Temecula Valley News

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It’s possible to garden without a yard, B-1

VALLEY

Locklin honored for decade of service, B-2

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Section

NEWS

February 20 – 26, 2015

www.myvalleynews.com

Local

HS Basketball: 30 local teams in 2015 CIF-SS Playoffs, B-8

Volume 15, Issue 8

Mardi Gras celebrated at the Murrieta Public Library with fun, lively jazz music

Federal judge puts brakes on immigration reform Kim Harris Managing Editor A federal judge in Texas has blocked President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. The President’s plan, which passed in November 2014, would protect an estimated five million immigrants who are in the country illegally from deportation. see page A-3

Entertainment

IVBCF’s annual spring Fashion Show promises to be bigger and better this year Ashley Ludwig Staff Writer

The Inland Valley Business and Community Foundation Fashion Show is coming back to Temecula bigger and better than ever before. This year, 10 unique fashion companies will be represented in the primary fundraiser for IVBCF, on Saturday, Feb. 28. see page A-12

Education

Abby Reinke Elementary students rally for Odyssey of the Mind Ashley Ludwig Staff Writer There are two banners that hang in the Abby Reinke Elementary School, celebrating State Champions of 2013 and 2014’s Odyssey of the Mind academic program. Now, ARES’s team is once again preparing their problems and solutions for the regional intellectual team sport.

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see page B-3

Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards perform at the Murrieta Public Library in celebration of Mardi Gras on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Laura Rathbun Writer Parents and kids went on an imaginative musical journey to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras with the band Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards at the Mur-

rieta Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Children ranging in age from toddlers to teens, shook maracas, danced and had lots of fun during the hour-long afterschool program sponsored by the Friends of the Murrieta Public Library. Their parents had fun, too.

About 40 people attended the high-energy show led by vocalist Jazzy Ash, known as Ashli Christoval off stage. She’s a songwriter and music educator who performs nationally with her band. She grew up influenced by the music from her mother’s hometown of New Orleans as well as by her father’s

Laura Rathbun photo

Trinidadian culture. “Are you ready to have a good time with us?” Ash asked the kids sitting on the floor in front of her. They shouted yes so she introduced her band mates, Books on trombone, Slick on soprano sax and

see MARDI GRAS, page A-9

Paws for the Cure helps raise funds for fight against cancer Kim Harris Managing Editor Susan G. Komen Inland Empire Executive Director Katie Parker understands how a dog can help those who are going through a difficult time in their life. It was because of that understanding that the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire Paws for the Cure became a reality. “I have been a dog lover my entire life and really don’t remember ever a time that we have not had a dog or two as part of the family,” Parker said. “Adding Paws for the Cure as a Komen Inland Empire event has been a dream of mine as many of us know pets can be our rock during an illness and I know many dogs have been a comfort to breast cancer survivors in their healing process.” One of Parker’s dogs, Willie, a 2-year-old chow mix was selected to be the “poster dog” for this year’s event. Parker adopted him from the Helen Woodward Companion Animal Hospital in January 2013 as a gift to her husband Glenn on his 60th birthday. “He likes to play ball, is very quick and can turn on a dime,” she

said. “He loves Haley, our golden retriever who is 10 years old and his mother figure and best friend. They are like ying and yang” Parker said she had hoped to bring him along to the walk, but since Willie tends to get motion sickness, he will probably have to sit this race out. “Since I am coming from Oceanside it doesn’t look too promising,” she said. “We take him on short trips and he is starting to be able to handle being in a moving vehicle much better. His other canine family members, Bella and Jake will be attending in his honor.” Bruce Cripe, development manager with Komen Inland Empire said there are many ways to raise funds and awareness of the disease that affects 1.3 million people annually, but that Paws for the Cure is one that everyone can enjoy while making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. “There are a lot of events going on around the country to raise funds awareness,” he said. “There are tennis events, golf events but Paws for the Cure is just something that some of the affiliates do across the

see PAWS, page A-8

Courtesy photo

Willie, a 2-year-old chow-mix is the “spokes dog” for this year’s Komen Paws for the Cure Walk scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 in Temecula.

Reports offer upbeat outlook following Rancho’s purchase of Vail Lake lands Tim O’Leary Staff Writer Temecula area water officials are breathing easier after a pair of recent reports indicated that last year’s $49.6 million Vail Lake land deal appears to be a sound financial investment. The reports from a pair of consulting firms are part of a so-called “rough cut analysis” that is being done in the wake of Rancho Cali-

fornia Water District’s purchase of 7,904 acres surrounding Vail Lake. The reports offered upbeat news regarding the district’s potential ability to recoup part of its purchase cost while providing a range of recreational uses. The property’s many attractions, located within 100 miles of nearly 20 million residents, “could be unique and offer very strong market appeal,” according to Rancho’s economics and feasibility consultant.

Prior to the reports presented last month, district directors and staff had theorized that Rancho can succeed where a prominent developer and his cadre of investors had failed. Rancho directors voted on Aug. 7 to buy the Vail Lake lands through the bankruptcy process. The main goal was to protect the supply and quality of the water in the lake that blankets 1,100 acres southeast of Temecula. But district directors also hope to continue operating

the camping- and water-related activities there. Following the purchase, Rancho Assistant General Manager Richard Williamson revealed that the pressures and uncertainties had sometimes caused him to dream about Vail Lake at night. “I still do,” Williamson said in a recent telephone interview. “But they’re not nightmares anymore.” Williamson said the dreams are

see VAIL LAKE, page A-6


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