City News Service
Special to Valley News
Three men suspected of killing a 78-year-old man in Winchester were in custody Friday, May 5.
$1.1M
SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — A
$1.1 million payment was made to resolve a ransomware attack on a California county’s law enforcement computer network, Southern California News Group reported.
The performances
The annual Menifee’s Got Talent event showcasing singers, dancers and musicians from all genres, returned as an in-person event at Liberty High School’s performing arts theater on May 5. Hundreds of enthusiastic audience members were entertained by a wide variety of acts during the two-hour show presented by Arts Council Menifee.
ivories with an original composition and a standard, respectively. Lorena Hancock presented dancers from Ballet Folklorico of Menifee and Jasmine Lliescu performed a classic ballet number. Emanuel Esparza led a jazz combo and Grace Kyte took lead vocals for the rock band Name Pending.
The evening provided a musical storm as 10-year-old Joseph Luna Jr. brought huge applause with his rendition of a Journey song and Hannah Butler brought the house down with an original composition she titled “Ok, Ok.”
When it was first launched by Arts Council Menifee in 2011, Menifee’s Got Talent was a competition, similar to the popular reality television shows. ACM President and MGT Coordinator Colleen Ackerman said she initiated the Hannah
Singers were Gabby Nicoll, Joseph Luna Jr., Hannah Butler (with guitar), J.R. Ramos, Richard Ketcham, Christine Park and Charmaine Summers (duet), DeAndre Pullen, Audrey Woisin, Aryana Campos, Abishay Forys, David Mallery, Raymond Carpenter (with guitar), Daniella Moroz, Benjamin Cooper and Angela Mona.
Pianists Aaron James Schaffer and Barbara Shawcroft tickled the
see TALENT, page A-7
When NFL players took a knee during the National anthem in 2016, a tradition was born at Rainbow Oaks Restaurant.
Owners Duke and Jonell Maples, who remodeled and reopened the restaurant in 2009, decided to start playing the National anthem at noon, seven days a week.
“It was my way of waving my middle finger at the NFL,” said the retired Marine. The restaurant is filled with patriotic memorabilia and American flags. A Marine Corps flag flies under the American flag atop the restaurant and inside, it’s obvious the clientele has support for and by the military and law enforcement. The restaurant, located on the west side of I-15, is also frequented by bikers, especially on weekends.
The Maples sold the restaurant (but not the land) to Jeanene Paulino in December. Interviewed at the cashier’s stand last week, the new owner said she plans to continue all the same patriotic activities, including the national anthem.
The restaurant has been in national headlines and social media the past few weeks after a woman visited the restaurant and declared on TikTok that the restaurant’s activity was “the most dangerous situation I’ve ever been in.”
“Our country is in sad shape if the national anthem is anything but something to be proud about,”
Duke Maples countered at the restaurant last week just before the National anthem was played.
Paulino, the new owner, said she was the real estate broker who listed the business for sale before buying it herself in December. “It was difficult to find a buyer with the same heart as Duke and
Jonell,” she said. “I stand with what they’ve established here, and it mirrors my feelings.”
The Maples agreed to stay and help with the restaurant operation for a year as Paulino learns the business. “I don’t have time for real estate now,” she noted.
There’s been a steady increase in business from people supporting the patriotic restaurant. Patrons sang along during the national anthem last week and many cheered and clapped at the conclusion.
After 15 years owning the business, Duke Maples said he doesn’t have any other plans. “I love it here and don’t plan on going anywhere else,” he said.
The couple put their lives into the restaurant, from rebuilding the original restaurant established in 1946, to many, many long days of serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The restaurant is known for its large servings and for defying county orders and remaining open during Covid. “We were ‘rocking’ and proud of it,” said Jonell Maples.
The most descriptive word for the restaurant’s motif is “woodsy.” The walls are made of timber hauled away from slopes charred by the Rice and Poomacha fires. The bar is a beautiful slab of local cedar.
Interviewing patrons at three of the tables last week, it was evident people were there to support the business.
Bill and Cheryl Luedke from Temecula said they come often, especially Sundays after church if they can arrive in time for the national anthem.
“We saw it on MSN News, then Fox, and wanted to come with a friend today,” Cheryl said.
Jason and Amanda Beeman of
Rainbow Oaks restaurant owner Jeanene Paulino stands with patrons at her restaurant as they honor the playing of the national anthem. Perris said they have been to the restaurant about three times. They knew it was a patriotic establishment, but a year ago came for lunch and were surprised – pleasantly – when the music started, and everyone stood.
“We saw the opposition on TikTok and just felt it was the right thing to come to show support,” Jason Beeman said.
At a larger table in the back were
seven friends who live in Fallbrook, Escondido, Vista and La Mirada. They explained that they get together for breakfast or lunch 2-3 times a month at various locations in San Diego County. They had visited Rainbow Café in the past, but Nancy Watt of Fallbrook said that when she saw the report on TV, she suggested a return trip. Like everyone in the restaurant, they each stood and proudly sang.
For fun, they call the group OPC, “old people club.”
Paulino said she has been encouraged by the show of support.
“There have been a very few people who have been nasty, but it doesn’t bother me. I really don’t care,” she said. “This is all about respect for freedom and the men and women who should be recognized, our law enforcement and military heroes.”
Debut event brings former mayor’s campaign fundraising to nearly $140,000
The campaign kickoff of Jonathan Ingram, candidate for Supervisor of Riverside County’s Third District, drew nearly 300 supporters on a cool evening to Murrieta’s Summerland Ranch Friday, May 5.
“Thanks to so many wonderful and generous supporters,” Ingram said. “The broad support of the community is humbling.”
Ingram shared his campaign message of keeping taxes low, creating well-paying local jobs through a strong local economy, shortening commutes, reducing traffic and repairing our roads, and fully funding and supporting our sheriff and fire departments.
no doubt he will do a wonderful job as a great county supervisor,” Ashley said.. Morrell said, “I’ve known Jonathan for over a decade, and I appreciate what he has accomplished as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and small business owner. I have observed his political career throughout the years as a councilmember and mayor of the City of Murrieta, where he contributed to our community greatly and worked hard to keep our principles whole. He will do an excellent job for the citizens of Riverside County as our new supervisor.”
Trustee, Dale Qualm Trustee, Patricia Kelleher Cemetery Staff General
Cindi Beaudet Administrative Assistant, Cherry Santos Groundskeeper, Kyle Means, Groundskeeper, Alfredo Aguilar
Residents and community leaders, including former Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, former state Senator Mike Morrell and nearly all of the Murrieta City Council showed their support at the kickoff event.
“Jonathan is a hard-working guy who gets things done. He is a very successful businessman, and with his public service experience, I have
“I understand the issues families face and will work tirelessly to find solutions for the residents of Riverside County,” Ingram pledged. “I will work to ensure open government is the rule, not the exception. With your continued support, our county’s best days are ahead of us.”
To learn more about Jonathan and stay informed on the latest news and events from the campaign trail, visit www.ingram4supervisor.com.
Staff Writer
Before making a decision to continue a public hearing on the plot plan for a major warehouse off Ethanac Road, Menifee City Council heard an attorney for the city of Perris voice the neighboring city’s objection to the warehouse at the Wednesday, May 3, meeting.
The Ethanac and Barnett Warehouse project was given approval some time ago by the Menifee City Planning Commission with a favorable plot plan including landscaping, traffic control and design standards.
Attorney John Fox from the law firm of Aleshire & Wynder LLP, representing the city of Perris, appeared at the public hearing to forward that city’s disapproval of the project with its potential of further creating more traffic on Highway 74 that borders the Perris city boundary. Referring to an appeal to Menifee by the neighboring city, Fox said Perris saw a problem with the environmental report for the warehouse, although helpful, did not resolve the city’s objections. The appeal argued, “This project will result in a significant impact to the environment that requires the preparation of an environmental impact report. Specifically in the areas of noise, frequency of greenhouse gas emissions and traffic.”
In regard to traffic, Perris argued that the project will result in a significant safety impact due to the introduction of heavy truck traffic at the intersection of Ethanac and Barnett roads on Highway 74 next to Perris. While Menifee has promised to help mitigate any problems at the intersection, Perris argued there is no guarantee it will resolve the environmental problem without further study by the Menifee Planning Commission.
Following the statement by Fox, the council voted 4 to 1, with no comment, to continue the public hearing and further discussion at the Wednesday, June 7, meeting with Council Member Ricky Estrada casting the only “no” vote.
The council, following another public hearing, added $527,847 to the 2024 Community Development Block Grant Program’s annual action plan, naming seven local nonprofit organizations to receive a portion of the grant.
The organizations that will benefit and the amounts of their grant portion include the Assistance League of Temecula Valley, $10,000; The Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley, $11,000; Habitat for Humanity, $11,000; Hospice of the Valleys, $10,000; Menifee Mustangs Track & Field Club, $10.000; Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, $17,177, and SAFE Family Justice Centers, $10,000 for a total of $79,177 or 15% of the annual federal grant to benefit low to moderate income families in the community. The other part of the grant monies will be used to resurface streets in the Romoland area of the city and for administration costs as is allowed by the grant.
In a follow up, the council approved the CDBG amendment grant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic totaling $50,000 to be redesignated from providing mortgage assistance for low income families, to helping to assist the homeless population to find homes.
In a consent item, the council said it was pleased to learn that an initial bid not to exceed $140,000 for a refrigerated truck for Community Pantry use would actually be purchased at a cost of $121,577.50. The savings resulted in purchasing the truck, a new
2023 Nissan, separate from the refrigerator box. The initial bid had the box already attached.
During a discussion item, the council approved and authorized City Manager Armando Villa to execute the community benefit agreement for the Nova Power Bank Project and a conditional use permit to store surplus energy from area wind turbines and solar panels in the event of power grid shortages in the future. The storage plant will be in a former energy plant between Matthews and Antelope roads near Interstate 215. The Power Bank plan was earlier authorized by the City Planning Commission.
The council saw the project as a benefit to residents during any power shortages in the future and would bring initial construction jobs to the city and later be manned.
The Menifee Police Department quarterly update showed the department said they reduced their call times for major crimes by almost 2 minutes from call time to response in the January through March quarter. They said they received 12,587 calls during that time with about 1,000 calls on criminal reports or 8%. The number of traffic citations issued went from 1,362 last quarter to 2,064 this quarter because of patrol changes and added traffic officers. They also showed how officers with paramedics responded to a lifesaving heart attack incident in the quarter in a video before the council.
The council proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month along with May as Older Americans Month.
Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.
The Temecula Valley Historical Society would like to invite the public to attend a free presentation at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 22, when Rosalinda del Castillo dramatizes the life story of Ramona Place Wolf. Ramona, who hosted author Helen Hunt Jackson in her home prior to Jackson’s writing of the book “Ramona,” was married to Louis Wolf, an important person in the Temecula area. The Wolfs were a power couple who ran the Temecula post office, general store and hotel. Wolf, called “the King of Temecula” by some, was also a road commissioner and justice of the peace during a period from
the late 1860s through the 1890s.
In addition to del Castillo’s presentation, Glen Leisure will give a short synopsis of work that he and other volunteers have done to clear and maintain horse riding trails in the Vail Lake Resort area, through a region once traveled by the Butterfield Overland Stage line and frequented by Vail Cowboys. No reservation is needed to attend the presentations. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Little Temecula History Center, the red barn west of Kohl’s in South Temecula.
Questions may be addressed to Rebecca Farnbach at info@temeculahistory.org
Tony Ault Staff Writer
A budget workshop with the proposed 2023 to 2028 fiscal year Capital Improvement Plan and Operating Budget preceded the Murrieta City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday, May 2. In the regular meeting, council declared city-owned property near the current Murrieta City Hall as surplus and adopted an interim urgency ordinance regarding Multi-Family Objective Design Standards.
The proposed CIP programs provided by Finance Director Javier Carcamo and City Manager Kim Summers provides for the appropriation of $16,595,269 for new projects and additions to existing projects. The program currently has $60,039,574 in previously appropriated projects that will be continued for a total CIP budget of $76,634,843 in fiscal year 2023-2024.
Funding for these projects is provided by a variety of funding sources, which include development impact fees, transportation funds, grants and reimbursement agreements that are restricted for the purposes for which they are budgeted. These funds, for the most part, cannot be used for city operations.
The CIP proposed changes in the report with revenues and expenditure include a number of improvements to the city’s fire stations, police department, community center, city hall, library, community parks, streets and sidewalks and other projects that are listed in the report on the city meeting webpage. The council is in the process of refining the needs of the city in its General Plan budget, CIP plan and other plans to be approved for the next fiscal year by Friday, June 30.
In another regular meeting action, the council with all members present, reviewed the possible sale of three parcels of city owned land near, but not next to the city hall complex by declaring it surplus land with Assistant City Manager Ivan Holler making the presentation.
Those three parcels had a combined appraised value of $4,268,000 according to Holler. The vacant properties are along Kalmia Street west of the City Hall. The council, once declaring the properties surplus may sell the properties to low income housing developers or for other public buildings, according to state law.
The reason for declaring the land surplus is that it has no
planned future city use.
According to the report, “City Hall is very close to its programmed capacity for office staff. At some point in the near future, the city will need to design and construct another building on a portion of one parcel (adjacent to city hall) to house additional staff members that will be needed to provide services to city residents… The staff also evaluated the acreage required for parking areas associated with public Civic Center uses and has preliminarily determined that a portion of two parcels and all of the third parcel are likely surplus for future city needs.”
The council approved the request with the staff moving forward on the sale of the surplus lots.
In another discussion with Carl Stiehl, interim city planner, the council reviewed the city’s amendment to the city’s Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards. If it does not approve the amendment, a builder could use any design he chose for the project under current state law. The city, as mandated by state law, must provide a certain amount of low to moderate income homes or face penalties. The city council, somewhat reluctantly, has already set aside some of its land changing the zoning in the General Plan for that purpose to comply with the state mandate.
“Staff is recommending the City Council adopt an urgency ordinance that would temporarily and immediately amend the development code to implement the city’s Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards in conformance with AB 2011 and SB 35 while imposing certain restrictions that allow for greater local control through objective standards on these types of projects,” Stiehl said.
“Without these local control measures, the approval of MultiFamily Residential and MixedUse Residential projects will occur based solely on the default standards in the Development Code, without sufficient regulations governing project design, site planning, building massing, height, setback, landscape, building type, architectural review and similar criteria, which would threaten the character of existing neighborhoods and negatively impact property values, personal privacy and fire safety. These potential threats to the public safety, health, and welfare of the
A map used by Assistant City
city owned land, west of Murrieta City Hall. Valley News/Courtesy photo community justify the adoption of this ordinance as an urgency ordinance, to be effective immediately,” according to the report.
The staff provided different site plans for the buildings that would be needed to meet the state standards for the low income residents still with some city control. Six design plans with sketches were presented to the council for their decision. They were described as Mission-Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman,
American Mercantile, Modern, Tuscan and Farmhouse. After each was described the council said they approved the designs, understanding they were exempt from California Environmental Quality Act codes. Any of the approved designs would have to be followed by any developers to meet amended city ordinances for the low to moderate income housing needs in the city The city would see that the developer followed design standards in specific
areas of the city before they are approved. It gives the city some control over the type of designs allowed in low to moderate income housing in Murrieta, instead of the state having the final say.
The council also approved nine consent items, made some presentations for Mental Health month and Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.
It may be painful to think about your funeral, but it doesn’t have to be painful to pay for it.Manager Ivan Holler during his presentation depicts the surplus parcels of
Tony Ault Staff Writer
“Viva Ramona! Viva Ramona!” was all the shout at the fourth showing of the Ramona Pageant as more than 1,500 spectators, actors and stage hands enjoyed the spectacular live outdoor event at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater in Hemet Sunday, April 30.
The 100th season of theatrical production “Ramona,” written from Helen Hunt Jackson’s “Ramona” novel in the late 1800s, turned America’s attention to the mistreatment of Native Americans across the land.
Eli Santana, veteran actor of Ramona’s character Alessandro, mirrored the excitement of not only the play’s audience, but of all the actors including his co-actor Kayla Contreras who played Ramona in this season of the outdoor pageant dubbed “California’s Official Outdoor Play.”
Speaking of this year ’s play,
Santana said, “It’s absolutely heightened. It’s a lot more special than I ever thought, You could feel it in the bowl and it’s that way with the cast and the crew. You can get out there and just feel it coming from the audience and from the 1,000 fourth graders,” referring to the regional students invited to see the play.
“You can feel it from them,” Santana said. “The little guys were into it full time. Yeah, it feels like the 100th year.”
The veteran actor is in his fourth year as Alessandro in the play.
“It brings the goodness of the community together and volunteers for two, three and five generations. It shows what a wonderful community w e have, ‘It’s Viva Ramona!’” Hemet City Council member Linda Krupa, who is on the board of directors for the Ramona Bowl, said. “We are beginning the second 100 years and everybody is excited about it.
I heard from a few cast members
after each performance so far who said there is something different about it. There is a new energy in the cast. There’s a new energy, a feeling.”
She said part of the feeling in the audience was when they began applauding some scenes that never before brought applause.
Norm Kyriss, president of the Ramona Bowl board of directors, was all smiles as he said with one weekend left to go for the Ramona play.
“The excitement and the energy I have seen is just off the charts, not only with our cast and our volunteers and our performers but the audience even,” Kyriss said.
He praised the energy this season’s performers have.
“It’s amazing,” Kyriss said.
The last two performances took place over Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7. For more information, visit http://www.ramonabowl.com
Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.
TALENT from page A-1
change to a non-competitive variety show to more closely match the nonprofit’s mission of “bringing the arts to Menifee and local artists to the public.”
Most of the performers, who ranged in age from 10 through 80-plus, were making their MGT stage debut. However, Hannah Butler was returning to the stage, having been the first MGT winner in 2011 when it was still a talent competition. At that time, she also performed an original song, “Journal Entries.”
“Honestly I love competition, but I loved how everyone was on equal footing, and how everyone felt special,” she said. “For me it was a lot of nostalgia, but then actually being at the show was amazing and I loved it more than I thought.”
Now a stay-at-home mother with her own jewelry microbusiness, the artistic musician has little time for performing but was appreciative of this opportunity to do so. Her creations can be found at https://instagram.com/thebrushstrokebutler
Tracy A. Schaffer is Butler’s mother and had another reason to be beaming at the show as her son, Aaron James Schaffer, also performed. The 10-year-old pianist played his latest original composition, titled “Starfall.” Playing piano for more than four years, he has been creating and composing his own pieces for the past three. Tracy said her favorite part of the show overall was the variety of music, culture and ages that were represented.
Schaffer has seven children, ranging in age from 8 to 35. “I introduced all of them to music in some form or another. Although all of them had lessons in music, be it singing, composing or playing an instrument, only three so far have decided to pursue their love for it,” she said. “We have always appreciated various types of music. We put musical instruments into each of our children’s hands as soon as they were able to sit and control their little hands. They eventually decided on their own what their musical passion would be as far as instruments were concerned.”
Ten-year-old Joseph Luna Jr. wowed the crowd with his vocals. He has won the North American Country Music Association International Male Vocalist of the Year & Male Entertainer of the Year, held in Tennessee, for the past two years in the 7- to 12-year-old age division.
His mother, Shannon Luna, said, “Joseph has always been the singing and dancing kid. He told us after COVID that he wanted to start voice lessons (with vocal coach Gwyn Sanborn). In the last two years, watching his progression has been amazing. He’s gone from the kid that likes to sing to a kid that can sing.”
