FEB 2015

The View

MORGAN HILL serving morgan hill, Morgan

Volume #1, Issue #9

February 2015

Love is all around... *In this issue *Passion ...for running *Love For Lawson *Amazing teachers

Heights,Morgan valley & more

www.TheViewMorganHill.com

Page 2

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SOLAR PROGRAM LAUNCHES THAT PAYS PROPERTY OWNERS TO GO SOLAR Program Administered by Sullivan Solar Power allows Property Owners to receive $2,000

Sullivan Solar Power, a leading Southern California renewable energy company, recently announced the launch of the Riverside County Solar Program. The incentive program allows for property owners in all 28 cities to go solar for no money out of pocket and receive cash-back incentives up to $2,000.

After a decade of serving the City of Temecula, Sullivan Solar Power currently has over 80 clients. A combined 600,753 watts of clean, renewable, solar-powered energy.

“My main reason for going solar was that it was a great investment. I wanted to take advantage of the rebates and incentives while they were still available.

The cost of my solar system will be much less than my electric bills. Add in the fact that Sullivan Solar Power is providing nice cash-back incentive for Temecula citizens, it was just too many discounts to ignore,” said Temecula teacher and program participant, Gary Gelinas.

The incentive offering will run throughout 2015, and is limited to 100 participants. The Riverside County Solar Program is set up in a manner that provides early adopters the greatest rebate amounts. Participants who sign up first will receive the largest incentives, and the amount of the payments will continue to drop as more capacity is committed.

The program is structured into three phases, and as milestones are reached, incentive amounts will drop by tiered amounts. With the program incentives currently in phase one, the typical resident who signs up will receive a payment of $2,000.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SOLAR PROGRAM Receive $2,000 rebate when you go solar.

• Phase I: 250,000 watts (approximately 50 homes) = $0.50 per watt up to $2,000 • Phase II: 500,000 watts (approximately 100 homes) = $0.30 per watt up to $1,500 • Phase III: All remaining participants until December 31, 2015 = $0.20 per watt up to $1,000

“Riverside County is an ideal location to harness the free energy that falls from the sky each day,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power, “This rebate program has been created to spur the growth of renewable energy throughout the region and to reward property owners that declare energy independence.”

Throughout the County to cover solar technology, rebates and incentives, and the details of the Riverside County Solar Program. The first seminar will be taking place on Saturday, March 28, 2015 in the City of Temecula’s Harveston Center.

RIVERSIDECOUNTYSOLARPROGRAM.ORG

Additional information on the program can be found by calling

1-800-SULLIVAN Or by visiting http://riversidecountysolarprogram.org/.

C10-839077

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

2015

INLAND EMPIRE MAGAZINE

www.TheViewMorganHill.com

Happy Valentine’s Day… Happy 2015! The New Year is well underway and we’re back with another neighborhood issue of The View Morgan Hill. As much as we are looking forward to the wonderful year ahead, we can’t help look back on the ever SO special last day of 2014—Temecula’s ahhh-mazing SNOW DAY!

And now looking ahead to 2015—Stephanie and I wish you happiness and success in the New Year. We continue our mission to bring you the best of our community. If you have a story idea, a suggestion or want to advertise with us, reach out to us at info@theviewmorganhill.com.

Don’t you feel a little bit luckier to be right here at home in this wonderful community? How did you spend your snow day? Did you opt in for an indoor pajama day? Or opt out for a snow pass on the wintery white outdoors? Or were you elsewhere relying on friend’s Facebook posts and Instagram photos to get the scoop on the winter wonderland in our very own backyards?

Lastly, we want to take note of our wonderful advertisers. They make it possible for our neighborhood to have its own community spirited newspaper—which we think is pretty special…and yes, gives us more bragging rights. Please consider giving them your business and don’t forget to check out our convenient local business directory located on the back page.

It’s one New Year’s Eve morning that we will not forget… and one that gave us a couple more Temecula living bragging rights for sure. We gathered some snapshots from the neighborhood that captured the fun had by so many. We hope you enjoy them!

