Greater Southwest Valley Sourcebook - Volume 1

T H E G R E AT E R S O U T H W E S T V A L L E Y

VOLUME 1 | 2020 EDITION

Many Happy, Healthy

Hiking Adventures in Southwest Riverside County pg 72

How To Do A Day

Temecula Wine Country pg 60

Lake Elsinore’s Long-Awaited Launch Pointe pg 40

New Businesses, Construction Planned in Local Cities pg 82

Mighty Oaks Foundation Restores Hope to Military Individuals and Families pg 22

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FALLBROOK, CA PERMIT #499

MURRIETA OFFICE 25485 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100 Murrieta, CA 92562 866.228.2236 Hours: M-Fri 7:30 AM to 5 PM Yara Matta, MD Pediatrics Internal Medicine

Mario Oliver, MD Family Medicine

Fernando Quezada, PA-C, MPAS Family Medicine

TEMECULA OFFICE 31537 Rancho Pueblo Road, Suite 102 Temecula, CA 92592 866.228.2236 Hours: M-Th 8 AM to 6 PM Fri 8 AM to 5 PM Kelly Boyatt, MD Family Medicine

Karen Muchowski, MD, FAAFP Family Medicine

Kristin Olah, MD Family Medicine

Paul Lizotte, DO, FACP Internal Medicine

Kayla Lussier, FNP Family Medicine

www.graybill.org

For more than four generations, Graybill Medical Group has helped individuals and families reach their best health and wellness. As the region’s largest* independent multi-specialty medical group, we’re pleased to offer: | Award-winning primary and specialty care for all family members | Caring and knowledgeable medical team and staff | Real-time, online appointment scheduling | Safe and secure patient portal to manage your family’s health | Convenient online bill payment We want to be your healthcare partner! To schedule an appointment, visit www.graybill.org or call 866.228.2236 and speak to a Representative. *with additional offices in Escondido, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Sabre Springs, Ramona, Valley Center, and Fallbrook.

An Independent Member of the Sharp Community Medical Group

Volume 1 • 2020 Published by Village News, Inc. Publisher Julie Reeder Editorial Tony Ault Will Fritz Kim Harris Mike Hiles Lexington Howe Jeff Pack JP Raineri Diane A. Rhodes Raevyn Walker

Julie Reeder

Don’t you just love the southwest Valley?

Staff Photographer Shane Gibson

“Super Bloom at Walker Canyon” Shane Gibson photo

What a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. We have great people, great weather, beautiful landscape, new neighborhoods, top schools, state of the art health care, low crime rates, a thriving wine country, sports facilities, art and culture community and retail and business communities. And if that wasn’t enough, we are only minutes from the coast, the mountains, international airports, and major metropolitan areas. Life is not only good here. It’s great.

Reeder Media and Valley News decided to publish the Southwest Valley Sourcebook in celebration of southwest Riverside County. We’ve watched this area grow over the last 25 years, and we have been so privileged to be a part of it while reporting and memorializing its history weekly in the Valley News.

Sourcebook is different though. Only good news and feature stories are memorialized here. This magazine is just for southwest Riverside County – people who have made this their home and are invested in their community and people who are looking to join us.

In this inaugural edition, you will learn a little about each city and the wonderful things they are accomplishing in their growth and expansion. You will read feature stories on people and nonprofits that are making a difference.

Thank you for picking up your new magazine. We enjoyed publishing it and look forward to doing it again next year.

Contributing Photographers David Canales Kim Harris Jeff Pack JP Raineri Diane A. Rhodes Advertising Sales Tammy Birmingham Laurianna Briana Cindy Davis Michele Howard Cindy Langlois Josephine Mackenzie Anthony Nicholas Graphics & Production Samantha Gorman Support Shelby Cokeley Anna Mullen Stephanie Park Chuck Reeder

Cover photo by Kim Harris

Julie Reeder Publisher

P.S. Please also consider subscribing to the Valley News to stay abreast of what’s going on in town by visiting www.myvalleynews.com/subscribe.

111 W. Alvarado Street, Fallbrook, CA 92028 | (760) 723-7319 my-sourcebook.com | villagenews.com | myvalleynews.com | anzavalleyoutlook.com valleyeditor@reedermedia.com | sales@reedermedia.com Please note: Village News, Inc. has made every attempt to verify and document all of the information contained in The Greater Southwest Valley Sourcebook. If you have information or comments that would help us improve our 2020 Sourcebook, which is now in its planning stages, we ask that you contact our office at (760) 723-7319. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

The Greater Southwest Valley Sourcebook and all content is copyright 2019 by Village News, Inc.

2

‘Super Bloom’ of California state golden poppies was one of the most memorable events of 2019, bringing thousands of visitors to the Walker Canyon poppy fields.

Shane Gibson photo

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

AMONG THE NATION’S TOP HOSPITALS Inland Valley Medical Center and Rancho Springs Medical Center are proud recipients of the Leapfrog Group’s 2018 Top Hospital Award.

• The Region’s only Trauma Center

• Weight-loss Surgery Center of Excellence

• Advanced Certified Primary Stroke Center

• Total Joint Center - Award-winning for excellence in Hip, Knee and Shoulder Surgery

• The Region’s Largest Family Birth Center

• The Region’s highest Level 2 NICU operated

by Rady Children’s Hospital • Advanced Certified Primary Stroke Center

• The Region’s only ER with Rady Children’s Pediatric Emergency Physicians

AWARD-WINNING HOSPITAL SYSTEM RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD Blue Distinction Center

®

Bariatric

TO FIND A PHYSICIAN, CALL 800-879-1020 Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Southwest Healthcare System. The System shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 193344-4430 9/19

SOUTHWEST

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

INLAND VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS RANCHO SPRINGS MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS

Soboba Resort Has It All

pg 48

FEATURES Family-Run Olive Oil Business pg 64

Mt. San Jacinto Community College Expands Education pg 26

How to Do a Day in Temecula Wine Country pg 60

Animal Friends of the Valleys pg 38

Sally Myers Loves Her Community pg 30

Table of Contents 4

Soboba Foundation

pg 32

6 Living the Good Life in the Valley 10 City Economic Development Departments Can Offer Help to Entrepreneurs 12 Established in 1890, the Merc Continues to Captivate and Connect the City 14 Entertainment in the Valley 16 Riverside County Housing Market Strong 18 Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley on the Front Lines of the Housing Crisis 22 Mighty Oaks Foundation Restores Hope to Military Individuals and Families 24 Bill and Rose Rhoads Supporting America’s Veterans 26 Mt. San Jacinto Community College Expands Education 28 Fallbrook, Temecula and Murrieta Go Way Back 30 Sally Myers Loves Her Community 32 Soboba Foundation Impacts Lives 34 Marty Edwards founder Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ 38 Animal Friends of the Valleys Continues to Help Stray Pets Find Homes 40 Lake Elsinore’s Long-Awaited Launch Pointe 44 Ramona Bowl Amphitheater Welcomes the Community Year-Round 46 Live Music Lives at the Old Town Blues Club 48 Soboba Casino Resort Has It All 49 Garage Brewing Co. Helps Customers Create Memories 50 Foodie Alert: Pala Casino Offers Something for Everyone 52 Pechanga Cooks up Options for Hungry Guests 55 Dining in Fallbrook 56 The Historic Hemet Theatre Draws an Audience 58 City Breathes Life into Lake Elsinore’s Historic Main Street 60 How to Do a Day in Temecula Wine Country 62 Photo Contest Winner 64 Family-Run Olive Oil Business in Temecula is about to Harvest Many Years of Hard Work 68 Boxing for Christ Strengthens Members 72 Many Happy, Healthy Hiking Adventures in Southwest Riverside County 74 Out of this World Athlete Recovery Facility in Temecula 76 Michelle’s Place Undergoes Expansion to Serve More Residents 78 Downtown Hemet Historic District Flourishes 80 Armed with Knowledge, Brick and Mortar Stores Can Survive 82 New Businesses, Construction Planned in Local Cities

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

DESIGNED TO INSPIRE

Thermal Imaging

Infrared technology to help home owners & business owners

pg 10

TAKE A TEST DRIVE TODAY AT JOHN HINE TEMECULA MAZDA

JOHN HINE TEMECULA MAZDA

42050 DLR DR AT YNEZ ROAD, TEMECULA AUTO MALL

(877) 805-9112 TEMECULAMAZDA.COM

oto

ibson ph

Shane G

Shane Gibson photo

Kim Harris photo

Kim Harris photo

Colby Morai

n photo

Mark Smith and Joy Clickener, visitors to Temecula Valley Wine Country, study a wine tasting menu at South Coast Winery and Resort.

Cory Cade, a skydiver with six years’ experience, comes in for a landing after completing a jump with Skydive Lake Elsinore.

Living the

ecula

2019 Tem

ine Festival

on and W Valley Ballo

Shawn Sarnowski photo

GOOD LIFE in the Valley oto

ph Rob Davis

by Kim Harris

L

[Above] Ambrosia performs in front of a sold-out crowd at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

ife in the greater southwest valley is a good one. From dining and entertainment to casinos and outdoor activities, there is never a shortage of things to do in this valley that we call home.

From the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival on the first weekend in June and Lake Elsinore’s annual Winterfest held the first Saturday in December to the annual Murrieta Firefighter’s Barbecue, usually held the last weekend in April, there is no shortage of special events in the area to entertain the masses. There is truly something for everyone in southwest Riverside County.

[Top page] Dancers from Ballet Folklorico are always popular at Lake Elsinore’s annual Old Fashioned Christmas Parade.

6

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

[Top] Murrieta firefighter Derrick Dellinger, left, and Randy Amimoto barbecue food during the 72nd annual Murrieta Firefighters Barbecue.

[R] Children get a close look at a savannah monitor lizard during the annual Santa Rosa Plateau Family Wildlife Day presented by the Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Education Foundation Shane Gibson photos and Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District.

Fun abounds in Old Town Temecula where residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of food and entertainment options.

Some of my top restaurant picks include Mad Madeline’s Grill for a laid back lunch or dinner, Guadalajara Mexican Grill and Cantina for some great Mexican food and for a true five star dining experience, check out The Gambling Cowboy for a great steak or Soro’s Mediterranean Grill for some lighter fare.

For some fun in Old Town Temecula, don’t miss the Old Town Blues Club, entertaining the masses in a true blues club fashion with a variety of live jazz and blues performances that leave concertgoers wanting more. Owner Andy Doty strives to bring

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

blues to the burbs and does so with gritty, soulful and sweet melodic tones that draws in music lovers of all genres.

Other top nightlife spots include The Merc, featuring jazz, country and even classical music in a historical 1890 built brick building that was first a general store before becoming an art gallery and concert venue we all know and love today. While in Old Town, pay a visit to Temecula Wine & Beer Garden, Thompson and Twain Prospecting Co. and everyone’s favorite, The Bank. Don’t forget to bring your wallet and take advantage of all the great shopping opportunities that Old Town has to offer.

Another great gem in Temecula is the Old Town Temecula

7

A judge compares wines at Cougar Winery’s annual Cougar meets Italy event, just one of the fun annual events to participate in when visiting Temecula Valley Wine Country.

Kim Harris photo

The interior of Thompson and Twain Prospecting Company in Old Town Temecula is filled with antique and 19th centuryinspired decor to make people feel as if they’re visiting an old mining town.

Valley News file photo

Community Theater where theatergoers can enjoy concerts, musicals, plays, ballets and a variety of other performances.

For those who love the outdoors and extreme sports, head on over to Lake Elsinore where the new Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park for some great fishing, camping experiences and thrilling water sports. While there, don’t forget to plan your high-flying adventure with Skydive Lake Elsinore.

For even more fun, head over to Lake Elsinore Diamond and

U n i q u e C a m p ing Options L a k e f r o n t D i n ing C o m m u n i t y H all Boat Rentals

The Ultimate Lake Destination

Reserve One Night, Get One Night Free in RV Sites with Promo Code Source2019#. Limited to One Free Night.

8

Reserve Your Spot at Launch-Pointe.com.

Shari Puorto of the Shari Puorto Band performs in front of a live audience at the Old Town Blues Club.

Kim Harris photo

Baker’s Wife, played by Dakota Malbrough, shares a kiss with Cinderella’s Prince, played by Tanner Vidos, in Fine Arts Network’s production of “Into the Woods” at Shawn Sarnowski photo the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

catch a Lake Elsinore Storm – the farm team for the San Diego Padres – baseball game or schedule a hot air balloon flight from Adventure Balloon Rides in Lake Elsinore.

Speaking of hot air balloons, plenty of vendors offer balloon rides in Temecula Valley Wine Country where those willing to brave the heights can soar over wine country. Aeronauts can fly high in the sky in the early morning hours enjoying the beauty of wine country and finish off their day with wine tastings, fivestar meals and even live entertainment at one of the more than 40 wineries that call Temecula Valley their home.

Other great outdoor activities include hundreds of hiking and biking trails throughout the cities located in southwest Riverside County, tons of parks for fun with the family and my personal favorite the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

Nestled in the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains in southwest Riverside County near the city of Murrieta, the Santa Rosa Plateau’s 9,000 acres offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and ecosystems of the area including riparian wetlands and vernal pools. One of my favorite hikes at the plateau is the hike to the Moreno and Machado Adobes, the two oldest standing structures in Riverside County dating back to 1846. The buildings are shaded by a 400-year-old tree, and hikers to this destination are treated to a picnic area allowing them to enjoy the great outdoors while providing a unique opportunity to experience some of the area’s rich history.

While in Murrieta, don’t forget to visit the city’s new Murrieta Valley Historical Society Museum located in Murrieta’s historical downtown offering a unique glimpse into the history of the area.

While downtown, take some time to go antiquing, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants – my favorites are The Mill, Anthony’s Lounge and Ristorante and Calhoun’s Texas Barbecue – and don’t forget to visit the Murrieta Veterans Memorial honoring those who have served our country.

There are so many things to do and see throughout southwest Riverside County that I couldn’t begin to list them all here. So what are you waiting for? Get off that couch, head out the door and explore everything the area has to offer.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

SOMEONE IN THE U.S. SUFFERS A STROKE EVERY 40 SECONDS.*

IDENTIFY A POSSIBLE STROKE QUICKLY

USE B.E. F.A.S.T. 911

BALANCE Loss of balance

EYES

Blurred, double or sudden loss of vision

FACE

Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS

Hold both arms up for 10 seconds.

Does one arm drift downward?

Temecula Valley Hospital is the 1st in the Region to Offer Advanced Stroke Care Advanced Stroke Care

SPEECH Is the speech slurred or strange?

TIME

If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

As a Primary Stroke Center, Temecula Valley Hospital staff will be ready when you arrive.

For a Physician Referral, Call 855-859-5203.

Thrombectomy is a breakthrough, minimally invasive procedure to treat patients with ischemic stroke. It’s designed to remove blood clots in the brain, restore blood flow and prevent tissue and organ damage. Early research has shown cases of improved patient outcomes.

Our neurointerventional suite enhanced imaging capabilities for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke and other complex neurologic conditions.

Awarded the Prestigious Gold Plus Accreditation for Stroke Care The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and Primary Stroke Center Certification Designated a Stroke Receiving Center for Riverside and San Diego Counties

temeculavalleyhospital.com

*CDC Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Temecula Valley Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 192688-4258 9/19

City Economic Development Departments Can Offer

Help To Entrepreneurs

by Will Fritz

WINE & WHISKE Y B ARREL DECOR

HANDCRAFTED HOME DECOR & EVENT RENTALS

All Furniture, Accessories & Pieces are Handcrafted Therefore Each Piece is Unique & Custom Made!

ALSO LOCATED IN CORONA Visit our storefront at 42050 Main Street Temecula

951-531-5525 www.kingbarrel.biz

10

Mention that you saw us in the Sourcebook AND RECEIVE

15% OFF!

S

tarting a business is never an easy task. It’s not supposed to be. There are all sorts of pre-planning that must go into a business before it even makes it out of the idea stage.

And of course, all businesses are different. The licensing that each business requires is going to vary greatly depending on various factors.

Just starting off, a business needs to have a federal employment identification number and a business license.

“Baseline, they have to have a business license,” Wildomar economic development director Kimberly Davidson said. “If your headquarters is in Murrieta but you’re a plumber and you do business in Menifee, you’re supposed to have business licenses in all of them.”

But there’s a lot more than that. A food-based business would have to have environmental health permits. An auto-based business would have to have DMV permits. Depending on the building a new business is going into, permits might need to be approved for improvements.

There are also decisions to make about structure – whether to set up a business as an LLC or a corporation, for instance.

That makes it difficult for the economic development folks at the city halls in southwest Riverside County to come up with a one-size-fits-all checklist for anyone who wants to open up a new business.

“The industry you get into guides what kind of licensing you need to get,” Murrieta deputy director of development services Scott Agajanian said. “So you need to know what your industry is and what requirements you need for your specific industry.”

Except a business owner doesn’t always know what is needed, at least not before starting the business. The most important step, according to Davidson – who previously held Agajanian’s position, then moved to Corona City Hall before returning to the southwest county region – is just talking to city hall.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

“

The industry you get into guides what kind of licensing you need to get.

“

The most important step..is just talking to city hall.

– Scott Agajanian, Murrieta deputy director of development services

”

”

– Kimberly Davidson, Wildomar economic development director

The businesses that are the most successful, Davidson said, are the ones that “come in and meet with one of us first, they do some pre-research and they listen to what we say, and they do it exactly how we say to do it.”

It’s possible to go it alone, but it’s not advisable – talking to the economic development department in the city you plan to do business in costs nothing, and going to the experts is the fastest way to get a new business up and running.

“Your local economic development people – we are the ones versed in what to do, we are the ones who can walk into our planning department and say, ‘what do you need for this?’”

Davidson said.

While it might seem obvious, Davidson, Agajanian and Menifee economic development director Gina Gonzalez said people looking to start a business often skip this step, only to find out later that important pieces of their plan are missing.

Before anything else, it needs to be determined if there’s a need for your business idea “First, what’s your business?” Gonzalez said.

If a city already has too many of a particular type of business, city hall can give you that information before you get to deep in the weeds.

At the very least, the city should be involved before any property is purchased or leased.

“Before you sign a lease for a property and decide I can put this building in that space, that’s when you should come talk to us, because we can make sure that you’re in the right zoning, that there’s somebody who can service water, that your tenant improvements can actually go through, that there’s not undocumented work that happened before you moved in there,” Agajanian said.

Another important step? Having a business plan. Again, it sounds obvious, but it is a step that is often skipped, Davidson, Agajanian and Gonzalez all said.

“When I go to a room full of businesses, and I’ve done this many many times, I like to ask, how many of you have a business plan and the answer is about 20%,” Agajanian said. “It’s always about 20%. It doesn’t matter how big the room is.”

Fortunately, there are resources for entrepreneurs to draft their business plans and find out what they’re getting into.

“You can work with SCORE or SBDC,” Gonzalez said. “They’re great resources.”

Gonzalez is referring to the SCORE Association, a network of business mentors, and local Small Business Development Centers.

Both SCORE and SBDCs are partially funded by the federal Small Business Administration; most of the help they provide is free of

charge.

Using those organizations’ free help to put together a business plan will make everything easier down the line – without a business plan, someone trying to start a new company is basically “going to the grocery store without a grocery list,” Davidson said.

“You’re gonna wander about, you’re probably gonna put extra stuff in your cart that you don’t really need,” she said.

Davidson said she has found herself in that same situation.

“For example, when I started my home-based marketing company, I incorporated and it was way overkill,” Davidson said. “I didn’t need to do that, and I wish way back then someone would have told me that because then it would have saved me money.”

And that’s where organizations like SCORE and SBDC, and local city economic development departments are there to help – they can organize that grocery list.

“Your Voice in the Cloud”

SpectrumVoIP Business System

Unlimited Calls – USA, Canada & Mexico!

• No upfront cost • No downtime • 100% USA Based • Buyout Possible • Reduce Your Current Rate

Call now & Get 1 Month FREE! Business Solutions Advisor

Call Maria Gray 619-841-1550

mgray@spectrumvoip.com *Minimum 4 phones.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

11

Established in 1890,

the Merc Continues to Captivate and Connect the City

by Raevyn Walker

T

This historical photo shows the inside of The Merc, known at the time as Burnham Store circa 1974.

Courtesy photo

People can purchase tickets for live entertainment at The Merc’s small theater and for live entertainment at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Shane Gibson photo

12

Shane Gibson photo

he Merc, an integral part of the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, is a brick building that was erected in 1890 and now functions as a venue for many community arts events, including theater performances, concerts and book signings. Almost every day, the stage spotlights blink on, and the Merc shares local and regional talent with the community.

“The Merc has something to offer for everyone, of all ages and for all prices,” Beatriz Barnett, the theater manager of Old Town Temecula Community Theater, said. “You can see world class performances and artists from around the globe; you can hear Broadway stars.”

Aside from the sights and sounds, Barnett believes many theatergoers are drawn to performances at The Merc because “they are going to see a show on a historical landmark.”

Built by Philip Pohlman after he won the lottery, The Merc stands as the first

brick building in Temecula. The location was first used as a mercantile store, giving the building its current name.

From the start, The Merc prospered, frequently pulling in customers from the railroad station nearby.

The Merc has filtered through a series of different owners and names throughout the 1900s. It was acquired

by Nate DeArmond, who outfitted the building as an auto repair shop. Then, The Merc became an antique store under Walt Moore and Howard Raish’s ownership.

