Valley News - April 7, 2023

Tragedy plays out at Menifee theater

If you take an ancient Greek tragedy and combine it with a little film noir style, you get the experimental adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone being presented at the Mt. San Jacinto College Menifee Valley Campus later this month. The MVC Lab Theatre provides an intimate setting that gives audiences a more emotional connection with the actors and their characters.

Firefighters’ PTSD focus in new documentary preview coming to Pechanga Resort and Casino

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The term “post-traumatic stress disorder” or PTSD is often related to military service members who have severe anxiety, flashbacks or nightmares related to their experiences on the battlefield; however, it is also a condition with which firefighters and police officers are being diagnosed.

Lake Elsinore man mistakenly identified and targeted by Temecula Facebook group

Valley News staff

Derek Kinnison was at his church doing security during the TVUSD Critical Race Theory meeting in another town on March 22.

‘The Wall that Heals’ now in Menifee is a tribute to servicemen who died in the Vietnam War

When the 53-foot trailer truck carrying the three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, called “The Wall that Heals,” arrived in Menifee Tuesday, April 4, there were many veterans, city officials and residents out to greet it, including Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1956 members.

The traveling memorial, now open to the public, leads the way in paying tribute to Vietnam veterans and their families at Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary at 26770 Murrieta Road in Menifee. The memorial was opened and set up by many volunteers in the Menifee community

who are hosting the exhibit. It is an Education Center and is open 24 hours a day and free to the public until Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m.

The Wall That Heals honors more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Menifee to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,” Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF, said. “Hosting The Wall That

Local legal team fights for conservative values

for

Rick Monroe Special to Valley

court strategies established – for battles and issues of immense importance to those who feel the nation is losing its JudeoChristian heritage. “We have successfully defended, and continue to defend,

“The Wall that Heals” Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica will make Menifee its home through April 9. Valley News/Courtesy photo

pastors against contempt charges and discrimination, employees against unjust mandates that violate religious beliefs, and believers suffering from violations of their First Amendment rights,” attorney Robert Tyler, president and founder of Advocates for Faith & Freedom, said.

“We believe God has tasked and privileged us with being a voice for His Kingdom.”

Tyler and three other attorneys on staff, as well as two contract attorneys and two paralegals, make up the legal team. Advocates for Faith and Freedom has multiple staff meetings weekly, each beginning and ending with prayer.

“In today’s culture, our nation’s foundation is being eroded by legal challenges to the family structure, religious freedom, basic property rights and parental

rights,” Tyler added. “Court decisions across the nation have created a society increasingly devoid of the message and influence of God. Our work is focused on representing Christians and churches without charge because protecting our First Amendment rights is critical for us to continue to exercise our faith freely. This is the keystone that motivates and impassions us to remain diligent.”

Tyler does not receive a salary but engages in fundraising to support expenses and the staff. Advocates for Faith & Freedom was founded in 2005 by a group of individuals who are passionate about preserving religious liberty in the legal system. Since 1995, Tyler has worked in the realm of constitutional law, both in private practices and a large

see WALL, page A-4 see LEGAL, page A-5

Robert Tyler, president and founder of Advocates

Faith & Freedom, speaks at conference.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Menifee Spring Fest held during the opening of the city’s newest park

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Hundreds of children, their families and special guests enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt, bounce houses in the children’s zone, food vendors, a Western roping show, gold panning and other events at the grand opening of Menifee’s Remington Park, April 1.

The newest Menifee park, at

27101 Junipero Road, was the location of this year’s Menifee Spring Fest in conjunction with the park’s official ribbon cutting ceremonies. The Lennar Home residential streets and park parking lot were filled with visitors’ vehicles, police and fire equipment on display and vendor trailers. Hundreds of children from toddlers to middle school students had the opportunity to pick up gifts and candy-filled

plastic eggs sponsored by the City of Menifee, local Realtors from the Menifee Real Estate Group, Lennar Homes, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and MeatHead Movers.

The first 100 children that arrived at the Spring Fest were presented with an egg-filled Easter basket at the HelloMenifee.com/Menifee Real Estate Group booth hosted by Cynthia Nemelka. A few of the eggs held special prizes for the children.

Children enjoyed a visit from a cowgirl lasso export, and also panned for gold in a special sluice brought to enhance the Western themed park. Toddlers and older children enjoyed a handicapable zip line, swings and other playground equipment under a covered allseason playground.

Two of the new park’s pickleball courts were not available for the special Spring Fest activities. The rich grassy fields at the time were filled with the plastic eggs for the egg hunts, yet every part of the grass became empty of the eggs within about a minute of each egg hunt arranged by age groups. The excitement was echoed through the five acre park.

The Easter egg hunts began at 9 a.m. for the youngest participants,

up to three years old, followed by other hunts for age groups up to 10 through 12 and finally an all-ages inclusive egg hunt jammed with visitors at 11:30 a.m. after the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony.

Several food and drink booths fed and solved the thirsts of the large crowds. Various bounce houses entertained many children.

Menifee’s Remington Park, built by Lennar, now open

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

On the first day of its opening, the new Western themed Reming-

ton Community Park was packed with local residents and their children playing on some of the latest recreational equipment, including a handicapable zip line and other

amenities on April 1. Remington Park, built by Lennar Homes with the cooperation of the city, is located at 27101 Junipero Road in Menifee and is now open

City officials were proud of the latest park in the growing city with the expectation of even more to come. Developers are called upon to build community parks for each new neighborhood they open in the city.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

to the public. It is the third park built in the city’s District 4 in the northeastern part of the city where many new housing developments are underway.

Along with its latest housing community, Lennar Homes built the park on five acres of land, and included two full pickleball courts, a Western themed covered area housing the zip line and children’s play equipment, exercise equipment and a large open turf area.

Dean Deines, Menifee’s 4th District council member said, “It’s exciting to have a community park where people don’t have to get in their car. They can just walk here to the most unique playground, but the most important thing is it’s all inclusive. That means that people, no matter what your abilities are… can come here and enjoy the park. You don’t have to watch as brothers and sisters play. They can ride and play, go on the slide. They can do everything anyone else can. That

means a lot to our community.”

Jeremiah Acayturri, Lennar project manager said, “We started construction in July 2021. We had a lot of challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, with supply chain issues, labor shortages that we had to overcome, but truly we could not have overcome these challenges without the help and partnership with the city of Menifee.” He continued by thanking the city council and staff at the ribbon cutting ceremony and the Lennar staff and planners.

Crystal Evans, a Menifee resident attending the grand opening of the park with her daughter said,”It is a lot of fun.”

Jennifer Wong, Evans’ friend, also attending with her daughter, said she especially enjoyed the new park’s zip lIne.

The park is now open to the public with the City of Menifee maintaining it for the future.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia,com.

Parents at the Menifee family friendly Spring Fest at Remington Park introduce their little daughter to members of the Menifee Cal Fire firefighters and paramedics.

Children in the Kids Zone at the Remington Park Grand Opening and Spring Fest enjoy visiting the Post Office bouncer on April 1. It is one of two bounce houses at the event.

Valley News/Tony Ault photos

Youngsters from 10 to 12 years of age are off to collect as many plastic eggs filled with prizes and candy as they can at the April 1 Menifee Spring Fest in the city’s newest park on Junipero Road. It took less than one minute for every one of the more than 1,000 eggs to be collected.

Charlie Evans, 6, and her girlfriend Zoe Wong, 9, are excited with big smiles at the gifts and candy found inside their bountiful collections of plastic eggs gathered at the Menifee Spring Fest.

Jeremiah Acayturri, Lennar Homes project manager, tells about the difficulties building the Remington Park and thanks the city for their partnership in its construction for making it possible.

Valley News/Tony Ault photos

The ribbon is cut by Menifee City Council Member Dean Deines in the opening of Remington Park as city council members, planning commissioners, Lennar home representatives and other officials cheer at the special event.

Lake Elsinore City Council declares the importance of organ donation

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

The regular meeting of the Lake Elsinore City Council and Successor Agency on March 28 began with a proclamation presented by Mayor Natasha Johnson declaring April to be DMV/Donate Life Month. It was received by OneLegacy Ambassador Erika Heranic who is a donor recipient and advocates for others to become donors.

Heranic, a resident of Lake Elsinore and former teacher at Terra Cotta Middle School, was given several minutes to share her personal story to encourage others to consider designating themselves as donors by getting a pink dot added to their driver license through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Receiving a heart transplant from donor Dylan Stump on April 16, 2017, Heranic said the young man’s organ and tissue donations saved four other lives as well.

The proclamation states that more than 100,000 individuals nationwide and more than 24,000 in Southern California are currently on the national organ transplant wait list and, on average, 17 people die each day while waiting. The need for donated organs is especially urgent in Hispanic, Latino and African American communities. A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives and the donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of more than 75 others.

Further, any person can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor regardless of age or medical conditions. California residents can sign up with Donate Life California online by visiting www. donateLIFEcalifornia.org or when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or ID cards at the DMV. Interested potential donors can also visit www.RegisterMe. org for more information.

City Council Consent Calendar items 2-12 were passed unanimously, as were Successor Agency Consent Calendar items 13-16. Two public hearings seeking resolutions were passed 5-0. An ongoing business item regarding the language of a proposed Good Neighbor Policy for Warehousing, Logistics, and Distribution Uses was discussed and continued once again.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Manos said a request was received from the business community to continue the item to a future meeting.

He explained that the City Council will not be voting on whether to allow mega warehouses to be built there but rather to put in place a policy the builders would need to abide by that includes many of the protections and buffers that

Menifee to celebrate Better Together, Earth Day in April

MENIFEE – The city’s 11th annual Menifee Better Together & Earth Day event will be hosted at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 29725 Bradley Road in Menifee Saturday, April 22, from 7 a.m. to noon. The event gives residents and volunteers the opportunity to come together to help beautify Menifee.

Volunteers are needed for Menifee Better Together. If you would like to participate in Menifee Better Together, pre-registration is required by visiting http://www. cityofmenifee.us/MBTvolunteer.

Community projects planned for Menifee Better Together include Habitat for Humanity – Senior Home revitalization – to be considered for a senior home revitalization, applications are available at the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, 26808 Cherry Hills Blvd.; flowerpot creation activity; planting native plants with park rangers; replanting trees project’ COVID-19 memorial garden rock painting and Quail Valley cleanup: bulky item drop-off at Kabian Park, 28001 Kabian Park Road, in Menifee.

For more information about upcoming Menifee spring events, or any future special events, visit http://www.cityofmenifee.us/specialevents.

Submitted by city of Menifee.

homeowners are concerned with. City Council Member Robert “Bob” Magee said the goal of the policy is to keep mega warehouses from being built near single family homes. “There are 10 different points of contention in the revised policy and the document is getting better through conversations,” he said. “We are looking at a policy that would be citywide and we want your voices to be heard so we will continue to take in comments.” He pointed out that the homebuilder community has yet to provide any input. A motion was made by Magee to continue the item to the April 25 meeting and seconded by Manos. It was approved unanimously.

A second business item to “Add Chapter 9.56 (Trespass on Designated Conservation Areas) and Chapter 9.58 (Trespass on City Property) to Title 9 (public Peace, Morals and Welfare) of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Relating to Trespassing on Designated Conservation Areas and City Property” was explained by City Attorney Barbara Leibold before being approved unanimously.

During City Council member comments, Timothy “Tim” Sheridan, who sits on the RTA Board of Directors, shared that bus rides will be free on Earth Day, April 22, and RTA bus stops now have a reflective spinner that can be used at night by riders to alert bus drivers there is someone at the stop. He

also applauded the members of the Community Services department who were responsible for a video on the City’s Presidents Day event about the Nixon Library that was nominated for a Radio Television News Association 73rd annual Golden Mike award, presented in March.

Mayor Natasha Johnson shared a short video of John Rudolph,

biologist with WSP Environmental & Infrastructure, explaining the current condition of the lake and what to expect in the near future.

She reported that as a member of the Inland Empire Coalition of Mayors, she was pleased the group was putting its support behind Senate Bill 44, authored by Sen. Tom Umberg and supported by many others. The bipartisan bill is one

of about 65 bills that address the ongoing crisis of fentanyl but she said it is the only one with a law enforcement approach.

The next regular meeting of the Lake Elsinore City Council and Successor Agency is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. For more information, www.lakeelsinore.org

Peripheral Neuropathy Breakthrough!

“My feet feel like they’re on re.”

“Each step feels like I’m walking through wet paint.”

“I live in constant fear that I’ll fall.”

“I can’t sleep, my hands and feet tingle all night.”

What do all of these people have in common? ey su er from peripheral neuropathy. It’s estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States have peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately this gure may be signi cantly higher as the disease is o en misdiagnosed because of its wide array of symptoms.

Sarika Connor, L.Ac, of Soma Acupuncture & Wellness in Temecula shares this belief. “I’ve been treating neuropathy, in all its various forms, for about a decade now and so o en my patients come to me because of the symptoms, not because of a diagnosis. ey see me on television, or read the testimonial of another patient and say to themselves ‘hey, I feel the same thing’.”

Frankie M. of Murrieta testi ed to this. “I remember my husband driving me to my consultation and I saw a woman running just outside our neighborhood. I was so envious - I just kept thinking ‘I would give anything just to walk again’. My primary care doctor told me my troubles with pain and balance were just symptoms of old age and gave me a prescription. I was so depressed.”

Fortunately Frankie would eventually see Sarika on the local news talking about similar symptoms and how she o ers a real solution at Soma Acupuncture. “I just knew I had to see her. She was my last hope.”

“Almost all of our patients come to us with a story similar to Frankie’s.

ey’ve been everywhere else.

ey’ve been told there’s no hope.

ey’ve been told ‘it’s just part of getting older’.” shares Amanda, a Patient Care Technician at Soma Acupuncture. “It just breaks my heart but I know how much we can help people like Frankie so I’m always so happy when they walk through our door.”

ose diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy o en face a very grim reality; Western medicine declares that there is no solution while most alternative therapies carry large price tags and o er little to no resolve. Which is why Sarika and the sta at Soma Acupuncture pride themselves on being ‘the last resort with the best results.’

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves and this damage is commonly caused by lack of blood ow in the hands and feet. A lack of blood ow results in a lack of nutrients; the nerves then begin to degenerate and die which causes pain ranging from discomfort to debilitation. Because neuropathy is a degenerative condition, once those nerves begin to deteriorate they will continue to do so until they are completely expired, leaving those su ering with crippling balance issues. “In this case, the absence of pain is not necessarily a good thing,” shares Sarika. “ is usually indicates that your nerves are hanging on by a fragile thread.”

So how exactly is Sarika able to reverse the e ects of this degenerative disease? “Acupuncture has been used to increase blood ow for thousands of years which helps to get the necessary nutrients to the a ected nerves. But the real magic happens when I integrate ATP Resonance Bio erapy™. is is tech that was originally developed by NASA to expedite recovering and healing.”

“I just can’t say enough about Soma Acupuncture,” Frankie shared through tears of joy. “My husband and I moved here 3 years ago and he’s gone hiking almost every day. I always stayed home because of the pain and discomfort. Yesterday I walked the trail with him! And next week we’re starting ballroom dancing lessons. I am truly living life these days.”

“According to Frankie’s test results, she has seen a 74% improvement in pain and functionality, which is on par with a majority of our patients.” shares Amanda. “But more important than those test results is the joy she’s expressed being here and hearing

about all the amazing things she’s able to do because she feels great!”

By seamlessly blending the ancient science of acupuncture with modern medical solutions Sarika has achieved a 90% success rate in reversing the e ects of neuropathy. She starts each patient with an initial consultation during which a sensory exam is performed. “ is not only aids in making a proper diagnosis but it helps to de ne just how much nerve damage has occurred” tells the practitioner. “ is is important because if a patient has su ered more than 95% damage, there is little that I can do to help them. I’m familiar with the medical miracle but I know my limits as a practitioner and the limits of my medicine.”

When it comes to treating peripheral neuropathy, regardless of its origin, early detection greatly improves your chances of a full recovery.

If you or someone you love are su ering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling or ‘pins and needles’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options. ere is hope.

Call (951) 597–0488 to schedule an initial consultation or visit SomaAcuWellness.com to read more incredible success stories.

City Council members present a proclamation to OneLegacy Ambassador Erika Heranic that declares April as DMV/ Donate Life Month in the City of Lake Elsinore. From left, Robert “Bob” Magee, Heranic with the proclamation, Timothy “Tim” Sheridan, Natasha Johnson holding a photo of Heranic’s heart donor Dylan Stump, Brian Tisdale and Steve Manos.

Valley News/Johnathan O. Skinner photo

Easter house brings cheer to Hemet neighborhood

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

Michelle Levers loves Easter, and it shows. She has decorated her Hemet home inside and out with everything spring, but it is her focus on bunnies and brightly colored eggs that delight her neighbors the most.

Carol Reeves, a longtime Seven Hills resident, said, “With the world as upside down as it is, who doesn’t want a reason to smile?

That is what Michelle has done with all her lawn decorations.”