Let the good times continue throughout the new year and STAY CONNECTED TEMECULA. Your Neighbors, Lisa Tomaselli & Stephanie Mantiply

Winter Wonderland August,Samantha, and Vienna Shadle

Alyssa Price pictured left enjoying the snow.

Pictured Right: Gianna, Alexandra and Mickalina built their first snowman

Jeff Dixon and Natalie Shadle

Picture below taken by Morgan Hill Resident Anthony Holbrook

The Owens Family

Page 4

www.TheViewMorganHill.com

It’s Valentine’s Day And I’m thinking of you; Be my buddy and pal, And my Valentine, too!

By Joanna Fuchs

Photo Credit: Photographer -Stephanie Mantiply, Owner JAM Photography www.jamphotographystudio.com Pictured: Sydney Danylchuk, Aiden Humbert Visit www.TheViewMorganHill.com for a behind the scenes look at our SWEET photo shoot.

Love for Lawson February is American Heart Month and, for one Temecula family, the month of love and things of heart has more meaning than they could ever imagine.

In early 2014, Ryan and Meghan Fien were ecstatic to be pregnant with their fourth son, Lawson. His arrival would be a bright addition to their bustling, sportsloving brood of three sons— Colton, 16, a student at Great Oak High School, and Dylan, 9, and Gavin, 7, both students at Tony Tobin Elementary School.

However, their excitement turned to grave concern for little Lawson. During a standard 20week ultrasound, doctors discovered Lawson had a severe Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Meghan explains, “He has no left side of his heart, there is no way for the blood to pump oxygen to his organs because it doesn’t exist.”

With HLHS, Lawson had a 70% chance to make it to term if the family elected to continue with the pregnancy. Even with a successful delivery, Lawson would have to endure invasive surgeries to help him survive. “It has 100% mortality rate without surgeries. [Surgery] was the only way he could live.”

Rooted in their Christian faith, and with a sports-spirited outlook, the Fien family rallied. “This is what we have been given, this is his journey and we will help him fight every step of the way...we are competitors and it was game on,” says Meghan.

The journey to bring Lawson into this world began immediately and the Fiens have never looked back. On-going medical care in Los Angeles started right away. Back home in Temecula, it was important to Meghan and her husband to keep home life for her three sons routine; Meghan’s and Ryan’s mothers would take shifts of living at their home to take care of their other sons while they were away. They would spend nearly 40 days at the Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles. They received a huge outpouring of support from family and friends. Their friends hosted a community fundraiser to help. “You realize people want to be there for you…the community support is huge when people are going through something.”

On October 29th, 2014, Lawson Ryan Fien was born, weighing in at 7lbs and 4oz. Just days after his birth, Lawson had the first of three surgeries he will have to undergo. Meghan calls Lawson her “little heart warrior”. Together, they continue to tackle each day with a daily routine of taking 4 medications, checking oxygen and heart levels throughout the day, having weigh-ins and doing their best to keep away from germs because “a simple cold could be more than his body could handle.”

Meghan, a photographer, has beautifully chronicled her family’s journey on Facebook. She hopes by sharing her story, others that are facing a similar circumstance can find support and raise awareness for CHDs. According to the Children Heart Foundation, CHDs are the most common birth defect in America, affecting approximately one in one hundred newborns each year. Meghan says Lawson’s condition, HLHS, affects one out of 4,344 infants and more research is needed for its cause. “There is no explanation why this happened to him. There is absolutely no known cause.”

Lawson and his family continue their journey and LOVE FOR LAWSON.

“We cherish every moment we have.”

If you would like to learn more about Love for Lawson, please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/ loveforlawson and https://www.facebook.com/ loveforlawson.hlhs.

Love for Lawson became their creed.

Show your community support!

Advertise with us info@theviewmorganhill.com

www.TheViewMorganHill.com

Dreams Do Come True!

Feb. 6

By Our Fave Trend Spotter & Beauty Blogger Amber Sayas AmbersTrendyThoughts.BlogSpot.com

Pictured Morgan Hill Resident and Author, Rosalia Comeau

Love is in the air, and what’s not more to love than our own children? Reading a bedtime story and giving a goodnight kiss is one way so many parents show their love.