“The building has seen many lives, but it always has been valuable for the community,” Barnett said. “No matter the name, The Merc has served as a place to nourish the town, whether it is selling food, ... repairing cars or providing a center for the arts.”

The city of Temecula bought The Merc in 2005 and transformed it into a theater. Barnett began working for The

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Built as a general store in early 1890, The Merc in Old Town Temecula now features live entertainment and art galleries and exhibitions.

Shane Gibson photos

Merc at its inception as the patron services coordinator. She would later assume the theater manager position, which she called “a marriage of my personal passions and my professional expertise.” She said she witnessed the venue’s growth, captivated by the many great names that have performed there, including Broadway star Shoshana Bean and X Factor contestants, the Brewer Boys.

“Ever since the city of Temecula has owned the building and turned it into an entertainment hub, it has become the heart of arts and culture for Old Town Temecula,” she said.

In order to perform sweeping upgrades

The Merc is Old Town Temecula’s small theater which features live entertainment such as Comedy at The Merc, Jazz at The Merc, Classics at The Merc and Speakeasy at The Merc.

and repairs to The Merc, the stage was closed in March last year. Barnett said the procedure was inevitable.

“It is a 125-year-old building, so it needs fixes,” she said.

Reopening in August, The Merc is now back to hosting regular showings, some of which are hosted on a recurring basis.

Two of the most popular events include Jazz at the Merc and Country at the Merc, showing weekly. These concerts have built a dedicated audience of returning visitors, who are attracted not only by the performers, but by The Merc itself.

“Inside of a brick building, it has natural acoustics,” Barnett said. “You don’t have

“

Built by Philip Pohlman after he won the lottery, The Merc stands as the first brick building in Temecula.

”

to enhance or do anything. The sound is perfect. It is beautiful.”

Brick by brick and show by show, The Merc continues to add life and shine light into the community.

The lobby and art gallery at The Merc in Old Town Temecula displays the work of local artists.

A painting of the Old Town Temecula Community Theater by artist Lisa Owen-Lynch on display at The Merc.

Courtesy photo

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Shane Gibson photo

13

Entertainment in the Valley From live music to hilarious standup comedy, first-class plays and toe-tapping musicals, there is no shortage of entertainment in southwest Riverside County.

For the most up-to-date entertainment options, be sure to visit www.myvalleynews.com and check out the entertainment calendar.

14

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

15

Riverside County

Housing Market

Strong

by Will Fritz

16

T

he housing market in the Inland Empire is continuing to stay strong, according to the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors.

Gene Wunderlich, director of government affairs for the association, said at the Southwest Regional Economic Forecast in August that home prices were climbing and home sales had declined in the area since 2018.

However, as of September, home sales are back ahead of 2018’s pace.

“The last month was a good sales month – we pulled ahead and now we are higher than we were last year,” Wunderlich said.

The 6,377 homes sold in the area in 2018 did still represent a slowdown from the more than 7,000 sold the year before – but 2019’s sales show the market remains in good shape.

Prices, meanwhile, are continuing to increase.

The median price of a home “is up about 26% over the last six years,” Wunderlich said. Despite that growth, Temecula only recently topped its peak average home prices from before the recession.

“Temecula is the first city in (southwest Riverside County) to regain the average price of a home since 2006,” Wunderlich said. “So it took us about 12 years

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

MORE MONEY Gene Wunderlich, director of government affairs for Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors addresses a crowd gathered for the Southwest Regional Economic Forecast on the Inland Empire housing market.

Jeff Pack photo

to make back what we lost over the space of 18 months back in the crash.”

In Temecula, the average home cost about $480,000 in August.

In the rest of the region, prices have still not caught up to their pre-recession highs.

“The other cities are a little bit slower,” Wunderlich said.

The average home in Murrieta is about $450,000 Homes in Lake Elsinore and Menifee are in the $380,000 to $390,000 range.

In Hemet, a home can still be had for about $285,000.

While the market is fine for now, there are some challenges ahead. There are two options in the next 18 months – a buying spree will commence due to pent-up demand, or decreased confidence will lead to an economic slowdown, Wunderlich said at the economic forecast. And it’s still too soon to make any predictions of which option the market will take.

“

in Your

POCKET! Full service local Real Estate agent, Mike Kish, will sell your home at

3%- 4%

TOTAL COMMISSION PAID on selling your home. the “ Make smart move today.

The median price of a home is up about 26% over the last six years.

– Gene Wunderlich

Call Mike today for an appointment and all the details!

”

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for 3.5 million new homes to be built over the next seven years, but it remains unclear how this will be done, Wunderlich said.

There’s no word on where these new homes will be, when they will be built or whether there will be any changes made to existing laws like the California Environmental Quality Act to help the necessary construction along.

Adding to the challenge is a new requirement that will go into effect in 2020 that every new home must include solar panels.

“You can’t make housing more affordable by making it more expensive,” Wunderlich said in his presentation.

Where the housing market will be in the next few years is anyone’s guess.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

”

Mike Kish

(951) 473-4069 mkish@homesmartca.com DRE#01870610

LEGENDS

17

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INLAND VALLEY ON THE

Front Lines Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley programs include homeownership and revitalization projects for residents in need of low-cost maintenance on their homes.

Of The

Housing Crisis

by Jeff Pack

H

Volunteers, like Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman Natasha Johnson seen here, can help build homes that Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley builds for families.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley holds a Women Who Build event at a home they are building for a family in Lake Elsinore. The home was finished and turned over to the family in October.

Courtesy photos

18

abitat for Humanity Inland Valley has been serving the communities of Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Sun City, Menifee and Perris since 1991.

Founded on Christian principles as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the organization works to provide low-income housing for families in the Inland Valley.

A common misconception about HFHIV is that the nonprofit “gives away” housing for free, but nothing could be further from the truth.

“Self-help homeownership programs, like HFHIV, take people from subsidy to self-sufficiency through a model that engages future homeowners in the process of making their dream of homeownership come true,” Tammy Marine, executive director of HFHIV, said. “Families are required to do ‘sweat equity’ to help build their home, then provide a small down payment and then buy the home with a no interest loan with an affordable payment.”

HFHIV likes to say, “Habitat gives a hand-up, not a hand-out!”

Helping to solve the problem of a difficult housing market in the region is something the group works toward every day.

“Our state and our nation are amid a very significant housing crisis with the lowest homeownership rate since the 40s,” Marine said. “California poses many challenges for affordable housing builders overall for a variety of reasons. One reason is the high cost of fees which can result in over $50,000 in additional cost per unit.

Another challenge is the high cost of land. The shortage of workers in the construction industry overall has also impacted our program.

“Of the 19 most expensive cities to live in the United States, 17 of them are in California and these are only some of the reasons why,” Marine said.

Marine said studies show that families who have access to decent affordable housing are able to stabilize financially and subsequently to thrive. Proper housing has a direct link to health, graduation rates, higher education, career advancement, community involvement, voter participation, self-esteem and more.

“In our area specifically, it takes 2 1/2 people working a full-time job just to afford to rent a place,” Marine said. “Occupations in the service industry, retail, agriculture and more are striving just to find a way to get a place they can afford. Those

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Give our children a

Rates Electricity Up! Are GoinndgReduce

Brighter Future

Go Solar actric Bills Your Ele own! with $0 D

$0 Down Financing Available • Federal Tax Credit Available • 25 Year Solar Module Warranty • 12-Year Loans Available • Take Control of Your Electric Bill!

• Don’t Stay on a Lifetime Payment Plan with Your Utility Company!

If expertise, fair pricing, quality products and skilled installation are important to you, look no further than New Day Solar. We have been installing solar electric systems since 1988 and have helped over 4,000 customers switch to solar.

Solar is less expensive than you think! Call us for a no obligation quote!

VIEW OUR PRICES ONLINE www.NewDaySolar.com

855-444-6329

www.yelp.com ★★★★★ CA Lic. #812958 C-10/C-46

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley begins a house they built recently for a family in Perris.

occupations are crucial to our community and they too deserve a decent place to live.”

The group also provides additional programs to improve living conditions for people in the region.

“Our home preservation programs serve over 120 families per year by offering low-cost repairs to those who qualify,” Marine said. “Over 85% of those projects are done for seniors.”

HFHIV also offers educational programs that help individuals and families improve their financial situations.

“Lastly, our multiple Restores locations offer home improvement items at a fraction of the cost allowing shoppers to save up to 75% off normal retail prices,” Marine said. “The Restores also divert thousands of tons of trash from local landfills each year (over 8,000 tons to date) by offering products a second life.”

Marine said organizations like HFHIV are crucial the overall health of the community.

“We don’t think of our beautiful region having poverty housing but poverty housing is present and can be described in three basic ways,” Marine said. “Substandard units that are unsafe and unsightly impacting families and communities overall. Overcrowded housing that results from high local housing costs and families compromising to keep a roof over their heads. And cost burdening which occurs when individuals or families pay more than 1/3 of their income for housing.

“These examples impact families but also the community at large. Poverty housing is also linked to the homelessness problem, which, by the way, also includes displaced families who just struggle to afford a place to live,” she said.

Marine said housing, in one way or another, affects us all.

“It impacts individuals, children, seniors, the disabled and more,” she said. “It impacts our neighborhoods and cities and it increases the need for social service programs that offer a bandage to some but make no fiscal sense long term. If hard-working families had access to a pathway to homeownership, they could be-

20

come self-sufficient and less dependent on government subsidies.

Also, with the baby boomer generation expected to live longer, we now need to ask ourselves how, they too, can remain independent by offering creative living alternatives that are affordable.”

Marine said now is an exciting time to be on the front lines of a housing crisis.

“The conversation of housing is at a pivotal point and the way in which we address this issue will impact our collective futures in ways we don’t typically think about,” she said. “I hope the ideas and solutions continue to rise up so we can start to address this issue in a way that makes fiscal and philosophical sense while maintaining the autonomy and dignity of our families served.”

HFHIV has many fundraising efforts and events over the course of each year and their annual Christmas Tree Lane fundraiser at the Promenade Temecula begins in November.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, visit www.habitativ.org.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley revitalization projects combine staff members and volunteers from around the community.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The greatest compliment I love to hear, is when my buyers and sellers tell me,

“We couldn’t have done it without you! ” Betty Jaurequi has been in the Real Estate Market, for over 15 years, and she is passionate about her clients Unique needs.

Betty Specializes In: • First Time Home Buyers • Military Families • Corporate Relocation • Seniors

• Investors • Horse Properties • Vineyards

Betty can offer an extensive list of Real Estate Services, and this will help make your move a whole lot easier!

Before beginning her Real Estate Career in 2005, she was successful in Corporate Technology, Sales and Customer Service.

Betty Jaurequi 949-439-0191 Cell or text bjaurequi@gmail.com CalDRE #01741637

Betty grew up in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area, and was raised in a military family. Her first professional employment was at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., working for the Adjutant General of the U.S. Army.

Betty married and moved, from Maryland to California, where she now calls home. Family has always been very important to her, and her sons, David and Joseph made her family complete, and made Betty who she is today.

Because of Betty’s first hand understanding of the challenges of our U.S. Military and their families, it has strengthened her determination to assist in finding the right home for you!

I invite you to check out my website: www.bettyjaurequi.bhhscaproperties.com/resume

Mighty Oaks Foundation

RESTORES HOPE To Military Individuals And Families

by Lexington Howe

T

Executive director Jeremy Stalnecker has helped founder Chad Robichaux with the foundation since 2012.

[Top of page] Each of the four sites has different recreational activities, and these may include horseback riding, ziplining, tours and a confidence ropes course depending on location.

Courtesy photos

22

here are around 18 million veterans, not including active duty military, currently living in the United States today who experienced some form of trauma when they returned home.

Whether its support or connection, The Mighty Oaks Foundation, headquartered in Murrieta and founded by Chad Robichaux, seeks to restore, repair and bring individuals and families back together through several programs they have to offer.

Executive director Jeremy Stalnecker met Robichaux initially in 2012, which was around the time Robichaux started running weeklong programs. Stalnecker started helping with curriculum and how to get people to attend while pastoring a church in the bay area. He was brought on full time in 2015.

“Chad served in the Marine Corps and did eight tours in Afghanistan, went back and forth a number of years and came home with post-traumatic stress disorder,” Stalnecker said. “In the process of that someone came into his life that mentored him and helped him through, and he wanted to turn around and help others,” he said.

“People come in anywhere along the continuum of life issues, so we have those who are dealing with combat trauma issues, those who are just dealing with life issues related to military and service,” Stalnecker said. “Many of them are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and some of them are not. We have folks who have attempted suicide, one or several times, and some who are just struggling in their lives.”

There are four different locations for the programs: SkyRose Ranch in Paso Robles; Blaylock Ranch in Junction, Texas; Bull Run Warrior Retreat Center in Haymarket, Virginia, and The Wilds in Columbus, Ohio. The foundation doesn’t own any of these locations, but the organizations allow them to use the facilities, according to Stalnecker.

The programs are segregated by men and women.

“We have horseback riding, ziplining, and a couple of tours that the guys are able to go onto,” national programs director Branden D. Kunath, said.

“Virginia has the Smithsonian (Museum) Tour and then a civil war battle site very close to that location, so the guys are able to walk around and see that history,” Kunath said, adding that in Virginia there is also a confidence ropes course in which you’re navigated and escorted by a partner, blindfolded.

“For a lot of them, afterward they realize how much they didn’t know, and they’ve realized how much things really weren’t right,” Kunath said.

“Maybe they might have thought that there was only one issue, but as they started to peel back the onion they realized this is much bigger than they thought. But when they leave, they have hope.”

Kunath served with the Marines for 15 years and was stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for a majority of it.

“About 13 years in, with my injuries and things going on in my life I kind of came to a crashing THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The Mighty Oaks Foundation helps bring hope and healing to men and women through weeklong programs in California, Texas, Virginia, and Ohio.

The men hear from various speakers during a weeklong program designed to help military men and women repair and restore hope in their lives, whether it be for themselves or within their families back home.

halt,” he said. “It forced me to go to a Marine transition unit with Wounded Warrior Battalion, and that’s where I found out about Mighty Oaks back in 2013.”

Kunath put off going at first. “I didn’t want to do the program, I didn’t feel like I deserved to go,” he said. “Eventually, I needed something to get away, so I went selfishly to get away from my family, where most guys would go with a goal in mind of getting better.”

Kunath was deployed seven times, and six times were to Iraq or Afghanistan.

“I went to the program to escape, but it was a wake-up call,” he said. “It was what I needed, and that was the moment that really changed everything for me.”

The program has overseen 2,800 graduates and continues to grow, currently hosting 27 programs each year.

While the weeklong program offers time for men and women to reconnect, returning home and what occurs afterward can be just as difficult, according to Kunath. The Aftercare Program, run by Robert Cale helps the transition for individuals leaving the program and going back into daily life.

“I kind of use my return home as a caution to the guys,” Kunath said. “When I returned home I went home with the mindset of being on this new course, this new Branden, that I would wipe the slate clean and start over fresh, going full speed ahead.

“When I went home, I went home Brandon ‘B’, and my wife is so used to Brandon ‘A’ that she had no clue. She was even more confused because I came home and tried to be on this, as she’d say “road to righteousness,” and I was just leaving her and my two children in the dust behind me.

“I had completely overlooked all the damage and destruction that I had done previously to me going and I failed to focus on that,” Kunath said. “I needed to go back and work on it with my wife and how to work through the process of that, and healing, asking for forgiveness, dealing with it. So for me it was a big wake-up call that I went home with great intent, but just not the right direction.”

While men and women spend a week in the program, its enough time to make a good decision but not enough to change bad habits or to fix trauma, according to Stalnecker. While the program helps a good majority of those who go through it, some still need tools to help them, whether it is connecting them to a community, counseling, or on-going accountability.

“It’s a process, and not an instant one,” Kunath said. “When

giving up looks good, that quitting looks easier, to remind them to persevere, that they’ve been through much worse. Quitting isn’t an option.

“It’s interesting that guys will say they’ve tried everything, drugs, alcohol, medication, therapy, and they come to a point where they realize it didn’t work, but the idea of taking their own life, suicide, is an option that they’ll never know if it’ll work or not,” Kunath said. “So I don’t understand why people would go and choose that, I do, but the bottom line is that quitting is not an option. It’s never been an option in the military, law enforcement, fire, life in general, so it shouldn’t be an option anywhere else.”

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

DISTINCTIVE BARNS & BUILDINGS Select from many colors!

Metal Roofing • Shade Covers • Steel Buildings

760-690-2891

www.castlesteelbuildings.com 23

Bill and Rose Rhoads Supporting America’s Veterans

by Diane A. Rhodes Bill and Rose Rhoads attend a Quilts of Valor presentation in Menifee; a quilt that was presented is Diane A. Rhodes photo seen in the background.

Bill Rhoads, right, shares patriotic-themed quilts with Mike Sloan who works with homeless veterans in the Courtesy photo San Diego area.

Bill Rhoads performs at a Veterans Day event in San Courtesy photo Jacinto.

Rose Rhoads shows an article from the most recent copy of Quiltfolk magazine that showcased a Quilts of Valor presentation to San Jacinto veteran Danny Crosser.

Diane A. Rhodes photo

24

B

ill and Rose Rhoads of Sun City have a special connection to America’s military veterans and salute them in their own ways.

The couple support each other’s interests: hers is quilting and his is music, and they often combine their talents to support veterans.

Bill Rhoads served in the United States Army for 20 years and is a Vietnam War veteran, retired Army Ranger and paratrooper. He served in the 11th and 101st Airborne Divisions as well as other units throughout the world.

“As a veteran and musician, it was a natural flow to combine my love of music with the desire to promote veteran causes,” Bill Rhoads, 82, said.

He recalls his family playing music and singing throughout his childhood in Pennsylvania and Nebraska.

“Music was our recreation,” he said. “I remember sitting on a tavern floor or on someone’s knee, listening to music with the smell of beer and cigars filling the room. I’ve loved, sung, and played music my whole life.”

While serving in the Army, Bill Rhoads formed a band and performed in the United States and numerous other countries where he was stationed. After retiring from the military, he continued to perform for several years until he decided to spend more of his time writing.

“I wrote ‘Remember Me (The Fallen Soldier)’ as a memorial tribute from a veteran,” he said.

“I have performed that song, along with other original and patriotic music, at many veterans’ events for the past 10 years and occasionally at selected functions.”

Bill Rhoads has produced several albums of original music, some of which can be heard at www.billrhoadsmusic.com. He has also written a book titled “Bill’s Notes from a Lifetime of Learning, Lyrics and Love” and writes a blog at www.sillymansyndrome.com.

Together, the Rhoadses support several children’s music programs and the Guitars for Vets nonprofit by donating instruments. And Bill

Rhoads often joins his wife in the presentation of Quilts of Valor to veterans who have been touched by war.

Rose Rhoads started quilting in the early 1980s. When the couple moved to Sun City in 2003, she joined the Hemet Valley Quilters and served as the guild’s president for two years.

“Quilters have long been my friends and that’s where I feel comfortable,” Rose Rhoads, 76, said. “As much as I enjoyed the Hemet group, I wanted a quilting group closer to home, so around 2008, another lady (who has since passed away) and I started the Sun City Quilting Club.”

There are no dues and no rules; everyone does their own thing and there are no requirements. But doing their own thing often unites them in specific projects such as Quilts of Valor.

Rose Rhoads was introduced to the national program by a fellow quilter.

“I felt a strong need to be involved because I appreciate the sacrifice of our active duty military and veterans,” she said. “I got our Sun City group involved and we began slowly, first making a few quilts and doing the quilting ourselves on our home machines.”

Soon people began donating fabric and the group pitched in to purchase batting for the middle layer of insulation. A few years into the group’s projects, someone donated a longarm quilting machine on the condition it be used for philanthropic work. Rose Rhoads said a few members took classes to learn how to operate the machine to be used for Quilts of Valor projects.

“A Quilt of Valor has three layers: the top has many colors that represents community, the batting provides warmth, comfort and healing, and the backing is the strength that supports each stitch,” Rose Rhoads said at a Fourth of July presentation. “The finished See RHOADS cont. on page 84

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Mt. San Jacinto Community College

Expands Education

by Diane A. Rhodes

F

or more than 50 years, the Mt. San Jacinto Community College district has provided the tools needed for students to receive a quality education that can lead to many opportunities. It currently serves about 26,000 students in a district which spans 1,700 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to Temecula. In May 2019, MSJC awarded a record-breaking 3,314 degrees and certificates to 1,707 graduates.

As students returned to MSJC for the fall semester, they were met with some new and exciting programs including the MSJC Promise that provides free tuition to some first-time, full-time students.

When Menifee Valley Campus’ former child care center is completely renovated, it will serve as a student center featuring a cafeteria, bookstore, career and transfer center, student life offices, club rooms, a multicultural space and a new Student Health Center. The renovation will offer students topnotch facilities that will allow for more internal space for gatherings, club life, wellness, career and transfer offices, and student life. The health center opened in August.

A new Student Health Center also opened at the San Jacinto Campus. Students can now access services such as health consultations, triage for first aid and emergency care, wellness education, mental health counseling, referChristian Flores of Hemet attends MSJC. rals, and a lactation room for nursing Courtesy photos mothers.

The college regularly analyzes labor market data and job forecasts to determine what disciplines need to be added or advanced. Karin Marriott, director of public information, marketing and strategic Communications, offered an example of how the college stays on top of current employment trends.