Since she was a child, Levers has loved the imagination behind the Easter Bunny which led to her dressing up as one at fundraisers and for her grandchildren through the years. She has enlisted the help

of her husband and best friend, Fred, to do the same.

Levers also has a penchant for bears, who have provided yearround decorations at her home. She has a large collection of bears of all sizes and gives them specialized accessories to match the seasons.

Every holiday finds an appropriately accessorized bear or bears.

Many are adorned with rabbit ears this holiday season.

Her love for the furry animal also led to her unique creations of soft plush bears of all kinds. She began making them for special occasions about eight years ago.

Levers also loves working with wood and cuts, paints and decorates blocks for many of her bears to sit on. From blushing bride bear centerpieces for weddings

to a grandma bear reading to her “grandcubs,” Levers’ creativity is endless.

“Each one is made using a sock, rice or polymer fill and pom poms. It’s taken a while to get their faces just the way I want them to be,” she said. “I enjoy creating them and I’m always looking for new ideas for them. Who knows what I’ll come up with next?”

Levers designed and made many wooden cutouts that fill up her front yard. From an “Egg Express” being engineered by the Easter Bunny, she also has oversized and colorful Peeps rabbits and decorated eggs.

“I have a vision when I start to place everything; it’s never the same twice,” she said, adding that her brother and husband helped

complete the current installation.

Levers’ home was a runner up in Hemet’s Holiday Community Decorating Contest in December. This time of year, she’s earned a home run with her Easter display.

To view Levers’ yard, which is lit up most nights, drive by 1760 Almond Tree Street, off Seven Hills Drive in Hemet. To learn more about her crafty creations, email her at liberal4sure@gmail.com

Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”

The replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors can experience The Wall rising above them as they walk toward the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in Washington D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service members’ names that are inscribed on The Wall.

WALL from page A-1 of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.

The mobile Education Center exhibit includes digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home

“Menifee is honored to host The Wall That Heals and provide an opportunity for the region to

recognize our military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War,” Menifee Councilmember Dean Deines, a veteran himself, said. “We are very thankful to Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary and Menifee VFW Post 1956 for helping bring this important exhibit to our community.” The Wall That Heals 2023 national tour is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country. The local exhibit in Menifee is a coordinated partnership between Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary, the City of Menifee and Menifee VFW Post 1956.

Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in more than 700 U.S. communities including Temecula, in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005.

The Wall That Heals is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. For more information, please visit www.cityofmenifee.us/ wallthatheals.

Visitors can do name rubbings of service members whose name is listed on the Wall. Valley News/Courtesy photo

In the Friday, March 31, Valley News story, “Many user fees raised after 5 years by Murrieta City Council with little objection,” a statement made by Kassen Klein during a Tuesday, March 21, Murrieta City Council public hearing was misquoted. “When in the next 10 minutes we get so far behind and have to raise so many fees?” The statement was voiced by Murrieta City Council member Ron Holliday in agreement with Klein. Valley News apologizes for this error.

Representative of the Israeli Consulate, L.A. Murrieta Mayor, Lisa DeForest

Survivor, Yetta Kane

Murrieta Mayor, Lisa DeForest Holocaust Survivor, Yetta Kane Pastor Clark Van Wick

Pastor Clark Van Wick

As dusk falls, lights keep Michelle Levers’ lawn decorations visible. Valley News/Michelle Levers photo

Even at night, the Levers’ house presents an uplifting Easter theme to those who pass by.

Spring is bursting throughout the Hemet house of Michelle Levers as she enjoys decorating it inside and out for holidays such as Easter.

Valley News/Michelle Levers photo

Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

LEGAL from page A-1

organization, but he developed a vision along the way to begin his own nonprofit legal organization.

“Now the things that I talked about 20 years ago, that seemed extreme at that point, are unfortunately the norm.”

The Christian or ganization has handled multiple nearby and statewide cases of national consequence in recent months:

Jessica Tapia, a former Jurupa Valley High School teacher, contends she was fired for not hiding students’ gender transitions and identities from parents. A state law passed in 2014, AB 1266, forbids teachers from talking to parents about their child’s gender choices without consent from the student. She chose not to lie to parents and Tyler is representing the teacher in suing the school district for wrongful termination.

Advocates filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the California Department of Social Services’ decision to permanently cut off public funding to feed needy children at a religious preschool in El Cajon. The church refused to abandon its religious beliefs regarding human sexuality by relenting to the CDSS demand to align all of its employment decisions, including key positions involved with instilling religion, to the state’s new divergent sexual orthodoxy. The federal USDA exempts religious schools from sexual orientation and gender identity mandates.

Calvary Chapel San Jose sued Santa Clara County for implementing and enforcing unconstitutional COVID-19 public health orders. The county issued a shelter-in-place order and an aggressive fine system. It is trying to collect $2.87 million in COVID-19 fines from the church. The Supreme Court has admonished California five times and ruled their orders as applied to churches violated the First Amendment. Advocates has successfully overturned the contempt charges and over $200,000 in fines and sanctions levied

against the church and pastor, but there are more court proceedings about the $2.87 million in fines. The case has bounced back and forth between state and federal courts.

Tyler said a serious aspect of the proceedings was Santa Clara County paying a company to track Calvary’s visitors through geo-tracking. Tyler said the county did not acquire a warrant before surveilling the church, nor did they apply any apparent limitations on their surveillance efforts. They placed a geofence around the church property for over a year, allowing the county to track congregants anywhere, including the bathroom, nursery, sanctuary and prayer rooms.

Advocates is also being proactive, recently filing a lawsuit challenging California Senate Bill 107 on behalf of Our Watch, a nonprofit organization in Murrieta dedicated to protecting parental rights. This bill, otherwise known as the Transgender Sanctuary Bill, allows children to flee from other states to obtain irreversible medical procedures, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones.

The bill denies parents the right to access their child’s medical information as it relates to “gender-affirming health care” or “gender-affirming mental health care” and allows California courts to take emergency jurisdiction over a child seeking gender-affirming care.

“SB 107 is a dangerous piece of legislation that strips the right of parents to direct the care and upbringing of their child,” Mariah Gondeiro, the attorney handling the case for Advocates, said. “Parents, not the government, are best suited to decide whether their child should undergo life-altering drugs and surgeries that will impair their ability to become a parent later in life.”

of Our Watch and pastor of 412 in Temecula Valley, said.

The lawsuit alleges that SB 107 violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Full Faith and Credit Clause, as it was passed in direct hostility to the laws of conservative states like Alabama and Texas. The plaintiff seeks to declare the bill unconstitutional.

In 2022, Advocates received $233,107 in attorney fees awarded by the courts and $787,413 in donations. Its total expenses were $864,502, meaning a surplus of $156,018. The organization is actively looking to hire another attorney.

“We have a very efficient budget and try to maximize every bit we can to go directly into the cases, with as little as possible toward overhead,” Tyler, a Wildomar resident, said. “An incredible 93% of all donated funds go to directly support our legal work.”

Among the major court cases in 2022, Tyler noted these major victories:

Advocates won a federal appeal of a lawsuit seeking to roll back vote-by-mai l laws and tighten signature verification and voter identification requirements in state elections. The state may request the U.S. Supreme Court review the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court. If not, it will go to trial. “We can win this case and restore integrity in all elections across the country,” Tyler said.

Advocates has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule the Ninth Circuit’s ruling where more than 20 lifeguards sought to prevent their union from collecting union dues without their consent.

Advocates won a case against OSHA, which imposed over $60,000 in fines on Calvary Christian Academy in San Jose for allegedly violating COVID-19 reporting requirements and not mandating masks.

lowed, the Ninth Circuit reversed the district court holding that the case should have been allowed to proceed to trial.

“In today’s culture, our nation’s foundation is being eroded by legal challenges to the family structure, religious freedom, basic property rights and parental ri ghts. Court decisions across the nation have created a society increasingly devoid of the message and influence of God,”

Tyler said. “Our work is focused on representing Christians and churches without charge because protecting our First Amendment rights is critical for us to continue to exercise our faith freely. This is the keystone that motivates and impassions us to remain diligent!”

Tyler noted that what happens in California gets exported to the rest of the country and then to the world.

fooling themselves.

“It feels like those of us who stay in California to preserve basic constitutional freedoms and principles, we are missionaries in a foreign land.”

He said the recent effort of parents getting involved with the schools absolutely makes a difference.

“You know that the voices of the majority and the sane need to be unleashed because for way too many years, it’s been the silent majority. We have been busy coaching youth sports or participating in the PTA or sitting in the church pews singing worship songs, while the outside society has been screaming for some help.”

Tyler believes people are awakening after seeing the extent that the government would go to to censor and silence dissenters. “It’s the evil of censorship and this totalitarian type of philosophy that the woke culture is pushing on society.”

“One of my top priorities has been the preservation of parental rights, and I believe SB 107 is a dangerous, irresponsible law that is an assault on those rights,” Pastor

Tim Thompson,

president

When the City of Las Vegas arrested and cited a pastor on a public walkway for preaching in public using minimal amplification just as secular speech is al-

“That’s why we have to battle in California,” he said. “I understand why a lot of people have left California and it sure seems enticing, but the funny thing is that a number of my friends and family left to go to Idaho and they have found the school district they are within was suddenly adopting the policies and philosophies that started in California. Unfortunately, people who think they can flee the state of California and find some solace in another state are just simply

“I think that that change is only going to come through a revival – people to faith – and will not likely come through legislation or even judicial decisions. We need people of faith who are sane to express their opinions and to not cower to the evil Marxist philosophy that is really being forced on our children and grandchildren,” he said.

Robert Tyler, top left, leads his team in prayer before a staff meeting at Advocates for Faith & Freedom. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Menifee Multicultural Festival celebrates diversity

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

Food, crafts, live performances and information booths greeted visitors to the interactive Menifee Multicultural Festival at Central Park Friday, March 25. It was an opportunity for the city to host a family-friendly event to celebrate cultural diversity and traditional heritage.

Continuous entertainment took place on the main stage during the four-hour event, starting with the Pacific Island Arts and Entertainment Group Hula Halau o Kealohilani from Menifee. Various dances that tell a story were explained and demonstrated by a variety of students of all ages. For more information on hula and Tahitian dance lessons, visit http:// www.iehula.com.

Temecula’s Más Movimiento

Latin Dance Company shared their

upbeat music and fast footwork as spectators clapped along to the beat. To learn more, visit http:// www.masmovimiento.net . Menifee’s Paloma Valley High School Polynesian Dance Club, Ohana Mahi Aloha which translates to Family of Strong Love, performed and also hosted an information booth for those that wanted to learn more about Polynesia and its people and culture.

Members of the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center’s Taiko Fitness program wowed the crowd with their precision Japanese taiko drumming. Most members are in their 70s and played traditional songs that had special meanings, such as a song of happiness. The audience was encouraged to join in by chanting along with the drummers when prompted to do so by cue card holders.

Other performances that kept guests entertained were provid-

ed by the O’Connor-Kennedy Academy of Irish Dance, San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association’s Lion Dancers, Die Gemütlichen Schuhplattler German Dancers and Native American flute artist White Feather.

Several Youth Leaders of Menifee volunteered at a crafts booth and other interactive activity centers. Alex Casillas, 16, and Naomy Zepeda, 15, offered guests a chance to explore the world at the “Adventure Awaits” booth where they could map their travels and history by placing a green pin on the area their family is from, a blue pin on a place they have been and a pink pin to somewhere they would like to visit. After several hours, the world map was cluttered with pinheads. The younger set enjoyed using paper plates and an array of colorful markers to create either an African necklace or a Diwali candle to represent India’s Festival of Lights.

A scavenger hunt that changed each hour encouraged visits to different parts of the world such as Ghana, Peru, Colombia, Europe, Asia and more through food and conversation available from 14 vendors. Menifee community services specialist Miriam Jorge said community members responded to a request posted on the city’s website and communicated to local schools about the opportunity to host a booth representing a country or region.

Members of the Paloma Valley High School Asian Culture Club used two booths to share the culture and history of Laos and The Philippines.

“We want to raise awareness about lesser-known countries,” Ian Chhun, 18, said.

Club president Meagan Macatangay, 18, said she was enjoying openly sharing her culture at the Laos booth.

“We took a poll to vote on which countries to highlight as there are many that make up the demographics at Paloma,” Macatangay said. “All items on display are donated from our members.”

Cynthia Nemelka said she was proud to share her German heritage with visitors. She had a quaint German street scene as a backdrop to informational posters about famous Germans such as The Brothers Grimm and the creators of Adidas and Puma shoes. She also provided details on some inventions that came from her country, such as adhesive tape, radar systems, contact lenses, aspirin,

“I didn’t think I’d see anything about Costa Rica here,” Annette Gonzalez said, who attended the festival with her daughter, Michelle Downs.

They stopped to chat with Ashley Fulmer who has close family friends from the country and wanted to celebrate their culture. Working on her doctorate for organizational leadership, she said this event provided the perfect opportunity for her to meet her requirement of a diversity project.

see FESTIVAL, page B-2

Ryan Luong, 6, focuses on coloring a Diwali candle, which represents India’s Festival of Lights, at a craft booth at Central Park in Menifee. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Members of Más Movimiento Latin Dance Company perform at Central Park in Menifee. Valley News/Philip Southard photo

Four-year-old Hope Downey, who is part Hawaiian, mimics hula dancers at the Menifee Multicultural Festival. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Sisters Marci, left, and Cynthia Nemelka greet guests at an information booth about Germany during the Menifee Multicultural Festival. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Paloma Valley High School Asian Culture Club President Meagan Macatangay shares some of the items she and fellow club members researched and curated for the Menifee Multicultural Festival.

Native American flute artist White Feather plays for the crowd at the Menifee Multicultural Festival. Valley News/Philip Southard photo

diesel engines, the helicopter and gummy bears.

Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@ reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

April 29 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Youth Fair at Menifee’s Lazy Creek Park Recreation Center, 26480 Lazy Creek Road, in Menifee.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

April 7 to May 21 – Temecula Valley Museum reprises “Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad” at the Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes St., in Temecula. The photos recall the time between 1830 and 1865 at the end of the Civil War when clandestine groups of American settlers helped fleeing slaves from the south find freedom in the north.

April 7-9 – The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Mobile Education Center is coming to the Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary in partnership with the city of Menifee and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1956. The exhibit will be open for viewing 24 hours a day beginning through Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m. at 26770 Murrieta Road in Menifee. For more information, contact Miller Jones Mortuary at 951-672-0777 or visit http://www.cityofmenifee.

us/wallthatheals

April 8 –11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dream Center’s Easter Festival will take place at the City Park, 243 S. Main St., in Lake Elsinore and feature an Easter egg hunt, jumpers, games, prizes, lunch and more. Call 951-376-3703 or visit http://DreamCenterLE.org

April 9 – 9-11 a.m. Attend an Easter service and Easter egg hunt to follow at the Passion Life Church at the Vista Murrieta High School Performing Arts Center, 28251 Clinton Keith Road, in Murrieta. Find the golden egg and win $150 at this free event.

April 11 – 10:30 a.m. Hear from Bernie Burn about burn prevention at the Wildomar Library, 34303 Mission Trail, in Wildomar. Grossman Burn Center and the Children’s Burn Foundation talks about how to prevent children from severely burning themselves and keep the little ones safe.

April 13 – 7-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a free stand up comedy event at the Old Town Community Theater, 42051 Main St., in Temecula. The stand up comedy workshop will teach how to get started doing stand up comedy with professional comedians.

April 13 – 1:30 p.m. Two bells will ring, signaling 100 years of the “Ramona” Outdoor Play at the Ramona Bowl Hacienda, Ramona Bowl Road in Hemet. Attend the informal ceremony and moment of silence for all former actors.

April 16 – 1:30-5 p.m. Holocaust March of Remembrance taking place at Murrieta Mesa High School Performing Arts Center, 24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta. with

holocaust survivor Yetta Kane.

March begins at 2 p.m. Contact HRFV at 855-955-5917.

April 17 – 6-7:30 p.m. Blackout Poetry will be held at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road, in Temecula, celebrating Library Month and Poetry Month. Come for a night of poetry, communion and conversation and share poetry and support the arts in the community. Expert or amateur poets are welcome.

April 20-21, 27-28 – 7 p.m.

April 22 & 29 – 2 p.m. Join the drama students of Chaparral High School for their first theater performance of the school year. “Anything Goes” will be performed at the newly remodeled Performing Arts Center, 26215 Nicolas Road in Temecula.

April 22 – 7 a.m. to noon. Menifee’s 11th annual event, Better Together & Earth Day,.will be hosted at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29725 Bradley Road, in Menifee. This event gives residents and volunteers the opportunity to come together to help beautify Menifee. Volunteers and registration needed; visit http:// www.cityofmenifee.us/MBTvolunteer. Many projects available and will include Habitat for Humanity senior home revitalization.

April 22 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Earth Day and Plant Trade. This free family event will feature speakers, vendors and food stalls. At the Plant Trade, participants can trade their plants, seeds, knowledge or tools with event partners “Plant Traders Inland Empire.” This year’s event also includes a local electric vehicle showcase. Event takes place at Memorial Way, outside of the back entrance to the Murrieta Public Library, 8 Town Square, Murrieta.

