

JOLEEN: We'll be back next Monday with more news, more sarcasm, and hopefully a lot less rain. See you then!