After several years of careful planning, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians recently held a formal grand opening celebration of its Legacy Bank in Murrieta. Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said it was great to see so much community support at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
MURRIETA – The Murrieta Police Department received a 911 call of a commercial burglary in progress Thursday, Dec. 1, at 3:13 a.m. at Graham Cracker Comics, 25021 Madison Avenue, in Murrieta. The reporting party was monitoring CCTV cameras and told dispatch they could see subjects taking items from inside the business after smashing the front window to gain entry.
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To further strengthen public safety in Menifee, the City of Menifee officially broke ground on Quail Valley Fire Station No. 5, a new state-of-the-art facility that will provide a significant increase in the amount of personnel and equipment that can be utilized at the station.
The new fire station will replace the existing Quail Valley Fire Station No. 5, located at the intersection of Goetz Road and Palm Drive/Ave Roble. The current station was built in the 1950s and is limited in capacity, housing only a few firefighters and two smaller fire trucks. The new, moremodern Fire Station No. 5 will be a 9,000-square-foot facility that can house up to six fire personnel
Each year, the Hemet/San Jacinto Exchange Club chooses an honoree to receive the Book of Golden Deeds in recognition of their contributions making their communities better places to live. This year, club members chose to honor local veterans and veterans’ organizations at its 55th annual celebration. The majority of the time, the award has gone to individuals. This is only the eighth time it has gone to a group of people.
The awards ceremony, held Dec. 1 at Valley-Wide Regional Park
Sport Center in San Jacinto, featured a catered dinner by Emilio’s Mexican Restaurant and holiday entertainment by the San Jacinto High School Chamber and Ladies Advanced singers. The groups performed a few selections from their upcoming Winter Choir Concert at the high school that will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 14.
This year’s Book of Golden Deeds honorees are American Legion Post 53, American Legion Post 848, Veterans from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Winchester Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4379 and Harbour-
TEMECULA – The Riverside County’s Community Action Part nership is coordinating warm centers to provide drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals, older adults, the disabled and others in need of temporary relief from the cold.
The Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th Street, is operating as a warm center from Thursday, Dec. 1, through Friday, March 31, 2023.
Operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Warm centers will be open to the public, in affected areas, when a cold warning is issued due to tem peratures falling below 40 F. Watch or listen for a cold warning on your television, radio, social media and local newspaper.
Warm Centers offer resources and information sheets such as steps to prepare for the cold and freezing temperatures which in clude preparing homes and family, dressing for the cold, traveling and recognizing symptoms of exposure. These services are critical as tem peratures drop and residents need heat and warmth from cold weather.
Cold weather tips include drink ing warm fluids like hot cider or soup; avoiding alcohol and caf feine; keeping the house warm and
turning on the heater.
Wear several thin layers of cloth ing. Move family pets indoors out of the elements. Know the location of the nearest warm center
Have the home heating system inspected. Never bring heating devices into the home that are intended for outdoor, including charcoal.
Visit http://TemeculaCA.gov for a list of Riverside County Warm Centers, or for more information, contact the Mary Phillips Senior Center at 951-694-6464.
Submitted by city of Temecula.
Ortiz said HUSD supported this experience using federal dollars to provide supplemental support to families that qualify for the McKinney-Vento Act protections.
For this seasonal opportunity, families were given a voucher and had the flexibility to choose what time to dine in at the Hemet Sizzler, 4762 W. Florida Ave., on Thanksgiving Day.
“We are fortunate to have been chosen to serve these families and offer them a lovely dine-in family dinner,” Myers said. “I truly admire and appreciate how our community comes together to take care of our families that don’t have the opportunity to cook a meal for their loved ones. God is good indeed.”
Shannon Murdaugh, Marketing Coordinator for BMW Management, owners of several Sizzler and Richie’s Diner restaurants, worked directly with the school district to ensure all needs were met.
“While we have had a longstanding relationship with the Hemet Unified School District, this Thanksgiving meal program was a first for Sizzler,” she said.
She said, “Like all our loyal Sizzler guests, the Hemet Unified families were welcomed, seated and received a full turkey dinner with the trimmings, while enjoying the fellowship of their loved ones in a warm and comfortable environment. They were able to stay and visit for as long as they liked.”
The meal consisted of handcarved turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, green beans with almonds, Sizzler Cheese Toast, plus pumpkin pie with whipped cream and a fountain beverage.
“Sizzler serves a one-size Thanksgiving platter, which is quite generous. To-go containers were provided for any leftovers,” Murdaugh said. “Restaurants are a 24/7/365 business, and I am grateful for the support and understanding of my personal family. But each of our teams are family too and we enjoy making the holidays special for our guests. We’re grateful for the friendships we make on these occasions.”
Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley NewsEach Thanksgiving, Hemet Unified School District partners with the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians to provide its neediest families with a turkey meal kit so they can make a meaningful holiday meal. However, there are usually several families that have no means to cook the traditional meal. This year, Emily Shaw, HUSD’s Director of Wellness and Community Outreach, was able to
and has a three-bay garage that can house large equipment, with room for future expansion. The new fire station has been designed to meet the needs of the community for at least the next 50 years.
“I am incredibly proud of our city leadership and staff for helping move this project forward, and I’m equally thankful for the support of our homebuilding partners like Brookfield Residential whose contribution of the land made this fire station possible,” District 2 Councilmember Matt Liesemeyer said. “Quail Valley Fire Station No. 5 makes our city safer and fulfills a critical need in the Quail Valley and Audie Murphy Ranch communities by replacing one of the oldest fire stations in Riverside County with a brand new, contemporary facility.”
Several local leaders attended the ceremony to commemorate the groundbreaking of the new fire station including Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto, Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser.
“I want to thank the Menifee City Council for their commitment
partner with Sally and Gary Myers of BMW Management, owners of the Hemet Sizzler restaurant, to provide dine-in meals for 20 families.
Miriam Ortiz, HUSD’s Coordinator of School, Family and Community Partnerships, said the reasons why select families could not cook the meal provided by Soboba varied. Some families are living in a hotel room, in their vehicle or are simply unsheltered. Others are renting a room in someone else’s home and don’t
to public safety,” Weiser said. “Facilities like these become a home for our firefighters and it is crucial that they have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and safely.”
Over half of the funding for the $8.6 million fire station was paid for by Menifee’s Quality of Life Measure. Passed by Menifee voters in November 2016, the Quality of Life Measure, also known as Measure DD, approved a one-cent sales tax increase to provide local funding that cannot be taken by the State. The funding provided by the measure has allowed the City to maintain and enhance numerous city services including police and fire services, road safety and traffic mitigation.
Fire Station No. 5 is expected to be completed and operational by January 2024.
Submitted by the City of Menifee.
have access to the kitchen while still others have been displaced, such as those affected by the recent Fairview Fire.
“Our Wellness Center staff is always looking to link arms with the community to meet the needs of our community neighbors,” Ortiz said. “The invitation to participate in the dine-in experience was extended to 20 families that did not have access to a stove.”
Sally Myers said she was happy to partner with Hemet Unified by offering the meal at a special price.
“Sizzler has been known to partner with various community organizations during the holidays to ensure that our local folks are able to enjoy a nice family meal. We are fortunate to have such great business friendships in the community that work together to serve others.”
Murdaugh, who has been with BMW Management for 15 years and lives in Temecula, said, “I love being able to care for and serve our guests and staff beyond their expectations. Hospitality comes naturally to me, and I use this gift to bless others in my work capacity every day.”
Ortiz said that the families that attended the Sizzler dine-in experience expressed tremendous gratitude to the friendly and professional staff members at Sizzler and the Wellness Center team.
“We are so fortunate to be part of such a generous community that is always ready to lend a helping hand and look forward to working collaboratively to improve our service to families,” she said.
For more information on the HUSD’s Wellness and Community Outreach program, 951-765-0004.
MURRIETA – The Murrieta Public Library announced that it was awarded more than $1.5 million from the Building Forward Grant Program offered by the California State Library. This grant will fund a remodel and construct an expansion to the Children’s Library area at the Murrieta Public Library. The expansion will extend outwards into the 15,000 available square feet from the current garden area and extends the library capacity by almost 20%.
“When the Storytime room is constructed, the Children’s Library will also be remodeled and expanded. This expansion will widen the area and alleviate much of the library’s current space limitations and programming restrictions,” Melvin Racelis, manager of the Murrieta Public Library, said.
The population of Murrieta, and Riverside County, is among the fastest growing in the nation, with the city’s population increasing by 16.7% since the 2010 census. As the only library facility in Murrieta, the Murrieta Public Library, which was constructed in 2007, does not currently have the space and facilities to adequately meet the increased community needs that stem from the city’s increased population, with current programming levels more than 100% of the attendance levels in 2007.
Expanding the children’s area, storytime room and collection services will create an additional 660 square feet of shelving and an additional 1,455 square feet for innovative, flexible seating and equipment that would meet the needs of families for years to come.
Even with the Building Forward Grant, the future library expansion would not be possible without two essential groups: The Friends of the Murrieta Library and the Murrieta Library Foundation. Since the founding of the Friends of the Murrieta Library in 1996, the group has been dedicated to supporting the Library by fundraising, promoting library services, and volunteering in the Library and throughout the community.
Friends of the Murrieta Library operates two used bookstores in Murrieta, the Town Square Bookstore attached to the Murrieta Public Library at 8 Town Square and the Corner Bookstore at 39445 Los Alamos Road Suite B that is on the east side of Murrieta. The Friends have raised over $1,100,000 to support the Murrieta Public Library, providing the resources for additional programming, muchneeded equipment, support for children’s summer reading, and
special events throughout the year.
In addition to the Building Forward Grant, the Murrieta Public Library was recently awarded three other grants supporting unique library programs. The Murrieta Public Library is one of 20 California library systems selected to receive first-ever funding from the California State Library to support projects focused on sustainability and climate resilience.
“We’re excited to move forward with plans to create a demonstration garden with California native plants. California native gardens are sustainable, save water, and provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other important pollinators,” said Project Coordinator Kathryn Miller. “We’ll also provide more programming and resources focused on sustainability topics, including our annual Earth Day Celebration event, and look forward to working in partnership with the Western Municipal Water District for the garden project.”
The Library was awarded $30,000 to create a pollinator demonstration garden with native California plants. This garden will educate library patrons on sustainability, mitigate the growing threats to diminishing pollinator populations, and create an equi-
table opportunity for all community members to better understand their environment and the impact of pollinators. The project will also include a community-wide Earth Day event, creating awareness about sustainability and climate resilience while allowing the community to connect and collaborate. Public library programming and workshop series will accompany the Earth Day event to educate the community on the demonstration garden and sustainable living.
This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Ser-
vices under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the state librarian.
Another grant will help expand the city’s unique Seed Library with improvements and enhancements, including furniture, new display units, additional seeds and a signup kiosk.
Finally, the library has again been awarded a Zip Books Grant, allowing library patrons to request books not found in the library’s collection by purchasing them on Amazon and having them shipped directly to the patron. When re-
turned, these books are added to the Murrieta Public Library’s collection.
All of these grant awards highlight an outstanding job the Murrieta Public Library has done to create services that positively impact our community and an engaging and welcoming space for all residents, library officials said. To learn more about the engaging and educational programming available for all ages at the Murrieta Public Library, please visit their website at http://www.MurrietaCA.gov/Library
Submitted by city of Murrieta.
MURRIETA – The Murrieta Public Library Foundation announced it added seven new members and elected new leadership at its annual meeting. The new 10-member board includes Veronica Cortez, MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science); Karen “Kiki” Fritschi; Ashley Cunningham, JD; Aimee Edgeworth; Kathryn Elliott, PE; Kevin Coon and Kurt Korneisel. They join existing members: Sue Kester, MS; Melvin Racelis MLIS; and Christina Bell, MA.
Those elected to the executive board include Coon as president, Fritschi as vice president, Korneisel as treasurer and Bell continues as board secretary.
The board said it was grateful to Juanita Blankenship and W. Dan Rexwinkel for their years of effort and dedication to the foundation.
They recently stepped down after helping establish and grow the MPLF as a vital support system for the Murrieta Public Library.
Library manager Melvin Racelis shared his enthusiasm over the board expansion.
“I am delighted to have several new board members join our library foundation and would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the past board members and officers who have set us up for success,” Racelis said. “Each new member brings a wealth of talent, enthusiasm, and passion that can help take our foundation and library to the next level.”
The Murrieta Public Library Foundation, which relies on donations to fund library projects, announced the initial “Matching Gift Program.” For every dollar donated through Tuesday, Jan.
31, 2023, the board will match the amount donated up to $5,000.
“We are thrilled to hear about the $1.5 million dollar grant Murrieta has been awarded to expand our children’s library space,” Coon said. “The funds we raise from this new campaign will have a lasting impact on our community by supporting a once-in-a-generation library expansion – including everything from furniture to technology needs.”
To donate, visit https://murrietalibraryfoundation.org/donate. html.
Established in 2008, the MPLF is a nonprofit dedicated to improving and augmenting library services in the city of Murrieta. Learn more about us at http://www.murrietalibraryfoundation.org
Submitted by city of Murrieta.
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Shop the historic downtown district and enjoy wine, have a bite and see a unique art experience! $30 regular admission, $20 designated driver. Program, glass and beverage tickets included in price. Buy tickets online or in person at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
TEMECULA – America is four years away from its 250th birthday of independence. The events of the country’s history have been the building blocks of America’s history, and many men and women have contributed. The U.S. Marine Corps celebrated its 247th birthday Thursday, Nov. 10, with 247 years of protecting the country in the air, on land and sea. Many Americans Friday, Nov. 11, honored coura geous men and women veterans who served in the United States military.
