Valley News - November 18, 2022

City

Murrieta Field of Honor flies flags to laud veterans, first responders and heroes

Ault Staff Writer

The Wildomar City Council once again brought up a discussion on the possible locations for its new city hall at its Nov. 9 meeting and also gave its approval for possibly purchasing a new 10-acre park in the city.

DigiFest® Temecula seeking submissions

Hernandez Special to the Valley News

DigiFest® Temecula, the 7th annual three-day digital arts event, is accepting submissions for its 2023 competition. The international, Temecula-based festival will take place on April 21, 22 and 23, 2023. This year’s theme is Level Up Your Creativity! JDS Creative Academy has the planning underway for this award-winning event. As celebrators of the arts, JDSCA showcases everything digital from film/video, photography and stop motion to graphic design, animation, music, podcasts and many more digital mediums. Each year, DigiFest ® Temecula levels up its event to represent the digital-arts community so digital creators can level up their creativity.

Menifee says ‘Hurrah!’ for its veterans on Veterans Day in Central Park

It was a proud, yet somewhat sad day, as Menifee veterans gathered Friday, Nov. 11, in Central Park to receive thanks by the city’s leaders and residents for their many years of service in the nation’s wars and for defending its freedoms in peace.

It was a proud day in that so many in attendance shook a veteran’s hand and thanked them for their service.

There were former Marines, Army soldiers, Air Force airmen and

many wearing their branch hats, some in uniform with glistening medals and others with their grateful families.

All stood proudly saluting our nation’s flag as the “Star Spangled Banner,” sung a capella by Audrie Wosin and “God Bless America,” on the Central Park stage with members of Menifee City Council and staff standing at attention behind her.

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt.

Car shows and graffiti truck featured at Lake Elsinore City Council meeting

The Lake Elsinore City Council meeting of Nov. 8 began with a proclamation declaring Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday and urging “the residents of our community and communities across the country to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.” The proclamation will be sent to the Women Impacting Public Policy’s Small Business Saturday Coalition.

Certificates of recognition were presented to Jason Bray and Paul Kakis by Mayor Timothy J. Sheridan on behalf of the city council and residents for their “extraordinary dedication, hard work and commitment” to this past summer’s successful “Feet on the Street” classic car shows. Sheridan said he is very appreciative of the work they both did in putting the three car shows together in Historic Downtown Lake Elsinore.

Greg Morrison, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s Government Relations Officer, gave a short presentation on the Avenues Septic to Sewer Conversion Project’s public outreach and implementation plans. A second project is also being planned for the Sedco Hills community in Wildomar. He explained that the

and any personal heroes. Flags were displayed from Nov. 5 to Nov. 12.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Tony Ault Staff Writer

ground crews, Navy men and women, Coast Guardsmen and maritime servicemen in attendance,

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Keynote speaker U.S. Army Staff Sgt., retired, Christina G. Ross addresses other veterans and their families at the Menifee Veterans Day Celebration giving her thanks to her fellow veterans who proudly served the nation in war and peace. Valley News/Tony Ault photo

Christina G. Ross took the stage as the keynote speaker remembering her years in the service, but putting her attention on all her comrades and fellow soldiers who fought and served in our armed forces, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned. The memory and sadness for their fellow soldiers was apparent as some veterans bowed their heads, but were thankful they survived to see this morning. see MENIFEE,

Tony

Wildomar

Council sees possible city hall site more as large city park in the future

Yanessa

Wildomar City Council sees possible city hall site more as large city park in the future

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Wildomar City Council once again brought up a discussion on the possible locations for its new city hall at its Nov. 9 meeting and also gave its approval for possibly purchasing a new 10-acre park in the city.

The new park location that was suggested for a 20-acre vacant parcel of land next to Anne Sul livan School was first suggested as a possible city hall site, but it was seen as improbable.

With input from some neigh borhood residents, the council was urged that the location would make an excellent park for nearby residents and visitors to the city.

In earlier city council meetings, City manager Daniel York, on the council’s request, suggested four possible sites for the new Wildomar City Hall and the possible costs of building it in the future. The sites included a city-owned cemetery property where vacant land was available, the Anne Sullivan prop erty located near Palomar Street, 10 acres of land between Interstate 15 and Hidden Springs Road and adjacent to Wildomar Square com mercial center and several other parcels of land in the city near residential neighborhoods.

York said the cemetery land was the least expensive site, while the Wildomar Square Center area was the most expensive.

He said, however, since the council last met on the possible sites, the developer of the Wildo mar site area said he was willing to work with the city on a 30-year plan to lease or buy the property and share the cost of its surrounding development. York said that idea was possible and the specific terms on it still needed to be worked out.

Following the discussion and after hearing from a number of residents on the idea for the Sul livan property to be developed as a park alone, the council agreed it would be better as a park rather than a city hall site. They suggested York and the owners see about buying the property, which would be maintained by the city. It has many trees and walkways used by local residents already, but it is maintained by the owner and vol unteers. The purchase price of the land is $2,500,000, and it would be bought with American Rescue Relief funds that were already provided to the city.

York was tasked with returning with details of a lease-to-buy agree ment from the developer of the 10 acres of vacant land near the Wil domar Square commercial center.

The proposed city hall would be a three-story, 36,000-square-foot building within a civic center complex, including a four- to fivestory parking structure, apartments, restaurant and drive thrus. The cost for the civic center complex, ac cording to York’s report, would be $153,000,000.

The city’s part of the civic center development would not come until its lease for the current 16,000-square-foot city hall is con cluded in December 2024.

York explained that the city currently has “about $7,500,000 of un-allocated ARPA funds that must be appropriated by Dec. 31, 2024. Staff estimates that if the city sought a loan, a lender could approve $5,000,000 net proceeds for an annual cost of $475,000 per year. For reference, to borrow for net proceeds of $20,000,000, the annual cost is $1,290,000 per year for 30 years. The net proceeds of $30,000,000 the costs or $1,930,00 per year.”

He said the costs and time should be the highest priority in the coun cil discussions. York said he will re turn with more details and continue discussions with the developer on the site.

Matthew Bassi, planning direc tor of Wildomar, gave the council another report on the general plan

update that included a report on the meetings held with residents around the city and getting their ideas on what the city should look like and watch out for in planning budgets. The Planning Department continues to host citizen meetings through the end of the year to up date the general plan for the next five to 20 years.

He said there will be a General Plan Advisory Group meeting in January 2023. Work will soon begin on Circulation Element/Mo bility Plan revisions in coordination with the city’s Public Works De partment. A Planning Commission and City Council Study Session is tentatively scheduled for February and March 2023.

He said he was pleased to an nounce that the general plan web site had 1,420 unique visitors since it launched June 14, 2022. In Octo ber, there were 294 unique visitors.

Jason Farag, director of Public Works, shared the progress being made on the city street construction and the city’s capital improvement projects. Topping the list was the progress on the street lights going up on the Bundy Canyon Road wid ening project. He said that the first layer of asphalt was laid on much of Bundy Canyon Road with some temporary intersection closures coming for both the streetlight

and paving efforts. Those projects should be done by January of next year.

Much of the sidewalk and drain age construction on Palomar Street to Clinton Keith is nearing comple tion, and hopefully will be com pleted by January.

Street and infrastructure con struction is also well underway or almost completed in the Beazer Home development, Baxter Vil lage or Wildomar Trail, Lennar Horizons development and K B Home Verano.

In another action, the council approved the latest revisions in the city staff classification and com pensation to meet state standards and updated their health benefits and life insurance plans. Most of the job classifications remain the same, but a welcomed improved health plan was approved. The city holiday schedule was also revised with days off being closer to the weekends. There were no plans to provide Fridays off like many other surrounding cities with a 9/80 work schedule. Details of the plans were not discussed at the meeting.

In presentations, the council recognized Family Court Aware ness Month, Red Ribbon Week and Bright Business in Wildomar.

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

MENIFEE from page A-1 on a white, empty plated tablecloth with a family’s yellow ribbons and an unlighted candle signifies a still missing in action soldier, or prisoner of war. The table shows they are, and will be, always remembered until their return to their family’s dinner table or are in the arms of

their Lord.

At the completion of the Menifee Veterans Day Celebration was a Veterans Day Salute Flyover by the Dawn Air Patrol with a huge Ameri can Flag flowing over the Menifee Fire Department’s 100-foot ladder truck in the park.

Freedom convoy for parental rights hits Temecula

Paloma Valley High School NJROTC cadets bring forward the American and U.S. Navy flag to ceremonially post them before the Menifee Veterans Day Celebration begins Nov. 11. in Central Park. Valley News/Tony Ault photos

Winners of the Menifee Veterans Day 2022 student Art and Essay Contest proudly stand with Menifee City Council Members and Marine Veteran Terry Russell. They include 1st to 3rd grade winner Julia Juan from River Spring Charter School; 4th to 5th grade winner Jisabella Alday from Santa Rosa Academy; middle school winners Isabella C. Bedolla, Menifee Valley Middle School and Lily Quezada from River Spring Charter School; and high school winners Alessandra Pimetel from Paloma Valley High School and Liana Velasco from Santa Rosa Academy.

TEMECULA – Local school board candidates in Temecula Valley took to the streets with their supporters in a Freedom Convoy before the Tuesday, Nov. 8, election. Nearly 40 cars and motorcycles participated, driving through Old Town Temecula and the main city thoroughfares and encouraging citizens to vote for parental rights candidates on Election Day.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

current market conditions and goals with our future sellers. Most are discussing the desire to wait until after the first of the year to bring their home to market. We believe the best time to market your home is when your ready. That being said, come by our office and we can discuss the advantages of marketing through the holidays. Hope to see you soon!

Fresh snow highlights San Gorgonio Mountains

state of California project will give residents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to switch over from septic tanks to a municipal sewer system at no cost to them, which amounts to a $50,000-$60,000 benefit to each resident.

Goals of the outreach program include researching, identify ing and understanding the needs of the community, connecting with community-based organiza tions, performing community outreach, education and engage ment through digital and in-person tactics, providing the community with transparency throughout the entire project, gaining community acceptance and buy-in and being able to track and measure success.

Morrison said public buy-in is critical for the EVMWD and Klein felder Construction Services proj ect to succeed. An informational hotline, project website and collat eral materials are already available, and the next steps include sending out direct mailers, activating a social media campaign, hosting town halls and going door-to-door to explain the program in both English and Spanish to help con vince homeowners of the value of the program. He stressed that time is of the essence to secure an 80% buy-in from residents in each of the construction project areas. For more information, 951-200-4136,

construction@evmwd.net or www. evmwd.com/septic City Council Consent Calendar items 4-8 and 10-18 were passed unanimously as item No. 9 had been pulled so public speakers could make comments. That item was to adopt the Community Development Block Grant alloca tions for fiscal year 2023-2024 and

approve allocation of Community Support Allocations for fiscal year 2022-2023. Speakers took to the podium to request approval of submitted applications. After the public comments were finished, Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Johnson moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Council member Steve Manos and passed

unanimously. Successor Agency Consent Cal endar items 19-21 were passed unanimously. A business item in troducing an ordinance to increase compensation for members of the City Council was explained by City Attorney Barbara Leibold. She said the last time there was an increase was in 2018, effective in 2019, and state law allows a 5% annual increase. To bring the rate current, it was proposed that the amount be increased from its current $620 per month compensation to $744 per month. Manos moved to approve and Councilmember Brian Tisdale seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously, 5-0.

Sheridan encouraged residents to arrive early for the next regularly

scheduled

at 6:30 p.m. He said it is a terrific new tool that will help keep the city clean. Its benefits include an airless paint system, a paint well that can hold seven 5-gallon containers, a below-deck toolbox and traffic cone storage area, removable paint tray and gun holster that allows for faster cleanup and a 30-gallon hydrau lic reservoir. The state-of-the-art vehicle is expected to help reduce project times from a couple of days to a few hours.

For more information, www. lake-elsinore.org.

DPSS investigators warn residents about stolen EBT card benefits

RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Inves tigators from the county’s Depart ment of Public Social Services are warning recipients of cash and food assistance about an uptick in crimes involving Electronic Benefits Trans fer cards, particularly at the begin ning of the month.

“EBT theft is a growing issue not just here in Riverside County but around the country,” Chief Shawn Ferris of the Special Investigations Unit at DPSS, said. “In California alone, thieves steal $5 million in EBT benefits every month, most commonly through a method called skimming.”

DPSS investigators estimate be tween 50 and 100 thefts occur each month in Riverside County

“People who participate in the CalWORKs and CalFresh programs are noticing that their accounts are being emptied and this affects their ability to buy food and meet their most basic needs,” Ferris said. “So far, most of the thefts have occurred in Hemet, Moreno Valley, Riverside and Corona. Recently there have been some cases in Desert Hot Springs as well.”

According to the FBI, skim ming occurs when devices illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals or fuel pumps capture data or record cardholders’ personal identification numbers. Thieves use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and steal from victims’ accounts.

In recent months, the Special Investigations Unit at DPSS has

taken several steps to protect DPSS customers, including finding and removing more than 40 illegally installed cameras on ATMS county wide and working with other agen cies to investigate these crimes. Customers with questions or con cerns about their EBT card can contact the state’s EBT call center at 877-328-9677. Many of the custom ers affected by these ATM crimes participated in the California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids program, which provides cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. In Riverside County, there are an estimated 16,000 CalWORKs recipients every month.

DPSS investigators want the pub lic to be aware of ways to prevent EBT theft. Card users should visu ally inspect an ATM machine to see if it’s been altered in any way. For example, customers should look for pinholes about size of the tip of a pencil, which indicate a camera has been installed. Investigators also recommend customers cover the PIN pad as they enter their PIN so a camera doesn’t record the number. Watch the video at https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=jYh6EtUoeLg for ways to take action and prevent EBT theft.

To report EBT theft in Riverside County, residents can call DPSS’ fraud hotline at 1-800-344-8477 or fill out an electronic form at https:// rivcodpss.org/dpss-programs/wel fare-fraud-report

Lake Elsinore Mayor Timothy J. Sheridan presents certificates of recognition to Jason Bray, center, and Paul Kakis for their contributions to this summer’s successful classic car shows during the Nov. 8 City Council meeting.

Valley News/Alex Teahen photo

meeting of the Lake Elsinore City Council and Succes sor Agency on Dec. 13 to view the city’s new graffiti truck that will be on display

San Gorgonio Mountain is seen from Murrieta with a blanket of fresh snow after a recent storm brought precipitation to the region.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

ELSINORE from page

Submitted by Riverside County

Social time or down time is always on your time.

At The Linden at Murrieta, the day is always yours. With a variety of classes, activities, and social events, you can play as much or as little as you’d like. Our friendly staff plays friend-maker too, making sure all new residents find the social scene that works best for them.

There’s more to life at TheLindenAtMurrieta.com

Social time or down time is always on your time.

At The Linden at Murrieta, the day is always yours. With a variety of classes, activities, and social events, you can play as much or as little as you’d like. Our friendly staff plays friend-maker too, making sure all new residents find the social scene that works best for them.

There’s more to life at TheLindenAtMurrieta.com

Veterans ride and flags fly at the Murrieta Veterans Day Parade

City of Temecula and Temecula Valley Symphony

Ava Sarnowski Intern Writer

Temecula’s “Patriotic Salute to Veterans” was heard on Nov. 11 in front of Temecula City Hall. The crowd was welcomed by Temecula’s City Manager Aaron Adams who explained why Veterans Day is special for him. Both his parents were seated in the front row, and his father was thanked for his service to the country. Adams encouraged all veterans in the audience to stand so that they could be recognized for their service. They were met with gracious applause. He spoke on behalf of the City of Temecula and thanked all of the men and women who currently wear, or previously wore, the uniforms. They were thanked for protecting the freedoms and liberties of everyone in the country. Adams said he hoped they could feel how loved and appreciated they are in Temecula.

According to Adams, Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919. Congress passed a resolution that made this day an annual observance in 1926. It became a national holiday in 1938. Dwight Eisenhower wished to honor those who served the country and signed legislation to have the name changed, calling it “Veterans Day.”