April 22 – May 7 – The “Ramona” Outdoor Play will be performed April 22-23, 29-30 and May 6-7. A classic love story of life in early California during the 1850s, Ramona authentically depicts the cultural diversity of emerging settlers and native peoples at the Ramona Bowl and Museum, 27400 Ramona Bowl Road, in Hemet. Tickets are $18$44. For more information, call 951-658-3111 or email Ramona@ Ramonabowl.com

ONGOING – The city of Menifee offers in-city or out-of-city special event vendor applications online or at Menifee City Hall to apply for signature and other special events. Contact Menifee City Hall, 29844 Haun Road, at 951672-6777 or businesslicensing@ cityofmenifee.us

ONGOING – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride lots to connect with carpools, vanpools and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street, in San Jacinto at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.

ONGOING – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square

Dance sessions are held Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Boulevard.

ONGOING – If you know a homebound older adult, resources in Menifee are available, including grab-and-go, cooked and frozen food for pickup. Courtesy Pantry items and meals delivered with no contact. Three days of emergency food can be delivered immediately or restaurant meal delivery for those who don’t qualify for food assistance programs. Call 800-5102020 for help.

ONGOING – The Riverside County COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program is accepting online applications for business grants up to $10,000 at http:// www.rivercobizhelp.org that can be used for employee retention, working capital, personal protective equipment purchases, rent or mortgage payments and paying vendor notices. Eligible businesses, including nonprofits, must be in Riverside County, with a minimum of one but less than 50 employees and operating for at least one year since March 1. For more information, call Riverside County Business and Community Services at 951-955-0493.

ONGOING – 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Temecula Winchester Swap Meet continues, 33280 Newport Road in Winchester. Saturdays and Sundays only. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under age 10 is free admission. No dogs allowed.

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta. The Sunday morning farmers market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/ Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.

ONGOING – Temecula’s Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Riverside County Public Health orders, the farmers markets will be restricted to agriculture products only. Follow the Old Town Temecula Farmers Market on Facebook to stay updated. No pets allowed.

WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICES

April 7 – The California State Fair Home Wine Competition invites people seeking to showcase their winemaking skills and receive professional feedback join the home winemaking contest. To enter, contact State@calexpo.com The fair will be held in Sacramento, July 14-30, at 1600 Exposition Blvd.

Foodie Fridays return to Menifee starting in April

MENIFEE – Foodies unite as Menifee’s favorite Friday night event, Foodie Fridays, returns Friday, April 7, to a new location, allowing for more eateries, local vendors and fun. Festivities will take place at Mt. San Jacinto College’s Menifee Campus, 28237 La Piedra Road, from 5-9 p.m. the first Friday of each month April through October. Foodie Fridays are presented by Made Local in partnership with the city of Menifee and Mt. San Jacinto College.

More than just an event, Foodie Friday serves as an incubator for small businesses to gauge the community’s interest in their unique offerings and build an audience. Initially started in 2022 as part of Menifee’s Restaurant Week, this event hosts over 30

food vendors serving a variety of unique and popular bites, meals and treats from diverse culinary backgrounds. In addition to enjoying delicious food, guests can shop from curated local businesses selling craft, handmade, boutique and various retail goods.

As Menifee continually strives to further diversify its business community with unique offerings, Foodie Friday connects with and expands the small business community within the region. With the central mission to cultivate businesses and create a space to engage with the public, the goal is to encourage future storefront or expansion opportunities within Menifee. The popular new restaurant, Fishbone Seafood, participated in Foodie Fridays before

April 7 to May 5 – 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. Dorland Mountain Arts Associated Artists will exhibit at the Dorland Community Arts Center, 36701 Highway 79/S. Temecula Parkway, in Temecula.

April 8 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hemet Woman’s Club is sponsoring the Car Seat Safety Clinic with the California Highway Patrol. Get car seats inspected and learn how to properly install them at this free event at the Hemet Valley Mall parking lot, 2204 W. Florida Ave, next to Polly’s Pies.

April 22 – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm. Attend the Nature Education Resource Forum at the Dove Ranch on the Santa Rosa Plateau in La Cresta. Reservations are required. For those engaged in nature, science and environmental education programs and projects from public, private, nonprofit, home school and farm school teachers and providers. Tickets are $25, including continental breakfast, lunch and resource materials. Space is limited; visit http://NatureEduForum. eventbrite.com

April 22 – 7-11 p.m. Great Gatsby Casino Night will be presented by the Knights of Columbus at 29976 Technology Drive in Murrieta. Tickets are $100 for drinks, casino play and best dress prizes. Contact tinyural.com/3wrrp889 or Michael Bacho at 760-525-2780.

April 29 – 8:30 a.m. Attend the Run for Life colon cancer awareness, family-friendly run/walk event at Temecula Valley High School, 31555 Rancho Vista Road, in Temecula. By pledging a fixed amount of money for each lap you walk or run – 5K/3.1 mile max or 12 laps around the track – all money raised will be donated to the California Colorectal Cancer Coalition. Participants must register online.

April 29 – 6 p.m. The 44th Menifee Chamber Awards Gala: Unlock the Secret Garden will be held at the Fairfield Inn, 30140 Town Center Drive, in Menifee. The event will unveil the winners of the chamber’s business and ambassador awards, along with other secrets, mysteries and surprises throughout the interactive evening. Register for seats and all sponsorships, except the Bar Sponsorship, by email info@ menifeevalleychamber.com or by calling 951- 672-1991 for tickets. Dress chic or black tie.

ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For drop-off locations and packaging locations, visit http://www.milvet. org/military-care-packages

ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting meets the third Monday of each month at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth Street, in Temecula from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, email gaugustin206@gmail. com or join the meeting.

ONGOING – Sons of Norway/ Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, September to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road, in Temecula.

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample test, licensed instructor available to answer questions, DMV-approved certificate of completion with all lectures and exams completed from home. Designed for students and does not include behind-the-wheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-723-3880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at http://www. city of menifee.us

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m.

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.

ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781-9326300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit http://www. foodaddicts.org

ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Rose Society meets each month. For more information and new meeting dates and places, visit http://www.temeculavalleyrosesociety.org

ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit http://www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.

ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit http://www.va.gov/homeless

their storefront opening, allowing them to gain a larger audience while their restaurant was still under construction in the Center Pointe Plaza shopping center.

Foodie Fridays also provide nightlife entertainment and tourism opportunities in Menifee, creating the perfect meet-up location to spend time with friends, family and neighbors while supporting favorite local and regional businesses. For more information on becoming a vendor for Foodie Fridays, contact Made Local at http://madelocalmarket.org. To expand or open a business in Menifee, contact Menifee’s Economic Development Department at 951-672-6777 or econdev@cityofmenifee.us Submitted by city of Menifee.

Nearly 15 vendor booths serve up multicultural food, crafts, information and more at Menifee’s Central Park. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

FESTIVAL from page B-1

Yoshi Saikawa displayed some beautiful traditional Japanese items, and Vivian Stancil shared details about South Africa, having visited there in the past. Sons of Norway member Ronna Clymens, who is half Norwegian, attended the festival last year and was happy to share all things Scandinavian with guests again this year. She was also hoping to increase membership for the Vinland Lodge 6-159 in Temecula.

Members of the nonprofit Somali Bantu Association of America traveled from San Diego to bring awareness to the country of Somalia and its people. The organization is known in the community for helping refugees and immigrants adapt through classes, workshops and other services. Samir Abdiriziak and Faisa Mohamud shared Somali traditions with everyone who stopped by their booth, saying that not many know the country is located in East Africa or the culture within it.

Tragedy plays out at Menifee theater

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

If you take an ancient Greek tragedy and combine it with a little film noir style, you get the experimental adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone being presented at the Mt. San Jacinto College Menifee Valley Campus later this month. The MVC Lab Theatre provides an intimate setting that gives audiences a more emotional connection with the actors and their characters. Directed by MVC’s Theater Arts Department Chair and instructor Payden Ackerman, the play can be very easily interpreted by today’s audiences.

“ Antigone is a story about a young woman defying the immense power of the state,” he explained. “In an age where laws are being passed to limit women’s agency and choice, it is inspiring to see a character such as Antigone stand up to authority. What’s more, Antigone can be considered a conscientious objector; she proclaims her beliefs and acts on them, but also accepts the punishment meted out to her. She is the original underdog, and I think we’ve a thing or two to learn from her.”

Written by Sophocles around 441 B.C.E., detailing the events following King Oedipus’ exile, a well-known 1986 translation of

Antigone was done by Don Taylor. Ackerman said his version is an original take on Taylor’s production although he was inspired by the 2012 production at the National Theatre which used the Taylor translation.

“They presented the play as a political thriller to great effect,” Ackerman said. “During our rehearsal proce ss, we employed several ‘experiments,’ as I like to call them, in order to find the right tone and aesthetic quality for our ensemble. As a director, you may have one vision to start, but the ensemble is a living and breathing entity; sometimes through rehearsal, the show will take a new direction. This is exactly what happened with our production. The film noir style presented itself through the actors’ treatment of the script; as a director I merely saw the writing on the wall, so to speak.”

He added, “Our production modernizes the setting to a film noir aesthetic, providing a new twist on the storied tale. We’ve also streamlined the script to appeal to contemporary audiences and included original music from one of our own student actors. The result is a new work of art.”

Cast members are Stone Ramirez, Madi Snider, Krista McClean, Marisa Kesler, Kyle Whan, Mason Sandoval, Jacob Nguyen

Veteran actor Larry Sichter, seated, takes direction from instructor Payden Ackerman during an early rehearsal for Antigone, opening April 20 at MSJC’s Menifee Valley Campus Valley News/Courtesy photos

and Larry Sichter. He said each one brought a creative willingness that was inspiring to actors.

“Halfway through rehearsals, we changed our design concept to suit the actors themselves,” Ackerman said. “This is very unusual in theatrical production. With the support of my assistant director Ashli Sabree and our stage manager Mollymawk Blight, we were able to craft a production that belongs to the actors as well as the production team.”

He said about half of the cast are completely new to stage acting, in-

cluding the actor playing the part of Creon which he said is significant, because Creon actually has a larger role than Antigone, who the play is named after.

“Additionally, the actor playing Creon, Stone Ramirez, is creating original music for the show,” Ackerman said. “That’s not to diminish the other actors: we have several experienced musical theatre actors who are taking on a Greek tragedy for the first time. We also have seasoned actors playing Teiresias and Eurydice.”

Sichter plays the role Teiresias, a blind prophet who reappeared in several of Sophocles’ plays. “He’s a mystic and an augury (a person who can understand and talk to birds),” Sichter explained. “Greek audiences would have been familiar with him. He is comfortable speaking to power and offers his powers to better society.”

After retiring from a career in television production and management in 2013, Sichter reignited his passion for theater during a meeting with Ackerman. A Menifee resident since 1996, this is Sichter ’s ninth show at MSJC. He has acted with community theater companies in the past, including Riverside Community Players, CAST Players of Beaumont, Bach Theatre Company in Murrieta and

Temecula Old Town Theatre.

“Payden allowed me to volunteer for this show, since I’ve taken all the acting classes MSJC has had to offer. I enjoy the attention Payden pays to his actors. And he’s willing to experiment with theatre, so his best shows are shall we say, uncommon,” Sichter said. “I’m older by several decades than the other players in this show and my scenes are primarily with the young man who plays King Creon. He’s a remarkable actor.”

Ackerman currently teaches an introduction to theater, an introduction to theater history, fundamentals of acting and the production c ourse. Although he is a writer first and performer second, he does have stage experience. He has a B.A. in Playwriting and an M.A. in Theatre Studies. In 2018, a production he collaborated on and acted in received Best Ensemble Theatre at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. In 2019, he acted in a production that was recognized as Best Intimate Immersive by Immersion Nation. The immersive production, “Welcome to Respite,” was then adapted to a V.R. experience. He continues to collaborate with CoAct Productions, who produced “Respite” to international acclaim.

see THEATER, page B-4

Rehearsals by cast and crew are in play prior to the April 20-23 performances of Antigone in Menifee.

Rose Care FUNdamentals, April 2023

Frank Brines, ARS Master Rosarian Special to the Valley News

Wow, talk about a “change in the weather.” This winter has seen an additional 10 inches of rain in Temecula compared with last winter – December thru March. While that bodes well for water available to drive growth, we’ve also seen lower average high temperatures: While last winter’s highs tracked the historic average with some days getting as warm as 84 F, this season each month’s highs have averaged 8-10 degrees below normal. “Normal” is usually the average for the previous 20 to 30 years, depending on the source.

It means that the air and soil haven’t warmed up as much as normal, so roots and new shoots are less active. Consequently, you’re probably seeing slower growth. Most years by now you’d have – or be about to have – your first flush of blooms about eight to 10 weeks after the winter pruning, but this year you’re likely to see at least a two-week delay.

As far as diseases are concerned, you might expect that more moisture automatically means more disease especially fungal such as powdery mildew, downy mildew and rust, but the lower temperatures and the cleansing action of the rain washing off dust and spores may be offsetting that. In the next few weeks, you may begin to see some powdery mildew and rust, especially if you haven’t begun a preventative spray program.

Under these wet conditions, now is the time to pay attention to the drainage of your soil –roses like plenty of water but they generally don’t respond well to soggy soil. If you see pools of water standing in your rose beds for a few hours after a downpour, you might do well to provide a temporary path for drainage using a hoe or shovel.

Roses love food – preferably good quality food on a regular basis. Not all fertilizers include

THEATER from page B-3

A modern manifestation of a global tragedy has been the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the virus affected almost everyone, physically and/or mentally, it was also a huge disruption to theater in terms of learning, teaching and presenting. Ackerman said that post-pandemic lockdown, his department has offered a few in-person classes but the majority of them have been online or hybrid.

“The pandemic necessitated the use of remote learning,” he said. “Theatre is intrinsically a live art form. It makes sense an art such as ours would suffer from these circumstances. I also have noticed many students do not seem to be interested in performing live; instead, I have many students interested in recorded performances, for such platforms as YouTube and TikTok. This could be due to the level of comfort students feel with digital media, and discomfort with live presentation of art.”

Ackerman tries to further engage students by offering an acting coaching experience that students will not find online. “The pandemic has fundamentally changed learn-

Make sure roses have plenty of drainage during the current rainy weather.

all the micro/macro nutrients needed, so read the label on the packaging. Alternating the major fertilizer with fish emulsion every two weeks will help provide some of the micro nutrients. As I always say, organics are much better for your soil and ultimately for your garden and the environment. I’m told that sprinkling 1/2 cup of Epsom salt – magnesium sulfate – around large size plants, 1/4 cup for smaller plants, once in spring and once in fall can assist in getting new basal breaks, which are new canes from the bud union. I’ve done this many times, but I’m not sure it works. Recently, however, I’ve read that epsom salt helps plants assimilate other minerals and fertilizers in

ing,” he said. “We must adapt to meet students’ needs. How to do that is still a question.”

The industry has not yet recovered from the effects of the pandemic, but Ackerman is hopeful that productions like Antigone will bring in audiences that can appreciate the effort and talent that goes into live theater and will continue to support it.

“I’m still learning how theatre artists might exist in the coming years,” he said. “It has been a very difficult road. Students seem to have coped with remote learning by embracing digital media and experiences. Perhaps the pendulum will swing back. For now, theatre artists and teachers will continue to struggle to reach live audiences.”

A preview of Antigone will be staged on April 20 at 7 p.m. with performances on April 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. and a matinee on April 23 at 2 p.m. The production runs about 90 minutes with no intermission.

All tickets are $5 each with online tickets redeemed at the door. Ticket purchases at the door are cash only.

The MVC Lab Theatre is in room 207 at the MSJC campus, 28237 La Piedra Road. For more information, https://msjc.edu/theaterarts.

the soil. It assists in “greening” up vegetation. For general health and aeration, the soil needs a supply of organic material such as humus incorporated into the depths. It isn’t easily accomplished in established gardens; however, adding a 3-4 inches of a good composted mulch over the entire garden, leaving a 12-inch diameter circle open around base of each bush will go a long way to enriching your soil overall because over time earthworms help transport that mulch down into the soil where the microbiology is complex and multi-tiered. Adding a handful of worm castings now is a good idea for improving the soil biome. A healthy garden soil system is teeming with beneficial microbes that inhibit, compete with and consume disease-causing organisms. This health creates a sustainable soil “immune system.” In fact, plants grown with organic fertilizers are themselves more resistant to pests and diseases. In addition, when you feed those beneficial organisms, they feed your roses. That’s because they are busy

breaking down organic matter and releasing mineral nutrients slowly and reliably. I’ve recently learned that extra phosphate in the fertilizer that you use is most important in assisting in creating a soil environment that aids immensely in helping plants to be resistant to pests and diseases. Also helping plants to develop hardier root systems and larger blooms. Many gardeners become discouraged when they first experiment with organic treatments while still using chemical fertilizers. It is difficult – in fact, almost impossible – to have it both ways. Chemical fertilizers negatively impact the soil food web by poisoning entire portions of it. The fact is, chemical fertilizers are salts. What gardener hasn’t seen what table salt does to a slug or snail? Salts absorb water and dehydrate the soil microbes, which are the foundation of the soil nutrient system. Once you’ve used chemical fertilizers regularly, you must keep adding more because the soil microbiology is weakened and unable to do its job of releasing naturally available nutrients to

your plants.