To show her love even more, Morgan Hill resident Rosalia Comeau turned story time with her own children into a personal writing project and penned the story Lala Lili Du and the Planet of Dreams.

Rosalia, finding inspiration from her family, decided to share this sweet bedtime tale with all children. In 2013, the story Rosalia told so many times to her own children, was brought to life and published with true love and care. This book can be found on many platforms and is published in both Spanish and English. With every book sold, parts of the profits are donated to children’s education. Now that’s some love.

I found this children’s bedtime story to be very comforting. The book takes one away to a magical place filled with whimsical characters like white horses with pink wings and mane who carry a magical carriage with beautiful fairies adorned with rainbow wings.

These fairies come to earth each night assuring that every child has “the most fantastic dreams imaginable.” This book assures children that they are always safe while sleeping in their own bed and that family is always there to comfort them if ever in need.

Feb. 18 TTES Family Dinner Night

at Chipotle 4:30-8:30 Feb.14

HAPPY Valentine’s Day

Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day Live at Lorimar Winery 11:00-9pm

Feb. 14 & 15

Callaway Winery 11am - 4pm CUPID’S FLIGHT COUPLES WINE TASTING $35 per couple www.callawaywinery.com

Feb. 21

Click, Clack, Peep Storytime!

Barnes & Noble Temecula 40570 Winchester Rd 11:00am

Feb. 23

TEMECULA PUBLIC Library LEGO League 6:00-6:45 Winter/Spring Lego League in session. Become a master builder, earn awards & trade Lego Minifigures. Ages 6 to 12. *Space is limited. 951-693-8980 for more information.

Feb. 28

Shelly Graesser Memorial 5K Color Run/Walk at Vail Ranch Middle School. $30 to participate, which includes a t-shirt and color pack.Go to www.schoolathon.org for more information.

Feb. 28

Run Like a Diva Marathon at Monte De Oro 7:30 am http://www.runlikeadiva.com

Here’s to looking beyond the commercial meaning of love and instead to true love.

For more information about where to purchase Lala Lili Du and the Planet of Dreams and upcoming new book releases visit lalalilidu.com

Fall in Love with your Morgan Hill Club House 7pm (MH Residents Only)

February 6th 2015 7:00 pm Open House

Bunco

Fitness

Morgan Hill Ballroom

Refreshments

Lala Lili Du and the Planet of Dreams is a story that both parents and children will enjoy. This book will help your children feel safe and confident when they go to sleep by themselves. The story communicates a powerful message to remind your children how much you love them.

Lala Lili Du will stimulate imagination, understanding, and vocabulary in children. Read to your children every day and you will create the basis that will give security for a lifetime of success.

Future Events

Yoga

The Morgan Hill Clubhouse is a great place to congregate and share your passions with other homeowners!

Join Us! Show your community spirit and support!

Book Club

Morgan Hill Social Committee Neighborhood

Rosalía Comeau

Watch

Cooking

Illustrated by Jennifer Bentulan

Scrap-

Golf and Tennis

Travel

booking

Your Suggestions

Card Games

Put our expertise to work on your refund.

Call or Email Me Today For a Free, No OBLIGATION Market Analysis!

C: 951.514.7854 F: 951.755.1745

Premier Executives Real Estate

Taxes are complicated. Getting your taxes done isn’t enough - you need your taxes done right. That’s where we come in. We hire and train the most qualified tax professionals to ensure you claim every credit and deduction you deserve so you get your maximum refund. Guaranteed.¶ Call today to make your appointment.