Adams also said the Department of Veterans Affairs has determined, as early as 2021, there are at least 19 million US veterans. The number represents less than 10% of the total US adult population. The US Department of Veterans Affairs also determined that 240,329 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, were still alive in 2021. About 1.34 million veterans live in California, as it is the third most popular state for veterans to reside in.

The City of Temecula intends to keep documenting the stories and testimonies of veterans, especially those who served during WWII that are continuously being discovered, and keeping them within the Community Services Department. The program was then turned over to Boy Scout Troop 148 for the Presentation of Colors. They led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance that was preceded by Councilmember

Maryann Edwards’ performance of “God Bless America.”

“We have been here for 34 years, and seen quite a few changes in Temecula but I couldn’t be more proud as I look out over this audience today as we stand in front of this beautiful city hall, which I might add is the envy of every city within southwest California,” Edwards said. “This courtyard was planned for this type of event; this is what we had in mind when we worked on City Hall. We wanted a place where people could gather and feel at home, and really be a community, and that’s what Temecula is.”

She encouraged everyone to stay involved, stay engaged and to keep talking about things.

“Your city council works very hard to do what you want and on what you want your city to be. On behalf of the whole city council, I want to thank you for coming and thank you for the best 16 years of my life. Thank you,” Edwards said tearfully.

Among the veterans present for the salute was Michael Bircumshaw. He is a 20-year veteran, ascending to Chief War Officer in the US Navy. For 16 years he has overseen Temecula’s Path of Honor, and volunteered his time, talent and efforts, in his role as executive director. Forty-two new names were added to the path this year, joining other permanently engraved names of military service people. It can be seen at the Temecula Duck Pond. Bircumshaw was thanked for his service, dedication and volunteerism.

Mayor Pro Tem Zak Schwank and Councilmember James “Stew” Stewart joined Edwards in presenting three banners for soldiers in Temecula’s Military Banner Program. The program was created to recognize active duty military personnel residing within the community. The banners display the official military photo of the service person, their name and their branch of the United States Armed Forces. The three honored that evening were Rudy Ortega, Angel Gomez and Chris Fallon. Members of the Ortega family attended the banner presentation. Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington of Riverside County, as well as Temecula’s Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commissioner Eric

this way. Their symphony has been part of the ceremony for several years.

Miyamoto’s father was a WWII veteran, he fought in Italy with

pay tribute to

veterans

Faulkner, were also in the crowd.

Temecula Valley Symphony’s current president is Susan Miyamoto. She too, took to the podium that evening to speak about how honored the group was to be invited to perform a concert for the Patriotic Salute event and to honor our veterans in

the 442nd Battalion, so the event holds special meaning for her. She said that her father served and was loyal to his country, even while his family was living in internment camps at home.

John Mario DiCostanzo has been Temecula Valley Symphony’s conductor for many years now. He is not only blessed to be a part of the symphony, but to conduct for an event that recognizes our veterans. Dr. Zun-Hin Woo,

Assistant Conductor & Courtmaster, also performed alongside the orchestra. For “A Patriotic Salute to Veterans,” Temecula Valley Symphony brought their 50-60 piece orchestra and played a vast program of patriotic music in front of Temecula’s City Hall. All beneath a starlit sky, and with the mountains as their backdrop.

“This important concert is a

Mateo Tecuatl, 9, expresses his gratitude to veterans at the annual Murrieta Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11.

US Army veteran Bob Fuhrmann is celebrated for his service while participating in the Murrieta Veterans Day Parade.

Members of the Vista Murrieta High School marching band perform in the Murrieta Veterans Day Parade.

Callahan Gerber, 4, waves an American flag while watching the Murrieta Veterans Day Parade.

US Air Force veteran Roy Lantz is celebrated for his service while participating in the Murrieta Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Patriotic colors adorn the facade of city hall as the Temecula Valley Symphony performs during Temecula’s “Patriotic Salute to Veterans” Friday, Nov 11. Valley News/Shawna Sarnowski photos

Boy Scout Troop 148 prepare the Presentation of Colors at the event.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Nov. 19 – 7 a.m. Elsinore Community Annual Turkey Giveaway at the Lake Elsinore/Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail, Wildomar.

Nov. 19 – 1-5 p.m. Menifee Trading Post Night Market at 30141 Antelope Road, Menifee. This family friendly luxury night market showcases the very best small businesses in Menifee. Entertainment, food and drinks, with local makers and pet friendly ones too! Nov. 19 – 9-11:30 a.m. Doggie Palooza 5k Walk & Costume Contest at historic Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Humorous costume contests with prizes to benefit dog rescue and adoption efforts. The Laundered

Mutt Grooming and Training Center in Temecula is sponsoring the event to benefit nonprofit Unconditional Love Foundation dog and horse rescue.

Nov. 19 – 3-8 p.m.Thistle and Sage Folk Festival to celebrate fall with apple bobbing, folk music, pieeating contest and handmade workshops for all ages. Free to attend. Children and pets are welcome at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula.

Nov. 19 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trot for a Cause 5k run at Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr., Menifee. Jump, climb, crawl, slide and run through mazes and join in contests at the park to benefit The Community Cupboard. Suggested donation, three canned food items per entrant.

Nov. 20 – 4 p.m. The Hemet-San Jacinto Interfaith Council will host a Thanksgiving Service for everyone to unite in gratitude at The Center for Spiritual Living, 40450 Stetson

Ave., Hemet. Light refreshments and community faith displays will follow the one-hour service.

Nov. 26 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop the Block Pop Up program in Menifee’s Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr. More than 40 vendors from small businesses in the community may appear to help do your holiday shopping. See Menifee Economic Department at econdev@cityofmenifee.us or call 951-723-3751.

Nov. 28 – 7 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting at the Pond in Temecula at Rancho California and Diaz roads, presented by the Temecula Community Services Department. See TemeculaCA.gov/Events Dec. 2 – 7 p.m. Santa’s Electric Light Parade in Temecula beginning at Del Rio road and through Old Town Temecula. Presented by the Temecula Community Services Department. See TemeculaCA.gov/ Events

Dec. 15 – 5 p.m. Temecula on Ice grand opening on Main Street in Old Town Temecula. See @TemeculaParksAndRec on social media or visit TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD.

WORKSHOPS. MEETINGS, NOTICES

Nov. 18 – 2-4 p.m. Dorland Arts Colony artwork show and sale at Dorland Mountain Arts, 36701 Highway 79 South, Temecula. All works under $100. Free and open to the public.

Nov. 18 to Dec. 6 – 8 p.m.

Brewen’s Empire Trolley Holiday Lights Tour with champagne or sparkling cider and cookies for a tour of the decorated homes in the Inland Empire including Banbridge. $45 per adult, children $25. Under 2 free. Tours depart from the Temecula Civic Center. For dates, times and reservations call 951-235-2983. Nov. 18 to Dec. 14. The 17th Annual Santa’s Workshop and Spark

DigiFest® Temecula seeking submissions

Yanessa Hernandez Special to the Valley News

DigiFest® Temecula, the 7th annual three-day digital arts event, is accepting submissions for its 2023 competition. The international, Temecula-based festival will take place on April 21, 22 and 23, 2023.

This year’s theme is Level Up Your Creativity! JDS Creative Academy has the planning underway for this

award-winning event. As celebrators of the arts, JDSCA showcases everything digital from film/video, photography and stop motion to graphic design, animation, music, podcasts and many more digital mediums. Each year, DigiFest ® Temecula levels up its event to represent the digital-arts community so digital creators can level up their creativity. When the Temecula Film Festival

disbanded, Diane Strand, founder of DigiFest® Temecula and cofounder of JDS Creative Academy, said she felt inspired to fill the void left behind, and thus DigiFest® Temecula was born. It was created to construct an artistic, educational and inclusive space in the community, allowing everyone to gather to be part of the digital magic. In 2017, the event came to fruition and has since become a staple in the Temecula Val-

ley, bringing in interest from all over the world. As an acclaimed festival with low, affordable fees, DigiFest® is able to achieve its mission of making art accessible to all. Judges are from all the mediums in the digital industry and represent all aspects of working industry professionals. This industry professional panel is hand-selected by the DigiFest® team. The three-day festival gives artists the experience

of Love Toy Drive. Collecting new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment for newborn to 17 year olds to help a child in need. Call Debbie Manion at 951-206-2722 for details. Qualified by Menifee Community Cupboard and Thrift Shop.

Nov. 24 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Valle Vista Assembly of God at 45252 Florida Ave., Hemet, will host a free Thanksgiving dinner for the Hemet and San Jacinto community at the church. Dinners may be picked up by driving through but seating and tables will be available for anyone who wants to eat there. For more information call or text the church at 951-927-6868.

Nov. 24 – Free Thanksgiving dinner in Menifee at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road, Sun City. Sitting in three sessions. Must reserve your place for seating times. Reserve at 951-672-9873.

of having their work judged professionally, giving them new insights into how the world of competition works. Winning an award is an excellent way to boost artists’ resumes, giving more opportunities to present at different festivals and launch careers. Artists can submit at the student, amateur or professional levels, allowing for all skill levels to be represented.

DigiFest® Temecula submissions opened on Oct. 1. The early deadline to submit digital work is Jan. 23, 2023; the late deadline is March 6. Digital artists who submit their work will receive a 15% discount code to purchase tickets to attend the three-day digital experience. By attending, they can interact and be inspired by A-List industry professionals and other digital artists from California, network with creatives, educators and industry stakeholders, and learn more about the industry. Submissions can be made via DigiFestTemecula.org

JDS Creative Academy is thrilled to be hosting DigiFest® Temecula for its 7th year and welcomes all digital artists and art lovers. Mark your calendars and save the date for April 21-23; it’s time to level up your creativity! For more information, visit DigiFestTemecula.org or call (951)296-6715.

TEMECULA ─ The

Season.

Registration for classes and activities opened Monday, Nov. 14, at 8 a.m. Books were mailed out to Temecula residents and are available online as well. Browse content and access or create your account by visiting http://TemeculaCA.gov/ TCSD

Highlighted in this season’s catalog are the Temecula Chilled Events, including the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Monday, Nov. 28; Santa’s Electric Light Parade Friday, Dec. 2, and Temecula Grape Drop, Saturday, Dec. 31. Be sure to check out the Winter Break Camps section to sign children up for enriching and exciting activities to keep them entertained over the holiday break. Spring 2023 features some favorite springtime events, like the Easter Egg Hunts Saturday, April 8; Temecula CultureFest, Saturday, May 20, and the return of the Community Services Expo, Saturday, April 29. Finally, plan ahead for spring break and register children early for a spring break camp.

While browsing the catalog, be sure to check out offerings from Temecula’s Community Services Department Facilities, including the Mary Phillips Senior Center, Old Town Temecula Community Theater and Temecula Valley Museum for additional special events and programs.

For more information, visit http:// TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD, and keep up to date on all Community Service programming information by following @TemeculaParksAndRec on social media.

Submitted by city of Temecula.

Grant

Temecula Community Services Department announced another fun-filled Guide to Leisure Activities for the Winter/ Spring 2023

It’s time to Jingle & Mingle for a worthy cause

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Members of Soroptimist In ternational San Jacinto-Hemet Valley are preparing to host their 13th annual Jingle & Mingle chari table fundraiser Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in person at the San Jacinto Unified School District Board Room, 2045 S. San Jacinto Ave., and virtually.

Participants will have an op portunity to win one-of-a-kind holiday decor items donated by local businesses and individuals.

Table-top size Christmas trees, centerpieces, wreaths and other festive items can be viewed amid holiday tunes. Winners will be drawn at 4:30 p.m. with results posted via livestream on Facebook @Soroptimist.hemetsanjacinto.

Admission is $25 per person which includes five raffle tickets for deco rated items; additional tickets may be purchased for $5 each.

Another component to the fund raiser is an online auction. Bidding for those items will span several days, from Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 8 a.m. through Sunday, Dec.

Soroptimist International San Jacinto-Hemet Valley members Brenda Scott, Linda Burke and Julie Harrison prepare for ticket holders to arrive at a previous Jingle & Mingle fundraiser.

4, at 5 p.m. Auction items will be previewed at the in-person raffle event.

The Hemet-San Jacinto chapter participates in Soroptimist Inter national of the Americas’ major service project, Live Your Dream Awards, by providing cash grants to women seeking to improve

their economic situation through additional training and/or educa tion. The nonprofit also hosts a Girl Power Conference for local sixth- and seventh-grade girls and provides scholarships to area high school senior girls.

Aside from raising funds for its philanthropic programs, the annual

Winterfest coming to Lake Elsinore Dec. 3

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

Members of the Lake Elsinore City Coun cil approved proposed road closures for this year ’s Winterfest event on Saturday, Dec. 3. The event will be held on Historic Main Street from 5 to 9 p.m. and will feature a holi day parade, tree lighting, craft vendors, food booths, free activity booths, sled runs and pictures with Santa Claus. Local downtown merchants are invited to stay open late as Winterfest kicks off a festive holiday season. This year’s parade features a new theme, Night of Lights. City staff anticipates ap proximately 10,000 attendees, which is why they recommended road closures for the event’s staging and festivities. The Sheriff’s Department, fire department, public works and community services departments will coordinate resources to ensure the event is a safe and memorable experience. The street closures will be in place from 11 a.m. to 10

p.m., Dec. 3 and will be enforced by law enforcement.

A Canyon Hills Christmas parade and celebration is being organized for later in December by Andrew Jaime and the Dudes of Canyon Lake. The popular fourth annual event is expected to draw a big crowd and temporary road closures may be imple mented in the area. Jaime attended the Nov. 8 Lake Elsinore City Council meeting to extend a personal invitation to members and said his group would consider it an honor if any or all of them would attend.

Mayor Timothy J. Sheridan, who has served as a Grand Marshal for the parade in the past, said he is always impressed with the way folks in Canyon Hills decorate their homes.

Jingle

day fundraiser with a décor item for the raffle, an item or service for the online auction and/or cash or in-kind donations, sponsorship opportunities are available until Monday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m.

“We’ve managed to keep the tradition going by pivoting with the times and adjusting the side activities,” Soroptimist Dawn Lawrence said.

For those who want to donate to the creative and entertaining holi

For more information on the Jingle & Mingle event, email Dawn Lawrence at sisanjacinto. hemetvalley@soroptimist.net.

For more information on the organization, visit http://www. sisjhv.org.

Photo prop areas add additional holiday flare to a previous Jingle & Mingle event with Soroptimist International San Jacinto-Hemet Valley club members, from left, Myrna Rohr, Dawn Lawrence, Julie Harrison, Jennifer Baranov, Jeannie Duistermars, Linda Burke, Michelle Woodfin and Traci Sanchez.

& Mingle gives members an opportunity to raise awareness of the club’s mission to improve the lives of women and girls through educational programs, leading to social and economic empower ment.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

[Right] A map shows Lake Elsinore road closures planned for Saturday, Dec. 3.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Fabulous food takes the forefront of 29th annual Autumn Elegance fundraiser

The Hemet-San Jacinto Exchange Club and Friends of Valley-Wide Foundation presented the 29th an nual Autumn Elegance wine and food tasting experience at the So boba Casino Resort Event Center, Saturday, Nov. 5. The semi-formal event, sponsored by the Soboba Foundation, Soboba Casino Resort and Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians raises scholarship funds for area children.

It also gives recognition to San Jacinto Valley restaurants who share tastings of some of their most popu lar menu items and interact with the guests who are, or will hopefully become, regular customers. About 15 food stations were set up around the perimeter of the Event Center to make grazing easy for the more than 500 guests attending the threehour event.

Vince Record, Exchange Club member and director of CTE and Special Programs for San Jacinto Unified School District, welcomed guests as they mingled and made their way around the room. He has helped organize the event for several years and said funds raised are split between the two presenting nonprof it organizations. The Exchange Club uses their funds to provide up to 25 $500 scholarships to high school

seniors at San Jacinto, Hemet, West Valley, Tahquitz and Hamilton high schools. The Friends of Valley-Wide Foundation offers scholarships for youths that would like to play sports with Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District but cannot afford the registration fee or uniform. The foundation also supports enhance ments to recreational facilities throughout the Valley-Wide Recre ation and Park District.