In an America250 blog, the author gave a quick history of Veterans Day, which was originally known as Armistice Day. Former President Woodrow Wilson is sued a message Nov. 11, 1919, on the first Armistice Day, in which he expressed what he felt the day meant to Americans: ‘To us in
America, the reflections of Armi stice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
Almost 20 years later, in 1938, an act was passed to make Nov. 11 in each year a legal holiday, and beginning in 1954, the United States designated Nov. 11 as Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
The Woodrow Wilson message was expressed for those serving in World War I, yet the sentiment can be showered on those who fought in other American conflicts – pride, heroism, gratitude, peace,
justice and freedom.
From another era, another con flict, one Veteran and Revolution ary War patriot who suffered loss as well as giving service was George Brewer. Born in 1744 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, he took the oath of allegiance to the revolutionary government in St. Mary’s in 1778.
George Brewer fathered seven children during his marriage to Mary Herbert. When the fighting began, his children were aged one-year-old to nine-years-old. Brewer’s family was deeply affect ed during the Revolutionary War because the British plundered their plantation in St. Mary’s County. Their losses have been enumerated on documents at the Hall of Re cords in Annapolis, Maryland, and a partial list of the British-taken items include hogs, sheep, geese, turkeys, one gold ring, 90 pounds
of wool, 60 fathoms of rope, 4,500 pounds of tobacco, two desks, a Dutch oven, one set of cooper tools and one set of shoe maker tools. The British did not stop at looting, though. They burned five of Brewer’s houses, eight of his tobacco houses and all of his crops.
Although many early Americans were compensated for the loss of property which was seized by the British and their supporters, there is no record that George Brewer received any payment.
After the war and devastation, many Maryland residents left the colony in search of cheaper land. George resettled his family in Nel son County, Kentucky.
George Brewer was certainly an American patriot who sacrificed his lifetime of hard work and the resul tant fortune as well as being a sol dier in the fight for independence.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recog nize George Brewer for his military service and loss of possessions to the British. Luiseño Chapter’s America250 Committee will honor another Patriot with the publication of his/her story in January, 2023.
For upcoming America250 events, check out the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ America250, and for more infor mation about Luiseño Chapter Daughters of the American Revo lution, visit their public Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/groups/147841801972969.
Luiseño Chapter has 104 mem bers living in Riverside and San Diego counties.
Submitted by the Luiseño Chap ter Daughters of the American Revolution.
lives doing so. A pilot for 14 years, Meinhold also served in the Air Force Reserves for 12 years, which he said provided a good transition back into civilian life for him.
Commander Bob Magner ac cepted the award on behalf of Harbour-Record VFW Post 2266.
Daniel Dematty has been a mem ber of the Winchester VFW Post 4379 for about 17 years and is serving his first year as its com mander. Joe Males, who is a Hemet City Council Member and com mander of the 415-member Ameri can Legion Post 53 in Hemet, served in the Marine Corps from 1973-1976. He said he agreed to be commander only if he could have officers who would work together as a team, and they have been able to do that.
“It’s great to be honored by an organization such as the Exchange Club. It’s nice that they go out of their way to show we’re loved and appreciated,” Males said.
Record Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2266. Each group received a plaque and a Certificate of Appreciation from San Jacinto Mayor Crystal Ruiz which read, in part, “in recognition and grateful appreciation of your courage and sacrifice in support of our United States Armed Forces. Your allegiance to the United States of America is commendable. Your dedication in protecting liberty and freedom is honorable. The City of San Jacinto pays special tribute to you for your military service to America.”
A Book of Golden Deeds mas ter plaque showing the “Veterans of the Hemet-San Jacinto Val ley” being honored in 2022 will hang at the Hemet Public Library alongside those presented to past recipients.
Exchange Club President Tom Wilson welcomed about 135 guests and explained a little about the club’s mission and goals, stat ing that the service organization endorses Americanism, commu nity service and youth programs and that its members “support activities that benefit youth, pro mote pride in our country and honor military and public service providers.”
The national Exchange Club was founded in 1911 in Detroit and the local club was initially chartered in the early 1950s. It regularly sponsors several annual community projects such as the placement of flags at Gibbel Park in Hemet and Druding Park in San Jacinto on Veterans Day, The Weekend fundraiser to support youth sports program scholarships through Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District and the Autumn
“The Book of Golden Deeds is one of our premier programs where we honor each year a group, a person or family, who has con tributed to the betterment of our valley,” Wilson said. “Honoring our veterans is very important to us.”
After an invocation by Ed For mica, former Senator David G. Kelley led the audience in a flag salute. Kelley served in the Cali fornia State Assembly and Califor nia State Senate between the years of 1978-2002. A graduate of the Army & Navy Academy, Kelley served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Mark Fredricksen provided a brief history of the award and introduced several past recipients who were in attendance, including Kelley who received the Book of Golden Deeds in 2001.
“It’s a privilege to be a small part of this recognition of the veterans within the San Jacinto Valley,” Fredricksen said. “Many times, citizens of our community do numerous good deeds which help form the fabric of our lives, providing the foundation for our children and grandchildren. Most often, as exemplified by this year’s recipients, this is done with a call to service which many of us may truly not understand as many of us have never been faced with such a life-altering decision.”
He said the national club set guidelines to follow when search ing for an appropriate volunteer to honor with the Book of Golden Deeds award. It states that it’s im portant to choose a person or entity that has demonstrated sincerity about helping the community.
“I personally believe that a
American Legion Post 53, 124 N. Ramona St. in Hemet, is invit ing all veterans, their children and grandchildren to a free Christmas dinner of turkey with all the fixings on Dec. 10. Santa Claus will be there passing out free toys to all the kids. Meal servings will be at noon and 4 p.m. Required tickets are available at the post with veter ans’ ID. The dinner is sponsored by From the Lord Ministry. For more information, 951-658-2436.
To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Dec. 10 – 3-8 p.m. Vail Ranch HQ in Temecula presents a Thistle and Sage “Cowboy Christmas” Vegan Market with vegan friendly vendors, food and activities at 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Dec. 10 – 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Photos with Santa at the Motte Historical Museum, 28380 Hwy. 74, Menifee. Bring your camera or mobile device and take photos with Santa while visiting the Motte Vintage/ Classic Car & Community History Museum. Tour the museum. Admission is free. For more information, call 951-928-3210 or visit www.mottemuseum.com.
Dec. 15 – 5 p.m. Temecula on Ice grand opening on Main Street in Old Town Temecula. See @ TemeculaParksAndRec on social media or TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD Dec. 17 – 3-8 p.m., 6th annual Ramble On Classic Car Show Holiday Edition at Vail HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula with Pre-1975 Hot Rods, Lowriders & Customs. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be in the house for the little ones, with festive lights, decorations, giveaways, DJs and vendors at this family friendly event.
ONGOING – The city of Menifee offers in-city or out-of-city special event vendor applications online or at Menifee City Hall to apply for signature and other special events. Contact Menifee City Hall, 29844 Haun Road, 951-6726777, or online at businesslicensing@cityofmenifee.us.
ONGOING – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride Lots to connect with carpools, vanpools and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street, in San Jacinto at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.
ONGOING – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square Dance sessions are held Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Blvd., Sun City.
ONGOING – If you know a homebound older adult, resources in Menifee are available, including grab-and-go, cooked and frozen food for pickup. Courtesy Pantry items and meals delivered with no contact. Three days of emergency food can be delivered immediately or restaurant meal delivery for
those who don’t qualify for food assistance programs. Call 800510-2020 for help.
ONGOING – The Riverside County COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program is accepting online applications for business grants up to $10,000 at www.rivercobizhelp.org that can be used for employee retention, working capital, personal protective equipment purchases, rent or mortgage payments and paying vendor notices. Eligible businesses, including nonprofits, must be in Riverside County, with a minimum of one but less than 50 employees and operating for at least one year since March 1. For more information, call Riverside County Business and Community Services at 951-955-0493.
ONGOING – 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Temecula Winchester Swap Meet continues, 33280 Newport Road in Winchester, Saturdays and Sundays only. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under age 10 is free admission. No dogs allowed.
ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta. The Sunday morning farmers market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/ Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.
ONGOING – Temecula’s Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Riverside County Public Health orders, the farmers markets will be restricted to agriculture products only. Follow the Old Town Temecula Farmers Market on Facebook to stay updated. No pets are allowed.
WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICES Dec. 9. STAT Horse Sanctuary in Menifee announced that for a $500 donation to help save horses, donors can receive a state of the art piece of Pro-Forma exercise equipment like a rowing machine, treadmill or stationary bicycle valued at $999. For information or donations, contact STAT Horse
Sanctuary’s Pattie Roberts at 951-733-3000 or www.STATHorseSanctuary.org. Dec. 9 - 6:30 p.m. Valley Winds Concert Band appearing in a free concert at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 27931 Murrieta Road, Menifee. The band, which consists of MSJC’s non-credit continuing education participants, will be performing holiday favorites. For more information, contact John Tribelhorn at jtribelhorn@msjc. edu
Dec. 9. MilVet Holiday for Heroes Toy Drive. MilVet is seeking families to adopt a military veteran or his/her family for the holiday season by dropping off toys for their children at Which Wich Sandwiches in Murrieta, at the Wildomar Library and at Prestige Nutrition by Dec. 18. For details contact www.milvet.org/ santa or to sponsor at milvet.org/ donate/p/santasponsor. Gifts will be distributed at special events for the families Dec. 18.
Dec. 9 to Dec. 11 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A Christmas Carol at Temecula Valley Players in the Old Town Temecula Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. A presentation of the Dickens Classic for tots to adults. Tickets $18 to $24 sold online or at the box office. See Temeculatheater.org.
Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17 – The Living Nativity presented by Calvary Sunrise and Lily Kelly Ministries. A free event. Performances feature live animals and church members in costume acting out the very first Christmas at the home of Lily Kelly Ministries, 24935 Washington Ave., Murrieta. Performances at 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Arrive early to allow time for parking and seating. For further information, please visit www.calvarysunrise.org. Dec. 9-12.Home Instead senior health care’s Be a Santa to a Senior in Southwest Riverside County where community members can share cheer with older adults this holiday season by giving a special holiday gift to an older adult who may otherwise go without. To participate, shoppers can look for Be a Santa to a Senior trees or displays at locations with ornaments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult on display at the Murrieta Walmart Vision Center, Kaiser Murrieta, Temecula and the Wildomar Medical office buildings. The unwrapped gift should be returned at those locations. A wrapping party will be held Dec. 14 at the Murrieta Senior Center. For more information visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com, call 951-6962100, or visit imreadytocare.com Dec. 11 – 3 p.m. MSJC’s Or-
chestra will present their 50th anniversary concert featuring guest artist Daniel del Pino, holiday music and a surprise. Held in the San Jacinto Campus Theater, 1499 N. State St., San Jacinto. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at calendar.msjc.edu/event/ msjc-orchestra-50th-anniversaryconcert-445.
Dec. 25 – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. MSJC will join with the Temecula Sunrise, Temecula Noon, Temecula New Gens and Old Town Temecula Rotary clubs to host the 28th Annual Community Christmas Dinner. The free fully cooked holiday meal will offer ham, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and dessert. Everyone is welcome and no reservations are needed. At MSJC’s Temecula Valley campus. For more information, contact Mark Sitar at 909376-3639.
ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for most needed items without leaving your home! This is an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area.. For drop-off locations and packaging locations visit www.milvet.org/militarycare-packages.
ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting meets the third Monday of each month at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th Street, in Temecula from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, email gaugustin206@ gmail.com or join the meeting.
ONGOING– Sons of Norway/ Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, September to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road., in Temecula. A potluck lunch is followed by a cultural program and short business meeting. Please come and enjoy company with fellow Scandinavians. Call 951-3091597 or 951-849-1690 for more information.
ONGOING – Noon to 1 p.m. Attend Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce’s weekly business briefing via Zoom or watch live on Facebook every Wednesday. Registration required at https://bit.ly/MWCBizBriefing
The chamber business briefing is an opportunity to hear from city,
county and business leaders about current and relevant business information.
ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample test, licensed instructor available to answer questions, DMV approved certificate of completion with all lectures and exams completed from home. Designed for students and does not include behind-the-wheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-723-3880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at www.city of menifee.us.
ONGOING – 10 to 11:30 a.m. Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.
ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit www. foodaddicts.org.
ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.
ONGOING – Temecula Valley Rose Society meets each month. For more information and new meeting dates and places, visit www.temeculavalleyrosesociety. org ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.
ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access to VA’s services for homeless at-risk Veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. See www/va/gov/ homeless.
Like the “World” of a certain movie, the holiday weekend at the domestic box office was “Strange.” It’s not so strange that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” continued its dominance in first place. But it was strange that the forgettable “Strange World” took the second-place spot when there was clearly more interest in third-place finisher “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” The problem is that “Glass Onion” is only playing on a sixth as many screens as “Strange World,” and its theatrical release window is limited to a week. I’ve decided that the fair thing to do is give both movies a mini-review.
“Strange World”
Disney’s latest animated offering follows a family from a town completely surrounded by impassable mountains. Explorer Jaeger Clade, played by Dennis Quaid, makes it his life’s mission to conquer the mountains, at the expense of his relationship with his son Searcher, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. The two have a falling-out when Searcher abandons the mission in favor of bringing energy-conducting plants called Pando back to the town.
Twenty-five years go by and Searcher is hailed as a hero for discovering Pando and starts a successful farm with his wife Meridian, played by Gabrielle Union, and son Ethan, played by Jaboukie Young-White, but Jaeger never returns from the expedition. Problems arise with Pando that call for Searcher to go on a mission deep
under the surface to try to restore it. Meridian and Ethan tag along, and before long they all encounter the long-lost Jaeger. Adventure and family dysfunction ensue.