26

“As technology continues to evolve, more companies are creating positions for computer-savvy experts to handle their security needs,” she said. “The MSJC Computer and Information Systems program is launching an employment concentration certificate in cybersecurity this fall to train people for those positions that are in demand today and will be for the foreseeable future.”

Another addition was an Introduction to Construction course in collaboration with the city of Temecula and the carpenters’ union.

Making it easier for students to take full advantage of what the college has to offer, MSJC Career Education Department’s Mobile Career Center was launched in February 2019. The Strong Workforce Program provided about $300,000 in funding for the state-of-the-art center which features 14 computer stations and an interview station. It is taken to schools and job fairs, included in community parades and provides workshops on resume writing and interview skills.

“The Mobile Career Center is a logical next step that enables us to send our knowledgeable resources out into our communities to help people further their education or prepare to land their next job. MSJC will be there to help them succeed and thrive in today’s workforce,” Joyce Johnson, executive dean of instruction, said.

While students still attend classes at the Temecula Higher Education Center, the college district is working on renovation of two five-story office buildings at 41888 Motor Car Parkway in Temecula. Purchased in March 2018 the new campus will help expand access to higher education for residents of southwest Riverside County and surrounding communities.

“I am thrilled that Mt. San Jacinto College will be able to prepare more students for the education they need to reach their goals at one convenient location,” Roger Schultz, Ph.D., college district superintendent and president, said. “It is a beautiful facility; it aligns with our mission and this is a real milestone in the history of the THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

San Jacinto campus.

New health centers at the MSJC San Jacinto and Menifee Valley campuses provide students improved access to medical services and mental health counselors.

Genevieve Gillespie, left, is the administrative associate of the Student Health Center, and Dr. Lisa McAllister is the associate dean of health services.

college district.”

The Temecula Valley campus’ 350,000-squarefoot facility will help address shortages in classroom space for popular courses. The purchase price was $56.5 million, which came from the voter-approved Measure AA funds.

Measure AA, approved in November 2014, was a $295 million facilities construction bond that enables MSJC to add new buildings and renovate or replace aging infrastructure so it can increase and improve education opportunities for students earning certificates and degrees or transferring to fouryear universities.

“We also work closely with our colleagues at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to seek out grants and additional funding oppor-

tunities for buildings, programs and other initiatives,” Marriott said. “Students depend on MSJC to provide them with quality education at an affordable price. Students save about $40,000 by attending MSJC on their way to earning a four-year degree.”

She added that regional employers depend on MSJC to provide them with a skilled workforce to fill jobs in nursing, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement, auto and computer technicians, and many other jobs important to the region.

“Many studies show that an educated population means increases in volunteerism, healthier lifestyles and other benefits, while reducing crime and dependence on public assistance,” Marriott said.

For more information, visit www.msjc.edu or call (951) 639-5313.

Menifee campus.

San Gorgonio Pass campus.

Temecula Higher Education Center.

Mt. San Jacinto College

F u tu re Hom e of Mt. Sa n Ja cin to Colleg e

TE ME CULA VA L L E Y C A M PUS 41888 Motor Car Parkway 951.639.5313 MSJC.edu

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

27

Fallbrook, Temecula and Murrieta

Go Way Back

by Jeff Pack

The Murrieta Fountain House Hotel is pictured with the train that ran in the area in 1888.

Photos courtesy of Temecula Valley Historical Society

I

t is less than 15 miles from Old Town Temecula to downtown Fallbrook by car and less than 20 miles from Murrieta.

For many years, on a land without borders, the communities

ELSINORE VALLEY Pregnancy Resource Center

THE ONLY RESOURCE OF ITS KIND IN THE SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE HUB

Offering Food, Materials & More During Pregnancy Workshops & Education After Pregnancy Gala Fundraising Dinner March 28, 2020 Only $50pp RSVP to 951-245-8587

Annual Walk for Life October 3, 2020

ALL SERVICES ARE FREE

Privacy, Respect, Information & Options

WWW.EVPRC.ORG | 951.245.8587 31735 Riverside Drive, Suite A/B, Lake Elsinore

28

had a lot of ties, and interaction was frequent with members from each of the early settlements traveling back and forth for a variety of reasons.

Now divided by the border of Riverside and San Diego counties as well as the Santa Margarita River, the communities are close neighbors, with vastly different climates, economies and population numbers.

For many years, residents of Fallbrook rarely visited the Temecula Valley, which was scarcely populated and offered little in terms of commercial and retail offerings.

According to a United States census report, in 1930 Fallbrook had a population of 9,446 people living within the community.

By contrast, in 1980, Temecula’s population hovered around 2,000 residents and Murrieta had roughly that same number in 1990.

The demographics of all three communities would change dramatically over the course of the 1990s when the valley exploded with new homes and commercial development.

The influx of new, inexpensive tract homes that were built in the 1980s and 1990s drew residents from Fallbrook who were priced out of the more expensive rural, grove and farmland properties.

By 2010, Temecula and Murrieta topped 100,000 residents and Fallbrook still had less than 30,000.

As Temecula and Murrieta began to draw more retail and commercial development to the area, Fallbrook residents turned their heads and began to frequent the valley more often, instead of traveling to Oceanside and Escondido as they had for decades.

Today residents in the valley often escape to the hidden away village of Fallbrook and Fallbrookians head to the valley for shopping and entertainment options with regularity.

Historically, the communities often intermingled. “The earliest, encompassing historical tie was the establishTHE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Workers stop to pose for a photo in 1882 during the construction of train tracks that ran through Murrieta.

The train that ran from Fallbrook to Murrieta comes through an unidentified mountain pass in the 1880s.

ment of Mission San Luis Rey in 1798,” historian Tom Frew of the Fallbrook Historical Society said. “The mission lands included today’s greater Fallbrook, Pala, and Temecula. All of the Native Americans living in this region were named the San Luiseños, later shortened to Luiseños.”

“There was a road leading from Rancho Santa Margarita (Camp Pendleton) through Fallbrook down the Red Mountain Grade into Vallecitos,” Jeffery Harmon, president of the Murrieta Valley Historical Society, said. “Then the path would have gone down the Temecula grade into the Temecula Valley.”

According to Frew, in 1860 U.S. census, the first homesteaders of modern Fallbrook lived together around John and Henry Magee’s store and outpost in Temecula, which he said was mostly a collection of Indian villages. Frew said in 1862, Magee’s brother-in-law Vital Reche would homestead where Live Oak Park is today, naming his property, the Fall Brook Ranch, from which the town derives its name.

“The two areas were connected by the 1880s by the California Southern Railroad,” Harmon said. “This connection only lasted until 1891 when floodwaters washed out the railroad tracks in the Santa Margarita Canyon.”

“The train passed by Fallbrook station

to enemy warships.”

It was in 1893 that Riverside County was formed, separating the communities in government.

Before that, residents in Temecula and Murrieta, and most of what is Riverside County today, were part of San Diego County. Because residents in the region and those from the further reaches of San Bernardino County wanted representation that was closer geographically to where they lived and a proposal to form Riverside County was approved with 70% of the vote.

“There were no hospitals in our area,” Harmon said. “However, when Fallbrook built a hospital (in 1960), it was utilized frequently by residents of Temecula and Murrieta. It is common to see people (in the valley) who were born in Fallbrook, or died in Fallbrook at the hospital there.”

Ironically today, Fallbrook Hospital is closed and many of the Fallbrook residents being born into the area or treated for illnesses are traveling to the valley to one of five hospitals in the region.

“Fallbrook, Temecula, and Murrieta have strong connections that goes back over two hundred years,” Harmon said.

“From the missions, to the ranchos, to the railroad, to the Inland Highway, Highway 395, and avocados, we are deeply connected.”

at the intersection of today’s De Luz and Sandia Creek roads, twice daily,” Frew said. “From Temecula, the track continued to Barstow where the rest of the country could be connected.”

“It is my belief that a stagecoach service would have been started to transport the people from Temecula to the coast to catch the train,” Harmon said. “The stagecoach service may have gone up the Red Mountain Grade to connect with the train in Fallbrook.”

U.S. Route 395 connected Escondido, Fallbrook, Temecula and Murrieta, forever changing the way people traveled between the communities.

“By the turn of the century, the automobile had come to the forefront,” Harmon said. “In 1913, construction began on the Inland Highway, an alternate route between Los Angeles and San Diego. This route would have connected Murrieta, Temecula, and Fallbrook. The Inland Highway was not completely paved in San Diego County until the mid-1920s and the highway connected Murrieta, Temecula, and Fallbrook via the Red Mountain Grade.”

Harmon said that in 1934, the Inland Highway became a part of the “Transcontinental Highway 395 that stretched from Canada to Mexico. During World War II, military traffic utilized this route because the Pacific Coast Highway was vulnerable

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

29

Sally and Gary Myers’ BMW Management company operates 23 franchise Sizzler locations throughout California plus a Rancho Cucamonga site of their family’s concept, Richie’s Diner. Shown here is the Hemet Sizzler, built in 2016.

Diane A. Rhodes photo

Sally Myers LOVES HER

COMMUNITY

by Diane A. Rhodes

T

reating her employees like family and her restaurants like homes away from home have been the hallmarks of BMW Management multi-unit franchisee Sally Myers. Alongside her husband Gary of 42 years, the Temecula resident has put her personal stamp on the communities where their restaurants are located.

“People are our passion,” Myers, who serves as vice president of marketing, said. “People keep us motivated, engaged and ready to start each day. Our staff and our guests literally make our day fresh, fun, heartfelt and humble.”

Gary Myers, the company’s president and CEO, and Sally Myers are both California natives and grew up in Torrance where the couple were high school sweethearts. Her parents, Jack and Linda Williams, were Sizzler restaurant franchisees for many years, and in the early nineties the couple founded Richie’s Real American Diner. Sally Myers was raised in and around the hospitality industry her entire life.

While Myers said she always knew she would gravitate to the restaurant business because of her parents’ involvement, she has blazed her own trail through some life lessons learned from her parents and American author, speaker and pastor John Maxwell, who has written many books that focus primarily on leadership.

“Success is all about giving your all, dedicating your personal best to everything you do,” Myers, 63, said. “We make our share of mistakes but as John Maxwell says, when you fail, you must fail forward and learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

It’s being so passionate about what you do that you jump up every day to do it all again because pleasing people never gets old.

Gary and I both had great, hardworking and passionate parents.

30

“

Courtesy photo

The most notable program has been the Student of the Month program Myers founded 28 years ago in the Temecula area.

It honors outstanding high school college-bound students who have made a difference through demonstration of character, perseverance and love for their community.

They taught us to never give up and that doing what you love is not work – it’s what keeps you motivated each day.

They also taught us forgiveness, grace and that love is unconditional.”

The couple and their three children moved to Temecula in 1983 where they built their first Sizzler on Jefferson Avenue. Today, their 23 franchise Sizzler locations span from San Diego to Sacramento, plus they operate their family concept, Richie’s Diner, in Rancho Cucamonga.

The company’s community involvement has fostered a sense of loyalty with its customer base and immense pride with its employees and has led to the development of strong connections. The couple began programs that support the communities where they have Sizzler restaurants.

“It’s not that we work hard at making community connections.

We work passionately at our business, and in doing so we meet guests who share their life passions with us, engage in local philanthropy and over time your love for community just happens,”

”

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Your LOCAL Plumbing Company BMW Management’s newest Sizzler is in Manteca, which was built shortly after the Hemet Sizzler opened in 2016.

Courtesy photo

Myers said. “The result is developing trusting relationships.”

The most notable program has been the Student of the Month program Myers founded 28 years ago in the Temecula area. It honors outstanding high school college-bound students who have made a difference through demonstration of character, perseverance and love for their community.

More than 8,000 students in Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Perris and Menifee have been honored by Myers’ program, and it has become so respected that she has assisted other passionate leaders in starting up programs in their hometowns. One of those is Karena Zermeno, who oversees Student of the Month programs in Hemet and San Jacinto, Banning and Beaumont and other Riverside County locations with Myers’ mentorship.

“When I met Sally in 2012, I was blown away by what she was doing for students that have overcome difficult life challenges,” Zermeno of Altura Credit Union said. “Her grace and passion for the students and the program made me want to be a part of this.

Sally is a loving, caring and powerful woman that I truly admire.

She is a role model and a tremendous asset to everyone she touches.”

When it comes to her employees, Myers is proud of the fact they have the opportunity to learn lifelong work ethics and disciplines that will serve them well throughout their lives.

“We provide our employees with the tools to grow and succeed within our company,” Myers said. “And if they do leave us, they take with them our standards of operation and integrity.”

Jesus Sandoval started his Sizzler career at the original Hemet location 18 years ago and now serves as a district supervisor for Hemet, Perris, Murrieta and two San Diego locations. BMW Management built the new and improved Hemet Sizzler in 2016 on the burgeoning west side of town. The Myerses most significant addition to their newly remodeled restaurants is the introduction of certified Angus beef, a high-end, premium brand of beef. BMW Management’s service vision is for each team member to “care for and serve our guests beyond their expectations.”

“Mrs. Myers is very positive in her delivery of feedback and that’s what I admire most about her,” Sandoval said, who lives in Hemet. “She is also receptive to any of our feedback, which means a lot to us.”

The daily motivation for Gary and Sally Myers is their strong faith and knowing they serve a great God. Sally Myers’ favorite gift to her family and grandchildren is creating an annual picture memory book of their fun times.

“Family is precious, and we love our time together,” she said.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Our trained technicians are right here in the valley, 24/7 for ALL your plumbing needs!  Water Heater Installation (Including All New Code Upgrades)  Slab Leak Repairs  Camera Inspections  Sewer Line Repairs  Snaking/Jetting Lines  Trenchless Sewer Line Repairs  Reroutes, Repipes  Pressure Testing  Replacement of Regulators  Leak Detection  Water Filtration Systems  And SO Much More!!

24 / 7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Including Holidays

Customer service is our #1 priority!

Call us for more information about our services.

Call 888-333-5325

www.AccurateLeakLocators.com Veteran Owned & Operated • License #850152

31

Soboba Foundation Impacts Lives

Annual charitable events support nonprofits

S

Michelle Modesto, who co-hosted the 12th annual Lip Sync Contest with Andrew Vallejos, starts the show with her interpretation of “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse.

Diane A. Rhodes photo

Soboba Foundation members greet guests at the start of the seventh annual Charity Golf Tournament in March, 2019.

Courtesy Kersten Carrington Photography

Soboba Youth Council members help “Unstuff the Bus” filled with toys to benefit needy families whose children attend San Jacinto Unified School District schools. Toys were collected during Soboba Foundation’s Diane A. Rhodes photo annual toy drive.

32

by Mike Hiles

The San Jacinto Unified School District is one of a dozen nonprofits who performed at the 12th annual Lip Sync Contest at the Soboba Casino Resort, June, 2019.

Courtesy Rodrigo Pena Photography

ince it was established by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians in 2010 for charitable and educational purposes, the Soboba Foundation has provided financial support to hundreds of other nonprofit organizations. In addition to sponsorships throughout the year, the foundation hosts signature annual events that include a charity golf tournament in the spring, lip sync contest in the summer, and toy drive each winter.

Proceeds from these events benefit many organizations that in turn help others.

The vision of the Soboba Foundation can be seen through its mission statement, which is to provide financial assistance for educational and charitable activities that preserve the cultural heritage of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and support Native American and local community programs.

While the foundation’s generosity helps groups do their worthy work, most said it’s the partnership that they find most rewarding. Everyone from executive directors to volunteers is grateful for the caring and compassion shown by each member of the Soboba Foundation. Board members regularly visit groups to see firsthand what they do for the people they serve.

“I got to go out and see what they do in and for the community – it was very rewarding,” Isaiah Vivanco, vice chair of the Tribal Council and member at large for Soboba Foundation, said. “It was awesome to see them in action.”

At its most recent charity golf tournament, 10 groups were able to fund their wish list projects with the $10,000 grant each received. From Girl Scouts to single moms and a local high school’s campus-wide program for its freshmen students, the foundation’s mission is to support tribal and community charitable and educational programs and activities.

Monica Herrera, who is a Soboba Foundation member at large and serves as secretary for Soboba Tribal Council, said the foundation – and the golf tournament specifically – has given her the opportunity to learn more about what goes

on in the communities that surround the Soboba Reservation where she grew up.

“I didn’t realize how many different organizations we have here that do so much to help others,” she said. “I found so many good hearts doing good things and met people who have a real passion for what they do.”

Each year, the Soboba Toy Drive collects and distributes more than 6,000 toys that go to needy families via local schools, religious organizations, community nonprofits and non-gaming Indian tribes. Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Chairman Steven Estrada said his tribe started receiving gifts for about 100 children up to the age of 17 nearly a decade ago.

“Soboba has always been supportive of our tribe,” he said.

Soboba Foundation secretary Michelle Modesto served as co-host for this year’s Lip Sync Contest with sponsorship coordinator Andrew Vallejos.

“I get such good vibes from this program,” she said. “I enjoy having a part in giving back to the community.”

Miguel Sarasa has consistently participated in the annual Lip Sync Contest on behalf of more than one nonprofit. As executive director of T.H.E. Center Inc., he was thrilled his nonprofit won the first-place prize of $5,000.

“Soboba does so much for our community and this event is a fun opportunity to get everyone involved and bring awareness to the various causes that work so hard in our community,” he said.

“The Soboba Foundation is truly so generous.”

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians allocates funding to the Soboba Foundation for charitable giving purposes that are distributed to various organizations or nonprofit groups. Its funding priorities focus on education, community, health, and special projects that help other organizations meet their own missions and visions. Hundreds of applications for funding consideration are received and considered by the foundation’s board See SOBOBA FOUNDATION cont. on page 84 THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Temple of Temecula

Visit Us at our New Location in Old Town!

A Conservative Congregation with a Modern Twist

Under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Sandy Rosenstein

Shabbat services each Friday night and Saturday morning: 7:30 pm and 10:00 am respectively  We welcome Jewish interfaith families of all stripes  Friendly and welcoming congregation/community  Traditional yet contemporary worship services – English and Hebrew with lots of singing  Interesting sermons, often psychological in orientation, making weekly Torah reading applicable to our life here in Temecula  Weekly spiritual care group

Adult Education: Miller Program

Introduction to Judaism for those wishing to convert to Judaism and those just interested in learning about Judaism. Fee based; 18 weeks, includes basic reading Hebrew skills class

NEW LOCATION:

28600 Mercedes Street, Suite 102 • Temecula, CA 92590 Next door to City Hall in Old Town Temecula

(951) 679-0419 • tbstemecula.org

Marty Edwards FOUNDER

by Diane A. Rhodes

B

Members show off their tattoos during a recent outing.

Courtesy photo

34

lack Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ is a 20-year-old international organization with members in more than 40 states, Australia, France and Mexico. It has one mission that began in Murrieta when National President Marty Edwards, who was the pastor of Lamb’s Fellowship and overseer of eight churches in southwest Riverside County, had an experience that haunts him to this day.

At the time, Edwards wanted to take up a hobby for his Mondays off, and he wasn’t a golfer and didn’t like fishing so he purchased a motorcycle. He rode his Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail every chance he got.

One day he found it had a flat tire and called the local Harley dealership, then owned by Rich Quaid, to pick it up since motorcycle tires are not something that can be easily changed.

The young man who arrived with the truck to transport the bike was Michael Butters, who Edwards recalled as a tall, thin 19-year-old with “shoulder-length blonde hair, tattoos and a bad attitude.” As the two rode together to the dealership, Edwards said he felt as if God was asking him to strike up a conversation with Butters to share the truth about Jesus Christ.

“But I was new in the motorcycle community and intimidated by the opportunity, so I remained silent on the subject and just made some small talk with

him,” Edwards, 44, said.

Two days later, Butters was killed riding his motorcycle to work and the news hit Edwards hard, he said.

He went to the dealership to talk to Quaid, explaining he was a local pastor and Harley-Davidson Owners Group, called H.O.G., member and asked if there was something he could do to help employees deal with the devastating news of the young man’s death.

“Quaid said I could do anything I wanted to do, and I felt this was like a personal invitation from God,” Edwards said. “I went to all the departments, speaking and praying with the employees. Some opened their hearts and others cried but all of them welcomed the opportunity to talk.”

He said that was the seed that grew into the ministry he oversees today.

“We’re not unique; there are other Christian ministry organizations across the country and about 20 here in Southern California,” Edwards said. “What sets Black Sheep apart is that we serve a group of bikers completely untouched by other Christian groups, and that’s Harley-Davidson Owners Group members.”

Edwards is quick to point out that Black Sheep HDFC is not a church and does not intend to replace one. It is a requirement that members belong to a church and that they set their priorities as God, THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

For the Best Ride/Drive Experience in the West

Live Music, Cold Beer, Great Food & Good Times!

Come on in and enjoy the ride!

Burgers Sandwiches Salads Chili Hot Wings Fries

27413 Hwy 76 Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

www.josieshideout.com

Open Wed-Sunday 8am to 9pm ~ Please Drive Responsibly

Marty Edwards of Murrieta is the founder and national president of Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ. Diane A. Rhodes photo

Members from around the world attend a training.

family, church and last, a ministry such as Black Sheep.

“We are the cavalry – we are from the church but out in the community,” Edwards said. “The two biggest misconceptions are that churches sometimes think we are just out riding all the time and the motorcycle community thinks we are Bible thumpers. Both are inaccurate – we are men and women who are Christians and are committed to the motorcycle subculture where we live out our faith through random acts of kindness. Words are cheap so we get up, go out and do.”