“Planning for Autumn Elegance begins about a year ahead, but the bulk of the work happens about six months before the event.

Maria Vivanco (Administrative Supervisor for Valley-Wide Recre ation) has been our main organizer and planner for the past few years,” Record said. “I feel like Autumn Elegance is an adult prom. It gives us a chance to dress up, spend time with a few hundred of our closest friends, enjoy some great food and spirits and support the youths of our valley. What could be better than that?”

About 10 breweries were featured and seven wineries served a variety of sparkling choices at a centrally located wine station. The San Ja cinto Starbucks Coffee Company, managed by Ashley Spataro, was also serving beverages. El Ojo De Agua owners Jaime and E. Loisa Cardiel provided favorite Mexican drinks alongside tastes of birria and

barbacoa tacos.

Raising Cane’s is new to the event and to Hemet so they offered some promotions along with cups full of soda or lemonade to introduce the public to the popular chain restau rant that features chicken fingers and more. Restaurant Leader Aaron Ciufo, who lives in San Jacinto, said he loves his restaurant because it is family- and community-oriented.

Certified trainer Tina UpchurchWilliams said she loves being able to interact with customers while work ing the front of the house. She enjoys helping local organizations meet their fundraising goals through the restaurant’s philanthropic programs.

“We are here to also get the mes sage out that we’re here and to let the community know we are supporting them as much as they are supporting us,” she said.

Colorful floral arrangements that decorated the venue were donated by San Jacinto Florist, Floral Expres sions in Hemet, San Jacinto High School National FFA Organization program, Hemet FFA-Hemet High School and West Valley FFA. Soboba Casino Resort used the opportunity to showcase some of the casino’s eateries. Canyons, Fairway Café, Noodle Bar and Restaurant Row food stops Pub & Grill, El Comal and La Cassetta all featured a varied assortment of items. From sauteed lobster and shrimp scampi to lamb sliders and barbecued pork fried rice, fine dining fare was met with great feedback from guests.

Fairway Café chef Chris Freeny said the team chose to bring a variety of hot sellers plus several items they will be putting on their menu in the new year. Anyone with a sweet tooth welcomed the assortment of sweet treats offered by Soboba Bakery.

Luciano and Diana Nanci have owned and operated Rodolfo’s Cucina Italiana in Hemet since 1987 and have been part of the annual fundraiser since it began. They said they are always pleased to support the community. Diana Nanci said the restaurant started as a small deli, but with their children’s help, it has been able to progress. The family has recently taken ownership of Campini’s Deli on Old Town Front Street in Temecula, which Don Campini started in 1980.

Offering baked ziti with sausage in bolognese sauce and tri-color cheese tortellini in a creamy blush sauce proved to be a crowd favorite. “Our bolognese sauce is very popu lar in the restaurant; it was a twist to add the ziti,” Nanci said.

Lemongrass Asian Cuisine at tracted guests with lemongrass chicken, orange chicken, beef yaki noodles and egg rolls. Co-owner Elizabeth Trancao has worked at the Hemet restaurant for 11 years and Jennifer Trancao for the past

eight years. The restaurant has been invited to participate in Autumn Elegance for at least four years and was told to prepare for 500 guests, but to be ready for 600 guests just to be on the safe side. Making every thing fresh, the Trancaos decided to serve the most popular items from their menu.

The Hemet Asian Market has been serving the San Jacinto Val ley community for 20 years and highlighted their pork egg rolls and pancit noodles for the evening’s din ers. Harvard Street Bakery & Café offered an array of assorted French pastries and desserts.

El Patron founder Abel Sanchez, whose restaurant presented chili verde burritos and chicken flautas, explained the continued popularity of the Hemet restaurant. They have participated in the event since they opened in 2011.

Sanchez said, “We want to give everybody something new every year.”

After the original restaurant burned down in 2016, the family joined together to bring it back by taking over The Anchor, a longtime Hemet staple that had closed. San chez said the location has been great for business and he was happy to see many of their regular customers at the Autumn Elegance event.

Karen Covington’s Downtown Deli & Coffee Company of Hemet offered assorted pinwheels and sandwiches, while Dan Nelson of San Jacinto’s Stadium Pizza had a selection of chicken wings and pizza, including a dessert-style one topped with cream cheese, apple pie filling, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Desiree Sykes has worked at Jer sey Mike’s Subs a little over a year and said the head of marketing chose which options to bring, all of which do well in the restaurant that has several locations throughout River side County. Turkey and provolone cheese, regular and spicy ham and a veggie option were just a few of the bite-size choices. Oscar Martin

was operating a prize wheel to entice people to return to the Hemet store and to share the news that a new location will soon be opening in San Jacinto.

Valerie Vandever, who is com pleting her reign as Miss Empire USA’s Mrs. Elite Empire and is one of San Jacinto City Council’s new est elected officials, said she has attended every Autumn Elegance since the first one that was held at Hemet Valley Mall and always enjoys herself.

“I get to see people I haven’t seen in a long time,” she said. “All the vendors are great. So far, I’ve loved the lamb slider since I’m Lebanese, and the Mexican food I’ve tasted has been excellent.”

For those who wanted to take a break between bites, there was mu sic by Steppin’ Out – In Style and a large dance floor. Soboba Casino Resort also set up a dedicated corner of table games for those who were feeling lucky.

Hemet-San Jacinto Exchange Club President Tom Wilson said the club’s membership is committed to giving back to the San Jacinto Valley and donates to Friends of ValleyWide Foundation to provide youth sports scholarships so no child who wants to participate is turned away.

“We also support the Hemet/ San Jacinto Student of the Month program,” Wilson, who has been a member of the club for more than 38 years, said. “Our focus is help ing youth in the valley and Autumn Elegance is one program we do that helps us in our goal. We held the event at the Hemet Valley Mall for a number of years and they were tremendous partners. Eventually, we outgrew the mall and the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians stepped up and we held the event at the Soboba Springs Country Club. We have continued that great relationship and currently use the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center, which is really a great treasure in our valley.”

Pala Casino Spa Resort to present Blue Öyster Cult

PALA, CA – Pala Casino Spa Re sort will present highly successful New York-based American classic rock band Blue Öyster Cult Friday, Dec. 2, performing live indoors at the Events Center.

For over four decades, Blue Öyster Cult has been thrilling fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs. The band is often cited as a major influence by other acts such as Metallica, and Blue Öyster Cult was listed in VH1’s countdown of the greatest hard rock bands of all time.

Upon the release of Blue Öyster Cults’s self-titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy-yet-heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrify ing, funny or ambiguous, often all in the same song. Blue Öyster Cult’s canon includes “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” from 1976’s “Agents of Fortune,” “Godzilla” from 1977’s “Spectres” and “Burnin’ for You” from 1981’s “Fire of Unknown Origin.” Other notable Blue Öyster Cult songs include “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll,” “Then Came the Last Days of May,” “I Love the

Night,” “In Thee,” “Veteran of the Psychic Wars,” “Dominance and Submission,” “Astronomy,” “Black Blade” and “Shooting Shark.”

The show will start at 8 p.m. Reserved tickets are $45, and general admission tickets are $25. This show is just one of a lineup of headliner and tribute concerts that will be held at the indoor Events Center, with tickets on sale now for all events. For more information, visit http://www.palacasino.com.

Submitted by Pala Casino Spa Resort.

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Soboba Bakery is one of more than 15 vendors offering delicious bites at the 29th annual Autumn Elegance fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 5.

Raising Cane’s is making its first Autumn Elegance appearance, including, from left, Aaron Ciufo, Tina Upchurch-Williams and Adrian Torrez.

Valley News/Don Starkey photo Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Valerie Vandever of San Jacinto is one of more than 500 guests at the 29th annual Autumn Elegance at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center.

Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Oscar Martin with Jersey Mike’s Subs helps guests play a prize wheel game. Valley News/Don Starkey photo

wonderful opportunity for us to be able to show gratitude for the sacrifice and courage our veterans have given to us in order that we may live free. I give personal thanks to my father who served during the Korean War, my uncles who served in WWII, my older cousins who served in Vietnam and my younger cousins who served in Iraq,” DiCostanzo said.

One veteran in attendance that evening was named “Jim.” He was a staff sergeant in the army and was in charge of the forward observers that did missions on the enemy, a position that meant locat ing the enemy and killing him.

Through this, he saved the lives of 10,000-15,000 American soldiers. He was adamant in conveying just how terrible the conflict was, that they should have never been there, and that so many American soldiers were lost.

“I was just there to do my job, I was just there to survive. I was on a tour for 18 months, and because of what I did my tour ended, and they sent me back to the states after 12 months. I was happy about that,” he explained.

When asked about what could be done to better support veterans, he explained that there are 42,000 homeless veterans across the Unit ed States. There’s an organization, sponsored by the Veterans Admin istration, to correct that problem. He’s a volunteer, one of those people that is actively involved in getting veterans off the streets, back into a good environment and helping them get reacquainted with their place in society. Jim is not only happy about that, but he’s happy that he’s able to speak on his experiences, his background and what he did for a living after the war. He concluded by saying society should go back to caring about values and for each other, neighbors or families.

Now-retired veterans, Bonnie and John Martland were first lieutenants during their time in the U.S. Army. John Martland claims to have lucked out after getting his commission by being sent to Columbus, Ohio. He was told he might be in Vietnam within a year, but nothing came of it. One of his last duty assignments was as a survivor assistance officer, where he was tasked with help ing the families of anyone who

had lost someone while they were stationed in Vietnam.

Bonnie Martland was attend ing Fort Harrison in Indianapolis while John Martland was attend ing Adjutant General School at the same post. They met through their classes that overlapped for three weeks. Bonnie also did of ficer recruiting in Wisconsin, and parts of Iowa and Michigan. It was mostly nurse recruiting, as that’s what women officers were being commissioned for in Vietnam.

She said she had to attend a number of funerals for those that were killed in Vietnam. She spoke about her cousin, who was a war officer shot down inside a helicopter. She claimed that it was tough, and that it was hard for those coming back, as appre ciation was almost nonexistent back then. When she was on her college campus, she had to do a lot of work for those that were re cruiting. She went in as a private, but applied for officer school for six months. Her roommate was a South Vietnamese woman’s army officer, and she said there were 10 within her class.

While some may say that they shouldn’t have been in Vietnam,

she heard stories that makes it hard to say that they shouldn’t have helped. Families had been killed, spouses were injured, a father was skinned and killed. She thinks that Vietnam veterans are finally gaining more respect. She agrees that one can be against the war in Vietnam, but that nobody should be against someone who decided it was their duty to serve their country. She has never been sorry that she served, even though there have been mixed reactions to it. The Martlands did not serve overseas, but they did see how those veterans were affected by the war. She said that people don’t realize trauma can be deep-seated and that there are things veterans need help with. She claims that to be supportive is the right thing.

Book of Golden Deeds to salute veterans

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

The 55th annual Hemet-San Jacinto Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Christmas

1 from 5:30-10:30 p.m. at ValleyWide Sport Center, 901 W. Espla nade Ave. in San Jacinto.

Each year, the local chapter ad ministers the National Exchange see DEEDS, page B-6

Volunteers setting up this year’s Flags of Freedom display at Gibbel Park included members of the Exchange Club, Hemet Police Department and Explorers, local churches and city officials. Not all are pictured.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Dinner will be honoring veterans on Dec.

TEMECULA from page B-1

Ava Sarnowski can be reached by email at valleystaff@reeder media.com.

Conductor John Mario DiCostanzo bows after a performance by the Temecula Valley Symphony. Valley News/Shawna Sarnowski photos

Retired Army veterans Bonnie and John Martland attend the “Patriotic Salute to Veterans” Friday, Nov. 11.

Highway Update

Caltrans Highway 79 median and rumble strip construction to begin in San Jacinto

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Caltrans announced it will soon begin its median concrete road bar rier and rumble strip construction on Highway 79 in San Jacinto. The project will complete the Highway 79 median project from Banning to San Jacinto which in prior years was extremely dangerous for commut ing motorists for crossover, head-on collisions due to drivers’ excessive speeds on the curvy highway. San Jacinto Police and Riverside County Sheriff’s are applauding the soon to begin project by Caltrans.

The $4 million safety project, when it begins, will have normal construction hours on Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. Temporary striping will be put in place in order to shift the traffic lanes outward.

Once this process is complete, krail will be installed in the median.

Crews will work behind the k-rail on the 1.5 mile stretch of SR 79 from Ramona Expressway to Gilman Springs Road. A traffic reconfigura tion will remain in place within the construction zone, shifting all lanes

toward the outside shoulder, to enable all lanes to remain open throughout the project.

There will be occasional intermit tent lane closures during evenings for construction staging purposes. Watch for signage alerting motorists of upcoming construction locations and remember to reduce your speed in and surrounding the work zone.

The project is expected to be com plete in Spring of 2023. Know before you go! To stay on top of roadwork in the Inland Empire, go to Caltrans District 8 and sign up for commuter alerts.

State Route 74

Meanwhile, the State Route 74 Lane Widening Near Lake Elsinore will include a weekend closure from Friday, Nov. 18 to Nov. 24.

The project will be from the Riv erside border from Monte Vista, just west of Lake Elsinore, to the Orange County border.

Crews continue performing pav ing operations at various locations throughout the project zone with a full 55-hour weekend closure from 9 p.m. Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 21.

One-way traffic control with flag ging and pilot vehicles will be in

place from 8 to 8:59 p.m. on Friday At 9 p.m., the route will fully close to all through traffic. Work will con clude on Monday, Nov. 21, at 4 a.m. Caltrans advises residents and commuters to utilize the alternate routes to go around the closure. Ac cess through the work zone will be prohibited. Still, all residents will be given access under pilot cars to and from Lake Elsinore. Residents at Decker Canyon to Long Canyon, will be given access under pilot car, to and from Lake Elsinore.

No access will be given from Decker Canyon and Long Canyon to Orange County. 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 given access under pilot car, to and from Lake El sinore. No access will be given from Tenaja Truck Trail & Campground/ Candy store to Orange County. Work will occur at various points along SR-74. Residents will be escorted in and out of the construction zones from their designated area of access under pilot cars.

Nonresidents must use an alternate route. This is an active construc

tion zone. The contractor may be changing locations nightly, which will affect the direction of travel for residents that live within the con struction zone.

Caltrans will be doing routine landscaping and drain maintenance on Interstate 215 and State Route 60 until Saturday Nov. 19. Work will occur on some locations, weather permitting, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. with alternating closure locations mostly in the Riverside City area.

Wildomar

In Wildomar, surfacing work is continuing on stretches of Bundy Canyon Road from Menifee Road west toward Lake Elsinore. Some lanes are now open and work on the widening road should be completed by early next year. The contractor work is resuming on schedule with some difficulties reported earlier this year. They report they are back on schedule. There will be a few inter sections along Bundy Canyon closed for a short period of time with traffic controls in place as the resurfacing and striping is completed.

Menifee

In Menifee, at Murrieta and New port roads, there will be limited

Stantec to design EMWD’s Valley Boulevard transmission pipelines

Naiman Writer

The design work for the Eastern Municipal Water District’s Valley Boulevard transmission pipelines project will be performed by Stantec Consulting Services.

Stantec, which is headquartered in San Diego, was awarded the design contract on a 5-0 EMWD board vote Nov. 2. The preliminary and final design contract will pay Stantec $1,474,000. The board action ap propriated a total of $2,023,000 to fund the project costs through the completion of the design phase and the bid and award phase. The fund ing includes planning for real estate e asement acquisitions. The board also authorized EMWD staff to initi ate negotiations for the acquisition of necessary project-specific properties and easements and to open escrow on behalf of the district. EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad or his desig nee was given the authority to award su pport consultant contracts and purchase agreements with suppliers.

The Valley Boulevard transmission pipelines project is within both the City of Menifee and the City of Perris. It will construct approximately 21,600 linear feet of 30-inch to 36-inch di ameter transmission pipelines located

generally along Valley Boulevard, McLaughlin Road and Goetz Road.

The project was identified in EMWD’s Water Facilities Master Plan to im prove regional conveyance within the central Perris Valley 1627 Pressure Zone, to improve operation of the fu ture Goetz Road 8-million gallon tank, and to enhance operational reliability of Eastern’s potable water system.