Locally Owned & Operated 33195 Temecula Pkwy #3C, Temecula, CA 92592

951-302-8655

29970 Technology Drive#214 Murrieta, Ca 92563 ashley@temeculaagent.com www.TemeculaAgent.com Cal BRE# 01898439

HRBLOCK.COM ¶If you discover an H&R Block error on your return that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller tax liability), we’ll refund the tax prep fee for that return. Refund claims must be made during the calendar year in which the return was prepared. OBTP#B13696 ©2013 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

www.TheViewMorganHill.com

Page 6

Backyard Oasis

By Melissa McCabe Navaroli

In spite of the lovely rain that we got in December and January, California is still very much in a period of drought. Homeowners all over Southern California are looking for ways to reduce their water usage (and their water bill). What I find is that many people want to remove high water-use turf areas and replace them with more water-efficient landscape solutions but many do not know how. Low water landscaping does not have to have a desert style. There is a wealth of other options available in every landscape style.

Here are some ideas that you may not have considered:

B

occe Ball Court – for the rear yard, a Bocce Ball Court can make for a unique and entertaining lawn alternative. Constructed of wood, rock, and decomposed granite, this option uses no water and requires very little maintenance. The size and materials used can be modified to complement the existing home and landscape’s style.

A

Putting Green – also for the rear yard, a putting green can be enjoyable for the whole family (and the golfer in your life). This option also requires no water and very little maintenance. The level of complexity can be adjusted at the time of installation to something appropriate for your family.

L

ow Water Ground Covers – for areas that do not get heavy foottraffic, replanting grass with low water green ground covers can be a great solution. These plants can be watered by underground drip rather than spray so after they are grow in, weeds do not pose a problem. A few good options include Dymondia, Dichondra, and Myoporum.

S

trolling Pathways and Gardens – Decomposed granite and gravel are two great materials for strolling gardens. Decomposed granite should be compacted for a smooth walking surface. Gravel should be crushed and kept to a 3/8” size for ease of movement. Edging either material with concrete curbing makes for a clean, finished look. Strolling through a garden can be very relaxing and peaceful. Remember to have a destination in mind when designing pathways (a water feature, statue, or bench) or they end up feeling like roads to nowhere.

Even if you are not looking to remove an entire turf area, you can remove selective portions using any of the suggestions above. Irrigation plays a big role in landscape water usage. Converting high water use spray heads to either drip irrigation or low water spray heads is a good first step for anyone looking to save water without reworking a large portion of the existing landscape.

McCabe Nursey & Landscape Construction is a family owned and operated business that has been serving the Temecula Valley since 2002.

A Message from your TTES PTA President AL Pepito...

Amazing Teachers

This month I would like to recognize two outstanding teachers at Tony Tobin Elementary School (TTES).

The first is Mrs. Vicki McBride. She has been a teacher at TTES since 2004 and is currently teaching 5th grade. She is the director of the school chorus program, with which she puts on annual winter and spring shows. Mrs. McBride helps lead the school spirit team and assists with student council. In the past, she organized and directed the school Talent Show.

Mrs. McBride also has her own website that helps to keep parents up-to-date on what is being taught in the classroom. She even volunteers her own time before school to provide tutoring in math to her students.

Mrs. McBride leads by example and shares these class rules with her students: Be there for each other, Make someone’s day, Choose your Attitude and most impor tantly PLAY EVERY DAY. In her 22 years of teaching, Mrs. McBride has relied on one of her favorite quotes: “Kids don’t care how much I know until they know how much I care.”

-Harry Wong Before the winter break, Mrs. McBride was nominated by Therese Fairbanks, an Executive Board Member of the PTA, and selected for the November/December “Teachers are Heroes” award. This award is sponsored and given out by the local radio station KATY-101.3, The Mix and Azusa Pacific University. She was also recognized on January 13th at the TVUSD Governing Board meeting.

The second teacher I’d like to recognize is Mrs. Darla Underwood. She is a 4th and 5th grade teacher at TTES. She has been a member of PTA for 15 years. Mrs. Underwood is currently the Teacher Representative for the TTES-PTA. As a teacher she has served as a Treasurer (2 years), Teacher Representative (3 years), Yearbook Coordinator (7 years) and School Webmaster (10 years). She has also been

involved with Student Council, Variety Show, Helping Hands, and the Trail Leader Program. Mrs. Underwood helps fellow teachers with technology related issues, is on committees at the district level for common core implementation and piloting new curriculum. She plans the 4th and 5th grade “field trips” (Walk Through California and Walk Through American Revolution) each year, as well as assemblies for the school such as “Imagination Machine” and “Author Visits.” On a smaller scope, she makes herself available to her students offering free math tutoring before school and tries to provide any support that her students may need outside of the normal school day.