Joseph has two siblings, an incredibly gifted artist sister, Mia, 19, and a 9-year-old brother Mason who loves jujitsu. The family owns and operates the PZA restaurant in Canyon Lake where Joseph often sings on karaoke nights. To learn more, visit www.thepza.com.
“Joseph just loves to be on stage and share his gift,” Shannon said. “He loves all things music. Joseph was inspired to start singing by Queen. His taste in music is eclectic and he listens to everything. He loves 60s, 70s and 80s music. He also plays the guitar and his favorite guitarist is Pete Townshend, followed by Eddie Van Halen.”
About the MGT show, Shannon said, “Watching all the talented performers was amazing.”
Another young performer who wowed the crowd was Audrey Woisin, who has become well known around the Menifee area where she opens many community events with her rendition of the national anthem. Her father Kevin Woisin, said his daughter will once again bring her talent to
the Menifee Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on May 29 at Central Park. She also plans to sing at a golf tournament fundraiser on June 4 and then at the Menifee Park After Dark! series on June 16 at La Ladera Park from 6-8 p.m.
“I’m still new at this whole manager role but I’m trying to help her get as much experience and exposure as possible being that this is her dream,” Woisin said. “I try to support all my children’s dreams and aspirations.”
Audrey, 13, said she chose to perform “Easy On Me” by Adele because she can identify with such a strong voice. “I normally don’t get the opportunity to sing songs like this and this performance will hopefully help me make it to the big leagues,” the Santa Rosa Academy eighth grader said.
Angela Mona ended the program with an acoustic version of an
original song that she wrote during her stay in Armenia last year that included some lyrics in Armenian. She was a Menifee’s Got Talent performer in 2017 and said she thought it would be fun to do it again. The professional singer, who still lives locally, said her musical style is best described as “a blend of everything, not one genre only, but if I had to categorize it, it’d be alternative.”
Mona said, “I’m a first-generation superstar on my way to break a generational curse, to become one of the greatest outcasts who breaks barriers and never conforms. Spread love and truth, not judgment and hate.”
Longtime Perris Union High School District Supervisor Jonathan Greenberg served as the Master of Ceremonies, providing each act with a short introduction.
Ackerman said, “The variety was amazing and my husband, Bill, and I set the line-up with that and a few logistical things in mind.” She said the performers had one rehearsal the
night before and she was happy everything came together so seamlessly. She couldn’t pick a favorite act, saying, “They were all entertaining and oh so talented! In addition, they were wonderful to work with. They were great communicators, always respectful towards everyone and supportive of one another.”
From Richard Ketcham channeling Dean Martin to Jasmine Lliescu, who is going to the American Ballet Theater this summer, sharing her dancing talent, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Ackerman added that ACM was grateful for the support they received to host the event at Liberty High School, especially from Theater P rogram Director Chelsea Dove for her cooperation in the planning and facilitation of this year’s event. Additionally, PUHSD’s Executive Director of Technology Joseph Williams and the students at Liberty High who supplied lighting, sound and a video of the show were thanked
It is everything gospel as DeAndre Pullen shares his talent with the audience at the Arts Council Menifee MGT event.
Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes
for sharing their expertise and volunteerism.
Fine arts photographer Tiffany O’Malley provided her talents for the event and photos can be ordered and downloaded from her website at www.tiffanyomalleyphotography. com or by calling 951-837-0662. For more information, www. artscouncilmenifee.org, 951-2902781 or artscouncilmenifee@ gmail.com
“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.
PERRIS – The Val Verde Unified School District was made aware of a possible incident Thursday, April 27, involving a student/ teacher relationship at Orange Vista High School. The Val Verde Police Department was immediately notified and conducted an initial investigation. This matter was forwarded to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation.
School in Perris committed a lewd act with a minor student.
Three men suspected of killing a 78-year-old man in Winchester were in custody Friday, May 5.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff Department’s Perris Station responded to the 28000 block of Whitaker Lane at 5:20 p.m. on March 6 regarding a welfare check. Upon their arrival, deputies found signs of forced
entry, entered the residence and found the body of 78-year-old Robert Bettencourt with signs of trauma, Sgt. Ed Baeza said.
During the course of the investigation of Bettencourt’s killing, detectives identified the suspects, Clifford Franken, 54, of Hemet and Matthew Fromer, 50, and Kevin R. Hirsch, 46, both of Menifee. A fourth suspect identified as Joseph Michael Salvati, a 34-yearold resident of Moreno Valley,
remains at large, Baeza said. An arrest warrant has been issued for Salvati who is considered “armed and dangerous,” Baeza said.
Baeza advised anyone who encounters Salvati not to approach and call 911 for assistance.
Anyone with information regarding this killing is asked to call Investigator B. Cline of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator R. Barbie of the Perris Station at 951-210-1000.
City News Service
Special to Valley News
A 40-year-old teacher suspected of making inappropriate remarks and sending inappropriate text messages to two students was arrested Friday, May 5, in Lake Elsinore.
Just before 10 a.m. on April 28, a Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station school resource officer was sent to Ortega High School in the 500 block of Chaney Street after a 16-year-old student ac-
cused the teacher, Ryan Campbell, of harassing her, Sgt. Wilfredo Collazo of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said. A 17-year-old student later echoed the 16-year-old student’s claims of harassment and an investigation revealed Campbell had made inappropriate remarks and sent text messages to both students during and after school hours. Campbell was booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center on charges of annoying or molesting a child.
MURRIETA – Over the past several weeks, the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force became aware of an event being held at a local sports bar involving a motorcycle club known to engage in violent crimes. The event was held Wednesday, May 3. The motorcycle club organizing the event meets the definition of a criminal gang per the California Penal Code. Curbing any criminal activity and ensuring the safety of the citizens of the city of Murrieta, the Murrieta Police Department and members of the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force mobilized resources to provide high-visibility patrols throughout Murrieta in the evening
May 3. Over the course of the night, officers and deputies initiated several traffic stops that resulted in arrests or citations for numerous vehicle and penal code violations. As a result, the following arrests were made: Archie Gardner, 38, of San Bernardino; Brieon Russell, 41, of Murrieta; Christopher Neal, 40, of Norwalk; Arrit Ball, 45, of Arcadia and Edward Trueba, 33, of Murrieta. Several citations for vehicle code infractions were also issued, and a third handgun was taken with charges pending. The high visibility law enforcement presence and zero tolerance for criminal violations kept the community safe for the
duration of the event.
Formed in 2006, the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force aggressively combats criminal street gangs and the negative impact they present to our communities. The Murrieta Police Department currently has one sergeant and one task force officer assigned to the Murrieta/Temecula Gang Task Force region, along with two Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies and one California Highway Patrol officer
Anyone with information regarding this event is asked to contact Sgt. Tino Abbate at 951-461-6367. Submitted by the Murrieta Police Department.
Currently, the teacher involved has been released from employment by the Val Verde Unified School District.
After an extensive investigation, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department subsequently arrested the teacher in question and released this statement regarding the incident.
The following release by the Riverside County Sheriff’s department for additional information:
“On April 28, 2023, investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit responded to the city of Perris regarding a lewd act with a child investigation. The investigation involved allegations that a substitute teacher at Orange Vista High
“The investigation found evidence that Rebekah BlackwellTaylor, a 22-year-old resident of Moreno Valley and substitute teacher at Orange Vista High School, committed a lewd act with a male student. Rebekah Blackwell-Taylor was subsequently booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on May 2, 2023, for annoying and molesting a child under the age of 18 and additional felony charges.
“This investigation is currently ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the details of this case is encouraged to call Investigator J. Oseguera with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at 760-550-8716,” the county sheriff’s department said.
Val Verde Unified School District encouraged individuals to keep the administration informed of any concerns one may have or report any suspicious activity on http://www.wetip.com.
The district said, “If you see something, say something.”
Submitted by the Val Verde Unified School District.
PALA – Robert Smith, chair of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, joined other tribal leaders Tuesday, May 2, at the California State Assembly to support May 2023 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month.
“On behalf of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, we thank California Assemblyman James Ramos for helping to bring awareness to this terrible epidemic that is greatly affecting the indigenous population,” Smith said. “Shedding light on the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people throughout California and the United States is an important step in the right direction to generate change.”
For generations, Indigenous persons have struggled with high rates of assault, abduction and murder of women. In 2016, 5,712 missing and murdered indigenous cases were reported to the National Crime Information
Center. Homicide is the third leading cause of death for indigenous women between the ages of 15 and 24, and indigenous women face murder rates 10 times higher than the national average.
“California has the largest population of American Indians, and the sixth-highest death rate of indigenous women in urban cities,” Smith said. “We will continue to advocate for this vulnerable population and fight to bring them the justice they deserve.”
The Pala Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe whose reservation is located along the Palomar Mountain range approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego. The majority of the over 900 tribal members live on the 12,000-acre reservation, established for Cupeño and Luiseño Indians, who consider themselves to be one people – Pala. Submitted by Pala Band of Mission Indians.
To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@ reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line.
CHILDREN’S EVENTS
May 29 – 8 a.m. Memorial Day 5K, 10K and Kids 1K Run at Diamond Valley Lake, 1901 Angler Lake Road, Hemet to honor those who have fought for our freedoms. Register at https://bit.ly/runmemorialday2023.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
May 12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Temecula Community Services Leisure summer and fall activities have begun throughout the city.
May 12 – 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 951-672-6777 or businesslicensing@cityofmenifee.
us May 12-21 – Temecula Valley Museum reprises “Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad” at the Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes St. 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.
May 19 – 5-9 p.m. Murrieta Market Nights in downtown Murrieta. Many local and neighboring vendors and foods.
May 19 – 6-10 p.m. Menifee
Moonlight Markets at Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr.
May 19-21 – 4 p.m. Temecula
Balloon & Wine Festival at Lake Skinner, 701 Warren Road, Winchester. Entertainment with Brad Paisley, REO Speedwagon and Scotty McCreery. Tickets start at $60 with VIP tickets available. Call 951-234-5559 or see tvbwf.com
Balloon rides and other events.
May 20 – 9:30 a.m. Del Webb’s 1960’s Rancho Ramona will be discussed through a photo slide presentation and memories by early residents of the Sun City community. The free history program will be at the Antelope-Menifee Rural Center on Haun Road, just north of Garbani Road.
May 23 – 8:30-9:30 a.m. Coffee with the City of Murrieta.at the Murrieta Innovation Center, 26442 Beckman Court. Call 951-6777916, ext. 3.
May 27 – 6:30- a.m. A Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day Observance Concert with Maestro John
Mario leading the Temecula Valley Symphony at the Temecula Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Old Town Temecula. Free family friendly event. Lawn chairs and blankets recommended.
May 27 – 8 a.m.Memorial Day
Flags are placed on every grave to honor our military heroes by Honoring Our Fallen at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, 22495 Van Buren Blvd.
May 27 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Birth
Choice of Hemet Car and Motorcycle Show at the 412 Church, 1450 W. 7th St., San Jacinto. $35 car registration 951-240-3006.
May 29 - 7 a.m. Memorial Day
5K to benefit VFW Post 1956 at Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr., Menifee. Prize money for top finishers ranges from $50-$300. Pre-registration prior to May 20 is $40. Day of race fee will be $45 per person. Register at https:// runsignup.com/Race/CA/Menifee/ MenifeeMemorialDay5k.
May 29 – 10 a.m. Menifee
Memorial Day Remembrance
Ceremony at Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr. Ceremony includes special presentations, guest speakers, special flyover, wreath laying and remembrance message. For more information, 951-723-3880 or www.cityofmenifee.us/specialevents.
May 29 – 8 a.m. Murrieta Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at the Town Square Park & Amphitheater. See the Murrieta Veterans Memorial.
May 29 – 11 a.m. Memorial Day Motorcycle Ride with West Coast Thunder and concert at the Lake Elsinore Storm Diamond, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore. Tickets $35. Visit registration.westcoastthunder.com.
May 29 – 8 a.m. Memorial Day 5K, 10K and Kids 1K Run at Diamond Valley Lake, 1901 Angler Lake Road, Hemet to honor those who have fought for our freedoms. Register at https://bit.ly/runmemorialday2023.
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 800-510-2020 for help.
ONGOING – The Riverside County COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program is accepting online applications for business grants up to $10,000 at 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
May 12 – Temecula’s 13th annual Health & Community Resource Fair Vendor Applications
and Guidelines are now available! Seeking vendors in the fields of health and wellness that can provide free health screenings, community resources, emergency preparedness, public safety awareness and more. The fair will be held on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Temecula Civic Center and Town Square, 41000 Main Street. For more information, please call 951-694-6464.
May 12 – 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.
May 20 – Launch Pointe Recreation Destination, Lake Elsinore presents the third annual KJVR Foundation’s Benefit Bash fundraiser for student athletes and to honor Kennedie June Von Ryan at 32040 Riverside Dr., Lake Elsinore. Tickets and information at www. KJVRFoundation.com.
May 20 - 9:30 a.m. The Menifee Valley Historical Association will be hosting a photo slide presentation with memories by early residents of Del Webb’s 1960’s Rancho Ramona, highlighting the neighborhood, park and its “Sun City lifestyle” on Saturday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. This free presentation takes place at the Antelope-Menifee Rural Center, located on Haun Road, just north of Garbani Road.
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 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
Bob Garver
Special to the Valley News
It’s hard to believe that the new big-screen adaptation of the classic Judy Blume novel, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” made only $6.8 million at the domestic box office this past weekend. The theater where I saw the movie was more crowded than usual, and the audience clearly liked it to the point where there was applause at the end. I know that the film’s female-centric subject matter can be off-putting to male audiences, but this movie didn’t make a fifth of what “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” made in its fifth weekend. The blockbuster filled with eye candy was always going to steamroll this relatively quiet effort, but I would like to see this
movie do better because it is the superior film.
Abby Ryder Fortson stars – and nuts to any advertising that says that Rachel McAdams is the star –as Margaret Simon, a sixth-grader in the 1970s. Her world is turned upside-down when her parents, played by McAdams and Benny Safdie, announce that the family is moving from New York City to the New Jersey suburbs. Fortunately, it’s easy for Margaret to make friends with attention-crazy neighbor Nancy, played by Elle Graham, and her clique that also includes Gretchen, played by Katherine Kupferer, and Janie, played by Amari Price. Unfortunately, that’s about the only thing that’s easy for Margaret, because sixth grade is the year when things really start to get dramatic for preteens.
Margaret does her best to navigate this new world of social and biological challenges. She thinks she can cruise through it with the help of her friends, and they help to a degree, but since they’re all equally confused, they’re only so much help to one another. She’s also thrown a curve in the form of spiritual challenges. She recognizes a need to pray to a higher power, but is unsure about what role religion should play in her life. Her parents have a gripe with organized religion due to some disturbing family history, but she considers Judaism with her grandmother, played by Kathy Bates; Protestantism with Nancy and Catholicism after she sees her classmate Laura, played by Isol Young, go to confession. By the way, this movie – though I suppose the book did it first –could have gone the easy route of turning the imposing, rapidly developing Laura into a bully, but it’s subversive and intelligent enough to force Margaret to confront the realization that she and her friends are the ones doing the bullying.
The movie moves along at a pretty good clip, getting in a lot of milestones both on the calendar and in life. In fact, sometimes
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 tests, 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 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 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit 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 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 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 www. va.gov/homeless.
on what I’d seen of the character, it felt unearned. Maybe a scene was cut, or maybe something didn’t make it from page to screen, but the guy never struck me as a particularly good teacher.
it moves a little too fast, like it’s skipping some things. I feel like there’s a scene missing where there’s a falling-out with the group of friends, as evidenced by a scene where Margaret and Janie have fun at a dance while Nancy can only watch from afar with an inattentive Gretchen. Also, I could tell I was supposed to like the girls’ nervous teacher, played by Echo Kellum, and Margaret goes out of her way to compliment him at the end of the school year, but based
I know I’m skipping over many story points crucial to “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” including the well-known, potentially uncomfortable women’s health elements. To be clear, these elements are prominently in the movie and usually handled with more sensitivity than I could possibly do justice. But the movie is so much more than that. It’s thoughtful, touching and very, very funny, especially when Bates is involved. It contains tremendous performances, especially by Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams. Most importantly, it’s the best thing playing in theaters right now, and it could use a boost in ticket sales.
Grade: B
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is rated PG-13 for thematic material involving sexual education and some suggestive material. Its running time is 106 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.
The handicapped accessible “Pala Spirit” hot air balloon, which will be featured at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival, May 19-21, floats over an orchard. Reach for the Stars Hot Air Balloon Foundation provided the balloon thanks to a donation from
TEMECULA – The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival is set to kick off Friday through Sunday, May 19-21, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary. This year’s festival will feature a second handicapped accessible hot air balloon that was donated by Pala Casino Spa Resort.
Through a relationship that was fostered during last year’s Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival, Pala Casino donated the funds to Reach for the Stars Hot Air Balloon Foundation for a handicapped accessible hot air balloon. The new balloon, referred to as “Pala Spirit,” is a 120,000-cubic-foot balloon featuring the Pala Casino logo. The six-person basket was custom made with a viewing window and VIP chair for any person that cannot stand for the duration of a balloon flight.
The “Pala Spirit” balloon has been spotted flying over the Temecula Valley and the most recent flight was Wednesday, April 5, with passengers Sam and Jill from England. It had always been Sam’s dream to take a ride in a hot air balloon, he said, but being in a wheelchair, the options were
limited. Sam’s family contacted Reach For the Stars and arranged a sunrise flight, making Sam’s dream come true.
Along with the “Pala Spirit” balloon, nearly 30 hot air balloons will take flight into the blue skies overlooking Lake Skinner and the Temecula Valley during the annual three-day festival.
Attendees can visit booths from the festival’s sponsors, including Elite Sponsor Pala Casino Spa Resort, Platinum Sponsors SoCal Toyota and Stella Artois; Gold Sponsors Hyatt Vacation Club and the city of Temecula. The festival will feature additional sponsors, including 100% Chiropractic Care, American Medical Response, Hampton Inn & Suites, Kaiser Permanente, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Anheuser-Busch and many more.
Visitors can enjoy hot air balloon rides, festival foods, wine, beer and live performances from chart-topping artists.
Pala’s Main Stage shows
Headlining the Pala Casino Main Stage Friday, May 19, will be multi-platinum, American rock band REO Speedwagon along with
Night Ranger and John Waite. On the Wine Stage, attendees will hear Colt Ford, Moonshine Bandits and Kanan Road Band.
Headlining the Pala Casino Main Stage Saturday, May 20, will be Grammy Award winner, country superstar Brad Paisley along with Sara Evans, Tenille Arts and Brandon Calhoon. The Wine Stage will feature The Lacs, George Shingleton, Twisted Gypsy, Parade Wave, Pulp Vixen and Billy Williams.
Headlining the Pala Casino Main Stage Sunday, May 21, will be 2011 American Idol winner and award-winning country music artist Scotty McCreery, Dylan Scott, Callista Clark and Brandon Calhoon. Featured on the Wine Stage will be The English Beat, Daring Greatly, Cassie B and Billy Williams.
Ticket sales
To purchase two-day country combo tickets, VIP packages, single-day tickets, three-day packages, parking passes, beverage tickets and to book a hot air balloon ride, visit http://www.tvbwf.com. For tickets, contact 951-2345559 or tvbwf@completetick -
Sam smiles as he awaits a flight Wednesday, April 5, in the handicapped accessible chair in the “Pala Spirit” balloon, which was donated by Pala Casino Spa Resort through Reach for the Stars Hot Air Balloon Foundation in time for the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. etsolutions.com . For general information, email info@tvbwf. com. All concerts included with festival admission. Lineup subject to change.