He said Black Sheep members are asked to “show up, shake hands and listen to find out where H.O.G. members are at.”

When Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ was formed in 1999, there were about 700,000 H.O.G. members and today there are 1.5 to 2 million worldwide. He said members are motorcycle enthusiasts who like to ride and his ministry reaches out to members in need through events that include a ride, food, music and games.

Even after the events following Butters’ death, Edwards did not seek to start a motorcycle ministry, but when a few friends from his Murrieta church began riding together, they spoke of designing a patch and coming up with a name for their group.

“Being members of a church named the Lamb’s Fellowship, the secretary often teased us for being the ‘black sheep’ of the flock,” Edwards said. “The name not only stuck but seemed to make perfect sense in light of biblical passages which described Christians as outcasts, aliens and foreigners.”

From there, the concept continued to grow among other H.O.G. members, and today it stands as a testament to the power 36

Courtesy photo

of faith, he said. Black Sheep is not only H.O.G. focused but family oriented.

“We are pleased to ride as single adults, married couples and often with our children,” Edwards said, who has two children and two grandchildren. “We are a very conservative group regardless of our rogue unconventional look.”

Edwards was born in New York and moved around a lot as a child. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Christian education at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego with a goal of becoming a pastor, not a missionary. He spent 15 years in youth ministries, and in 1988 he planted the Lamb’s Fellowship Church in Murrieta and its daughter church in Lake Elsinore.

“For the 20 years before Black Sheep was born, I had no intention of doing anything other than pastoring, but I think I’m just a restless entrepreneur by nature,” Edwards said. “Everything I know about motorcycle ministries I’ve learned from our riders and other ministries.”

He said that the nonprofit is constantly evolving because in the beginning they thought if you were a Christian and had a Harley-Davidson that was enough. What started with a half page of bylaws has grown to 16 pages. Black Sheep HDFC’s first office and warehouse was in Edwards’ garage but now has industrial park office space in Murrieta.

The group doesn’t hand out Bible tracts or Bibles, but Edwards and his wife, Debbie, have published a couple of books that use psalms and parables to tell stories that are relatable to a rider and helps drive home the point.

Debbie Edwards is a registered nurse who worked double shifts to help sup-

Local members of Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ share some conversation during a break from riding.

Courtesy photo

The first members of Murrieta’s Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ; the motorcycle ministry was founded in 1999.

Courtesy photo

Marty “Slow Dog” Edwards, founder and national president of Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ on a ride.

Courtesy photo

port the family while the group got off the ground as her contribution to the ministry.

“There would be no Lamb’s Fellowship or Black Sheep if not for her,” her husband said.

For more information, visit www.BlackSheepHDFC.org or call (951) 677-1407.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Your Best Source for Local News & Advertising!

D-1 C-3

TO RECEIVE SUBSC RIBE TODAY

FALL TREE SALE!

D-1

B-6

Independent, Local, REAL

News

AT: SUBSCR IBE ONLINE

cribe

www.myvalleynews.com/subs

on Page A-5 See Our Ad UP

SAVE

eta , ula , murri serVing temec

, san Jacint o ar , h emet e , wildom e , m enife l ake e lsinor

TO

50% OFF!

ound and the surr

uniti ing comm

eta , l ake ula , murri serVing temec

Local

Your subscription supports us

es

, san Jacint o ar , h emet e , wildom e lsinor e , m enife

ound and the surr

and your community!

uniti ing comm

es

Local

Local Local

SUBSCRIBE to the weekly Entertainment

Busines s

CALL ONLINE or MAIL INDEX

INDEX

951-763-5510 myvalleynews.com/subscribe 111 W. Alvarado St., Fallbrook, CA 92028

Mail this completed form and payment to 111 W. Alvarado St., Fallbrook, CA 92028

o New Subscriber o Renewal Name: ______________________________________ ___________________________________________

Subscribe Online to SAVE $20!

Subscription Payment Options (Choose One) o $69.95 one year - OR $49.95 when you pay online* o $105.95 two years - OR $85.95 when you pay online* o $145.95 three years - OR $125.95 when you pay online*

Address: ____________________________________

o Visa

City:______________ State:________ Zip: _________

Cardnumber: _________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Expiration Date:________ Billing Zip Code: __________

Email: ______________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________

o Mastercard

o Check

o Cash

*Subscription will continue to renew until cancelled by customer. Renewals will not be charged until the last paid subscription period expires.

This agreement remains until cancelled by myvalleynews.com.

New Wildomar Animal Friends of the Valleys Executive Director Monica Wylie visits with a group of kittens at the shelter.

Shane Gibson photos

Animal Friends of the Valleys

Continues to Help Stray Pets Find Homes

by Will Fritz

38

N

ow three years into its third decade, Animal Friends of the Valleys continues to help stray dogs, cats and other animals find homes, reunite lost pets with their owners, offer spay and neuter services and more.

The animal shelter, established in 1987 as Lake Elsinore Animal Friends, has since expanded to cover the entire southwest Riverside County region, Monica Wylie, the shelter’s new executive director, said.

The shelter’s goal is to help every single stray that comes in either get back to their old home or find a new one, Wylie said.

“We are certainly advocates for the animals in our communities,” she said.

Kittens are available for adoption at the Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar.

About 20% to 30% of the stray dogs that come into the shelter are eventually reclaimed by their owners, she said. Cats are usually not so lucky – only about 2% of the cats that come in get reclaimed.

“Cats aren’t as much on the radar if they’re lost, because people think maybe they’re independent or coyotes may have gotten them,” Wylie said. “Or if they’re indoor cats and they get out, they usually don’t end up in a shelter right away – they may be hiding for a week or two.”

The shelter does use euthanasia, Wylie said, but they try to keep it to animals with medical or behavioral problems – although something pet owners can do to help stop animals from being euthanized is to make sure their pets are spayed and neutered.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

A newborn kitten is cared for at the Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar.

“Spay and neuter is critical to help us with that,” she said.

Currently, in October, the shelter is facing a lot of stray cats and kittens, as cats tend to breed during warmer periods.

“Right now with this warm weather we are seeing a lot of kittens,” Wylie said.

Typically, the shelter sees the most stray dogs come in around the Fourth of July and New Year’s Day. “The fireworks frighten them and they just lose their minds and are running all over the place, so those would be the busiest times of year for dogs,” she said.

It’s not just cats and dogs that Animal Friends of the Valleys handles. Rabbits, which are statistically the third-most-popular pet in the United States, also come into the shelter, along with other less-likely animals like guinea pigs, chickens, goats and tortoises.

“We actually have desert tortoises that come in here as strays,” Wylie said. “That makes me laugh, but…”

While Animal Friends of the Valleys needs families to adopt pets, they also need families who are willing to provide foster care, particularly for kittens but also for puppies and adult dogs and cats.

Wylie joined Animal Friends of the Valleys in September after an extensive nationwide search. She comes to the shelter with more than 15 years’ experience at The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County in Tacoma, Washington. And to her, it’s not just a job, it’s a passion – in fact, she came back to animal shelter work after working as a Realtor for two years.

“I missed the mission, I missed being able to make this difference,” she said. “If I could help one more today than I did yesterday, then I’m winning and they’re winning, and for the folks that are here volunteering, it’s all about the mission, and if we can get these guys out of here with homes then it’s so worth it.”

Animal Friends of the Valleys kennel tech Christopher Smith spends time with a dog available for adoption during outdoor time at the Wildomar shelter.

A dog available for adoption at the Animal Friends of the Valley shelter in Wildomar.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

39

The inside of this yurt tent has a rock ‘n’ roll theme at Launch Pointe Yurt Village in Lake Elsinore.

Matt Woods, the general manager of Lake Elsinore’s Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park, and Lake Elsinore’s Assistant to the city Manager, Nicole Dailey, stand in front of the new Launch Pointe Community Hall.

The inside of the Launch Pointe Community Hall is ready for guests.

Shane Gibson photos

Lake Elsinore’s Long-Awaited

Launch Pointe

by Kim Harris 40

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Discover the next evolution in entertainment.

The finished remodel of the Launch Pointe campsites in Lake Elsinore.

B

ountiful sunshine gleams off silver Airstream campers as the joyous laughter of children fills the air laden with the smell of fresh lake water and mouthwatering morsels being prepared by talented chefs for consumption by those choosing to spend the weekend at the lake.

Reminiscent of a scene of days gone by, this sight isn’t from some distant mountain campground in the 1950s, it’s actually from a place much closer to home, Lake Elsinore’s Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park.

Almost two years since Lake Elsinore began its transformation of the outdated, underused campground, city officials have opened new highly anticipated, state-of-the-art resort, Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park. With affordable pricing and a plethora of amenities, Launch Pointe has something to offer for anyone looking to spend a fun-filled day, or weekend, in the great outdoors.

“The concept was first brought up in 2014, so this is something that while construction has taken almost two years now, the whole idea of it was that Launch Pointe is going to be a fantastic, fun entertainment camping outdoor experience that everybody young and old will be able to enjoy,” Lake Elsinore Mayor Steve Manos said.

The 47-acre lakefront destination offers 204 sites in seven unique RV areas for those bringing their own camper or RV, including The Infield, Track and Trails Parkway, The Fields, Base Camp, Aquaplane Lane, Canopy Court and The Loop. All sites include full hook-ups, concrete pads and privacy fences.

Also offering a one-of-a-kind camping experience, Launch Pointe offers a Yurt Village with six themed yurts to provide a variety of adventures for guests. The highly anticipated Vintage Village featuring nine customized classic vintage trailers and Airstreams with private patios and stunning lake views, makes for a camping experience visitors to Launch Pointe are unlikely to forget.

“Vintage Village offers a phenomenal opportunity to live like the movie stars when they are on set but in an outdoor setting without having to pull a lot of money out of pocket,” Manos said.

“It’s another opportunity to either go it alone on your own or maybe do something with a larger group.”

Manos said that those interested can rent multiple trailers in Vintage Village or yurts in Yurt Village.

“You can rent multiple trailers there to go ahead and essentially

Superfast download speeds from 60 Mbps up to 200 Mbps* Matching in-home WiFi speeds TiVo® DVR service with 1,000+ recording hours Xtream Voice Remote Hundreds of channels and FREE On Demand International calling and Caller ID on TV

Law & Order on NBC

844-XTREAM3

MEDIACOMCABLE.COM/XTREAM 27192 Sun City Blvd A, Sun City, CA 92586 *Not available in all areas. Upload and download speeds may vary.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

41

The inside of Launch Pointe Community Hall is ready for guests.

See inside one of the varying themed yurts at Launch Pointe Yurt Village in Lake Elsinore.

create this great atmosphere,” Manos said. “There are great king, check out the new 5,000-square-foot Community Hall and opportunities there for roasting marshmallows or to commune 45,000-square-foot lawn perfect for weddings, reunions and over dinner. It’s a really nice place set up in a natural setting with corporate retreats. gorgeous views. It’s got it all.”

A realigned entrance, new administrative check-in building Camping isn’t the only thing to experience at Launch Pointe, and kiosk makes getting to Launch Pointe a snap. State-of-the-art Lake Elsinore, Southern California’s largest natural, freshwater RFID technology provides secure access to amenities, goods and lake, offers 3,000 acres of fishing and boating bliss, all easily services, food and beverages. accessible with a six-lane boat launch, on-site rentals including Speaking of food and beverages, Launch Pointe’s new pontoon and fishing boats, kayaks and paddle boards. restaurant, The Bobber, offers a variety of menu choices Fishermen and women no longer need to worry about forget- designed to please even the pickiest of eaters. From breakfast ting their favorite lure at home, the newly remodeled Williams burritos to chicken tenders, mouthwatering Philly cheesesteaks bait and tackle shop, has everything you need to land that lunker and even coconut shrimp. Diners are sure to find the right meal bass or catfish. Crappie, bluegill and wipers – all designed to challenge even the most skilled of fishermen – are stocked in the lake which is home to several fishing tournaments throughout the year.

“We are beginning to reap the benefits of our many years of fishery management by harvesting our carp and continuing to stock bluegill, crappie, bass and cats – both channel and blue catfish,” accomplished Matt Woods, the general manager of Launch Pointe in Lake These vintage trailers are available to rent at Launch Pointe Vintage Village in Lake Elsinore. fisherman and Lake Elsinore Elsinore, shows one of the vintage trailers available to rent for campers at the new recreation and RV park in Lake Elsinore.

Councilman Bob Magee said. “We now have several years of growth in the lake and now people are lining up to get in before the park opens so they can get their spots.”

Visitors to Launch Pointe can enjoy swimming in the pool or playing in the splash pad, an interactive Bibaenabled playground, hiking, picnicking and other world-class recreational opportunities.

For those looking for that special The Bobber restaurant and bait and tackle shop are ready for An outdoor fireplace fills the center of a Vintage Village campsite at location to host an event fit for a guests at the new Launch Pointe RV park in Lake Elsinore.

Launch Pointe in Lake Elsinore.

42

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

A new splash pad for campers is installed at Launch Pointe in Lake Elsinore.

The new pool glistens at Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park at Lake Elsinore.

to please the palate.

No matter how guests slice it, Lake Elsinore’s Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park offers everything needed for families and outdoor enthusiasts who want to create amazing stories and lasting memories.

“We’ve got great food, some phenomenal places where people can entertain themselves, a phenomenal lodge and community hall area and it’s going to be something that no matter if you are enjoying a wedding, reunion, corporate retreat or just want to

disconnect from the rest of the world, it’s going to be a great place to do that,” Manos said.

Online reservations can be made by visiting www.launchpointe.com/booking. For more information, on Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park visit www.launch-pointe. com, send an email to info@launchpointe.com or call (855) 471-1212.

Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park is located at 32040 Riverside Drive in Lake Elsinore.

WE HANDLE YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM!

We’ve been working with insurance companies for over 21 years!

We work with all major insurance companies!

Our experts inspect your property and review the repairs with you.

We then present a complete itemization of the repairs directly to your insurance adjuster.

and PLUMBING

No job is too big or too small!

Call 888-333-5325 www.AccurateLeakLocators.com

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

We deal with your insurance directly to ensure that repairs are handled properly.

24/7 Emergency Service Available Weekends & Holidays!

Veteran Owned & Operated • License #850152 43

Ramona Bowl Amphitheater welcomes the community year-round

by Diane A. Rhodes

44

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

boo at the bowl

Thousands turn out for Boo at the Bowl at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater.

A young family learns how to do spinning art at Boo at the Bowl.

T

Jeff Pack photo

Jeff Pack photo

he Ramona Bowl Amphitheater is best known as the site for the longest-running outdoor drama in America: “Ramona.”

Presented each spring, it will celebrate its 98th season in 2020.

While this event creates a busy time at the bowl, it isn’t the one that is popular and well-attended. The courtyard and amphitheater are sites for year-round activities.

“Boo at the Bowl” is a fun and family friendly Halloween event with carnival booths, a magic show, bouncer land, spin art, mini golf and a trick-or-treat candy trail. New this year to the Bowl is a fun house and Cafe Boo. Now in its fifth year , the event gets bigger and better each year. Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District has moved its popular haunted experience to the floor of the Bowl for older children who want a scarier adventure. Children and entire families are encouraged to come in costume and have a great time. Boo at the Bowl will be open Oct. 25-26, from 6-9 p.m. and Oct. 27, from 4-7 p.m. Tickets are $5 presale or $7 at the door and include 14 carnival tickets.

Christmastime at the Ramona Bowl will offer more than a traditional Pancake Breakfast with Santa. Details will be announced on its Facebook page as the holiday season gets closer.

The last two weekends in April and the first weekend in May is when the venue is all about “Ramona,” California’s official outdoor play. “Ramona” is Helen Hunt Jackson’s story of starcrossed lovers, Ramona and Alessandro, set within the story of California becoming part of the United States. As settlers moved west to California, Native Americans were pushed off their lands.

Volunteers create nearly everything at Boo at the Bowl, including this Jeff Pack photo haunted hotel structure.

Jackson hoped her story would show how unfair this action was and to “move the hearts and minds” of America. The story drove the entire California tourist industry, and by 1920 almost every city in California had something named for some part of the “Ramona” saga. The cities of Hemet and San Jacinto decided to create an outdoor pageant about the story which has been running since 1923. The pageant includes the spectacle of a Spanish fiesta, an elder blessing and cowboys thundering up and down the hills of the Bowl. The museum near the courtyard has many artifacts relating to “Ramona” and the pageantry surrounding the story.

After the school year ends and summer break begins, young people can continue learning and performing by joining the annual Ramona Bowl Summer Youth Theatre. In 2020, the program will enter its 12th season with Disney’s “Frozen.” The first production was “Annie Get Your Gun,” and since then the popular program has presented Disney’s “Aladdin,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Little Mermaid,” “Camp Rock,” “High School Musical,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Mulan,” plus “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Shrek.” The program is presented by credentialed teachers with expertise in music, dance, and acting. It is open to children ages 5-18, and sign-ups will open May 9, 2020, at West Valley High School in Hemet. There is a $50 registration fee. Rehearsals are held the last three weeks in June, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Show dates for Disney’s “Frozen” will be offered June 29-30, at 6 p.m.

Concerts Under the Stars, held every Friday night in July, pairs great music with a spectacular setting on a summer night. Some evenings, the moon is rising over the hills just as the first notes of music begin at 8 p.m. Presale tickets are $10 and $15 at the door.

In between its many multiple-day events, the Ramona Bowl hosts weddings, quinceañeras, concerts, commencement ceremonies, banquets, disney’s fundraisers, and more. frozen The Ramona Bowl is located at 27400 Ramona Bowl Road in Hemet, and more coming information can be found by calling (800) june 29-30, 645-4465 or (951) 658-3111 or by visiting 2020 www.ramonabowl.com, or searching on Facebook.

Opposite page: Top left: Ramona, played by Kayla Contreras, sings, “Mi Tierra California” at the conclusion of the opening performance of the 95th annual “Ramona” outdoor play. “Ramona” is California’s official outdoor play. Top middle: Señora Moreno, played by Kathi Anderson, tells Ramona, played by Kayla Contreras, the true story of the girl’s heritage during a performance of the “Ramona” outdoor play in the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater. Top right: Fiesta soloist Linda Greilich from Golden Era Studios sings a Spanish song during one of the fiestas in a performance of “Ramona.” 2nd row middle: Dancers take to the stage during a performance of “Ramona.” 2nd row right: Alessandro, played Joseph D. Valdez, celebrates his return home during a performance of the “Ramona” outdoor play. Bottom: The cowboys, led by Jim Farrar and Dan Ferguson, ride down out of the hills shooting to order the Indian and Spanish families off Rancho Moreno as it is being reclaimed by the American government for American citizens during a performance of the “Ramona” outdoor play. Kayla Contreras as Ramona cowers in the foreground in fear of the cowboys.

Kim Harris photos

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

45

by Kim Harris

I

As part of its renovations, the Old Town Blues Club has increased patio space by 40 square feet.

The Old Town Blues Club offers a variety of wine along with beer on tap for visitors to enjoy.

David Canales photos

t’s all about the vibe at the Old Town Blues Club.

With eight live performances a week, Old Town Blues Club, which doesn’t limit itself to blues only, music aficionados would be hard pressed for a better place to find live music in southwest Riverside County.

“Currently we produce eight live shows six days a week. That’s 416 live shows a year and no one, almost anywhere produces more live shows than Old Town Blues Club,” owner Andy Doty said.

While the club has an emphasis on blues and music that derives from blues such as rock, soul, jazz, country, gospel, and even some reggae thrown in for good measure, the Old Town Blues Club offers a home away from home for music lovers of all genres.

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Temecula, Old Town Blues Club is reminiscent of the intimate blues clubs found in the south, dark and dusky, yet filled with the sounds of some of the best local, regional and national bands around. The music fills the air just past Fourth Street, beckoning people off the street to stop in and head over to the beer and wine bar and let the music fill their soul.

After converting from the Lucky Stone Irish Pub in 2018, the Old Town Blues Club brought a whole new bluesy vibe to Old Town, something Doty has always said was much-needed and As part of phase two renovations, the current bar at the Old Town Blues Club will be replaced with well received by music lovers of all genres. Now growing on his the Fender Guitar Bar. initial plan of “bringing blues to the burbs,” Doty recently completed phase one of a three-phase expansion.

“I do think it benefits the community,” Doty said. “Music is something that bonds us all, and in today’s crazy world, it all goes out the window when it comes to music. I look around my bar, and I see people from all walks of life bonding and smiling for all the same reason and all our differences are gone.”

Doty, who refers to himself as a one man show, said that the Old Town Blues Club is poised for growth, and the club’s new expansion is helping to make that growth a reality for those who The old stage, pictured here, at the Old Town Blues Club has been replaced with a larger stage, complete with space for musicians to store items such as instrument cases.

46

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The Laurie Morvan Band performs at the Old Town Blues Club.

Laurie Morvan performs at the Old Town Blues Club.

love to go to his club to hear local, regional and national acts perform, in a live, intimate setting.

“My facility, I don’t see it as a bar, I see it as a live entertainment venue,” Doty said.

Doty has also added a new variety night on Tuesdays, showcasing everything from dueling pianos with Beal Street Boogie, to stand-up comedy and live band karaoke, featuring one of the most popular local cover bands, Lifetime Rocker.

“The venue is adaptable, flexible, to whatever the entertainment is,” Doty said. “ With phase one of the renovations completed in August, Doty, who likes to say “Live Blues Matters,” has added 900 square-feet to the inside of his club, doubling the size of the venue and allowing for an expanded stage and dance floor, leaving plenty of room for patrons to get their groove on. New windows and doors, new paint and a new deck were also included in the renovations.