Rains help to leach accumulated soil salts from the soil, provided there is sufficient drainage. Organic fertilizers and amendments, such as manure, compost or mulch, break down slowly, generally staying where you put them, and don’t contribute to groundwater pollution, as long as you prevent runoff into drains. In addition, they improve the soil food web, so in the long run you end up using less product.

Chemical fertilizers are artificial growth stimulants and, in the long run, harm your soil and pollute local waterways because as dissolved salts they quickly leach through the soil becoming unavailable to your plants and enter the groundwater. How about swearing off chemical fertilizers for the rest of the year and starting to use organics? Give it a year. See if your roses don’t reward you. Fish emulsion diluted in water is also a good amendment, applied either foliarly or onto the soil around each bush.

You may have had some blooms see ROSES, page B-5

Grammy-award winner Patti LaBelle headlines Pechanga concert

TEMECULA – Patti LaBelle brought her R&B sound to Temecula Saturday, March 25, for fans at Pechanga Resort Casino. LaBelle began her career in the 1960s with the group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which had hits including “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “On My Own.”

In the 1970s, LaBelle launched a successful solo career, scoring hits with songs like “Lady Marmalade” and “New Attitude.”

She has also enjoyed success as an actress, appearing in films and television shows such as “The Color Purple” and “American Idol.” LaBelle is a four-time Grammy Award winner and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her next concert hits Fox Theater in Detroit, Michigan Sunday, May 14.

Patti LaBelle is a vision in blue while performing at Pechanga Resort Casino, Saturday, March 25.

Valley News/Adobe Stock photo

Let’s hop into some Easter safety tips

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna Special to Valley News

Searching for a hidden Easter basket is an activity that children of all ages enjoy, however, there can be a few problems, if parents are not careful.

Candy & toy safety. To prevent choking, avoid hard, round candy; thick or sticky candy; or candy with nuts. Caramel, sour balls and jaw breakers can be dangerous because children’s airways are higher and narrower than an adult’s, creating a choking hazard.

Fake grass is not digestible, so keep it away from little children.

Be sure that Easter toys and dolls (such as bunnies, chicks, etc.) are free of choking hazards.

Pieces that can be removed from a doll or toy pose a potential choking danger to small children.

Egg safety. Eggs are a potentially hazardous food, in the same category as meat, poultry, fish and milk. In other words, they are capable of supporting the rapid growth of disease-causing bacteria like Salmonella. Before boiling eggs for Easter decorating/painting, they must be kept refrigerated.

Discard dirty or broken eggs. Cool your eggs in cold water or just in the air. Be careful of hot water/scald accidents.

Egg hunting. Do not hide eggs in cupboards or drawers with dangerous products.

Do not hide eggs in, on or under glass.

Do not hide eggs in pre-existing holes in the ground or trees.

ROSES from page B-4

already. Prune off the spent blooms. Cut the cane back to an outward facing bud at a three to five leaflet leaf for new growth. Air circulation is important to help prevent fungi diseases. The small spurs growing inside the bush can easily be finger pruned to keep the center of the bush free of extraneous growth. Giving the bush an early morn-

Follow these safety tips to reduce the possibility of injuries during Easter festivities. Valley

Do not hide eggs in any plants that have thorns or sharp stiff leaves, look potentially dangerous or poisonous.

Do not hide eggs in any animal’s home, food bowl or play area.

ing shower to rinse off the leaves may help to avoid powdery mildew. Do it early enough that the leaves will dry before the hot sun burns them. It is possible that with night time dew a disease called botrytis can appear as discolored spots on the blooms, especially on blooms with 40 or more petals. Remove these as soon as disease is noticed. Even with great observations and preventive methods, fungi may become a problem and

Do not hide eggs where pesticides or poisons have recently been sprayed.

Many will be having family get togethers outside, in parks or open areas. Always keep an eye

chemical treatment may be needed to keep disease at bay. Make sure to deep water. An extended slow watering is more beneficial than a frequently short application. Now that we’re no longer social distancing and masking, rose societies are returning to regular meetings and suggesting for persons with a health issue to wear a mask for their protection. San Diego Rose Society is planning an April 22 PSW District Convention and

on children and make sure the egg hunting is as far away from the street as possible!

“If you keep these few simple tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy a fun, problem-free Eas-

rose show. For more information, visit https://www.sandiegorosesociety.com/. It promises to be a big show, so make an effort to attend to see, smell and learn about different varieties and find a new one for your garden.

For more ideas, visit TVRS’ Rose Haven Heritage Garden, 30592 Jedediah Smith Road, in Temecula, as well as http://TemeculaValleyRoseSociety.org/index.shtml. Spread the joy of roses.

ter celebration,” Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna said. Have a Happy Easter!

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For a limited time, readers of this paper will receive a special discount on a full chimney cleaning and safety inspection package with special attention given to chimney water intrusion points in preparation for the wet & rainy season.

News/Metro Creative photo

Worried about inflation? Consider these moves

tion in your long-term plans?

In regard to the first question, many experts predict that inflation will cool off this year, though there are no guarantees. The high inflation of last year is thought to have been caused by some unusual factors, such as a spike in the demand for consumer goods as the world came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to supply chain issues. Also, the war in Ukraine drove up oil prices, increasing the cost of manufacturing and shipping and driving up the price of wheat and other commodities.

In any case, last year reminded us that inflation needs to be reckoned with as you work toward your financial goals. But how you respond to inflation will depend somewhat on your stage of life.

So, here are some suggestions to consider:

If you’re still working, contrib-

ute more to your retirement plans. If you can afford to put more money away in your IRA and 401(k), you may want to do so. The more resources you’ll eventually have available in retirement, the better protected you are against the rising cost of living.

Adjust your portfolio objectives with your financial professional. Using tools such as “hypothetical” illustrations, a financial professional can show you some different paths you might take with your investments, given different rates of inflation. So, for example, if you feel that inflation may be higher for a longer period than you once thought, you could request a hypothetical showing how you might need to adjust your investment mix to achieve your long-term goals, given your risk tolerance and time horizon.

If you’re already retired, con-

sider part-time work or consulting.

Once you retire from your career, it doesn’t mean you can never do any paid work again. If you’ve accumulated years of experience and expertise, you could use your skills as a consultant. Also, many part-time jobs are available for retirees. With the added income from employment, you may be able to delay taking withdrawals from your retirement accounts and other investments, possibly extending their longevity. Once you turn 72, though, you will need to begin taking money from your 401(k) and traditional IRA. Delay taking Social Security. You can begin taking Social Security when you’re 62, but your monthly checks will be substantially bigger if you wait until your full retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. You could even wait until 70, at which

point your monthly benefits will max out. Of course, the ability to delay taking Social Security depends on whether you can afford it, but it may be possible if you work longer than you once planned or if you work part time in retirement. But even if you do need to take Social Security before your full retirement age, your payments will be adjusted annually for inflation – in fact, for 2023, benefit checks will rise 8.7% over 2022.

We’ll always have to deal with some level of inflation – so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones fi nancial adviser Nima Helmi. Contact Nima Helmi at 951-972-3071 if you have any questions.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Nature Education Foundation volunteers at the Santa Rosa Plateau honored at potluck in La Cresta

The Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Education Foundation honored and celebrated its more than 100 volunteers for their thousands of hours of service enhancing the foundation’s education mission, helping at fundraising events and helping to monitor the Riverside County Regional Parks and Open Space District’s trails at the Plateau.

The thank you potluck luncheon and special awards were held and presented at the La Cresta home of SRPNEF President Austin Linsley April 1. The potluck celebrated volunteers who have helped in the past year in accomplishing the goal of the Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau, which is the new name of the nonprofit foundation.

Linsley told the volunteers, “What you do is important in value. This is in fact the 20th anniversary of the Nature Education Foundation.” He explained the history of the foundation over the past 20 years and then said, “The Santa Rosa Plateau is the core of the foundation, but we are not the decision makers,” explaining it is managed by the Riverside County Parks District. He noted that the volunteers are the ones who have helped the foundation grow over the last two decades and still do today. “I want to say how important it is to the work of the foundation

that you guys are here.”

The celebration thank you was turned over to Rob Hicks, the RivCoParks interpreter for the Plateau. He recalled how he became the Plateau’s interpreter over the many years of his employment. He said over the 20 years he worked with the foundation he was “shocked and awed, the shock of it, It really evolved into an appreciation of what all of you have accomplished in really such a short amount of time.” He said he felt the accomplishment was outstanding in the past 20 years including the over 6,000 third grade students he talked to in the foundation’s program.

The foundation, in its 20 years, has brought local third graders to the plateau to learn about how to be good stewards of the environment and the land around them, such as the 9,000-acre Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve above Murrieta and Wildomar.

While not a direct provider of scholarships, the foundation provides scholarship seed money to the local school districts to find local high school students most interested in furthering environmental restoration and land preservation studies at colleges and universities. Currently the foundation is supporting district high school students in studying the natural environment of the plants and wildlife on the plateau. Its mission is “educating and empowering youth to appreciate,

preserve and protect nature.”

The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau still seeks volunteers for its programs, guided tours, fundraisers and other projects. Membership in the foundation is always welcome with many incentives on the Plateau.

For membership or volunteering information, www.srpnef.org , info@srpnef.org or 951-319-2998. The foundation’s summer concert series participants for this year will soon be announced. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau President Austin Linsley welcomes foundation volunteers to a potluck at his La Cresta home April 1. Valley News/Tony Ault photos

NEF at the Santa Rosa Plateau lined up for a potluck volunteer appreciation dinner on the patio of Austin Linsley’s home in La Cresta.

Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District’s Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve interpreter Rob Hicks thanks the volunteers of the Nature Education Foundation for helping preserve the 9,000-acre reserve above Murrieta and supporting its third grade nature stewardship programs.

Commissioner Lara and FAIR Plan reach agreement to increase commercial coverage limit to $20M

LOS ANGELES – As part of his comprehensive effort to give more insurance options to California residents and businesses, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced Wednesday, March 29, the California FAIR Plan Association has agreed to more than double its existing commercial coverage limits to $20 million for businesses unable to find coverage in the normal insurance marketplace.

The FAIR Plan is an association comprised of all insurers authorized to transact basic property insurance in California and designed to be the state’s property “insurer of last resort,” writing coverage for businesses and residences when other insurance options are not available.

Lara and the FAIR Plan have been working on this issue since the commissioner’s investigatory hearing into the FAIR Plan in July where homeowners associations, youth recreational camps, agricultural groups and other businesses spoke about the growing need for greater commercial coverage limits. Before Lara took office in 2019, the FAIR Plan’s commercial limits had not been adjusted in more than two decades to keep pace with increasing property values and coverage needs.

“Giving businesses greater options for insurance coverage is a top priority of mine. I am pleased the FAIR Plan is stepping up when insurance companies fall short in providing businesses and homeowners access to the coverage they need,” Lara said. “I will continue working to expand coverage options and drive down the costs of insurance through wildfire safety discounts and increasing competition in the market.”

The agreement signed by Lara and FAIR Plan President Victoria Roach will increase the combined

coverage limits for the FAIR Plan, under its Division I Commercial Property Program, from $8.4 million to $20 million per location and, under its Division II Businessowners Program, from $7.2 million to $20 million per location.

“The FAIR Plan is committed to strengthening consumer choice in the voluntary insurance market and ensuring all Californians have access to basic property coverage,” Roach said.

“We appreciate Commissioner Lara’s leadership to take this step forward to address the challenges in the current commercial coverage market, while attempting to balance those challenges with the need for stability in the insurance market. We welcome the opportunity to continue collaborating with the Department of Insurance, the Legislature and other stakeholders to restore a viable insurance market for all Californians regardless of where they reside.”

Legislators join Lara

State legislators joined Lara’s call for an increased commercial coverage limit at the FAIR Plan in letters sent earlier this year.

“I applaud Insurance Commissioner Lara and the California FAIR Plan for working together to increase access to coverage for homeowners in high fire risk areas,” Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, DSan Diego, said. “Longer, more devastating fire seasons mean that Californians are feeling the impacts of climate change now. Expanding coverage is an important step towards preventing further displacement and protecting homeowners throughout the state. I look forward to continued conversations on how to make insurance more accessible for residents in high fire risk areas.”

“Consumers at risk of losing their homes need immediate

relief. They cannot wait for long-term solutions to current insurance market challenges, in particular the impacts of climate change,” Sen. Susan Rubio, DBaldwin Park, said. “At this moment, inaction is not an option. I commend Commissioner Lara for taking decisive action to protect consumers who are most at risk of losing protection. As chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, I look forward to our continued collaboration and discussions with all stakeholders to identify viable long-term solutions for a healthy and stable insurance market.”

Coverage increased

“This action to increase the California Fair Plan’s commercial coverage limit will improve access to fire insurance coverage for our businesses as well as multiresidential properties across our high fire risk areas,” Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, said. “My constituents are directly impacted by the lack of available fire insurance coverage, and I applaud the Insurance Commissioner and California Fair Plan leadership for working together to implement this necessary increase in the coverage limit. As a member of the Senate Committee in Insurance, I look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Lara and my colleagues to deliver solutions to the fire insurance crisis impacting so many across Senate District 4 and our entire state.”

The new coverage limits will take effect after the FAIR Plan

submits a new rule filing for approval by the Department of Insurance. The FAIR Plan has 60 days to submit a rule filing to the department, with the goal of the Department approving these coverage limit increases, meaning coverage could be available in the fourth quarter.

Business groups welcomed the additional coverage.

Need reprieve

“The increase in commercial coverage amounts provided by the FAIR Plan offers a much needed reprieve for the summer camps of California. Summer camps provide valuable opportunities for California’s youth but, in recent years, challenges to camps have been exacerbated by increasing costs for insurance coverage, and too often the coverage that was available came at too high a cost for these small businesses to afford,” Mike Stillson, chair of the California Collaboration for Youth, said. “This action by Commissioner Lara will provide the opportunity to properly insure our camps, buildings and property moving forward, ensuring our infrastructure in order to provide services to the youth of California. The California Collaboration for Youth thanks Commissioner Lara for once again working to help summer camps provide unforgettable experiences for the children of California.”

“This is a step forward in helping community associations find available, reliable, and affordable insurance coverage,” Kieran

Purcell, chair of the Community Associations Institute California Legislative Action Committee, said. “We support Commissioner Lara’s continued efforts to promote wildfire safety measures while aggressively pushing insurance companies to write the coverage that our communities need.”

More options

“California’s diverse farms need more than a one-size-fits-all solution for insurance,” California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson said. “Increased FAIR Plan coverage limits give farm families greater options and security to plan for the future. We thank Commissioner Lara for continuing to support our agricultural community.”

Since taking office, Commissioner Lara has prioritized increasing access to affordable insurance for California consumers and businesses. In October 2022, Commissioner Lara enforced the nation’s first Safer from Wildfires regulation requiring wildfire safety discounts for homes and businesses. In November 2021, Commissioner Lara ordered the FAIR Plan to increase its combined commercial coverage limits for the first time and, in November 2019, he ordered the FAIR Plan to increase its personal dwelling coverage limit to $3 million, doubling it from where it had been for two decades.

Submitted by California Insurance Commission.

B USINESS D IRECTORY

How a housing counselor can help prepare buyers for homeownership

TEMECULA – Buying a home can be intimidating, whether it is their first time or they’ve been around the real estate block before. The good news? Home buyers don’t have to go it alone. If they’re looking for a trusted partner throughout the process, working with a housing counselor can help prepare them for homeownership.

If they are unsure what a housing counselor does or whether this se rvice is right for them, home buyers should pause to consider these insights from Freddie Mac.

What is a housing counselor?

Housing counselors are trained, independent professionals who are available to offer advice, listen and help you make informed decisions based on your financial situation and needs, often at little or no cost. Their job is to help you navigate the homebuying journey and ensure you’re financially prepared for long-term, successful homeownership.

What se rvices do they provide?

One of the primary roles of a housing counselor is to prepare you for homeownership through workshops and one-on-one counseling. The counselor will start b y asking you questions about your income, credit and savings to help determine if you’re ready to buy and how much you plan on spending. Similar to a conversation with a potential lender, the more organized and prepared you are, the more productive your conversation will be. Once they understand your

current financial situation, they will provide guidance on down payment options and local down payment assistance programs; help you understand the features and costs associated with the various types of mortgages available; teach you important financial skills, such as planning your budget and building, maintaining and improving your credit and advise you on the role of your real estate agent and lender.

It’s important to know that housing counselors can be there for you beyond the homebuying process.

For example, if you are facing financial difficulties and struggling to pay your mortgage down the line, a housing counselor can offer financial guidance and work with your lender to help you avoid foreclosure.