On July 13, EMWD staff issued a request for proposals to provide preliminary and final design services. Four firms responded, and a selection panel reviewed, evaluated and ranked the proposals based on the selection criteria stipulated in the request for proposals. Stantec was the highestranked firm.

The scope of services Stantec will perform includes project manage ment, data gathering, site recon naissance and analysis, alignment refinement evaluation, easement acquisition support, investigations (subcontractors will perform those functions), preliminary design, final design, plans and specifications, con tract documents and bidding support services. The subconsultant tasks will have Cozad & Fox of Hemet perform ing the surveying work, Leighton Consulting of Temecula handling geotechnical activities, C Below of Chino performing the potholing task,

V&A Consulting Engineers of San Diego taking care of corrosion protec tion, Traffic Control Engineering of Brea handling the traffic control, and Gerry Green of Carlsbad performing the electrical work.

The $1,474,000 fee negotiated with Stantec is higher than the original proposed fee. After the request for proposals was issued, it was deter mined that ongoing coordination with the City of Menifee was needed due to the city’s Valley Boulevard widen ing project, so that coordination was added to the scope of work.

The budget and authorization al lows for EWMD Real Property staff to conduct pre-purchase evaluations, perform due diligence, and open escrow for any required properties including easements. Any actual prop erty or easement acquisitions will be brought to the board for approval. The project will be subject to California Environmental Quality Act documen tation, but that will be prepared after the design phase finalizes the scope of work and identifies potential impacts.

The $1,110,000 preliminary design budget covers $379,021 for the Stan tec design, $160,410 for the C Below potholing, $87,916 for the Cozad & Fox surveying, $42,900 for the Leigh ton geotechnical work, $30,841 for the V&A corrosion protection, $3,000

for the electrical and instrumenta tion work to be performed by Gerry Green, $100,000 for an environmen tal consultant, $62,800 for optional services, $60,000 for pre-acquisition planning, $60,000 for EMWD en gineering branch labor, $25,000 for EMWD environmental documenta tion labor, $25,000 for Real Property labor, $20,000 for coordination with the cities involved and $53,112 for contingency. The $838,000 for final design budgets $838,000 for the Stan tec design, $157,500 for the Traffic Control Engineering traffic control activities, $31,772 for V&A corro sion protection, $16,360 for Gerry Green electrical and instrumentation tasks, $49,702 for trenchless design, $37,210 for separate bid packaging, $34,288 for detour plans and signal modifications, $30,000 for permits,

DEEDS from page B-5

Club’s longest-running project, which recognizes dedicated volun teers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live. Usually, an individual is honored.

“This year we decided to do something different,” Exchange Club member Vince Record said. “We decided to recognize the vet erans of the valley, including our American Legions in Hemet and San Jacinto, the VFW posts in Hemet and San Jacinto and the veterans from Soboba.”

The event will feature a patriotic program and holiday entertainment from the San Jacinto High School Chamber Singers, along with pre sentations to the recipient organiza tions.

“In the past 54 years, our Book of Golden Deeds has been a formal af fair and until recently was a surprise to the recipients,” Record said.

Several years ago, the process was changed, and recipients were informed a few months ahead of time so they could provide a guest list of those they would like to have invited. The entire community is always welcome to attend and show their support for the honorees.

This Veterans Day marked the 10th anniversary of the Flags of Freedom – Salute to Veterans dis play at Gibbel Park in Hemet. Each year, the community comes together under the leadership of the Hemet-

daytime work on sidewalk repairs and repairing leaks in the new water line. Traffic control will be placed as needed. Please visit www.emwd.org/ MurrietaRoad for additional updates on the project.

Traffic signal improvements and installations continue on Murrieta Road and Sun City Blvd., Garbani and Menifee roads, Murrieta and Rouse roads, Piedra Road at Menifee Road and at McCall Square at McCall and Ranch roads.

The Sumac Ridge Utility work is still ongoing at Scott Road between Menifee Road and Briggs Road and street improvements on Scott and Lindenberger roads that are expected to continue through the end of month.

Nighttime vault construction at Newport and Murrieta roads by Southern California Edison is sus pended until a schedule is deter mined.

For questions on the project/ construction updates listed, please contact Philip Southard, Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officer, at 951-746-0654 or psouth ard@cityofmenifee.us

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

$20,000 for city coordination, $55,000 for engineering branch labor, and $40,236 for contingency. The final preparation of plans and specifications is a $25,000 estimated expense. The $50,000 for the bid and award phase provides $30,652 for labor, advertise ment, materials and $19,348 for the Stantec support. The construction budget will be determined following the completion of the final design.

The preliminary design is expected to be completed in June 2023 and the final design completion estimate date is Feb. 2024. The plans and specifi cations review are anticipated to be complete by May 2024. The project is expected to be advertised for bid in June 2024, and EMWD staff estimates board approval of a construction con tract in Aug. 2024 with the notice to proceed issued in Sept. 2024.

San Jacinto Exchange Club to put up 1776 full-size American flags that remain in place for several days before and after the Veterans Day ceremony at the park’s permanent veterans’ memorial. This year, it took more than three hours to complete the task by good-hearted volunteers which included members of the Exchange Club, Hemet Police Department and Explorers, local churches and city officials.

Ever since an Exchange Club in Indiana sponsored the first Book of Golden Deeds Award in 1919, thou sands of unsung heroes and heroines have been recognized throughout the country. Honoring fellow citizens with the award is a heartwarming and inspiring act not only for the honoree, but for any Exchange Club. The local chapter has adopted this project as one of its most important annual events that benefits everyone by promoting and rewarding com munity service efforts.

To enable club members to pro vide more complimentary tickets and increase the number of veterans that could participate, this year’s event will be held at the Valley-Wide Regional Park Sport Center on Es planade in San Jacinto. Dinner will be catered by Emilio’s Restaurant. Tickets are $25 each, down from the usual $50 cost.

RSVP by Nov. 23 for the Book of Golden Deeds Christmas Dinner by contacting Vince Record at 951929-7700, ext. 4303 or vrecord@ sanjacinto.k12.ca.us

Joe

Ardurra receives EMWD design contract to replace select Sun City area pipelines

Joe Naiman Writer

The Eastern Municipal Water District awarded Ardurra the design contract to replace the El Rancho Road area pipelines in Sun City.

The EMWD board voted 5-0 Wednesday, Nov. 2, to award a $118,614 design engineering ser vices contract to Ardurra, which is headquartered in Tampa and has an office in Temecula. The board ac tion also appropriated $215,000 to fund the project costs through the completion of the final design and the bid and award phases.

EMWD’s routine potable water pipeline replacement program includes identifying key segments which have experienced multiple leaks and line breaks in past years. A capital program prioritizes re placement of these pipelines on an annual basis. The next phase of re placement will be the pipelines near El Rancho Road generally located south of Cherry Hills Boulevard, north of Newport Road, east of Bradley Road and west of Interstate 215. Approximately 2,400 feet of 12-inch diameter pipeline will be re

placed, consisting of approximately 1,500 feet on El Rancho Road, 600 feet on Thornhill Drive and 300 feet on Piping Rock Road.

Ardurra completed similar proj ects for Eastern and was previously competitively selected through the district’s annual as-needed design services contracts. EMWD staff negotiated a scope of work and the $118,614 fee. The scope of work includes project management, utility coordination, field investigations, a geotechnical report, land surveying, design services including prepara tion of the plans and specifica tions and the contract documents, permitting support and bid phase services. EMWD staff will utilize annual as-needed services contracts to provide potholing and any other necessary support.

The budget rounds to $1,000 in crements, so the totals do not match the actual contract amount to Ar durra. The $95,000 for preliminary design consists of $28,000 for the Ardurra design efforts, $20,000 for potholing, $16,000 for geotechni cal studies, $16,000 for surveying, $10,000 for EMWD engineering branch labor and $5,000 for con

tingency. The $90,000 budgeted for final design covers $55,000 for the Ardurra design work, $20,000 for permits, $10,000 for engineer ing branch labor and $5,000 for contingency. A $10,000 amount is budgeted for the final review of plans and specifications. The $20,000 for the bid and award

Utility:

phase budgets $15,000 for labor, advertisement and materials and $5,000 for Ardurra’s support. The final design activity will provide an estimated construction cost which will be budgeted at a future EMWD board meeting.

The design phase was expected to be complete in March 2023. EMWD

Don’t

staff will issue a request for propos als for a construction contract, and the EMWD board is expected to consider the construction contract award in May 2023.

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

dump turkey dinner grease, fats down sink

PERRIS – Emptying cooking grease and other oils down kitchen sinks can be tough on household plumbing and damage sewer lines, according to the Perris-based Eastern Municipal Water District, which urged customers to find alternate ways of getting rid of Thanksgiving dinner leftovers.

Cooking dish and dinner plate slop can permanently damage dish washers and sinks, causing sewage lines to rupture, leading to spills in the street that are expensive to repair, according to the EMWD.

The agency recommended that fats, oils and grease be poured into metal containers or cans and tossed into trash bins. Customers were ad ditionally urged to clear the damag ing substances from pots, pans and dishes before washing them in the sink, and to deposit food scraps in trash receptacles – not shove them down the sink.

The EMWD also asked custom ers not to put egg shells, coffee grounds and non-organic materials into drains because they, too, can cause damage.

More information on proper disposal is available at http://www. emwd.org/SewerSmart.

“If we all do our part and re sponsibly dispose of fats, oils and grease, we can help protect our wastewater collection system and keep the sewers flowing,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “EMWD appreciates the partner ship of all its customers, not just d uring the holiday season, but every day throughout the year.”

Submitted by Eastern Municipal Water District.

Supervisors approve solar lighting project for LE Lakeland Village Community Center Riverside County Fire Chief lifts burn permit suspension

City News Service

Starting at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, county residents with current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits are able to burn on permitted days, according to a statement from the Riverside County Fire Department. This comes after an announcement on Nov. 13 to cancel the county’s burn permit suspension.

Pile burning requirements in clude clearing a 10-foot diameter around burning piles, ensuring that piles are smaller than three-feet high by two-feet wide, having a shovel and nearby water to put the fire out and having an adult present, according to fire officials. Residential burning is not per

mitted with the exception of tum bleweeds, nor is burning on windy days and burning of trash, painted wood or other debris.

Agricultural burns will require an inspection from Cal Fire per sonnel until the end of peak fire season.

Individuals can be held liable if a fire escapes their control and if it burns into neighboring property, fire officials said. Residents can contact the South Coast Air Qual ity Management District at 866966-3293, a day prior to burning, to verify that it’s a permitted burn day and to confirm that they don’t need an inspection.

Residents can visit www.aqmd. gov/home/air-quality/air-alerts to sign up and receive alerts about the burning status in their area.

Joe Naiman Writer

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a solar light ing project for the Lakeland Village Community Center

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote Nov. 8 approved in principle the Lake land Village Community Center Solar Lighting Project, approved the Lakeland Village Community Center Solar Lighting Project for inclusion in the county’s Capital Im provement Program and approved a preliminary project budget of $115,080 and authorized use of the Facilities Management community center budget for that $115,080. It also delegated project management authority including the authority to utilize consultants on the approved pre-qualified list for services in connection with the project to the director of the county’s Facilities Management department or its designee. It authorized the county’s

Purchasing Agent to execute prequalified consultant service agree ments and found the solar lighting to be categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review. The Lakeland Village Community Center Solar Lighting Project will install solar-powered light poles at the lower parking lot and the pickleball courts.

The Lakeland Village Commu nity Center in the 16200 block of Grand Ave. opened in June 2016.

The property had previously been Butterfield Elementary School before the Lake Elsinore Unified School District closed the school in 2010, and the county purchased the land from the school district in 2015.

The community center includes a multipurpose room, a performance stage, an arts and crafts room, a dance studio, a children’s activity room, meeting space and adminis trative offices. The master plan will phase improvements as funding becomes available and includes

playgrounds, other recreational ac tivities, athletic field rehabilitation, upgrades of amenities to Americans with Disabilities Act standards, pav ing and building upgrades, water quality improvements, pavement removal and landscaping.

The solar lighting project will increase the safety and recreation of the residents using the amenities at the community center. The scope of work includes the installation of six solar-powered light poles at the lower parking areas and two solarpowered light poles at the pickleball courts. Facilities Management will procure the most cost-effective project delivery method and award a construction contract in accordance with board policies.

The construction contract itself has an estimated $96,646 cost. The rest of the $115,080 budget consists of $7,750 for contract administra tion, $2,500 for regulatory permit ting and $8,184 for contingency.

RAIN, WIND, AND FIRE...

“The three menaces to any chimney, fireplace, or stove.”

Every year there are over twenty thousand chimney / fireplace related house fires in the US alone. Losses to homes as a result of chimney fires, leaks, and wind damage exceeds one hundred million dollars annually in the US.

CHIMNEY SWEEPS, INC., one of the leading chimney repair and maintenance companies, is here to help protect you and your home from losses due to structural damage and chimney fires.

Family owned and operated and having been in business for over 30 years, Chimney Sweeps Inc. is a fully licensed and insured chimney contracting company (License # 976438) and they are certified with the National Chimney Sweep Guild and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

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

Special to the Valley News

SunPower and energy leaders join forces to power KB Home’s new all electric, solar-and battery-powered microgrid communities

RICHMOND – SunPower Corp., University of California Irvine, Schneider Electric and Southern California Edison announced their collaboration with KB Home, as the strategy, research, technol ogy and energy providers for the ho mebuilder’s newly launched Energy-Smart Connected Commu nities in Menifee. More than 200 state-of-the-art, all electric homes will be solar powered, equipped with individual battery storage and connected to a microgrid powered by a large, shared community bat tery. These power-outage resistant communities are the first of their kind in the state and are designed to offer a blueprint for sustainable and resilient new home development of the future.

Residential energy use accounts for roughly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., contribut ing to more severe and frequent weather events. Between 2013 and 2020, blackouts caused by events such as snowstorms, wildfires and hurricanes have tripled in dura tion, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

KB Home, SunPower and UCI joined forces to reimagine what a new home community could look like if built to reduce carbon emis sions, cut energy costs and provide new ways of producing reliable and resilient energy. With a $6.65 mil lion Department of Energy grant, microgrid design and engineering

support from Schneider Electric, and strong collaboration with SCE to ensure a smooth transition be tween grid and off-grid electricity, these innovative homes are now available to the public.

“SunPower and KB Home have a long-standing history of leading the new home industry with energy in novation and sustainability,” Matt Brost, vice president of new home sales at SunPower, said. “With this project we are taking a large leap toward creating communities from the ground up that are designed to produce sustainable and afford able energy and resiliency to the impacts of climate change on our grid. We are thrilled to leverage our learnings from this project to influence continued innovation in home building.”

New Menifee homes

The homes were purpose-built for sustainability and resilience. All 219 of the homes in the new Durango and Oak Shade commu nities will be built to meet the De partment of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home criteria, which in clude Energy Star, WaterSense and Indoor airPLUS. These additional features could help homeowners reduce average energy use by up to 40%. Each home comes with a SunPower Equinox solar system designed to achieve net-zero en ergy, a 13-kilowatt-hour SunVault Storage battery, high efficiency appliances, flexible loads such as electric heat pump water heaters

tery storage, EV chargers and other flexible loads can automatically dispatch to support the electric grid. Enrolled homeowners may be eligible for compensation for their participation in the program. UCI will also simulate the connected microgrids, analyze data from the VPP program, and collaborate with SCE to determine its effectiveness in supporting grid infrastructure.

The project encompasses a unique, multi-disciplinary part nership of several organizations. KB Home is one of the largest and most recognized homebuilders in the U.S. and is responsible for the design and construction of the energy-smart connected new home communities.

outage as part of a self-supporting microgrid, drawing energy from its own SunVault storage system as well as a large community bat tery. Together, they are designed to support critical loads such as lights, refrigeration and WiFi, as well as additional high-capacity loads like HVAC and domestic hot water. When the sun is shining, individual and community batteries can be continually recharged using excess solar generation until the grid connection returns.