Doty also added 40 feet of frontage to the outdoor patio area, a place where people like to congregate and watch the goings on in Old Town.

“We also spent money on a really good, high-quality sound system,” he said. “The acoustics here are fantastic.”

With phase one complete, Doty is now in the planning phases of phase two which will hopefully include a full liquor license.

“We are remodeling and updating the original side of the building. We are going to raise the ceilings and build a brandnew bar,” Doty said. “We are going to tie it all together.”

Doty said that the thing that most excites him about the phasetwo renovations is the new bar. Working in conjunction with Fender, Doty himself is building the first-ever Fender Guitar Bar,

featuring a lighted bar with Fender guitars submerged in resin.

The guitars were donated by the well-known guitar maker.

“It will look like the guitars are floating in this clear resin,” Doty, who is also the organizer of the Temecula Blues Festival coming April 18, 2020, explained. “Pretty cool, right?”

New renovations and acoustics are just two of the many things that make the Old Town Blues Club special. Ultimately, it’s all about the music and the people who frequent the club.

“The folks that hang here? Well, they dig the blues too, and they are most likely, just like you, the hippest, coolest, chillinest peeps around. So, if that sounds like your kind of vibe, then the OTBC is your kind of place,” Doty said.

The Old Town Blues Club, 28636 Old Town Front St., Unit #102, in Temecula, is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www.oldtownbluesclub.com, or call the club at (951) 676-2722.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Opposite page top left: A band performs at the Old Town Blues Club.

Opposite page top right: “Blues to ya.” Old Town Blues Club Owner Andy Doty offers up a toast to patrons at the Club.

Right: Old Town Blues Club Owner Andy Doty.

47

Soboba Casino Resort

S

HAS•IT•ALL

ince it opened its doors earlier this year, the Soboba Casino Resort has been an entertainment hub.

It hasn’t taken long for word to spread that it’s the destination that has it all. A 200-room hotel, A visual timeline greets guests in the hallway of the Soboba a state-of-the-art event Casino Resort event center, which can accommodate a center, a PGA-rated Courtesy photos buffet-style meal, if desired. golf course, restaurants of fine dining and casual cuisine and more than 484,000 square feet of gaming fun at its casino.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find so many exciting activities in one place,” Assistant General Manager Jason Cozart said. “Our customer service is unrivaled as evidenced by many return customers.”

The hotel has six stories of luxury rooms, most of which include breathtaking views of the San Jacinto Mountains or the Soboba Springs Golf Course. Presidential suites of nearly 1,800 square feet feature a spacious living room, wet bar, refreshment center and dining room for entertaining. These suites also include one king bedroom and an oversized bathroom with a two-sink vanity, sunken soaking tub, separate glass-walled shower with a The Noodle Bar, one of Soboba Casino Resort’s walk-in closet and a separate popular restaurants, offers all the exquisite guest restroom. Executive, tastes of Asian cuisine.

48

by Mike Hiles studio, junior suites and deluxe king and queen rooms are also available.

A 180,000-gallon pool is adjacent to the stunning Soboba Springs Golf Course’s Signature Island Green which has a spectacular oasis-like setting with running streams and waterfalls. Ten cabanas are available to rent with each featuring a TV, refrigerator with waters, ceiling fan, sitting area and more.

The event center can be set up for a convention utilizing all 34,000 square feet or divided into smaller spaces to ensure a perfect fit for any special event. Three meeting rooms are elegantly appointed to create the perfect atmosphere for executive gatherings.

It took the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians a long time to realize its vision of a state-of-the-art destination center for the public to enjoy. In the hallway leading to the event center’s registration area is a visual timeline that depicts the long and hard-fought journey that the Soboba people endured to be able to enjoy its current status.

The Soboba Springs Golf Course includes fully redesigned holes 13, 14, 15 and 16. The course was recently updated by renowned golf course architect Cary Bickler, who did the original redesign that debuted in 2006. The new Hole No. 15 will become the fourth longest par-5 on the PGA Tour, measuring a staggering 641 yards

Soboba Casino Resort’s event center can be configured to adapt to any special event, including concerts and sit-down dinners.

With 484,000 square feet of floor space, the Soboba Casino has lots of options for gaming fun.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The inviting pool has cabanas for rent and a stunning view of the Soboba Springs Golf Course.

Where everyone can EAT•PLAY•STAY

garage brewing co. helps customers create memories

M

View of a presidential suite at the Soboba Casino Resort.

from the tournament tees. PGA professionals work closely with guests who schedule custom tournament packages to ensure a second-to-none experience for participants.

The Canyons restaurant takes fine dining to another level with its savory appetizers, creative entrées, fresh seafood, decadent desserts and an exquisite selection of wine. The Noodle Bar satisfies cravings of shrimp wonton, pad thai and mango pudding among other exquisite tastes of Asian cuisine. Other eateries are Chick’n It, La Casetta Italian cuisine, Soboba Pub and Grill, El Comal Latin Kitchen, Fairway Café and Koffee Kiicha.

The casino features 2,000 slot machines and 38 tables for games such as baccarat, roulette, blackjack and three-card poker. Soboba Rewards Club membership is free and provides for opportunities to earn points toward free slot and table game play, entries into monthly promotions and giveaways, food and beverage comps and exclusive membership-only offers. Earn $15 in free slot play for becoming a new member.

The Soboba Casino Resort is at 22777 Soboba Road in San Jacinto. Find more information at www.soboba.com, (866) 476-2622 or guestservice@soboba.net.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

ore than a brewpub and pizzeria, Garage Brewing Co. is a destination for folks looking for amazing food, delicious fresh craft beer, and awesome vibes.

Started in 2013, Garage Brewing is a family of like-minded individuals who are passionate about making custom pizza and handcrafted brew dreams come true.

Their fast-casual restaurant and tap house isn’t just about beer. Guests will discover their sudsy favorites while noshing on fresh salads, custom pizzas, wings, etc.

The brewpub strives to be a memorable gathering place for its guests to hang with family and friends, celebrate milestones, enjoy a date, or take a break from the everyday routine.

Garage Brewing offers a wide range of traditional beer styles from light lagers to dark stouts and numerous IPAs including hazy and juicy styles. Their seasoned brewers also create fruit forward, crisp and refreshing specialty beers.

With 28 fresh craft beers on tap, there is something for every beer fan – whether they are new to craft beer, a beer geek, or somewhere in-between.

Pizza lovers are in for a treat with dozens of fresh toppings available to custom create a pizza pie masterpiece. The restaurant uses only the finest Italian-milled flour and offer cauliflower and gluten-free crust. If a guest has a sweet tooth, no problem – Garage Brewing has delicious dessert pizzas to curb cravings.

The brewpub also features premium-select wings, fried pickles, pretzels, and other tasty sides.

As a business deeply committed to the community, Garage Brewing has been a part of and have donated to numerous charitable causes and nonprofits through the years including the Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Education Foundation, Rose Again Foundation and Pink Boots Society to name a few. The company will continue to support the region in years to come.

Come on down and visit Garage Brewing Co. They are located at 29095 Old Town Front Street in Temecula. For more information call (951) 587-2537 or visit www.garagebrewco.com.

49

FOODIE ALERT:

PALA CASINO OFFERS

Something For Everyone

W

hen people think of casino food they often think buffets. Long, winding counterby Jeff Pack tops with a variety of food types sitting in trays with spoons, spatulas, and tongs waiting for guests to fill up their plate with edible goodness.

But more and more, casinos like Pala Casino are recognizing that they have the ability to offer much more than fuel for patrons that come to the casino to try to win some money.

Pala Casino is one casino that recognizes that good culinary offerings can often be a main draw for people looking for a getaway.

That being said, Pala’s Choices, The Buffet, works hard to be more than just a buffet. The massive dining area can seat more than 600 people and needs to when the restaurant offers special events.

In addition, Choices offers more than 200 hot and cold food options with flavors originating from Asia, Italy, Mexico and the U.S. Diners can build their own salad, and the buffet can make an omelet just the way a diner wants it. Then there are the desserts. Tons of them, all tasty. Parties of eight or more should make a reservation.

If you’re celebrating a big night and want to take your dining experience up a notch, make a reservation as suggested at The Oak Room steakhouse that offers prime steaks and chops, fresh fish, lobster, veal and chicken in an elegant setting.

The fine dining experience also features amazing desserts and an extensive wine list from which to choose.

Also opening after 5 p.m. each day is Sushi Sake, serving up Japanese traditional-style sushi in a bar setting with chefs preparing the food right in front of diners. You can even get your food to go to enjoy elsewhere in the casino. While you’re there, live a little and make sure to try their extensive selection of sake.

Luis Rey’s Sports Bar has giant TVs and will soon offer a big screen for major sporting events as well as a full selection of craft beers, cocktails and more to help you watch the big game.

Luis Rey’s also offers a newly designed menu of gastropub, Americana and Southern California favorites on the menu. There’s also a huge selection of appetizer favorites – the chicken wings are a favorite.

Pro tip: the staff told us that the signature Kobe beef burger is a big hit.

Noodles offers traditional Asian dishes from China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan in a quick-serve style that is designed to get the serious game players back on the floor doing what they love.

They offer daily and weekly specials of unique dishes as well.

Bar Meets Grill opens at 5 p.m. and features a dynamic menu of appetizers, sandwiches, hamburgers, pizzas, salads, pasta and entrees created by Chef Anila.

Don’t miss the street tacos, avocado fries, special meatballs and the ravioli of the day. While you enjoy that tasty grub and try 50 selections of wine by the glass, or craft cocktails and beers, you will love the views of the Palomar Mountains.

They have a great happy hour from 5-7 p.m. each day.

If you’re looking for something that is sure to satisfy, try the Pala Cafe, open 24 hours and serving up salads and burgers, steaks, sandwiches and much, much more, including breakfast.

During the warm season, the Poolside Cafe and Bar serves up breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. What’s better than having an omelet by the pool? Following that meal up with a sirloin burger for lunch – with a tasty specialty cocktail. Check with Pala for hours of operation during off summer months.

Grab a coffee and a baked treat at Coffee Amoré and do some serious wine tasting at the Cave with more than 480 labels from California and all over the world, which is currently closed for renovations.

For more information on the dining options – including hours of operation, party restrictions and more – at Pala Casino, visit www. palacasino.com/food-drink.

Pala Cafe is open 24-hours a day and offers The Oak Room offers prime steaks and chops American menu staples. as well as fresh fish, lobster, veal and chicken Jeff Pack photos entrees in an elegant setting.

[Top left] Luis Rey’s Sports Bar is Pala Casino’s newly redesigned gastropub-style eatery and sports bar. The Kobe burger is the star of the eatery’s redesigned menu. [Top middle] Sushi Sake opens after 5 p.m. each day and offers fresh, traditional sushi and a good selection of saki. [Top right] Guests can enjoy traditional Asian dishes from China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan at Noodles.

50

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

@temeculalife

Pechanga Cooks Up Options For Hungry Guests

P

by Lexington Howe

echanga’s 17 restaurants offer a variety of dining options from many corners of the world. Italian, Asian, sushi, barbecue, American, the list goes on – all are within walking distance.

Executive Chef Duane Owen has been overseeing these restaurants and its chefs for the past seven years. His experience with cooking goes back 35 years ago.

“I had three uncles that were chefs, back in the 70s and 80s,” Owen said. “I spent my summers with one of my uncles and started cooking, and then by 19, I was a sous chef (position under the head chef), and that’s how it all started,” he said. “Winters in Florida, summers in Cape Cod, and this was while I was in school.”

Owen is classically French trained.

“It’s what I always lean back on,” he said. “You go back to those heavy sauces, because the mouth feel gives the pleasure immediately.

“I always look at it and think about what my favorite meal would be to prepare for somebody,” Owen said. “I enjoy lamb. I enjoy different flavors of different meats and proteins, rather than the traditional. So personally, I’m going to go for the lamb; I’m going to go for the eccentric dish to try because I want to. I’ll taste everything once. That’s where my favorites are.”

Days start relatively early for Owen, and each restaurant has a head chef that Owen oversees. He meets with them daily, production chefs come together around 6-7 a.m., and from there Owen and the chefs look at production schedules, receiving, and lunch specials. Owen makes rounds to make sure chefs aren’t running the same special, ensuring that there is always new variety.

Since he started, four restaurants have been added to the resort casino. They’ve also added team dining rooms and another banquet kitchen. Temptation Food Walk, Pechanga’s food court which offers a variety of quick options, also underwent renovations and re-opened in July.

[Top left] Chef Jordan Garcia creates a lasagna trio special including three types of lasagna: Bolognese, chicken Alfredo with spinach and vegetarian lasagna with pesto ricotta summer vegetables and balsamic reduction.

52

“We feed the demand of anyone who could possibly come,” Owen said.

Pechanga’s Buffet offers a variety of options that change daily.

Each Thursday it turns into a seafood buffet.

“Each week we bring in 3,000 fresh lobsters from Maine,” Owen said. “They land in LAX airport usually on Tuesday night and they’re here Wednesday night,” he said, adding that they cook them fresh for four hours each week, and they’re about to add lobster to Fridays as well.

The Lobby Bar is their newest restaurant; it’s eclectic, giving that farm-to-table feel, according to Owen.

“You’ll see a gastro-pub style, your L.A. style of plates, and you’re going to see different presentations from there,” he said.

One of their fancier restaurants is known for birthdays and anniversary dinners; Great Oak Steakhouse is run by Chef Andre Pinto.

“You’ve gotta go for that Tomahawk steak and that Tristan lobster tail, which we get from South America at a small island called Tristan,” Owen said. “That’s the signature item there right now.”

The Sushi Oyster Bar offers 20 different varieties with specials every night. The seafood also comes in fresh, coming in from San Diego, Carlsbad and Santa Monica.

“That’s one thing we drive – more local, which is hard with the volume here,” Owen said. “You’ve got mushrooms coming out of Escondido, bread coming out of Bakersfield. One of the largest microflowers comes out of San Marcos.”

Journey’s End caters to the golf course and the golfers, offering a comfort level of food for many regulars. Coveside Grill serves up snack food for the pool during the summer.

“Four to five thousand people, it’s crazy,” Owen said.

They are also starting to do a lot of after-parties out there, he said, adding that catering and banquet is starting to have more of an

[Top middle] Executive Chef Duane Owen dishes up some soup during Pechanga Resort Casino’s fall soup tasting.

[Top right] Every Thursday 3,000 fresh lobsters are shipped in from Maine to feed hungry guests.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

NEW Daytime Menu coming Jan 2020. Your old favorites and some NEW ones. NEW wines and craft beers from local wineries and breweries. NEW Night Time Menu with NEW exciting menu items.

MON-THURS 11AM TO 7PM FRI - SUN 11AM TO 9PM ASK A&OUTOUR NEW LOYALTY REWARDS

r�,,.

NEWi DRINKS MENU

'fi1NNERS 2017 & 2018 GRUBHUB

Restouronb you love, dehvercd

*:�

POSTMATES

� DOORDASH

Uber Eats

Chef Jordan Garcia works in the kitchen at Paisano’s Italian restaurant at Pechanga.

Chef Marlene Moore runs Pechanga’s Temptation Food Walk, a food court that serves a little bit of everything.

influence there as well. then we’ll put it on the menu,” Garcia said.

Chef Andre Pinto of Great Oak Steakhouse serves Tomahawk rib“It just depends on the produce that we get, It isn’t just restaurants though, as Owen eye steak, a popular item on the menu. the quality of fish or whatever I’m using at also oversees food served in room-service.

“There are two towers for managing room service, two different the time, if it’s super prime and really good, I get really excited about kitchens. The Pechanga Cafe, a 24-hour coffee shop that also serves the specials.”

What inspires him is the quality of ingredients and how to make breakfast all day does the room service,” he said.

There are also three team dining rooms that service feeding 4,000 them work so they can shine, Garcia said.

“At the end of the day, I want them (guests) to come in and have a team members each day, and the production and main kitchen flows great experience, from the service to the food, and I want the food to through all of it.

“It’s like a spider,” Owen said, all of the restaurants connecting to be something that’s memorable,” he said.

It’s not just about food, but the guests as well. one really large kitchen. Temptation Food Walk, run by Chef Mar“Touching tables (interacting with guests), I stress every night,” lene Moore has five different restaurant options with the same idea, Owen said. “I’ll go into Paisano’s on a Saturday night and the chefs all of them connected.

Moore’s Temptation Food Walk is a representation of everything that are working are busy, and I’ll ask them to go out and talk,” he they do, according to Owen. It houses many different varieties, en- said. “They need to know who you are; they need to know they can compassing the larger restaurant choices on a smaller scale. Moore ask you a question.”

Bamboo, which serves predominantly Vietnamese foods, also ofspends her time making sure visitors who come in for the first time fers a multitude of other things: Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. feel right at home.

Blazing Noodles is an American-Chinese spot.

“It’s all about flavors; what they (guests) feel like that day,” Moore said, who is known for her award-winning chili recipe, even acquir“We make sure it’s authentic to the Asian flavor,” Owen said. “We ing the title “Queen.” She is also known for her fried chicken and feed the demand of everyone that could possibly come.” open ice-cream sandwiches, which she said she created with the He said the menus for each restaurant changes seasonally, two to mindset of bringing something new to the table. Moore is also the three times based on needs. chef for the Poker Room and Bingo and is one of the main hiring There are also seven service bars behind the scenes, as well as chefs for food and beverage at Pechanga.

Round and Acorns.

Paisano’s Italian restaurant is overseen by Chef Jordan Garcia.

“There’s not really a night life plan, because the whole place is “Jordan started as a line cook and is really impressive,” Owen said. one,” Owen said. “As the evening grows, the excitement grows Garcia worked in a few other Pechanga restaurants before com- throughout the building.” ing over to Paisano’s.

The secret to running such a big place?

“He’s really young, 25. He’s very creative and loves Italian food,” “You don’t do it yourself, there’s no way,” Owen said, laughing.

Owen said.

“I’m from New York/Boston area, so it’s different from CaliforGarcia worked at several restaurants before coming to Pechanga nia, and I wasn’t sure because I hadn’t been out here, but within a as well. He began cooking while attending Culinary School at The year, the customer and the team members, they’re much friendlier, Art Institute of California in San Bernardino. and it drives your passion for it, it makes it easier. That’s the most Garcia was hired at Kelsey’s sports bar which also serves barbe- gratifying for me watching all this happen while building the team cue, but after some moving around, he moved up to lead Paisano’s. that I have.”

Making it all work is about having a great crew, Owen said.

“His specials are pretty exciting,” Owen said, such as a baked stuffed lobster with spaghetti in it.

“Every day you just gotta go do it. You have to have your hands in “I don’t usually like to repeat specials, unless it’s really good and it; otherwise it falls apart very quickly,” Owen said.

54

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The Historic Hemet Theatre

Draws an Audience

by Diane A. Rhodes

N

ot all history is found in textbooks and on dusty archive shelves. The Historic Hemet Theatre was built in 1921 and is one of the oldest movie houses in the country. Although it has added more than just a motion-picture experience, it is the preservation of its heyday that is what visitors enjoy most.

For decades, the theater was a vibrant center of the community but when multiplex theaters began to crop up in the San Jacinto Valley and home entertainment options became more affordable, small theaters suffered. New owners struggled to keep the doors open by offering timeless movie classics, as well as niche and cult movies that were not being shown on a big screen.

In 2010, a fire destroyed the storefronts in an adjacent building and extensive water damage from the firefight closed the theater’s doors. If not for the dedication of a group of volunteers who formed The Historic Hemet Theatre Foundation and took over the venue’s operation in 2013, it would have suffered the fate of many other historic theaters around the country.

According to the nonprofit organization’s CEO and president, Susan Carrier, the foundation completed its purchase of the property in March 2018 and began planning its multi-million-dollar renovation. The Century Club campaign was established to raise funds necessary to have the theater ready for its 100th birthday celebration.

She said the transformation started with plaster and paint in the lobby, using old photos to replicate an art deco flair from the 1930s.

New carpet and concession equipment were added, and custom chandeliers are being fabricated to complete the look. In the auditorium, projection, sound and lighting equipment have been updated.

Elegant plush seats, donated by the Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood, have been installed, with the removed seats being sold to supplement the building fund.

One set of 36 seats were shipped to Takamatsu, Japan, as part of a classic movie house created by renowned artist Yoichiro Yoda.

Future improvements include enlarged restrooms with handicap access and improved green room facilities for performers.

Eventually, the front of the building will include a reproduction of The Historic Hemet Theatre lobby features the building’s pointed marquee prints of Ramona artwork by N.C. Wyeth.

56

The Historic Hemet Theatre.

Shane Gibson photos

from the 1940s with classic neon lights. The upper level of the building will house a museum of early film, dedicated to the theater’s original owner, William Martin. Funds for the renovations are being raised from a combination of donations, program sponsors, grants and fundraisers.

As old as the current theater is, it was not Hemet’s first movie house. Martin built the first one in 1913 across the street from the current venue at 216 E. Florida Ave. Five years later, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake caused significant damage to the original theater, along with most of the buildings in the downtown area. Martin rebuilt the theater on the north side of the street and reinforced it with concrete block walls, which remain to this day.