How do you find a housing counselor?

Although finding a housing counselor can be as simple as running a search online or calling a hotline, it’s important to carefully consider your options. Unfortunately, scam artists abound, preying on home buyers and struggling homeowners alike.

Use one of these three ways to find a legitimate housing counselor. Reach out to a HUD-certified housing counselor at one of Freddie Mac’s Borrower Help Centers or Borrowe r Help Network for free assistance. Search for a HUDcertified housing counselor in your area on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website. Call

paring for and sustaining long-term homeownership, visit My Home by Freddie Mac.

Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions you can

make. Having a trusted expert in your corner means you don’t have to go it alone.

Submitted by StatePoint Media.

Housing counselors can help navigate the homebuying journey and ensure financial preparedness for longterm, successful homeownership. Valley News/ iStock via Getty Images Plus by fizkes the national HOPE hotline at 888995-4673 or visit its website at http://995HOPE.org. This hotline is free and available 24 hours a day. For more information about pre-

SRCAR Scholarship Foundation accepts applications

MURRIETA – For over 30 years, the South Riverside County Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to outstanding col-

Think of the Possibilities!

lege-bound high school seniors in the southwest Riverside County area that have family members in the real estate industry.

Scholarships are awarded based

on academic performance, accomplishments and involvement/ merit. All high school senior students with a minimum, cumulative, overall GPA of 3.0 at the end of their first semester, who are planning to attend a two-year community college, four-year university, technical, trade or vocational school are eligible to apply. Applicants are not guaranteed a scholarship. Students will be asked for proof of school registration and must be registered for a minimum of 12 units to obtain their scholarship funds.

To be considered for the scholarship, students must complete the enclosed application and type an one-page answer to the following essay questions: Why should you be considered for a scholarship?

And What are your goals during your college term?

Students must also submit two letters of recommendation. One must come from a teacher and the other may come from an employer, clergy member, community leader or family friend. The two letters must be attached to the application. If possible, students should type their application and letters. Students must obtain and attach an updated, unofficial transcript from their school counselor. Students must have a family member who is a current member of the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors.

Finally, students must register for fall 2023 classes at a two-year community college, four-year university, technical, trade or vocational school.

The scholarship application deadline is Friday, May 19, at 4 p.m. All scholarships must be claimed by Sept, 22, at 4 p.m. Scholarships unclaimed by that day and time will be voided. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Submit a completed scholarship application, letters of recommendation, essay and transcripts through email to scholarship@ srcar.org. For more information, visit the SRCAR website at https:// srcar.org/resources/srcar-scholarship-foundation/.

Submitted by South Riverside County Association of Realtors.

Cyclists race through the city at the Tour de Murrieta grand prix

Bellator 293 hits hard at Pechanga Resort and Casino

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

TEMECULA – Bellator 293:

Golm vs. James was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place Friday, March 31, at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. While the main event was a heavyweight match between the No. 5-ranked Marcelo Golm and the No. 8-ranked Daniel James, the fight of the night went the way of two bloodied up females that energized the crowd in Cat Zingano and Leah McCourt.

Top-ranked Zingano took on the No. 4-ranked McCourt in the comain event of the main card, which also included a middleweight battle between No. 4-ranked John Salter and No. 6-ranked Aaron Jeffrey, as well as a welterweight matchup between No. 10-ranked Jaleel Willis and Rustam Khabilov, a 13-fight UFC veteran who made his Bellator debut.

While Heavyweight is a particularly shallow division in mixed martial arts, the Bellator 293 main event between Golm and James was a bill that was set to earn the winner a shot at the Bellator heavyweight championship. In the clash of big men riding four-fight

winning streaks, James was able to land a series of heavy blows in the third round to score a TKO in the biggest fight of his career. After scoring the victory, James credited his coach with encouraging him to let his strikes go heading into the third round.

“He told me that the whole night last night,” James told the media after the fight. “I just had to sit down and really think about it. I just had to think about our purpose.

The fight was going one way, I felt, and I had to let the hands go. I had to believe in myself, and I just won.”

James’ win is his second in the Bellator cage and moves him inches away from a shot at Ryan Bader and the Bellator heavyweight title, and he wasted little time in calling out the champion.

As mentioned, Zingano and McCourt put on one of the most entertaining, and bloody, backand-forth female fights of 2023 at Bellator 293. The one thing that made the clear difference was the damage that was done by Zingano, who came away with a unanimous decision by scores of 29-28, 30-27, 29-28, much to the delight of the heavily supportive crowd.

see MMA, page C-2

Women’s pro cyclists round a corner in historic downtown Murrieta during the grand prix race.

Women’s pro cyclists race in the annual Tour de Murrieta grand prix in historic downtown Murrieta, April 1. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Women’s pro cyclists race in the grand prix during the annual Tour de Murrieta event. Men’s pro cyclists race in the grand prix during the Tour de Murrieta event in historic downtown Murrieta. Men’s pro cyclists race around a corner during the Tour de Murrieta grand prix race. Men’s pro cyclists race in the grand prix during the Tour de Murrieta event in historic downtown Murrieta.

Daniel James lands a left hook to the head of Marcelo Golm during their heavyweight bout Friday, March 31, at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Temecula Youth Baseball hits the fields with 30 years of success

The Temecula Youth Baseball league was incorporated in 1993 and is a member of PONY Baseball Inc. This year marks the 30th year the league has been active in the area, and with the

success of incorporating recreation divisions, travel ball divisions and special needs divisions, they have seen their share of success. Like many others, though, they had to endure tough times when the COVID-19 pandemic altered lives globally. As they celebrate 30 years of being an affluent part of

the local community, and despite the recent bouts of rain, the season finally got underway last week for youth players ranging from ages 4 through 18. In the PONY Baseball program, each individual league acts as its own governing body. As a result, Temecula Youth Baseball

is allowed to set its own rules, standards and systems to meet the needs of its members. TYB believes that the fields should grow with the player, and that the game of baseball cannot be played as it was intended if the physical capability of the players does not match the physical achievements

required for the game. As a result, Temecula Youth Baseball scales the size of the diamonds to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. Feel free to share your photos with Valley News, just like the Shetland Dodgers did last week, by sending info to sports@reedermedia.com

“I’m hard to keep on my back. I’ve heard that before,” Zingano said afterward. “She’s really tall and really strong and a lot of body. I’m not used to that, still, at this weight class. Yeah, I knew it was going to be a tussle with her, and it was going to be a lot of work. What I do know is I know how to cause damage and a lot of it. I think the damage made up for some of the transitional periods, and here we are.”

The full results of the main and preliminary events were reported as follows:

Cat Zingano def. Leah McCourt via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28).

John Salter def. Aaron Jeffery via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Luke Trainer def. Sullivan Cauley via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:58.

Rakim Cleveland def. Christian Edwards via submission (standing guillotine choke) – Round 3, 3:55.

Mike Hamel def. Nick Browne via TKO (head kick, punches) –Round 1, 0:42.

Adam Piccolotti def. Mandel Nallo via submission (rear-naked

choke) – Round 3, 4:26.

Sara Collins def. Pam Sorenson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:43.

Jeff Creighton def. Joey Davis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Lucas Brennan def. Josh San Diego via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:14.

Vladimir Tokov def. Lance Gibson Jr. via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:02.

Randi Field def. Ashley Cummins via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Bryce Meredith def. Brandon Carrillo via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:11.

Mackenzie Stiller def. Maria Henderson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:17.

For more information on the event, visit www.bellator.com.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com

All-CIF Southern Section soccer selections announced

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The CIF Southern Section released its awards for the 20222023 soccer season in late March, and the area was well represented on both the boys’ and girls’ fields. While this season there were no accolades handed out for top individual performances locally (Player of the year, Coach of the Year), there were 16 players from area schools selected to division first teams. From the southwest Riverside County region, inside the Valley News coverage area, the following players, representing their boys’ and girls’ high school teams were selected.

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION

Jacob Ponce (12), M – Temescal Canyon; Benjamin Gamez (12), D - Temescal Canyon

Division 7

Jesus Castillo (12), M – Tahquitz; Bailey Lebrun (11), M – Temecula

Prep

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Division 1

Zoe Willis (12), D – Temecula

Valley Division 2

Anai Olmedo (12), GK – Vista Murrieta; Kiley Walker (12), M –Vista Murrieta Division 3

Taylor Kessler (11), M – Murrieta Valley Division 4

Valley

BOYS’ SOCCER Division 4

Jack Vazquez (11), F – Great Oak

Division 5

Jonathan Haddadin (12), F –

Linfield Christian Division 6

Joel Lara (12), M – San Jacinto;

Cassandra Cortez Figueroa (12), GK – Paloma Valley; Kamdyn Jalayer (12), M – Temescal Canyon Division 5

Natalie Arnold (12), D – Hemet; Bridget Arnold (12), F – Hemet; Presley Searl (12), M – Hemet JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

JP Raineri Sports Editor

Players from TYB’s Shetland Dodgers have fun during a recent game at Harveston Park in Temecula.

A player from TYB’s Shetland Dodgers smiles during her recent game at Harveston Park in Temecula.

A youth player from TYB’s Shetland Dodgers practices his throws during a recent game at Harveston Park in Temecula. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Cat Zingano defeated Leah McCourt via unanimous decision in their comain event bout at Bellator 293.

Valley News/Andrez Imaging MMA from page C-1

Daniel James celebrates after defeating Marcelo Golm by TKO of their heavyweight Bellator 293 bout Friday, March 31, at Pechanga Resort and Casino. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

[Right] San Diego native Jeff Creighton, right, landing a punch here on Joey Davis, won via split decision in their bout Friday, March 31, at Pechanga Resort and Casino.

Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Temecula Valley’s Zoe Willis, a senior defender, was one of four Southwestern League female players selected as a First Team All-CIF selection for the 2022-2023 season.

Linfield Christian senior Jonny Haddadin was one of seven local male players selected as a First Team All-CIF selection for the 2022-2023 season.

News/File photos

Pumas place tenth at inaugural Bulldog Open

Joe Naiman

Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO – The Chaparral High School boys golf team joined 22 San Diego County teams last week in the inaugural Bulldog Open tournament. The action took place Monday, March 27, at the San Vicente Golf Resort in Ramona, where Pumas placed tenth among the 23 teams.

“I thought it was a good test for my guys,” Chaparral coach Jon Mitchell said.

High school dual matches involve nine-hole rounds; six golfers from each school compete and the high score is discarded while the scores of the other five golfers are added to obtain the team score. The Bulldog Open was an 18-hole tournament and five golfers from each team competed with the four best scores being added.

Chaparral had a team score of 346. Some schools had multiple teams (a total of 18 schools participated); Olympian (Chula Vista) and St. Augustine White (San Diego) tied for eighth with each having a score of 345 while St. Augustine Purple was the 11th-place team and had a score of 350. Classical Academy won the team portion of the tournament with a score of 317. Ramona High School, which hosted the tournament and plays home matches at San Vicente, placed 13th with a score of 365.

“Hopefully it will make us better

for the rest of the year,” Mitchell said.

The San Vicente course is 6,704 yards from the black tees the Bulldog Open participants used, and the 18-hole par is 72. “It’s a hard course,” Mitchell said.

Connor Williams of San Pasqual (Escondido) had the individual low score of 71. Danny Tovar had the low score for Chaparral and was one of five players to shoot a round of 80, which tied them for 14th among the 122 student golfers. Chris Ma was one of three players in the tournament with a score of 83 which tied those players for 20th. Chase Burton took 91 strokes, Conner Thoren completed his 18 holes in 92 shots, and Troy Song shot a round of 93.

“Difficult scoring for our guys,” Mitchell said.

The March 27 date was based on the course availability and was not a rain makeup date. “We got really lucky. It was between storms,” Ramona coach Craig Powell, who organized the tournament, said.

The last rainfall in Ramona prior to the tournament was on March 24.

“The course is in great shape,” Mitchell said.

“The weather’s been good to the course,” Mitchell said. “It was windy, dried out the greens. It rolled super fast.”

Remnants from the storm created a stream which was added to the course water hazards but did not impact play for golfers who avoided that body of water.

Chaparral’s

Vicente

Resort

Ramona Monday,

San Vicente is part of the San Diego Country Estates development. The course opened in 1973 and a renovation was completed in 2021. A trade magazine called Golf Inc. selected San Vicente as the first-place public course in its 2021 Renovation of the Year recognition article.

“I think they’ve done a good job with the bunkers,” Mitchell said. “I’m happy we got to come down.”

27. Valley News/Joe

Due to rain, the Pumas had only one dual match prior to the Bulldog Open; Chaparral defeated Vista Murrieta in that March 23 competition.

Mitchell himself grew up in San Diego County. He is from Valley Center and attended Orange Glen High School in Escondido, where Valley Center students went prior to the 1998 opening of Valley Center High School.

The Bulldog Open also included coaches playing, although the coaches prioritized their student participants and did not necessarily complete 18 holes. Mitchell played some San Vicente holes March 27. “It was tough,” he said. Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com

Lake Elsinore Storm ready for 2023 season with roster release

JP Raineri Sports Editor

With the overall success of the 2022 Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball season, there was also a large amount of roster turnover during their championship run. As most fans remember, there was an influx of new players at the halfway point of the season, which was also an important factor in what ultimately catapulted the Storm to a 2022 championship. The moves made last season have allowed for some roster stability between seasons as the depth chart shows 16 returning players. Officially announced last week, in coordination with the San Diego Padres, the complete roster has several quality returners, two top-30 Padres prospects, and multiple fan favorites.

In search of their 5th California League Title in team history, the following roster will begin their season this week as games get underway Thursday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore:

Catchers

*Victor Duarte

Oswaldo Linares

Anthony Vilar

Infield

*Charlis Aquino

*Griffin Doersching

*Wyatt Hoffman

*Graham Pauley

Rosman Verdugo

Chase Valentine

Outfield

*Albert Fabian

*Kai Murphy

*Tyler Robertson

*^Samuel Zavala (4th-ranked

Padres prospect)

Pitching Staff

Henry Baez

Thomas Balboni

*Manuel Castro

Javier Chacon

*Ruben Galindo

*Will Geerdes

*Jesus Gonzalez

^Jagger Haynes (27th-ranked

Padres prospect)

Ian Koenig

*Austin Krob

Carter Loewen

Isaiah Lowe

*Dylan Nedved

Cole Paplham

*Kobe Robinson

*Fernando Sanchez

*Robby Snelling

*Denotes returning player

^Denotes Top Prospect For media information please contact Jett, who also contributed to this article, by emailing jpickard@ stormbaseball.com

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

Matz wins ASHER Tour stop at Bear Creek while Murrieta’s Anderson finishes T2

Derryl Trujillo Sports Writer

MURRIETA – Eric Hagen’s lead after 36 holes at the ASHER Tour’s Bear Creek Shootout was only four shots and on Tuesday afternoon, March 28, at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta that lead very quickly evaporated. After a front nine of five bogeys, a double bogey and two birdies, Hagen posted a front nine 40 (+4) and dropped to -3. He’d shoot a final round 77 (+5) and finish two

shots off the pace.

Joshua Matz of Calabasas took advantage of the overnight leader’s struggles and behind an eagle at nine and birdie at ten posted a one under par round of 71 and three round total of 212 (-4). It would end up being good enough to earn the $5,000 first prize.

Low scores in Tuesday’s final round were hard to come by as only six players shot under par rounds.

One of those under par rounds came from Murrieta’s Josh

Anderson who won the 2019 California State Open at Bear Creek and was looking to add another title at his home course. Anderson was steady, making one birdie with no bogeys to shoot a final round 71 (-1) and post a three-day total of -2. He’d finish in a three-way tie for second place and earn $2,050 for the week.

Canyon Lake’s Chad Hambright just missed the money with a T14 finish after rounds of 75-7474=223 (+7).

Murrieta’s Aiden Canada, entered as an amateur, shot rounds of 78-72-79=229 (+13) and posted a T24 finish.

Andrew Leegwater, a Bear Creek member, missed the cut after rounds of 79-82=161 (+17) along with Temecula’s Anthony Marzett who shot 81-81=162 (+18).

This week the ASHER Tour makes a final 2023 stop in our area with another event at Soboba Springs Golf Course. Thursday,

April 6, and Friday, April 7, will mark the dates for the San Jacinto stop of the tournament that will serve as a tune-up for PGA Tour Canada qualifying next week. Derryl Trujillo can be reached via email at socaltrekkie@gmail. com

Chris Ma tees off on one of the holes at the inaugural Bulldog Open tournament which was held at the San

Golf

in

March

Naiman photo

The Lake Elsinore Storm will seek their 5th California League Title in team history as the 2023 season gets underway Thursday, April 6, at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

Valley News/Andrez Imaging

Murrieta’s Josh Anderson plays a chip shot in final round action of the ASHER Tour’s Bear Creek Shootout on Tuesday, March 28, at Bear Creek Golf Club.

Bear Creek Shootout Champion Joshua Matz prepares to putt in final round action of the ASHER Tour’s Bear Creek Shootout on Tuesday, March 28, at Bear Creek Golf Club.