More energy services

Additional energy services of fered by SunPower allow residents to enroll in a Virtual Power Plant program through which their bat

The garage of a model home in the Durango community in Menifee showcases energy efficient features such as a backup battery for solar energy and an electric vehicle charger. Valley News/KB Home photo and HVAC systems and other smart technologies like Schneider Electric’s Square D Energy Center and Connected Wiring Devices. All homes will be pre-wired to be smart electric vehicle charger ready, and some will demonstrate bidirec tional charging, which enables an EV to be an additional source of energy for the home during a power outage. EV chargers will be avail able for purchase at the time of sale. These communities offer a new vision for how individual homes interact with the electrical grid. Every home, while maintaining its regular service with local util ity Southern California Edison, is designed to operate during an

SunPower Corp. conceptualized the project and is the project lead. It will oversee the project partners, provide energy services and tech nology and ensure the home energy systems support the microgrid op erations. It will also provide solar panels, battery storage and EV charging options for each home.

UC Irvine research

The Advanced Power and En ergy Program at the University of California Irvine will acquire and archive data from microgrid events and conduct research to enhance the technologies deployed in simi lar applications in the future. It will ensure that the microgrid controller meets the national standards that evolved from previous research conducted by APEP for the DOE using the UCI Microgrid as a plat form for both the development and demonstration.

Schneider Electric will be pro viding home electrical technology, including the smart load panel called the Square D Energy Center and Connected Wiring Devices that integrate and control the distributed energy resources. Additionally, Schneider Electric will design and engineer the community microgrid.

Southern California Edison is the utility partner providing new power service to the community, manag ing the grid, assisting in microgrid engineering, ensuring local util ity equipment safely and reliably supports microgrid operations and providing cybersecurity review.

Smart tech homes

“We are excited to partner with industry and academic leaders to bring these advanced technologies and energy solutions to our home owners. The new KB homes at Oak Sha de and Durango at Shadow Mountain will be the first in Cali fornia to be equipped with smart technologies, a backup battery and microgrid connectivity. These will provide a self-supporting energy system with a community battery that powers the neighbor hood,” Dan Bridleman, senior vice president of sustainability, technol ogy and strategic sourcing for KB Home, said. “We look forward to conducting research to measure the energy efficiency and resiliency of our all-new energy-smart con nected communities.”

“This is at the cutting edge of the next generation of home develop ments,” Scott Samuelsen, professor of mechanical, aerospace and envi ronmental engineering at UCI and the co-principal investigator with SunPower, said. “For homeowners, the digital and connected future and home charging and discharg ing of electric vehicles will benefit from the enhanced home energy security provided by microgrid technology.”

“This project represents the future by evolving the smart home into a smart, sustainable com munity addressing core energy challenges facing homeowners today, including power resiliency and rising utility costs,” Richard Korthauer, senior vice president of home and distribution for Schnei der Electric, said. “The new electric future is a home with safe, efficient and reliable power that meets our changing needs, without compro mising our cost of living, sustain ability goals or comfort.”

“SCE is pleased to support this innovative community microgrid project, and looks forward to sup porting others in the future,” Katie Sloan, vice president of customer programs and services with SCE, said. “Microgrids can provide resiliency benefits for our custom ers and help integrate new grid technologies into new community developments.”

For more information, visit http://sunpower.com/connected communities

Vista Murrieta headed to CIF State SoCal Regional girls’ volleyball finals

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The road to the CIF State SoCal Regional Division 1 girls’ volleyball finals has been a long one, but one that Vista Murrieta has endured graciously. There are no egos, you won’t find arrogance, or cockiness…just good oldfashioned teamwork when you comb through the Broncos roster.

With senior Claire Little leading the way (25 kills, 9 digs), the push from her teammates and coaches to finish the job together is at the forefront of everything they have done to get to where they are today.

“I’m pretty pumped about playing in this SoCal Regional final,” Little exclaimed. “The last couple of games we had really felt the energy. I could not be happier with how far we have come.”

Just days after sweeping Aliso Niguel, whom they also beat for the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title a week prior, Vista Murrieta had to face top seed La Costa Canyon (27-13) in the CIF State SoCal Regional Division 1 semifinals. No. 4 seed Vista Murrieta (22-10) was looking to rectify a 3-1 loss earlier this season to the Mavericks, and they made quick work in doing so. This time around the Broncos

high right now coming off some fun wins. We have been doing a lot of team recovery which has been beneficial with the postseason games being so close to each other.”

Up next, Vista Murrieta will travel this week to take on the No. 2 seeded Palos Verdes Sea Kings in the CIF State SoCal Regional Division 1 girls’ volleyball finals. Match info is listed below. The winner of the SoCal Regional final will face off against the winner of the NorCal Regional (No. 5 Branson at No. 3 St. Mary’s) Friday, Nov. 18, at Santiago Canyon College in the City of Orange at 6:30 p.m.

Regional Finals (Open Div.-V) Tues., Nov. 15 at Host School - 6 p.m.

Tickets/Admission Charges

Regional Finals: General Admission - $12 and Children (5+ yrs)/Students/Seniors- $8 Tickets are available online only through CIF’s ticketing partner, GoFan ( www.gofan.co ). Both events will have taken place by the time this article goes to print. Look for updates online with the Valley News, or at www.cifstate.org.

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

Prep Football: Quarterfinal playoff recap for area teams

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section high school football playoffs took place last Friday night and of the five area teams that went in, only one came out victorious. San Jacinto (Div. 6) is the lone team moving on after beating Oak Park 51-32, while Chaparral, Paloma Valley, Elsinore and Tahquitz all had their seasons come to an end.

Rancho Verde, which is somewhat close to the area, also extended their season, but the Mustangs are more of a Moreno Valley-based team. They advanced in the Division 8 brackets by defeating Elsinore, 5325, behind the efforts of Landon Debruyn, who completed 16 of 27 passes for 275 yards and added 46 yards on the ground.

Rancho Verde (5-7), who totaled more than 500 yards on offense to earn its second win of the season over Elsinore (8-4), were led by Mykai Skinner with his 13 carries for 108 yards. Elsinore’s Jamari Jones, who gained a career-high 121 rushing yards and scored twice against Liberty last week, finished with 38 yards, and quarterback Semaj Moore only had 12 passing attempts, completing 5 of those for 61 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Mustangs will take on Lakewood (7-5) Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.

San Jacinto won their quarterfinal playoff game against Oak Park by a score of 51-32. The Tigers were led by QB Dereun Dortch (Sr) who completed 18 passes for 321 yards with 3 touchdowns in the air and had one interception. Dortch

also

The

Chaparral

to

Other

Vista Murrieta High School’s girls’ volleyball team celebrates after winning three straight sets over La Costa Canyon in the semifinals of the CIF State SoCal Regional Division 1 tournament. Valley News/Butch Owens photos

won 3-0 to upset the top-seeded Mavericks, 25-23, 25-18, 25-8.

Junior Katrina Catalan contributed with 29 assists and 9 digs, Miliani Villarreal (Jr) had 11 digs and 6

service aces while Lilliana Montes (Jr) contributed with 7 kills and 5 blocks.

“This is a great experience for not only myself, but my

younger teammates,” Little added. “We started the season off playing difficult teams, and each postseason opponent has prepared us for the next. Our energy is at a

La Costa Canyon could not find an answer to Claire Little’s Offensive dominance in their State CIF semifinal match-up with the Vista Murrieta Broncos.

Sophomore Madison Pulsipher (11) pushes the ball over the net in Vista Murrieta’s semifinal victory against La Costa Canyon Saturday, Nov. 12.

had 46 yards rushing with one TD on the ground as well. Dillon Gresham (Jr) was the receiver of choice for Dortch on the night with 10 catches for 238 yards, scoring all 3 receiving TDs. Adding other scores were Malachi Brown (Jr) (20 carries, 107 yards, 2 TDs) and Vincent Holmes (Sr) who had one rush for 10 yards in his scoring assist. The Tigers were led on defense by Dillon Gresham (Jr) (2

interceptions), Dre Taylor (Jr) also added an interception as well. San Jacinto will play at home this week against Calabasas (8-4) Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.

Pumas were favored heavily in Division 3, but like all sports, anything can happen on any given day. Corona del Mar defeated Chaparral 41-28 in their CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinal matchup. Even though the Pumas put up

62 points last week in a win over Thousand Oaks, they couldn’t put much together, despite a pair of late touchdown passes by Caron Tyler to Stacy Dobbins and Tommy Long, which made the final score a bit less lopsided.

did get

within six points at halftime, but Corona del Mar would get the only score of the third quarter when David Rasor connected with Russell

San Jacinto quarterback Dereun Dortch (3) looks for an open receiver during one of their games earlier this season. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Sophomore lineman Liam Porter (67), provides crucial protection for Dash Beierly (3) against an aggressive Corona del Mar pass rush. Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

Weir for a 20-yard TD. A twopoint conversion failed as a twelve-point lead would hold into the fourth quarter. From there the Sea Kings would counter Chaparral’s 14 points with 15 of their own. Dobbins finished with 13 receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

notable action came from

Area senior student athletes sign to play at next level

JP Raineri Sports Editor

One of the most exciting moments for a student-athlete is receiving a verbal scholarship offer. Years of hard work have led to this moment. However, nothing is official until you sign the National Letter of Intent. Not every school uses the NLI (about 650 NCAA D1 and D2 schools). It’s not mandatory to sign, but every year more than 48,000 student-athletes do. The National Letter of Intent is not affiliated directly with the NCAA; it was created by the Collegiate Commissioners Association to protect both the college and student from either party backing out.

With that said, student-athletes from around the area took part last week in NLI signing day ceremonies where they were recognized for committing to play sports and further their education at the next level. National Signing Day for many sports, especially in

Division I, is a much-celebrated event.

In a social media post, Great Oak Athletic Director Herschel Ramirez said that he was excited for the 2023 class and is looking forward to celebrating two more athletic NCAA signing days in February and April and academic/Armed Forces signing day in May 2023.

“Thank you for allowing us to recognize and celebrate your signing of the National Letter of Intent to play intercollegiate sports in 2023-24,” he exclaimed. “It was a GREAT (Oak) day with families, friends, teachers, teammates and coaches. Go Wolfpack!”

These ceremonies are held so a high school senior can sign a binding national letter of intent with an NCAA, NCCAA or NAIA college, committing in writing to attend that school in exchange for a commitment from the school to receive financial aid and scholarships.

Below are updated signing dates for each sport for student-athletes signing in 2022-2023 for 20232024 enrollment.

D1 Basketball was Nov. 9 to Nov. 16

D1 Basketball (regular period) - April 12, 2023 to May 17, 2023

D1 Football (early period) - Dec. 21, 2022 to December 23, 2022

D1 and D2 Football (mid-year JC transfer) - Dec. 21 to Jan. 15, 2023

D1 and D2 Football (regular period) - Feb. 1, 2023; D1: April 1, 2023; D2: Aug. 1, 2023

All other D1 and D2 sports - Nov. 9 to Aug. 1, 2023

Because athletic scholarships are not given at the Division 3 level, athletes don’t have an NLI to sign, but they can sign a “non-binding standardized celebratory form.” It can be signed by a prospect after the prospect has been accepted to a Division 3 institution.

Insider tip: Student Athletes can sign a National Letter Intent after the last Signing Period ends, but it is rare that there will be any roster spots left.

Below is a look at the colleges and universities to which many local student athletes will be reportedly taking their talents, as reported by school athletic directors. If you know of a student athlete that is playing at the next level and did not get recognized in the paper this week, send more information to sports@reedermedia.com

Great

Brendan Shanahan - Fresno State (Baseball)

Braden Wauschek - Cal State Northridge (Baseball)

Nathan Sampson - San Diego State (Golf)

Ryan Abuan - University of San Diego (Golf)

Mia Delrosario - College of Mount Saint Vincent (Soccer)

Mikayla Abrenica - University of San Diego (Soccer)

Sarah Wilson - Azusa Pacific (Volleyball)

Kelli Gaffney - Cal Poly SLO (XC/Track)

Hannah Miller - Pepperdine (XC/ Track)

Murrieta Mesa Student Athletes

(The school will be honoring these student athletes at the next signing event in February)

Jasmine “Jazzy” Burns - Ohio State (Softball)

Caylea- Rains Campbell - Xavier Louisiana (Softball)

Kaitlynn Dibble - Lee University (Lacrosse)

Liz Wang - Carroll University (Lacrosse)

Daniel Gonzalez – Louisiana Monroe (Baseball)

Mike McNair - Boston University (Basketball)

Matthew Rezkalah - Loyola Marymount University (Baseball)

Vanessa Perez - Loyola Marymount University (Softball)

Temecula Valley Student Athletes

Zach Anderson – Ohio State (Baseball)

*Photos and sports scores/ stats/highlights can be submitted to sports@reedermedia.com

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

from page C-1

the Paloma Valley Wildcats who fell to Golden Valley’s Grizzlies 42-28 last Friday night in a CIFSS Division 7 quarterfinal football game. Senior Stephan Gallegos finished his final game rushing for 184 yards on 17 carries while KJ Misini led the Wildcat receivers with three receptions for 71 yards.

Paloma Valley, the champions of the Sunbelt League, finished their season with a 9-3 overall record.

Scores from the quarterfinal round of the CIF-SS playoffs are below.

Friday, Nov. 11

DIVISION 3

Corona del Mar (7-3) - 41, Chaparral (7-5) - 28

DIVISION 6

San Jacinto (10-2) - 51, Oak Park (7-5) - 32

Up next: *San Jacinto vs. Calabasas (8-4)

DIVISION 7

Golden Valley (7-4) - 42, Paloma Valley (9-3) - 28

DIVISION 8

Rancho Verde (5-7) - 53, Elsinore (8-4) – 25

Up next: *Rancho Verde vs. Lakewood (7-5)

DIVISION 9

San Dimas (8-4) - 45, Tahquitz (8-4) - 21

*For the 2022-2023 prep sports season, the Valley News Sports Department will have photographers and game reports for schools and sports inside a limited coverage area due to print space and manpower. Those schools include Great Oak, Temecula Valley, Chaparral, Murrieta Valley, Murrieta Mesa, Vista Murrieta, Linfield Christian, Rancho Christian, Elsinore, Paloma Valley, Liberty, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, Heritage, Temecula Prep, Hamilton (Anza), Cornerstone Christian, Temescal Canyon, Lakeside and the River Springs Charter Schools (no football programs). Scores and schedules may be posted for other area schools, but full coverage cannot be guaranteed.

All stats, schedules, photos and scores are supplied by local high school athletic directors, MaxPreps, CIF-SS offices, contributing writers/photographers and countless fans of the games via social media. To submit any additions or corrections to the schedule or stats, please email sports@reedermedia.com

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

AnzA VAlley

AnzA VAlley

FOOTBALL

Chaparral’s Shane Klingelberg (4) and Justin Selway (44) stop a run from Corona del Mar during their CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinal matchup. Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

San Jacinto’s Malachi Brown (26) and quarterback Dereun Dortch (3) celebrate a touchdown run during a recent game. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Elsinore quarterback Semaj Moore (6) only had 61 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception in their CIF Southern Section Div. 8

quarterfinal matchup against Rancho Verde. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Oak Student Athletes

Linfield Christian Student Athletes

Great Oak Student Athletes sign their National Letters of Intent at a ceremony held at the school Wednesday, Nov. 9. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Linfield Christian’s Mike McNair signs his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Boston University.

Temecula Valley baseball player Zach Anderson signs his National Letter of Intent to play at Ohio State.

Wildomar teen helps USA Baseball 18U team claim gold over Panama

A junior in high school, Neckar, an LSU commit who plays for Vista Murrieta during the spring, has competed in past USA Baseball development programs, mainly as a pitcher. For this past event, the Wildomar teenager got Team USA off to a great start with an 8-3 exhibition victory over Hamilton High School at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz. As closers in that game, Neckar, and Stunner Gonzales (Carlsbad) combined for seven strikeouts in the final four innings to secure the win. Neckar was the only pitcher to not permit a hit for the stars and stripes, as he allowed just one baserunner to reach via walk in two scoreless innings.

run-rule victory. The win moved the U.S. to 2-0 in the tournament’s opening round.

title for the 18U National Team, as the program has won gold at every tournament since 2009.