The building was renovated in the 1940s and the 1960s when its original marquee was replaced with the current flat version it has today. Martin’s son, Harold, kept the theater operating through the 1970s. In 2000, the Martin family sold the property to two diehard movie fans: David Bernal and Emerson Bixby. Once the oldest continually run single-screen movie theater in the nation, the fire in January 2010 closed it down. No structural damage occurred thanks to Martin’s concrete construction. This sturdiness also makes it one of only a few buildings of that era that can be restored without required earthquake retrofitting.

Carrier said the foundation has already hosted more than 50,000 patrons through its various program offerings. Fans are discovering that inside that plain little building in the middle of town is a charming art deco auditorium with wonderful acoustics, a series featuring great tribute bands and a big dance floor at the foot of the stage. And bands are discovering the enthusiasm of the Hemet audiences: cheering, clapping and dancing more than anywhere else they perform.

The Historic Hemet Theatre has been receiving rave reviews and awards thanks to the foundation’s efforts. The nonprofit has about 100 volunteers and its mission is to improve the quality of life in the community with three key impacts: historic preservation of the theater, cultural enrichment through performing arts and educational programming and economic revitalization of Hemet’s historic downtown district.

“We are helping to breathe new life into downtown Hemet, spreading the word that there are exciting things happening here,” Carrier said.

For more information, visit www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or call (951) 658-5950.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

C o n nec t ed b y

COMMUNITY

YOU ’LL FIN D A LOT TO SMILE ABOUT IN M U RRIETA , CALIFORNIA

• Top 10% of all public high schools nationwide • Highest graduation rate in Riverside Co. (97.6%) • 5th safest city in California • More than 50 public parks and counting City of Murrieta

l

1 Town Square

l

Murrieta, CA

• • • • l

Active, family-focused Community Dozens of free local events for all ages 20+ miles of hiking & biking trails City Police and Fire Departments www.MurrietaCA.gov

l

(951) 304-2489

CITY BREATHES LIFE INTO

Lake Elsinore’s Historic Main Street Main Street circa 1887.

Main Street circa 1950s.

Courtesy photo

by Kim Harris

Lake Elsinore’s Historic Cultural Center before and after renovations. The Cultural Center was originally built as a Methodist church.

Courtesy photos

58

Courtesy photo

M

usic reverberates through downtown Lake Elsinore as people mill about on the sidewalks, many coming to Historic Main Street for dining and shopping experiences, while others were just looking for a place to go and visit with friends and family.

Lake Elsinore’s historic downtown reflects a rich and colorful history dating back to 1888. A stroll down Main Street, with its antique shops, fine dining, novelty stores, museum and vintage street lamps, takes visitors back into a time reminiscent of the early 1900s, when the city’s namesake lake provided respite and recreation for early pioneer travelers before evolving into a world class playground for the rich and famous.

Today, the city’s historic downtown district is seeing a resurgence as the city works to bring the area into a destination for diners, shoppers and those looking for an afternoon of fun. With a new downtown master plan for the historic district setting a vision for the downtown area in collaboration with the broader Lake Elsinore community now in place, the city plans to continue its forward movement

Lake Elsinore recently adopted a Downtown Master Plan, which will set the vision for the downtown area in collaboration with the broader Lake Elsinore community. The new plan’s goal, which encourages a mixed-use downtown with commercial and residential uses including restaurants with outdoor dining, entertainment, office, retail, housing and cultural and civic uses, is to jump-start increased vitality along the 1-mile long Main Street corridor from Flint Street to the lake’s edge.

“We want to make Downtown Lake Elsinore a walkable, livable, 18-hour Main Street, while also preserving our historic charm,” Assistant to the City Manager Nicole Dailey, said.

In the last few years, the commercial heart of Main Street between Heald Avenue, where the 95-year-old Cultural Center sits, and Prospect Street by the nearly 90-year-old City Hall, has been rejuvenated with several new businesses and restaurants occupying previously vacant storefronts.

Planning Manager Richard MacHott, who has been with the city since 2012, said that Main THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Stadium Pizza in Lake Elsinore has become a destination for the city with its outdoor patio and expanded dining room. Here Rachel Yennie of Stadium Pizza serves lunch to the Reynolds family.

Shane Gibson photo

Street is the historic center of town and many of the buildings on main street have been there for at least a hundred years, including several that are on the national register of historic places or on the state or county registers.

“There has been an increased interest in occupying businesses on Main Street,” he said. “We are trying to make Main Street a destination for the city.

“It was time for us to see what we could do to make it easier or more attractive to invest in Downtown Lake Elsinore,” Planning Manager Richard MacHott said. “There has been a focus since 2011 to try and make Main Street a focal point of the city rather than someplace that people just drive past.

Dailey said the city has investigated what makes Lake Elsinore unique as the city worked to develop the plan.

“We have our lake, an obvious asset, from the recreational aspect, action sports, active sports element and then we have our downtown,” she said. “We recognize our downtown as a critical asset that makes us different from other cities because it is a real true downtown and we have a lot of opportunities with it.”

The city hosts community events on Main Street throughout the year, including the always popular Winterfest, Halloween Spooktacular, Car Cruises and many other events, including the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix, a more than 50-year-old dirt-bike race that takes place in and around the Lake Elsinore area.

“Some of our downtown restaurants are so successful that they themselves have become destinations,” MacHott said. “People come to our historic downtown just for the restaurants.”

Stadium Pizza, Main Street Kitchen & Tap, and La Unica Cocina Mexicana Y Cantina all are popular places to eat and are located on Lake Elsinore’s Historic Main Street, MacHott said.

“Tuesday nights you really can see there is an apparent crowd, and apparent livelihood which is pretty cool,” Daily said. “We’d like to see that every night. We want more opportunities to see people downtown.”

But for Dailey it’s all about retaining the nostalgic ambience of the historic downtown area.

“But we also want to have the right types of businesses and uses in this core area that will attract locals and visitors to spend their day and nights in Downtown Lake Elsinore,” she said.

Riders prepare for the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix in this historic photo.

Courtesy photo

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

LIVE BLUES & ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

“I’ve come here a handful of times and every time has been a great experience! They’ve expanded the place and it looks AMAZING! More room to dance - more room in general. Thank you for keeping live music, especially blues alive!!!!! I love this place!

”

“Great place! Always high quality live music.

The owner of the place, Andy, is terrific. Cant wait for the expansion area to open. Friendly crowd. The bar and security staff is top notch.

They remember regulars’ names and drink preferences. Treat you like friends and family!

”

Follow us on Facebook for all Upcoming Shows Old Town Blues Club Or find events at www.oldtownbluesclub.com

28636 Old Town Front Street Temecula, CA 92590

(951) 676-2722

Tues-Thurs 6pm-11pm | Friday & Saturday 4pm-1am Sunday 1pm-6pm 59

How To Do A Day In Temecula

Wine Country

by Jeff Pack

S

o, you’re ready to tackle Temecula Wine Country. Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and we’re here to help.

First, you have to understand the region that you’re visiting.

Grapes have been growing here for the purpose of winemaking since 1966 and the area’s warm weather climate suits varietals such as chardonnay, merlot and sauvignon blanc, as well as Mediterranean varietals like viognier, syrah and pinot gris and Rhône varietals, cabernet sauvignon, and zinfandel.

In fact, if you ask around and a local winemaker trusts you, they might tell you that small clusters of wine grapes introduced to the area by mission padres during the 1800s can still be found in hidden spots around the area.

But for the official record, the first commercial winery was opened in 1968 by Vincenzo and Audry Cilurzo and you can still visit those vineyards at what is now called Bella Vista Winery.

Once you have a little history to reference, you can plan your trip. First and foremost on the list is transportation. Utilizing a tour company is always an excellent choice and leaves the decision-making to the driver or the tour you choose.

There are plenty to choose from including Grapeline Wine Tours, which even has a convertible Mercedes Sprinter party bus for large groups that want to go big; Destination Temecula Tour and Executive VIP Wine Tours.

If you want to go a little more intimate and retro, check out Van ‘n Boozy, which offers tours of Temecula wineries and Temecula craft breweries in vintage Volkswagen buses.

60

Wine tasting in Temecula Wine Country can be a blast, but it also can educational and enlightening. It all depends on how you plan your trip.

[Top] Spectacular views like the one from the members’ patio at Bottaia Winery will leave a lasting impression.

Jeff Pack photos

Of course, if one person in your party doesn’t want to imbibe, the best way to see all of the wine country is to drive with a safe driver. That way you can vary your tour, checking out some of the bigger wine houses while ducking into some of the smaller, boutique shops.

Also, make sure not to miss the De Portola Wine Trail which features some really good up and coming wineries such as Robert Renzoni; Lorimar; Gershon Bachus; Oak Mountain, which even has a wine cave; the Italian varietal obsessed Cougar and the newly opened Somerset Winery, which has some of the older vines in the area.

For history’s sake, you’re going to want to take in the originals such as Hart Winery, Mount Palomar, Bella Vista, THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Bella Vista WINERY

Make sure to visit some of the oldest wineries in Temecula Wine Country like Mount Palomar to get a taste of the history of the region.

Where Wine Quality Matters AWARD-WINNING WINES CREATED

BY THE OLDEST WINERY IN TEMECULA Bella Vista’s owner Imre Cziraki began making wine at age 7 with his grandfather in Hungary. Imre and his Wife Gizella purchased Bella Vista Vineyard in 1998 and the winery property in 2004. Vines were planted on the Calle Contento property in 1968 by the first owner. Known as one of the first Temecula’s commercial vineyards, the Cziraki’s have been updating and modernizing the winery facility and grounds since the purchase. Bella Vista Winery is one of the only wineries that grows all organic grapes.The amazing views and lake give this winery a special charm like no other!

Bella Vista Winery has some of the best views in Temecula Wine Country.

Baily’s, Thornton, and Callaway. There’s a legacy there that just shouldn’t be missed.

Some of the new kids on the block include Akash, Bottaia, Somerset, and Peltzer Family Cellars, which has a working farm adjacent to the winery with a pumpkin patch each fall.

Be sure to stop in and grab a bite to eat at some of the dining establishments in wine country – wineries like South Coast, Ponte, Callaway, Renzoni, Fazeli Cellars, Thornton and others all have in-house restaurants.

On the weekends, nearly every winery has live music featuring a wide array of artists from country to jazz. Wilson Creek, Thornton, and Wiens are known to host big-name acts with tickets concerts throughout the year. Lorimar, Bel Vino, Churon, Miramonte, Danza Del Sol, and Frangipani are ones to check out.

As the sun goes down, make sure to take in a spectacular view from wineries such as Monte De Oro and Bel Vino.

Motorcycle fans will want to visit Doffo Winery at the end of Rancho California Road to check out the collection of motorcycles they have on display. While you’re there, stop in next door at Chapin Family Vineyards and relax on the expansive patio overlooking acres and acres of vineyard.

Once you’ve had your fill of vino and tasty dishes featuring seasonal ingredients, you’re going to want to find a place to sleep it off.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

WEDDINGS

We host Weddings & Corporate Events throughout the year!

Call to learn more!

WINE CLUB

TASTING ROOM

Memberships Come try our wines! are available for Our tasting room is white, red or open from 10am to both.

5pm every day!

Stop in Soon & Enjoy a Glass of Wine You will Be Happy You Did! Ask About Case Specials & Seasonal Sales!

41220 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92592 951-676-5250 | www.bellavistawinery.com 61

Visiting Temecula Wine Country isn’t all about selfies and rose-ing all day, if you’re lucky you’ll get to talk to boutique winemakers like David Bradley, right, from Vindemia Vineyard and Winery and he can tell you how “fun” winemaking can be.

If you’re into vintage motorcycles, make sure you stop by Moto Doffo at Doffo Winery for a huge collection on display.

Photo Contest Winner

South Coast, Carter Estate, Europa Village, Wilson Creek, and Ponte each offer accommodations ranging from standard hotel rooms to villas and suites. Of course, nearby Temecula and Murrieta proper has a host of hotels waiting for you to rest your weary feet.

Before heading home the following day, you might want to take one more look at Temecula Wine Country and the 33,000 acres that encompass the Temecula Valley American Viticultural Area with a hot air balloon ride early the next morning. A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure and California Dreamin’ are two of the leaders in the area.

If you need a little more help planning your trip, make sure you visit the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association at www.temeculawines.org or Visit Temecula Valley at www. visittemeculavalley.com for more tips and information.

Did you know that a winery built by a Disney Imagineer is also home to the early days of freestyle motocross? It’s true, you can learn all about the history of both at Briar Rose Winery.

62

1st Place - Lauri Yturralez - Temecula Wine County We invite our readers to submit photos of the community – people, places, events and everything that makes our area special! We love seeing our community through your eyes.

To be considered for next year’s Southwest Sourcebook photo contest, please send your high resolution photo submissions to sourcebook@reedermedia.com with subject line Southwest Sourcebook Photo Contest.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Tasting Room Open Daily 11am - 6pm Fridays 11am - 8pm We are a family owned and operated Boutique Winery located on the De Portola Wine Trail.

We specialize in 100% Estate grown Italian varietals.

We grow Vermentino, Sangiovese, Aglianico, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Malvasia Bianca, Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Sagrantino, Lambrusca, Brachetto, Negroamaro, Falanghina, Prosecco and Piedirosso.

We pride ourselves on making our wine from Ground to Glass! We don’t just grow the grapes, but also Produce and Store all our wine on site.

Come taste our award winning wines, enjoy lunch with a view and live music every Friday & Sunday!

Live Music Sundays 2pm - 5pm Fridays 5pm - 8pm 39870 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592 (951) 491-0825 www.CougarVineyards.com

Sangio’ s Deli Open Daily 11am - 6pm Fridays 11am - 8pm

Hot Panini, Meatball Sandwiches, Italian Grilled Cheese, Cold Sandwiches, Salads, Meat & Cheese Platters & Desserts.

All Salads and Sandwiches are made to order with Boar’s Head meats & cheeses.

Made to order Pizzas: BBQ Chicken, Hawaiian, Pesto Margherita, Pepperoni, Meatball and MORE!

Weekday Lunch Packages

Available Mon - Fri 11am - 1pm or 3pm - 5pm Designed for groups of 10 - 60 Guests.

Team Building, Holiday Parties, Staff Meetings, etc.

Re-Boot ~ Re-Group ~ Re-Charge ~ Re-Connect E-mail: groupsales@cougarvineyards.com

O

Family-Run live Oil Business

H

In Temecula Is About To

arvest

Many Years of Hard Work

Jenna Fenton, 20, of The Olive Plantation in Temecula examines olives on a tree before harvesting for the 2019 season of olive oil making.

N

by Lexington Howe

early 1,000 olive trees grace the they were the most inexpensive tree we landscape at the Fentons’ home in could get at that time in bulk, so that’s Temecula. With 75-100 pounds of olives how I got started,” he said, laughing. hanging off each tree, they wait to be harFenton’s daughter, Jenna Fenton, grew vested and milled to make up on the farm and around the olives and decided to go olive oil. to school to become a botaFor Dave and Lori Fennist, otherwise known as a ton, they hadn’t planned plant scientist. to plant any olive trees when they initially bought “It wasn’t planned,” Jenna the property back in 2009.

Fenton said. “Then we realNow, they have a thriving ized how many olives we olive oil business called were starting to get, and so The Olive Plantation, prowe figured we might as well viding extra-virgin olive make olive oil.” oil to the community.

“Originally I was think“I graded the land proping I was disappointed with erty and built a house, and olives, because I was connear the end of the inspec- Growing olives at The Olive Plantation cerned that they were going in Temecula. tion the county came out to leave a mess on the driveand informed me that I had to re-plant way,” Dave Fenton said, laughing. the seven and a half acres I graded, and They have a facility on-site to mill the I didn’t know I had to do that,” he said. olives during harvest season. They’re “So they gave me an option of vines, currently selling their olive oil online an orchard or landscaping, so I went and at Lorimar Winery in Temecula. ahead and found out about olive trees, “We’re going to get our farm stand 64

Shane Gibson photos

permit within a couple weeks, and so on the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays people can come by and try samples, even purchase olive oil,” Jenna Fenton said.

The trees start out about the diameter of someone’s pinky finger, Dave Fenton said. “It took 10 years to grow some of the bigger trees. When they first get here, they aren’t very tall. They started getting olives on them about three years in.”

They originally harvested around a quarter pound of olives per tree, and now they are up to 100 pounds from some of their olive trees.

“Everything is hand-picked,” Dave Fenton said. “It has to be. To make the best olive oil you have to actually do that.

Jenna Fenton said that handpicking helps with quality control as well.

The reason?

“It doesn’t damage the fruit,” Dave Fenton said. “For safety reasons, quality of fruit, everything imaginable, it’s a better way to go, but because of that cost is really high.”

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The Olive Plantation owner Dave Fenton looks over one of his olive trees in Temecula.

Picking the olives goes on around the clock.

“We’ll be picking here probably for 45 days. We’ll start at six in the morning and go 12 to 14 hours,” Dave Fenton said.

Harvesting depends on the readiness of the tree.

“You can have the same variety of tree where one tree is ripened and the other tree is not, and by having our ability to process ourselves, we’re able to pick the ones that are correct and handpick them on the best day that is good for the tree,” he said.

Good olive oil depends on ripeness, but mainly temperature: the cooler the better.

“The fruit should be pulled from the tree and moved to the mill as fast as possible, in as low a temperature as you can get,” he said.

The Fentons said the harvest usually happens sometime around mid-October, but it will depend on the trees’ readiness.

They have different varieties of olives on the property, and they test the olives for oil content.

“When its super ripe, there’s less oil,” Jenna Fenton said. “As it ripens, it starts creating more of that oil content, but you actually don’t want to harvest when they’re fully ripe, because that makes oil that tastes like butter, and there are less nutrients.”

They send the oil when it’s ready to a lab to be tested for different flavors. The chemical makeup of the olive oil is also recorded in the lab tests.

“The different chemicals tell you if it was out in the sun too long, if it was degraded, so the chemicals tell you what’s happening with the oil,” Jenna Fenton said. “There are all these different levels you have to meet to become extra virgin (olive oil).”

Lori Fenton designed the intricate label on the outside of the bottle. Jenna Fenton said she hopes to increase the bottle size to a liter to provide more for their customers.

For more on The Olive Plantation, visit www.oliveoiltemecula.com/home.

“The olive oil industry in southwest Riverside County in the next 10 years, you’re going to see it explode,” Dave Fenton said.

“Olives are coming up, and there is good reason for it. We have the ideal climate. Wherever wine grapes are growing, olives will grow better.”

66

is “ Everything hand-picked...

It has to be.

To make the best olive oil you have to actually do that.

”

– Dave Fenton, owner The Olive Plantation

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Silverthorn Ranch Nursery Growing drought tolerant plants in Fallbrook for more than 40 years! Including:    

Agaves Aloes Cactus Dasylirion

   

Draco Palms Palms Succulents Yucca Rostrata Blue Velvet

HEMP LINERS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING 2020 High CBD & State Approved Strains • Contract Growing Available!

Grower direct wholesale prices! By appointment only.

Cell

760-535-9824

Text inquiries to this number

Plants2005@sbcglobal.net

1826 S. Alturas St., Fallbrook, CA 92028

by Diane A. Rhodes

for Christ Strengthens Members

A

drian Cerda joined Boxing for Christ in 2014 with a goal of give back by collecting food for the Community Pantry, uniting getting healthier by losing some weight and improving his residents with music and a car show and educating visitors about physical condition. After shedding 65 pounds, he gained enough the organization.

“Our goal is to help boys and girls of all backgrounds build selfconfidence to consider competing. Following five months of formal boxing training, he had his first bout as a 175-pound bantam esteem and confidence and acquire the skills needed to become productive and responsible members of the community,” Ramos weight.

“Some people said I wasn’t going to be able to do this, but I said, who has lived in San Jacinto since 2006. “While our emphasis wanted it and I did it,” Cerda, 22, said. “I like being part of this is on at-risk youth, we serve everyone – the Lord doesn’t pick and choose and neither do we; all are welcome.” team, and I like motivating other people.”

Maria Martinez of Banning attended another gym closer to David Flores was 11 years old when he won USA Boxing matches at the district, state, and regional levels which qualified him home before finding Boxing for Christ where about 25% of memto compete at a National Silver Gloves Tournament. Today, he is bers are female.

“I wanted to take boxing seriously,” coaching others at Boxing for Christ in she said. “I researched other gyms San Jacinto. with my dad. When I saw all the med“At tournaments, I see coaches that While our emphasis is on at-risk als, belts and posters here I tried it out used to coach me still working under youth, we serve everyone – the Lord and knew I had found my new home somebody else. It feels good to be a doesn’t pick and choose and neither – that was two years ago.”

29-year-old in charge of your own do we; all are welcome.

Her father helps her maintain a team,” he said. “There is nothing like proper diet to stay at her “fighting seeing a kid win. Confidence is key. If – Sonia Ramos, CEO Boxing for Christ weight,” and she has learned the imyou don’t believe you’re the best, no portance of proper nutrition as a reone else will.” sult.

The nonprofit organization was “My dad introduced me to the sport founded in 2012 by Flores’ mother, because he boxed back in his day,” Sonia Ramos, who serves as its CEO. Martinez, 18, said. “He told me to Since moving the club’s gym to Sallee Park two years later, about 900 participants age 7 and older have never give up on your passion. I want to enlist in the Air Force and hope I can box for them, too.” been through the program that teaches “old school boxing.”

Competition coach Flores said everybody is built differently “I am so happy that so many students have changed their lives as a result of it,” Ramos said. “It’s the best feeling in the world that and must work with their shape, size, and ability in order to know what they need to stay conditioned. you are making a difference in a youth’s life.”