The family dynamic is about what you’d expect from Disney minus anyone dying in the first act, thankfully. Everyone has their flaws, everyone realizes they need to adjust their way of thinking, everyone learns a lesson. The actors give heartfelt performances, but there’s not much heart in the way the characters are written. The film has an impressive visual style, even more notable after the missed opportunity that was “Lightyear,” though I have to wonder why the characters are human when their world’s ecosystem is so different from ours. “Strange World” is a feast for the eyes, if not for the brain.
Grade: C
“Strange World” is rated PG for action/peril and some thematic elements. Its running time is 102 minutes.
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”
Back in 2019, “Knives Out” introduced the world to southernfried super-sleuth Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, in a much-heralded revitalization of the “whodunit” genre. Now Blanc is back, ready to solve a murder at the private island residence of billionaire mystery-lover Miles Bron, played by Edward Norton. Bron has invited his friends to come and solve his murder. Is Bron about to be murdered? Is someone else about to be murdered? Has someone already been murdered?
Those are all legitimate questions, and they bear answering before the “by whom?” part can really kick in.
Bron’s guests include a governor in the midst of a Senate campaign, played by Kathryn Hahn; a world-renowned scientist, played by Leslie Odom Jr.; a disgraced fashion icon, played by Kate Hudson; and her harried assistant, played by Jessica Henwick; a men’s rights activist, played by Dave Bautista, and his scheming girlfriend, played by Madelyn Cline, and a mysterious woman, played by Janelle Monae, with no
interest in playing Bron’s games. It’s implied that these characters are “suspects,” but for there to be suspects, there has to be a crime, and as with the first “Knives Out,” it’s a mystery as to what the crime even is.
You can drive yourself crazy trying to “solve” whatever crime may or may not be committed, or you can just enjoy the ride. Craig, Norton, Monae and especially Hudson give great comedic performances.
I could watch these characters for hours, and frankly this movie could have used another hour so we could get a more satisfying
conclusion. I suppose that like the film’s theatrical release window, we should just be grateful that we get as much as we do.
Grade: B
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” played in select theaters through Nov. 29. The film arrives on Netflix December 23. The film is rated PG-13 for strong language, some violence, sexual material and drug content. Its running time is 140 minutes.
Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.
SAN JACINTO – Mt. San Ja cinto College invited the com munity for a variety of events this month, some with holiday themes and others to showcase the work of students and faculty. To see all the college’s upcoming events, visit http://calendar.msjc.edu.
MSJC will feature a jazz concert Saturday, Dec. 17. The Golden Eagles Jazz Ensemble Swingin’ Fall Concert will be held at noon in the San Jacinto Campus Theater and will be full of big band music with pieces by Pat Metheny, Sammy Nestico, Duke Ellington and much more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www. msjc.edu/performingarts/events.
A special free holiday concert, performed by the Valley Winds Concert Band, will take place Fri day, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Vin cent Ferrer Church, 27931 Murrieta Road, in Menifee. The band, which consists of MSJC’s non-credit con tinuing education participants, will be performing holiday favorites that will be sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit. For more informa tion, contact John Tribelhorn at jtribelhorn@msjc.edu
MSJC’s Orchestra will present the 50th anniversary concert fea turing guest artist Daniel del Pino, holiday music and a 50th anniver sary surprise Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. in the San Jacinto Campus Theater, 1499 N. State St., in San Jacinto. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at http://calendar.msjc.edu/event/msjc-orchestra50th-anniversary-concert-445/
On Christmas day, Dec. 25, MSJC will offer its Temecula Valley Campus as the Temecula Sunrise, Temecula Noon, Temecula New Gens and Old Town Temecula Ro tary clubs join together to host the 28th annual Community Christmas Dinner. The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a fully cooked meal of ham, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and dessert, all at no cost. Everyone is welcome, and no reservations are needed. For more information, contact Mark Sitar at 909-376-3639.
Mt. San Jacinto College wished everyone a happy and safe holiday season.
Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.
TEMECULA – Visit the Ron ald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library and get into the holiday spirit with this upcoming festive activity for teens and adults.
Holiday Cookie Decorating will take place Monday, Dec. 19, from 6-7 p.m. If you are a fan of cookies, frosting and candy, this is for you. This program is open to those in grades 7-12. The library provides the supplies and examples to get participants started. Enjoy your
creations or take them home to share. Space is limited.
This holiday activity is spon sored by the Friends of the Tem ecula Libraries. To register for this activity, visit the reception desk or call 951-693-8940.
For a full list of programs and offerings at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/Library.
Submitted by city of Temecula.
After several years of careful planning, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians recently held a formal grand opening celebration of its Legacy Bank in Murrieta.
Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said it was great to see so much community support at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“In an effort to expand our economic enterprises we are ex cited to bring Legacy Bank to the Murrieta Valley,” he said. “Mayor Jonathan Ingram has completely supported Soboba opening our business locally, and we appreci ate the hospitality. We know we can bring the same partnership we share in our valley to that of Murrieta.”
So many questions needed to be answered as to why this would be good for the Tribe and the commu nity and it was determined that one of the greatest long-term benefits would be the fact that banking is
made up of many diversified jobs such as operations, sales, human resources, accounting, credit, training and so much more that would afford Tribal and other community members job oppor tunities to consider in the future.
“Banking is sort of a melting pot of all the jobs across many types of businesses in one place,” EVP and Chief Banking Officer Kathryn “Kathy” Gonzales said. “Since the Tribe is already recognized as a strong leader in employment in the county, having a bank to add to the diversity in opportunities was a natural fit.”
The decision to open the first branch in Murrieta did not come lightly. Because Southwestern Riverside County, but especially the Temecula Valley area, is ripe with small and mid-sized business owners that have been without a true community-oriented bank partnership for loans and cash management services it made sense to give them something that was needed and would be appreci ated. By hiring a team of seasoned
in March of
professionals with significant experience, this new bank could do for small businesses what other banks were not doing.
“We could step into the space that was being vacated and create a thriving bank with a long-term relationship of local leaders to support our efforts and sustain
this consistent model long into the future…hence the name Legacy was arrived at,” Gonzales said.
The name was coined at the grand opening celebration of the new Soboba Casino Resort in the spring of 2019 where Gonzales said she and bank president/CEO Jim Hicken witnessed a people that honored their past, stuck to their knitting in the present and were driving toward a future that would be up to them.
“As it had been in the past, so it would be into the future, but now even better,” Gonzales said.
“Legacy was not about the im mediate but more about a patience that the Tribe possessed to perse vere regardless of the obstacles, to ensure they not only survived but that they thrived. Legacy meant doing something bigger than each person, bigger than they all were collectively and was intended for the future generations to always remember how it all started and tell this story.”
Formally proposed in 2018 after several years of due dili gence, James “Jim” Hicken was engaged as President & CEO in December 2018, EVP and Chief Banking Officer Kathy Gonzales came on in April 2019, EVP and Chief Financial Officer Ricardo “Rick” Huerta
Dinna
the original build ers
Hicken has 40 years’ bank ing experience with a strong background in credit, and bank start-up experience. Gonzales has 30 years’ financial services experience, a strong commercial banking background and experi ence building banking operations throughout the Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Orange County.
Huerta’s 20 years of banking experience throughout Southern California includes being the former CFO at two San Diego-based ba nks. Pamintuan has 30-plus years of broad banking experience with several Southern California Banks. Also part of the team are trusted advisors Jim Olson and Jim Jones.
Olson, of Joseph & Cohen, the bank’s legal counsel who started working with SEDC in 2017 on planning the venture and mov ing through the bank formation process, said that, while such an undertaking can be a challenging and arduous journey, SEDC and the Tribe were up to the task.
“The Tribe’s vision for the
MENIFEE – Menifee an nounced Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers as the city’s November Business Spotlight, a program that is a part of the Economic Develop ment Department’s B3 Building Better Businesses program.
Since his college days, Todd Graves knew he wanted to open a fried chicken restaurant. To make this dream a reality he raised funds by temporarily moving to the West Coast where he did side jobs that would allow him to save money.
Once he gathered enough capital to support his restaurant dream, Graves opened the first Raising Cane’s in 1996, which he lovingly named after his Labrador retriever. The restaurant specializes in handbattered and cooked-to-order flaky chicken strips with fries, coleslaw and garlic-buttered Texas Toast. Raising Cane’s has continued to grow and become a classic staple with over 70 locations in Califor nia alone.
Raising Cane’s officially called Menifee home in 2018. With ro bust commercial and residential development, it was easy for the company to recognize the com munity’s enormous potential and opportunity. The communitycentric and family-oriented focus of Menifee was a cornerstone in their decision.
The Raising Cane’s team is known for their generous and ac tive support of the communities
in which they open for business. The company prides itself on supporting a wide variety of local and national organizations. Me nifee experienced this generosity through donations throughout the community and participation in a wide variety of city events. Some of the organizations they have worked with include Menifee’s Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of Inland Valley, as well as local schools, sports teams, and nonprofit organizations.
For more information about Raising Cane’s, visit http://www. raisingcanes.com. To view their Business Spotlight video, visit https://youtu.be/dD9DK4v9Ln8.
The Menifee Business Spotlight is a free business recognition pro gram to create awareness for the variety of local businesses and their contributions to the Menifee community. Chosen applicants, who are nominated by the commu nity, are honored during a special presentation at a city council meet ing and receive a free 30-second professional video developed by the Economic Development De partment showcased on the city’s business website at http://www. menifeebusiness.com.
The Menifee Business Spotlight is part of the Economic Develop ment Department’s B3 Building Better Businesses program, which aims to showcase local businesses that go above and beyond the
bank is grounded in its history and its affirming view of the future, wonderfully reflected in its people. These foundations are why Legacy Bank is here today,” he said. “I have been honored to be a part of it.”
Jones, of Carpenter & Com pany, the bank’s regulatory con sultant, met members of the SEDC board of directors in early 2018 to discuss the Tribe’s vision for Legacy Bank. Ed Carpenter and Jim Jones, principles of Carpen ter & Company, were honored to work with the SEDC and the Tribe to make their vision a reality.
“The commitment of the So boba Economic D evelopment Corporation and Tribal members to plan for their future was im pressive and working with all the individuals that made Legacy Bank a reality was a great experi ence,” he said.
Along with providing numerous career opportunities, the bank will offer focused financial literacy education for both adult and youth citizens and customized loan and deposit programs to address the needs of all people, regardless of location or age.
Members of the SEDC worked directly with Tribal Council and banking professionals to bring the project to fruition. This new business venture is owned by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and not by the Soboba Economic
Development Corporation. This is to allow the Tribe to prosper from the benefits of the Legacy Bank, all while allowing SEDC to fulfill its purpose of diversification, job creation and self-sufficiency.
The Legacy Bank Board of Directors who will provide lead ership and guidance for Legacy Bank are Michael Vanderpool, Becky Flores, Geneva Mojado, Lakshman Koka, Jim Hicken and Jim Jones.
SEDC board member Koka said another important aspect of open ing Legacy Bank was to help the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians create an asset that will help the next seven generations be more self-sustaining.
“Moreover, banking can be a stable and lucrative business if planned and managed properly,” he said, adding that the group also felt this business would put Soboba in a better position to uti lize its finances and have a better say in how its funds are invested.
Plans are already being made to open additional branches, includ ing the next one in San Jacinto.
Legacy Bank is an FDIC in sured full-service bank that can serve personal and business bank ing needs. It had a soft opening in June and a formal ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration last month. Located at 41391 Kalmia Street, Suite 100 in Murrieta, more information can be found at www. legacybankca.com or by calling 951-579-3177.
A. Rhodes Special to Valley News
CJ Delfosse was eight years old when he was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer that would rob him of his life just a few years later. Alveolar rhabdomyo sarcoma is a muscle cancer that manifested in the early stages with CJ having a hard time breathing and swallowing. Doctors initially thought it was asthma and then pneumonia. After performing a CT scan with contrast, the tumor was discovered.
CJ’s mother Stephanie, father Chris and sister Sophia said he was an active and funny little boy who loved to play competitive soccer, roast people and tell jokes.
Chris Delfosse said CJ was so excited to play for Murrieta Surf.
“He was quite the jokester, always making me laugh and always trying to roast me,” Chris recalled. “He used to call me Got No Jokes; he even changed my name in my wife’s phone to that.”
Stephanie Delfosse said CJ had the best smile and laugh and touched so many children and adults before and during his treatment.
It was those interactions that led the family to create a nonprofit in his memory. CJ’s Smile was founded in March, two months after the 10-year-old passed away.
“I just knew I had to keep his memory alive,” Stephanie said.
“Our mission is to raise money to give Amazon gift cards to Rady Children’s Hospital where he
was treated to help put smiles on the kids’ faces who are fighting cancer. CJ received a lot of gifts that helped him.”
The family took gift cards to the San Diego hospital in October and plan to make a few trips there each
year. She said that it is hard seeing the nurses and oncologists who were treating her son but because they ended up being like family it also feels good to see them again.
“With COVID, the hospital still has rules on giving actual gifts,” Stephanie said. “I hope to connect with parents on a cancer Facebook page to get in touch with them to learn about specific gifts that would be appreciated.”
Chris said, “There is so much hurt in my heart knowing I’ll never get to see my son grow up, never get to see him play soccer again, never get to see him be come the police officer he always wanted to be. There are so many things we’ll never know because we were robbed of him. With all this hurt we feel in our hearts, it feels good to carry on his legacy as the kid who always made oth ers smile through our CJ’s Smile foundation. We know how much joy he would get from receiving gifts at the hospital and it makes me happy being able to provide that same joy to other children.”
Stephanie said it takes a village to manage CJ’s Smile and she and her husband are thankful for
friends and extended family that are supporting the cause. She has a friend who makes merchandise with the organization’s logo that helps raise funds. There is an entire committee who is helping the family organize CJ’s Soccer Classic in loving memory of the young boy. The pre-season friend ly tournament for teams from soccer organizations will be Jan. 28, 2023 at Heritage Lake Sports Park in Menifee. Open to teams with boys and girls 10U through 14U, there will be vendors, raffles and a 50/50 drawing for the public to enjoy and support. The cost to enter is $20 per player with all proceeds going to the CJ’s Smile nonprofit. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/mtenhbzj For more information, call 310892-9080 or email cjsmile11@ gmail.com.