Sports Editor

The USA Baseball 18U National Team, which includes Wildomar’s Vaughn Neckar, competed in the World Baseball Softball Confederation U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in La Paz and Los Cabos, Mexico,

last week. Team USA finished WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier Super Round play with an 8-4 win over Nicaragua on Saturday afternoon.

After completing a sweep of the Super Round, the United States was 7-0 in tournament play entering Sunday’s gold medal game against Panama.

In their second game of pool play, Team USA scored six runs in the first inning en route to a 15-2 win over Puerto Rico in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. Neckar came out of the bullpen in the fifth to lock down the final three outs for Team USA and secure the 15-2

His next outing came against Panama in the final game of pool play, where he came in to relieve in the bottom of the fifth. Neckar would pick up a strikeout and had a runner get caught stealing to turn a key double play and escape the jam. With the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate for Panama in the bottom of the sixth, he got a clutch strikeout to keep Team USA in front by four. Panama drew three walks and scored on a sacrifice fly in the seventh, but Neckar’s teammate Matthew Champion recorded the final out on a fielder’s choice to finish the 5-2 victory.

While Neckar did not pitch in the gold medal game, he played a pivotal role in the games leading up to the final game, where an 11-1 victory over Panama saw Team USA win it all. It is the sixth consecutive WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier

The United States was also atop the leaderboard in several offensive categories, including home runs (10) and runs scored (79). The 10-run fifth inning was the second time the stars and stripes scored nine or more runs in an inning during the tournament as they put up nine against Peru in a massive third frame during pool play. The tournament win secured a spot in next summer’s XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, where they aim to defend their title after winning gold at the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in September.

More information can be found online at www.usabaseball.com/ team-usa/18u

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

7th annual Austin Gorrell Memorial Baseball Classic has arrived Teams get their work, while honoring former Riverside player

JP Raineri Sports Editor

RIVERSIDE – The Austin Gorrell Memorial Baseball Classic returns for the seventh time since the 2015 passing of Kerry and Gina Gorrell’s oldest son. At the time of his passing, in his dorm room, Austin, a freshman playing baseball for the University of Nevada, had been diagnosed with a heart condition called cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis came during his preseason physical administered by the school’s athletic department in 2015.

Austin, who played in high school for JW North, was not wearing his assigned defibrillator vest when he died from heart failure at the early age of 19. His sudden death shook the Inland baseball community and that is when the Austin Gorrell Memorial Baseball Classic was created. Austin’s family and friends wanted to not only help honor Austin, but to also help local players with scholarship opportunities for college.

The tournament, set to run Nov. 19-22, started out with only nine area high school baseball teams and is now a major draw this time of year for teams and coaches. Not only does it pay homage to its namesake, but teams can also get

an early gauge on their rosters, in a real game environment. After pool play, the gold and silver brackets will be decided for the playoff games, which are not CIF-Southern Section sanctioned games. CIFSS games do not take place until next spring, but the championship game, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 66ers Stadium, will pull in just as much excitement as any CIF finals game, that’s for sure.

During the week leading up to the final game, at each host site, there are tournament representatives that sell merchandise, where all the proceeds go toward the Austin Gorrell Scholarship fund. At the championship game, slated for 5 p.m., the Gorrell family then disperses scholarship checks to seniors that were selected by submitting essays to the tournament committee, on why they deserve the scholarship.

“With the help of the teams who have participated in this annual event, as well as community sponsors and generous donations, we have been fortunate enough over the past six years to award over $125,000 to 49 studentathletes in the form of scholarships for them to further their education beyond high school,” Kerry Gorrell said.

The tournament will open with the annual Home Run Derby Friday,

CIF-SS playoff updates for girls’ tennis, boys’ water polo

JP Raineri Sports Editor

With the playoffs for girls’ tennis and boys’ water polo still underway last week, here are the following updates for local teams. The quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section girls’ tennis playoffs matches took place early in the week, and only three local teams remained in the hunt.

In Division 3, Vista Murrieta defeated Capistrano Valley 12-6 in the second round, advancing to play against Agoura in quarterfinal action, where they fought to a 9-9 tie, falling in games to the Chargers, 81-75. In Division 4, Paloma Valley fought to a 9-9 tie against Ontario Christian in the second round, and advanced by winning 82-75 on games. The

Wildcats then hosted Maranatha in the quarterfinal round, but after going toe-to-toe to a 9-9 tie in that matchup as well, Paloma Valley fell 82-80 in games. In Division 5, Citrus Hill (Perris) took down Schurr High School 12-6 and were on the road to face Villanova Prep in the quarterfinals where they fell 10-8.

As for the local teams still swimming their way through the postseason brackets, Hemet took a trip to the top in Division 6, where they battled Muir High School till the final buzzer. It would be Mustang swimmer Luc Garwood who took a shot at the buzzer, with success, lifting his team to a 17-16 victory for the Division 6 title. The 33 goals tied a record for the most goals scored in a CIF Southern Section championship.

Nov. 18, at Ryan Bonaminio Park in Riverside starting at 5 p.m. This is an opportunity for attendees to interact with the Gorrell family, who always strive to help share their son’s story with those in attendance. This year 42 teams are signed up to play, which tops last year’s mark of 38. Prior to last year, which was won by Orange Lutheran (OC Lightning), a oneyear hiatus was issued because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Area high school teams competing this year include last year’s runner-up Great Oak, Chaparral, Temescal Canyon, Paloma Valley, Murrieta Mesa, Murrieta Valley and Vista Murrieta. For those looking to catch a game, Temescal Canyon is a host site and will have Moreno Valley, Paloma Valley and Patriot at their field; Vista Murrieta will host Arlington and Centennial, Murrieta Mesa will host ML King and Canyon Springs; Great Oak will host Roosevelt and Citrus Valley; Chaparral will be at Corona; and Murrieta Valley will be at Riverside Poly. To find out more information about the event, visit www. austingorrellbaseballclassic.com.

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

Sports Fans

Team USA, with Wildomar’s Vaughn Neckar included, won the World Baseball Softball Confederation U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in La Paz and Los Cabos, Mexico. Valley News/USA Baseball courtesy photo

JP Raineri

The 7th annual Austin Gorrell Memorial Baseball Classic will feature local high school teams playing in games, honoring Austin (pictured), from Saturday Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 22. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Paloma Valley’s Brooklyn Berni returns a shot against Maranatha in the quarterfinal round of the CIF-SS Div. 4 girls’ tennis playoffs. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Hemet’s boys’ water polo team swam all the way to the CIF Southern Section Division 6 finals this past Saturday at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, where they fell to Muir 17-16 in the final seconds of the match.

It was a collision course for both teams who averaged more than 20 goals per match during their postseason runs. Carter Burk led the way with his three goals for the Bulldogs, while Reeves Tyler and Mark Fredricksen each scored twice for the Hemet, who had nine other payers score goals.

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

High school sports fans – send us your photos & updates to sports@reedermedia.com.

may be featured in print and online.

EDUCATION

Lake Elsinore area students honored in October

through the Lake Elsinore City Council. He has dedicated many hours of community service as an Animal Friends of the Valleys volunteer. “Jaimie is an outstanding citizen and stellar student who is truly dedicated to his high school,” Hamilton said.

Jaimie Phothisen said his parents are originally from Southeast Asia and have worked hard, owning a family business. He said he enjoys giving back to his community in many different ways. He plans to become a heart surgeon.

Nominating teacher Annette Betts said Jaimie’s love for band and color guard is well known throughout the campus, especially after he performed a solo routine he had choreographed at a pep rally held shortly after students returned to in-person learning. It earned him a standing ovation from his peers.

Faith McCloskey

time as a martial arts instructor for the past eight years.”

Claudio’s future plans include attending the SAE Institute in Italy to pursue a career in electronic music production as well as acting. He began his acceptance speech by “giving all thanks and glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ, for without him I would not be standing here today. If it weren’t for him, my life would have ended three years ago.”

He went on to explain that he was an alcoholic in his freshman year and at the tender age of 14 felt completely lost, helpless and broken and was contemplating suicide due to some toxic relationships and other factors. He has since learned to reach out to others who are battling with anxiety and depression to help them see it’s possible to get past their problems.

Grant Givens

Grant Givens was introduced by Temescal Canyon High principal Joshua Hill as a three-sport athlete in baseball, basketball and football as well as an active member of ASB. He plans to study fire science and extend his football career in college with the goal of being a firefighter. Grant said one lesson he learned during high school is that family is everything. He is captain of all three sports’ teams and said his teammates are like family, too. Nominating teacher, Kevin Quint, who is also Givens’ basketball coach, said he has known the young man since he was in fifth grade and said he treats everyone with love and respect and is a role model to younger students.

Melissa Green

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

The Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, celebrating 30 years of honoring students who make a difference, held its most recent recognition on Oct. 11 at Lakeside High School’s Lancer Cafe. Lunch was prepared and served by members of the Lakeside Culinary Academy.

Sally Myers, founder of the nonprofit program, welcomed everyone to the local high school recognition program which honors college-bound seniors for their character, their love of learning and how these students juggle numerous activities such as campus events, athletics and/or community service. It also commends them on how they have persevered through challenging life circumstances and have done it all in a setting that honors God, their 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 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.

October’s students of the month are Elsinore High School’s Gianna Hammond and Jaimie Phothisen, Keith McCarthy Academy’s

Faith McCloskey, Lakeside High School’s Claudio LaCerva and Jayda Magee and Temescal Canyon High School’s Grant Givens and Melissa Green.

Gianna Hammond

Gianna Hammond was chosen to represent Elsinore High School and principal Robbin Hamilton said she has a 4.36 GPA, is the ASB secretary and a volleyball player. She also belongs to the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation and recently created the all-inclusive Cool Socks Club on campus. She is planning for a career in business.

“Being part of various clubs and organizations has allowed me to step outside myself and pay it forward by participating in events such as canned food drives, blood drives and donating clothes to homeless shelters, just to name a few,” Gianna said. “Being part of volleyball for many years has also taught me how to be a team player and help younger athletes improve their skills, as well as my own.”

Crystal Hofmann, the teacher who nominated Gianna, said, “She reminds me that being good to others is how you will find the most reward in your life.”

Jaimie Phothisen

Principal Hamilton introduced Jaimie Phothisen as having a 4.36 GPA, being in concert band, color guard, NHS and CSF, all while bringing a great work ethic and positive attitude to every situation. He is serving as color guard captain for the second year and is part of the Students in Action on campus as well as an intern with the Future Leaders program

Faith McCloskey was singled out at Keith McCarthy Academy, an independent study program offered by the Lake Elsinore Unified School District. Students can attend in person, virtually or a hybrid. Faith is 100% online and has excelled in that environment. She said when COVID-19 first caused everyone to be remote learning students, she considered it an obstacle, but soon realized she could work at her own pace and is now close to completing her associate’s degree alongside her high school diploma. Nominating teacher Larissa Jefferson said Faith is not the average student and really embodies 21st century learning.

“I plan to travel in the summer but will complete my bachelor’s degree online in the fall,” Faith said. “My career goal is to become a criminal justice attorney, eventually opening my own law firm.”

Claudio LaCerva

Lakeside High School Principal Henry Romero said his two students being honored represent the essence of the school’s motto of “Together we will R.I.S.E.” which stands for respect, integrity, service and effort. He introduced Claudio LaCerva as a member of the school district’s theater programs for more than six years, receiving multiple acting awards for his efforts. He is serving his second year as president of the theater program and will be in the fall comedy production, The Nerd, Dec. 8-10.

“He is a skilled leader, communicator and supporter of all of his peers here at Lakeside,” Romero said. “He also excels in the martial arts and has volunteered his

“Let us not rejoice and celebrate the accomplishments of scholars without first acknowledging and doing our damnedest to uplift those students who are now in that position that I was in,” LaServa said.

His English teacher Celeste Hendrickson said the message Claudio shares with others is that although a particular moment is difficult, there can be a better future. The difference will be in how the person responds to their hardships.

Jayda Magee

Principal Romero said Jayda Magee is highly involved in school activities such as AVID and being captain of the varsity dance team. She serves in leadership capacities as president for the Black Student Union, secretary for the Future of Success Club and being an active member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Medic Club. She plans to attend one of her dream schools, either USC or UCLA, with hopes of going to medical school to become a neurosurgeon. With a 4.3 GPA, she is in the top 10 of her senior class.

“An obstacle I had to overcome was social anxiety in my freshman and sophomore years,” she explained. “I rarely did anything that required me to step outside my comfort zone. I missed countless opportunities because I let my anxiety hold me back.”

After being elected captain of Lakeside’s dance team, she said it compelled her to be a leader and that built her confidence. Her nominating teacher, Lisa Ogden, said Jayda leads by example.

Melissa Green is the IB president at Temescal Canyon High. She has been in the program all four years and is also a section leader in band, secretary of the Chess and Checkers Club and an active member of the Society of Women Engineers. Principal Hill said Melissa plans to major in political science and either economics or statistics in hopes of a career in Human Resources or politics.

“I was surprised to be selected but equally thankful by the opportunity,” Melissa said. “My life’s journey the past four years has been dedicated to the International Baccalaureate program and the Titan Thunder Entertainment Corps. Over the course of these past few years my goal shifted from ‘me’ centered to ‘we’ centered. I learned what it meant to be in a community instead of with a community.”

She has been playing the clarinet since sixth grade and has been involved in any and all band/music programs offered at her schools. Green said she has always admired how in music every individual is important to the end result.

“No matter how insignificant the part you play may feel, you always know you are a puzzle piece in a grand picture,” she said.

September students September Student of the Month honorees were John Luce Jr. and Lizet Gonzalez from Elsinore High School; Vinh Chau and Celeste Tovar, Lakeside High School; Orion Ruvalcaba, Ortega High School; and Jayson Ceballos and Savannah Abdul from Temescal Canyon High School.

For more information on the program, please contact Kim Joseph Cousins at 951-245-8848.

Book signing for bestselling book ‘A Veterans Story - Courage and Honor’ held in Temecula

Ault Staff Writer

It was a day past Veterans Day but it added to the honor of those veterans at the Temecula book signing hosted by MilVet that featured more than a dozen local veterans whose stories appear in “A Veterans Story - Courage and Honor,” produced by Raven Hilden.

The book signing was the latest occurring in the valley by MilVet, an organization that monthly, with the help of many volunteers, puts together care packages for almost 100 military servicemen and

women deployed overseas helping to protect America.

Barnes & Noble at 40570

Winchester Road in Temecula saw many visitors that day, who stopped by to have their book copies signed by the veterans who relayed their true military experiences for the softcover book, a bestseller in the nation.

Hilden, who helped author the book, was on hand that afternoon to greet the veterans, all her friends, at the store.

She relates on Facebook, “The Barnes & Noble book signing for ‘A Veteran’s Story - Courage and Honor’ was incredible! So many

came out to support the authors and have their book signed. It takes a lot of courage for the authors to write a story and attend the book signings and it was wonderful to have so many ask for their autograph. They are all so very deserving. I am so grateful to have been able to help share so many inspirational stories of veterans who are doing so much to give back to their community. Thank you to all who helped support the authors and share the event.”

At the event, Hilden said more than two dozen books were sold with many receiving autographs

by those veterans attending. A percentage of the sales goes to MilVet for their CARE packages project and informational material available to all veterans.The veterans attending who wrote their stories in the book included Larock Benford (Marine), Melanie House (Gold Star wife), Jason White (Army), Rod Fink (Navy), Jose Cortez (Navy), Joe Males (Marine), Joe Anderson (Navy), John Hudson (Army), Chuck Washington (Navy), Roland Ortiz (Navy) and Travis Winfield (Navy). Their families, friends and MilVet volunteers were also

there to help. Each of the abbreviated stories tells how they chose to join the military and what they experienced in war and peace in different times from World War II to the Middle East conflicts.