“It’s a team effort – the coaches are here to make sure their Boxing for Christ hosts an annual Community Block Party to

“

”

[Top Right] Anthony Polite, 19, works out in the ring with Coach David Flores at the Boxing for Christ gym in San Jacinto.

68

Diane A Rhodes photo

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

At All Star Physical Therapy, we treat all of our patients with utmost care by offering individual attention, one-on-one focus, and customized treatment plans.

A legacy of excellence.

Shawn Troutman Director Hemet

Debra Normand

Director Murrieta Hot Springs

We are the Fastest Growing Physical Therapy Operation in California!

Bill Atkins Owner Fallbrook

John Waite Owner Murrieta Medical Center Dr

Linda Evans

Melissa Kaminski

Director Lake Elsinore

Rey Aquino

Director San Jacinto

Greg Smith Owner Temecula Rancho Pueblo

Binoy Patel

Paul DiMeglio Owner Temecula Rancho Cal

Malerie Franco

Director Menifee East

Director Menifee West

Director Murrieta Cal Oaks

Scott Holman

Mark Hans

Andrew Atkins

Director Temecula Jefferson Director Temecula Rancho Cal Director Temecula Parkway

Lisa Ennis

Director Murrieta Clinton Keith

Dilyana Aly

Director Wildomar

20 Locations to Serve You! TEMECULA

29645 Rancho California Road, Ste 234 ......951-506-3001 31515 Rancho Pueblo Road, Ste 101 ..........951-303-1414 26799 Jefferson Ave, Ste 202 ......................951-506-1405

MURRIETA

39755 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd, Ste F 120 ..951-894-1600 25495 Medical Center Drive, Ste 304...........951-696-7474 24671 Monroe Ave, Bldg C, Ste 101 ............951-677-4105 iCare, 27722 Clinton Keith Rd ......................951-878-9820

MENIFEE

29798 Haun Road (Hope Building).............951-679-8500 30141 Antelope Road, Ste A.......................951-723-8100

HEMET

VISTA

SAN JACINTO

ESCONDIDO

3989 W. Stetson Ave., Ste 105 .........951-652-3334 1191 N. State St, Ste D ....................951-654-2440

WILDOMAR

36243 Inland Valley Drive, Ste 110 ...951-677-7221

LAKE ELSINORE

425 Diamond Drive, Ste 101 ............951-674-9515

CORONA

2815 Main Street, Ste 205 ................951-475-1219

FALLBROOK

1976 Hacienda Drive ........................760-295-4175 215 S. Hickory Street, Ste 112 .........760-737-8460

RAMONA

1338 Main Street ..............................760-789-1400

APPLE VALLEY

16008 Kamana Road, Ste 200 .........760-810-7767

MIRAMAR

8901 Activity Road, Ste D .................619-535-6900

577 Elder Street, Ste I ......................760-723-2687

www.AllStarPhysicalTherapy.net

Evan Gonzalez (left), 15, and Junior Simms, 16, head to the Boxing For Christ gym after school to train.

Shane Gibson photo

Boxing for Christ, a nonprofit in San Jacinto, provides a safe and healthy venue for young people to gain skills and confidence.

Diane A Rhodes photo

technique is right but the big issue is that they do the right stuff at home,” Flores said. “They need to make weight and there’s nothing wrong with eating; it’s the portions that matter.”

Steven Bobadilla, 11, of San Jacinto joined Boxing for Christ in the spring after deciding that karate was not the sport for him.

“When I was little, my dad used to take me to his gym, and I saw a boxing ring and got to hit the punching bag and that was it,” he said. “I love the people here. They make you want to work out harder and they bring your spirits up.”

Steven watches boxing matches on television so he can learn from professional fighters, too.

“I visualize what they do and try to copy it in my own way,” he said as he headed over

Maria Martinez of Banning works out and competes regularly with Boxing for Christ in San Jacinto.

Diane A Rhodes photo

70

Boxer Sandy Flores training at the Boxing For Christ gym in San Jacinto.

Shane Gibson photo

to shadow box in the mirror. “My double jab is pretty good – I use it to keep my opponent away from me. But the most important thing is to be quick and have strength.”

While students feel as if they are boxing for themselves – either to build confidence, reach a goal or try something new – they are always reminded they are boxing for a higher power.

Bible verses on the walls of the gym and at the front desk check-in area let them know their strength can be spiritual as well as physical.

“And when a boxer is getting ready to compete in the ring, they will often go in the corner and talk to God before their fight,” Ramos said.

For more information, visit www.boxingforchrist.com or call (951) 282-4945.

The family team behind Boxing for Christ is, from left, Coach Jack Flores, founder and CEO Sonia Ramos and siblings Sandy Flores and Diane A Rhodes photo Coach David Flores.

One of many faith-based motivational signs posted around the Boxing for Christ gym is also surrounded by photos of its Diane A Rhodes photo champions.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Autumn Insurance Agency An independent insurance agency specializing in Medicare Plans.

• Offering Medicare Health Plans • Medicare Advantage Plans • Medicare Supplement Plans • Prescription Drug Plans

Are You:

• Turning 65 or Newly Eligible for Medicare • Leaving your Employer Group Plan • On the right Health Plan • New to the Area • Interested in the New Medicare Supplement Plan

Do You Want:

• Predictable Costs • Low or No Co-Pays • Large Extensive Network • $0 Premium, Including Prescription drugs • Freedom of Choice all over U.S.A • Additional Benefits

You May be Able to Switch Health Plans Now! Peggy can Help with the Details.

We work with major carriers in California, and find a plan that will best suit YOUR NEEDS and budget.

Save time and hassle, let Peggy help find the right Health Plan for you!

OUR SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST! Call Peggy toll free at 877-854-1125 Peggy Tomasello Autumn Insurance Agency tomasello@autumnagency.com Mobile & Text: 858-722-3227 License: CA 0804410

With over 30 years of health care experience, I look forward to working with you today! Let’s get started! www.AutumnAgency.com

HIKING Many Happy, Healthy

MURRIETA Views along a trail in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

outhwest Riverside County area and its nearby San Bernardino National Forest San Jacinto Wilderness offer dozens of hiking trails for the whole family to enjoy any time of the year.

There are scenic trails, mountain trails, informative nature trails and so many others for everyone from the toddler (with help), senior citizens and even the handicapped to relax and enjoy. There are trails for the hardiest hiker to the first-timer. They are listed as “Easy,” “Moderate,” or “Hard.” Almost all are well-maintained by trained city, county, state or federal workers and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

There is nothing like a hike to lower your stress levels, improve your mood and enhance your mental wellbeing and so many other health benefits.

HEMET

Wildflowers bloom along Lakeview Trail at Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet.

72

in Southwest Riverside County

Shane Gibson photos

by Tony Ault

S

ADVENTURES

IDYLLWILD

Views above Idyllwild on the Devils Slide Trail on Mt. San Jacinto.

Websites like All Trails (www.alltrails.com), HikeSpeak (www. hikespeak.com), Riverside County Parks (www.rivcoparks.org) and state parks and national forest websites (www.stateparks. com and www.nationalforest.org) have listings of hiking trails, their locations. hours, rules and levels of difficulty.

Some hiking trails may be closed due to fire dangers, repairs, adverse weather conditions or other factors, but there are always some open year around.

Hikers are always advised to learn about the trail or trails they are planning to take and what they should take with them. There are 10 essentials all hikers are advised to have with them on any lengthy adventure. They include: First, is enough water, followed by the weather appropriate clothing from head to foot. Food is always advised for as many days they are on the trail. An accurate map is always a necessity and a handy compass.

A first aid kit and any of your medications are necessities. A

FRENCH VALLEY

Views from a trail in the French Valley Wildlife Viewing Area.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

MT. SAN JACINTO

A meadow along a trail in Saddle Junction on Mt. San Jacinto.

Hiking trails in Saddle Junction on Mt. San Jacinto.

flashlight, emergency whistle, mirror, knife, bug spray, suntan lotion, matches, a small trowel, plastic bags and a cellphone but, remember, cell reception may not always be available on the trail.

There are many sporting goods stores in southwest Riverside County with knowledgeable associates that can help the hiker find just the right equipment for their outdoor adventure.

Always let someone know what trail you are going to take and when you may be returning. Many state parks and national forests require hikers to fill out a free hiking permit to take to their trails to know how many are on trails in the event there is an emergency, like fires or flash floods.

Overnight camping in the mountains may be limited to designated camping areas and hikers are asked to stay on the maintained trails as much as possible.

Popular trails located near and around the Temecula and Murrieta Valleys include; the Santa Margarita River Trail, Dripping Springs Campground Trail (Agua Tibia Wilderness) Santa Rosa Plateau Trail, Wild Horse Trail (Agua Tibia), Agua Tibia Full Loop Trail, Vail Lake Loop, Eagle Craig via Agua Tibia Loop, Harveston Lake Loop, Temecula to Vail Lake Overlook and Oak Mountain, DeLuz Overlook, Coyote and Transpreserve Trail Loop, Double Money Loop, Lake Skinner Trail, Monument Hill Loop via Punta Mesa and Vernal Pool Trails (Santa Rosa Plateau).

MURRIETA

Views from South Ridge Trail near Tahquitz Peak on Mt. San Jacinto.

MT. SAN JACINTO

Trail marker at Skunk Cabbage Junction on Mt. San Jacinto.

Devil’s Slide Trail on Mt. San Jacinto where the trailhead can be reached at Humber Park in Idyllwild.

Lake Elsinore and Cleveland National Forest trails include; Chiquito Trail, McVicker Stairs Hiking Trail, Indian Truck Trail, Bear Canyon Trail, Sitton Peak, Walker Canyon Trail, El Cariso Truck Trail and many Cleveland National Forest trails The San Bernardino National Forest’s San Jacinto Wilderness trails located off of Highways 74 and 243 offer trails from Lake Fulmor (easy), Marion Mountain to San Jacinto (hard), Suicide Rock Trail (moderate), Black Mountain (hard), San Jacinto Loop Trail (hard), Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail (easy with no permit), South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak (hard with fire tower visit), Idyllwild Park Trail (easy), San Jacinto Peak via Deer Springs Trial (moderate); Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction (moderate), Tahquitz Peak via Devils Slide Trail (moderate with fire tower visit),Fuller Ridge Trail to San Jacinto Peak (hard) and San Jacinto Peak Middle Route Trail (hard).

Not all trails in the wilderness are open in the winter or during extreme fire danger times, check-in with the San Jacinto Ranger Station in Idyllwild.

Remember, being prepared for a hike, to include letting others know your planned path and expected return time can lead to a fun and relaxing time on the trail.

One of the many network of trails in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

73

OUT OF THIS

WORLD ATHLETE RECOVERY FACILITY LANDS IN TEMECULA

m.a.r.s.

M.A.R.S. offers recovery services for all professional, college, high school, youth and recreational athletes.

JP Raineri photo

T

here is no denying that a healthy and happy athlete not only performs better but also has the ability to give time and energy to others. Without variety in the workout routine or athletic play, and without rest and recovery, athletes are more susceptible to overtraining injuries.

Temecula residents, Craig and Libby Johns, know this all too well, having raised not one, but two NCAA Division 1 baseball players. They also know what it means as successful members of the community to give their time and energy to various projects daily that require every aspect of networking and more.

With two boys in college – Gavin and Hayden Johns both play at the highest level of collegiate baseball – Craig and Libby John had been seeking a way to stay connected to the area athletes as they have done for so many years. Craig Johns, when not traveling the globe as the national sales director at Pulsed Energy Technologies, has been embedded in the local sports communities for years, volunteering for countless leagues as a coach, board member and youth advocate. Libby Johns is a certified esthetician that spent most of her years ensuring a positive upbringing for her children while also staying connected to her family’s business as the daughter of Wilson Creek Winery owners, Gerrie and 74

Rosie Wilson.

With such a vast background of helping others, the two are carrying on with what they know best and have founded the Muscle Activation and Recovery System or M.A.R.S. The idea behind M.A.R.S. is to stay connected to local sports and athletes by offering up a “Big League” experience while recovering athletes of all sports and activities. M.A.R.S is located inside the DBat Temecula hitting facility and has gathered up the equipment and techniques needed in order to support the goals of athletes that desire to be bigger, faster and stronger. The company is going on its third month of business and has been welcomed with high regard from members of the community.

“It’s great having M.A.R.S. right here in our building almost every day,” Matt Hinds, general manager of D-Bat Temecula, said. “I am usually the first to hear about any kind of discomfort or pain local players are having, since they mostly all come through here to hit or throw when not out with their teams.

It’s so convenient to walk families down to the staff and introduce them to the setup. M.A.R.S. offers more recovery services than most, all under one roof for the professional, the college, the high school, the youth or the recreational athlete.”

Craig Johns, who is the acting communi-

IS HERE TO HELP

by JP Raineri ty liaison for the company, said the concept is simple.

“We want to assist athletes in providing a complete suite of products and services to help with post training/racing recovery. We have state-of-the-art equipment used by many professionals, including active compression therapy and electrical muscle stimulation. We provide all of these in a comfortable and relaxing lounge-type setting, along with a big screen television, Wi-Fi and refreshments,” he said.

The circuit involves a 60-minute, five-station cycle that has a high success rate and begins with an auto massage table that also gives the core body a heat increase, while lying on a jade stone roller. Next, the client will focus on circulation and increase blood flow then jump into the Pulsed energy station, which energizes cells. From there they will hit the vibration massage station that truly stimulates soft tissue. Finally, the client will lie down and relax on the hydro massage table, which focuses on a deep tissue massage.

“That’s the one that sends everyone home to sleep,” Craig Johns said “This is exactly what the valley needed,” Bradley Randle, former professional football player and owner of RB Guru University, said.

Randle runs a home school academy for athletes and operates out of D-Bat as well.

“This gives so many athletes the opportunity to recover faster and get back to the grind. It’s great having them in the same facility,” Randle said.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

M.A.R.S. owner, Libby Johns, runs a vibration massage machine over a client’s thigh, working to relieve tension in the area.

JP Raineri photo

Sabrina Hager works with two local athletes in the compression section of the M.A.R.S. athlete recovery center.

JP Raineri photo

The staff at M.A.R.S is on a mission to provide the top symbiotic hydration products, while also concentrating on nutritional aspect of life. Craig Johns goes over everything his clients put in their system and offers up simple solutions and fixes, based on what he has taken away from some his top clients. That list includes working with the Padres, Dodgers, Shaquille O’Neal, Matt Kemp, Jake Arrieta and Aaron Judge, just to name a few.

The Johns’ family has always been about

connecting and finding voids and connecting those voids with a resource. The next phase of their plan involves teaming up with local chiropractors, who will give neck and back assessments and they plan to have two sports massage therapists on-site four days a month, plus a podiatrist that will offer foot biomechanics and gait assesses as well as custom fit orthotics.

“People keep their secrets to themselves for the most part,” Craig Johns said. “We are all about partnering with those that are

Owner Libby Johns, left, poses with trainer Sabrina Hager, far right, and two of the companies featured local professional athletes, competition stunt pilot Anthony Oshinuga and Freestyle Motocross rider, Jarryd McNeil.

Courtesy photo doing great thing with fitness and wellness all over. This town is a hot bed for talent, from student athletes to professionals and it is so fun connecting, networking and sharing info. We are super grounded with athletes from all sports and hope many more will come let us treat or prevent injuries.”

See M.A.R.S. cont. on page 84

Pastore Dental Menifee Family & Cosmetic Dentistry



“



5-Star Yelp Review

I always go to Dr. Pastore’s because EVERYONE in the office is so friendly and kind. Dr. Pastore does a wonderful job.

– T.E.

PATIENT $79 NEW SPECIAL Digital X-Rays & Comprehensive Exam

*MUST present this voucher, new cash patients only, $195 value. Expires 08-30-20.

Modern Treatment.

Old-fashioned Values.

PPO INSURANCE ACCEPTED THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

”

“

5-Star Yelp Review

I can not say enough good things about Dr. Pastore and his staff! Not only does he make you feel really comfortable, he is also extremely honest.

– E.B.

”

“I’m passionate about creating positive dental experiences for my patients. I am dedicated to keeping our practice small and intimate, where individualized care and comfortable treatment is a top priority.”

– Dr. Frank Pastore

Frank Pastore, DDS 25908 Newport Road, Menifee www.PastoreDental.com

(951) 301-3655

75

Michelle’s Place Undergoes Expansion

To Serve More Residents

by Jeff Pack Kim Gerrish, executive director of Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, explains the vision for the new cancer support facility located on Winchester Road in Temecula.

Shane Gibson photo

M

ichelle Watson’s dying wish was for the Temecula Valley to have a local breast cancer resource center for women going through the fight she was experiencing while being treated for breast cancer.

Just more than 19 years ago, Watson succumbed to her disease, and not long after, her parents, Marilyn and Bill, established Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center.

Today, the little nonprofit organization they formed almost two decades ago has grown into Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, serving residents with all forms of cancers and into a new space on Winchester Road in Temecula.

Construction is still continuing at the new building, and when it’s done, it will have more than enough space to provide all the services those fighting the battle against cancer can need to feel supported.

“We want cancer patients in our community to know they are not alone,” executive director Kim Gerrish said. “We want them to know they have a safe, comforting environment to find support and resources.”

According to Gerish, when finished, the building will inhabit 10,000 feet of space.

“There will be a support group room, an art classroom, conference room, 10 offices, a kitchen, a fitting room, a multipurpose room, a tranquility room,” Gerrish said. “There will be three other nonprofit organizations serving Michelle’s Place clients, a reiki room, a great room...”

The space will give the organization more room to serve.

“The new space allows us to provide more than one service as a time per day,” Gerrish said. “This is a really big deal for Michelle’s Place. We have never had the opportunity to host a support group, reiki and art class all at the same time on the same day. This space

76

will allow us to expand programs and services.”

According to Gerrish, in their last location on Jefferson Road just down the street, there was no ability to expand what they were doing for residents.

“We literally were busting at the seams,” Gerrish said. “We had staff stuffed in all corners of the center and we had an event, class or group every night of the week. We could not provide any more services than we were currently providing.”

In order to make the move happen, the group had to raise almost $1 million in nine months to make it happen.

“Our community really made this happen,” Gerrish said. “But, we have some very dedicated sponsors that regularly support our mission. And they came through for us. Pechanga, City of Temecula, Abbott, Mythos Technology, Soboba and many many others.

Back in July, Michelle’s Place closed escrow on the building and hosted a tour for representatives from the Pechanga Development Corporation and Tribal Council. In all, the tribe donated more than $350,000 to the project.

Jeff Pack photo

Plans for the complete expansion of Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center include several meeting rooms, offices and new spaces to give the nonprofit organization room to grow.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

A tour checks out the new Ginger’s Kitchen, named after volunteer Ginger Koontz.

Jeff Pack photo

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center displays their Wall of Hope.

Jeff Pack photo

“The reason is pretty clear, pretty simple, cancer affects everybody, in any community, tribal communities included,” Tribal Chairman Mark Maccaro said at the time. “We’ve all had people that have been touched by cancer, many of our families, we instantly recognized the need as well as the resources that Michelle’s Place was putting out there into the community.

“If they could only get to a bigger place where all those things could be under one roof, if they could manifest that, that was something worthy of backing. That’s why we engaged,” Maccaro said.

Gerrish said other local nonprofits have helped quite a bit and she named Temecula Rotary, Habitat of Humanity Inland Valley, Fallbrook Senior Center, Breast Cancer Solutions and Hospice of the Valleys as some of the key partnerships.

“We also appreciate the medical community and helping us help clients with cancer,” she said. “We have an amazing community that has really helped us build the region’s only cancer resource center.”

Gerrish said construction is continuing on the interior of the building.

“We hope to be through phase one by December,” she said.

“We hope the whole center to be complete by March.”

The new address is 41669 Winchester Road, Suite 101, in Temecula.

For more information on Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, visit www.michellesplace.org. For help with a cancer-related issue, contact the group at (951) 699-5455 or info@michellesplace.org.

C onne c t e d b y

W E L L- BE I N G A REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HUB THAT’S SUPPORTED BY A FOCUS ON WELLNESS • Five regional hospitals and numerous healthcare facilities based in Murrieta • More than 30 fitness centers, 1,350 acres of open space, a culture of healthy living • Home to Riverside County’s only biotech incubator and only genomics laboratory City of Murrieta

l

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

www.MurrietaCA.gov

l

(951) 461-6003 77

Downtown Hemet Historic District Flourishes

The Harvard Street Music Exchange, housed in a historic Hemet building, has become a gathering place for musicians and music lovers.

Diane A. Rhodes photos

by Diane A. Rhodes

S

everal young businesses in the Harvard District of the Downtown Hemet Historic District have found a way to thrive in a city that will be 110 years old in January – appealing to longtime residents as well as newcomers.

Harvard Street and the surrounding area are the focus of the city’s revitalization program that was launched several years ago. The specific plan made available to the public in 2016 outlines the short-term and long-term goals to keep the city’s history intact while attracting and retaining modern establishments.

Nicholas Yepremian owns the Destination Coffee Bar and Bistro that adjoins the Santa Fe Depot at the northwest corner of Florida Avenue and State Street, just a short block west of Harvard Street. The business was opened in May 2016 with his wife Giovanna and his mother Patricia.

“We loved the location and the amazing history,” Yepremian said. “Our counter is the original that was once used as the ticket counter for passengers.”