The festival will take place at Lake Skinner Regional Park/Recreation Area, 37701 Warren Road, in Winchester.
Reach For The Stars Hot Air Balloon Foundation is a rec -
ognized nonprofit that has the mission of sharing the joy and excitement of hot air ballooning with people of all abilities. They can accommodate a wheelchair, walker and person with special needs. For more information about accessible hot air balloon flights, visit http:// www.reach4thestars.org. Submitted by Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.
PALA – Pala Casino Spa Resort will present American bassist, singer, producer and songwriter Thundercat Saturday, May 13, performing live outdoors at the Starlight Theater.
Thundercat, who is performed by Stephen Bruner, released his most recent album, “It Is What It Is,” in spring 2020. The record won Best Progressive R&B Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards and features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole, Pedro Martins and Zack Fox. Thundercat produced the record with his longtime partner Flying Lotus, who was Grammynominated in the “Producer of the Year” category for his work on the album.
“It Is What It Is” follows Bruner’s game-changing third album “Drunk” from 2017, completed his transition from virtuoso bassist to bona fide star and cemented his reputation as a unique voice that transcends genre.
“This album is about love, loss,
Valley News/Courtesy photo
life and the ups and downs that come with that,” Bruner said about “It Is What It Is.”
Outside of his solo work, Thundercat keeps busy across numerous genres. In 2021, his dreamy vocals and masterful bass playing feature on “Black Gold,” the theme song for the Netflix original anime “Yasuke,” soundtracked by Flying Lotus. In addition, Thundercat recently collaborated on releases from Silk Sonic – Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak – HAIM, H.E.R. and Kaytranada, as well as contributing an original song for the final season and soundtrack from HBO’s “Insecure.”
The show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets prices are $35, $45 and $65 and are on sale at the Pala Box Office, 877-946-7252, 800514-3849, http://www.palacasino. com or http://www.etix.com. Must be 21 or older to attend. The show is one of a lineup of headliner and tribute concerts that will be held at the Starlight Theater and Events Center.
Submitted by Pala Casino Spa Resort.
Judith Bell Food EditorPlease do yourselves, neighbors, family and friends a big favor: tell them they can have our free Holiday Cookbook with their new subscription to the the Valley News.
Rose Sparkle Punch is one of my favorites. It is attractive, tasty, affordable and flexible. Depending on the occasion and number of
persons attending, the recipe can be doubled…even quadrupled. And, for whatever reason, a nonalcoholic rosé wine could replace the alcoholic wine. This will be in the free Holiday Cookbook.
This is not a purist’s punch.
It is an ideal choice for family affairs and even small business entertainment. When my husband, Herb Ketcham, and John Lackens founded
• 2 (12-oz.) pkg. frozen sliced strawberries, thawed
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 bottles rosé wine
• 2 (6-oz.) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
the Minneapolis architectural firm The Architectural Alliance, I was pushed into catering their first event and know that we served this punch. It was a hit then and has continued to be served at many of the firm’s events over the years.
Early admin assistant Cindy Sterling Ellsworth said everyone remembers this punch and most have the recipe in their private collection “for family events.”
• 1 large bottle sparkling water In a bowl, combine strawberries, sugar and one bottle of wine. Cover and let stand at room temperature for at least one hour. Turn mixture, straining if desired, into a punch bowl. Stir in frozen lemonade concentrate. Stir until completely thawed. Add the remaining bottle of wine. Pour in sparkling water. Add a block of ice or ice cubes and serve at once. Makes 3 quarts.
The third annual Soboba Casino Resort Food Truck Fiesta supplied a weekend of music, games, fun and food Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23. A huge tent that covered a beer garden, stage and seating was surrounded by food trucks at the northwest parking area near the Soboba Hotel.
“We made sure we had a variety of food trucks offering various selections to please every palate,” SCR Chief Marketing Officer Martin Moore, chief marketing officer of SCR, said.
They ran the gamut from main dishes to dessert, giving visitors a reason to stay for several hours and/ or attend both days.
“We were very pleased to see over 3,000 people for the weekend,” Moore said.
On-air personalities from radio station KOLA-FM 99.9 were on hand Sunday to interact with guests and to host several games such as a take on “Family Feud” with contestants given the opportunity to win Renaissance Pleasure Faire admission tickets or Starbucks gift cards. Host Jesse Duran In the Morning also recruited several guests to compete in an ax-throwing contest, using plastic weapons. He was assisted at the music booth by Richie Ortega who is a producer, DJ and on-air sidekick. The previous day, KOLA’s sister station, KCAL-FM 96.7, supplied fun activities and music.
Duran said he was looking forward to sampling food from many of the vendors, especially Angelenos’ Wood Fired Pizza.
“All pizza is good, but when it’s wood fired, it can’t be beat,” he said.
Carmen Samaniego is a Frenchtrained chef who started making pizza as a hobby a number of years ago. Coming from a family of bakers, making wood-fired, Neapolitanstyle pizzas was exciting to her and she spent a lot of time during the pandemic to perfect the pizza dough, which recently won Hulu’s newest pizza competition show #BestInDough. To learn more, visit http://www.angelenoswfp.com or @ AngelenosPizza.
Roxanne D. Santos and her team had a constant stream of customers at MK’s Kitchen which specializes in favorite Filipino foods. Based in Murrieta, owner/operator Santos said the company was launched during the pandemic. They started
attending farmer’s markets, offering homemade kits that were an instant hit. For more information, 619-952-7342, @mkskitchen_ on Instagram or mkskitchens619.951 on Facebook.
“The weather was much better this year, and we did not charge admission which provided people the opportunity to experience more food trucks than in previous years,” Moore said.
Chef Dijon Burns with California Street Food truck agreed.
“Guests being able to enter for free this year made for a better interaction/environment between food truckers and potential buyers,” he said. “During this year’s event, the Soboba staff was very helpful during, before and after the event. I could really feel their level of commitment.”
Burns, who started his truck business in August 2021, said the biggest seller at the Soboba event were his Cali fries with red or green sauce and his bone-in chicken wings that came with a choice of eight different sauces. For more information, call 714-852-8847 or visit http://www.
Californiastreetfood.net
“I only put food on my menu that is special to me. From our fried chicken wings – my dad’s gift to me – to our homemade mac and cheese baked fresh every time – my mother’s and grandma’s recipe – and the fried rice that is rich in tradition, the thing that ties my whole menu together is the sauce,” Hemet-based Burns said. “We have a flavor just right for each person’s taste buds.”
Frybread Kitchen is a familyowned business that began at the Soboba Indian Reservation and has been at the Food Truck Fiesta all three years.
“We kept to one item this weekend. We always base our menu off the year before and what sold the most,” Antonia Briones-Venegas said.
The fry bread could be purchased as an Indian taco with all the fixings of meat, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and a side of salsa or as a sweet treat topped with fresh-glazed strawberries and whipped cream or honey and powdered sugar.
“Some like it plain, though,” she said.
She said this year’s free admission made things a lot easier to manage.
Frybread Kitchen stays busy trying to attend every event hosted by Soboba. They also continue to do fundraisers for the Soboba Tribal
Preschool and Noli Indian School on the reservation.
“Aurelia Mendoza is my business partner, and we have our children – Ciara Ramos, Jesse Venegas and Kevin Venegas – working for us who on their own got their food handler cards,” Briones-Venegas said. “Also, my 10-year-old is our drink supplier with lemonade and street tea. Follow him on Instagram @flavored.rez.water.”
Paula Huntsman and Barbara Brenner with Scooter’s Sweet Shack also returned for their third year. Prepared to celebrate their ninth anniversary in June, they said the biggest seller at Soboba is always their authentic Italian ice, which is vegan and gluten free. Also popular were their freshly baked mini donuts, sweet and spicy mangonadas and Italian ice lemonades.
“These events are extremely well organized by Soboba personnel and they always draw a great crowd,” Huntsman said. “It really is a fun community event for all ages.”
She said their two trucks serve at several hundred events each year that include corporate caterings, graduations, sports and school events and summer park events in any of Southern California’s four counties. To learn more, call 855-337-2668 or visit http://www. scooteritalianice.com
Catherine and Richard Quitain started Bruno’s Barbeque last November, with the help of their c hildren Patricia, Matthew and Terry and attend many events around Menifee, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and Temecula. Their most popular items are the brisket plates, brisket sandwich and beef ribs with sides of macaroni and cheese and seasoned fries. More details can be found at http://www.brunosbarbeque.com
Moore said the biggest challenge for staff is coordinating all the food
trucks and marshaling their arrivals, placement of the trucks and keeping them supplied with various commodities. Their efforts did not go unnoticed.
“This was our first time to join the food truck fiesta and we had so much fun,” Catherine Quintain said. “I can say it’s well organized – from exchanging emails, requirements, sending info for the events and the day of the event itself.”
She added that the SCR events specialists were very welcoming, especially Rochelle Torres and Mario Ramos.
“They made sure all the vendors were being well taken care of from Wi-Fi, electricity, ice and trash bins to the extremely clean portable restrooms,” Quintain said. “And not just us vendors were happy, but the customers were being taken care of, too.
“We thank Soboba and all of the staff who put in the effort to make this event a success. We look forward to next year’s fiesta,” she said.
Armando Melendez founded his Salt ‘N’ Pepper brand in 2017 and said the most popular item at this year’s Fiesta was his pastrami melt and pastrami fries.
“I really liked the atmosphere there and thought it was a great venue setup,” he said.
For more information, call 949324-2711 or visit http://www.saltnpeppertruck.com
José Ruesga, owner of Jose’s Churros & Mexican Food truck, has been in the food industry for 45 years. After doing his own catering business for 23 years, he decided to purchase a taco truck.
“The best part of this event was that it was very well coordinated,” he said. “We had electricity and plenty of ice and lots of space next to each other. The ambiance was great with the music and decorations, and
the entire staff was very helpful and responsible, staying on top of any need that we requested.”
Serving traditional and gourmet churros alongside staples such as tacos and burritos, made his truck a one-stop shop for hungry foodies. To find out more, visit http://www. joses-churros.com
Fresh Off the Hook, owned by Claudia Palma and Francisco Cruz, lived up to its tagline of “Not Your Ordinary Food Truck” with a steady stream of seafood lovers with its lobster roll sandwich being a best seller. The crew said the event was well-organized and that everyone was very friendly, with many Soboba team members ready to help throughout the event. The lobster roll sandwich was a bestseller. For more information and the full menu that was available at the fiesta, call 714-326-3946 or visit http://www. fruttidimareOC.com
Joseph and Lorena Diaz were kept busy with their popular funnel cakes. For more information, follow Joe.Sweets.951 on Facebook and Instagram or call 951-421-2766.
Their local business, Joe Sweets 951, regularly parks at the San Jacinto Farmer’s Corner market and has participated in company picnics for Soboba Casino Resort employees. Lorena, who said she had never eaten a funnel cake before they started the business about two years ago, said the most requested item on their menu for the weekend was the “Strawberry Supreme.”
“People say our funnel cakes are the best they’ve ever tasted; there’s just something different about ours,” she said.
Moore said the SCR team is always looking for ways to improve and will be meeting in the next few weeks to review this year’s event and see what can be done to make next year bigger and better.
Join STUDIO 395 as we celebrate a unique aerosol art form when eight Southern California muralists transform shop windows into art-scapes on Saturday, May 20 at the Outlets at Lake Elsinore. The Muralist Festival, which we hope will become an annual event, is the brainchild of local artist and Lake Elsinore resident Jesse L, a professional muralist who has invited eight other artists from all over Southern California to bring to life images of Lake Elsinore
historical landmarks, landscapes and wildlife. For Jesse, the festival is about more than bringing art to public spaces. “I was involved as a youth in tagging and gangs,” he explains. “Those activities soon led me to drugs and alcohol. Happily today, I can report that I have been sober for the past 29 years of my life. I want to be a positive role model and mentor for the young adults in our community. I want to be able to help them explore art, learn various art
techniques, and model how to live a sober, crime-free lifestyle.”
The event will also include children’s art activities, demonstrations of aerosol art techniques, music and a food court. Muralists will have original prints, clothing and artwork available for purchase.
The Muralist Festival runs from dawn until dusk on Saturday, May 20 at the Unit H185 courtyard of the Outlets at Lake Elsinore, located at 17600 Collier Avenue in Lake Elsinore.
This year continued the signs of climate change with belowaverage temperatures and aboveaverage rain and snowfall as well as chaotic weather patterns nationwide. Rose growth and development are dependent on weather, and flower production is particularly impacted by inconsistent temperatures, sun and water. All of these changes have made it more difficult to predict what to do and when to do it. Typically the first flush of blooms is expected after eight to 10 weeks, usually on the longer side. This year it was 10-11 weeks. In this area, the first annual rose show was Saturday, April 22, and local exhibitors had fewer roses for the shows.
The longer time frame for rain and cool nights set up the environment for some rust, mildew and Botrytis fungi. A few applications of fungicide spray would help to reduce or delay the outbreak.
But now that we’ve seen the return of abundant sunshine we’re seeing larger blooms – so I hope your roses are starting to surge. If you didn’t apply fertilizer earlier, be sure to do so soon – more about this a little later – along with plenty of water to maintain this production curve. A few hot windy days can quickly evaporate ground moisture, especially if you don’t have at least a couple inches of mulch spread in the beds. Know the soil composition in your garden so you know how much water to apply to maintain good soil moisture without drowning the roots – or wasting water.
Be vigilant for changes, diseases and pests in your garden and be prepared to act on these immediately. The Hoplia beetle appeared in April with just a few hot days. I usually see this beetle in May. I think we can expect it in April, so mark that on your 2024 calendars for their appearance. They can do serious damage to rose blossoms in no time, starting on light colored varieties. The Hoplia is easy to remove: Just drag it out from between the petals with a screwdriver or a cotton swab and plop it into a cup of soapy water.
Learn to identify Hoplia beetles by doing an internet search. But the bottom line is if you find little holes in light colored petals and you find beetles nestled between the petals, you’ve probably got Hoplia – dig ‘em out.
Another early visitor is the spider mite. Damage can happen well before the casual observer will notice it – so look closely: Inspect the underside of the leaf and look for tiny black granules, and if you run your finger lightly over the underside of leaf, it will feel gritty. You can also try holding a sheet of paper under the leaf and shake the leaf or scratch them onto the sheet of paper. If you miss the first phase, you will see an unusual mottling of the leaves as seen from the top of the leaf.
Blooms mature quickly in warm weather, so as they fade, lightly prune back to the first outward facing five-leaflet leaf. Try to shape the bush to outward facing buds. If you can, retain canes that are larger than the diameter of a wooden pencil. Doing this pruning now, your next blooms will appear around mid-June before the summer heat. Make sure to put all pruned-off vegetation into your green waste barrel and not the compost pile.
Roses want a constant supply of nutrients, including micronutrients such as copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, as well as macro-nutrients such as Phosphate (P) and Potassium (K) which help develop strong root systems, better blooms and prevent stress during adverse conditions. Remember that you are also feeding the soil microbiome which is complex and multi-tiered, abundant in beneficial microbes which create a sustainable soil diversity acting like an immune system.
Try avoiding chemical fertilizers which harm your soil ecosystem.
Plants grown with organic fertilizers are themselves more resistant
to pests and diseases. If you feel that your efforts are failing at getting the right type and mix of nutrition for your garden, you might find that a soil test kit for analyzing the soil’s needs helps you choose the right treatment.
Organic amendments such as manure, compost or mulch stay where you put them, break down slowly, don’t contribute to groundwater pollution as long as you prevent run off into drains, improve the soil food web, so that in the long run you end up using less product while providing “food” for all the creatures like earthworms who act like rototillers mixing them into the soil to lower depths.
It is never too late to apply a thick layer of mulch. Mulch keeps the entire bed uniformly supplied with water. Use composted mulch, not wood products. Pine needles are good too. Apply to a depth of 3-4 inches. Avoid mulch containing wood chips because as they break down they rob the soil of nitrogen, and they can become a medium for fungal growth that is impenetrable to water, fertilizers and oxygen.
Keep an eye on your garden for water stress, insect pests and fungal diseases. Do not use a formula that treats everything. Use only a product especially for the specific problem, follow the directions and dose rate carefully and treat in proportion to severity, as well as your level of acceptance. If control is lost, it may be necessary to strip off all of the diseased leaves, prune back and basically start over.
Some organic formulas use neem oil, insecticidal soaps, baking soda, etc. Read entire labels and use according to directions, including safety equipment to avoid exposure to contaminants. Keep your skin covered when applying chemical treatments. Use approved goggles for eye protection, respirator mask, long sleeve shirt, water/chemical resistant boots and gloves. When the treatment is completed, immediately remove clothing and wash. Take a good shower to remove any possible contamination.
Over the past decade or so, Southern California gardens have been showing an increased prevalence of the fungal disease “Black Spot.” It appears as dark green to black spots on leaves, which often turn yellow and fall off. The infected leaves – even those that drop – produce spores that can infect other leaves. There are many fungicides available, but control can be difficult. Sometimes you just have to remove and dispose of any affected leaves.
Another new pest in the region is the chilli thrip. Some gardeners are reporting chilli thrips in their gardens already. I have seen some evidence of thrips too. It’s much smaller than the western thrip that we’re accustomed to and more devastating as it eats all varieties of vegetation. Control is quite difficult and new treatments are being studied. Products containing Spinosad bacteria seem to help control soft-bodied larvae, but be aware that even such “natural” products can kill other beneficial insect species.
I’ve grown many varieties of roses in my gardens. Most will grow well in the Temecula Valley. Some varieties I recommend; Mr Lincoln. Outta the Blue, Easy Does It, Touch of Class, Double Delight, Joey, Gold Medal, Graham Thomas, Fragrant Cloud,
Fragrant Plum, Sunsprite, Playboy, Sally Holmes, Ballerina, Tropical Lightening,Hey Jack, Neptune and Violet’s Pride.
Heads up for high summer: Don’t expect great roses during July to September when temperatures are high. Just keep plants well hydrated, and remove just spent petals, leaving the “hips.” Don’t prune them off. The plants will enter a short dormancy and build strength for fall. Look for more information here next month.
I am an American Rose Society Certified Master Rosarian, which means that my mission is to spread the knowledge and love of roses – for free. If you would like personal answers to questions, email roseguy2000@aol.com
And when you’ve got a moment to spare, visit Rose Haven
Heritage Garden, 30592 Jedediah Smith Road, in Temecula. The cross street is Cabrillo Avenue. Also, visit http://www.TemeculaValleyRoseSociety.org. You might also want to visit Facebook.com
and search “Temecula Valley Rose Society” to find events of interest. Now, let’s get out there and spread the word and the joy of roses.
Kennedy's Meat Company, a family-owned specialty meat market, celebrated its grand opening in Temecula on May 6, 2023. The store offers a range of high-quality meats, including Top Tier Choice product, Prime beef, American Kobe, Australian Wagyu, and Wagyu from Japan, as well as their popular carne asada, pollo asado, free-range, and organic chicken, and a variety of marinated meats.
The Kennedy's team sources their avocados and produce from local farms that are pesticide-free, highlighting their commitment to sustainability. Mark Soto Mendoza, grandson of Jesus Soto, who opened the original Kennedy’s in 1972 in the Imperial Valley, said he is excited to bring Kennedy’s to a new community and continue his family’s legacy of excellence in the meat industry.
