Voice of the People: The One-and-for-All Explanation for the Devil Winds by Ernie Garcia - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

APRIL
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events

Voice of the People: The One-and-for-All Explanation for the Devil Winds

By Ernie Garcia, Local Resident
October 8, 2014 at 10:02am. Views: 46

The proclivity for speakers of English to butcher Spanish pronunciation is well documented. Accents are often placed where they don’t belong. Witness the pronunciation of names ending in z- Chavez, Perez, Marquez are accented on the last syllable instead of where the emphasis belongs-in the next to last syllable. Therein rests the answer to the name of those nasty winds that torment us every fall in the Inland Empire. It has been mentioned that the early Eastern arrivals to Mexican California heard the winds described as "Devil Winds" by Californians who used the word “satanás” (Satan) to talk about them. The new arrivals perhaps knew of the Mexican general Santa Ana, or the local river named for the saint, so it was easy and natural to change the pronunciation and the accent from satanás to santanas to Santa Ana winds. So there you have it-the final and authoritative explanation for those conditions that plague us at this time of the year. They are the satanás winds, and don’t you forget it!

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Shani Hamilton Thillet

By Greg Zerovnik, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 590

“I am excited to leverage my extensive network of Inland Empire actors, dancers, and models to bring exceptional talent to advertising projects at Dameron Communications,” said Shani Hamilton Thillet

Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 664

Left to Right: The Moreno Valley Unified School District team earned 3 CalSPRA Awards of Excellence and a President's Award. School Board Vice President Sammie Luna, Digital Media Specialist Isaiah Garcia, Director of Communications and Community Engagement Anahi Velasco, Digital Video Specialist Naival Cartagena, and School Board Member Justin Jackson.

Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 722

Valley View High School earns California Distinguished School Award

Photo Courtesy of: City of Loma Linda - Government

By Eric Montgomery , Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 835

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce — Upmost Barber Shop!

Photo Courtesy of: Thomas Jackson of Redlands, CA.

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 961

Pioneertown, established in 1946, is known as a prime filming location and tourist destination, offering an 1880s-themed experience with its Old West style buildings.

Photo Courtesy of: Redlands Conservancy

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 1111

As spring warms the hills and trails around Redlands, another familiar sign of the season is making its return: rattlesnakes.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 724

A person wearing yellow cleaning gloves wipes a glass window with a cloth, removing soap and water during routine household cleaning.
Mayor Ulises Cabrera is encouraging residents to embrace the season as an opportunity for a fresh start while taking advantage of City resources designed to make spring cleaning easier, safer, and more convenient.

Photo Courtesy of: Redlands Conservancy

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 825

As spring warms the hills and trails around Redlands, another familiar sign of the season is making its return: rattlesnakes.

Photo Courtesy of: The City of Moreno Valley Government

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 769

Get ready to hop to MoVal’s annual Springtastic Festival and Egg Hunt!

Photo Courtesy of: City of Grand Terrace

By Judith J. Garcia, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 787

The City of Grand Terrace is hosting their Annual Blue Mountain Festival event on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Photo Courtesy of: Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

By Ross Goldberg, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 712

Children suffering from brain injury find pathways to recovery thanks to the highly-trained professional team providing care at Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’ s acute and subacute rehabilitation units.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Colton Community Services Department

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 629

No school? No problem! Skip the boredom and pull up to the Teen Hub. We’ve got you covered all break long.

--> -->