The Tony Tobin PTA has chosen Darla Underwood as its Founder’s Day nominee because she has devoted her time to the students of the school. She has worked to promote the upper grade students to serve the community. She has done this by bringing in community leaders to talk to the students, knowing the importance of their jobs and how they can become leaders in their community. She has conveyed to each student to value his or her individuality. She wants people to appreciate them for who they are. Her priority each year is to make each child feel appreciated and an essential part of the classroom team. In essence, she feels that elementary school is the time to learn to LOVE school and LOVE learning new things. She feels that if they do not, she is not doing her job. “I love it when I hear from parents that their child never wanted to come to school before, but they do now... it’s my favorite thing to hear!”

Founder’s Day awards will be presented on February 17, at Wilson Creek Winery.

I would like to congratulate Vicki McBride and Darla Underwood on their recognition as exemplary members of our community.

www.TheViewMorganHill.com

By Morgan Hill Resident Angela Felker

Passion for running

I always thought runners were a different breed. Somehow, they were stronger, invincible even. On January 18, 2015 I completed my first marathon. It took me just over 6 hours--not anywhere close to the time I had envisioned for myself. But I am most definitely stronger than the person I was before I began training for the Carlsbad Marathon. I have learned that runners have many common denominators – they encourage, motivate and inspire each other; both the elite and the last to finish.

They are mentally tough, often choosing to forgo conventional wisdom and go for that run or push for the finish line in the face of injury or adversity. All are welcome on the road. The only requirement is that you have fun and believe in yourself.

that point, and called it quits, heading home to tell my husband and our boys about my wonderful new friends. I was finally feeling at home.

I gained enough confidence in myself to think that I could maybe even finish a marathon! With the support of my family and my new running friends, I began the long training journey. We laughed and cried our way through almost 5 months of long runs, short runs, hill repeats, and speed work. With several MRTT friends running their first and second marathons, I began my first marathon at 6:30am on a beautiful Sunday morning. I can say with pride that I completed all 26.2 miles of the Carlsbad Marathon, and several of my MRTT friends were waiting at the finish line for me to celebrate.

Since I began running in January 2013, I have completed five 5ks, one 5-miler, one 10k, one 10-miler, four half-marathons, one full marathon, two trail runs, one trail relay race, and six virtual runs. It’s safe to say I’ve caught the running bug! None of it would have been possible (or half as fun!) without my MRTT moms by my side. If I can do it, so can you! There are runs going on almost every day of the week, all distances and all paces. Feel free to visit Facebook and do a search for the Menifee/ Murrieta/Temecula MRTT chapter. We’d love to have you run with us!

There is no group for which this is truer than Moms Run This Town (MRTT), a national organization founded by Pam Burress in late 2010 with two friends who shared her love of a healthy lifestyle, fitness and running. This little running group, intended to encourage women as they met and exceeded their own running goals, has since grown to hundreds of chapters nationwide, including the local Menifee/Murrieta/ Temecula chapter. Our local group is headed by two wonderful women who voluntarily dedicate numerous hours to organizing and planning summer and winter group runs, official merchandise orders, and maintaining the spirit and integrity of the online community, which is the largest chapter of MRTT with over 2,000 members.