Temecula Valley High School senior Katelyn Kitzerow said los ing her cousin and best friend, CJ, was a heartbreaking experience and she is still learning to live without him.
“His passing has taught me to value the little things in life, espe cially friends and family,” Kate lyn said. “To honor CJ’s memory, my family and I started CJ’s Smile to raise money to give back to the children at Rady Children’s Hos pital to help create smiles on the faces of children going through what CJ had to.”
Chris said hearing CJ had cancer was devastating. Since his diagnosis in September of 2019, CJ underwent 42 weeks of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. The tumors responded well to the treatment, and, in the summer of 2020, he was cancer free for two months. After a re lapse, CJ was put back on chemo and radiation and had to have a gastrostomy tube inserted to en sure he was getting necessary nu trients. This treatment was to last about 240 days but ended early
due to fluid in his lungs. He was yet again cancer free for another two months but sadly he relapsed and in September of 2021, the family was told the disease was not curable.
Stephanie said it was extremely difficult to tell CJ his condition was terminal. “He didn’t under stand what exactly it meant,” she said. “But he was the best. He smiled a lot through it all, but he definitely had his fight and a lot of anger, too.”
Chris said his son’s cancer journey was difficult, especially in the beginning. “It was hard to watch him endure the things he went through that even most adults would have a hard time with,” he said. “He was one tough kid; people would tell me all the time that he is the toughest kid they know. He fought so hard for himself and it was just so heart breaking to have to tell him the cancer came back both times he relapsed.”
The last time his parents tried to convince him to do chemo treatments, CJ asked what the point was if the cancer just kept coming back.
“That was the hardest thing to process knowing that he was done fighting,” Chris said. “He still tried, but in the end the cancer had spread so nothing was working.”
In mid-January, CJ underwent a three-hour MRI where it was discovered that the cancer had traveled to his bones.
Chris said, “In his last days he was in so much pain that nothing really helped except for the love we would give him and rubbing him constantly to help alleviate his hurt.”
CJ passed away on Jan. 30.
“He is now our forever hero,” Stephanie said.
To learn more about the non profit and its goals, visit www cjssmile.com or on Facebook and Instagram @cjssmile.
Hear from doctors in your area about Inspire, a sleep apnea treatment that works inside your body. No mask. No hose. Just sleep.
Additional events added frequently.
Perhaps gardeners are among the first to experience the effects of climate change. Gardeners have increasingly been experiencing dis eases and critters never before seen in the region. Many are results of the changing climate which brings new and unfamiliar environments from other regions. One recent example of this, in my opinion, is the can cellation of the Palm Desert Rose Show Saturday, Nov. 12. Major rose exhibitors allegedly informed the show committee that their roses suffered severe damage from chilli thrips and the unusual hightemperature fall weather. In my nearly 40 years of growing roses in the Pacific Southwest District, it is the first show cancellation to my knowledge.
I mentioned last month that the Asian “chilli thrip” is spreading rapidly in the Southwest and is becoming a global threat. This pest is extremely successful and par ticularly resistant to conventional control methods. The chilli thrip is even smaller than the western thrips with which gardeners are familiar. It works in similar ways, only more devastating and more difficult to control. It doesn’t seem to have any preferences except new growth of almost any plant and blossom. Its damage resembles the effects of Roundup overspray or rose virus: severely stunted and very narrow leaves, stems and buds. Gardeners I’ve spoken with use several differ ent products to gain some control, but a regular program is necessary with applications weekly at least. All of this struggle should lessen those feelings of insecurity if your garden has not performed to your expectations this past season. I’ve heard many gardeners complain that pests and disease were out of con trol in August/September. Person ally, my garden was unattended for weeks in August and fell into that category as well, but that’s on me. If you’re in this situation, the only practical road to control is to prune out the affected parts and
consign them to the green waste bin. Then immediately apply a chemical insecticide spray and begin a spraying program as direc tions indicate or, every 7-10 days until control is reached, then at two weeks intervals.
Depending on which side of the valley you live, weather has been relatively good for our fall roses. Roses were still seen ac tively growing and blooming in many Temecula Valley gardens during the Thanksgiving holiday, as most areas still haven’t had low temperatures anywhere near frost which, on average, occurs in mid-November. Normally, lower nighttime temperatures cool the soil and reset the roses’ biological clock to slow down and go into a kind of dormancy. Roses need a four- to six-week dormant period during the winter months to allow them to undergo natural hormonal changes that prepare them for the next grow ing season, including forming buds at the base of the plant to produce new canes. At this point, aside from pruning away diseased branches as described above, I encourage you to not deadhead or prune until late January to early February.
Be sure to monitor your plants when daytime temperatures are warm: They still need to be kept hydrated. Also, do not fertilize until after the major pruning in January or February. I’ll provide thorough information on all that early next year. Speaking of fertilizer, the San Diego Rose Society is currently tak ing annual fertilizer orders for Janu ary delivery to have on hand when new spring growth is 2-3 inches long. Visit their website for more information at https://www.sandi egorosesociety.com/fertilizer-sale
There is still time to order that new rose you have been dreaming about. Garden stores may still be adding to their list of orders or go to your favorite online nursery and make your order. There are many fine new roses out there. Many are more disease resistant than in the past. Most nurseries or wholesalers no longer print catalogs, so for a list of current roses available from each, go online. Walter Andersen Nursery
will soon have recently potted roses available. You can view the varieties that will be in stock by going to their website. I’m sure other nurseries will have similar information on their websites.
A few new varieties I find of in terest are: At Last (floribunda, good apricot color, fragrance, diseaseresistant); Bordeaux (floribunda/ WineRed, large blooms, heat toler ant, disease resistant); Easy Spirit (floribunda/White, Hybrid T form, fragrance, hybridizer Tom Carruth, disease resistant, lasting form); Frida Kahlo (floribunda/Scarlet Redstriped gold, small clusters, mild fragrance, disease resistant, compact, hybridizers Christian Bedard & Tom Carruth); Gaye Hammond (Bright Yellow with touches of orange, slight fragrance, disease resistant, bloom making machine); Parade Day (Grandiflora/ Fuchsia Pink Striped White, strong fragrance, hybridizer Christian
Bedard, holds color); Flowerland (Shrubby, Pink, low (1.5 feet) grow ing habit, 60-65 petals, fragrant; it would be great for small spaces or en mass); Golden Iceberg (mild spicy fragrance). For more ideas, visit TVRS’ Rose
Haven Heritage Garden at 30592 Jedediah Smith Road in Temecula, as well as http://TemeculaVal leyRoseSociety.org/index.shtml Enjoy the holidays of your choice as best you can – and spread the joy of roses.
LOS ANGELES – This holiday season, the Red Cross Los Angeles Region encourages everyone to fol low simple steps to prevent home fires from holiday decorations. Most home fires involving candles happen in December, when one in five home decoration fires also occur.
“As more of us light candles to celebrate the holidays, we want to ensure everyone stays safe from home fires – the nation’s most fre quent disaster,” Guillermo Sanchez, preparedness manager for the Red Cross Los Angeles Region, said. “Help protect your family by using battery-operated candles, testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your house hold.”
Use these holiday decorating safety tips.
Follow these safety tips and visit http://redcross.org/fire for more in formation, including an escape plan to practice with the family. Down
load the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.
If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach from pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
Check all holiday light cords to ensure they aren’t frayed or broken.
Don’t string too many strands of lights together – no more than three per extension cord.
Ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
If buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fire places, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. To
test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.
Don’t light the fireplace if hang ing stockings or other decorations on the mantel.
If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically un able to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact the local Red Cross for help at https:// www.redcross.org/local/california/ los-angeles/about-us/locations. html.
Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with community partners has saved at least 1,414 lives by educating fami lies about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing more than 2.4 million free smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods across the country. Visit http:// redcross.org/homefires for more information.
Submitted by American Red Cross.
“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.
TEMECULA – One of the
nation’s largest homebuilders, Taylor Morrison Home Corporation, scooped up its largest claim in Southern California with the purchase of more than 500 lots covering roughly 88 acres at the masterplan community Siena in French Valley.
Following the growth of nearby Temecula and surrounding cities in
recent years, Taylor Morrison said it looks forward to bringing more housing options and a new masterplanned community to French Valley residents as the area continues to expand. The first community to market, named Siena, will have four product lines consisting of three single-family homes and one townhome.
“The Temecula area has had
incredible development as it provides space and access to outdoor activities and top-ranked schools, yet the prices are lower than in Orange and San Diego counties,” Southern California Division President Lisa Fjelstad said. “Residents have also moved to Riverside County due to the ability, in the last two years, to work from home – removing barriers caused by long commutes.”
Prices for the detached home models, called Azul, Rosa and Viola, will begin in the mid-$500s and range from approximately 1,900-3,200 square feet. Homes will be single- and double- stories with three to five bedrooms and two to three baths with two- and
three-car garages, outdoor rooms and luxurious interior amenities. The models are perfect for growing families and those who need more space for older children.
Siena residents will be close to shopping and schools and have access to impressive on-site amenities including a pool, spa, recreation center, tot-lot, soccer and baseball fields, a basketball court and more.
Homes are available for purchase or reservation online and in person. The masterplan community will be built out over several years. Learn more about Taylor Morrison and the Siena development and see images at http://TaylorMorrison.com. For questions
about Siena, call 951-893-4505.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation’s leading homebuilders and developers. The company serves a wide array of consumers from coast to coast, including firsttime, move-up, luxury and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under a family of brands – including Taylor Morrison, Esplanade, Darling Homes Collection by Taylor Morrison and Yardly. From 2016-2022, Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America’s Most Trusted Builder by Lifestory Research.
Submitted by Taylor Morrison.
JP Raineri Sports Editor
SAN JACINTO — The San Jacinto Tigers high school football team is on a roll! They have not lost a game in almost three months, and the last time they did lose, it was by one point…a 28-27 loss to Beaumont in mid-September. Since that loss, San Jacinto (13-2) has won 10 straight games, which includes winning a Mountain Pass League title, a CIF-SS Div. 6 title, and now, after last week’s win, a CIF State Division 3-AA Regional title.
On Friday, Dec. 2, the San Jacinto varsity football team defeated the University City Centurions (San Diego) by a score of 49-45, which is their closest point-spread victory since starting the postseason. With a comfortable lead heading into halftime, up 4228, the mighty San Jacinto offense was held at bay in the third quarter when the visiting team from San Diego made a charge.
University City had cut the deficit to 42-35, then recovered an onside kick. The Centurions
got the ball into the red zone, but the San Jacinto defense stepped up, only allowing a 32-yard field goal. The University City defense had their own answer for the Tigers offense and after a turnover, took a 45-42 lead when quarterback Samuel Cooper scored on an 11yard run with 2:20 remaining in the game.
Enter Dillon Gresham. The junior wide receiver, who also plays defensive back, scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:08 left in the game, then turned around and intercepted a pass moments later to keep San Jacinto on top. Gresham finished the night with six receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He said after the game that all he was really focused on, “was making a big play for my team.”
That interception in the final seconds of the game was the fifth turnover for San Jacinto’s defense. Gresham, who has nearly amassed 2,000 receiving yards this season, with 28 TDs, also recovered a fumble in the game while teammates Christopher Tautolo, Daylen Love and Vincent
Holmes all had interceptions for the Tigers defense.
“This team played their hearts out,” San Jacinto Head Coach Aric Galliano told the media afterwards. “Being proud of how far they have come is an understatement.”
Senior QB Dereun Dortch completed 11 of 20 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns and also led San Jacinto with 100 yards and three scores on the ground. Other scores came from wide receivers Vincent Holmes (Sr) and Dre Taylor (Jr). Holmes had four catches for 96 yards, while Taylor caught his lone pass from four yards out.
Cooper passed for 137 yards and ran for 56 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for the Centurions. He also lined up at receiver for a few plays and made a stunning one-handed catch for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
The Tigers will head to Sacramento to play Grant High School for the CIF 3-AA State Title Saturday, Dec. 10. Grant (11-2) defeated El Cerrito 36-7 this past Friday night in the division’s Northern California championship game. More information on this upcoming game can be found online at www.cifstate.org.
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
Liberty High School (8-0): 1324-12-25=74 Woodcrest Christian (6-3): 1716-11-17=61 RIVERSIDE – Liberty boys basketball coach Andrew Ellis has a young and talented team at his disposal that is just getting their feet wet with varsity competition. With that in mind he entered the Bison in two of Riverside County’s better midlevel tournaments in Citrus Hill’s Big Daddy Classic and Woodcrest Christian’s Royals Invitational… an event that Ellis won twice as a head coach while at Heritage.
So far, at 8-0 after a 74-61 victory over Woodcrest Christian in Saturday night’s tournament championship game, the Bison have passed every test Ellis has
thrown at his young squad.
“Playing teams like Elsinore and Woodcrest Christian this week really taught us to play through certain situations. They (Woodcrest Christian) execute really well, do an impressive job of finishing around the basket, and were a good test for our defense that will show us where we can be better.” Ellis remarked. “I’d like to be a little more polished on both ends of the floor as we work our way toward January and February, but I’m proud of the way they answered late in that game.”
For much of the first sixteen minutes Liberty found themselves trailing as the Bison struggled to finish around the basket and convert from the three-point line. Justin Flye scored four straight points on a pair of free throws
JP Raineri Sports Editor
As the preseason wrestling matches in the area grow with fan popularity, so do the local teams in the CIF Southern Section coaches’ polls. The latest release from Nov. 7 had four local teams included with Temecula Valley (Div. 1 – No. 6), Lakeside (Div. 4 – No. 3), West Valley (Div. 5 - No. 10) and Santa Rosa Academy (Div. 6 – No. 9) all making their mark.
