Motown and soul music tribute band ‘Uptown’ takes the stage at the outdoor Santa Rosa Plateau Pavilion

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Uptown, straight out of performances in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, brought the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve’s outdoor pavilion to life with melodies and dancing to Motown, R&B and soul music at The Nature Education Foundation’s Live! @ the Plateau Summer Concert and Art Show Saturday, July 22.

The three members of Uptown not only played the melodies of performers such as the Jacksons, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Al Green but also effortless and coordinated dance moves, bringing cheers and applause from the sold out crowd throughout the evening.

Aside from the amazing dance moves there was a bit of comedy between the singers about the humidity that evening, teasing concert sponsors on stage, Marlene and Steven Darrow of the Darrow La w Center in Temecula. The singers teased Marlene with their appeals for her to marry them, despite her husband in the audience who himself was called to the stage to give Marlene a big kiss for their many years of marriage, delighting the attendees.

Many of Uptown’s medleys like Michael Jackson 5’s, “I want you back,” and medleys from The Temptations, the Spinners and OJays all with their unique dance moves.

Yet, the group took a moment to sit down and remember the late music artist Bill Withers, better known for his country music, but perhaps best remembered for his song, “Lean on Me,” that hit all the music charts. It was a special moment in the concert for the group and listeners.

As the event continued a benefit 50-50 drawing, with a $1,000 cash prize that went to audience member Danielle Smith from Rosmarinus Catering of Murrieta. The other half will benefit TNEF school nature education programs for area students, from third grade through high school.

A high-value auction for box seats at a Lake Elsinore Storm game along with dinners and refreshments was up for bid, presented by Darrow Law Center. The highest bid and winner was guest Ling Sieu, the Southern California marketing director for California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and her husband Daniel Sieu, of the William Stephanie Foundation.

Coming next week, July 29 to the Santa Rosa Plateau Pavilion with be America’s Premier Beach Boys Party Band “Surf’s Up” for the fifth TNEF’s Live! @ the Plateau Summer Concert followed by the final concert with Bee Gees tribute band “Gold” on Aug.5.

TNEF summer concert and accompanying art show at the Visitor Centre benefits the nonprofit educational foundation’s mission to, “Educate and empower youth to appreciate, preserve and protect nature” and also offers a pathway to environmental stewardship. The tickets for the concerts can only be purchased online for $55 per person at www.plateauconcertsandart.org . Only a few tickets may be left for the remaining two concerts.

The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa suggests visitors bring their own lawn chairs, a warm jacket and hard toed shoes since the concerts are outdoor performances. VIP visitors are offered tables for their own groups. Call 951-319-2998 or email info@srpnef.org for more information and membership offers, concert and event discounts. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

Crossword puzzle: Finish the lyrics

Purchasing a portable AC? Keep these tips in mind

tise more BTUs than the product’s actual performance, but buyers beware. The truth lies in making sure the unit’s rating matches the Department of Energy’s BTU rating for your room’s square footage, according to the DOE guidelines. When shopping online or in-store, check for the certified DOE-rated BTU level for correct coverage – and if you don’t see this information listed, stay away.

A free online BTU calculator can help you choose.

Certification purchasing a portable air conditioner, be sure to review a unit’s decibel rating to determine if the unit will be too loud for the room where it’s intended to be used. Valley News/Adobe Stock photo

With the scorching summer temperatures, a cautionary tale unfolds for those in search of a portable

Manufacturers market their products with proclamations of excellence. Don’t be lured in with claims and prices. Insist on reviewing the product’s energy guide for the actual BTU rating. Also, make sure the portable AC you are interested in is authenticated by credible third-party organizations that indicates it has met or exceeded performance standards.

Type

Before making a decision between window ACs or portable units, determine which type best suits your needs and the room before making a purchase. As a general rule, portable units can be easier to install and more versatile.

Noise

Whether you’re sensitive to noise or don’t wish to hear the sound of a motor running, check the unit’s decibel rating. Cool interiors and ultra-quiet performance can co-exist, if you shop around.

Maintenance

In addition to purchasing a portable AC unit, proper maintenance can help ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. Periodically remove the filter from the unit and dust it, and clean debris from inside the unit with compressed air. A few lifestyle changes can also contribute to a cooler, more comfortable home. These changes include avoiding the stove and oven on super-hot days, planting shade-bearing trees or bushes outside windows and swapping out incandescent bulbs for energy efficient LEDs.

Navigating a sea of misleading product claims can be exhausting, particularly when it comes to buying the equipment you need to keep your home and family comfortable in extreme weather. When it comes to a cool home, however, you don’t have to sweat it. A bit of research can help you achieve optimal comfort this summer.

Disaster preparedness and fire safety community event comes to Wildomar

WILDOMAR – The Southwest Riverside County Fire Safe Co uncil sponsored a disaster preparedness and fire safety community event at Wildomar City Hall Thursday, July 27.

The featured speakers discussed information to assist residents during disaster and fire emergencies. Adrian Cardenas and Shane Reichardt with Riverside County’s Emergency Service Office spoke with residents about when to evacuate versus when to shelter in place. Master Gardeners spoke on creating a fire safe and resistant landscape. Susan Fromm er, director of Southwest Riverside County Fire Safe Council, presented a brief update on the California Insurance Commissioner’s task force and their latest efforts and proposed legislation in dealing with insurers.