Murrieta’s Josh Anderson hits a tee shot in final round action of the ASHER Tour’s Bear Creek Shootout on Tuesday, March 28, at Bear Creek Golf Club.

Valley News/Andrez Imaging photos

Menifee Valley students honored in March

MENIFEE - The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program recognizes students who are nominated by their teachers and staff at their respective school sites. They are chosen for their character, integrity, love of learning, ability to persevere and overcome challenging circumstances, community service and how they make a difference on their high school campus.

March’s honored students and their families attended a breakfast sponsored by the Perris and Menifee chambers of commerce along with local businesses and organizations on March 8. Principals and teachers from each high school shared stories about the students and they each received certificates of recognition, numerous gifts, congratulations and encouragement from local, county, state and federal dignitaries.

Skye Garces

Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month is Skye Garces. Skye currently holds a 4.3 GPA and is involved in many different activities at Paloma including varsity song, dance choreography and production, AVID, Key Club, NHS and varsity lacrosse. Even though Skye is involved in a wide variety of activities, she doesn’t do it just to check off boxes. For Skye, it is about getting the experience of being in the moment and being passionate in that moment. Being so busy, Skye has learned that it is okay not being the best at all times. She always sees room for improvement in all she does. “To me, improving each time is better than expecting to be perfect. This mindset has helped me a lot with many aspects of my life, especially being a part of many things and in academically challenging classes,” she said. Skye plans to further her education at a four-year university majoring in business or math.

Omar Garcia Perris High School’s Omar Garcia is March’s Student of the Month. Omar currently has a 4.1 GPA and is taking a number of AP and Honors courses. His parents came to the United States 35 years ago, leaving Mexico for a better life. Omar has worked very hard to honor his parents and the sacrifices they have made for their children.

Omar shared that he did face some challenges. In his junior year he took a college level class and struggled with it. However, he did not give up and kept pushing through the course. “I told myself that as long as I never gave up and gave it my all, I would do fine,” he said. And, he did pass the class with just under an A. Omar learned that through hard work and perseverance, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. He demonstrated Perris High School’s motto of “Never Give Up” with humbleness and gratitude. Omar plans to further his education at Mt. San Jacinto College then onto San Diego State to study engineering.

Carlos Santana-Ayala

Carlos Santana-Ayala is California Military Institute’s Student of the Month. Carlos is the Executive Officer of over 1,000 cadets. He has had to face some challenges in his life, but he has overcome quite a bit and has come a long way to where he is today.

Carlos shared that at the age of seven, his father was deported back to Mexico. The family chose to stay with their father in Tijuana, but later realized that it was not a healthy environment. Carlos and his siblings came back to the U.S. to live with another family member. Through all of this, the children pushed through with perseverance and hard work to be able to bring their mother back and that she can be proud of them. Starting out as a shy eighth grader to where Carlos is now shows the determination he

Valley

has to help make a difference in his family, school and community. Carlos plans to further his education majoring in computer science to enter the field of cyber security.

Ocean Hernandez Heritage High School’s Student of the Month is Ocean Hernandez. According to Principal Lindsay Chavez, Ocean embodies all of the core values of Heritage’s LEGACY. So much so that five of her teachers nominated her. One of her teachers, Rowan Moser, stated that Ocean is a passionate and kind person. “She is positive, and not the fake positive where you always have to

be smiling. No, the true genuine positivity that she shares with all of her classmates and staff members,” she said. Ocean shared that one of the life lessons she’s learned and will take with her through college and life, is to soak in everyday and all of its moments. “We are not guaranteed any time, so make the most of it while you can,” she said. Ocean takes this to heart, especially, after sharing about her childhood best friend’s battle with cancer. Ocean plans to take a gap year to travel with her dad and then return to continue her education towards being a teacher.

All of these students demonstrated a desire to work hard and have a drive to exceed others and their own expectations. The Perris Valley and Menifee Valley chambers wish them the best in their endeavors. If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder Sally Myers at 951-506-8024.

Submitted by the Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program.

Four MSJC students named 2023 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Competition award winners

SAN JACINTO – Four Mt. San Jacinto College students were named 2023 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Competition award recipients. MSJC was one of only a few colleges in the state with four or more winners.

Kyra Brantley-Hughes, Jessica Hulett, Drashuna Pilcher and Crystal Uribe are among the list of 112 California community college students selected for All-American First, Second and Third Teams.

PTK provides funds for national scholarship programs including the All-USA Academic Team Scholarship, the New Century Pathway Scholarship and the CocaCola Academic Team Scholarship. One nomination from each college is submitted for the All-USA Academic Team, which qualifies the student for national competition for the three national awards.

Jessica Hulett, member of the

Jessica Hulett, an accounting student at Mt. San Jacinto College, earns top honors in the 2023 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Competition and receives CocaCola Academic Team Silver Scholar award.

“Words can’t describe how honored I feel earning this scholarship,” Hulett said. “I never thought I’d be selected and recognized for my achievements in college and contributions to the community.”

Measures for the All-California teams and scholar awards are based on the student’s grades, leadership and community service.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the CocaCola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars awarding nearly $200,000 in scholarships each year. Hulett earned a $1,250 scholarship.

A mother of five, resident of Hemet and second-year student in business administration, Hulett reenrolled at MSJC in 2019 after a 20year gap. During her time at MSJC, she served as finance officer with Phi Theta Kappa, a mentor for the

Murrieta Valley students honored in March

Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

March’s students of the month are Murrieta Mesa High School’s Ty Albao, Murrieta Valley High’s Noralee Vivas, Springs Charter School’s Cadence Wright and Vista Murrieta High School’s Albert “AJ” Walmer.

Honors Enrichment program, and a peer tutor. She will graduate in May and transfer to Purdue University in the fall. Her career goal is to create a nonprofit company offering certified public accounting services to notfor-profit organizations.

Hulett was encouraged by her mentor and communications professor, Jennifer Baney, to apply for the scholarship. Baney said Hulett was commendable of the award based on her superior academics and contributions to the Honors Program, MSJC students and the community. Hulett volunteers her time to the community of Idyllwild.

This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Scholars will be recognized at a statewide ceremony and internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, April 20-22.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. For more information, visit http://cocacolascholarsfoundation.org.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at http://ptk.org. Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.

students and to appreciate different Native American culture through art, movies and music and to demonstrate that we are still here.” She hopes to attend UC, San Diego to major in clinical psychology to become a therapist. “I want to help others struggling with mental illness or hardships of daily life,” she said.

Cadence Wright Springs Charter School Temecula

of the

Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month award for March are, from left, Noralee Vivas, Albert “AJ” Walmer, Cadence Wright and Ty Albao. Valley News/KC Photography

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast on March 16 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. Sally Myers, who founded the first of four area Student of the Month programs more than 30 years ago, welcomed everyone to the event.

Myers explained that the nonprofit’s purpose is to celebrate and honor outstanding students who make a significant difference

in their school and community. Its mission is to provide a local high school recognition program which will acknowledge college and trade school bound seniors for their character, their love of learning and their commitment to academics in addition to their participation in athletics, school activities, community service or the ability to overcome difficult life circumstances in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise.

Backpacks filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients.

Ty Albao Murrieta Mesa High School singled out Ty for more than his outstanding academics, which ranks him in the top 10 of his class of 530 seniors. Principal Scott Richards said, “He is not just defined through his intelligence but rather through his faith and his character. He’s been involved in his church his entire life and is currently involved in youth ministry. It is a passion of his.” Ty has played football since he was a young boy and received the PRIDE award given by his coach for staying humble and hungry. Ty said the biggest challenge he had to overcome happened in his junior year. “Midway through football season, I tore my ACL, an injury that would keep me off the field for about nine months.” He worked hard on his recovery after surgery and did everything

possible to get back in the game. He wasn’t allowed to start in his senior year, which was a huge disappointment, but he was able to show he still had what was needed when he was called up late in one of the games and was able to help his team advance. His counselor David Carrillo shared a letter of recommendation he wrote about Ty that emphasized his soft skills, not all the other outstanding things that could be gleaned from other areas of his college application. His mother cited a passage from Ephesians, which in part says, “lead a life worthy of your calling.” Ty is hoping to attend USC in his pursuit of a data scientist career.

Noralee Vivas

Murrieta Valley Principal Ryan

Tukua introduced Noralee with a list of all her outstanding academic and volunteer endeavors. “But it has been her involvement with the Nighthawks Native Club during her senior year which has been a building block of our school’s efforts to celebrate all cultures on campus,” he said. “It was not an active club before Noralee’s leadership and vision. She has participated in our culture inclusion meetings and organized the involvement of the Native Club in MV’s first-ever cultural rally on March 6.” Noralee said her goal with the club is “to connect with other Native American

Student Center Principal Valerie Walker said Cadence has attended the K-12 campus for the past nine years. “She’s not just concerned with our high school, she’s concerned with our whole school,” Walker said, adding that Cadence is always willing to lend a hand when and where asked. “Her kindness and her faith are going to guide her to do some really awesome things.” Cadence said during her junior year she participated in independent study, which is an option at Springs. “Regardless of all the support and encouragement I received from my education specialist, I still struggled immensely because it was not a good fit for me at all. In fact, I struggled so badly I failed most of my classes. This was really hard for me to accept because I am a very high-achieving person and academically driven.” When she transitioned to on-campus see STUDENTS, page C-5

Menifee

Students of the Month for March are, seated from left, Skye Garces, Omar Garcia, Carlos SantanaAyala and Ocean Hernandez. Standing from left, Program founder Sally Myers, PUHSD Superintendent Grant Bennett, Councilmember Lesa Sobek, Angelica Austin for Senator Kelly Seyarto, Noel Cajudo with Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Jerry Sepulveda with Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce, Riverside County Office of Education’s Alejandra Herrera and Casey Deaver for Assemblyman Bill Essayli. Valley News/Courtesy photo

2023 PTK All-California team, was selected as a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar among more than 2,400 applicants.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Recipients

Murrieta/Wildomar

Firefighters’ PTSD focus in new documentary film preview coming to Pechanga Resort and Casino

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The term “post-traumatic stress disorder” or PTSD is often related to military service members who have severe anxiety, flashbacks or nightmares related to their experiences on the battlefield; however, it is also a condition with which firefighters and police officers are being diagnosed. This issue will be brought to the attention of those attending a special event screening of the documentary “Florian’s Knights,” hosted by the California State Firefighters Association as part of their CSFA Training & Education Expo at the Pechanga Resort and Casino Wednesday, April 19.

As part of this special screening event held in Pechanga’s Sum -

mit Room, Panayioti Yannitsos, director and producer of “Florian’s Knights,” along with several stars from the documentary will be in attendance and will take part in a Q&A with the audience immediately following the screening.

The following documentary stars will be in attendance during the Q&A: retired Battalion Chief Rod MacDonald from the Vancouver Fire Department and Florian’s Knights Motorcycle Club member; fire Capt. Darnell McLaurin from the Detroit Fire and Axemen Motorcycle Club member; firefighter Matthew Sabini from the Fire Department of New York and Florian’s Knights Motorcycle Club member, and fire Capt. Jack Cooper of the Toronto Fire Department.

The screening is expected to be attended by dozens of firefighters

from the local area, including firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department and more. The screening is free for CTEX conference attendees.

CTEX tickets are $20 each for general admission, and the proceeds will be used by CSFA to enhance mental health support for first responders.

“This is a great opportunity to join together with your local firefighter community in solidarity to support first responder mental health,” Yannitsos said.

“Florian’s Knights” is an independent Canadian production. Yannitsos’ new documentary chronicles firefighters in the U.S. and Canada who form a motorcycle club to cope with the crippling effects of PTSD. As the Florian’s Knights full patch motorcycle club, the freedom

How to handle family estrangement

Heidi Simmons

Certified Life Coach

There is an elephant in the room, and it is called family estrangement. Others refer to it as the silent epidemic. Today, we talk about a tough topic, “When adult children walk away from their mothers.” Statistics are very “sketchy” on this subject, because the number of mothers who have experienced this (past or present) is “under” reported. The reason for this is shame and embarrassment. One statistic I found to be quite disheartening was that 40% of all mothers (at one time) have experienced alienation from their child.

In my life coaching practice right now, I am talking with five women, who are estranged from their own children. (*names have been changed to protect privacy)

One of them, Jackie, is a retired woman who has been estranged from her only child, a son, for 30 years. When working at a high paying job, she continually supported any endeavor that came up. A new apartment? No problem!

A car? No problem! Vacation? No problem!

But when her funds dwindled away...so did he. When she reached out to him to try and reconcile the situation, he cut off all ties, claiming she had not been a good mother to him.

Another one is Rita, a soft spoken, kind, spiritual woman. The mother of three children also. She lost her

STUDENTS from page C-4

learning, things changed and she got involved with different activities. This allowed her to thrive from the interactions she cultivated with peers, teachers and staff. Cadence plans to pursue a career in teaching to help other students in the same way she was helped. Her mother said she hopes any students who struggle can find renewed hope and strength like her daughter did.

Albert “AJ” Walmer

Vista Murrieta High School

Principal Celeste Scallion said AJ was selected because he serves as a strong leader on campus through his involvement in basketball, Senate and PLUS (leadership group).

“He is consistently reminding his peers to be better than they were yesterday to get where they want to be tomorrow,” she said. AJ said an obstacle he had to overcome was trying to justify being chosen for this award, admitting he isn’t a student with a 4.0-plus GPA, hasn’t

only son to drugs several years ago. Wanting to devote the rest of her life to helping her youngest, unmarried daughter raise two sons, she moved out of state to become their primary support system.

Before this happened, each daughter would take turns not speaking to their mother. The oldest did this for three years once, the other distancing herself for months at a time. As I write this, the oldest has cut her out of her life, again.

These women have several things in common, profound sadness, feelings of rejection, guilt and shame. Though different circumstances have precipitated these “estrangements,” what is left for each one is “unending” grief.

In coaching different clients going through this, I have found some tools that, when incorporated into their daily lives, can have a profound effect on their wellbeing.

One picture is worth a thousand words

In the beginning, when the alienation is “raw,” it is best to put away all photographs of your child. Why? Because when looking at them, it will inevitably evoke unbearable sadness, and at times, inconsolable crying. The wound is still fresh and, like “ripping” off the preverbal Band-Aid, you start to bleed all over again.

Whether you choose counseling, coaching, support groups, prayer, books, family, friends (or all the above), there is a way to test your progress. After a length of time (that

taken Advanced Placement classes since his freshman year and other academic feats that many of the recipients of this award often can claim. “I’m the kid who struggled with school growing up, going to speech therapy classes and barely passing chemistry in my sophomore year,” he said. “Even though school has never been my thing growing up, I still gave my all every day because sometimes your best isn’t good enough but that doesn’t mean it’s a failure. Once I realized this, I started enjoying myself so much more.” He got more involved with activities on campus and took on roles where he could help other students. He plans to begin his higher education journey at Mt. San Jacinto College in the fall in pursuit of a Business Administration degree.

For more information or to participate in the program, please contact LouEllen Ficke at 951415-2250 or Sally Myers at 951775-0520.

you feel comfortable with), display the photo of your estranged child and see what feelings surface. If it is one of gratitude and love and elicits a smile or fond memory, you are now on the way to healing.

Write, read and mail a letter

When someone dies, as tragic as that is, as the years pass, you get some type of closure. Unlike a death, with “family estrangement,” there is never any real closure because we still have hope for a reconciliation.

How do you say “good-by” to someone you love, who is not dead but very much alive? Paramount to your “survival” is a release of all these emotions. You want to tell your child how you feel about what happened, how it has affected you, that you will always love that child, that you miss them deeply, and pray for a possible phone call, meeting, etc.

You write a letter from your heart; it is not so much the words but your feelings; let them pour out of you onto the pages. Then read the letter (without) correcting it. If what you wrote was heartfelt, it will come across as such. Mail it. You might

felt on two wheels inspires North American firefighters to speak truth against the stigma of first responder mental health and outlaw biker culture. From the impact of 9/11, to the frontlines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver and Toronto, and across the bridge to the arson epidemic in Detroit, “Florian’s Knights” travel to the darkest pits of the human experience. The real traumas of firefighting are exposed in ways never-before-seen.

In April 2018, Yannitsos met with Crowbar Pictures founder Shawn Galvao to discuss the Florian’s Knights, a new firefighter motorcycle club making waves across North America. Driving home from that meeting, Yannitsos found himself bumper-to-bumper with retired Vancouver Battalion Chief Rod MacDonald, who was

never know if your child ever reads it, but you will know you sent the words that stayed captive in your heart until you released them.

Buy a wire cutter and cut the chains

In the Christmas movie

“Scrooge,” there is the ghost of Christmas past that arrives dragging along a heavy chain behind him. This chain represents regret, pain, guilt and mistakes. Everywhere the ghost goes, he takes it with him. Mothers of estranged children do the same thing.

They play over and over in their minds, what they could have done differently.

The “self-talk” is punishment enough. Each day, a word, a memory, a decision is “replayed” non-stop.