The new 1,900-sq. ft. store features a spacious and inviting interior with a modern design, making it a welcoming place for customers to browse a wide selec-
tion of meats, including beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. The Kennedy's family is dedicated to providing quality meats and excellent customer service, with their staff being knowledgeable about the meats they sell and always happy to offer cooking tips and recipe suggestions.
Guests who attended the grand opening were able to enjoy music, giveaways, and meat tastings straight from the grill. The store also debuted the first-ever “Summer of Kennedy’s Raffle Giveaway” where one lucky winner would receive six pounds of free meat (carne asada or pollo asado) every week during Summer 2023.
The Kennedy's family is excited to share their passion for quality meats with the community. John Mayberry, a real estate broker from Carlsbad, played a major role in the store’s design. Kennedy’s Meat Company is sure to become a favorite destination for meat lovers in Temecula and beyond, providing high-quality meats with a commitment to sustainability and excellent customer service.
Mt. San Jacinto College received an award to mark its recognition as the Large Business of the Year from the Menifee Valley Chamber during a ceremony held Saturday, April 29, at the Fairfield Inn &
Steakhouse opened in Temecula
recently. It is the second LongHorn Steakhouse in the state of California and is led by Managing Partner Jessica Klein, who started her career with LongHorn Steakhouse 18 years ago as an hourly team member and worked her way up to her current role.
To celebrate the opening, the restaurant hosted a “lasso cutting” ceremony on opening day. During the event, the restaurant team selected one special guest to mark the opening moment by cutting into the location’s first grilled steak – LongHorn’s signature bone-in Outlaw Ribeye.
LongHorn Steakhouse serves fresh, never frozen, grilled and seasoned steaks that are prepared by a certified LongHorn grill master. The restaurant’s design
celebrates the natural beauty of the American West, featuring contemporary artwork and sculptures of horses, western landscapes and sunsets complemented by warm tones, wood and stone. Historical photos of Temecula are also featured as part of the restaurant’s décor.
Located at 29363 Rancho California Road, the 5,700-square-foot restaurant will seat more than 50 guests and create more than 95 new jobs for the community.
Hours of operation will be Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For more information and to see the full menu, visit http://LongHornSteakhouse.com.
Submitted by LongHorn Steakhouse.
SAN JACINTO – Mt. San Jacinto College was named Large Business of the Year during the 44th Menifee Valley Chamber Awards Gala: Unlock the Secret Garden.
Vicki Carpenter, who represents Menifee as a trustee on the MSJC Board of Trustees, and Roger Schultz, Ph.D., superintendent and president of MSJC, accepted the award.
“This is such an honor to receive this award from our chamber,” Carpenter said. “We know MSJC is among a list of distinguished
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businesses in this community.”
Schultz said he is proud of the collaboration the college district has with the city, school district and businesses in the community. The Menifee Valley Campus has been serving the community since 1990 and has used facilities bond funds for a science, technology, engineering and mathematics building, currently under construction and athletics complex with classrooms and a 5,000-seat stadium, which is scheduled to open this fall.
“We love this community;
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we’ve grown with this community and great things are still to come,” Schultz said, referencing the construction of the new facilities. “We are thrilled to receive this award from the Menifee Valley Chamber. Thank you.”
The chamber’s gala was held Saturday, April 29, at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Menifee and was attended by guests from both private and public sectors. Submitted by Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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Sale is part of a break-up strategy of French Valley Marketplace valued in excess of $40 million
TEMECULA – The rise of e-commerce has brought a significant impact on the industrial real estate market in the Temecula Valley. As consumers continue to shift toward online shopping, the demand for industrial spaces has increased exponentially. The trend is expected to continue in the coming years, which could impact the real estate industry in Temecula.
According to recent reports, e-commerce sales in the U.S. are expected to reach $900 billion by 2023, with an annual growth rate of 17.9%. It has resulted in a surge in demand for industrial real estate, particularly for warehouse and distribution facilities. The Temecula Valley has seen an increase in the number of industrial real estate developments, especially along Interstate 215 and Interstate 15,
including the construction of new distribution centers and logistics facilities, to cater to the growing demand.
The influx of e-commerce has brought a significant economic impact on the region, boosting job growth and providing new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The declining economy, however, has raised concerns about the real estate market’s stability in the coming years. A primary concern arises from the substantial rise in the vacancy rate during the first quarter in 2022 to the first quarter in 2023, 194.57%. Despite the rate remaining at a historic low of 2.7% Inland Empire-wide, this development has caused apprehension among certain investors with regards to the market’s future trajectory.
at $399,000
In conclusion, the rise of e-commerce has had a profound impact on the industrial real estate market in the Temecula Valley, creating new opportunities for growth and expansion. While the declining economy poses challenges, the region’s strategic location makes it one of the strongest industrial real estate markets in the country.
Kidder Mathews is the largest, independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast, with 900 real estate professionals and staff in 20 offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona. The company offers a complete range of brokerage, appraisal, asset services, consulting, project and construction management and debt equity finance services for all property types.
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French Valley Marketplace, 35958 Winchester Road, in French Valley. French Valley is in the Inland Empire market of Southern California in southwestern Riverside County, near the cities of Murrieta and Temecula.
SRS NNLG’s Managing Principals Matthew Mousavi and Patrick Luther and Vice President Jack Cornell represented the seller, a Southern California-based private developer. The buyer, a Southern California-based private investor, was represented by Austin Dias of Duhs Commercial. The closing cap rate was 3.48% which is one of the lowest for a McDonald’soccupied asset in Southern California this year.
French Valley Marketplace totals 78,000 sf and in addition to McDonald’s includes Grocery Outlet, Rite Aid, Eos Fitness, Chipotle and 7-Eleven among others.
“This most recent ground lease sale is part of a break-up strategy of French Valley Marketplace valued in excess of $40 million that SRS is conducting on behalf of the seller/developer,” Mousavi said. “We have sequentially been transacting the phases upon the leases going non-contingent and have additional phases to follow as the property completes buildout including the 7-Eleven site which is currently in escrow. With McDonald’s, we received multiple sub 4% cap offers ultimately transacting with an all-cash investor from Southern California.”
The site is less than one acre of land and is situated at the intersection of Winchester Road and Thompson Road. There are more than 151,000 residents and 22,000 employees within a five-mile radius of the property.
In 2022, SRS’ Investment Properties Group and National Net Lease Group completed more than $2.8 billion in deal volume comprising 705 transactions in 49 states. SRS currently has more than 550 properties actively on the market with a market value surpassing $2.8 billion.
Founded in 1986, SRS Real Estate Partners is building upon its retail foundation to provide extensive commercial real estate solutions to tenants, owners and investors. Headquartered in Dallas, with more than 25 offices in the U.S., SRS has grown into one of the industry’s most influential and respected leaders. The commitment to excellence is strengthened by their guarantee of value and our success is measured in the achievement of our clients’ objectives, satisfaction, and trust. For more information, visit http://srsre.com
SRS’ Investment Properties Group & National Net Lease Group is a unified platform of seasoned net lease professionals located and transacting nationally with all underwriting and marketing efforts strategically located in Southern California. From proactive sales to targeted acquisitions and tailored debt and equity solutions, SRS’ National Net Lease Group offers comprehensive services to net lease owners and investors. Superior speed-to-market, world-class marketing materials, a deep investor database and unparalleled retail submarket intelligence from the entire SRS platform allow SRS’ National Net Lease Group to deliver the best possible returns. For more information, visit http:// srsnnlg.com.
May 12 – 18, 2023
The first round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs has come and gone for the local high school baseball and softball teams as well as boys’ tennis, boys’ volleyball, girls’ beach volleyball, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse, boys’ golf, plus there is a whole bunch of track field going on out there. There were some great wins this past week, and there were also some tough losses. The postseason is littered with talent, and it only seems fitting that in order to call themselves a CIF champion, it’s win or go home.
This week will be a true testament to seeing through the first-round fog as second round action, as well as quarterfinal matchups will surely take some grit, both physically and mentally, in order to get through them successfully. The following teams are still in the hunt to be the last one standing:
CIF-SS Baseball Playoffs -
(Games at 3:15 p.m. Times and sites are subject to change.)
A total of 20 area teams qualified for the seven divisional singleelimination tournaments with the championship finals slated for Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, at Blair Field in Long Beach. After the first round of action only eight teams remained. Dates/Divisions/ Times at that site are still TBA. All games, apart from championship games, are scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m. unless otherwise
noted. All championship games from Blair Field will be streamed live by The NFHS Network and Bally Sports. Specific date, time and location for each divisional final game will be announced on May 17.
Division 1 No local teams
Division 2
Wildcard round - Wednesday,
May 3
Great Oak - 7, Monrovia - 0
First round - Friday, May 5
Capistrano Valley Christian - 7, Temecula Valley - 1
Vista Murrieta - 11, Lakewood - 4
Tesoro - 2, Paloma Valley – 1 (8-innings)
South Hills - 6, Great Oak – 0
Second round, Tuesday, May 9
Calabasas at Vista Murrieta
Division 3
First round - Thursday, May 4
Edison 8, Temescal Canyon - 2
Tahquitz - 14, Serra - 13
Second round - Tuesday, May 9
San Marcos at Tahquitz
Division 4
First round - Friday, May 5
Burbank - 2, Elsinore - 0
Chaparral - 5, Adelanto - 2 Valley View - 2, Citrus Hill - 1
Linfield Christian - 2, Hemet – 0
Second round - Tuesday, May 9
La Habra at Chaparral
Linfield Christian at Don Lugo
Division 5
First round - Thursday, May 4
Liberty - 6, Colton – 2
Second round - Tuesday, May 9
Estancia at Liberty Division 6
First round - Friday, May 5
Lakeside - 12, Indio - 1
Hesperia Christian - 2, Temecula
Prep - 0
Riverside Prep - 7, Orange
Vista - 4
Second round - Tuesday, May 9
Lakeside at Hesperia Christian
Division 7
Wildcard round - Wednesday, May 3
J: Santa Rosa Academy - 20, Palm Valley - 0
P: Hamilton - 11, Loma Linda
Academy - 2
First round - Thursday, May 4
Cornerstone Christian - 17, Cal.
Lutheran - 1
Animo Leadership - 14, Hamilton - 3
Banning - 1, Santa Rosa
Academy - 0
Nuview Bridge - 4, Littlerock - 0
Second round - Tuesday, May 9
Cornerstone Christian at Thacher Nuview Bridge at Brentwood
CIF-SS Softball Playoffs(Games at 3:15 p.m. Times and sites are subject to change.)
In total, 16 area teams qualified for the CIF-SS Ford Softball Championships. After the first round of action, only six local teams remained. That is quite the wipe-out factor for the postseason. Second round games are on Tuesday, May 9, with the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 11 (Division 1 does not have a second round; QFs start Tuesday, May 9), and semifinals on Saturday, May 13. Championship games are set for Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, at Irvine’s
Deanna Manning Stadium.
Division 1
Murrieta Mesa - 9, South Hills - 2
Tuesday, May 9: Quarterfinals
Murrieta Mesa at Huntington
Beach
Division 2
Vista Murrieta - 11, Don Lugo - 0
Great Oak - 5, Arcadia – 0
Tuesday, May 9: Round Two
Vista Murrieta vs. North
Torrance
Great Oak vs. Ayala
Division 3
Tuesday, May 2: Wildcards
Hemet - 15, Diamond Bar -3
Round One
Cypress - 14, Hemet - 13
Division 4
Chino - 11, Paloma Valley - 1
Fullerton - 6, San Jacinto - 0
Santa Fe - 11, Elsinore - 4
Division 5
Tuesday, May 2: Wildcards
San Jacinto Valley Academy - 8,
Twentynine Palms - 3
Linfield Christian - 10, Kaiser - 4
Round One
Silverado - 11, San Jacinto
Valley Academy - 1
Liberty - 9, Shadow Hills - 8
Linfield Christian - 9, Santa
Rosa Academy - 6
Tuesday, May 9: Round Two
Liberty vs. Viewpoint
Linfield Christian at Covina
Division 6
Bloomington - 20, Nuview
Bridge - 9
St. Joseph’s Lakewood - 10, at
Hamilton - 1
Division 7
Santa Ana Valley - 26, California
Lutheran - 11
Tahquitz - 22, Public Safety Academy - 0
Tuesday, May 9: Round Two
Hesperia Christian at Tahquitz
Other Playoff notes include:
Boys Lacrosse Playoffs (Matches scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
Dates, sites, and times subject to change.)
Division 2
First round
Temecula Valley -13, San Juan Hills - 9
Saugus - 8, Great Oak - 2 San Clemente - 5, Vista Murrieta – 4
Second round
Temecula Valley - 11, HarvardWestlake – 10
Tuesday, May 9
Quarterfinals
Temecula Valley at Santiago
Division 3
First round
Dos Pueblos - 18, Paloma Valley - 2
Long Beach Poly - 16, Linfield Christian - 4
Girls Lacrosse Playoffs (Matches scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Dates, sites, and times subject to change.)
Division 2
First round
Murrieta Mesa - bye Vista Murrieta - 12, JSerra - 11
Second round
Murrieta Mesa - 13, Yorba Linda - 6
Palos Verdes - 14, Vista Murrieta - 4
Quarterfinals - Monday, May 8
Murrieta Mesa at Santiago
Division 3
Wildcard round
Northwood - 16, Paloma Valley - 3
First round Heritage - 13, Tesoro - 12
Chaparral - 14, Dana Hills - 2
Quarterfinals
Portolo - 17, Heritage - 4
Chaparral - 15, Orange Lutheran - 5
Semifinals - Monday, May 8
Chaparral at Huntington Beach
Boys Tennis Playoffs
Division 2
Round One
Great Oak - 11, Alta Loma - 7
Redlands - 14, Temecula Valley – 4
Round Two
Sage Hill - 15, Great Oak - 3
Division 3
Murrieta Valley - 12, Heritage – 6
Round Two
Geffen Academy - 13, Murrieta Valley - 5
Derryl Trujillo Sports Writer
MURRIETA – Although Great Oak’s Nathan Sampson isn’t a member at Murrieta’s Bear Creek Golf Club, the Wolfpack senior standout has had a history of success on the Jack Nicklaus designed layout. He held the overnight lead after a one under par round of 71 at Cross Creek and was looking to add his name as a league champion on Thursday. It wasn’t easy but the San Diego State signee did just that, shooting a final round 71 to post a two-day score of 141 (-2) and record a two-shot margin of victory over defending champion Ryan Abuan and Chayce Frye of Chaparral.
“Coming up 18 it dawned on me that this was my last chance to win this championship and to
get it done is a great feeling,” Sampson said.
All four members of the final group (Murrieta Valley’s Brayden Gilpin rounded out the foursome) shot even par 36 on their front nines as no ground was gained or lost. Highlighting the front nine were a couple of near aces from Sampson (on the par three sixth hole) and Gilpin (at number eight) that both players converted for birdies. In fact, the final group made three of their five combined birdies on par threes.
As the temperatures dropped outside, things were heating up on the back nine.
Frye got up and down from right of the green at 11 while Sampson two putted from 40 feet as the two recorded birdies on the par five with Sampson maintaining a two-shot lead. At the short par four 13th Sampson nearly drove the green but made bogey to Frye’s par which chopped the lead to one.
Frye fell two shots back again after missing a short par putt at 14 but would start the final three holes looking at a one-shot deficit after Sampson bogeyed 15, failing to get up and down from a greenside bunker.
“Between 15 and 16 I had to remind myself that I still had the lead and to calm down,” Sampson added. “This was probably the worst one under par round of my life, but it got the job done and I go into the CIF-SS regional qualifier with a nice confidence boost.
Credit to Chayce and Ryan for not going away and making me earn it with some great shotmaking.”
At 16, Abuan challenged a back right flag and stuck the tee shot to about five feet above the hole, setting up a much-needed birdie opportunity. Sampson meanwhile
got up and down from just right of the green to maintain his lead.
Then at 17, Abuan holed an approach shot from the middle of the fairway for eagle to force his way back into contention. After a 300-yard tee shot Sampson stuck a wedge to two feet and tapped in for a birdie, maintaining the oneshot lead from Abuan and Frye. At 18, Sampson, Abuan and Frye all stuck short approach shots to six feet. Sampson and Frye both converted their opportunities while Abuan missed. Sampson prevailed by two and also tied for the second lowest winning score over the last 12 years.
Frye more than had his chances to tie or even win but had a number of putts lip out (including a pair of birdie putts from less than ten feet at five and 10).
In addition to the race for medalist honors, there were eight other spots to this week’s Southern Section Central Regional qualifier to fill. Great Oak’s Koa Baur shot a five under par round of 67 (the low round of the tournament) and went from three shots outside the line when play started to seven shots clear of 9th place when it finished.
Also earning bids into the CIFSS regional qualifying tournament (started Monday, May 8) in addition to Sampson (GO), Abuan (GO), Frye (Chap) and Kapur (GO) were Clay Yarbro (MV), Gilpin (MV), Travis McSparran (MV), Jayden Alden (MV) and Sam Amoroso (GO).
The top 20 from the CIF-SS regional qualifying tournament will advance to a second individual qualifying round Thursday, May 18 at Oxnard’s River Ridge Golf Course (Vineyard Course). Derryl Trujillo can be reached at socaltrekkie@gmail.com
JP Raineri Sports Editor
LOS ALAMITOS – The CIFSouthern Section Executive Committee named Mike West, principal at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, as the organization’s 10th Commissioner of Athletics. West replaces retiring Commissioner Rob Wigod and will begin his tenure as Commissioner on July 5.
“To be selected as the 10th Commissioner of the CIF Southern Section is both a personal and professional dream come true,” West said. “I would like to thank all members of the CIF Southern Section Executive Committee led by President Jim Perry for their belief in me to fill such an important role.”
“I also need to thank Commissioner Rob Wigod for his leadership, his mentorship and his friendship over the last 20plus years,” West said. “He has set a high bar for anyone in this position to attain and I promise to do my best to meet that level of excellence in leading the CIF Southern Section.”
Martin Luther King High School
Principal Mike West has been named the organization’s 10th Commissioner of Athletics by the CIF-Southern Section Executive Committee. Valley News/Courtesy photo
West has been involved in CIFSS athletics for nearly 30 years beginning his career in education as an athletic trainer at Ayala High School in 1994, where he also eventually taught World History, PE and ROP Sports Medicine. For the past eight years, West has been principal at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside.
“Congratulations to Mike West on being selected as the next Commissioner of Athletics for the CIF Southern Section,” Wigod said. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in high
school education and high school athletics, along with a passion for serving the young people we are so fortunate to work with and for, which will be valuable assets to our member schools.”
The CIF-SS Executive Committee conducted an extensive national search and received a tremendous number of highly qualified candidates from a variety of education based athletic backgrounds. A very in-depth paper screening and background check on all candidates was completed and a group of finalists were unanimously sent forward to the first personal interview round. After the final round of interviews, the Executive Committee agreed to unanimously recommend West for ratification.
“The Executive Committee is extremely proud and happy to have chosen such an extraordinary educator and leader to guide the CIF-SS into the future,” Perry said. His education resume runs deep, and West has also had numerous responsibilities within the State and Southern Section CIF. He was tasked as the first State CIF Master Assessor for Wrestling in 2005 and remained in that role until 2015. He currently serves on the State CIF Sports Medicine Advisory Committee where he began his tenure in 2013.
“He will do an outstanding job leading our organization forward
and I pledge to help and support him in every way possible,” Wigod said.