The Paloma Valley Wildcats were not on that list, but head coach Luis Robles isn’t complaining, just yet. His team is currently 3-0 on the season with wins over West Valley, Shadow Hills, and most recently, Vista Murrieta.
“Our season has started smooth, with 10 wrestlers currently on the state rankings watchlist,” Robles said.
This past Friday, Dec. 2, Paloma Valley hosted Vista Murrieta
where they upset the Broncos, 75-3. A total of 8 Wildcat wrestlers won by fall, which is awarded when one contestant holds both of his opponent’s shoulders to the mat for one second. Three of Paloma Valley’s wrestlers scored technical falls, which is a victory condition satisfied by outscoring one’s opponent by a specified number of points. Outside of only one wrestler losing by decision in the 195-lb. weight class, the two other victories from the match came by default.
Sometimes there is much confusion statewide about the difference between a default and forfeit. A wrestler defaults a match once wrestling begins. That means he/she may default any time after they check into the scorer’s table in the correct sequence. Because that is when wrestling officially begins, it requires that they take a loss. A forfeit means that the wrestler never reported to the scorer’s table.
Results for the overall win were listed as follows: 106 lb. –Darius Corcuera wins by fall; 113 lb. – Uriel Cruz wins by default; 120 lb. – Syruss Flores wins by technical fall; 126 lb. – Justin Brown wins by technical fall; 132 lb. – Jake Barnes wins by fall; 138 lb. – Matthew Gudino wins by fall; 145 lb. – Jose Jimenez wins by fall; 152 lb. – Elijah Benavidez wins by technical fall; 160 lb. –Aiden Platte wins by fall; 170 lb. – Javon Major wins by fall; 182
lb. – Daniel Diaz wins by fall; 195 lb. – Ben Sohrab loss by decision; 220 lb. – Damien Garneri wins by fall; 285 lb. – Chris Flores wins by default.
and a floater in the lane to push Woodcrest Christian to a 1710 lead late in the first quarter.
However, Liberty’s Jaden Ortega connected on a deep three pointer with 31.5 seconds remaining to make it a four-point Royals lead at 17-13 after eight minutes.
Starting the second quarter, Liberty went on an 11-2 run over three and a half minutes to go up 24-19. Rene Delgado connected on a pair of three pointers and converted a three-point play in the stretch. Woodcrest Christian’s Roger Perez connected on a three pointer which cut Liberty’s lead to 29-27 with just under three minutes until the half. However, a pair of late half three pointers kept the Bison in front 37-33 at the half as the Royals’ Logan Michaels connected on a buzzer-beating basket.
Liberty’s largest lead prior to the late fourth quarter was nine points at 42-33 off an Ortega three pointer with 6:52 left in the third and the Bison took a 49-44 lead after three quarters.
On separate occasions in the fourth quarter, Woodcrest Christian chopped Liberty’s lead down to three points but each time they had an answer and were able to maintain a lead. Flye’s basket with just over seven minutes left made it a 51-48 Bison lead but Delgado scored on the next possession. Then, holding a 55-52 lead after Kiandre Linton finished in the paint, Delgado’s layup made
“I think our guys learned more about themselves tonight than I did as a coach,” Royals coach Scott Reynolds said. “We put together 32 minutes tonight that I was really happy with that even though we lost, and our guys learned tonight
com/PalomaWrestling. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com
champion San Luis Obispo, as well as teams having extraordinarily strong seasons such as San Clemente and Crescenta Valley, Great Oak, the perennial power they are, needed to come into races this year ready to perform to expectations. Which they did.
Just one week after missing out on a CIF Southern Section title to San Clemente, the Wolfpack won their seventh boys state title and 15th overall in program history, but first in this decade and first under third-year head coach Tammy Draughon. It was also the eighth podium appearance for Great Oak, with San Clemente and Crescenta Valley each making their first.
As for the girls’ teams, Buchanan took first-place in Division 1, while there was a tight race for second place which saw Oak Ridge prevail with 158 points, just ahead of Clovis North (161), Del Norte (166) and Great Oak (172).
The final results for the team champions looked like this:
Division 1 - Great Oak boys 67 points, Buchanan girls 40 points; Division 2 - Newbury Park boys 24 points, Los Altos girls 80 points; Division 3 - Oakdale boys 56 points, Campolindo girls 63 points; Division 4 - St. Francis boys 93 points, JSerra girls 71 points; Division 5 - Crystal Springs Uplands boys 73 points, Crystal Springs Uplands girls 129 points.
Following the CIF State meet, it was announced the Wolfpack earned an automatic berth into this past weekend’s NXN (Nike Cross Nationals) meet in Portland, Ore. And, as fate would have it, one of the opponents they would have to face in the 22-team national final is Herriman High School, now coached by Great Oak’s former championship coach, Doug Soles.
Details from that meet will be featured in our next story, which will be live online and in print in our next issue.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com
JP Raineri Sports EditorFRESNO – Some of the most successful programs in California prep cross country history added to their legacies at the CIF State Championships at Woodward Park two weeks ago, which included Great Oak.
While Newbury Park became the first team in state history to capture four consecutive team titles and have four straight individual champions as well, it was Great Oak who knocked off San Clemente by a 67-80 margin to win the program’s seventh Division 1 boys’ championship, with Crescenta Valley taking third at 167 points.
Senior Mark Cortes finished ninth in 15:23.5 for Great Oak,
which won six straight titles from 2014-2019 and placed runner-up last year. The Wolfpack’s five-man split was 20 seconds as Cortes was followed by twin brother Ramses at 16th (15:32.67) and Gabriel Rodriguez (15:34) in 19th place. Rounding out Great Oak’s scoring were Nathan Lennox and Austin Elkins, 25th and 26th place in 15:43.24 and 15:43.65, respectively.
If the Cortes name sounds familiar, their older brother, Isaac Cortes, was a key runner for the state championship teams in 20142015, as well as the national title team. Older sister Fatima Cortes was also on the girls’ state-title teams in 2017-2018.
This year, due to the influx of new Division 1 challengers, which included 2021 Division 2 State
The 11th-ranked Utah Utes, down two scores early to the USC Trojans, defended their Pac-12 title with a 47-24 win over USC this past Saturday. The win sends the Utes (10-3) back to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, while USC is now out of the College Football Playoff mix but is likely headed to a different New Year’s Six bowl. Utah will take on No. 11 Penn State Monday, Jan. 2 for the 109th Rose Bowl at 2 p.m.
Amongst a highly diverse and competitive Utes’ quarterback depth chart, three-star freshman Brandon Rose, a 2022 Murrieta Valley High School graduate, will be suited up, just as he was all season, should Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham need him. Rose, who hasn’t received any play time during the 2022 season, was noted during the recruiting process as a prolific passer who loves the pocket and fires lasers but can still use his legs to move the chains.
During his senior year, Rose threw for an impressive 3,002 passing yards and 33 touchdowns on a 66% clip (174-260). He also
registered 236 yards rushing and two touchdowns during the same season. For his efforts, Rose was named the Southwestern League MVP and led his team to a league championship. One of the earlier recruits for the 2022 class, Rose committed to Utah last June. Like many other recruits, it was Utah’s family vibes and feeling of home that helped secure the talented quarterback’s commitment.
“Utah was one of the top schools,” Rose said in an interview last year. “When I visited here, I felt at home. The coaching staff treated me well, I loved the environment, loved the atmosphere and the family-first mentality here is really what drew me to them. And with the Pac-12 Championship, I committed before that so I was along for the journey, just hoping for them to have the best season they could have, and for them to get the Rose Bowl and fall short, is an accomplishment in itself. But let’s go all the way this year.”
Not only is Rose working with a fantastic coaching staff but is also learning from one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Cameron Rising, who was last week’s MVP, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns
against USC. According to Rose, Rising has been a big help both on and off the field, able to answer any question the young freshman may have.
The first year QB was looking to compete for a QB2 spot and take over the starting position once Rising takes his talents to the NFL, but that is another story as sophomore Bryson Barnes seems to have filled that role this season.
As for the Rose Bowl, the Utes and the Nittany Lions will face off for the first time in program history with Utah currently holding 10 wins all-time against the Big Ten. Utah is 17-7 all-time in bowl games with Whittingham holding an 11-4 record, which ranks second among active coaches and inside the top-10 all-time. They also finished at No. 8 in the Final College Football Playoff poll, the seventh time in program history to appear in the final CFP Poll. It is the highest final ranking the Utes have received after finishing at No. 11 in 2019 and 2021.
Utah’s New Year’s Six History 2005 Fiesta Bowl: Utah 35, Pittsburgh 7 2009 Sugar Bowl: Utah 31, Alabama 17 2022 Rose Bowl: Ohio State
The
QATAR – Scoring a goal in soccer is hard, and it is even harder at the World Cup. While the United States men’s national team made it to the World Cup knockout round of 16 last weekend, they did so by scoring just two goals in its three group-stage games. That stat alone is mind boggling, but it tied them for the fewest goals by a team that advanced to the Round of 16 this year (Poland also scored two).
Of the two goals the U.S. scored in the group stage, zero came from a striker. In fact, the only goal scored by a U.S. striker came in the Americans’ 3-1 loss to the Netherlands Saturday, Dec. 3. Christian Pulisic crossed the ball into the box, and it rolled across teammate Haji Wight’s foot and into the net. It resembled a deflection more than a goal.
With the win, Netherlands became the first team to book a place in the quarterfinals of the Qatar World Cup 2022 after beating the USA at the Khalifa International
Stadium. Goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind gave the Netherlands a 2-0 halftime lead. Haji Wright pulled one back for the U.S., but Denzel Dumfries put the final nail in the coffin with a brilliant third goal to finish the job and put the Dutch on course for a quarterfinal clash with Argentina, who beat Australia 2-1 that same day.
The good news for the U.S. is that it has four years to find some key players to fill some roles. They can also do so without the stress of qualifying for the World Cup as the American team will automatically qualify as a co-host of the tournament. The U.S. does have a promising young striker in 19-year-old Ricardo Pepi, but he was left off the 26-man World Cup roster this year despite posting good stats leading up to the international tournament. The search will not be without its hitches, but it is a valuable endeavor for a team that has talent at almost every other position.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com
The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast on Nov. 17 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. Emcee Mary Walters, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Murrieta Valley Unified School District, introduced the program’s founder Sally Myers who explained the nonprofit’s mission and purpose.
She said college or trade school bound seniors are honored for their character, their love of learning and how they juggle numerous activities such as campus events, athletics or community service. Or how they have persevered through challenging life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, our country, community, family and free enterprise.
Backpacks filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.
November’s students of the month are Murrieta Canyon Academy’s Lilli Carmichael, Murrieta Mesa High School’s Milad Haghighi, Murrieta Valley High’s Tiger Bachmeier, Oak Grove Center’s Emma Nybakken, Springs Charter School’s Taylor Cowell and Vista Murrieta High School’s Luke Files.
Lilli Carmichael
Murrieta Canyon Academy Principal Matt Bean explained that Lilli Carmichael was chosen for being kind, compassionate, hardworking, determined, dynamic and very humble. He described her as a “true leader and role model” for other students. Lilli describes herself as an “extrovert with social anxiety who lives my life in conflict” but doesn’t let that show outwardly to others. Bean said all anyone sees is “a difference maker who is always willing to help others.”
“Lilli’s personal and academic growth epitomize the tenets of our school’s motto SOAR: she is selfaware, optimistic, accountable, resilient,” he said. “There are students that want to lead and there are others that just know how to lead, that’s what Lilli does.”
She is a martial artist, Girl Scout, Murrieta Canyon Academy’s school board representative and one of two trained peer counselors at the school. She aspires to be a child psychologist.
“I currently serve my community by volunteering as the assistant to Tribal Council at Pechanga and have received multiple Girl Scouts awards for community service,” Lilli said. “One of the most important qualities to have as a person is resilience. As a peer
challenges.”
Although she has achieved many outstanding accomplishments, she said she is most proud of who she is as a person, what she’s done to overcome her own challenges and how she now uses her abilities and natural talents to help her community.
Milad Haghighi
Milad Haghighi was singled out by Murrieta Mesa High School and principal Scott Richards said the senior is an amazing student who is in the top 10 of his graduating class. He is captain of the boys’ swim team, member of Key Club, National Honor Society and the bodybuilding club among other activities.
Milad said he has been driven and inspired by his family. He plans to study computer science in college with plans for a career in cybersecurity or software engineering so he will be able to help others by furthering technology, making it safer and easier to use.
“In my junior year, I was taking four AP classes, participating in varsity level sports, studying for my SAT as well as dealing with serious health issues at home,” Milad said. “After the first few weeks of school, I felt completely overwhelmed but that taught me it is completely possible to achieve multiple things at once as long as you manage your time and work hard to achieve what you desire.
Through my experiences in high school, I want to remind you all today that you should never give up early on because if you do, you will never be able to witness the beauty of what you could have achieved.”
Tiger Bachmeier Tiger Bachmeier was Murrieta Valley’s November pick due to his outstanding and diverse accomplishments. Principal Ryan Tukua said, “Our community is very special and our schools are top-notch because of the families that are here. Tiger is known throughout this valley and state because of his incredible athletic ability.”
As a wide receiver on the football team, he’s been selected All-state Player of the Year in the league multiple times and is one of the top wide receivers in the state. In track, Tiger finished first in league multiple times and is top three in the state.
“At Murrieta Valley, we have had many stellar athletes, but Tiger may be the most respected Nighthawk athlete across the student body and staff that’s ever existed because of the way he does things the right way – with respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence,” Tukua said. “The best description I can personally come up with for Tiger is Renaissance Man.”