This cycle (chains) can only be broken by grabbing a wire cutter (your respect) and breaking free of the abuse! Yes, you have made yourself a victim, by inflicting pain continually upon yourself. By reliving the pain, you perpetuate it. Once you cut the chains that bind, you start to look at yourself differently; with patience you can

riding his motorcycle, a Florian’s Knights patch on his back. Staring at the patch for several minutes in traffic, the serendipitous event convinced Yannitsos to sign on to direct the film.

Over the course of three years, Yannitsos and a core team of only four fellow filmmakers slept in fire halls across North America, often in 24-hour shifts, responding to emergencies in real time. “Florian’s Knights” is directed, edited and produced by Yannitsos, executive produced by Shawn Galvao, with cinematography by Jon Thomas of “The Angel Tree,” Blake Davey of “Someone Like Me” and “Rupture” and sound design by Jamie Spittal of “Freedom Besieged.”

Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

release yourself from your accuser, you!

Feel the love

During this time, it is especially important you console yourself. Touch and giving love can resuscitate a broken heart. From petting a dog or cat, the act of giving love makes you feel loved. No pets? Just holding a soft, stuffed animal can be a source of connection.

Missing your grandchildren?

Volunteer at a daycare or take a job babysitting. All that love now has somewhere to go. Give love where you can, a neighbor, a friend, just start giving and the residual effect will comfort you. There is an old saying, “This too shall pass.” Well, maybe it will, or maybe it won’t. We cannot control what our children do, however we can control how we treat ourselves. Remember mom, you gave birth to your children, which means you gave them life. You loved them the best you knew how and that alone is enough!

Heidi Simmons resides in Temecula; she can be contacted through hopelightcoaching.com or hopelightcoaching@gmail.com

Riverside pursuit ends in crash, arrests, injuries

Valley News staff

An 18-year-old driver of a Kia Forte was arrested in the early morning hours April 2, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, and two counts of felony child endangerment after a pursuit from Riverside to Vista ended in a crash with four occupants detained and rushed to area hospitals with unknown injuries.

A Fallbrook deputy who spotted the suspected stolen vehicle and continued the pursuit was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

On Saturday night, April 1, just before midnight, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department notified the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to be on the lookout for a stolen white 2023 Kia Forte that deputies were pursuing southbound on Interstate 15 but had lost sight of, according to SDCSD Fallbrook

Substation Lt. Claudia Delgado.

A short time later, at 11:58 pm, deputies from the Fallbrook Station were monitoring traffic and observed the Kia traveling south on I-15 at Mission Road with no lights on. Deputies initiated a traffic enforcement stop and the driver failed to yield, resulting in a traffic pursuit.

The Kia continued southbound on I-15 at speeds in excess of 110 MPH.

The pursuit led deputies through the city of Escondido before entering westbound Highway 78. The Kia continued to flee at high speeds and exited on Sycamore Avenue. As the Kia traveled through the city of Vista, the driver failed to negotiate the traffic circle at the intersection of South Santa Fe Avenue and Pala Vista Drive before striking the concrete traffic circle structure, causing the vehicle to overturn.

Deputies arrived on the scene and detained four people exiting the Kia: an adult driver, an adult passenger and two juvenile passengers. Due to the seriousness of the collision, all four occupants were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluations.

Lt. Delgado reported that the pursuing deputy’s view was obscured by the Kia kicking up dust and debris and the deputy was unable to avoid a crash into the traffic circle. The deputy was rushed to a hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the Kia was identified as 18-year-old Brenden Hawkins. The investigation into the allegedly stolen vehicle and traffic collisions are ongoing.

Fallbrook Sheriff substation and City News contributed to this story.

Arrest made in Mead Valley felony animal cruelty case

MEAD VALLEY – Animal Services officers arrested without incident a man in Mead Valley

Tuesday, March 28, in connection with the neglect of a puppy that died of its injuries caused by another dog in January. Lorenzo Angelo Gutierrez was charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty and booked into Robert Presley Detention Center. Gloria Esther Lopez is also being charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty, but she was not arrested.

The arrest occurred after a three months-long animal cruelty investigation prompted by a Good Samaritan who informed Animal Services in December about multiple emaciated dogs having no food or water in the 21400 block of Salter Road in Mead Valley.

Animal Services was unable to pursue charges until Friday, Jan. 20, when substantial evidence was provided, including a puppy who was attacked by other dogs

and was left multiple days without care and a second dog that was hit by a vehicle, also left without care for over six weeks. Necropsy lab results helped solidify Animal Services’ case.

“We are committed to pursuing animal cruelty cases whenever and wherever they occur in Riverside County,” Erin Gettis, director of county Animal Services, said. “Pet owners have an obligation to provide safe and healthy environments for the animals in their care.”

Failing to provide veterinary care to an injured animal that results in death is a felony in California.

The initial phase of the investigation found that the owner had more than the legal limit of dogs, prompting Animal Services to issue a notice of violation for failing to have a kennel permit. Anyone caring for more than four dogs in unincorporated Riverside County must have a proper kennel

Valley News staff

Derek Kinnison was at his church doing security during the TVUSD Critical Race Theory meeting in another town on March 22.

Another man at the TVUSD meeting, who was wrongly identified as Kinnison, got into a confrontation and was yelling at a young girl who reportedly was

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Lorenzo Angelo Gutierrez was charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty and booked into Robert Presley Detention Center. license. Officers returned to the property Feb. 1, where the man relinquished ownership of six dogs, including three 4-month-olds.

Nine additional dogs were surrendered at the property at the time of Gutierrez’ arrest.

“We are grateful to the individual who alerted us to this case and

Valley News/Courtesy photo

encourage all residents to reach out to Animal Services with concerns about the welfare and neglect of animals in Riverside County,” Josh Sisler, commander of Animal Services, said. Submitted by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Lake Elsinore man mistakenly identified and targeted by Temecula Facebook group

also, “yelling at him and poked his chest,” according to a bystander who spoke to the Valley News. As a result of him reportedly yelling at the young woman, people yelled back at him that, “She’s a child” and to stop. A pastor from San Jacinto placed himself in between the two. A video of the confrontation went viral.

Much to Kinnison’s surprise, someone on the Temecula Unity

facebook page misidentified Kinnison as the man in the confrontation with the young girl.

Kinnison said, “I wasn’t even in Temecula. I wasn’t at the TVUSD meeting. I was doing security at my church in another town. Also, I’m 6’8”. I’m definitely not that guy. But the thing I don’t understand is that the people on Temecula Unity preach about tolerance and acceptance, unless

you don’t believe like they do. I actually tried to have a civil dialogue with one of them and I tried to talk with these people.”

He continued, “This lady started making posts saying it was me at that meeting. She was saying, ‘He’s a J6 interactionist!’ That post with the video went viral. So immediately there were people getting my address online. Over 430 people have paid to get my address, my email and my wife’s phone number. She’s had threatening voicemails and text messages.

“One of the nasty messages was asking my wife, ‘Does he yell at your daughter the way he was yelling at that girl?’ These women are dropping “f” bombs. Other messages have said,’I hope the community gets a hold of you and lays hands on you in a biblical way - ha ha!’ My family doesn’t deserve to be bullied like this. I have a 14-year old daughter and a wife,” said Kinnison.

good credit. I look forward to hearing from you. Please call me or email me. Patricia (Trish) pkidd816@gmail.com (760) 468-5716 Services

The post was later taken down after Temecula Unity was alerted to the issue. Valley News searched the Temecula Unity page and it appeared they had taken down the erroneous post.

Julie Geary had a comment on the Temecula Unity post that said, “It wasn’t Derek, we have to make sure to verify our facts and sources.” FIve people gave that post a “thumb’s up.”

Valley News contacted the administrators at Temecula Unity and haven’t received a reply as of press time.

The car with four people inside failed to negotiate the traffic circle and crashed. Valley News/Gilbert Gonzales photos

The sheriff’s deputy also crashed after being unable to see the dust caused by the Kia.

A Fallbrook sheriff’s deputy was transported with minor injuries.

Lake Riverside Estates celebrates 21st annual Easter egg hunt

Writer

Over 100 children begin their search for eggs filled with candy and prizes at the Lake Riverside Estates 21st annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 1. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo a grassy field near the lake. All the children went home with goodies in their baskets. Parents pre-registered their

The Easter Bunny was seen hopping in a field near the lake, hiding almost 1,700 candy-filled

plastic eggs and organizing special prizes for the community Easter Egg Hunt in Lake Riverside Estates Saturday, April 1. The event was the twenty-first annual Easter celebration orchestrated by

LRE resident Cristina Thudium. Almost 50 families with about 85 excited children readied their colorful baskets and festive buckets in anticipation as they prepared to locate and pick up as

many eggs as possible. Excitement and near chaos erupted as children scrambled for the eggs, separated into various age groups. This year there were more than 1,650 candy-filled eggs hidden in

Freedom Farm presents Chickens, Chickens Everywhere Experience

Freedom Farm hosted an AirBnB Chickens, Chickens Everywhere Experience for a family from Mentone on Sunday, March 19. The intimate event introduced a mother and her children to the

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo farm’s residents, focusing on the feathered, clucking and egg-laying inhabitants.

Located in Anza, the quiet little ranch came alive with activity as Lydia, Isadora and mother Lindsay Ash learned all about chickens,

Hamilton School Band spaghetti dinner fundraiser huge success

High school student band performers get ready to perform during the Hamilton School Band spaghetti dinner fundraiser Friday, March 24 at the Anza Community Hall. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

The Anza Community Hall hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit the Hamilton High School Band and Color Guard’s 2023 Music Leadership Camp trip to Troy University in Alabama later this year. For a donation of $15, guests received a spaghetti dinner with garlic bread, salad, dessert and a beverage in the spacious Hall Friday, March 24. Friends and neighbors, parents, staff and students came together for good food, lively socializing and performances by the band

members, themselves, while contributing to their planned trip.

A silent auction for donated items and gift baskets raised additional money for the band. All funds collected go directly to the band for their trip.

“There are a total of 14 students and four chaperones going on the trip,” event organizer KC Neer said. “They have all been working very hard to subsidize the amount due in order to attend.”

Hamilton high and middle school students will be hosting car washes and bake sales to raise money for the once-in-a-lifetime band trip.

The band students will fly to Nashville and explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry. The tour will drive to Memphis to visit Elvis’ birthplace, the Rock and Soul Museum, Human Civil Rights Museum and more. Then the trip will continue to Troy University for Music Leadership Camp and off to New Orleans for the Battlefield New Orleans boat tour. Other events will be determined as the event date approaches.

According to the Troy University website, the Troy Summer Music see FUNDRAISER, page D-3

see EASTER, page D-4 see CHICKENS, page D-4

Diane Sieker Staff

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Isadora Ash enjoys holding a gentle chicken at Freedom Farm’s Chickens, Chickens, Everywhere Experience Sunday, March 19.

ANZA’S UPCOMING EVENTS

If you have an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line. Readers should call ahead on some listed events for the latest updates.

Regular Happenings

ONGOING – Anza Electric Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food Bank offers a free mobile food pantry the second Saturday of every month at the AEC office, 58470 Highway 371, from 10:3011:30 a.m. All are welcome. CalFresh application assistance and free community health services are also available. Bring your own reusable bags to take food home. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact the AEC office at 951-763-4333.

Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at http://www.hamiltonbobcats.net/ apps/events/calendar/

Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit http://www.hamiltonmuseum. org. Find them on Facebook at “Hamilton-Museum-and-RanchFoundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen Redshank Riders – Meeting monthly on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Locations change, so please contact Mike by email at stumblinl55@gmail. com or by calling (951) 7609255.

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings

Fit after 50 – 10:30-11t:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn, at 951751-1462 for more information.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting – 6 p.m. Every Tuesday at Shepherd Of The Valley Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza. Open participation.

Veterans’ Gathering

Mondays 9-11 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39075 Contreras Road, in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-9236153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way – Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m. Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA

– The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in

Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-551-2826.

Free Mobile Health Clinic

– Open every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Uninsured may only be seen in the Anza Community Hall’s parking lot or inside the hall.

Medication Assistance and Treatment for Opioid Dependence – Get treatment for heroin addiction. Transportation to the clinic is provided. For more information, contact Borrego Health’s Anza Community Health Center, 58581 Route 371, in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-4759.

Food ministries

F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive noon Thursdays at the Anza Community Hall. To order a paid box and help feed those who can’t afford to pay, drop off payment and cash donations by Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to ERA Excel Realty, 56070 Highway 371, in Anza. Pay inside or drop off during the day in the red box outside. To drop it off, put name and request on an envelope with payment inside. A $30 box has about $100 worth of food and feeds six people. Half boxes are available for $15. Food is delivered once a week to those who cannot find a ride. For more information, call Bill Donahue at 951-288-0903.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner

1 p.m. Dinners are held the last Sunday of the month at the Anza Community Hall. All are welcome. Donations of time, money, etc. are always welcome. Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a non-denominational nonprofit. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-7635636.

Bible Studies

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza Sunday Sacrament is held 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m. Priesthood/Relief Society meets noon; Wednesday Boy Scouts gathers 6 p.m. and Youth Night is 7 p.m. For more information, call Ruiz at 951-445-7180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza.

Native Lighthouse Fellowship

10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall” below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-7630856.

Living Hope Bible Study –8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, in Anza. All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111.

Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza.

Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the fourth Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.

Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951763-4622.

Anza First Southern Baptist Church - Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6th to 12th grade) meets for games and Bible study. Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School, and Senior’s Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch.com

Clubs Anza Valley VFW Post 1873

Capt. John Francis Drivick III Post, the Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries are located at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. Mail P.O. Box 390433. Request monthly newsletter and or weekly menu by email at vfw1873anzaca@ gmail.com. For more information, call 951-763-4439 or visit http:// vfw1873.org

High Country 4-H Club – 6:30 p.m. Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month, except February, at Anza Community Hall. 4-H Club is for youth 5 to 19 years old offering a variety of projects. High Country 4-H Club is open to children living in the Anza, Aguanga and surrounding areas. For more information, call Allison Renck at 951-663-5452.

Anza Valley Artists Meetings – 1 p.m. Meetings are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows. Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951928-1248. Find helpful art tips at http://www.facebook.com/ AnzaValleyArtists/

Anza Quilter’s Club – 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza.

Anza Valley Lions Club – The Anza Valley Lions Club has been reinstated and is open to all men and women who want to work together for the betterment of the community. The group is working on securing a new venue for meetings. Meetings and events are posted on the Anza Lions Club

of Anza Valley Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President. AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary.AnzaLions@ gmail.com

Boy Scouts Troop 319 –Cub Scouts meet 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and Boy Scouts meet 7 p.m. every Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints on Contreras Road, south of state Route 371, in Anza. For more information, call Richard Hotchkiss at 951551-3154.

Boys Scouts Troop 371 – Boy Scouts meet at Lake Riverside Estates. For more information, call Ginny Kinser at 909-7027902.

Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 59 is looking for new members of all ages. For more information, call squadron commander Maj. Dennis Sheehan from the Anza area at 951-403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit http://www. squadron59.org

Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on state Route 371 in Anza. Call 951-763-5611 for information.

Redshank Riders – 7 p.m. Backcountry horsemen meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Anza, the second Thursday of each month. Visit http://www. redshankriders.com or call Carol Schmuhl for membership information at 951-663-6763.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the first Thursday of the month at Valley Gospel Chapel, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951-7632884 for more information.

Organizations Terwilliger Community Association – 6 p.m. Second Monday of the month at VFW Post 1873, 59011 Bailey Road, in Anza. Potluck dinner open to all. For more information, call Tonie Ford at 951-763-4560.

From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries – Noon. Monthly luncheon and guest speaker are held the second Saturday of each month. The $5 charge covers lunch at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza. From the Heart helps the area’s neediest children and invites all women and men to join in their mission. Donate or help with the rummage sales twice a year to raise funds for the cause or other events. For more information, call president Christi James at 951-595-2400.

Anza Community Hall – 7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Memberships cost $20 per person or $35 per business, and both get one vote. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Voting members receive discounts off hall rentals, swap meet booths and save on propane gas from Ferrellgas. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. Swap meet held each Saturday of the month, weather permitting, early morning to 1 p.m. Vendors wanted. For more information, call 951-282-4267.

Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit http:// www.anzacivic.org

Aguanga hillside cross of lights heralds Easter sunrise service

Staff Writer

For the past 14 years, lower Aguanga has been graced by a brilliant 13-foot-tall Christian cross covered with bright white lights, purposefully positioned atop a hillside. The cross glows down upon the Hwy. 371 and 79

South junction, bringing smiles to many drivers during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

Affectionately known as Morgan’s Cross, the symbol was created by Aguanga homeowner Lee Morgan with support from his loving wife Sharon. Made of wood, the cross is draped with small white lights carefully

monitored by Lee to ensure they are all glowing as planned every night.

The cross is displayed during the holiday season, alongside the Morgans’ 16-foot tall star of lights. The cross also serves during another holy season in the spring every year. The couple invite friends and family to their property

Morgan’s cross can be seen from the intersection of State Highway 371 and 79 South during the evenings from before Christmas until Easter.

to celebrate a sunrise service under the cross every Easter Sunday.