In 2018, West was elected as President Elect of the CIF Southern Section Executive Committee and then served his term as President of the Executive Committee during the pandemic years of 2020. Most recently, West was elected to the State CIF Executive Committee beginning this school year.
“Though I have served in a variety of different roles throughout my career, athletics has always been at my core,” West said. “To have contributed to the service of education-based athletics in so many different ways has allowed me to develop a holistic viewpoint that I will use while serving in my new role as commissioner. I truly want to focus on the individual student experience which encompasses excellent coaching, excellent officiating, proper medical care, sportsmanship and quality playoff championship experiences. I look forward to serving our member schools and their student athletes to the best of my ability.”
West resides in Riverside along with his wife Rhonda and has three children Kevin (24), Brian (21) and Michelle (18).
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com
POMONA – Daniel Guerra and Luke Bohmer knew it was going to take something special to catch and overtake the leader after Arrowhead Christian’s Scott Woo opened with a round of 73 to take a five-shot lead.
Guerra hit a bunker shot on the opening hole to about three feet and lipped out his par putt for a bogey. He’d make six bogeys, two birdies and a double bogey in a round of 78. His birdies were both on the back nine, at 12 and 14, where he stuck approach shots to ten and three feet respectively. For the two days, he posted a total of 156 (+12) and claimed the third of four qualifying spots.
“It’s been impressive to see just how far we’ve come as a team these last couple of years,” Guerra said. “When I was a sophomore, we were shooting around the 300s and now we’re league champions with an undefeated mark against the Southwestern League and one loss all year. Everybody’s worked so hard to get us to this position and deserves a lot of credit.”
Bohmer’s putter got warm en route to a second round 75 and twoday total of 154 (+10) which was good enough for second place and another berth in the CIF-SS regional qualifying tournament. He’d make par putts of between five and 10 feet at one, three, four, and eight en route to a front nine 38 (+2). He made
SPRING from page C-1
Division 5 Wildcard round
Liberty - 13, Chaffey - 5
Workman - 12, Elsinore - 6
Indio - 13, West Valley - 5
First round
Paloma Valley - 14, Citrus
Hill - 4
Hillcrest - 11, Orange Vista - 7
Hemet - 14, Rosemead - 4
Silverado - 13, Liberty - 5
Round Two
Hemet - 10, Garden Grove - 8
Arroyo - 10, Paloma Valley - 8
Quarterfinals - Monday, May 8
Hemet at Whittier
Swimming and Diving
The CIF Southern Section’s swimming and diving championships returned to Riverside this season and were held last Friday, May 5, at Riverside City College.
Division 1
No local competitors
Division 2
Boys 200m medley relay: 18. Kaleb Richmond (Murrieta Valley)
1:46.22.
Girls
Team scores: 1. Esperanza 201,
2. Flintridge Prep 195, 3. Riverside
Poly 182. Other top Inland teams:
14. Vista Murrieta 71, 21. Murrieta
Mesa 56.5.
200m medley relay: 13. Vista
Murrieta (Steffens, Alvarez, Abalos, Martin) 1:51.37; 17.
200m freestyle: 3. Sonja
Aarsvold (Murrieta Mesa)
1:50.79; 14. Isabella Alvarez (Vista Murrieta) 1:57.45.
200m individual medley: 10.
Leilani Abalos (Vista Murrieta)
2:06.32. 100m butterfly: T6. Emilee
Elizondo (Murrieta Mesa) 57.28;
8. 100m freestyle: 2. Sonja
Aarsvold (Murrieta Mesa) 50.85;
13. Isabella Alvarez (Vista
Murrieta) 54.04.
100m backstroke: 13. Leilani
Abalos (Vista Murrieta) 58.75;
14. Emilee Elizondo (Murrieta Mesa) 59.36.
100m breaststroke: 12. Amanda
Cotton (Great Oak) 1:07.25.
400m freestyle relay: 5. Vista
Murrieta (Alvarez, Steffens, Martin, Abalos) 3:41.53; 18. Great Oak (Guevara, Morgan, Sinclair, Lindemann) 3:52.39.
Track and Field
The CIF Southern Section held track and field divisional preliminaries at four different sites Saturday, May 6. The alldivisions CIF Southern Section track and field championship meet will be held Saturday, May 13, at Moorpark High School.
Here are the Inland boys athletes who advanced, either by winning a heat or placing among the top nine in each event.
Division 1
100m: Area qualifier: Jason
Deal (Paloma Valley) 10.58.
200m: Area qualifier: Jason
Deal (Paloma Valley) 21.26.
400m: Area qualifier: Elijah LaMothe (Heritage) 49.71.
two birdies in a three-hole span at 15 and 17 (sticking his tee shot to 12 feet) but three bogeys at 14, 16 and 18 added up to a 37 (+1) on the way home.
“After we both made birdies on 15, I realized that catching Scott wasn’t very likely and that I had to protect a spot in the top four,” Bohmer said. “When someone plays as well as Scott did this week you just go about your business and tip your cap to them.”
Although neither caught the leader, they earned tee times in the CIF-SS Individual Central Region Qualifier at Bear Creek Golf Club (May 8), which according to Lions coach Mark Moore was the big picture objective. Woo didn’t have his best stuff from a ball striking perspective in Wednesday’s (May 3) second round, but he too was able to chip and putt at a high level on Mountain Meadows’ sloping greens. He’d get up and down after nearly driving the green at three for his first birdie of the day, making a five-foot putt for birdie. He’d make putts from between five and 10 feet on a regular basis over the first nine to save pars (and one bogey at six after leaving a short sided bunker shot in the sand) and go out in 37. With a comfortable lead, he made seven stress free pars, a birdie and a bogey coming home to shoot 36 and a final round 73. His two-day total of 146 (+2) was good enough for an eight-shot margin of victory.
800m: Area qualifiers: Tarron Johnson (Vista Murrieta) 1:53.98; Gabriel Rodriguez (Great Oak)
1:54.48.
1600m: Area qualifiers: Gabriel Rodriguez (Great Oak) 4:15.72; Westin Brown (Great Oak)
4:16.51.
3200m: Area qualifier: Westin Brown (Great Oak) 9:14.92.
110m hurdles: Area qualifiers: Elijah Green (Murrieta Mesa)
14.58; Joab Vela (Vista Murrieta)
14.63; Aaron Young (Paloma Valley) 14.96.
300m hurdles: Area qualifier: Arthur Celestine (Vista Murrieta)
39.23.
400m relay: Area qualifiers: Vista Murrieta 42.34; Murrieta Mesa 42.40. 1600m relay: Area qualifier: Heritage 3:24.92; Great Oak
3:25.19.
Pole vault: T1. Austin Pepito (Great Oak) 14-0; No other area qualifiers
Shot put: Area qualifiers: Leland Godfrey (Chaparral) 55-8.5; Andrew Navarro (Great Oak)
51-11.
Long jump: 1. Obi Nwafor (Vista Murrieta) 22-7.75; No other area qualifiers
Triple jump: 1. Obi Nwafor (Vista Murrieta) 46-4.75; Other area qualifiers: Andrew Robinson (Great Oak) 45-1; Joseph Saenz (Murrieta Valley) 44-8.25.
Division 2 No area qualifiers
Division 3
100: Area qualifier: Troy Thompson (Liberty) 10.97. 800m: Area qualifier: Juan Juarez (Liberty) 1:57.58.
110 hurdles: Area qualifier: Paul Ortega (Liberty) 15.77.
1600m relay: Area qualifier: Liberty 3:28.75.
Division 4 110 hurdles: Area qualifier: Drew Taylor (Linfield Christian)
16.59. 300m hurdles: Area qualifier: Drew Taylor (Linfield Christian)
42.99.
Here are the Inland girls athletes who advanced, either by winning a heat or placing among the top nine in each event.
Division 1 100m: Area qualifiers: Taylor
Anyansi (Murrieta Valley) 11.91.
400m: 1. Mercy Ehiemere (Orange Vista) 55.08. No other area qualifiers
800m: Area qualifier: Fiona Holloway (Vista Murrieta)
2:15.64.
1600m: Area qualifiers: Sofia Lieberman (Murrieta Valley)
4:55,57; Kelli Gaffney (Great Oak)
5:03.69.
3200m: Area qualifier: Arielle Avina (Murrieta Valley) 10:43.67; Erika Kirk (Vista Murrieta)
11:01.70. 100m hurdles: Area qualifier: Kailah McKenzie (Orange Vista)
14.30; Sarah Ajayi (King) 14.55.
300m hurdles: Area qualifier: Vanessa Chavira (Orange Vista)
44.63.
400m relay: Area qualifier: Vista Murrieta 48.15.
“My short game saved me today,” Woo said. “In fact, we all putted really well on these greens which can be quite difficult to read.”
It was a big day for Woodcrest Christian’s Shante Zhou who shot 83-74=157 (+13) to claim the final Ambassador League bid to the May 8 qualifier. That second round 74 tied for the day’s second lowest score and ended a lengthy drought of roughly a decade in which a Royals golfer did not make it to CIF-SS Individual Qualifying. He beat out ACA’s Sebastian Rossi who shot 79-79=158 (+14) to miss by a shot. Linfield Christian’s Alfredo Guerra shot 85-74=159 (+15) and along with Ontario Christian’s Ethan Cobb (80-79=159 +15) the pair missed qualifying by two shots.
Final Results
At Mountain Meadows Golf Course (Par 36-36=72)
1. Scott Woo (ACA), 73-73=146 (+2)
2. Luke Bohmer (LC), 79-75=154 (+10)
3. Daniel Guerra (LC), 7878=156 (+12)
4. Shante Zhou (WCS), 8374=157 (+13)
5. Sebastian Carrillo (ACA), 7979=158 (+14)
T6. Alfredo Guerra (LC), 8574=159 (+15)
T6. Ethan Cobb (OC), 80-79=159 (+15)
8. Elias Cobb (OC), 81-79=160 (+16)
1600m relay: Area qualifiers: Orange Vista 3:55.04; Vista Murrieta 3:56.62.
High jump: Area qualifiers: Kailah McKenzie (Orange Vista)
5-4; Emoree Smith (Vista Murrieta)
5-4; Allie Goetz (Murrieta Valley)
5-4.
Pole vault: T1: Five athletes tied at 11-6, including Michael Cortes (Great Oak), Shayna Hinds (Great Oak) 11-6 and Katie Rodriguez (Vista Murrieta) 11-6.
Area qualifiers: Aspen Fears (Vista Murrieta) 11-6; Madisyn Negro (Murrieta Valley) 11-6.
Discus: 1. Area qualifier: Andreese Ortiz (Heritage)
123.2.75.
Long jump: Area qualifiers: Kailah McKenzie (Orange Vista)
19-0.5; Alyssa Alumbres (Vista Murrieta) 17-11.
Triple jump: 1. Daj’Eauna Williams (Elsinore) 38-11.5. Area qualifier: Alyssa Alumbres (Vista Murrieta) 37-5.
Division 2
1600m: Area qualifier: Megan Crum (Temescal Canyon) 5:02.59.
3200m: Area qualifier: Megan Crum (Temescal Canyon)
11:03.62.
Triple jump: Area qualifier: Kolena Apana (Temescal Canyon) 35-3.5.
Division 3
400m relay: Area qualifier: Liberty 49.72.
Division 4
High jump: Area qualifier: Mariah Hughes (Rancho Christian)
4-11.
Shot put: Area qualifiers: Mariah Hughes (Rancho Christian) 32-2; Charli Calas (Linfield Christian) 31-3.25.
Discus: Area qualifier: JordanCapri Dailey (Linfield Christian) 96-8.
Triple jump: Area qualifier: Chelsea Prillerman (Linfield Christian) 35.6.5.
Boys Golf
Central individual regionals at Bear Creek Golf Course begin Monday, May 8.
Girls Beach Volleyball Playoffs
The girls beach volleyball playoffs, in its inaugural championship season, began the playoffs last week and while the sport is just gaining momentum in the area, there was no immediate local representation in the tournament, which concluded Saturday, May 6 at Long Beach City College.
Boys Volleyball Playoffs
After taking down Elsinore in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs, Vista Murrieta defeated Oak Park, 3-1 (25-13, 25-20, ,23-25, 25-20) in round two, but fell to El Segundo, on the road Wednesday, May 3. With their 3-2 loss, they were the last remaining local team in the postseason.
If there are any changes in times, dates, or sites please email either Derryl at socaltrekkie@ gmail.com or JP at sports@ reedermedia.com with corrected information. Track and Field contributions made by Action Captures Media Group.
9. Diego Carrillo (ACA), 8082=162 (+18)
10. Josh Cortes (WCS), 8481=165 (+21)
11. Reuben Kok (ACA), 8482=166 (+22)
12. Ben Kim (LC), 86-82=168 (+24)
13. Caden Rossi (ACA), 8485=169 (+25)
T14. Abby Bi (LC), 91-93=184 (+40)
T14. Drew Young (ACA), 9094=184 (+40)
16. Riley Ayala (AQ), 9097=187 (+43)
Notes:
A. 1-4 are qualified to participate in the CIF-SS Central Region Individual Qualifier at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta Monday, May 8..
B. 1-9 earn Ambassador League first team honors
C. 10-16 earn Ambassador League second team honors Derryl Trujillo can be reached at socaltrekkie@gmail.com
The Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, celebrating its 27th season of honoring students who make a difference, held its final monthly recognition of the current school year Tuesday, April 11, at the Lakeside High School Lancer Round Table Café. Lunch was prepared and served by members of the Lakeside Culinary Academy.
Kim Joseph Cousins, CEO and president of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce, served as master of ceremonies and said this event always “gives me promise and hope for the future.”
The local high school recognition program, founded by Sally Myers in partnership with the chamber, acknowledges and honors college or trade school bound seniors for their character, their love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to participation in athletics, school activities and community service. It also commends those who have persevered through challenging life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise.
Large bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and much more donated by the program’s sponsors were given to the award recipients. Each student received a medallion and 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.
April’s students of the month are Elsinore High School’s Lily Hotchkiss and David Menendez, Keith McCarthy Academy’s Aidan Brazelton, Lakeside High School’s Alejandro Arana and Kimberly Ruiz and Temescal Canyon High School’s Harrison Rowe and Eliese Ruiz.
Elsinore High School
Lily Hotchkiss has a 4.43 GPA, is an ASB leader, National Honor Society member and captain of the girls’ varsity swim team. She is the third in her family to stand on the Student of the Month stage and said her older siblings were inspiring role models for her.
“As I look forward to going to college in the fall, I hope to continue to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone,” Hotchkiss said.
She has received multiple college acceptance letters, including one as an aerospace engineering major, but has not made a definite decision as to which one she will attend. Her nominating teacher, Crystal Hofmann, said Hotchkiss and her friends started the Cool Socks Club of which she is the president.
“They ended up recruiting more members than any other club on campus and host engaging activities to bring kids together,” Hofmann said. “Lily’s positive energy is contagious.”
Principal Robbin Hamilton introduced David Menendez with the first formal announcement that he is the class of 2023 valedictorian. With a 4.59 GPA, he was a varsity two-sport athlete, an AP scholar and part of the CTE program for photography.
“Life undoubtedly comes with its unique challenges that shape us into the people we become,” Menendez said. “Those which occur in the formative years of our youth are the most important.”
Menendez said that because he came from a Spanish-speaking household, he was placed in the English learner program in elementary school.
“Being labeled an English learner made me feel lesser than my peers so I decided that I needed to work twice as hard in all subjects,” he said. “A decade later, I’m now excelling in (college) dual enrollment English and I will be attending the University of California Berkeley in the fall.”
Menendez plans to study electrical engineering and computer science.
Keith McCarthy Academy Aidan Brazelton was recognized by principal Peter Hopping for leading by example.
“I do my best to help others and always try my best in all I do,” Brazelton said. “The most important life lesson I have learned is to ask questions when I have them.”
He gives back to the community by volunteering at the local animal shelter. Brazelton shared that when he was younger, he was in the 100-Mile Club and would always try to reach the 100-mile goal so he could get one of the medals at the end of the school year but was not successful.
“But that didn’t stop me from trying and eventually I did reach the goal by the end of eighth grade,” Brazelton said as he held up the medal he had won back then.
“This is the persistence I have that has carried me through my high
draw
as I prepare for college where I plan to explore 3D animation and create my own animation channel where I will improve my skills as an animator.”
Lakeside High School
Alejandro Arana was one of two exceptional Lakeside High School Lancers that Principal Henry Romero introduced. Cited for being highly involved with many programs at Lakeside such as AVID, Advanced Placement classes, varsity water polo, varsity golf and the chess club, Arana’s teachers said, “He engages in the learning process.”
He has aspirations of becoming a sports manager and possibly working in the field of sports law.
He thanked his teacher Michelle Hendricks for “highlighting qualities I didn’t know I had, specifically communication and a way of bringing people together.” Hendricks said
Arana has a vibe and energy about him and knows how to make connections with people to make them feel valued.
Kimberly Ruiz is involved in many extracurricular activities as well. Romero said she has taken about five concurrent enrollment classes through Mt. San Jacinto College, has been in AVID all four years, is a theater tech, president of the Sports Medicine Club and a member of the book club, chess club and girls’ tennis team. She plans to attend California State University San Bernardino with
hopes of pursuing a career as a physician’s assistant.
Her teachers said, “Kimberly has a great deal of Lancer pride and will undoubtedly bring that energy to the next chapter of her life.”
She said the biggest obstacle she had to overcome was growing up.
“Growing up isn’t just a physical action that happens to a person; it’s a change in mentality and awareness of oneself – that’s really growing up,” Ruiz said. “I learned what honesty and trust meant to my family.”
Temescal Canyon High School
Harrison Rowe was introduced by Temescal Canyon High School
Principal Joshua Hill as being a very involved student. He is captain of the mountain bike team, president of the Clay Club and the SoCal Youth Cycling Association, engineering club vice president, serves as senior representative for the PTSA and works at the student store on campus.
Harrison plans to attend Southern Utah University in Cedar City where he will study engineering technology with an emphasis on computer-aided design and manufacturing. Rowe would like to design and improve things in the transportation industry. Harrison said the most significant life lesson he has learned came from his time of doing online learning during the pandemic.
“I learned to not take anything or anyone for granted. I learned to not take a handshake, a conversation or even a face-to-face hello for
granted. I never imagined a world where everyone felt so alone. Returning to school with friends and sports again was the best gift and feeling ever,” Rowe said. Principal Joshua Hill said Eliese Ruiz has made an impact at the school by being an International Baccalaureate diploma student who serves as secretary for its leadership group, being on the varsity dance team all four years and as a member of the Interact and Spanish clubs. She plans to attend either California State University Fullerton or California State University San Diego to study kinesiology with hopes to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
“The best part of being so active in almost everything is the valuable life skills that I have learned along the way, and I have been able to use those skills to advance within my community and academic life,” Ruiz said.
She felt that one of the greatest contributions she has made to her community was working with her IB group to start a small baked goods business. Profits were used to partner with the school’s arts and crafts club to create a fun Halloween event at the school for kids in the area.
“We learned so many things while running this business,” Ruiz said.
For more information on the program, contact Kim Joseph Cousins at 951-245-8848.
SAN JACINTO – Mt. San Jacinto College hosted its 20th annual TRIO Upward Bound and Talent Search graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of the program’s high school seniors Saturday, April 29. More than 100 students and their families attended the TRIO Senior Recognition Celebration at the San Jacinto Campus library. This year, MSJC’s Talent Search program served 500 students from Monte Vista Middle School, North Mountain Middle School and San Jacinto High School and Upward Bound served 52 students from San Jacinto High School.