The active senior has been a member of chamber and concert choir for three years, he’s played the guitar for six years, has a 4.3 overall GPA while taking AP and IB courses, speaks Chinese, is a member of the robotics club, plays chess, has completed 25 of the 40 hours needed to become a pilot, was voted homecoming king by his peers and is president of the HAWKapella Club, a group of 12 football players who sing at various events on campus.
After being offered numerous scholarships at top universities, Tiger has chosen Stanford where
SAN JACINTO – Mt. San Jacinto College students can receive food, clothing, books and other necessities at Eagles Landing – The Center for Student Essentials, at the San Jacinto Campus.
The Eagles Landing opened earlier this year as a one-stop point of contact for a range of basic services and resources for all MSJC students.
“As we approach the holidays,
this is the time of year we really want to remind students there are resources at Mt. San Jacinto College to help them with day-to-day necessities,” MSJC CalWORKs Director Lisa Campbell, who oversees the Eagle Landing Center, said. “The Eagles Landing Center is open and ready to help you with food and other supplies.”
For more information, watch at https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=FB0ql4cEXGQ to learn more about our Eagles Landing Center. The video was created in partnership with Digital Media faculty Alan Marsala.
The Eagles Landing Center is located in Building 1425 in the San Jacinto Campus, 1499 N. State Street, in San Jacinto.
For more information, visit http://msjc.edu/eagleslanding.
Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.
he will be enrolling in January on a full-ride scholarship to play football. He is undecided about a field of study but feels the school’s strong business and music programs will be a good fit for his interests.
Emma Nybakken
Oak Grove Center chose to honor Emma Nybakken for being a true leader who makes new students feel welcome. She is co-captain of the volleyball team and always exhibits good sportsmanship. She is an active volunteer with the Interact Club helping veterans, Meals on Wheels helping seniors and other homebound citizens and Animal Friends of the Valleys helping animals. She feels these endeavors are her greatest contribution to her community. She wants to become a pediatric neurosurgeon.
Teacher Karissa Erwin said Emma is a strong student and a safe person for new students to gravitate to because they will not feel judged or challenged but rather they will find an empathetic, calm, listening ear. Her mother said Emma has always exerted her independence and accomplished everything she set out to do.
Taylor Cowell was chosen to represent Springs Charter School which provides a flexible schedule through the Venture Online program that Taylor is enrolled in.
Principal Jackie Dee said Taylor maintains excellent grades while working 25-plus hours a week in the food industry, volunteering at her church and being part of a bowling league. She plans to pursue a career in education as a high school history teacher.
Taylor said she had a history
teacher in her sophomore year that made a strong impression on her, and she wants to be that teacher for young students in the future.
Vista Murrieta High School
Principal Celeste Scallion described Luke Files as having phenomenal leadership abilities and that he sees new challenges as opportunities. What keeps him focused on the positive is that he wants to make a difference for people, never wanting to leave anything unsaid or undone. He is most proud of doing things he never thought he’d be able to do.
“What keeps me motivated is knowing I can bring a smile to everyone’s faces,” Luke said. “I can make other people happy through my own actions and make a positive impact on people, leaving them better than I found them.”
He plans to attend college locally to stay near family. His teacher and ASB director Shannon Kush said Luke is ASB president this year and serves with a heart of gold. “He’s the voice for those who are timid or shy,” she said.
In closing, Sally Myers told the students they have all shown and demonstrated that they are continuing to grow and make positive changes that affect those around them.
“They want to be around you because you are a person that has grace and a person that makes a difference,” she said.
For more information on the program, please contact Student of the Month Chair LouEllen Ficke at 951-415-2250 or louellenficke@ gmail.com
MENIFEE – Mediacom
Communications is offering $60,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 22nd consecutive year, and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 60 high school seniors.
Scholarship recipients are given the flexibility to use the financial awards to support post-secondary college costs or vocational training from an accredited institution starting in fall 2023. Award selection is based on academic achievement and leadership accomplishments.
Applications for Mediacom’s World Class Scholarships are available online http:// mediacomworldclass.com
Information is being sent to all high schools in areas where Mediacom delivers its high-speed internet services. School officials are asked to encourage seniors to
submit applications on or before the Jan. 30, 2023, deadline.
“Our company makes it a priority to give back to communities in which we do business, and we believe one of the best ways is to invest in promising young students who will be our future leaders,” Mediacom Senior Operations Director Marla Bowen said.
Applicants do not have to be Mediacom customers but must live in areas where Mediacom’s fiber-rich broadband network delivers Gigabit-speed internet service. Recipients will be selected from the 22 states where Mediacom’s residential customers reside. A complete list of communities in Mediacom service areas is included with the online application. Inquiries may be sent to scholarship@ mediacomcc.com . For more information, contact http://www. mediacomcable.com.
Submitted by Mediacom Communications.The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, recognizing and inspiring academic excellence since 1993, held its most recent recognition breakfast on Nov. 18 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Sally Myers, founder of the nonprofit program, welcomed everyone and shared the mission of the local high school recognition program which sets the criteria for the incredible students who are chosen.
She said college or trade school bound seniors are honored for their character, their love of learning and how they juggle numerous activities such as campus events, athletics or community service. Or how they have persevered through challenging life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, our country, community, family and free enterprise.
Backpacks filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.
November’s students of the month are Great Oak’s Ryder Chapin, Linfield Christian’s Sofia Loushin-Obregon, Rancho Christian’s Kevin Bender, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic High School’s Olivia Desire, Temecula Preparatory School’s
Joseph Clayton and Temecula Valley High School’s Christopher Wilson.
Ryder Chapin Ryder Chapin was singled out at Great Oak for being a multisport varsity athlete as well as the school’s first football player who is also a full International Baccalaureate diploma candidate.
Principal Aimee Ricken said the program is intense and requires students to work through a lens of international mindedness and global awareness. She said Ryder’s dedication to scholarship has left an indelible impression on his teachers and peers.
“I’ve learned quite a lot of life lessons and had many role models,” Ryder said. “Football taught me teamwork and how to trust others and be there for each other. I’ve learned leadership skills as team captain.”
For his four younger siblings, he tries to be the best example and in the IB program, he works on projects with his classmates to stay connected and help each other. He wants to pursue law at UCLA. His football coach and PE teacher Tim Woods said Ryder will always hold a special place in his heart and appreciates his thirst for knowledge and competitive nature.
“In my 23 years of teaching, to say he is one of a kind is an understatement,” Woods said.
Sofia Loushin-Obregon
Sofia Loushin-Obregon was chosen as Linfield Christian’s senior for November. Principal Carrie Washburn met the young lady when she was in the fifth grade and said even then she stood out among her peers. Sofia said the biggest impact she has had on her school and community is a result
of her community service work. She has been a member of ASB all four years of high school and is serving as president this year. She has been a member of the National Charity League alongside her mother since seventh grade. Her goal is to become a human rights lawyer.
Theater Arts teacher Emily Alexander said Sofia puts her whole heart into everything she does with determination and passion. “Sofia is extremely gifted in the arts with the soulful voice of an angel and the innate ability to connect with an audience through storytelling,” she said. “Her presence alone is captivating.”
Sofia’s mother said her daughter leads by example and is very kind. “She is also a very authentic person. She will not compromise her authenticity and who she is just to please others.”
Kevin Bender Kevin Bender of Rancho Christian High School was commended for being his football team’s captain while carrying a full academic load of all Advanced Placement classes. Principal Doris Jackson said, “If I could encapsulate him in one sentence it would be, ‘He’s just a quality young man.’”
“I’ve been blessed with leadership opportunities through sports, ASB and Boy Scouts,” Kevin said. “I was football team captain my junior and senior years, catcher on the baseball team, served in various ASB positions and recently attained Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts.”
He said all his experiences also afforded him the opportunity to hone his communication skills. David Matsumoto is his math teacher and ASB advisor and
described Kevin as “one of those students who has risen above the ranks and driven class discussions forward. He is respectful, intelligent and driven. He wants to do a lot for this world and whether it be in criminal justice, finance or law, I know he will accomplish great things.”
Olivia Desire Olivia Desire was Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic High School’s first-ever Student of the Month honoree. Although the school has been in existence for 30 years, its high school is only five years old. Olivia was saluted for her initiative in getting clubs started on campus such as ASB, FFA and Key Club.
“The most significant life lesson I will take with me after high school is to keep trying, because effort and persistence go a long way,” Olivia said. “My 14-yearold self never would have thought that in my senior year I would be receiving this honor. I now realize that life is not just full of challenges; it is also filled with firsts and as long as I have the love and care from those around me, I am extremely grateful.”
Joseph Clayton Joseph Clayton was Temecula Preparatory School’s choice due to his strong convictions and keen sense of recognizing hypocrisy, according to Upper School Dean Breanna Brossman. “He wants to make an impact and exact change and with his long list of awards and accomplishments I have no doubt Joseph will change the world for the better.”
Joseph extended thanks to his “adopted” grandmother, who he
credits with instilling kindness in him. Although not related by blood, the kindly neighbor always included him and his mother in family activities. “She taught me in life how to be kind, not just with her words but through her example of how she treats everyone.”
Nominating teacher Joseph Arreola said, “Joseph has a level of care and compassion that is incredibly humble and unassuming. He is constantly giving of himself and ensures that those around him are taken care of.”
Christopher Wilson was introduced by Temecula Valley assistant principal Maria Garza as someone who is a great representation of the school. He has been a member of the Golden Valley Regiment, an awardwinning band and color guard program at TVHS, all four years and said the arts play a major role in his life. He is a member of the concert and marching bands and said he has had wonderful teachers and coaches through the years. High school band members partner with the middle school as mentors, which allows Christopher to pass along some of the important lessons he has learned.
Band teacher Greg Cowee said Christopher exemplifies what the Golden Bears are all about: brave, engaged, aware, resilient and service minded.
For more information, please contact Program Chair Amber Poncy at 951-676-5090 or http:// temecula.org/student-of-themonth.
NEW YORK – Virtual Enterprises International, an educational nonprofit that provides opportunities for students in grades 7-12 to start and run simulated businesses, announced recently that Murrieta Valley High School students received high honors in its National Elevator Pitch Competition for their simulated business, Roasted, a company they operate from their classroom. The students’ elevator pitch ranked among the top 10% of entries submitted for the competition nationwide. For more information
about Roast, visit https://veroasted. wixsite.com/roasted.
Through the VE program, the students created Roasted, a virtual business offering premium coffee and tea subscription services. In November, the students entered their business in VE’s National Elevator Pitch Competition, which challenges VE students to make a convincing, engaging elevator pitch to an angel investor in 60 seconds or less through a video submission. View the students’ video at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=mdoRgs9Nyg0.
VE is a year-long program in which students create a business and role-play corporate jobs as they work to keep their business profitable by developing business plans, participating in trade shows and conducting business transactions with virtual companies run by other students across the country. Over 200,000 students have gone through the VE program since its inception in 1996.
Submitted by Virtual Enterprises International.
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A boy riding an electronic bicycle was struck at a Menifee intersection and suffered major head trauma when he rode into traffic without yielding to signals, authorities said.
The collision happened about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Newport Road and Westlink Drive, according to the Menifee Police Department.
Sgt. Matthew Bloch said that the youth, whose age and identity were not disclosed, was initially riding his e-bike eastbound on the north sidewalk of Newport Road, then turned southbound onto Westlink Drive to cross to the other side of Newport Road.
Bloch said the victim “entered the intersection ... against the signal and against the normal flow of traffic.”
“A Chevrolet Traverse was driving southbound on Westlink, preparing for a right turn onto Newport,” the sergeant said. “As the Chevrolet entered the intersection, it struck the rider of the e-bike, causing him to be ejected.”
The Chevy driver immediately stopped.
Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location within a few minutes and found the boy, who was not wearing a helmet, with a significant head injury, according to Bloch.
He said that the victim was
taken to a regional trauma center for treatment. He was in stable condition Thursday and expected to survive.
Bloch said the Chevy driver, who was not injured, was questioned by patrol officers but not arrested. Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be factors in the collision.
“The Menifee Police Department would like to wish the juvenile a speedy recovery, while we would also like to take a moment to remind everyone that wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle can greatly reduce the severity of any injuries,” Bloch said. “Those under the age of 18 are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet while riding a bicycle or e-bike.”
MURRIETA – The Murrieta Police Department received a 911 call of a commercial burglary in progress Thursday, Dec. 1, at 3:13 a.m. at Graham Cracker Comics, 25021 Madison Avenue, in Murrieta. The reporting party was monitoring CCTV cameras and told dispatch they could see subjects taking items from inside the business after smashing the front window to gain entry.
Officers arrived within minutes and observed a black Dodge Charger in the parking lot that fled when officers attempted to make contact. A second suspect was spotted on foot in front of the business but was quickly apprehended after attempting to flee on foot.
Four people were arrested during a DUI checkpoint, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced.
The checkpoint was conducted from 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 until 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 at State Street and Sagecrest Drive.
A total of 963 drivers were contacted, 33 of whom were cited for driving without a valid driver’s license. Five were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license.
During the checkpoint, deputies arrested one person for allegedly driving under the influence. Two other people were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
One person was arrested for vehicle theft, and the vehicle was recovered. A total of 12 vehicles were towed, reported the sheriff’s department.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A vehicle pursuit ensued with the Charger driving westbound on Los Alamos Road as officers followed with emergency overhead lights and sirens activated. Officers briefly lost sight of the vehicle in the area of Ivy Street and Washington Avenue but determined it had lost control and crashed. The vehicle was located at the corner of Ivy Street and Third Avenue, lodged into the corner of a nearby residence with the driver missing.