“A Veterans Story- Courage and Honor,” is on sale at Barnes & Noble at other outlets including Amazon, from $3.99 and up. Proceeds from book sales will help continue the work of MilVet in the local communities.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

Recipients of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month award for October are, standing from left, Grant Givens, Claudio LaCerva and Jaimie Phothisen; seated from left, Melissa Green, Jayda Magee, Faith McCloskey and Gianna Hammond. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Tony

Military veterans who wrote their true stories in “A Veteran’s Story - Courage and Honor” sign their own stories for purchasers of the softback non-fiction book by Raven Hilden at Barnes & Noble in Temecula, Saturday, Nov. 12. Valley News/Tony Ault photos

Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington, a veteran Navy pilot, with fellow veterans, signs his story appearing in “A Veteran’s StoryCourage and Honor” at the Barnes & Noble store in Temecula.

Flu season may impact Red Cross blood supply

RIVERSIDE COUNTY –

The American Red Cross urged blood and platelet donors to give now and help fight the potential impact of seasonal illnesses and a potentially severe flu season on the blood supply.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts a serious spread of flu this year and is already reporting an early spike in cases in several states. When seasonal illnesses increase, the number of healthy donors tends to decrease, leaving the Red Cross blood supply vulnerable to a potential shortage over the holidays.

Paired with busy holiday schedules, seasonal illnesses may make it harder to collect the blood hospital patients require this winter. Donor, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets, can help bolster the blood supply now by making an appointment to give in the coming weeks.

There is no waiting period to donate blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800733-2767. Learn more about flu safety and prevention at redcross. org/flusafety.

As a thank-you, the Red Cross is offering several opportunities to donors this month. All who come to give through Nov. 22 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Details are available at http://rcblood.org/ perks. Those who come to give over the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 23-27, will get a Red Cross knit beanie, while supplies last.

All who come out to help from Nov. 28, to Dec. 15, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Details are available at http://rcblood.org/ together.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

In Canyon Lake, Canyon Lake Community Church, 30515 Railroad Canyon Road, will host a blood drive Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Lake Elsinore, Summerly Community Center, 29349 Summerly Place, will host a blood drive Sunday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Murrieta, Rancho Springs Medical Center, 25520 Medical Drive, will host a blood drive Friday, Nov. 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Walmart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, will host a blood drive Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In Temecula, Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship, 34180 Rancho California Road will host a blood drive Monday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Walmart, 32225 Highway 79 South, will host a blood drive Friday, Nov. 25, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Starbucks, 29588 Rancho California Road, Suite K-13, will host a blood drive Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Bank of America, 27489 Ynez Road, Monday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In Fallbrook, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S. Stage Coach Lane, will host a blood drive Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How to donate blood Download the American Red

Cross Blood Donor App, visit http://RedCrossBlood.org , call 800-733-2767 or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors

18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at http://RedCrossBlood.org/ RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters;

supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit http://redcross. org or http://CruzRojaAmericana. org or visit them on Twitter at @ RedCross.

Submitted by American Red Cross.

As respiratory illnesses in children increase, Riverside County health officials urge safety measures

Riverside

Dr.

Leung urged parents to take precautions to protect their children as officials see an increase in influenza and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV in young children.

“It’s that time of year and we are seeing children in Riverside County, some younger than 2 years old, who are sick with colds and coughs and some with RSV. While RSV is a common respiratory virus, it can make young children quite ill. So, we are asking that parents do what they can to prevent kids from getting sick,” Leung said.

Leung noted the following

recommendations will help prevent the spread of RSV and other diseases: wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and keep children home when sick.

Voluntary masking when indoors in schools and in public places provides protection from respiratory illnesses like RSV, Leung said. And masking of adults around very young children, particularly those born prematurely, may also help to reduce the risk of RSV transmission. Additionally, the Department of Public Health recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive an influenza vaccination to protect against seasonal illness.

Dean College announces the cast

Shook Up’

FRANKLIN, Mass. – The School of the Arts at Dean College will perform “All Shook Up,” through Sunday, Nov. 20, and the cast of this performance includes Trevor McConnaughey of Menifee in the ensemble and Dylan Beaty of Murrieta in the ensemble and as dance captain.

The jukebox musical won a Theatre World Award after its Broadway debut in 2005. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” the heart-warming tale is underscored by music from the Elvis Presley songbook, and talks about following dreams, love and the power of music in a 1950s

Midwestern town.

“All Shook Up” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights.

Founded in 1865, Dean College is a private, residential college located in Franklin Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island.

Dean College offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs, as well as a robust schedule of parttime continuing and professional education credit and certificate programs throughout the calendar year.

Submitted by Dean College.

RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can be particularly serious for infants and older adults. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia, which is infection of the lungs, in children younger than

1 year old in the United States. Symptoms of RSV can include shallow or difficulty breathing, cough, poor appetite, listlessness or irritability, and it can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Residents are advised to call their health care provider and seek immediate medical attention if a

child or anyone is having difficulty breathing.

To learn more, visit Riverside University Health System Public Health’s Disease Control branch at https://www.ruhealth.org/publichealth/disease-control or call 951-358-5107.

Submitted by Riverside County.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY –

County Public Health Officer

Geoffrey

The Red Cross asks donors to give blood in November due to the potential of seasonal illnesses making it harder to collect blood over the winter. Valley News/Metro Creative Connection photo

of the School of the Arts theater production, ‘All

JE Fuller to perform Upstream Via Lobo Channel study Menifee Passport Shop Local campaign goes digital

MENIFEE – The city of Menifee is partnering with local businesses to launch the Menifee Passport Shop Local digital program, running through Sunday, Dec.15, to promote the benefits of shopping and supporting local businesses during the holidays.

This year, the Menifee Passport Shop Local digital program is partnering with Bandwango, an online platform residents were introduced to during the Menifee Taco Trail event. Signing up is free for participants and is available via QR code at any participating locations or by visiting http:// www.menifeebusiness.com/ MenifeePassport . After downloading, participants can scroll through available discounts and promotions at participating locations.

Participants can become “FirstClass Menifee Travelers” by visiting every location on the digital passport. As participants check in at locations across the city, they will be entered into raffles to win Menifee swag. The “FirstClass Menifee Travelers” will also have a chance to win one of two beach cruisers, donated by Menifee Bicycles Inc.

“Our Menifee Passport Shop Local digital program encourages residents and visitors to spend locally this holiday season,” Gina Gonzalez, director of Menifee Economic Development, said.

“Many of our local businesses are owned by those living in the community and support of Menifee’s business gems also represents an investment in our growing community’s future by providing revenue for vital public safety services and infrastructure needs.”

When residents support Menifee businesses by shopping locally, nearly .70 cents of every dollar spent in the city stays in the local economy, according to city officials.

Some of the participating businesses include Blitzer’s Premium Frozen Yogurt, Breakfast House Los Tejabanes, Bushfire Kitchen, Cherry Hills Golf Course, Clever Fox Escape Rooms, Giovanni’s, Gracie’s Lunchbox, Joyful Noise Coffee, Kahoots, Keller’s Jewelers, Los Jilbertos Taco Shop Menifee, Melody Thai, Menifee Bicycles, Inc., Menifee Car Wash, One Stop Lube & Oil, Painted Earth, Salon Creations, Savage Chef Bar & Grill, The Breakfast Club of Menifee and Yellow Basket. The list is subject to change.

For more information on Menifee’s Economic Development Department or for more information on the Menifee Passport Shop Local Program, visit http://www. menifeebusiness.com , email EconDev@cityofmenifee.us or call 951-672-6777.

Submitted by city of Menifee.

Joe Naiman Writer

JE Fuller Hydrology and Geomorphology Inc. was awarded the Eastern Municipal Water District contract to perform a geomorphic assessment study for the Upstream Via Lobo Channel.

A 5-0 EMWD board vote Wednesday, Nov. 2, authorized a $110,980 contract with J.E. Fuller, which is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. The board approved total appropriations of $155,680 which will also cover $15,000 for surveying and $29,700 for EMWD engineering branch labor.

A sewer pipeline 10 inches in diameter was installed in 1991 and provides conveyance from approximately 700 homes in the Solana Vista, Tierra Vista and Saddlewood homeowners associations within the Temecula city limits. The sewer alignment originates at Calle Medusa within the homeowners associations and crosses undeveloped land adjacent to a creek before discharging into a sewer within Nicolas Road.

Storm events have caused channel erosion and migration of the creek, which has exposed the sewer pipeline at one location and has prevented maintenance access. In 2020 EMWD staff implemented an emergency erosion repair at the location of the exposed sewer as an interim erosion mitigation measure while seeking long-term solutions.

EMWD staff members have considered two parallel project alternatives to address the ongoing erosion in the creek. The first alternative would construct a new sewage lift station and pump wastewater out of the area along Calle Medusa and into an existing sewer within Nicolas Road, which would allow the

existing gravity sewer along the creek to be abandoned. In October 2020 Eastern awarded Krieger & Stewart a contract to perform a siting study and preliminary design for a new lift station. In December 2021 Krieger & Stewart completed the preliminary design and provided an estimate of the construction costs. The lift station alternative is ready to advance into final design if a project to protect the existing gravity sewer is not pursued.

The second alternative would be a creek erosion mitigation project to protect the existing infrastructure impacted by the creek through a joint venture with outside stakeholders. In addition to EMWD’s gravity sewer, the ongoing erosion in the creek has impacted infrastructure owned by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison, and local residential properties.

A geomorphic study addresses surface features, and the findings of the Via Lobo Stream study will help determine the water body’s geomorphic state. The study may also result in proposed structural or non-structural solutions which would prevent erosion and which could determine how the stream could reach physical equilibrium.

On Aug. 2, the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District approved a funding agreement with the Eastern Municipal Water District in which the flood control district will contribute $100,000. The agreement stipulated that if the actual cost for the assessment study was less than $100,000 Eastern would refund the difference to the flood control district. The funding agreement did not authorize the

findings of the study for any project. Under the terms of the funding agreement Eastern will prepare, possibly by a consultant, the necessary documents and reports to begin the preparation of the assessment study, will keep an accurate accounting of the assessment study costs, and will invoice the district. The funding agreement also stipulated that Eastern is financially responsible for the balance if the costs of the study exceed $100,000.

The geomorphic study will define historical trends of the creek, root causes for ongoing erosion, potential for future erosion and conceptual designs for longterm protection of infrastructure impacted by the creek. EMWD staff issued a request for proposals Aug. 26, and received three bids by the Sept. 30 deadline. A review panel determined that JE Fuller was the company best qualified to perform the work based on the firm’s detailed understanding of the project, the qualifications of the JE Fuller team, the proposed project approach and the ability to deliver the project on an expedited basis. JE Fuller has previously performed projects similar to the work in the EMWD scope, and some of those projects have been in the Temecula area. EMWD staff and JE Fuller negotiated the $110,980 fee for the scope of work.

An environmental negative declaration, mitigated negative declaration or environmental impact report will be undertaken for the project after enough information becomes available to determine the scope of the project and potential impacts.

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

Assemblymember Seyarto named a ‘Guardian of Small Business’

SACRAMENTO –

Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, announced that he received a 100% perfect score voting record for the 2021-2022 legislative session from the National Federation of Independent Business, earning him the title of “Guardian of Small Business.”

The NFIB considered 11 bills that impact California small businesses that were voted on in both chambers. They include new laws such as Assembly Bill 257, which establishes a Fast Food Sector Council vested with broad authority to set labor and employment laws for the fast food industry, including franchises, and Assembly Bill 2188, which prohibits employers from disciplining, terminating or refusing to hire a person for cannabis use.

Scores are calculated based on how votes reflect a legislator’s leanings toward private enterprise, fiscal responsibility and the overall economic and business climate.

“Small businesses are vital to the success of California’s economy, and I am both humbled and honored to receive such an important commendation from the NFIB,” Seyarto said. “As lawmakers, we should be making it a priority to encourage entrepreneurship and opportunity so members of our communities can realize their dreams. Unfortunately much of what comes out of Sacramento does exactly the opposite. I will always fight to be a voice for our small businesses.”

Seyarto was also recognized by the California Chamber of Commerce as a legislator with one of the highest “Best Business

Kelly Seyarto Valley News/Courtesy photo

by the office of Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto.

Lions Club gives Gymkhana awards

The Lions Club of Anza Valley held an end-of-season awards dance and dinner to recognize the championships earned in the Gymkhana events of 2022 Saturday, Nov 5, at the Anza Community Hall.

A country-themed dinner was served, featuring smoked meatloaf, barbecued chicken drumsticks, chicken breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, Caesar salad and desserts, all expertly catered by SoCal Outlaw BBQ.

The awards ceremony covered the gymkhana events, with highpoint earners receiving buckles for their divisions and additional awards given for runners-up, most improved and perfect attendance. The camaraderie from the arena carried over into the Community Hall, with everyone praising the winners and having laughs about fun adventures experienced over the past year.

The Barnyard Boyz band provided entertainment with their country and rock tunes and the evening ended with a dance enjoyed by both young and old cowboys and cowgirls.

The final monthly gymkhana

Anza Thimble Club’s Thanksgiving meeting welcomes new members

Sieker Staff Writer

The November Thanksgiving meeting of the Anza Thimble Club was well-attended, with members of the oldest charitable organization in Anza welcoming new members to their fold. The ladies presented their selections for organizing committees, listening to guest speakers and taking part in a potluck meal that combined the culinary talents of some of Anza’s better cooks.

Turkey, pies, desserts, salads, mashed potatoes with gravy, cheesecake, roasted squash and more were served. There were no Thimble Chefs to acknowledge, as the lunch was a potluck, with Annie Ashby providing the turkey. After the meal, the meeting resumed. Ashby completed the initiation of Elaine Walker into the club. Many new faces were welcomed and applied for membership as well.

B.J. Janelle reported on the wrapped gift and 50/50 raffles. She also asked for donations for wrapped gifts.

Myrna Hawthorn reported that the Christmas luncheon would be a potluck with ham as the main

Harry Potter Festival celebrates all things magical

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Anza Civic Improvement League, several businesses and organizations and scores of volunteers presented a Harry Potter Festival Saturday, Nov. 5 at Minor Park in Anza.

Vendors offered magic wands, brooms and potions as well as non-magical food and gifts. Games such as Harry Potter Jenga with huge towers of wooden blocks were popular. The park was alive with themed decorations, costumed characters and Potter fans.

Comedian and magician Bryan Kennedy presented an entertaining magic show, combining his expert sleight of hand with hilarious quips and comments. The crowd switched from incredulous to awed to rolling with laughter and back

again throughout the show.

Harry Potter is a popular fictional character in a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Their adventures include mystical animals, flying brooms, magic wands and a battle between good and evil. Many of the books have been made into movies.

Potter fans, as well as those recently introduced to the saga, enjoyed a wonderful fall afternoon of adventure and magical happenings. The followers hope that the festival will become an annual event.

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Gymkhana Lead Line buckle winner Morgan Raney’s parents are all smiles at the Lions Club of Anza Valley awards banquet Saturday, Nov. 5.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Diane

Tonie Ford, left, and Megan Haley enjoy a conversation at the Anza Thimble Club’s Thanksgiving meeting Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Community Hall. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Allison Rencke, left, and Debbie Vesey celebrate all things magical at the Harry Potter Festival at Minor Park Saturday, Nov. 5.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

ANZA’S UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Regular Happenings

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

Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at

http://www.hamiltonbobcats.net/ apps/events/calendar/.

Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit http:// www.hamiltonmuseum.org. Find them on Facebook at “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 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn, at 951751-1462 for more information.

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.

prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6:00 to 8:00 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 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 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 OUTLOOK

Editorial

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 951763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-5512826.

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

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 951-7630856.

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

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

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

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

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

Anza First Southern Baptist Church - Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has

High Country Recreation –Second Monday of the month attend committee meetings at ERA Excel Realty in Anza. For more information, call Albert Rodriguez at 951-492-1624 or Robyn Garrison at 805-312-0369.

HCR Bingo fundraisers 6:30-9:30 p.m. second and fourth Fridays at Anza Community Hall.

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.

National Honor Society of Hamilton High School announces holiday toy drive

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The National Honor Society at Hamilton High School announced their annual toy drive to collect items to be donated to From The Heart Women’s Christian Ministries’ Christmas toy giveaway slated for late December.