At the celebration, 37 high school seniors were recognized for their commitment to their education by completing the program.
Keynote speaker Joshua Rivera, MSJC board president and Upward Bound graduate, shared his experience being a student at MSJC and how transformative these programs are. He also shared his advice to the students.
“Ask yourself, what is my why?” Rivera said. “When you can answer it, things will come into place.”
Roger Schultz, Ph.D., superintendent and president of MSJC, congratulated the students and commended them for participating in the TRIO program. He shared words of encouragement and reminded the graduates of the importance of perseverance and determination
in achieving their goals.
For the first time in the program’s history, a donation for student scholarships was received. Wedbush United, a private investment firm based in Los Angeles, donated $4,000, providing four graduating seniors with $1,000 scholarships each.
Alonso Zul, a scholarship recipient, thanked Wedbush representatives for their donation.
“With this scholarship I can worry a little less about my finances, and it will help my parents with their cancer payments for my grandma,” he said.
Zul plans to attend University of California Berkeley in the fall.
“We are so proud of our TRIO graduating class for their accomplishments,” Marisa Jones, director of MSJC’s TRIO grant programs, said. “This time of the year is one of our favorite moments with our students. We are extremely grateful to Wedbush for making our students’ dreams come true.”
TRIO Upward Bound and Talent Search are federally funded programs that provide academic and personal support to high school students from lowincome families, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Both programs help students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in college and beyond.
Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.
teacher is not just a profession but a gift from above.”
Colin Brannan
Rancho Vista High School
Principal David Schlottman explained that Colin Brannan’s school is part of the Joan F. Sparkman Alternative Education Center, which is a combination of several schools. He said his favorite theme is that of redemption when “the person who was lost gets found, those who were away finally come home, the person that gives up hope gets renewed, and the person off the path finds it again – and Colin has one of those redemption stories.” Colin admits he always struggled in school and started making bad choices.
When COVID changed the world at the end of his freshman year, he couldn’t follow the online classes and watched his grades plummet.
Diane A. Rhodes
Special to Valley News
The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, recognizing and inspiring academic excellence since 1993, held its final recognition breakfast of the current school year on April 13 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Holly Wilson, Director of Linfield Christian School, served as emcee and welcomed everyone to the local high school recognition program that was founded by Sally Myers. Wilson said, “Sally is passionate about this program that is in its 31st year. She had the vision and partnered with Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce.”
Wilson explained the nonprofit’s mission for the incredible students who are chosen. College or trade school bound seniors are honored for their character, their love of learning and their willingness to participate in numerous activities such as campus events, athletics and community service as well as how they have persevered through challenging life circumstances. They accomplish all this in a setting that honors God, country, community, family and free enterprise.
Backpacks filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. 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.
April’s students of the month
are Chaparral High School’s Bianca Ganal, Great Oak’s Caleb Neal, Linfield Christian’s Jordan Standfast, Rancho Vista’s Colin Brannan, Saint Jeanne De Lestonnac’s Lillian Wichterman, Susan H. Nelson’s Cameryn Poff and Temecula Valley High School’s Julian Dos Santos.
Bianca Ganal
Chaparral High School is where Bianca stays busy, involved with many different activities and serving as Senior Class President but admits that sometimes students take on too much for all the wrong reasons. “I wanted to play sports, join clubs and take some AP classes. I wanted to get all As. If I didn’t, I felt like I wasn’t good enough. I was always comparing myself to my peers and constantly felt the need to put more and more on my plate,” Bianca said. She said she couldn’t find a healthy balance, was always burnt out and no letter grade or accomplishment left her satisfied. “The problem with always wanting more is that you end up being grateful for less,” she said. “We forget what’s right in front of us, what’s actually important. So a lesson I want to take with me to college is that the things and the people that I dedicate my time to are much more worthy than whether I or not I got a B in English or if I got the right amount of community service hours. That failure is actually what I needed, and it’s my friend and what’s needed to be successful in the long run. With that mindset I’ve learned to be kinder to myself.”
Caleb Neal Caleb was celebrated for his involvement in the Air Force JROTC program at Great Oak High School, especially its nationally recognized drone program. He was homeschooled for nine years
before transitioning to the campus of about 3,000 students but was able to excel. Principal Aimee Ricken said Caleb is an incredible ambassador for the school. He will be attending EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University to study aerospace engineering. He eventually wants to join the Air Force as a pilot. His JROTC commanding officer, Col. Scott Barberides, nominated Caleb for a J-100 scholarship which provides a full ride to any university of the student’s choosing. Out of 850 schools in the nation that offer AF JROTC, which allows them to submit applications for this scholarship, only 150 students are chosen. Caleb said being able to overcome his procrastination allowed him to take on leadership roles and be successful.
Jordan Standfast
The entire faculty at Linfield Christian School has a voice in choosing the Student of the Month and for April that student was Jordan Standfast who is in band, debate team, theater arts and is part of the Student Ambassador leadership program on campus.
“My mom taught me how to love and serve,” Jordan said. She wants to teach elementary school to provide mentorship and guidance to young children. She plans to attend California Baptist University. “I want to dedicate this award to my grandmother,” Jordan said. “She passed away last November but today would’ve been her birthday. I’m thankful for all the love and encouragement she showed me and how she continues to give me strength every day.”
Jordan’s teacher Jeremiah dela Rosa said she is a great actress and dancer and a blessing to Linfield’s campus, which serves grades K-12. He said to her, “Your calling as a
Attending Chaparral High School at the time, he continued to suffer and halfway through his junior year, he transferred to Rancho Vista, feeling that a smaller school would help him feel not so lost.
“It was the best decision I could have made,” Colin said. “I finally had good opportunities to learn. I can’t say enough positive things about the staff and teachers at Rancho. I went from failing all my classes to getting almost all As. With their belief in me, I’ve finally been able to believe in myself and now the sky’s the limit.” He said he is considering enlisting in the military but after his experience at Rancho, becoming a teacher is something he will consider. “I’d love to be the inspiration for some kid to keep striving for better, just like my teachers have done for me.”
Lillian Wichterman
Saint Jeanne De Lestonnac High School Principal Annette Zaleski said Lillian Wichterman’s heart helps her to go the extra mile. She plans to attend Chico State or UC Davis to study marketing. “A life lesson I learned from an obstacle I overcame was proper time management,” Lillian said. She has been involved with many campus groups such as California Scholarship Federation, FFA, and has been on the volleyball, softball, cheer and basketball teams. She said doing all these things made her more organized and able to plan better. Her theology teacher Lincoln Nguyen said her tenacity and grit has allowed her to sacrifice for others. “Anytime there is an opportunity to help someone, she is the first to say yes,” he said, adding that she is leaving a legacy for future students of not what to do, but who to be.
Cameryn Poff
Susan H. Nelson High School, another campus at the Joan F. Sparkman Alternative Education
Center, recognized Cameryn Poff for her involvement at school. Principal/Director David Schlottman said the senior is involved in competitive swimming and travel softball as well as theater arts. She transferred from Chaparral High School halfway through her freshman year. She said, “There is a lot of awful in this world and we hear stories that cause us to lose faith in humanity and it’s easy for us to feel like there’s nothing we can do. However, it’s important for us to remember that we are not powerless and that every contribution has a ripple effect.” Giving whatever you can is enough and there is no way to measure a positive act. “Whether you give time, money, or kindness, you’ve done something positive for our world,” Cameryn said. She supports the Joyful Heart Foundation because their mission touches so many lives. She plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College to become an ultrasound technician. Her nominating teacher Trisha Shea said of the senior, “Her strength of spirit is so inspiring.”
Julian Dos Santos
Temecula Valley High School
Principal Donna Lione said Julian Dos Santos is an outstanding musician who is a member of the jazz and concert bands and the wind ensemble, playing the trombone. He was inspired by his uncle who played the instrument as a member of the Brazilian army. Julian plans to attend a University of California campus in the fall to major in chemical engineering with a possible career in pharmaceuticals. Lione said she always asks the students for three words that other students would use to describe them and said Julian answered with, “smart, kind and funny.” When asked to provide words of wisdom for incoming freshmen, she said Julian would remind the young students that “the devil is in the details and to do the big things, you have to work on the little things.” Julian said the most significant life lesson he has learned is to not be afraid to ask for help when the going gets tough. “There are always people there willing to help you,” he said. His nominating teacher Jason Charles said Julian is committed to excellence.
This is the final Student of the Month ceremony for the 20222023 school year. The Student of the Year Scholarship and Recognition Breakfast will be held May 19 at 7:45 a.m. at the Murrieta Sizzler, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.
For more information, please contact Program Chair Amber Poncy at 951-676-5090 or http:// temecula.org/student-of-themonth
INLAND EMPIRE – Ann Marie
Sakrekoff has been named interim president and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement, effective May 15, following the retirement of Carlos Ayala, Ph.D.
GIA serves San Bernardino and Riverside counties as a regional, cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit and business partners in the Inland Empire; collectively, they work toward a shared vision of educational and economic success.
Sakrekoff has over 20 years of higher education and nonprofit leadership experience, including her current role as GIA’s chief operating officer.
“I am proud and excited to take on the Interim CEO role during such an exciting time for GIA as we continue building on our service to the Inland Empire educational network of students, families, institutions and community partners,” Sakrekoff said. “GIA will remain focused on its mission, impact, and growth while we search for our next permanent CEO.”
Diana Rodriguez, GIA board member and chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District praised Sakrekoff’s experience.
“Ann Marie’s passion for helping Inland Empire students achieve their college dreams is truly inspiring,” Rodriguez said.
“With her deep understanding of the challenges facing students in the region, she is committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed.
“Whether through innovative programming, advocacy efforts, or community outreach, Ann Marie is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Her unwavering commitment to this cause has made her an invaluable asset to Growing Inland Achievement, and we are confident that under her leadership as Interim CEO, the organization will continue to make great strides in improving educational outcomes for students throughout the Inland Empire,” Rodriguez said. Sakrekoff was the first employee hired by GIA’s board of directors in 2005, helping to lead the organization since its inception.
“Ann Marie has served as the operations leader for the GIA since its early days. She has been a steady force and an excellent collaborative leader focused on advancing our region’s higher education and workforce goals,” Sheila Thornton,
Ann Marie Sakrekoff is the interim president and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement. Valley News/Courtesy photo GIA board member and CEO of OneFuture Coachella Valley, said. “Her dedication to student success is evident throughout her work. We’re grateful to Ann Marie for being willing to serve in this interim position.”
GIA’s board of directors anticipates launching a search for a permanent president and CEO in the coming months.
“Ann Marie is an exceptional leader poised to continue GIA’s efforts to increase equitable educational attainment in the Inland Empire,” Kim Wilcox, Ph.D., GIA board chair and chancellor of University of California Riverside, said. “The board fully believes in her abilities to lead the organization while we search for a permanent CEO.”
GIA staff support this work by researching issues and opportunities, developing financial resources for the region, and connecting diverse stakeholders across the two-county region of the Inland Empire. GIA’s vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all. Submitted by Growing Inland Achievement.
TEMECULA – Temecula Valley Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates Temecula Valley Hospital’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.
“We are honored to be recognized with an ‘A’ Grade by The Leapfrog Group once again, as one of the safest hospitals in the United States,” Darlene Wetton, CEO of Temecula Valley Hospital, said. “Our teams have worked rigorously to develop best practices to ensure patient safety, quality, and satisfaction. It is deeply gratifying to see their hard work and efforts be recognized at a national level.”
The Leapfrog Group, an
independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” Leah Binder,
president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers and clinicians who together made that possible.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the
public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
To see Temecula Valley Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit http:// HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.
Submitted by Temecula Valley Hospital.
PALA – The Pala Band of Mission Indians is partnering with Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego to install the first naloxone vending machine on sovereign land. Funded through San Diego County, the machine is located at the Pala Fire Department and
will be a tool in reducing fentanyl overdoses and preventing opioidrelated deaths.
It is the first machine of its kind to be placed on Tribal land in the United States. With Native American tribes being amongst the most impacted by the opioid crisis,
the community is coming together to collectively fight the opioid crisis. The Pala Tribe is committed to recognizing and addressing the need within the community to set an example for tribal nations across the United States. Naloxone vending machines have already been installed in various places throughout the country and have proven to be effective.
“Fentanyl is killing people around the world and here in our own community. Sixteen members of the Pala Tribe have died from opioid-related deaths,” Robert Smith, chair of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, said. “We look forward to continuing to work with Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego to provide vital education and resources to stop these deaths. Through this program, we know we will save lives and secure a better future for everyone.”
Anyone can visit the Pala Fire Department to pick up a free naloxone kit and fentanyl test strips. Naloxone, also known as Narcane, is a fast-acting nasal spray that can stop a fentanyl or other opioid-related overdose and save a life by quickly restoring breathing. The naloxone vending machine is designed to foster
preparedness for everyone. To learn more about naloxone, visit https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/ hhsa/programs/bhs/BHS_Harm_
Reduction/About_Naloxone.html
“By forming strategic partnerships between harm reduction community organizations and tribal governments, I believe we are on the right path to significantly help one of the most affected populations for opioid overdose,” Tara StamosBuesig, founder and CEO of Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, said.
Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego works with the Pala
Tribe on a variety of programs and events to provide education on the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of naloxone. The partnership between the Pala Tribe and Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego is made possible through funding from the County of San Diego. The vending machine has been placed free of charge through San Diego County’s naloxone distribution program. San Diego County led a variety of initiatives to address the opioid epidemic, including wide distribution of naloxone. Submitted by Pala Band of Mission Indians.
Many mental health disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, come with a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts.
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. –
Since 1949, Mental Health America and its affiliates across the country have led the observance of May as Mental Health Awareness Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings. It raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of children, families and communities. Cities and businesses across the country hold various events to support mental health and open up the lines of communication. Many websites provide ideas for businesses to support their employees during the month of May and beyond.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in our country increased by 36% between 2000-2021. Suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021 alone, which is about one death every 11 minutes. Many mental health disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, come with a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts. While seeking help for suicidal thoughts or behaviors is critical regardless of the cause, securing a specific diagnosis may help the individual receive treatment-especially ongoing treatment -that is best suited to their
Valley News/Metro Creative photo
mental health needs.
Mental Health America said that up to 60% of people who die by suicide have major depression, and research suggested that the majority of suicides are related to a psychiatric condition. If you or someone you know is depressed, there are effective treatments available. Talking to a doctor is a good first step, and visiting the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness to learn more about support groups that can be helpful.
The Jason Foundation is another valuable resource. The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of suicide through educational and awareness programs. On the website, individuals will learn about warning signs and risk factors associated with people who may be struggling with mental health issues and suicidal ideation. Four out of five individuals considering suicide give some sign of their intentions, either verbally or behaviorally. In 80% of those considering suicide, people have an opportunity to recognize the warning signs and intervene. Individuals can take the time to educate themselves on the warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide. This knowledge may help save the life of a friend or loved one.
Submitted by The Jason Foundation.
Menifee reports a new project to install storm drains on Holland Road adjacent to a new 80unit residential housing project and motorists are to watch for intermittent traffic controls through the end of the month.
There are many other housing developments under construction in Southwest Riverside County that motorists may come across in their travels so caution is suggested going through those streets, particularly in Wildomar, Murrieta, Menifee, Winchester and San Jacinto.
In other Menifee projects, the Holland Road Overpass Capital Improvement Project has closed Holland Road between Hanover Lane and Antelope Road for the remainder of the project that is expected to continue for the next 17 months. Some lanes on the I-215 freeway may be affected from Newport Road to Scott Road. For additional information and to sign up for project updates, please visit www.hollandoverpass.com.
The developer of Cimarron Ridge continues installing
underground improvements in the area of Valley Boulevard between McCall Boulevard and Ridgemoor Street. This portion of Valley Blvd. will be subject to lane closures during this work and traffic delays should be expected in the area through mid-May.
Paving work on Menifee’s Capital Improvement Project on Menifee Road between Holland Road and Camino Cristal is now completed. Work will continue in the roadway as the contract addresses manhole adjustments, traffic loop installation and roadway striping. Work is now expected to continue through the end of May.
Southern California Edison began trenching new power lines along Menifee Road, from Newport Road to Holland Road. Work is currently active during daytime and nighttime hours at the intersection of Newport and Menifee roads. Traffic control will be in place during project work. Message boards containing contact information for the project will also be placed in the project area. Completion of work in this area is now expected to continue through the end of May.
SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — A
$1.1 million payment was made to resolve a ransomware attack on San Bernardino County’s law enforcement computer network, Southern California News Group reported.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced in April that a “network disruption” was being investigated by information technology staff and forensic specialists, and that the FBI and Department of Homeland Security were notified.
County spokesperson David Wert said the county paid $511,852 and the remainder was covered by insurance, the news group reported Thursday, May 4.
“The decision whether to render payment was the subject of careful consideration,” Wert said.
Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Gloria Huerta said an investigation is continuing to try to determine whether any information was stolen and whether the ransom payment can be traced to identify the hacker.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus said that public safety wasn’t compromised by the ransomware attack but it hindered some tasks.
Deputies, for example, could not access a system that provides information on whether a person is wanted for crimes elsewhere in the country, so they had to request that other agencies make the record checks, Dicus said.
Ransomware involves hackers essentially holding a computer system hostage by encrypting its files and demanding payment in exchange for the software key.
Traffic signal, median work and landscape improvements continue at McCall Boulevard and Ranch Road as part of the McCall Square project. The construction schedule for this project has been extended and is now expected to be fully completed by June 30. Intermittent traffic control will remain in place for the duration of the project. SoCal Gas Co. continues the installation of new gas pipeline infrastructure in the vicinity of Evans Road and Lazy Creek Road. Lane closures will remain in place for the next several months to support the project. For questions on the project/construction updates listed, please contact Philip Southard, Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officer, at 951-746-0654 or at psouthard@ cityofmenifee.us RCTC
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, during the nighttime hours, will be alternately closing lanes on eastbound and westbound Highway 60 in the Badlands between Moreno Valley and Beaumont at different times through May. The lane closures will allow crews to safely perform
roadway repairs and restripe lanes. The construction is subject to change. Follow @60TruckLanes on social media for the latest project information.
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, widened a 4.5-mile section of Route 60 from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail in Riverside County’s Badlands between Moreno Valley and Beaumont. The project was within mountainous terrain with a curving alignment and steep grades. The project was designed to improve safety and efficiency of travel between the Coachella Valley and western Riverside County.
Caltrans
The California Department of Transportation continues work on State Route 74 in Riverside County from the Riverside and Orange County border to Monte Vista Street, just west of Lake Elsinore.
Crews will perform work in various locations throughout the project zone. One-way traffic control with escorts will be in place from 8 to 9:59 p.m. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the route will be closed to through
traffic. Residents and commuters will need to utilize alternate routes to go around the closure each night beginning at 10 p.m.
Access through the work zone will be prohibited during the previously stated hours. Work will take place nightly, east of the county line on SR-74, Monday through Friday. Residents on Tenaja Truck Trail or west of Tenaja Truck Trail, including the Ortega Oaks RV Park and Campground and The Candy Store, will be directed to Lake Elsinore and will not be given access to go through to Orange County during the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Residents at Long Canyon and Decker Canyon will be directed to Lake Elsinore and will not be given access to go through to Orange County during the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Drivers may experience long waits and delays due to construction operations. Please wait for the designated escort through the construction zone.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com
QUINCY, Mass. – In support of this year’s Safety Stand Down campaign, June 18-24, the Safety Stand Down Sweepstakes Quiz is live, featuring questions that reinforce key messages and practices behind this year’s theme, “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?”