Officers quickly established a perimeter and found the driver hiding in a nearby backyard. The driver and other suspect were both arrested and transported to a local hospital. The driver was treated for injuries sustained as a result of the vehicle collision and the other suspect was treated for unrelated health issues. After receiving medical clearance, both suspects were booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center. No residents or officers were injured during the incident.
Detectives assisted in processing the Charger for evidence and found numerous comics and other items inside the vehicle that had been taken from the business along with burglary tools.
Anthony Shepherd, a 25-yearold male from San Jacinto, was arrested for alleged burglary, evading peace officer, hit and run and parole violation.
Nikida Staten, a 37-year-old male from Los Angeles, was arrested for alleged burglary, possession of controlled substance and felony warrant.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue and the Murrieta building inspector later responded to inspect the damage caused to the residence.
A dirt bike rider who was hit from behind by a car while making a turn at a Menifee intersection after dark on a poorly lit motorcycle died from his injuries after 10 days in the hospital, authorities said.
“On behalf of the Menifee Police Department, we would like to extend our condolences to the decedent’s family and friends,” police Sgt. Matthew Bloch said.
He said the victim died Tuesday, Nov. 29. The man’s identity was pending release by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
According to Bloch, the rider was traveling eastbound on Bundy Canyon Road for an unknown period before the collision at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.
“The dirt bike was a non-street legal dirt bike, and among other things, it was not equipped with proper lighting,” the sergeant said.
He said the rider was slowing to make a turn onto Sunset Avenue when a driver at the wheel of a Chevrolet Volt approached him
from behind.
“As the dirt bike began to slow ... it was rear-ended by the Chevy, causing the rider to be ejected from his motorcycle,” Bloch said.
The Chevy driver, whose identity was not disclosed, immediately stopped and called 911. The motorist was not hurt.
Bloch said Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location within a few minutes and rendered life-saving treatment to the rider, who was taken to a regional trauma center in critical condition.
Despite being under intensive care for more than a week, the victim died, according to the police representative.
The Chevy driver was not arrested, but the investigation is ongoing.
“Menifee PD would like to remind those riding non-street legal dirt bikes in Menifee to stay off of the roadway,” Bloch said. “We want off-road enthusiasts to enjoy riding their dirt bikes, but to do so in a safe and law-abiding manner.”
A woman who fatally stabbed a 54-year-old man during a drunken argument in Perris, and whose younger sister tried to help her get away, was sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 30, to three years in state prison, while her sibling received 36 months felony probation.
Jessica Taylor Bratschi, 25, and Erica Nicole Bratschi, 20, both of Perris, pleaded guilty in November to felony charges for their respective roles in the death of Samuel Coronado of Moreno Valley.
Jessica Bratschi admitted a charge of voluntary manslaughter, and in exchange, prosecutors dropped a murder count as part of her plea agreement. Her sister pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bernard Schwartz certified the terms of the women’s plea deals and imposed the sentences stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
The pair were arrested in March
following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the attack.
Investigators and prosecutors said that around 12:15 a.m., March 24, Jessica Bratschi got into an alcohol-fueled dispute with Coronado in the 400 block of Wilkerson Avenue, near East Fourth Street, where they evidently had been partying.
During the encounter, Bratschi pulled a knife and stabbed the victim, prosecutors said.
Deputies and paramedics were called to the location and found Coronado unconscious, suffering grave wounds, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Carroll.
Rescue personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later.
Carroll said Central Homicide Unit detectives tracked the defendants down that same day on North Perris Boulevard and took them into custody without incident.
Neither sister had previous felony convictions in Riverside County.
Hamilton
“The team earned first place overall,” Coach Jeff Walls said. “We went undefeated in the tournament at 3-0, with a complete defensive shutout. We are extremely proud of these players and look forward to seeing them continue to grow as Bobcat football players.”
Coaches Jeff Walls, Brian McGowan and Derrick Calloway led the sixth, seventh and
eighth graders
“I’m so proud of these boys; they worked so hard this year to get to this point. The future looks bright,” Walls said.
The flag football tournament is sponsored and organized by staff from Cottonwood School in Aguanga and hosted by Hamilton High School at their field in Anza.
To follow Hamilton High School football, www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064257600400
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com
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.
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 10:30-11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Cal-Fresh 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 951-7634333.
Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at http://www.hamiltonbobcats.net/
apps/events/calendar/
Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit http://www. hamiltonmuseum.org. Find them on Facebook at “Hamilton-Museumand-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 951-751-1462 for more information.
Narcotics Anonymous Meeting – 6 p.m. Every Tuesday at Shepherd Of The Valley Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza. Open participation.
Veterans’ Gathering Mondays 9-11 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39075 Contreras Road, in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with posttraumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-923-6153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.
pay, drop off payment and cash donations by Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to ERA Excel Realty, 56070 Highway 371, in Anza. Pay inside or drop off during the day in the red box outside. To drop it off, put name and request on an envelope with payment inside. A $30 box has about $100 worth of food and feeds six people. Half boxes are available for $15. Food is delivered once a week to those who cannot find a ride. For more information, call Bill Donahue at 951-288-0903.
Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner 1 p.m. Dinners are held the last Sunday of the month at the Anza Community Hall. All are welcome. Donations of time, money, etc. are always welcome.
Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a non-denominational nonprofit. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-763-5636.
Editorial STEPHANIE PARK, Copy Editor
J.P.
ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 391353, Anza, CA 92539 PHONE: (760) 723-7319 PHONE: (951) 763-5510 FAX: (760) 723-9606
The Most Excellent Way –Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m. Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza.
AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.
Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-4226.
Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-5512826.
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 951-763-4759.
Food ministries F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive noon Thursdays at the Anza Community Hall. To order a paid box and help feed those who can’t afford to
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 951-4457180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza.
Native Lighthouse Fellowship 10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall” below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-763-0856.
Living Hope Bible Study 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, in Anza. All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111. Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza.
Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the fourth Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.
Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951-7634622.
Anza First Southern Baptist Church - Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd
and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6th to 12th grade) meets for games and Bible study. Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School, and Senior’s Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www. anzabaptistchurch.com
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 – 6:309:30 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 951-7634439 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
Keeping Christ in Christmas is more than just not saying, “Merry X-mas,” or “Happy holidays.” It’s about focusing on the real reason we celebrate Christmas: Jesus Christ.
As you embark on the Christmas season, here is Part One of three on how to keep Christ in your Christmas.
Remember, Christmas is about the Son being born.
Did you know that Christmas started with a gender reveal party? When God wanted the world to know that His promised Son would be born, he specifically announced it to Mary through an angelic visitation.
over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God,” in Luke 1:30-35.
God didn’t leave Mary or us guessing as to what was going to happen. She was going to have a son through the power of the Holy Spirit. And not just any son but the promised Son of God.
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 951403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit http:// www.squadron59.org
Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on state Route 371 in Anza. Call 951-7635611 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 951663-6763.
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 951763-4560.
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 951595-2400.
Anza Community Hall – 7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Memberships cost $20 per person or $35 per business, and both get one vote. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Voting members receive discounts off hall rentals, swap meet booths and save on propane gas from Ferrellgas. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. Swap meet held each Saturday of the month, weather permitting, early morning to 1 p.m. Vendors wanted. For more information, call 951-282-4267.
Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit http://www.anzacivic.org
The other day, I was driving down the road when I noticed a banner on someone’s front lawn that said, “Merry Grinchmas.” I had to laugh because we all get a little grinch-grumpy during the Christmas season. Do you want to know why? It’s because we often focus on the chaos of Christmas instead of the Christ of Christmas.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign
It was God’s promised sign that Jesus was coming to earth for you.
The prophet Isaiah said, “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’),” in Isaiah 7:14.
This verse is what Christmas is all about. God is with you in the
person of Jesus Christ.
Your Christmas turns to chaos with you forget that it’s about Christ.
You see, God loved you so much “that he gave his one and only Son” that when you believe in him, you will not perish for eternity but have eternal life,” in John 3:16. Nothing else matters.
As you prepare for the Christmas season, I want you to remember what it’s all about. It’s so easy to get distracted with the busyness that is Christmas.
Take a moment and thank God for sending his Son for you. Then, ask him to help you keep Jesus at the center of your Christmas. There would be no Christmas without him.
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.
An eight-month-old infant was discovered unresponsive near the Lake Hemet Market Friday, Dec. 2.
Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies from the Hemet Station were dispatched to the 565700 block of E. Highway 74 in reference to a baby not breathing at 10:20 a.m. that morning, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Sergeant Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez.
Paramedics performed lifesaving measures on scene but they were unsuccessful and the baby boy was pronounced dead.
“There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play and the coroner has taken over the investigation,” Brito-Gonzalez said.
A privately-owned camperschool bus was cordoned off with caution tape in the Lake Hemet parking lot.
“On December 2, an incident occurred where emergency personnel were called to Lake Hemet where their renovated school bus RV was parked,” Jenny Kirchner, who is organizing a fundraiser to assist the family of
BANNERS from page D-1 Kirby Road, or about 2.5 miles of the 21 total miles, along the third shortest highway in the state.
The street banners, intended to increase Anza pride and awareness, have been installed on power poles throughout the downtown area of SR 371 since March of this year.
The brainchild of several local nonprofits, the colorful signs are reminders of what Anza is all about.
“Thank you Anza Co Op crew for hanging the holiday banners in town. They are lovely,” resident Elaine Miller said.
The Highway 371 Business Association, along with Anza Area Trail Town, The High Country Conservancy and Anza Electric Cooperative Inc., have joined together in different capacities as the Anza Street Banner Project.
The intent of the project is to capture highway drivers’ attention and slow traffic down to the speed limit, while enticing visitors to stop and shop at local retailers, hike on a historic trail or to be curious about an upcoming community event.
New banners are rotated quarterly to reflect the season or a community event. The AEC identified 15 high-visibility power poles on which the banners have been mounted along the Anza commercial district that runs on SR 371 from Bahrman Road to
Winter and the holidays are sparkling with the Light up the Valley theme stands out in easyto-read lettering and vivid colors.
AEC provides the labor for the quarterly exchange of the street banners for as long as the project is viable. THCC donated the start-up funds to cover the hardware and first set of banners last March. AATT is offering fiscal oversight, holding funds and seeking grants for the project.
Hwy371BA initiated the concept and is the lead organization and primary contact.
In the spirit of keeping it local and supporting small business, artwork for the street banners is designed by Sandi Hughes of Marketplace Cooperative Inc. The banners are printed by Signs by Tomorrow in Temecula.
For more information on the Anza Street Banner Project, please contact Annika Knoppel with the Highway 371 Business Association at office@hwy371ba. com or 951-234-1314.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
FAIRBANKS,
The university recognizes students named to the deans’ and chancellor’s lists each semester. The lists recognize students’ outstanding academic achievements.
Students receiving a 3.9 GPA or higher are placed on the chancellor’s list, while those receiving a GPA of between 3.5 and 3.89 are named to the deans’ list.
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a Land, Sea and Space Grant institution, and is the leading doctoral degree-granting institution in the state of Alaska. Since it was founded in 1917, the university was internationally recognized for research relating to the Arctic and sub-Arctic, in areas such as biology, geophysics, engineering, natural resources and global climate change.
To view the full honors lists, visit http://uaf.edu.
Submitted by University of Alaska Fairbanks.
LIGHTING from page D-1
Pastor Kevin Watson gave a Christmas message about the history of the season and mingled with the crowds spreading good cheer.
At 5:30 p.m., crews from the Anza Electric Cooperative lit the holiday lights draped on the two large cedar trees in front of the Community Hall, to many oohs and ahhs from onlookers.
An Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest took place at the Community Hall with a humorous response. Free face painting was enjoyed by children and adults alike.
The telling of the story of Jesus’
birth was shared at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints behind Minor Park.
As the festivities wound down, caroling could be heard. As it became louder, it was learned that the music came from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department helicopter orbiting over the Community Hall and Minor Park. After a song or two, “Merry Christmas” was heard loud and clear as the aircraft slowly departed into the darkness.
“Such a fun evening,” resident Stacy Kuhns said. “I had a Grinchie time.”
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
It was a major event for the City of Menifee Dec. 5 as the ground was broken to begin the longawaited Holland Road Overpass construction over Interstate 215.
Many Menifee city, Riverside County, Caltrans, Riverside County Transit Commissioners and others were in attendance.
The multimillion dollar project is already funded through federal and state and gas and highway taxes. According to Menifee engineers and planners, it will hopefully solve many of the area’s congested traffic problems in the future.
The groundbreaking took place at Haun Street and Holland Ave. intersection at I-215. It takes several years to complete. For more information on the project, email info@hollandoverpass.com
or call 951-200-4146.
Caltrans reports the State Route 79 Median Barrier and Rumble Strips Safety Project near San Jacinto has begun readying for its work on the $4 million safety project to construct a median concrete barrier and rumble strips on the highway, weather permitting.
Normal construction hours will be 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, the k-rail 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 reconfiguration will remain in place within the construction zone, shifting all lanes toward the outside shoulder, to enable all
RIVERSIDE – The Riverside County Board of Education is accepting applications from qualified persons for a provisional appointment due to a vacancy in Trustee Area 3. The vacancy is a result of Trustee Corey Jackson’s election to the California State Assembly. The short-term position will end June 30, 2024.
Qualified candidates must be a California registered voter residing in the boundaries of Trustee Area 3, which includes Moreno Valley USD (shared), Riverside USD (shared) and Val Verde USD; be at least 18 years of age; not be disqualified by the constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office and not be an employee of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools or any K‐12 public institution in Riverside County.
Should any such employee choose to apply and is selected, employment would be terminated upon being sworn into office.
Online applications are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. A description of duties and an online application are available at http:// www.rcoe.us/boardapplication.
Interviews will be held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Riverside County Office of Education’s fourth floor board room at
3939 13th Street, in Riverside. Interviews will be held in an open meeting, by appointment, beginning at noon. Contact Sandra Guerrero at sguerrero@rcoe.us or 951-826‐6674 for questions regarding this vacancy.