“We’ve had an Easter Sunrise Service every year here since 2009,” Sharon said.

Morgan’s Cross is illuminated

every evening and is easily seen from across the valley. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

Camp classes include:

Concert Band campers will play in a concert band throughout the week. Sectionals and masterclasses will be included. Enrollment is open to all instrumental students.

Percussion Ensemble campers will play in an indoor/outdoor drum line throughout the week. Marching fundamentals for percussionists will be included. Enrollment is open to all percussionists.

Majorette campers will focus on individual and group twirling techniques throughout the week. Marching fundamentals for twirlers will be included.

Enrollment is open to all twirlers.

Color Guard campers will focus on individual and group techniques using a variety of color guard equipment. Marching fundamentals for color guard will be included. Enrollment is open to all color guard students.

Drum Major campers will focus on conducting, marching fundamentals, vocal commands and leadership techniques. Enrollment is open to all current or future drum majors.

Dance Line campers will focus on individual and ensemble techniques featuring a variety of dance styles. Marching fundamentals for dancers will be included. Enrollment is open to all students interested in dance line.

Camp will conclude with a final

performance by all campers in the Trojan Arena.

The cost per student for the trip is $1,400. This includes airfare, transportation, meals, hotels, camp and a few tours.

“As with most students and parents, this amount can seem overwhelming,” Neer said. “That is why we count on community participation. Our very own Pizza Factory has been very helpful with fundraising, allowing us to hold a total of four events. Dairy Queen is also helping by letting us use their parking lot for two scheduled car washes on April 15 and May 6. We have also received donations from the Anza Electric Cooperative, the Lions Club of Anza Valley and the Anza Thimble Club.”

To help these students, consider donating by texting BOBCAT BAND to 202-858-1233 or contact band director Lovina Leon at Hamilton High School at lleon@ hemetusd.org. To donate by check, make it payable to Hamilton ASB and be sure to put Band Camp on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Rd., Anza, CA 92539 or dropped by the office in person. All donations are tax deductible.

Be on the lookout for additional local, hands-on fundraisers such as car washes, bake sales and Pizza Factory coupon cards.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

Diane Sieker

Local residents gather for a prior sunrise Easter service at Morgan’s cross in Aguanga.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photos

FUNDRAISER from page D-1

Hamilton High School Color Guard members serve patrons at the Hamilton School Band spaghetti dinner fundraiser Friday, March 24 at the Anza Community Hall. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

Pasta with marinara sauce, garlic bread and salad are served at the Anza Community Hall.

Soloists perform at the Hamilton School Band spaghetti dinner fundraiser Friday, March 24.

children so Thudium could anticipate egg and prize needs for each age division. There is no lack of dedicated volunteers to assist with this special event. Thudium lined up volunteers, securing donations, preparing eggs and prizes and promoting the hunt for weeks. Under her guidance, the volunteers worked to make the event fun and run efficiently.

“Many of my dear LRE friends, their children and mine have all helped with this task over the years and I am forever grateful! I love seeing new families involved and also the ones who come back in their late teens/early 20s to help set up for an event that was such a special part of their lives growing up. It’s my pleasure to bring some happiness to everyone who participates,” she said.

The event was assisted by both residents and donors near and far that answered requests for donations via local social media groups.

“The first hunt was in 2002. I mentioned to my good friends, Sibylle Rosamond and Mary Kapple that an Easter Egg Hunt at the lake for our kids and any other LRE kids able to come

would be fun. It would definitely be a lot easier than having to pack up the kids and drive down the hill to Temecula,” Thudium said.

“Sibylle, Mary and I, along with Marge Buschman and Gloria Minert, provided hand potted plants and other goodies for the hunt. There were probably 20 kids who participated that year. With each consecutive year, through trial and error, the setup and organization has improved, donations have grown and more children have participated.”

Unfortunately, the celebration did not take place in 2020, due to pandemic health mandates.

Preparations for the hunt take place all year, as Thudium seeks after-Easter deals of stuffed animals, plastic eggs, toys, books, art supplies and more. Residents and local businesses such as the Anza Pizza Factory, La Cocina, and Missy’s Place 15th Hole Bar and Grill contribute gift certificates and more. Volunteers spend hours stuffing plastic eggs with candy, toys and stickers in the days before the event.

“When children are signed up for the hunt, parents are asked if they would donate filled eggs and candy, to add to the arsenal of prizes the kids can scoop up,” Thudium said. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

CHICKENS from page D-1

took photos and mingled with poultry, goats, dogs and horses.

Farm owners Janene Edmisten and Brad Anderson answered questions and showed off the chicken craft they have perfected over the years.

“What a wonderful family farm,” Lindsay Ash wrote in an online review. “The hosts were welcoming and very informative. We really enjoyed our time learning about the chickens and spending time on the farm.”

Horses, a herd of goats, a flock of chickens, working guardian livestock dogs and barn cats call the farm home.

“Freedom Farm was established in 2016 in Anza and moved to its current location in May of 2019,” Edmisten said. “What started with a few dogs, chickens and two goats has blossomed into so much more. The Chickens, Chickens Everywhere Experience is very educational and visitors have said

they’ve taken the knowledge home and were prepared to start and raise their own flock.”

The Experience is one of five events Freedom Farm offers through AirBnB Experiences, short activities booked through the online marketplace for shortterm homestays and experiences. The company acts as a broker and charges a commission from each booking.

“When you choose this Experience at Freedom Farm, you start with an educational course on raising chickens, their daily required care, supplies you need for cleaning and raising chickens, housing options for your chickens, feeding, how to make your own food for them, the differences between breeds, hens and rooster knowledge, raising chicks, how to incubate eggs and the hatching

process all the way up to raising chickens as pets or for your own food supply,” Edmisten said. “We teach what it takes for processing the meat as another class also available booked directly through Freedom Farm at various times of the year. We show eggs in the incubation process (seasonal), visitors meet the farm’s chickens and hold baby chicks, feed them treats and see their living setup.” Education and fun are passions of the Freedom Farm owners. They host group and private paint and sip events as well as instructional classes and AirBnB Experiences. For more information about upcoming events at Freedom Farm, visit www.facebook.com/ Putemupranch.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

EASTER from page D-1

Toddlers scramble for candy-filled eggs at the Lake Riverside Estates 21st annual Easter egg hunt. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photos

Residents and their children show up in their Easter best to the Lake Riverside Estates 21st annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 1.

Near chaos ensues as children seek each and every egg at the annual Easter egg hunt.

Toys donated by local residents are organized by volunteers for the Lake Riverside Estates 21st annual Easter egg hunt.

The Easter Bunny takes a picture with event organizer Cristina Thudium at Lake Riverside Estates.

Lydia, Isadora and mom Lindsay Ash from Mentone meet and greet the ranch guardian at Freedom Farm’s Chickens, Chickens, Everywhere Experience Sunday, March 19. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Is Easter inconvenient for you?

new clothes. My wife does that for me. I am forbidden to shop for myself.

As fun as all that sounds, we know, or at least we should know, that Easter is much more than bunnies, eggs or things colored in pastel. It’s about Jesus rising from the dead and leaving the tomb empty. This is the pinnacle truth of the Christian faith.

Zachary Elliott Special to Valley News

It’s Easter again. That time of the year when we fill Easter baskets and eggs, buy new outfits and invite the family over for lunch. Some of you might even go to church for the first time in a long time.

Truth be told, I will be doing all of those things. I think they’re fun. Except I won’t be buying myself

It’s so crucial that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, there wouldn’t be a “Christian faith” to begin with. Or at least there wouldn’t be faith that’s worth believing. The hallmark of our faith would still be dead, not too unlike a lot of other religious dead guys.

Our simple belief is, “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said,” in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

But for many, it’s an inconvenient truth. For some, life would be easier if Jesus hadn’t risen from

the dead.

A dead Jesus can’t challenge you to turn away from sin and follow him. He never gets in the way of your life and what you want to do. He won’t ask you to give your time, talent and treasure to building his kingdom. He’ll never send you on a great commission to go and make more followers of him.

A dead Jesus won’t hold you to a sexually moral and biblically based life. He won’t challenge you to be holy in what you say, do, and think. He can’t tell you that you have to be a servant of all if you want to be great.

A dead Jesus is very convenient because faith in a dead Jesus is a dead faith.

However, as convenient as a dead Jesus might be, the benefits of a risen, living Jesus far outweigh them all.

A living Jesus forgives your sins, making you right with God for all eternity. He heals your heart

and your hurts. He fills you with hope, joy and the power of his Holy Spirit. He promises you a home in heaven with him, because he actually wants you around.

A risen Jesus listens to your prayers and deepest struggles and never leaves you, even when you’re at your worst. That’s not just convenient. It’s life changing.

That’s why I say, thanks be to God, Jesus is alive and well because he rose from the grave. And he does what only the living God can do. He saves.

As Jesus said, “I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave,” in Revelation 1:17-18.

So, what is Easter to you? Is the truth of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave inconvenient because you want to live for yourself? Or is it the convenient life-changing, eternity-altering, sin-forgiving truth you need right now?

When Jesus rose from the grave, he proved he was who he said he was – the God of heaven and earth. It makes him the single most important person in the history of the world. And it means that everything he said must be listened to and obeyed.

The wonderfully convenient truth is that “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” in John 3:16.

My challenge to you today is to remember what Easter is about. Jesus is risen indeed.

Think about it:

What can you do this Easter to celebrate the living Jesus?

What church service are you going to so you can worship Jesus?

Z achary Elliott is the lead pastor of Fusion Christian Church in Temecula. For more information, visit http://www. fusionchristianchurch.com, http:// www.encouragementtoday.tv or find them on Instagram.

Open letter to Assemblymember Marie Waldron, Senator Kelly Seyarto and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. regarding AB 659

highest-grossing product. Dr. Bernard Dalbergue, a former Merck physician said this, “I predict that Gardasil will become the greatest medical scandal of all times because at some point in time, the evidence will add up to prove that this vaccine, technical and scientific feat that it may be, has absolutely no effect on cervical cancer and that all the very many adverse effects which destroy lives and even kill, serve no other purpose than to generate profit for the manufacturers.”

Please fight to protect our children from big pharma, the lobbyists who fight for them and the politicians who take their contributions.

I understand that, thankfully, the Gardasil HPV vaccine mandate has been dropped for grades 8-12 in Assembly Bill 659, but the college mandate remains.

Gardasil is yet another vaccine that is being pushed on healthy young people, despite hundreds of lawsuits presently being fought against it because of severe complications, including death, of young people who took the shot. Some video posts from parents show previously healthy young people laying in their beds, debilitated, trembling in constant pain 24 hours a day with no cure or hope in sight. It is Merck’s third-

AB 659 now seeks to mandate HPV vaccine for college students to attend state universities and community colleges in California and would require a coercive “notification” be sent to 6th grade students and their parents “containing a statement … advising that the pupil be fully immunized against HPV before admission or advancement to the 8th grade level.”

College students deserve the freedom to choose whether or not they want this vaccine. Please insist the Committee amend the “notification containing a

statement” to clearly state the HPV vaccine is NOT mandatory.

Why there is concern Gardasil, manufactured and marketed by Merck, received fasttracked FDA approval, leaving many unanswered questions about its safety and efficacy.

Gardasil only targets nine out of the over 200 strains of HPV.

The risk of developing cancer from HPV is extremely rare. In the U.S., new cases of cervical cancer will affect approximately 0.8% of women, and approximately 0.2% of people will be diagnosed with anal cancer in their lifetime. Cervical cancer is largely treatable if caught early.

Hundreds of individuals across the U.S. are filing lawsuits against Merck, claiming Gardasil caused serious, life-altering adverse effects, including death.

Gardasil can cause serious and debilitating adverse reactions for both boys and girls, including but not limited to:

A multitude of autoimmune diseases.

• Autonomic dysfunction including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and orthostatic intolerance (OI).

• Prem ature ovarian failure

(POF) that leads to infertility.

• Guillain-Barré syndrome.

• Encephalopathy Ot her serious conditions, including death.

Merck’s clinical trials of Gardasil did not look for or test for cancer prevention. Whether Gardasil provides any protection against cancer (let alone lifetime immunity) is unproven.

For individuals with an active HPV infection at the time of vaccination, studies have shown up to a 44.6% increased risk of developing advanced abnormal pre-cancer not seen prior to vaccination.

Over 90% of HPV infections cause no clinical symptoms, resolve without treatment and are cleared from the body by its own immune system. (A.C. de Freitas et al.)

Since Gardasil’s introduction in 2006, the number of deaths from cervical cancer in the U.S. has shown essentially no improvement. This mandate would inhibit equal access to education and place students at risk for serious harm.

Gardasil still has unanswered questions on safety and efficacy. California no longer has philosophical or religious exemptions, and medical

exemptions are nearly impossible to obtain while doctors are stripped of their licenses. Please educate the committee members about the impact AB 659 would have on the children of California. Gardasil has proven risks and no liability for injuries or death. Below are the remaining concerns regarding AB 659. Eliminate the language for state universities and community colleges to mandating Gardasil in AB 659. College students deserve the freedom to choose. Amend the “notification containing a statement” to specify that the HPV vaccine is NOT required for students in grades 8 through 12 to attend school.

This opinion piece contains information from the Children’s Health Defense Fund, which is fighting alongside parents in 60 lawsuits presently out of the hundreds that are in the courts at this time against Merck, alleging the drugmaker knowingly concealed adverse events associated with its Gardasil HPV vaccine.

Watch Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presentation on HPV and Gardasil for more information at https:// childrenshealthdefense.org/news/ rfk-jr-video-and-facts-aboutgardasil/

Legislation to ensure financial literacy education fails to pass through committee

Teachers would be able to include age-appropriate information based on their students’ grade levels and proficiency, and could address various topics, including personal banking, budgeting, taxes and planning for college expenses. Since SB 342 would not add an additional class and would be integrated into the already scheduled 2024 curriculum revision, it would not impose financial burdens on California’s schools.

Kelly Seyarto

Senate Bill 342 was up for a vote in the Senate’s Education Committee, during the week of March 27-31. The bill would offer a simple language change to existing law, making it mandatory for California’s Instructional Quality Commission to include financial literacy education in K-12 curriculum.

In a disappointing turn of events, committee members voted against or abstained from advancing the bill.

Currently, the Instructional Quality Commission has been encouraged to include financial literacy in its history and social science curriculum. SB 342 would require the inclusion of financial literacy education periodically throughout K-12 schooling, preparing students for real-life scenarios and best practices.

Personally, I benefited from being raised by a teacher who knew the value of instilling financial literacy skills in his children We struggled financially, but my father managed to keep our home, keep us clothed and keep us fed, even after having our household income slashed in half after our mother’s death. It taught me valuable lessons that I took into adulthood. Unfortunately, with today’s volatile economy and lack of financial literacy education, young adults have worse outcomes, more debt and fewer assets than ever before, and the problem is even more prevalent in Black and Brown communities.

That reality is why financial literacy education has never been more important for California students. Research has shown that students who have access to high-quality financial education have better economic outcomes as adults, resulting in less debt and a higher quality of life. It applies to students who choose a higher education path or a technical career education path. Right now,

it is especially critical to prioritize financial literacy as rising inflation begins forcing California families to face tough economic choices.

There is already a push for this type of education nationwide, with 70% of high school students in the U.S. able to access a personal finance elective or guaranteed course. California cannot afford to fall behind by procrastinating adding this type of education across grade levels. Currently, only 1 in 4 students participate in personal finance courses where offered.

As far as the education of our

children is concerned, there is no logical reason to block this bill from advancing and becoming law. Unfortunately, even at the committee level, this commonsense legislation failed.

I requested and was granted reconsideration of the bill, to be able to take it back up in committee. We will fight to get another hearing and get our students the education they so desperately need.

To watch the committee hearing on this bill, visit bit.ly/SB342.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, represents California’s 32nd Senate District, which includes

the cities and communities of Aguanga, Anza, Borrego Springs, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Chino Hills, Corona, Desert Edge, Desert Hot Springs, El Sobrante, French Valley, Good Hope, Hemet, Homeland, Idyllwild, Julian, La Cresta, Lake Elsinore, Lake Mathews, Lakeland Village, Menifee, Mead Valley, Meadowbrook, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Springs, Sage, Sky Valley, Riverside, Temecula, Temescal Valley, Thousand Palms, Valle Vista, Whitewater, Wildomar, Winchester, Woodcrest, and Yorba Linda.

Julie Reeder Publisher

Senator

Special to the Valley News

ARTHUR JOHN ESPE in the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside.

The Petition for Probate requests that ARTHUR JOHN ESPE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

Date: 04/17/2023 Time: 8:45 a.m. Room: PS3

Address of court: 3255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Palm Springs Courthouse

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Notice To Readers: California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State law also requires that contractors include their license number on all advertising. You can check the status of your licensed contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov or 800-321-CSLB. Unlicensed contractors taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.

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