Each year, the Safety Stand Down campaign and sweepstakes quiz are organized by the National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety, Health & Survival Section, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, with the collective goal of focusing attention on a particular responder safety concern during the third week in June. This year’s Safety Stand Down works to help ensure that firefighters know how to safely handle lithium-ion batteries in a
variety of situations and scenarios. In support of this year’s Safety Stand Down, emergency services personnel are encouraged to take and promote the quiz. Those who complete it by Wednesday, June 21, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time will be automatically entered in a sweepstakes where 200 randomly selected participants will win a limited-edition challenge coin commemorating the 2023 theme. The quiz is available on the Safety Stand Down website at http://www.SafetyStandDown.org
During the week of Safety Stand Down, fire departments across the country are asked to suspend all non-emergency activities and train on lithium-ion battery response; an entire week is provided to ensure that all shifts and personnel can participate. Leading up to Safety Stand Down, fire service leaders and training officers can visit the campaign website to access a
wealth of information, training, and resources that can help prepare for these efforts. New content and event updates will be added to the website in the weeks to come.
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit http://www.nfpa. org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at http://www.nfpa.org/freeaccess. Submitted by National Fire Protection Association.
Special to the Valley News
Law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout Riverside County will be honored later in May in a ceremony that’s expected to draw representatives from local, state and federal agencies, with an open invitation to the public to attend.
The 40th Riverside County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony is slated for 8 a.m. Saturday, May 20, adjacent to the Safe In His Arms statue that fronts the Riverside Police Department’s Orange Street station downtown.
“This event will include a tribute to all 74 (of the county’s) fallen officers, deputies and agents, a flag folding and gun salute ceremony, and a multi-agency helicopter fly-over,” according to an RPD statement.
The remembrance will begin with a two-mile “pride” run involving current and former peace officers, who will take a slow jog through the downtown area before returning to the statue, where multiple speakers are slated to deliver remarks, with a keynote address by Beaumont police Chief Sean Thuilliez.
Others slated to be on hand include Sheriff Chad Bianco, District Attorney Mike Hestrin, several members of the county Board of Supervisors and Riverside City Council members.
Three names recently added to
the Safe In His Arms memorial will be unveiled, among which are 32-year-old sheriff’s Deputy Isaiah Albert Cordero, who was gunned down by a convicted felon during a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley, Dec. 29.
The shooter was later killed by a phalanx of deputies, who pursued him into Norco that same afternoon.
The name of 30-year-old Deputy Darnell Calhoun, who was fatally shot while responding to a family disturbance in Lake Elsinore only two weeks after Cordero’s slaying, is expected to be added later this year. Calhoun’s alleged killer is awaiting trial.
The other two lawmen whose names will be unveiled with Cordero’s did not die in shootings.
According to the Riverside County Law Enforcement Memorial Committee, the fallen listed on the memorial include nine U.S. Border Patrol agents, 11 California Highway Patrol officers, one California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation agent, one California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement officer, two Cathedral City police officers, one Corona policeman, four Palm Springs police officers, 16 Riverside police officers, 25 sheriff’s deputies, one county probation officer and a Union Pacific Railroad police officer.
A Temecula “constable” is near the beginning of the list, which begins in 1895.
SACRAMENTO – Director
Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West reminded California businesses and residents of the Monday, June 5, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for property damage caused by the Fairview Fire in Riverside County that occurred from Sept. 5, to Oct. 3, 2022.
According to Garfield, businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters may apply for SBA federal disaster loans to repair or replace disaster damaged property. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in California and La Paz County in Arizona. Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
In addition, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
Firefighters attempt to subdue fast moving flames along Bautista Canyon Road near Hemet during the Fairview Fire in September 2022. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. The deadline to apply for an SBA economic injury disaster loan is Jan. 4, 2024.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 3.04% for businesses, 1.875% for private nonprofit organizations and 2.188% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at http:// www.disasterloanassistance. sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba. gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Submitted by Small Business Administration.
Fallen law enforcement officers to be remembered in annual ceremony
Jennie Taer
Daily Caller Investigative Reporter
Several Democrats are lashing out against the Biden administration for not preparing sufficiently for a migrant surge expected when the Trump-era border order Title 42 ends May 11.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Democratic Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to prepare for the migration wave when Title 42 ends. The Biden administration has put forward a plan it hopes will address the surge that consists of erecting migrant processing facilities in Latin America and increasing legal pathways to entry.
Hobbs said Friday that her
state is prepping for the expected migrant influx “largely without support from the federal government,” according to The Washington Post. Gallego, who is running for Senate, sent four letters to the Biden administration Thursday calling for more resources for his state and better communication.
“While the specific needs and requests of each border community varied, one similarity was clear: the administration has not done enough to meet their needs, and these local officials require additional resources, personnel, and funds to ensure our border stays secure and that the processing of asylum seekers is done in a humanitarian way,”
Gallego said in a statement
regarding the inquiries. Federal authorities along the U.S.-Mexico border are already seeing an influx of migrants. Arizona’s Yuma sector, for example, was at 213% capacity as of Monday morning, according to an internal Border Patrol document obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who recently left the Democratic Party to become an Independent, also criticized the federal government for failing to adequately prepare for the sunset of Title 42.
“The Biden administration had two years to prepare for this and did not do so, and our state is going to bear the brunt,” Sinema told CBS News host Margaret
Brennan Sunday. President Joe Biden has also received backlash from members of his own party for his recent decision to deploy 1,500 troops to the southern border.
“The Biden administration’s militarization of the border is unacceptable. There is already a humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere, and deploying military personnel only signals that migrants are a threat that require our nation’s troops to contain. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez said in a statement Tuesday.
“The Administration has had over two years to plan for the eventual end of this Trump-era policy in a way that does not
compromise our values as a country. I have offered them a strategic and comprehensive plan, which they have ignored. Trying to score political points or intimidate migrants by sending military to the border caters to the Republican party’s xenophobic attacks on our asylum system,” he said.
Democratic New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez echoed Menendez’s sentiments.
“Further militarization of our southern border will do nothing to address the root causes of migration and only hurt migrants. We need real immigration reform,” Velazquez wrote on Twitter Wednesday.
The California Reparations Task Force voted in favor of approving $800 billion in recommendations Saturday, handing off their decision to the state’s legislature.
The nine-member panel tasked with tackling the question of reparations for California residents in 2020 by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom held a public meeting in Oakland May 6 in which they approved up to $1.2 million in reparations payments to be made
to all qualifying Black citizens.
In addition to the payments, the panel called on the state to issue a formal apology for “long-standing racial disparities and inequalities” as observed by Democratic California Rep. Barbara Lee, Fox News reported. The apology, the panel insisted, must “include a censure of the gravest barbarities,” namely a condemnation of the state’s first elected governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett, an admitted white supremacist, NPR reported Under Burnett’s leadership, the state enacted the Fugitive Slave
Act in 1850 which allowed for the capture and return of runaway slaves until emancipation more than decade later, the outlet stated.
“By participating in these horrors, California further perpetuated the harms African Americans faced, imbuing racial prejudice throughout society through segregation, public and private discrimination, and unequal disbursal of state and federal funding,” the panel noted, according to NPR.
Though up to $1.2 million in reparations was approved by the
task force, some voiced their displeasure at the offer, arguing the amount should be much higher
Citing a 19th century promise of “40 acres and a mule,” activist Rev. Tony Pierce demanded an “equivocal” amount for every black citizen, amounting to a total he figured to be $200 million, Fox News reported.
While the panel approved the $800 billion in reparations, the proposed payments are not likely to pass through the state’s legislature as $800 billion is more than 2.5 times higher than the state’s annual
TEMECULA – The year 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. To observe this occasion, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Luiseño Chapter, will honor a historical patriot each month by the chapter’s America250 Committee. This month tells the story of Simeon Duncan.
Beginning in March – 249 years ago – events occurred which changed the lives of those living in the American colonies. During March through June, 1774, the Intolerable Acts were enacted by the British Parliament. Also known as the Coercive Acts, they were four measures instituted in
retaliation for colonial resistance to British rule. The Boston Port Act closed “the port from all commerce and ordered the citizens of Boston to pay a large fine to compensate for the tea thrown into the river during the Boston Tea Party,” according to American Battlefield Trust.
The Massachusetts Government Act – also an Intolerable Act –rescinded “the colony’s charter of 1691, …replacing the elective local council with an appointive one, enhancing the powers of English Military Governor General Thomas Gage, and forbidding town meetings without approval,” according to Encyclopedia
Britannica. The third coercive act was the Administration of Justice Act which ensured a “fair trial for British officials charged with offenses” while suppressing riots in Massachusetts Colony, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The final Intolerable Act was the Quartering Act of 1774 allowing British troops to be housed in private homes and facilities, according to American Battlefield Trust. The result of these mandates on the citizens of the Thirteen Colonies was anger against the English Crown, and the First Continental Congress met to coordinate a response to the Acts. Massachusetts patriot
Simeon Duncan was angry and turned his emotions to serving as a bombardier in Capt. David Henshaw’s 10th Company, Col. Thomas Craft’s Artillery Regiment. As a bombardier, he worked one of the three rear positions of a cannon. At age 52, he served in battles of the Revolutionary War which occurred between Feb. 1, and May 8, 1777.
Simeon married Bridget Richardson during 1743, and they were the parents of nine children. Little more is known about this man after his Revolutionary War service, yet he is one of thousands of colonists who put their families and homes behind them to enter the fight for independence from
budget, NPR reported.
“There’s no way in the world that many of these recommendations are going to get through because of the inflationary impact,” Roy L. Brooks, a professor and reparations scholar at the University of San Diego School of Law, told NPR.
Nevertheless, the panel has called on other state governments as well as the federal government to follow suit and pass their own reparations legislation.
Great Britain.
Patriots like Simeon Duncan –the quiet, not-famous citizens who fought in our war for independence – are the focus of the America250 and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The Luiseño Chapter NSDAR honors Patriot Simeon Duncan this month for his contribution to our freedom. Another patriot will be honored next month by the Luiseño America250 Committee. To learn more about the Luiseño Chapter DAR, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/luisenochapterdar.
Submitted by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Luiseño Chapter.
your attitude. It “produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things,” in Galatians 5:22-23. This fruit demonstrates that you serve God with the right attitude.
Do your job for God.
Zachary Elliott
Special to the Valley News
I hate it when a server takes forever to refill my drink. Don’t they know I’m dying of thirst when eating cheese fries, onion rings and a bacon cheeseburger?
It’s like everyone else in the restaurant is more important than me.
As much as it bothers me when servers procrastinate on refilling my beverage, God doesn’t like it when we do the same to him. We often push off our service to him until a more convenient time. But does the time ever come?
So, when is the best time to serve God? The answer is right now is the best time. Your whole life is supposed to be offered up in service to Christ.
To help you, here are seven ways to serve God right now. Have a good attitude.
The Holy Spirit should lead
Did you know that when you go to work today, it’s a way for you to serve Christ? The Bible said you are to “work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ,” in Colossians 3:23-24.
Serve in his house.
When you serve in the church, you’re saying, “God, I love what you love.” We are “to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near,” in Hebrews 10:24-25.
Care for the needs of others.
Our personal needs dominate our days. Although sometimes necessary, it can often lead to a self-serving life. But serving God means you are to “not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others,” in Philippians 2:4.
Be generous to people and
God’s church.
You cannot outgive God. Try it; I dare you. Jesus boldly tells us to “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back,” in Luke 6:38. Giving is one of the ways we serve God.
Practice hospitality.
You might not know it, but hospitality is a prerequisite to leadership in the church in Titus 1. It’s also how we serve God and show our love for his people. The Bible tells us that “when God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality,” in Romans 12:13.
Give your time and body to God.
Serving God means you should “commit your way to the Lord,” in Psalm 37:5. It’s not just a Sunday gig or a five-minute devotional. It’s a lifestyle of service to him.
Where we offer our “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship,” in Romans 12:1.
Zachary 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.
‘Bear the brunt’: Dems rip Biden’s plan to handle migrant surge after Trump-era border policy’s end
Writer
rummage sales, craft fairs and swap meets, Anza’s shopping season is off and running this May.
Free Food organizers
Victor and Christy Foster have partnered with Mr. Happy’s Mercantile and Mavis Alo to present weekly vendor fairs to help raise funds to continue to bring free groceries to deserving residents in the Anza Valley.
Mr. Happy’s Mercantile hosted this month’s Spring Vendor Faire, complete with fresh pop-up burgers and grilled chicken, a DJ spinning tunes and lots and lots of deals on different items. The event was held May 6 and 7 and planned
for all the remaining weekends in May.
A portion of the proceeds from items sold in the garage area of the Faire will be donated to Anza Free Food Inc. to help with gas expenses to move the food
Groups assisting with the weekly Faire event are Friends Uniting Neighbors,
see SHOPPING, page D-4
Car tires without rims will be accepted at the free tire collection event in Anza Saturday, May 13. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
The collection of waste tires will only be available to Anza and
Diane Sieker Staff Writer
Children sit mesmerized as librarian Kay Mackay reads a chicken book to them at the Chick-ChickChickens story time at the Anza Valley Community Library Saturday, May 6. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo event at the Anza Transfer Station Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. until noon.
As one of their many weekend programs, the Anza Valley Community Library hosted ChickChick-Chickens story time for children Saturday, May 6. The event included day-old chicks for the children to see and touch. The little birds were hatched in an incubator by library staff in anticipation of the weekend program.
Librarian Kay Mackay read chicken-themed books to a gathering of preschool and elementary children, while mothers and fathers listened just as intently. Her animated style, limitless patience for questions and warm reading style brought the books to life for the curious children.
answering questions, laughter and many smiles.
The Anza Valley Community Library continues to provide books, services and inspiration to the mountain communities. Upgrades to the facility, fun activities, new services and updated reading material availability are ongoing at the local literary reference center.
It is an interesting, inspirational see TIRES, page D-2 see CHICKENS, page D-3
Visitors to the library during the story time were greeted by chick peeps, youngsters asking or
Free tire collection event in Anza slated for Saturday, May 13
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 offi ce, 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.
Friends of Anza Valley Community Library – Anza Valley Community Library is
located at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. The library is open to the public, but not during school hours. Hours are 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday through Wednesday.
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 “HamiltonMuseum-and-Ranch-Foundation.”
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) 760-9255.
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 951-751-1462 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 posttraumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-923-6153. 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 951-7634226.
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 951-5512826.
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 951763-4759.
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 951-763-5636.
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 951-763-0856.
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 951-928-1248. 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 Latter-day Saints on Contreras Road, south of state Route 371, in Anza. For more information, call Richard
Hotchkiss at 951-551-3154.
Boys Scouts Troop 371 – Boy Scouts meet at Lake Riverside Estates. For more information, call Ginny Kinser at 909-702-7902.
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 951763-5611 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 951-763-2884 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 951-2824267.
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
TIRES from page D-1 driving habits. Observe speed limits and steer clear of potholes and debris on the road; Finally, be alert to changes in vehicle handling and look for uneven wear on your tires.
Aguanga residents.
As per state law, only nine tires at a time may be transported to the event and only car tires will be accepted. Tires from businesses or nonprofit organizations and tires with rims will not be accepted. Tires must be less than four feet in diameter. According to the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources, a waste tire is a tire which is no longer usable for its original intended purpose because of wear, damage or defect, or a tire which has been discarded or disposed of by its owner.
The Department offers tips on extending the life of your tires. Check the air pressure in your tires at least once a month; Regularly check the tread depth of your tires; Rotate your tires every 6,000 miles as a rule of thumb; Practice good
In addition to caring for your tires, consider the fact that discarded tires left outside are more than just an eyesore. Water can collect in the tire, creating a perfect habitat for mosquitos and other waterborne pests. They can also provide shelter to rodents. This annual spring cleaning event is one not to miss.
The Anza Transfer Station is located at 40329 Terwilliger Road in Anza.
For more information about recycling tires, click the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources at www.rcwaste.org/ Waste-Guide/tires
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Diane Sieker Staff Writer
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Women’s Guild combined forces to host a large rummage sale Friday, May 5.
Some of the money raised by the sale of donated items was slated for the fund used to complete much-needed renovations to the church. New flooring and paint are necessary, and work was being done even as the sale took place as Father Kien Kieu supervised. In addition to the rummage sale funds, church benefactors have donated to the much-needed project.
Chilly, yet partly sunny weather greeted both event volunteers and shoppers. As usual, the sale was well organized and spread out at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s parking lot.
Clothes, books, electronics, tools, toys, furniture, antiques, collectibles, kitchenware, shoes, luggage and holiday decor were quickly claimed by local bargain hunters. Volunteers arranged the wide array of items for ease of shopping and offered the sometimes brand new things at very reasonable prices.
The semi-annual event collects charitable donations for the church’s and Guild’s good works in the Anza Valley, including the donation of funds to From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries and Food for the Faithful. Both the church and the community benefit from the sales.
To learn more about the Sacred Heart Women’s Guild, visit www. facebook.com/Sacred-Heart-ofAnza-172200349497797.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is located at 56250 Highway 371, Anza, across from the Sinclair Gas station.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
and fun time to visit the Anza Valley Community Library. More than a just books, it provides engaging activities and the tools to get technology and knowledge to all who seek it.
The Anza Valley Community Library is a joint-use public library, located inside Hamilton High School, but a completely separate entity. It is part of the Riverside County Library System. Don’t have a library card? Go to www.rivlib.net to sign up online for free.
For more information, please call the library at 951-763-4216 or visit them at www.facebook.com/ AnzaLibrary.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Meet Saturday, May 6.
Guests await for their food order to be served at the Spring Vendor Faire at Mr. Happy’s Mercantile Saturday, May 6.
Knacks, Brother Dave Family Assistance and music provided by So Smooth Entertainment.
“I would like to see Anza become the place for flatlanders and desert folks to escape to for the best shopping experiences,”
Mr. Happy’s Rusty Browning said. “What fun it could be for everyone, but it will take time to grow and promote this.”
Meanwhile, the Graffiti Coffee Shop presented another of its monthly Craft Fairs Saturday, May 6. The mild weather encouraged many local vendors to participate, providing a great experience for fans of the fair.
The event attracted some of the area’s finest artisans and unique product vendors. BBQ, a fruit stand, live plants, personalized items, wood craft and hand crafted soaps guaranteed that the fair was an enjoyable success.
Mathew Dodge provided his unique renditions of popular tunes, skillfully picking on his acoustic guitar, accompanied by his singing.
Shoppers browsed unique displays, chatted with artists and enjoyed the coffee shop’s beverages and food.
In downtown Anza, the first Anza swap meet of the month saw a doubling of vendors offering just about everything and the kitchen sink. This longtime traditional event is held the first and third Saturdays of the month.
Some residents that attend the swap meet are curious to see the varied offerings. Many are looking for specific items, such as collectibles or special tools. Still others are there solely for the social aspect of the swap meet. The Community Hall parking lot becomes a beehive of activity on these Saturdays, even attracting passersby traveling through Anza.
Seller spaces are located in the paved parking lot in front of the Community Hall. Vendors offer tools, bikes, collectibles, antiques, toys, clothes, shoes and furniture, both new and gently used. Inside the Community Hall building, local artisans and business people, such as John Yarrow, peddle their wares and expertise. Yarrow sits patiently answering questions about the carpet cleaning, computer repair and window screen services he offers.