The Riverside County Board of Education consists of seven members who represent the seven trustee areas of the county for a four-year term as elected by the voters within their respective trustee areas. RCBE operates under authority of the California Constitution, the State Legislature, the State Education Code and the State Board of Education.
RCBE acts as an appellate agency for student expulsions, interdistrict transfers and charter school petitions, among additional functions in support of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. Through its role of long-range policy development and other critical functions, the board works with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools and staff to offer the most effective educational programs possible to the students being served directly by the Riverside County Office of Education for which it has responsibility.
Submitted by Riverside County.
lanes to remain open throughout the project.
Caltrans said there will be occasional intermittent 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 complete in Spring of 2023.
Meanwhile, the work on State Route 74 Lane Widening Near Lake Elsinore will require some daytime lane closures through Dec 9.
In that work, Caltrans crews will perform rebar forming, pouring, excavation and barrier work in various locations throughout the project zone. Daytime work will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. requiring daytime closures from The Candy Store to the Orange County line.
Signage indicating closure zones will be placed ahead of the work area.
Please obey all posted signs and traffic instructions, including the flagging operations, as CHP will be on location and citing any offenders. For up-to-date information and to sign up for commuter alerts, please go to SR-74 Ortega Widening Project on their website. In a language other than English, please contact Caltrans Public Affairs at 909-3834631 or TTY 711.
In the Moreno Beach Drive Bridge Project, Moreno Valley is working in partnership with Caltrans to replace the two- lane bridge with a seven-lane bridge to and from Highway 60 that leads into Beaumont. Watch for traffic controls in that area.
While many barriers have been removed from the northbound
Interstate 10 coming into Banning and Beaumont with most construction completed, the I-10 pavement rehab near Desert Center is continuing near the Wiley rest area.
The Caltrans crews are continuing roadway excavation, paving and repairs in both directions at various locations in the project work zone (post mile 105 to post mile 135).
Be advised: A traffic switch/ lane reconfiguration detour will be in place with a 4-mile crossover, westbound from Wiley’s Well Road to Ford Dry Lake Road. Both westbound lanes will cross over the median and remain open to traffic. Use caution. Wide load vehicles must use the off-ramp at Ford Dry Lake Road to avoid going under the overpass.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com
The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District will be seeking a State Revolving Fund loan for the Diamond Regional Sewer Lift Station and the Diamond Regional Sewer Dual Forcemains Project.
The State Water Resources Control Board has a State Revolving Fund loan program which provides water agencies with low-interest loans. A 4-0 EVMWD board voted Tuesday, Nov. 22, with one vacant seat due to the Sunday, Nov. 20, death of Phil Williams, adopted a resolution accepting the terms and conditions of the funding agreement. The district will obtain a $36,540,937 loan from the State Water Resources Control Board with a 1.75% interest rate to be repaid over a 20-year term. The principal and interest payments will total approximately $43.5 million.
The Diamond Regional Sewer Lift Station and Diamond Regional Sewer Dual Forcemains Project are two separate and phased construction projects. The lift station will ultimately eliminate four existing lift stations in the region, and the dual forcemains will discharge raw wastewater to an existing junction structure. The lift station will initially pump
an average flow of 3 million gallons per day with the ability to expand for future phases up to 6.6 million gallons per day to accommodate future growth, and the two projects will provide reliability and increased capacity to the region for that future planned development. The environmental documentation for the two projects has been completed.
The new Diamond Regional Sewer Lift Station will include a sewage lift station approximately 48 feet deep below grade, a wetwell, an emergency diesel generator, an odor control system, an electrical building, a flow metering vault and associated yard piping and site grading. The lift station’s architectural style will match that of the existing adjacent Back Basin Groundwater Treatment Plant and the nearby Lake Elsinore Storm baseball stadium.
Construction of the Diamond Regional Sewer Lift Station is expected to take 18 months as deep excavations will be required and shallow groundwater will necessitate pumping and possibly treatment before disposal. The general contractor will also need to coordinate construction among various specialty subcontractors.
The Diamond Regional Sewer Dual Forcemains Project will construct approximately 3,400 feet of parallel 24-inch diameter
RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Are you interested in volunteering to help the environment? Do you like to compost or recycle? Become an outreach volunteer with the Riverside County Department of
Waste Resources and help the earth by helping others become better recyclers and composters.
Outreach volunteers assist with classes or events by interacting with the public, answering
rehabilitation needs.
Sancon Technologies Inc., has been awarded the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District contract to replace four EVMWD manholes with larger ones and to rehabilitate three additional EVMWD manholes.
The Nov. 20 death of Phil Williams created a board vacancy when the EVMWD board voted 4-0 Nov. 22 to approve the contract with Sancon, whose headquarters office is in Huntington Beach. The contract with Sancon will be for $341,920. The total authorization of $367,586 also covers $23,956 for staff time and $1,710 for overhead.
The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District owns and maintains over 406 miles of sewer pipes, 9,276 manholes, 38 active lift stations and three water reclamation facilities. The district inspects and maintains the sewer system to ensure proper operations. During routine inspections, EVMWD staff members observe manhole conditions and identify future
Recent inspections have identified several manholes in need of repair and rehabilitation.
Manhole deterioration is generally caused by hydrogen sulfide gas which corrodes the interior concrete surface and creates structural deficiencies and safety concerns.
The district maintains an active list of manholes which are nearing the end of their useful life, and the list is used to develop and implement an ongoing manhole rehabilitation program.
The Sancon work will rehabilitate three manholes within California Department of Transportation’s right-of-way on the Collier Avenue portion of State Route 74 and will replace four Lakeland Village manholes four feet in diameter with manholes five feet in diameter to meet EVMWD standards. The project was advertised for bid Aug. 18. Although Sancon was the only company to submit a bid by the Sept. 29 deadline, a review of the bid documents determined that Sancon was a responsive and responsible bidder.
questions on outreach programs and distributing materials. The ideal volunteer enjoys meeting people, likes to learn new things and is passionate about the environment. The total volunteer commitment is attendance at the orientation and training meeting and four hours of volunteer time donated each quarter while participating in the program. Opportunities to volunteer at classes and events exist across the entire county. Plus, the volunteers select the events, dates and times
that work best for them.
Outreach volunteers can also choose to attend extra training and volunteer more hours to become certified as a master composter. Once a volunteer reaches master composter status, the volunteer is allowed to teach classes on their own or work with schools and community gardens as a composting mentor.
Outreach volunteers are integral to the success of recycling and composting programs and are recognized by the county annually
and 18-inch diameter high-density polyethylene force mains. The alignment will connect at the north end of the Diamond Regional Sewer Lift Station, head east and north along Diamond Circle into Peter Lehr Drive, cross the San Jacinto River, continue along Elm Street and proceed to the North Reach connection point at Elm Street and East Lakeshore Drive. The construction will include trenching, installation of pipelines, backfilling and asphalt paving. The portion of the alignment crossing the San Jacinto River will require microtunneling construction; a 66-inch diameter steel carrier casing will be drilled under the river with the forcemains installed inside. Jack-and-bore methods of pipe installation may be used to cross East Lakeshore Drive and would be approximately 19 1/2 feet deep with excavated entrance and exit pits on each end. Shallow groundwater will necessitate pumping and possibly treatment before disposal at each of the entrance and exit pits for the pipelines. The construction is expected to last 24 months and will be concurrent with the Diamond Regional Sewer Lift Station construction.
Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com
for their dedication and hours worked.
Orientation and training is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources, 14310 Frederick Street, in Moreno Valley.
For more information or to register, potential outreach volunteers can visit http://www. rcwaste.org/volunteer or call 951486-3200.
Submitted by Riverside County.
To
to China, Russia, Ukraine, etc,. is fascinating and sad. There was direct communication regularly between the Biden supporters in government and Twitter, and Facebook.
Remember President Biden during his celebratory speech mentioning how he thought there should be a national security review of Elon Musk? Be ready to start hearing leaks about nefarious activities regarding Musk, Twitter, Tesla, etc.
his life and his childrens’ lives hell. Let’s do the same to Musk – the guy that is bringing transparency to how the Biden administration worked with the Twitter “factcheckers” who were really just political censors and election tampering. It was interesting that they revealed Jack Dorsey did not know it was going on.
features. Is anyone condemning or investigating Apple? Probably not, because we have to concentrate on shutting down the guy (Musk) supporting free speech and transparency – at all costs! And let’s use the government agencies who were part of the real collusion to reign fire on him!
childrens’ influence peddling with China, Ukraine and Iran? What if it was a laptop of Eric Trump’s, full of emails condemning Trump and also self-incriminating photos of crack use, hookers, and sex trafficking? We all know the answer.
Reeder PublisherWatching how people react to Elon Musk releasing, for transparency purposes, the Twitter files regarding how Twitter censored the New York Post’s legitimate story regarding Hunter and Joe Biden’s influence peddling
This is why it was brilliant that Musk brought the info to the public with Matt Taibbi, a journalist and former Rolling Stone editor and a million Twitter followers.
It’s a sad day for news and information censors and controllers.
Elon is a threat? He should be investigated? Ahhh yes, let’s go on a fishing expedition against Musk, just like they’ve done against Trump. For years they have made
Dear Temecula City Council, The popular digital application TikTok is considered by many as all the rave. Yet there are some justifiable and deep national security concerns about this app as TikTok insiders have warned that the Communist Chinese controlled parent company ByteDance controls the American-based social media application.
Similar security concerns have been raised by U.S. senators along with Federal Communications Commission members. The state of South Dakota recently banned
TikTok on state-issued devices citing such national security and invasion of privacy concerns.
The popularity of the TikTok app provides the Chinese Communist Party with ripe opportunities to surveil, gather personal data and propagandize to unknowing Americans who use the digital application.
Right now the Chinese people are protesting their despotic regime as they are subjected to ever more state and digital repression under the guise of COVID.
While there is much speculation
CASE #: PRIN2201619
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of FRANK EUGENE EVANS aka FRANK E. EVANS A Petition for Probate has been filed by AMY LESSLEY and ALICIA LEMON in the Superior Court of California, County of RIVERSIDE.
The Petition for Probate requests that AMY LESSLEY and ALICIA LEMON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows:
Date: January 17, 2023 Time: 8:45 a.m. Department: PS3
Address of court: 3255 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Attorney for petitioner: Martina Kang Ravicz, APLC. 74-075 El Paseo Drive, Suite C-4, Palm Desert, CA 92260, (760) 776-4800
LEGAL #: 3737
PUBLISHED: December 9, 16, 23, 2022
But back to Musk. Remember Musk was providing the Internet to Ukraine with Starlink? Pretty cool right? Contrast that with how Apple shut down their airdrop feature in China during the protest of people being locked and welded inside their homes like last time during Covid. After 11 people died in a fire because they couldn’t get out fast enough the people were protesting.
Why would Apple aid the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)? Maybe the reason is their $78 billion dollar 5-year deal to help the CCP boost their technology
Oh - you just can’t make this stuff up.
So, while we have open collusion with the CCP and Apple and don’t forget TikTok too, the radical Democrats try feverishly to discredit Musk for supporting free speech and transparency and bringing to light their dark deeds and true election tampering.
The follow up that needs to be considered is how all the legacy media, including PBS, CNN, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NYT, WaPo, used the Twitter censorship as their excuse to censor the Biden laptop story before the election. What if it was a story about the Trump
Yay for Elon Musk! Yay for transparency against government collusion! Yay for free speech! Yay for America!
PS – This is not new to our readers because we reported on the laptop when it happened. Our readers are better informed. Please continue to support our local, independent news organization by buying subscriptions for your friends and family at myvalleynews.com./ subscribe.
Christmas Special! This month you can buy one-get one free by calling the 951-676-1839 or turning in a form from the paper.
as to the final outcome of these mass protests, our hopes and prayers should be with the people of China who are taking a stand against their tyrannical government.
As this tyranny has inflicted China for many decades, here locally it should be to our chagrin that the city of Temecula has obviously succumbed to the Communist Chinese controlled TikTok bug.
The city’s posted TikTok videos depict a variety of Temecula residents, workers, businesses,
students, families, city officials and first responders engaged in a variety of fun, pleasant and inspirational activities.
While these videos all look great, nonetheless the videos and our fellow Temecula residents depicted in them are none of the business whatsoever of the Chinese Communist Party.
The city of Temecula should be looking out for the people of Temecula and safeguarding their Constitutional rights, freedoms and privacy and to the furthest extent possible.
CASE #: PRMC2201229
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both KAY FRANCIS LAY A Petition for Probate has been filed by BRANDY A. LAY ADAM A. LAY in the Superior Court of California, County of RIVERSIDE. The Petition for Probate requests that BRANDY A. LAY ADAM A. LAY be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 2/23/23 Time: 8:30 AM Department: T1
Address of court: 41002 County Center Drive, #100, Temecula, CA 92591
If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
petitioner: BRANDY A. LAY ADAM A. LAY 43442 Modena Dr., Temecula, CA 92592, 951-805-8800
LEGAL #: 3738
PUBLISHED: December 9, 16, 23, 2022
There are plenty of more secure and American-based social media applications that the city can use and does afford itself, like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, among others.
The city of Temecula must terminate their TikTok app as soon as possible so as to not become a “useful idiot” of the despotic Chinese regime and to further safeguard the privacy of Temecula residents.
Rick Reiss Temecula residentbe granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 01/18/2023 Time: 8:00 AM Dept: C2 The address of the court: Corona Branch, 505 S. Buena Vista, Rm. 201, Corona, CA 92882 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Anza Valley Outlook Date: NOV 28 2022
Signed: Tamara L. Wagner, Judge of the Superior Court LEGAL: 3736
PUBLISHED: December 2, 9, 16, 23, 2022