MRTT is the reason why I love running. Our family moved to Morgan Hill in May 2013 from North County San Diego. It was very difficult leaving our parents, the home where we had welcomed both of our boys (now ages 6 and 8, attending Tony Tobin Elementary), and our neighborhood and church friends of over 10 years. I stumbled across the local MRTT Facebook page when it popped up in my newsfeed as an advertisement and I hesitatingly requested to join, unsure of what I was getting myself into since I had only just started running that year and I wasn’t fast. What I found was a group of dedicated, strong, and inspirational women who support each other not only in running but also with our busy family lives and any other goals we may each pursue. I had just recently completed my first 5k when I went on my first run with my new mom friends. I will never forget it – a cold morning in September, 5am. We met at the parking lot at Pechanga and began running down Pechanga Parkway toward 79S in the dark. There was much chatter and laughter; I didn’t know you could run and have fun at the same time! Even though I was slower than all of the ladies in the group that morning, no one left me behind or made me feel as though I couldn’t keep up. I finished 6 miles, my longest distance at

The Rose Again Foundation (RAF), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families in the foster care system, has an exciting new program for foster children. “Kids of Summer” is a RAF program that assists in paying for Temecula’s foster children to enjoy extra-curricular activities this summer. They are currently accepting applications for foster children interested in participating.

Please visit www.RoseAgainFoundation.org to learn more.

It’s Girl Scout COOKIE time! Don’t forget to Support Your Local Girls Scouts Troop--these young ladies are learning more than selling cookies. They are learning skills to carry with them for a lifetime--from business skills to social skills--knowing the money they raise will help with charitable organizations. You may recall our first issue of The View Morgan Hill and the story about two remarkable youths in our community--Hope Boer and Austin Pepito.

Hope was on a mission to sell extra boxes of Girl Scout cookies and Austin stepped in in a big way to help Hope meet her goal.

Well, Hope is at again this year, along with her Troop #2386, selling cookies for a worthy cause. Much success to all Girl Scouts and happy cookie munching to all!

Shawn P. Shawn P. Pesh, Pesh, DDS, DDS,MS MS Title

: drpesh@smile951.com : (951) 698-8200 : www.smile951.com

Menifee • Murrieta • Temecula

84529 Petrol_BCs.indd 2

7/28/14 9:22 AM

Business Directory SERVICES

REALTORS

Air Temperature Specialists

Ashley Cooper Realtor 951 514 7854 www.TemeculaAgent.com

Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Hot Water Serving Southern California Since 1999 www.airtemperaturespecialists.com

888-588-1602

H & R Block Original Pancake House Temecula McCabe’s Nursery Ruben & Bibi Gonzales Realtors Temecula Mail Center Law Office of Andrea K Shoup J A M P hotography

951-462-2507 www.AmericanAutoCare.info

Salkeld & Company Realtor 858 245 5994 www.keithsells.net

Law Office of Andrea K Shoup 951 961 0683 Andrea@shouplegal.com www.ShoupLegal.com

Ruben & Bibi Gonzales Realtors 951 587 2042 www.RubenAndBibi.com

Vail Ranch Self Storage

Debra Ann Brown Realtor 909 851 3982 DebraAnnBrownsells4U@gmail.com

American Auto Care

951 302 0204 www.VailRanchSelfStorage.com H&R Block Tax Services 951 302 8655 33195 Temecula Pkwy #3C

Sullivan Solar Power

Garage Brewery 951 587 2537 29095 Old Town Front Street Garagebrewco.com

1.800.Sullivan

LANDSCAPING

RETAIL

McCabe’s Nursery 951 694 5384 www.mccabeslandscapeconstruction.com

Hope’s Girl Scout Cookies $4/box, We Deliver!

916-548-6756

Streetlight Manor Debra Ann Brown Realtor

RESTAURANTS/FOOD

BEAUTY Amber’s Trendy Thoughts

Streetlight Manor www.Streetlightmanor.com

AmbersTrendyThoughts.BlogSpot.com Facebook.com/AmbersTrendyThoughts AmbersTrendyThoughts@gmail.com Pinterest.com/AmbersTrends

Copyright 2015. All Rights reserved. All content is protected by copyright. Reproduction of any portion is prohibited without written permission. The View Morgan Hill intends to build a strong sense of community by showcasing our local area, including accepting articles from freelance contributors. The views expressed are not necessarily the opinions or view of the publisher or advertisers. The View Morgan Hill is not an official publication of any home owner’s association, developer, or city organization. The View Morgan Hill 32483 Temecula Pkwy Suite E112/PMB #85 Temecula Ca 92592 www.TheViewMorganHill.com