Cal Fire and other local fire department representatives spoke on this year’s fire season, hazard brush notices, real estate property inspections and recent insurance mitigation and compliance.

The event offered opportunities to win drawings for high visibility address signs, emergency survival kits, “to-go” backpacks and other goodies.

Submitted by Southwest Riverside County Fire Safe Council.

EMWD approves Wine Country sewer final design contracts

Joe Naiman Writer

The Eastern Municipal Water District board authorized the final design contracts for EMWD’s Wine Country sewer projects. Both contracts are with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, but because the County of Riverside will reimburse Eastern for a portion of the Southern Wine Country Sewer Project and the Northern Wine Country Sewer Project the contracts for the two projects are separate so that each project can be invoiced to the county separately.

A 4-0 EMWD board vote July 5, with Stephen Corona absent, approved a $418,245 contract for the final design and support services of the Northern Wine Country Sewer Project and an $888,885 contract for the final design and support services of the Southern Wine Country Sewer Project. The board action also approved a $97,576 contract with Recon Environmental for environmental support services and total appropriations of $1,543,906 which will also cover internal labor costs and advertisement for bid expenses.

In April 2019 Eastern selected West Yost Associates to prepare the Southern Wine Country Infrastructure Phasing Plan Study. That study considered an approach to implement sewer service in an incremental manner and included evaluation of potential areas in Southern Wine Country which would likely connect to a future sewer collection system, updated flow projections, an optimized sewer system layout, and alternatives to extend sewer service into the area. Planning-level cost estimates were prepared for the alternatives to allow Eastern flexibility in the future based on sequencing and timing of development. The study provides guidance to address developer inquiries, develops a framework to explore funding strategies, and provides flexibility to respond to the development community. The study will be utilized as guidance to develop funding strategies and enable ongoing coordination with the County of Riverside, the Rancho California Water District, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Not all of the growth will require new infrastructure. Eastern believes that capacity for between 3,000 and 3,700 equivalent dwelling units is available in the Temecula Parkway Trunk Sewer. The phasing plan will also optimize infrastructure alignment in the Southern Wine Country area. Eastern will attempt to consolidate and reduce the number of lift stations required to serve the area, which will reduce the total cost, and will identify sites for potential lift stations. An incremental phased approach to extend the sewer infrastructure will be developed, and updated cost estimates will be prepared.

The Northern Area Phase I facilities were completed in 2015. The planning efforts for Phase II and for the Southern Area have been completed; construction of those facilities is currently contingent upon securing external funding.

The Northern Wine Country Sewer Rancho California Road Phase II project will plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain 4,300 feet of 12-inch diameter sewer main and 9,700 feet of 8-inch sewer main and will also install laterals to property lines along Rancho California Road,

Glen Oaks Road, Warren Road, and East Benton Road. The project will extend an existing sewer line which currently runs along Rancho California Road between Butterfield Stage Road and Monte Del Oro Road. The sewer project will reduce the number of septic systems leaching into groundwater and thus improve water quality. The total estimated cost of the project is $8,600,000.

The Southern Wine Country Sewer De Portola Road/Anza Road project will provide 9,900 feet of 15-inch gravity sewer main, 10,300 feet of 12 - i nch gravity sewer main, 3,000-feet of 10-inch gravity sewer main, and laterals to property lines along Anza Road and De Portola Road. The total estimated cost is $10,300,000.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included $350 billion of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocations for eligible state, territorial, tribal, and local governments. The funding addresses the public health emergency and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and can be utilized for four eligible categories: mitigation of negative economic impacts, premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work, provision of government services lost revenue would have eliminated, and necessary infrastructure investments including water, sewer, and broadband. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has allocated $82 million for infrastructure which provides for $15 million per supervisorial district and $7 million for the Broadband Affordability Program. In May 2022 the county supervisors allocated $10,571,200 of that for three Eastern Municipal Water District capital improvements. The funding will provide $5,011,200 for the Northern Wine Country Sewer Rancho California Road Phase II project, $4,120,000 for the Southern Wine Country Sewer De Portola Road/Anza Road infrastructure, and $1,440,000 for the Mission Canyon II pump station replacement which will provide a new pump station located at the Mission Canyon II Booster Station along with 3,200 feet of new pipe.

The Eastern Municipal Water District will administer, construct, and maintain the sewer projects, and the funding agreement will allow the district to be reimbursed by the county. All ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.

In November 2022 the EMWD board approved a $469,209 contract with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, which is based in San Francisco and has offices in San Diego and Murrieta, for the preliminary design of the Southern Wine Country Sewer Project and a $312,806 contract with Kennedy/ Jenks for the preliminary design of the Northern Wine Country Sewer Project. EMWD staff negotiated scopes of work and fees with Kennedy/Jenks for the final design and support services and also negotiated a scope of work and fee with Recon Environmental, which is based in San Diego, to assist EMWD staff with the preparation of the necessary California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act environmental documents and supporting technical studies (the Federal funding makes the projects subject to NEPA review).

The final design is scheduled to be complete in March 2024, and the environmental documentation is expected to be complete in April 2024. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2024 and be complete by January 2026.

Joe Naiman can be reached at jnaiman@reedermedia.com.