Knee Deep in the Hoopla, A-3
VALLEY
Prom dreams come true with dress giveaway event, A-6
Local Legacy Runner rolls through 30th straight LA Marathon, B-10
A
Section
NEWS
April 17 – 23, 2015
www.myvalleynews.com
Real Estate
How to interview and select a realtor
Volume 15, Issue 16
Reality Rally 2015 looks to a future with no breast cancer
John Occhi and Mike Mason Special to the Valley News As of April 1 of this year (no fool’n), there are a total of 3,887 licensed real estate agents in good standing within our local Board of Realtor at SRCAR (Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors). Please note, not all of these licensed Real Estate Agents are created equal. Finding the right one for you, when selling your home can make all the difference between a quick sale versus languishing way too long on the market unsold. see page B-3
Business
Shop Chic for a Cause to be held Kim Harris Managing Editor Shop Chic for a Cause, sponsored by the Temecula Valley Republican Women’s Federated, will benefit local charities this year according to Gloria Karlak, TVRWF Ways and Means co-chair. see page B-6
Sports
Washington Nationals seek local talent for scout teams JP Raineri Sports Editor The Washington Nationals Baseball organization has decided to make the Temecula Valley home to its newest endeavor, which involves combing the area for fresh new baseball talent.
Reality Rally team Merica find a clue in their first challenge at the Temecula Farmer’s Market in Old Town.
Ashley Ludwig Staff Writer Over 5,000 people attended this year’s Reality Rally event, in its fifth year of fundraising for Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center. The 98 reality stars in attendance – from primetime to lesser known
cable channels – all capture attention beyond their 15 minutes of fame. At the heart of it is a real issue, which was the theme of 2015’s event, looking to a future with no breast cancer. “We are all touched by cancer in some way,” stated Gillian Larson, “Survivor,” Gabon cast member, and founder of the event.
As is tradition, the reality stars each had to earn at least $500 donation to Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center as entrance fee for the fun for funds event. However, a few managed to go far beyond that. “We’ve watched Brad Bohannan of ‘Bar Rescue’ and Liza Stinton of ‘Big Brother Canada’ battle it out
Shane Gibson photo
to see who won the top fundraiser. Liza crossed the finish line as our top earner, and received special rewards before the weekend began.” Larson said. Stinton celebrated with a flight over Temecula, and a wine tour of Falkner Winery. Other top earners
see RALLY, page A-4
Santa Monica Fire Chief Murrieta leaders tapped for Murrieta Fire honor Hospice of the Valleys’ volunteers at Department’s top spot luncheon event
VALLEY NEWS
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see page B-11
Murrieta Mayor Harry Ramos, right, poses for a photo with Menifee couple Chris and Larry Peurifoy after giving them Certificates of Recognition for their volunteer work with Hospice of the Valleys. The Murrieta based organization held a volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Murrieta Public Library on Saturday, April 11. Laura Rathbun photo
Laura Rathbun Writer The city of Murrieta announced the hiring of Santa Monica Fire Chief Scott Ferguson late last week. Ferguson will replace Matt Shobert who retired in December to focus on his recovery following a freak accident that occurred in July 2014. Courtesy photo
Kim Harris Managing Editor Following the retirement of Fire Chief Matt Shobert in December, the city of Murrieta has announced the selection of a new Fire Chief. Effective May 18, Scott Ferguson will fill the position for the city. Ferguson, who is currently the fire chief for the Santa Monica Fire Department where he has served since 2010, said he is looking forward to serving Murrieta and its residents. “To say that my family is ‘ex-
cited’ fails to adequately express just how good this really feels,” he said. “While our experience in Santa Monica exceeded all my expectations, our move will check a number of boxes that have gone empty for a few years. Murrieta is vibrant, and the city’s leadership team is focused, smart and hungry to grow. Most of all, under the leadership of retired Chief Matt Shobert, the Fire Department provides world class customer service and is deeply rooted into the fabric
see FERGUSON, page A-9
Hospice of the Valleys hosted its annual volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Murrieta Public Library on Saturday, April 11. Each year during National Volunteer Week, April 12 -18, the 33-year-old Murrieta based nonprofit organization hosts a luncheon to thank its 60 volunteers who provide support and companionship to members in the community with life-threatening illnesses. This year’s luncheon had a western theme and barbecued food was served to volunteers and about 20 guests who came to laud them. The guests included Murrieta’s Mayor Harry Ramos, Councilman Rick Gibbs and Councilman Jonathan Ingram.
“Today we are welcoming all of you to the Wild West Volunteer Appreciation Roundup honoring the best hospice volunteers in the west,” said Volunteer Coordinator Christy Lawless during the event’s opening remarks. “Thank you all for being here.” The hospice’s Chief Administrative Officer and CEO Lynette Cvar described the volunteers as amazing. “We’ve got volunteers that give of themselves and they come year after year,” she said. “They believe in what we do and we are here to honor them.” “We truly thank you so, so much,” Ramos said before he began presenting awards to the volunteers for their hours and years of service.
see VOLUNTEERS, page A-6