“The National Honor Society is hosting their annual toy drive to support the children of our mountain community this Christmas,” Jennifer Halstead, NHS advisor, said. “You can drop off a new, unwrapped toy for children ages 0-18 to the high school or to the Anza public library by Monday, Dec. 5. All donations stay in our community.”

Additionally, the NHS students are asking the community for several large boxes to use for toy collections.

“If you’ve recently purchased an appliance or other such large item and have a box to spare, please contact me for pickup,” Halstead said. She may be contacted by calling Hamilton High School at 951-763-1865 and leaving a

message for her.

The National Honor Society is a nationally recognized organization that is targeted to high-achieving students who are interested in developing their leadership skills with an emphasis on community participation. Members must maintain a 3.0 GPA, have good standing within the school community and commit to a service project that is focused on helping others.

National Honor Society membership has been the true mark of student achievement for over 100 years, but it goes far beyond a report card. By empowering, championing and recognizing well-rounded students, NHS provides schools with a values-based framework to elevate a culture of scholarship, service, leadership and character.

NHS chapters operate in all 50 states and many schools around the world, engaging and serving more than one million students.

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

Hamilton

course. There will be no charge for the Christmas lunch.

Guest librarians Kay Mackay and Shannon Ng gave a presentation regarding the Hamilton Library Book Club that meets at 4 p.m. on the first Friday of the month at the Anza Public Library. They said that there is an art class on Sundays at 4 p.m.. They suggested that if the Friends of the Library organization could be re-started it would be able to assist in providing additional funds or supplies for the library.

Ashby gave a report on the Thimble Cub’s lap robes that they customarily hand out to veterans for use while in wheelchairs. Both VA facilities would only allow members to leave the lap robes, she said, rather than distributing them to the individual veterans as has been the case in the past, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On a motion by Joan Kessman, seconded by Jonnee Kartchner and approved unanimously, the club will make arrangements to donate some of the lap robes to the Hemet Sheriff’s for them to use when going out on abusive family situation calls. The lap robes will be given to the victims of crime.

Beginning in January, the club will return to having workshops on the third Thursday of the month and the club will prepare bags to include a lap robe, toiletries and a small toy for the sheriff’s use.

The Nov. 17 meeting was postponed but Ashby said that the club will meet on Nov. 30 to decorate the Community Hall for the Christmas festivities to be held there.

Ashby informed the group that there are 64 kindergartners at Hamilton School this year. The club will provide stockings for each child that will contain a box of eight Crayola crayons, a coloring book, a toothbrush and a small toy. On a motion by Janelle and seconded by Kessman, $350 will be used to purchase necessary items for the stockings. The stockings will be prepared on November 30.

New member Walker won the wrapped gift, and Ashby won the 50/50. Hawthorn gave a Thought for the Day. The meeting adjourned with the singing of the Anza Thimble Club song.

“I want to extend sincere thanks and gratitude to all who attended our Thanksgiving Thimble Club meeting,” club member Deborah

Clevers said. “It was wonderful seeing and meeting some new faces and I hope all are encouraged to join us again. To all my Thimble Club sisters, thanks for all you do.”

The Anza Thimble Club, established in 1912, is the oldest service club in Anza. It was created by several ladies who used the excuse of doing their mending to get together for a visit. This turned into monthly meetings with dues were a penny.

During World War II, the women made bandages for the Red Cross as an activity. The group continues to sew special lap robes for veterans, sponsor coat drives, assist with community events and raise money for various activities to benefit the people of Anza.

They have become a loved and respected charitable organization donating much-needed funds back into the community of Anza.

For more information on the Anza Thimble Club, please email Annie Ashby at annieandjima@ yahoo.com

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

High School National Honor Society members wrap gifts collected as part of their annual toy drive.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

THIMBLE

Secretary Joan Kessman takes notes at the Anza Thimble Club’s Thanksgiving meeting Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Community Hall. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

[Left] A full holiday meal is served, including desserts at the Anza Thimble Club’s Thanksgiving meeting at the Community Hall.

Kay Mackay, left, and Shannon Ng give a talk about the Anza Valley Library at the Anza Thimble Club’s Thanksgiving meeting at the Community Hall.

Supervisors amend Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council’s forest management agreement

Joe Naiman Writer

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the county’s contract with Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council for forest health management services.

The supervisors voted 5-0 Nov. 8 to approve the amendment which will pay Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council $358,000 through March 31, 2025. The board action also authorized the county’s Purchasing Agent to approve modifications to the

Statement of Work which are within the intent of the agreement.

The Riverside County Forest Health Program is designed to focus on restoring forest health through pest management of the Goldspotted Oak Borer, reduction of greenhouse gas, protection of upper watersheds where the state’s water supply originates, promotion of long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils, and minimization of loss of forest carbon from large wildfires. The Riverside County Fire Department utilizes Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council as the fire

department’s project management contractor. Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council is a volunteer group which seeks to protect the San Jacinto Mountain area from wildland fires. The organization helps neighbors in Idyllwild, Pine Cove, Garner Valley, Pinion Pines, Poppet Flats and Mountain Center remove hazardous fuels from their properties.

The Forest Health Program has undergone multiple delays since 2020 due to coronavirus restrictions, and the impacts resulted in several changes to the program methodology. That

created a need for immediate action for pesticide application to vulnerable trees during Goldspotted Oak Borer emergence season which begins in April or May and ends in July or Aug. The county fire department asked Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council to subcontract for the pesticide application services.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has a Forest Health Grant program which provides funding for the Riverside County Forest Health Program. The Riverside County Fire Department requested a

budget modification from Cal Fire to reallocate funding to cover the subcontract cost, and Cal Fire was also asked to process an amendment to the grant agreement to extend the period of performance of the program through March 31, 2025, and reallocate all funds to cover that extension. Cal Fire provided approval of the budget modification on June 30. That modification reallocated $83,000 of grant funds to cover the pesticide application services, which will fund the treatment of 800 trees.

held earlier that day at Minor Field in Anza. Riders of all skill levels competed for the last points given for the season’s contests. Kathy Blair announced the events, which included Keyhole, Pole Bending and Barrel Racing. The day’s winners were as follows:

Anza Valley awards banquet

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

at Lions Club of Anza Valley’s awards banquet Saturday, Nov. 5.

Kailen MacIver, left, Lions Dennis McQueary and Chris Skinner have a good laugh at Lions Club of Anza Valley’s awards banquet Saturday, Nov. 5.

Steve Silkotch Sr. accepts an appreciation award for donating all the food for the gymkhana events, given to him and his wife Cheryl by the Lions at the awards banquet Saturday, Nov. 5.

Lion Pebbles Lewis’ hard work all season is recognized with a plaque presented by Lion Chris Skinner at the awards banquet Saturday, Nov. 5.

COURTS & CRIMES

Murrieta Police Department arrest subject for alleged carjacking and evading arrest

MURRIETA –

The Murrieta Police Department Communications Center received a call Monday, Nov. 7, at approximately 10:15 a.m., regarding a battery near Temecula MotorSports, 26860 Jefferson Avenue, in Murrieta. The caller reported two bail agents were involved in a fight with an adult male at the location. As the incident was dispatched, the caller reported the adult male, wanted on two felony no-bail warrants, ran from the bail agents, carjacked an uninvolved motorist and sped away in the stolen vehicle.

Officers from the Murrieta Police Department responded to the area and located the suspect vehicle as it traveled north on Adams Avenue

at Fig Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and when the driver failed to yield, a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued north on Adams Avenue and concluded when the suspect’s vehicle struck a semitrailer as it traveled e ast on Kalmia Street.

Officers arrested the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Michael Wagner, and transported the male to a local hospital for non-lifethreatening injuries he sustained in the collision. The driver of the semitrailer was not injured.

Officers later booked the suspect at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center for carjacking, reckless evading and the two felony no-bail warrants.

How to honor your family

home. The Bible said, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too,” in Philippians 2:4. Caring for the well-being of your family shows that you honor them.

The Bible hits this home when it said, “Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers,” in 1 Timothy 5:8.

The Murrieta Police Department’s Patrol Division and Traffic Bureau are conducting a full investigation. Anyone with information regarding the vehicle theft, contact Murrieta Police Sgt. Jay Elliott at 951-461- 6395 or JElliott@murrietaca.gov. Anyone with information related to the traffic collision is encouraged to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Anthony Datil at 951461-6397 or ADatil@murrietac. gov

For more information about the Murrieta Police Department, visit http://www.MurrietaPolice.org.

Submitted by Murrieta Police Department.

FAITH

on earth, then you know what happens if you don’t, right?

You honor your family when you talk about what God’s doing.

If you’re like some, you compartmentalize Jesus against everything else. You have your work life over here, your spiritual life over there and you’re careful not to mix the two. But they really can’t be separated.

Quality

City News Service

Special to the Valley News

Fifteen people were arrested on suspicion of theft and various other charges following a quality of life operation in Lake Elsinore, authorities announced Friday, Nov. 11.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department coordinated with loss prevention officers at Lowe’s and Home Depot stores in the city to combat theft

and “improve the quality of life of those who shop frequently and reside in the area,” the department said.

Nine people were arrested on Nov. 2 and six were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 10. According to the sheriff’s department. The reasons for arrest included suspicion of shoplifting, conspiracy, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, sales of narcotics and outstanding warrants.

Elliott Special to the Valley News

I attended a wedding once where the bride’s father slapped the groom during the ceremony. He did it during his speech, which was awkward to begin with, to demonstrate a point. But everyone watching could feel that it was a serious moment of dishonor.

Man, it was painful to watch. And I wasn’t the one who was slapped. I can only imagine how the next family event went down.

To honor someone means to regard them with great respect. To respect someone means to admire them for who they are.

Honoring your family members is a must if you want peace in your home. I’ll admit it’s not always easy, but it is godly.

If that’s difficult for you, here are four ways to honor your family.

You honor your family by caring for their well-being.

Selfishness is always the main ingredient for disaster in the

You honor your family by respecting your parents and in-laws.

When my wife Laura and I married, it was like two worlds colliding. Growing up, our families were very different. But we each chose to honor our parents and in-laws. It’s helped us to have great relationships with our families for decades.

God thought it was so important that he put it in the Ten Commandments. He said, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you,” in Exodus 20:12.

You might not know it, but you make your life much more difficult when you dishonor your parents. The Bible said, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with a promise, ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth,’” in Ephesians 6:1-3.

If honoring my parents and in-laws helps me enjoy my life

The Bible said you are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and

on your gates,” in Deuteronomy 6:5-9.

When was the last time you did that? When your faith becomes a part of the family conversation, it honors them because it makes God part of it. You can do it without being preachy.

You honor your family by worshiping together.

It’s been my experience that families who face the most problems in the home are the ones who stop making God’s house a priority. They’ve stopped honoring each other by worshiping together.

Jesus said we are to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need,” in Matthew 6:33. There’s something supernatural that happens when families go to church together and worship. It brings honor to your home when you honor God through worship.

As Jesus said, “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” in Matthew 18:20.

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

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Potions and owls are all the rage at the Harry Potter Festival at Minor Park Saturday, Nov. 5.Towers of wooden blocks create hours of jenga fun at the Harry Potter Festival.

Magician and comedian Bryan Kennedy wows the crowd with his sleight of hand tricks at the Harry Potter Festival at Minor Park.

Crowds gather for magician Bryan Kennedy’s show at the Harry Potter Festival at Minor Park Saturday, Nov. 5.

Mystical balloon dragons fly overhead at the Harry Potter Festival at Minor Park.

of life operations result in 15 arrests in Lake Elsinore

Zachary

OPINION

It’s been an honor to serve you

Assemblymember Marie Waldron Special to the Valley News Redistricting has changed electoral boundaries throughout California, and I regret to say that I will no longer be serving you as Temecula’s representative in the California State Assembly. I love Temecula and its people; you have a great city with lots of good things happening. You have honored me with your support for the past 10 years. I am deeply grateful and

more than a little sad.

I will continue to represent the 75th Assembly District, which is now located entirely within San Diego County. The district includes the eastern two-thirds of San Diego County and stretches from the Riverside/San Diego County Line, down to the Mexican border and east from roughly the Interstate 15 corridor to the Imperial County Line.

Temecula now lies within the 71st Assembly District, and I am looking forward to working with

A high note for California public school students

We did it. California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 28, which will provide funding to every public school across the state for arts and music education. Arts are the glue which brings together literacy, math and critical-thinking skills to help students succeed in school

and in life. Proposition 28 will make sure every student from preschool to 12th grade will have the opportunity to participate in arts and music at school.

IT is a big step forward for public education. It’s the first guaranteed increase in funding for California public schools since

Proposition 98 was passed by voters 34 years ago. More broadly, Proposition 28 will provide for the largest investment in arts and music in our nation’s history.

The success of Proposition 28 was made possible by an amazing group of supporters across California, and I’m grateful

your new Assemblymember –the votes are still being counted – as we tackle important issues that impact our region and all of California.

These issues include the cost of living, crime, homelessness, substance abuse, the threat of wildfires, water policy and more.

The list is long, and the issues are becoming critical. My goal is to focus on the causes of our problems, and I am always ready to reach across party lines to provide bipartisan solutions for the

vexing issues that impact all of us.

I’m sad to say goodbye, but it’s not really goodbye. I’ll be right next door working with my colleagues to help make California the “Golden State” once again.

Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R-Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the cities of Poway, Santee, portions of the City of San Diego and most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County.

for all of their efforts.

For the first time in a long, long time teachers and school staff were joined by artists and entrepreneurs along with business, labor and community organizations to support public education. I hope we can build on this and continue to advocate for the best possible

education for the children in California’s public schools. A good education is the best path out of poverty for many and the promise of opportunity for all.

Austin Beutner Author of Proposition 28 Los Angeles resident

Dear US Environmental Protection Agency Calvert projected to win reelection in 41st US Congressional District

Last week, your agency announced a planned “public engagement and input opportunities” for EPA programs funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

As you may already know, America’s national debt is well above $31 trillion and counting and so much of this profligate government spending has fueled U.S. inflation.

As such, the best way that the EPA can spend taxpayer funds from the 2022 IRA is to simply transfer these IRA funds directly to the U.S.

Treasury as a payment to reduce the public debt.

Here is the website: https:// www.pay.gov/public/form/ start/23779454/.

Please consider this as my public engagement and input with your rather Byzantine and inflexible agency on this subject of EPA expenditures from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Rick Reiss Temecula resident

City News Service Special to the Valley News

Republican Congressman Ken Calvert is projected to win reelection to the 41st District in Riverside County today after overtaking Democrat challenger Will Rollins by more than 5,000 votes.

Calvert had 52% of the votes as of 8 p.m. Monday with 80% of precincts reporting.

"I want to thank the Riverside County voters for once again choosing me to be their voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. As I said throughout this campaign, I will work to take our country in a different direction from the path it's on and advocate for

policies that will curb inflation, lower energy prices by increasing American production, address our border crisis, and reduce crime," Calvert said in a statement.

Calvert was down by more than 10,000 votes on Election Day. He slowly overcame that deficit and passed Rollins by 5,489 votes on Monday. Calvert had 91,215 votes to 85,726 for Rollins.

"This election demonstrated that Riverside County voters are more interested in people serious about solving our challenges, than personal politics. In the end, it's clear that voters sent a strong message rejecting the gutter politics of lies and personal attacks from an out-of-town extremist liberal," Calvert said.

Calvert's reelection gives the Republicans another member of Congress. The Republicans are expected to have a slight majority in the U.S House of Representatives when the election is over.

"It's clear that this district, like our country, is narrowly divided on a partisan basis. I am proud of my record of delivering results for Riverside County by working in a bipartisan manner throughout my career," Calvert said. "As I represent a new district with new communities, I remain committed to working towards solutions with anyone who is interested in addressing the needs of our region."

At The Linden at Murrieta, the day is always yours. With a variety of classes, activities, and social events, you can play as much or as little as you’d like. Our friendly staff plays friend-maker too, making sure all new residents find the social scene that works best for them.

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Social time or down time is always on your time.

At The Linden at Murrieta, the day is always yours. With a variety of classes, activities, and social events, you can play as much or as little as you’d like. Our friendly staff plays friend-maker too, making sure all new residents find the social scene that works best for them.

There’s more to life at TheLindenAtMurrieta.com

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