He has spoken with many people who recall when trains came through Hemet carrying people and cargo. He said they talk of it as a proud time for Hemet and hope to see train service return to the city again.

“Since our location was a train station that took people to and from many destinations, we decided to play off that theme,” Yepremian said. Food and drink items are themed to match famous cities or geographic landmarks. He said business has been very good and keeps growing every day with many first timers becoming regulars.

Julio Guez helped open Harvard Street Music Exchange in March 2016 and became co-owner in September 2017. The historic building that houses the store was formerly an Odd Fellows Temple that was established in 1901.

After a devastating earthquake destroyed many downtown structures, the current building was constructed in 1927.

“We have a steady flow of regulars and constantly welcome new musicians that have just moved into the Valley,” Guez said.

The Harvard District is at the heart of the revitalization of the Downtown Hemet Historic District.

78

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

The Santa Fe Depot and adjoining Destination Coffee Bar and Bistro take visitors back in time to when the train station was the hub of the community.

Nicholas Yepremian owns Destination Coffee Bar and Bistro and utilizes the original train station passenger ticket windows to serve his current customers.

Commercial businesses are not the only focus of the city’s project. Several nonprofits that provide artistic and cultural outlets to satisfy many different tastes have found homes in the area.

The Hemet Valley Art Association relocated its gallery from east Hemet to 144 N. Harvard St. in 2013 and said they have been pleased with the move.

“Foot traffic is better, and business is more consistent than in our old venue,” President Sharyn Dana said. “We were able to convert the inside to meet our needs, and we have wonderful neighbor businesses.”

Dana knows that art and culture are beneficial to any historic district and feels the gallery complements the architecture and history of the area.

“We teach classes for adults and children which bring students downtown,” she said. “We are very proud of our contribution to what Harvard Street has become.”

The Santa Fe Depot, which houses the Hemet Museum, is operated by the Hemet Heritage Foundation. The old Santa Fe Depot, which had been crumbling for years before Save Our Station bought it and restored it, was a major eyesore in the downtown but has since become the cornerstone for the downtown district.

“The museum is a destination for out-of-towners who are railroad buffs or museum junkies or local history enthusiasts,” Anne Jennings, Hemet Museum head docent and curator, said.

Diane Boss, Hemet Heritage Foundation vice president of special projects, events and public relations, said there are many positive things in and around the depot that appeal to a variety of visitors.

“Destination Coffee Bar and Bistro is a very popular restaurant at the front of the depot which draws community members together to share a meal and socialize in a historical downtown atmosphere,” she said. “The beautiful water-wise landscaping surrounding the depot is lovingly planted and maintained by Valley Beautiful Garden Club volunteers and the Hemet Museum hosts a few open houses each year with a historical theme.”

The city’s goal is to revitalize the heart of Hemet by embracing both history and future potential for 360 acres over 58 blocks bordered by Gilbert Street on the west, Santa Fe Street on the east,

Oakland Avenue to the north and Acacia Avenue to the south. The historic commercial core of the city was established in the early 1900s, and specific guidelines have been implemented regarding building facades and signage to ensure consistency with the historic, urban and pedestrian-oriented nature of the area.

The Hemet 2030 General Plan was adopted in 2012 as a result of looking ahead to when bus rapid transit and ultimately rail transit via Metrolink may be developed within the city limits. It was designed to regulate the land uses in the Downtown Hemet Specific Plan area in order to “promote the Downtown District as the centerpiece of community, identity, activity, culture and governance.”

The goals and policies are consistent with “Smart Growth” principles: economically sound, environmentally friendly and supportive of community livability. Development is also intended to promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment and promote public health and safety. These goals and policies were derived from input received from the community and stakeholders.

Planners feel it is important to protect and enhance historic and cultural resources that contribute to the city’s image, unique character and sense of place.

Find more information at www.facebook.com/DowntownHemetHistoricDistrict or www.cityofhemet.org.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

A view of North Harvard Street from Florida Avenue show a block that is home to several nonprofit organizations and commercial businesses which embrace the historic and cultural significance of the community.

79

ARMED WITH KNOWLEDGE,

Brick and Mortar Stores Can Survive

by Kim Harris

B

rick and mortar store fronts are becoming a thing of the past. You’ve heard the chatter; you’ve seen major retailers like Macy’s, Dress Barn, Pier One Imports and Walgreens shutter stores.

But is brick and mortar really dying, or just evolving into something new?

Buxton Account Executive Cheyenne Robinson, an account execCheyenne Robinson believes utive with Buxton, a leader in customer that by adjusting the way they do analytics which provides in-depth analbusiness, any brick and mortar business can be a successful one. ysis of customer data to identify, attract Courtesy photo and retain the most profitable customers to thousands of retail customers, doesn’t seem to think so. Robinson showed an entirely different story from what is commonly believed during the 2019 Southwest Regional Economic Forecast.

“California’s retail real estate market is strong but changing consumer shopping behavior and the fact that we are in the late stages of the current economic cycle have resulted in declining project volumes,” Robinson said.

So, what exactly does that mean for the hundreds of retail stores throughout southwest Riverside County?

According to Robinson, while it’s not a new story that major operators continue to shutter many stores, those stores are not closing due to a lack of business, but rather missteps and failure to reinvent themselves.

Mixed-use centers lead to success “As for new development and trends prompted by consumer trends, there continues to be a rise in the number of mixed-use developments, online and in-store shopping and growth in health care,” she said.

Those mixed-use developments – think Shops at Dos Lagos or Menifee’s Countryside Marketplace – are growing and changing 80

the way that those looking for a more engaging, experience-based retail environment shop.

“They also foster a sense of connection and community that many consumers seek,” Robinson said.

The new formula for development success, she said, is 70% food, entertainment and lifestyle experiences with 30% of that mixeduse development being dedicated to retail.

“Despite the high utilization of social media platforms, people still inherently crave face-to-face interactions. These mixed-use developments meet consumers’ desire for the pre-World War II ‘town square’ model,” Robinson said, adding that mixed-use development also offers benefits such as increasing tax revenue and health benefits associated with people walking rather than driving.

Real estate drives success According to Robinson and research done by Buxton, one of the biggest factors that drives the success, or failure, of a retail storefront is the real estate market. The good news, in southwest Riverside County the vacancy rate is lower when compared to the entire region, which makes the real estate market highly competitive.

The bad news, she said, is that retail real estate prices continue to rise but that the U.S. economy is in late stages of current growth cycle.

“Real estate transaction volume has started to decline,” Robinson said, adding that the cycle would end with what economists call a “soft landing.”

“Because of the slow nature of the recovery and the caution investors have exercised,” she explained. “Essentially, this is predicting a shift of the slow-growth rate to potentially flat growth.”

So what can developers do to entice new business and move toward the mixed-use model that has proven to be successful in many markets?

“City leaders should create an inventory of available retail THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

space and update it regularly, be proactive and help retailers find alternative properties, if their first choice falls through,” Robinson advised.

According to Robinson, another consideration is the wide gap in pricing between A-malls and B-C product.

“Essentially, Class A sites are going to be those properties that are the highest quality in the market, generally newer, highincome earning tenants and the lowest vacancy rates,” she said.

“Whereas, those Class B sites are generally a little older, but still good quality. Class C will be less desirable and often need extensive renovation.”

Robinson said that Class B sites can offer competitive advantages such as lower competition and perhaps new planned development.

“Consumer behavior is forcing retailers and restaurants to rethink their business models, which influences real estate needs,” she said.

Tourism affects community markets Robinson said that another major consideration to any marketing strategy should be tourism.

She recommended using household information to develop profiles, identify feeder markets, identify households to include in targeted marketing campaigns and to answer other business questions.

Robinson shared how in a recent mobile data sample from South Coast Winery in 2018, 20% of 917 different core-based statistical areas visited the winery with the top visitor markets being Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego.

Of those who visited the winery, she said, there was a mix of affluent families and empty nesters that are experienced travelers, art connoisseurs and visitors that enjoy gourmet dining. Those visitors were offline and digital media receptive as well as what she called “progressive potpourri” households, who enjoy doing a variety of things such as visit theme parks.

“You could geo-fence Disneyland and serve ads through social media to speak to those households,” she said.

The bottom line Knowing the target market and how to reach them, along with being real estate savvy and open to new ideas, such as advances in marketing, can help any brick and mortar business be a successful one.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

C on nect ed b y

BUSINESS GO SHOPPING , TAKE CARE OF BUSIN ESS & MAKE TIM E TO MINGLE •

A growing Downtown merges history, shopping, entertainment & fun

•

Murrieta Innovation Center helps cutting-edge start-ups take flight

•

Business-friendly culture supports a strong economy for a growing community

City of Murrieta www.MurrietaCA.gov l (951) 304-2489 81

New Businesses, Construction PLANNED IN LOCAL CITIES

by Will Fritz

Temecula Several new projects are underway in Old Town Temecula, including 80,000 square feet of retail space across Mercedes Street from Temecula City Hall and new buildings on Third Street, Fourth Street and Sixth Street. New sidewalks are being constructed and wooden plank sidewalks were recently removed. A collector/distributor lane system north of Winchester Road on Interstate 15 is set to go out to bids in 2020 and begin construction in 2021. The lane system is expected to ease traffic problems in the area once it’s completed. Multiple new eateries have also opened, including Phil’s BBQ at the former TGI Friday’s location and Raising Cane’s at the former Hometown Buffet location.

Murrieta The collector/distributor lane system project on I-15 on the northern edge of Temecula, which is set to go out for bids next year, will also ease traffic on the southern edge of Murrieta. About 80% of Murrieta’s residential streets are planned to be repaired and slurry sealed over the next two years. Major streets that are planned to be repaved include California Oaks Road between I-15 and Clinton Keith Road and Hancock Avenue between California Oaks Road and Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Construction will begin soon on the city’s 53rd park, and new businesses, including Holiday Inn and Costco, are on track to open in the next year.

82

Menifee Traffic relief is coming to the south end of Menifee in the form of the expanded Scott Road interchange, which will add new loop on-ramps and create additional lanes. The project was more than halfway done as of August, but a 55-hour closure of Scott Road in October gave crews time to shift traffic from the old overpass to the new one. Retrofitting of existing street lights with LED lights and resurfacing and improvements to several roads, including Goetz Road and Murrieta Road, are planned in the near future.

Plans to widen the Scott/Bundy Canyon Road corridor – the city’s connection to Wildomar – are in the design stage and waiting for funding. Barons Market recently opened in the Menifee Lakes Plaza shopping center. The upcoming Menifee Town Center will feature the largest movie screen in California at the planned Krikorian Premiere Entertainment Complex.

Wildomar A widening project remains in the works for Bundy Canyon Road in the area of Wildomar’s border with Menifee. The new Wildomar Square shopping center near Clinton Keith Road and I-15 has been open for over a year. And another shopping center, Wildomar Crossings, has been approved for an area near Clinton Keith and Stable Lanes roads.

Lake Elsinore Infrastructure improvements are being planned or are already completed in Lake Elsinore. Railroad Canyon Road was widened to three lanes in each direction east of I-15, a project that was completed in June. Camino del Norte, which runs parallel to I-15 east of the freeway near downtown Lake Elsinore, is currently being extended to a neighborhood near Railroad Canyon, opening up 140 acres of freeway frontage. And an interchange project that will move northbound on- and off-ramps at Railroad Canyon and I-15 is fully funded and scheduled to begin construction next year.

Meanwhile, Walmart, a Honda dealership, Chick-fil-A and an RV resort are among the new businesses being constructed in the city.

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

A Brand You Can Love, From a Dealer You Can Love

Come test drive the 2020 Subaru models today!

JOHN HINE TEMECULA SUBARU 42050 DLR DR AT YNEZ ROAD, TEMECULA AUTO MALL

(951) 553-2000 TEMECULASUBARU.COM

RHOADS cont. from page 24 quilt represents the love and gratitude – and sometimes the tears of the makers – that goes into making it.”

Rose Rhoads said that since her group of about 18 ladies began with the program, hundreds of Quilts of Valor have been completed. She said that the wonderful, giving women volunteer to work on these quilts and always enjoy sharing the recipient’s emotional reaction. A family foundation has furnished funds for the past three years as well as individual donations to help the group continue its work for deserving veterans.

“Last year, we awarded about 50 quilts,” she said. “Considering each quilt could cost up to $250 just for materials, I think we’ve done

very well.”

Rose Rhoads and the Quilts of Valor program were featured in a recent issue of Quiltfolk magazine. Issue 11 was devoted to Southern California and told the story of Bronze Star recipient and San Jacinto resident Danny Crosser. It included photos of the veteran and the quilt that was presented to him on behalf of the group.

For more information, email quiltingangels@gmail.com or visit www.quiltfolk.com/issue-11-southern-california or www.qovf.org.

An excerpt from “Remember Me (The Fallen Soldier)” by Bill Rhoads: “As the children grow and thoughts of me start to fade from memory, speak my name in prayer and in story so they always will remember me.”

SOBOBA FOUNDATION cont. from page 32 of directors during their regularly scheduled meetings.

The efforts to achieve the mission and vision of the Soboba Foundation is driven by the commitment and dedication of the Soboba Foundation Board of Directors and staff. Although elections for new board members are held every two years, each new board continues to move the foundation forward while always keeping the mission and vision in mind.

Current Soboba Foundation members are President Geneva Mojado, Vice President Dondi Silvas, Secretary Michelle Modesto, Treasurer Jacob Briones and members at large Scott Cozart, Monica Herrera and Isaiah Vivanco.

For more information, www.soboba-nsn.gov/sponsorship.

More than 6,000 toys are collected and distributed at Soboba’s annual Toy Drive.

Diane A. Rhodes photo

M.A.R.S. cont. from page 74 Currently M.A.R.S. is utilizing 12 featured athletes to help spread the word about their facility, and two of those athletes shot a promo video that featured competition aerobatic pilot, Anthony Oshinuga and X-Games gold medal winner and professional freestyle motocross rider, Jarryd McNeil. The two went through the circuit, and McNeil completed a wheelie through the entire facility on his dirt bike. After their circuit, they were surprised with an oil painting by local artist Hailey Cairns. The young local artist will be painting each of the featured athletes in the coming months, including Alex Ruiz, who has taken the area by storm, spreading positivity since having his right leg amputated below the knee. Ruiz suffered a devastating injury while playing in a high school football game in 2018 at Linfield Christian High School but has been a beacon of hope for local athletes dealing with injuries.

There are many opportunities in the works at M.A.R.S. which includes franchise opportunities, internships and much more.

M.A.R.S. is located at 26201 Ynez Road, Suite 103, in Temecula, inside D-BAT Temecula. To find more information, visit www.marsathletes.com. To book an appointment or visit, call (951) 200-4664 or email marsathletes@gmail.com.

84

Craig Johns stands with local artist Hailey Cairns, who painted the first of many featured athlete murals for the walls of the M.A.R.S. athlete recovery center.

Courtesy photo

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Is the new world of digital / social media

OVERWHELMING?

Let us help you increase your customers.

We’ll make it easy for you – and affordable!

We already reach an audience of over 300,000 local readers.*

What could that do for your business?

Give us a call at 951-763-5510 or go to www.reedermedia.com/services *With our print and online products.

Web Presence • villagenews.com • myvalleynews.com • anzavalleyoutlook.com • exploremenifee.com • discoverfallbrook.com

Online Services • Reputation Management • Social Media Management • Social Media Marketing • Website Design • Lead Generation • SEO • SEM

CONNECT

with the City of Temecula

ADDITIONAL CITY RESOURCES Around and About Temecula TemeculaCA.gov/AroundTemecula

CITY OF TEMECULA MOBILE APP ADDITIONAL CITY RESOURCES Good News of the Week TemeculaCA.gov/GoodNews

Report a pothole, find event information, search City employment Mary Phillips Senior Center opportunities and more – all in the palm of your hand with our Around and About Temecula TemeculaCA.gov/SeniorCenter TemeculaCA.gov/AroundTemecula mobile app.

CITY OF TEMECULA MOBILE APP

Within the streamlined app, you can find information regarding City parks and facilities, news, social media feeds and event calendars. App users can also report non-emergency issues such as graffiti, road concerns, homeless Report a pothole, find and event information, City employment encampments more.

Also, upload search photos and location information as needed. the–issue is submitted, staff ishand notified andour the user opportunities andOnce more all in the palmCity of your with can track the status of their issue through the app. You can also view mobile app.

Channel 3, Temecula directly on your device.

TemeculaCA.gov/App Within the streamlined app, youTVcan find information regarding City parks

Old Town Temecula Community Theater

Good News of the Week Facebook.com/TemeculaTheater TemeculaCA.gov/GoodNews

Pennypickle’s Workshop - Children’s Museum

MaryPennypickles.org Phillips Senior Center TemeculaCA.gov/SeniorCenter Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library Old TemeculaLibrary.org Town Temecula Community Theater Facebook.com/TemeculaTheater Temecula Eats

and facilities, news, social media feeds and event calendars. App users can Facebook.com/TemeculaEats also report non-emergency issues such as graffiti, road concerns, homeless City Council Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each monthPennypickle’s Workshop - Children’s Museum encampments and more. and as at 7:00 pm Also, in the upload Council photos Chambers at location Temeculainformation City Hall. Meetings arePennypickles.org Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange needed. Once the issueatisthe submitted, Citydate staff notified and the user televised same time and onisChannel 3 on most local networks, Facebook.com/TemeculaValley can track the status of their issue through You can H. Roberts Temecula Public Library and are the alsoapp. available for also videoview streamingRonald EntrepreneursExchange ondevice. the City’s website at TemeculaCA.gov.TemeculaLibrary.org Channel 3, Temecula TV directly on your TemeculaCA.gov/App Temecula Valley Museum

FOLLOW US

City Council Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month

of Temecula Facebook City of Temecula Website at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers atCity Temecula City Hall.

Meetings are TemeculaCA.gov televised at the same time and date on Facebook.com/CityofTemecula Channel 3 on most local networks, City of Temecula Events TemeculaCA.gov/Calendar

FOLLOW US

and are alsoCity available for video streaming of Temecula Instagram on the City’s website at TemeculaCA.gov.

Instagram.com/CityofTemecula

Facebook.com/TemeculaValleyMuseum Temecula Eats Facebook.com/TemeculaEats of Temecula Twitter Exchange TemeculaCity Valley Entrepreneur’s Twitter.com/CityofTemecula Facebook.com/TemeculaValley EntrepreneursExchange City of Temecula Flickr Flickr.com/CityofTemecula

Temecula Valley Museum Facebook.com/TemeculaValleyMuseum

Sign up to receive informational emails from the City of Temecula at temeculaca.gov/signup

Shane Gibson photo Evening moon rise over Tahquitz Peak on Mount San Jacinto viewed from Menifee.

Advertiser Index 127 West Social House....................... pg 55 Accurate Leak Locators & Plumbing.... pg 43 All Star Physical Therapy, Inc............... pg 69 Autumn Insurance Agency.................... pg 71 Bella Vista Winery................................. pg 61 Betty Jaurequi – Berkshire & Hathaway HomeServices California Properties..pg 21 Castle Steel Buildings......................... pg 23 Children’s Primary Care Medical Group................ Inside Front Cover City of Menifee.................................... pg 25 City of Murrieta........................ pg 57, 77, 81 City of Temecula................................... pg 86 Cougar Vineyard & Winery...................pg 63 Elsinore Valley Pregnancy Resource Center...............................pg 28

Falco & Sons Menifee Plumbing...........pg 31 Fallbrook Cafe..................................... pg 55 Galway Spirits...................................... pg 88 Garage Brewing Co............................... pg 51 Jackie Steed – Reliable Realty, Inc....... pg 16 John Hine Temecula Mazda................... pg 5 John Hine Temecula Subaru................ pg 83 Josie’s Hideout Saloon........................ pg 35 King Barrel............................................. pg 10 Launch Pointe.........................................pg 8 Mad Madeline’s Grill............................ pg 53 Mediacom.............................................. pg 41 Mike Kish – HomeSmart Legends......... pg 17 Mt. San Jacinto College....................... pg 27 New Day Solar...................................... pg 19 Old Town Blues Club............................ pg 59

THE GREATER SOUTHWEST VALLEY SOURCEBOOK 2020

Pala Casino Resort Spa............. Back Cover Pastore Dental...................................... pg 75 Sacred Photography Studio.................... pg 7 Silverthorne Ranch Nursery................. pg 67 Graybill Medical Group.............................pg 1 Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant................. pg 55 Soboba Casino Resort....Inside Back Cover Southwest Healthcare System............... pg 3 SpectrumVoip......................................... pg 11 Temecula Valley Hospital.........................pg 9 Temple Beth Sholom of Temecula....... pg 33 The Olive Plantation.............................pg 65 Trupiano’s Italian Bistro....................... pg 55 Valley News...................................pg 37, 85

87

What wine did for Temecula, Galway Spirits did for Vodka.

Experience our Tasting Room 42065 Zevo Drive No. 7 Temecula, CA 92590

Visit GalwaySpirits.com

ALL NEW 22777 22777 SOBOBA SOBOBA RD. RD. SAN SAN JACINTO JACINTO CA CA 92583 92583 1.

1. 866.

866. 4.

4. SOBOBA SOBOBA || SOBOBA.COM SOBOBA.COM

Discover your

moment!

We’ve got hundreds of new and exciting slots, incredible restaurants, daily live entertainment, national concert acts and a world-class day spa!

11154 HWY 76, PALA, CA 92059 | 1-877-WIN-PALA palacasino.com Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Hotline 1-800-522-4700