For more information about the Anza swap meet, please call 951-282-4267 or visit the Anza Community Hall Facebook page
online at www.facebook.com/ AnzaCommunityBuildingInc.
To learn more about Graffiti Coffee Shop’s craft fair, please visit www.graffiticoffee.com or www. facebook.com/graffiticoffee371.
For more information on the Spring Vendor Faire, please contact Mavis Alo at 951-9330125 or mavisalo333@gmail. com . Mr. Happy’s Mercantile is located at 57475 CA-371 in Anza. Visit them at www.facebook.com/ mrhappymercantile. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Joe Naiman
Writer
The Warner Softball Tournament on April 27 in Warner Springs was the most recent competition for the seven small K-8 elementary and middle schools in northern San Diego County and southern Riverside County. The schools participate in athletic tournaments with a different school hosting a different sport each month. The Hamilton School girls won the Warner Softball Tournament while Hamilton’s boys took third place. Hamilton, Borrego Springs Middle School and Julian Junior High School had both boys and girls teams. Cottonwood Elementary School, Vallecitos Elementary School (Rainbow), and Warner Middle School had co-ed teams which played in the boys division. Pauma Elementary
School (Pauma Valley) did not participate in the Warner Softball Tournament. Because the girls division had only three teams each school played two games against each opponent; Hamilton had a 4-0 record while Borrego Springs and Julian both ended with 1-3 records with Borrego Springs being awarded second place on the run differential tiebreaker.
“The girls did great. They hit the ball,” Hamilton girls coach Jenny Villalobos said. “Defense was awesome. Only a couple of errors between the four games.”
The games lasted four innings or 30 minutes, although the full inning was allowed to be completed if the 30 minutes had elapsed. A team was limited to five runs in their batting half of the inning. The teams pitched to their own batters; schools could either utilize a student or a faculty
member as the pitcher. Each team had 10 players on the field.
Hamilton’s girls competition began with a 10-1 victory over Julian. The Bobcats’ second game was a 9-0 triumph against Borrego Springs, whose mascot is also the Bobcat. The second game between Hamilton and Julian ended with a 10-0 score in Hamilton’s favor.
The second game between the two teams had the same 9-0 score as the first game with Hamilton scoring the nine runs.
“We worked as a team and I did well,” Hamilton eighth-grader Lexi Holt said. Holt hit four home runs during Hamilton’s four games. Four other Hamilton players – Amaya Ambriz, Bella Barreto, Ishwish Rozon and Danica Saul – each homered once. Hamilton brought 14 girls to the tournament.
Each of the six boys or co-ed
teams played four of the other five opponents. Borrego Springs placed first with a 4-0 record, Vallecitos was second at 3-1 and the Hamilton boys were 2-2 for third place.
“I thought it was good competition from all the other teams,” Hamilton boys coach David Nelissen said. “The kids played hard, and we did the best we could.”
Hamilton had 10 boys. The Bobcats’ first game was a 3-1 loss to Warner. Borrego Springs then defeated Hamilton in a 10-1 contest. A 10-2 win against Julian gave the Bobcats their first boys victory. Hamilton then handed Vallecitos the Vikings’ only loss of the tournament in a 4-3 game.
Cottonwood finished the tournament with a record of 0-31. The Cougars, who had 11 boys and five girls, began with a 4-1 loss
to Vallecitos. The game between Cottonwood and Warner ended in a 5-5 tie. The Cougars then lost 10-0 to Borrego Springs and 6-3 to Julian.
“Half of my boys had never played,” Cottonwood coach Cindy Harris said. “I’m very happy at how well they’ve improved.”
The tournament was played on the Warner Unified School District athletic fields, which are across State Route 79 from the elementary, middle and high school campus. This academic year’s tournaments will conclude May 18 with a track and field meet hosted by Julian Junior High School and held at Julian High School.
Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com
SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, hosted a news conference Tuesday, May 2, on Senate Constitutional Amendment 4, a constitutional amendment that would restore taxpayers’ property rights allowing Californians to keep their childhood homes and family businesses when their parents or grandparents die.
In 2020, Proposition 19 capped the value of family homes that could be inherited with their Proposition 13 tax base to 1 million dollars and restricted the ability for parents to transfer property to their children by adding a requirement that they live in the home for the remainder of their life.
Before Proposition 19’s passage, both parents and grandparents could pass their homes and businesses to their children and grandchildren without such implications, giving families a chance at economic mobility through inheritance.
“Prop. 19 changed the way intergenerational transfers of property were handled, all to the detriment of Californians who had worked so hard for many years to solidify a future for themselves and their families,” Seyarto said.
“Simply put, Prop. 19 resurrected the death tax. We should be making it easier for Californians to inherit property without asking them to absorb the burden of additional
I have never voted for Sen. Dianne Feinstein. I have always found her brand of San Francisco liberalism to be very noxious. In past elections when Feinstein’s name appeared on the ballot next to another Democrat, due to California’s deeply flawed top-two voting process, I just left that ballot portion blank.
However, I find these political machinations to be absolutely ghoulish. You can easily get a sense of all of the sociopathic politicians just licking their chops to get at this U.S. Senate seat. The U.S. Senate has had several senators who lived well into their 90s and one who lived to 100. I do not recall such political skullduggery for these elderly senators. Californians who voted for
taxes. Upward economic mobility cannot be achieved unless we let people own what they create through decades of hard work.”
Seyarto recognized several speakers in support of the measure including Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
“SCA 4 would reinstate Propositions 58 and 193, giving Californians back those protections of being able to inherit property from parents and grandparents,” Coupal said. “Prop. 58 was passed by unanimous vote in both houses. They put it on the ballot, and the voters supported it by 76%. It’s clear that voters in this state want to restore that protection.”
Lynda Chac, a Realtor from Elk Grove, said that her clients work hard to purchase their forever home that they want to leave to their children when they die.
“I don’t think we can emphasize enough the terribly and intentionally biased title and summary of {Prop 19},” Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, coauthor of the measure, said. “Titled ‘The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act,’ they should have added to that ‘and the largest tax increase the state has passed,’ but that was left out. We are going to correct that error with SCA 4, of which I am a proud co-author.”
Veronica Nelson, first vice president and legislative chair of the Sacramento Realtist Association, and Rosie Milligan, an author and estate planner who holds a doctorate in business management, also voiced their support for the measure.
“I support SCA 4 because the intent is to repeal the devastating impact of Prop 19 and protect
California families from being taxed out of their homes,” Milligan said.
“This legislation has one purpose, to restore protections for taxpayers and to keep the intrusive reach of the government away from their family inheritance,” Seyarto said. “I urge everyone to join with us, contact your Representatives and tell them to
Valley News/Courtesy photo
vote yes on SCA 4 so we can bring this measure back to the people and restore taxpayer protections.” SCA 4 will be up for a special hearing in the Senate Committee for Governance and Finance Wednesday, May 10. Visit http:// sgf.senate.ca.gov for instructions on participation.
Submitted by the office of Sen. Kelly Seyarto.
Feinstein knew who and what they were getting. Let those voters bear the ramifications of that 2018 election.
In the meantime, if a black Californian must be appointed, then I would recommend former candidate for governor Larry Elder, Civil Rights Attorney Leo Terrell or even former California Supreme Court Justice and U.S. Appeals Court Judge Janice Rogers Brown. Yeah, I know that any of these choices have a snowball’s chance in hell of being selected in this dystopian California hellhole.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Rick Reiss Temecula residentSUMMONS (Family Law) FILED: 7/9/2021
CASE NUMBER: FLRI2104690
NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: HINA FAYYAZ KHAN
You have been sued. Read the information below.
PETITIONER’S NAME IS: TAMUR MASTAFA
You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call or court appearance will not protect you.
If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.
For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.
NOTICE-RESTRAINING ORDERS
ARE BELOW: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgement is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.
FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.
The name and address of the court:
Riverside Family Law Courthouse
4175 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501
The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney is:
Swati Desi 213825 / Angel Camino
296054 Desai Camino APC
4887 E. La Palma Ave., Suite 708 Anaheim CA 92807 714-637-1712
Date: 7/9/2021
Clerk, by: T. Tucker, Deputy
STANDARD FAMILY LAW
RESTRAINING ORDERS
Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from:
1. removing the minor children of the parties from the state or applying for a new or replacement passport for those minor children without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court;
2. cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor children;
3. transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasicommunity, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and
4. creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party.
You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property, quasi-community, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs.
NOTICE—ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE
HEALTH INSURANCE: Do you or someone in your household need affordable health insurance? If so, you
should apply for Covered California.
Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay towards high quality affordable health care. For more information, visit www.coveredca.com.
Or call Covered California at 1-800300-1506.
WARNING—IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
California law provides that, for purposes of division of property upon dissolution of a marriage or domestic partnership or upon legal separation, property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be community property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterized how title is held (i.e. joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property presumption. You should consult your attorney, if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.
PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION
Case Number: FLRI2104690
PETITIONER: Tamur Mastafa
RESPONDENT: Hina Fayyaz Khan
1. LEGAL RELATIONSHIP:
a. We are married.
2. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS:
a. Petitioner has been a resident of this state for at least six months and of this county for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of this Petition.
3. STATISTICAL FACTS (1) Date of marriage: 3/11/2009 (2) Date of separation: 2017
(3) Time from date of marriage to date of separation: 8 years
4. MINOR CHILDREN
The minor children are:
b. Child’s name: Mehak Khan
Birthdate: 7/1/2013
Age: 7
Petitioner requests that the court make the following orders:
5. LEGAL GROUNDS
a. Divorce of the marriage or domestic partnership based on irreconcilable differences.
6. CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION (PARENTING TIME)
a. Legal custody of children to Joint
b. Physical custody of child to Joint
c. Child visitation(parenting time) to be granted to Petitioner, Respondent As requested in Attachment 6c(1)
7. CHILD SUPPORT
a. If there are minor children born to or adopted by Petitioner and Respondent before or during this marriage or domestic partnership, the court will make orders for the support of the children upon request and submission of financial forms by the requesting party.
b. An earnings assignment may be issued without further notice.
c. Any party required to pay support must pay interest on overdue amounts at the “legal” rate, which is currently 10 percent.
8. SPOUSAL OR DOMESTIC PARTNER SUPPORT
a. Spousal or domestic partner support payable to Petitioner
b. Terminate (end) the court’s ability to award support to Respondent
9. SEPARATE PROPERTY
b. Confirm as separate property the assets and debts in Attachment 9b
10. COMMUNITY AND QUASICOMMUNITY PROPERTY
b. Determine rights to community and quasi-community assets and debts. All such assets and debts are listed in Attachment 10b.
11. OTHER REQUESTS
a. Attorney’s fees and costs payable by Respondent
12. I HAVE READ THE RESTRAINING ORDERS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY APPLY TO ME WHEN THIS PETITION IS FILED.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Date July 9, 2021 Tamur Mastafa
Date July 9, 2021 Swati Desai
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Read Legal Steps for a Divorce or Legal Separation (form FL-107-INFO)
and visit “Families Change” at www. familieschange.ca.gov – an online guide for parents and children going through divorce or separation.
NOTICE: You may redact (black out) social security numbers from any written material filed with the court in this case other than a form used to collect child, spousal or partner support.
NOTICE–CANCELLATION OF RIGHTS: Dissolution or legal separation may automatically cancel the rights of a domestic partner or spouse under the other domestic partner’s or spouse’s will, trust, retirement plan, power of attorney, pay-on-death bank account, survivorship rights to any property owned in joint tenancy, and any other similar thing. It does not automatically cancel the right of a domestic partner or spouse as beneficiary of the other partner’s or spouse’s life insurance policy. You should review these matters, as well as any credit cards, other credit accounts, insurance policies, retirement plans, and credit reports, to determine whether they should be changed or whether you should take any other actions. Some changes may require the agreement of your partner or spouse or a court order.
Attachment 9b to Petition
SEPARATE PROPERTY ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS
ITEM:
1. All items acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance.
CONFIRM TO: PETITIONER
2. All item acquired prior to marriage and after date of separation.
CONFIRM TO: PETITIONER
3. PETITIONER respectfully requests that HE be granted leave to amend HIS PETITION to set forth the exact nature and extent of said additional separate property and debts when the same has been ascertained.
CONFIRM TO: PETITIONER
Attachment 10b to Petition
COMMUNITY PROPERTY ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS
ITEM:
1. One half interest in the community savings accounts of the parties
2. One half interest in the community checking accounts of the parties
3. One half interest in the community the pension/profit sharing or retirement plans of the parties.
4. Any and all community debts and obligations in joint names and/or individual names.
5. PETITIONER is informed and believes and based on said information and belief alleges there is additional real and personal community and/or quasi-community property assets and debts of the parties the exact nature and extent of which is unknown to HIM at the present time PETITIONER respectfully requests that HE be granted leave to amend HIS PETITION to set forth the exact nature and extent of said additional community and quasicommunity property assets and debts when the same has been ascertained.
AMENDED DECLARATION UNDER UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT (UCCJEA)
Case Number: FLRI2104690
Hina Fayyaz Khan
1. I am a party to this proceeding to determine custody of a child.
3. There are One (1) minor children who are subject to this proceeding, as follows:
CA
NOTICE OF DECLARANT: You have a continuing duty to inform this court if you obtain any information about a custody proceeding in California court or any other court concerning a child subject to this proceeding.
NOTICE OF DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENT
Case Number: FLRI2104690
Case Name: MASTAFA & KHAN The above entitled case is assigned to Department F402, currently assigned to Commissioner Wendy Harris for all purposes.
This case has been assigned to the Commissioner, sitting as Judge Pro Tempore, whose appointment as Commissioner is in accordance with Article Six, Section Twenty-two of the Constitution of this state, and who has been appointed as a Temporary Judge pursuant to an order of the court under the authority of Article Six, Section Twenty-one of the Constitution and Section 259 of the Code of Civil Procedure of this State.
Within ten (10) days of the date of any party’s first appearance, that party must file a Non-stipulation if he or she does not stipulate to the hearing of pretrial, and all subsequent post-trial law and motion matters by the assigned commissioner. Failure to file such notice within ten (10) days of the party’s first appearance shall be deemed an acceptance of the assignment.
It shall be the policy of this Court that if either party files a Notice of Nonstipulation to the assigned Family Law Court Commissioner to serve as Judge Pro Tempore for any proceeding, all preliminary matters will be heard by the Commissioner pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 259€, with findings and conclusions to be reported to the designated Family Law Judge for approval.
Any disqualification pursuant to C.C.P. Section 170.6, subdivision (2), shall be filed in accordance with that section.
Petitioner (or moving party) is hereby noticed at this time and is required to serve all other parties with notice forthwith.
The court encourages parties to resolve their case through informal dispute resolution instead of court hearings and trial. One option is private mediation with an experienced family law attorney. For information, visit the court’s website at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/adr/ famlaw_privatemediation.shtml.
Interpreter services are available upon request. If you need an interpreter, please complete and submit the online Interpreter Request Form (https:// riverside.courts.ca.gov/Divisions/ InterpreterInfo/ri-in007.pdf) or contact the clerk’s office and verbally request an interpreter. All requests must be made in advance with as much notice as possible, and prior to the hearing date in order to secure an interpreter. Assistive listening systems, computerassisted real time captioning, or sign language interpreter services are available upon request if at least 5 days notice is provided. Contact the Office of the ADA Coordinator by calling (951) 777-3023 or TDD (951) 777-3769 between 8 am and 4:30 pm or by emailing ADA@riverside.courts.
ca.gov to request an accommodation.
A Request for Accommodations by Persons With Disabilities and Order (form MC-410) must be submitted when requesting and accommodation. (Civil Code section 54.8)
Dated: 07/20/2021
W. Samuel Hamrick Jr., Court Executive Officer/Clerk of Court
FAMILY LAW CASE MANAGEMENT
ORDER
TAMUR MASTAFA and HINA FAYYAZ
2017 Child’s residence: Moreno Valley, CA Person child lived with: Tamur Mastafa and Hina Fayyaz Khan
Address: same as minor
Relationship: Parents
4. Do you have information about, or have you participated as a party or as a witness or in some other capacity in another court case or custody or visitation proceeding, in California or elsewhere, concerning a childe subject to this proceeding? No
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Date: 07/23/2021 Tamur Mastafa
e-mail address, or telephone number. (Form MC-040),
B. NOTICE TO THE PETITIONER
– YOU MUST DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. Serve the petition and case management order on the Respondent, and file proof of service within sixty (60) days after the petition is filed.
2. Serve your preliminary declaration of financial disclosure (Forms FL-142 & FL-150) within sixty (60) days after the petition is filed, and file the Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure (FL-141)
3. If the Respondent does not file a response within thirty (30) days after the service of the petition, you must file a request for entry of default (Form FL165).
4. After filing the request for entry of default, you must file additional paperwork to get a default judgement and finish your case with sixty (60) days. Workshops are available to help you complete your final paperwork. Go to: www.riverside.courts.ca.gov
C. NOTICE TO THE RESPONDENT – YOU MUST DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. Complete your response (Form FL120) and serve it on the Petitioner. Then file your response and the proof of service with thirty (30) days after you are served with the petition.
2. Serve your preliminary declaration of financial disclosure (Forms FL142 & FL-150) within sixty (60) days after you file your response, and file the Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure (FL-141).
3. If you do not file a response with thirty (30) days a default may be taken against you and prevent you from participating in this case.
D. OPPORTUNITIES TO RESOLVE YOUR CASE WITHOUT GOING TO COURT:
1. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): ADR is a voluntary process where the parties work with a neutral mediator to try to resolve their disputes without court hearings or a trial. Mediators help the parties work out voluntary agreements that promote individual and common interests through understanding and cooperation. For more information go to: www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/adr/ famlaw_privatemediation
2. Collaborative Law: Involves a team approach where the parties agree to cooperate with one or more attorneys, advisors, such as accountants, appraisers, and child custody professionals, or any other person to resolve their differences and develop positive communication skills for future contact. Through the collaborative law practice parties reach voluntary agreements on all of the issues in their case without court hearings or trial. For more information go to: www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp/collaborativelaw.pdf.
E. IF YOU NEED COURT ORDERS:
1. File a Request for Order (FL-300) with the court, serve it on the other party and file the proof of service.
2. Meet and Discuss Issues Before the Hearing:
Unless there is a court order involving domestic violence in your case, before any hearing on a Request for Order, you and the other party must meet, discuss, and try to settle all of the issues raised in the request for order. If you reach an agreement on all issues you must file a Stipulation Re: Hearing Resolution, Local Form RI-FL010, as soon as possible.
3. Financial Issues:
If your hearing involves financial issues, such as child support, spousal support, or attorneys’ fees, you must complete, file, and serve on the other party a current and accurate Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL150), including copies of your current paystubs for the last two months. If you need help, please visit the Family Law Facilitator. For more information go to: www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp/fl_facilitators.
KHAN CASE NUMBER: FLRI2104690
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 5.83 the court makes the following
Case Management Order:
A. NOTICE TO BOTH PARTIES
1. You should finish your case within 18 months after the petition is filed.
2. If your case is not finished within 18 months, you will be noticed to attend a hearing in order for the court to review the status of our case and determine what steps are needed to finish the case.
3. You must notify the court in writing if you change your mailing address,
F. SANCTIONS: If you do not comply with this case management order you could be subject to sanctions, which may include but are not limited to payment of costs and fees incurred by the other party, court costs, restrictions on what evidence can be presented at any hearing or trial, and/or dismissal of your case. IT IS SO ORDERED
Dated:
