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Give the gift of an SRA education for the holidays

noreply@blogger.com — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 18:05:00 GMT

School is out for the Holidays, and children anxiously await Santa's visit! Gifts will surely include electronics, bikes, balls, dolls, playsets, and many, many more. Do you want to give your child a lifelong gift? If so, please consider the gift of a highly regarded Santa Rosa Academy TK-12th education focused on character education and characterized for academic excellence within a flexible and innovative learning environment. SRA aims to effectively develop, sustain and enhance the skills necessary to be lifelong learners and productive citizens. The annual enrollment lottery for on-campus education is now open until February 4th. The homeschool independent study program with an optional online curriculum fully supported by an educational advisor for the second semester of this school year is also open. For more details regarding both options, visit this site.

Silver Alert issued for missing Menifee man

noreply@blogger.com — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 02:36:00 GMT

Murrieta Council votes to oppose De Luz cannabis grow

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 21:35:00 GMT

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Murrieta City Council on Tuesday authorized a letter of opposition to be sent to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors regarding a proposed cannabis processing plant in the unincorporated hillside community of De Luz.

The Board of Supervisors will consider at its Jan. 11 meeting the request by Fuego Farms to build 17 greenhouses and a 68,000-square-foot cannabis processing structure in De Luz – a rural community in the hills west of Temecula. According to Murrieta City Council members, the large marijuana grow would have adverse effects on Murrieta and surrounding communities.

“The issue is not whether marijuana is legal, but the location of the grow in a residential community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Lisa DeForest in a special City Council meeting on Tuesday night. “There are five homes within 200-700 feet of this project.”

DeForest cited adverse affects from fans, lighting, and noise from a processing plant that is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, along with the stench that will be noticeable well beyond the homes in the area. She also noted the potential for negative impact on ground water in the area, and the fact there is only one Sheriff’s deputy assigned to an area that could become the site of more criminal activity.

Council member Lori Stone was also outspoken in her opposition to the project, which has already been approved by the County’s planning department.

“I lived in Southern Oregon for three years,” Stone said about a region that has become the site of numerous marijuana and hemp farms in recent years. “They are overrun by cultivation facilities. The stench is absolutely horrendous. There is labor trafficking and water contamination. Crime has significantly increased.

“The fact that this project plans to have armed guards 24-7 and 12-foot fencing is an indication of the potential for criminal activity there.”

Marijuana cultivation is not allowed in the City of Murrieta, but it is allowed in unincorporated county areas such as De Luz.

“I believe there will be many unforeseen circumstances that arise from this,” Stone said.

Asked for his opinion of the project, Murrieta Police Chief Tony Conrad said he would be concerned about an increasing element of crime in the area.

“There’s a reason we have an ordinance not to allow marijuana cultivation in Murrieta,” Conrad said. “At some point there will be theft or robbery. We would be naïve to think it would not occur.”

Conrad also said that if marijuana is transported from the grow site down De Luz Road to Guava Street for distribution, it would be traveling through the City of Murrieta.

Five members of the public made comments, all in opposition to the project.

“I live next door to this project,” said Walter Hessler, a retired physician. “We’re quite alarmed about this. And we just heard about this at the last minute. I’m not trying to argue against the legality; there are places they would probably welcome this. In De Luz, it would do damage.”

John Lieberg, who lives a quarter-mile from the site, said the project “is misplaced in a residential area." James Waite, who lives 600 feet from the site, said the community has gathered 622 signed petitions against the project. He said he believes an Environmental Impact Report should be required by the county.

Kassen Klein said it was important to establish a legal record of negative impacts based on facts.

“The letter needs to stick to how this affects Murrieta,” he said. “Direct the City to review the mitigated negative declaration.”

Jonathan Ingram, installed that night as Mayor, said the letter should include language requesting the EIR and, if there truly is none, requesting one be done. The letter, to be drafted by assistant city attorney Jeff Morris, would include any proven data reported by residents at the meeting and would ask the Board of Supervisors to continue the matter until a later date.

A motion to that effect passed unanimously.

Registration open for girls basketball skills program

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:35:00 GMT

Menifee man dies in traffic collision in Lake Elsinore

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:51:00 GMT

A Menifee man died early Monday morning in a head-on collision with a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle in Lake Elsinore, authorities said.

The Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Christian Bacilio, 21. He was the driver in a 2014 Ford Focus heading west on Riverside Drive near Lake Crest Drive at about 1:48 a.m. when the vehicle crossed over the center line and directly into the path of the eastbound Sheriff’s vehicle, which couldn’t avoid the collision, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release.

Bacilio was pronounced dead at the scene. A 21-year-female passenger in that vehicle was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center with major injuries. The 53-year-old male Sheriff’s deputy was also transported with major injuries. Both individuals had to be extricated from their vehicles.

The collision remains under investigation. Alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor in the collision, according to the press release.

Adult soccer league offers fun, competitive play

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:41:00 GMT

Enjoy adult soccer in a competitive environment for both men and women. Games are played on Sunday nights. Here's some more about this great league:

Bell Mountain raises $1,904 for Santa's Workshop

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 01:49:00 GMT

Bell Mountain Middle School students and staff exceeded all expectations when they responded to a challenge by their principal, Dr. Regina Zurbano. They were encouraged to bring in their loose change, and when put together it would be donated to the Menifee Spark of Love/Santa’s Workshop, which presents new, unwrapped toys to local children.

“Whether it jingles or folds, bring your change in so together we can support the Menifee Santa’s Workshop,” the campaign stated.

The coin counter at the bank gave the first indication of the amount when the screen read, “My, you have a lot of coins!” When put together, the coins collected amounted to $594, with an additional $358 in bills, for a grand total of $952.

Dr. Zurbano and assistant principal Timothy Aguilar matched the amount collected, making a total donation of $1,904! The money has been delivered to Debbi Manion (top photo) from the Spark of Love/Santa’s Workshop, with wishes for a joyous holiday season for all.

Two arrested at Menifee DUI checkpoint

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 01:14:00 GMT

The latest DUI checkpoint conducted by Menifee Police Department resulted in one arrest for driving under the influence of drugs, Menifee PD announced.

The checkpoint was conducted from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Newport Road and Winter Hawk Road, according to a press release. In addition, one person was arrested for delaying or obstructing a peace officer, and eight others were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked driver’s license.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Learn about water-saving equipment from EMWD

noreply@blogger.com — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:02:00 GMT

Learn more here.

Brian the Home Loan Guy is ready to help your family

noreply@blogger.com — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 23:30:00 GMT

Brian the Home Loan Guy is a family man who wants to help your family's dreams come true. He has been your one-stop shop for all things realty in the area for 16 years. Here's more about Brian and his business.

Santa Rosa Academy's Garcia accepts softball scholarship

noreply@blogger.com — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 19:37:00 GMT

Press release from Santa Rosa Academy:

MENIFEE -- After receiving five offers, Audrey Garcia, a Santa Rosa Academy senior, last week signed a full scholarship with Westcliff University of Irvine to play softball.

Audrey's parents, Angel Garcia and Claudia Ruiz-Garcia, described Audrey in the following words: "Our daughter has the heart of a champion. She is compassionate, driven to make herself better, and an amazing teammate. She wants the best not just for herself but for everyone around her.

“We are so proud of what she's accomplished despite the difficult situations this pandemic has placed on her and her recruiting class. This is a testament to her resiliency and commitment to growth. We can't wait to see what the future holds for her and the impact she will make at Westcliff University as a student-athlete. The future is bright for our future software engineer."

Coach Gabe Roman has coached Audrey at American Pastime Gold since she was 11 years old. He highlighted Audrey's huge impact on the team, not only with her skills but also with her determination, work ethic, and great attitude.

"Audrey is an ideal utility player with great instinct,” Roman said. “Her primary position is at the catcher, but she has been able to fill holes in our defense at multiple positions like second base, third base, shortstop, and has played outfield as well. She is strong defensively, and her bat keeps her in the production part of the lineup. She plays with confidence and has a winning mentality."

Enroll today for spring semester classes at MSJC

noreply@blogger.com — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 04:13:00 GMT

Evans-Brown Mortuary staff is there when you need them

noreply@blogger.com — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 01:26:00 GMT

Losing a loved one is a very difficult experience, but you can count on the caring staff at Evans-Brown Mortuary to help you through the tough times.

Menifee Police Dept. releases crime stats for October

noreply@blogger.com — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 22:11:00 GMT

Joan Wakeland honored as Menifee Citizen of Month

noreply@blogger.com — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 21:35:00 GMT

The Menifee City Council last week honored longtime Sun City resident Joan Wakeland as the Outstanding Citizen of the Month in Menifee.

Wakeland was recognized for her years of service to the community, including leadership roles in the Menifee Lions Club, Woman's Club, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Menifee Valley. In September, she was crowned Mrs. International Woman of Achievement for her impact in Menifee and surrounding areas.

MSJC Board of Trustees selects Ashley as president

noreply@blogger.com — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 21:04:00 GMT

The MSJC Board of Trustees on Dec. 16 selected Trustee Tom Ashley as board president and Trustee Joshua Rivera as board clerk. Seen here (from left to right) are Trustee Ann Motte (Area 4); Trustee Vicki Carpenter (Area 3); Clerk Joshua Rivera (Area 2); President Tom Ashley (Area 5); and Trustee Brian Sylva (Area 1).

The Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees held its annual organizational meeting on Dec. 16 prior to its regular board meeting, selecting a new president and clerk.

Trustee Tom Ashley, who serves Murrieta and Temecula in Trustee Area 5, was selected to serve as board president. Trustee Joshua Rivera, an MSJC alumnus serving San Jacinto, Hemet, and other communities in Trustee Area 2, will serve as Clerk of the Board.

Santa's Workshop makes kids' dreams come true

noreply@blogger.com — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 19:59:00 GMT

Content contributed by Betti Cadmus

The spirit of giving was on full display Saturday at the Menifee Spark of Love/Santa’s Workshop.

Leading the way was retired Cal Fire Captain Leonard Grill, who has been the SPARK that has made the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive possible for the community of Menifee. With support from his wife Linda, who logs in every donation and sorts them by size and age appropriateness, they have brought together multiple community partners whose sole purpose is to bring joy to the hearts of the children of Menifee. Cal Fire crew members were there to help sort clothing items with Captain Grill.

Families arriving to the event can visit with Santa and receive toys. They were greeted by event coordinators Dawn Smith from the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard (in the red and white apron in the above photo), Debbi Manion (in the brown apron), and other volunteers throughout the day.

The children followed a path to a coloring station, where they decorated a photo holder that will serve as a keepsake picture holder for their next stop, where Dorothy Wolons helped Albert and Christie from MVP Trophies take photos of every child with Santa and Mrs. Claus, while John and Linda Denver looked on.

After visiting a room with toys, sporting goods gear, and other items selected for their age range, the children were given a goodie bag with more small toys.

Rotary Club member Jacqui Dobens, MUSD Superintendent Jennifer Root Ed.D., and Governing Board Member Bob O’Donnell were there to hand out a stuffed toy to the children before they moved on to pick out puzzles, games and books.

Led by Marty Lance, volunteers from the Lions Club kept packing the racks with warm jackets for anyone who needed one before they moved on to get a picture with the Grinch. Thank goodness staff from the Menifee Police Department were close by to help out should the Grinch get out of hand!

Santa’s Workshop Committee members Linda and John Tribelhorn were there to send off the children with a sweet treat of cookies and lemonade.

Stopping by to lend their support were City of Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman and his family, and City Council member Bob Karwin (photo below). Thank you to all who made this event possible. From your donations of toys and sporting goods, to the donations of talent and time, you have made a difference in the life of so many children. Because of the generosity of our community, over 600 children from the Menifee will indeed have a joyous holiday season!

Hundreds celebrate during MSJC fall graduation

noreply@blogger.com — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 22:07:00 GMT

Yesenia Carrillo accepts her diploma during fall graduation ceremonies at Mt. San Jacinto College.

Press release from Mt. San Jacinto College:

Yesenia Carrillo was among about 200 Mt. San Jacinto College students who participated in the college district's first Fall Graduation & Transfer Drive-Through Celebration at its San Jacinto Campus on Friday.

Carrillo, who earned an associate degree in business administration, urged her fellow students to keep going and to cross the finish line.

“Never give up your dreams. Those have been my 14-year-old son’s words,” Carrillo, of Hemet, said. “Don’t give up, mom. Your business is calling you! I dedicate this to my family, which has been with me until the end. We did it!”

Carrillo has worked hard over the past couple of years to earn her cap and gown at MSJC and plans to seek her bachelor's degree from UC Riverside beginning in early 2022.

MSJC held its inaugural Fall Graduation & Transfer Drive-Through Celebration to salute not only the nearly 900 summer and fall degree-earners but also the many transfer students who will now head to a four-year university or college to further pursue their higher education.

MSJC’s spring 2022 registration is now open. The semester begins Jan. 18.

Santa Rosa Academy students honored with Teen Awards

noreply@blogger.com — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 21:41:00 GMT

Press release from Santa Rosa Academy:

Santa Rosa Academy students made a clean sweep of the City of Menifee’s Teen Awards for the fall season.

The awards, presented by the Youth Leaders of Menifee, honored freshman Caleb Russell (Outstanding Citizen); senior Kaitlyn Restrepo (All-Star Athlete); and senior Karli Wise (Inspiring Academic).

The purpose of the Youth Leaders of Menifee is to promote public service and community involvement with, for, and by youth. Teens have the opportunity to be the voice of the youth in the community by creating and implementing programs and events for youth and teens.

Youth Leaders of Menifee creates a positive environment for teens to develop leadership skills, enhance communication, and build self-esteem and confidence. Through this program, teens also receive job readiness training and have the opportunity to volunteer at City of Menifee programs and events.

Nominations are now open for the winter season. To learn more and nominate your students, visit https://cityofmenifee.us/ylm.

Suspicious person leads to lockdown at Southshore

noreply@blogger.com — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 01:00:00 GMT

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Southshore Elementary School was placed on a brief lockdown this morning following the presence of a suspicious person outside the school’s main entrance, authorities said. Police summoned to the school did not find the person on site and after a search of the school and surrounding area, the lockdown was lifted.

That was just part of another busy day for police officers and school administrators who are on heightened alert these days because of increasing social media threats, Menifee Police Chief Chris Karrer said.

Schools across the country already were on high alert because of a Tik Tok challenge Karrer said had “morphed” into a “bring guns to school” message circulated on social media platforms. Concern increased Thursday when some messages targeted today as the day violence would take place at schools, although no specific school was mentioned.

Schools in the Romoland School District and Perris Union High School District had already recessed after Thursday for the three-week holiday break, but Menifee Union School District schools were in the midst of the final day of instruction today. That was the case at Southshore when a female in her early teens rang the doorbell outside the school’s front door just after 9 a.m., Karrer said.

The girl appeared to be under the influence of drugs and said she was “angry,” a school official told police officers. It appeared to the administrator that the girl might be in possession of a knife as well. The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution, although the girl left the premises.

Meanwhile, however, many parents responding to calls about the lockdown from their children showed up at the school, demanding that their children be released. Many students went home with their parents as police cleared the campus, and the lockdown was soon lifted, said Karrer.

During the commotion, a parent who couldn’t reach Southshore by phone then called Bell Mountain Middle School, inquiring about a lockdown. That prompted the presence of a police officer there, but there was no connection to the Southshore incident and no lockdown was necessary at that school, Karrer said.

All in all, it was a day of anxiety and frustration for parents, police and school administrators. Although there was no clear connection between the Tik Tok challenge and the girl’s presence outside the school, Karrer said the social media threats have everyone on edge any time a suspicious incident occurs.

“This month’s Tik Tok challenge is ‘Do something ballsy,’ and it morphs on social media into ‘Bring guns to school,’’’ Karrer said. “Then it spreads like wildfire. In October the challenge was ‘Smack a teacher,’ and you had school administrators threatening to file charges if a teacher was struck.”

“Apparently kids figured what better way than to do this the last day of school before holiday break, to get out of a day of school. The good thing is, there was no local threat here.

“In order to change the behavior of whoever is doing this, it has to start with the kids and their parents. We try to tell people that once you allow your child to have any one of these social media accounts, chances are pretty good that the child has another hidden account.”

Magic Brow Menifee offers quality threading services

noreply@blogger.com — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 22:55:00 GMT

Magic Brow Menifee is open 7 days a week for eyebrow threading services, including brow henna tinting. Call them today at 951-672-1512 or stop by the shop at 30123 Antelope Road Suite D.

Crossroads project withdrawn over street median issue

noreply@blogger.com — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 14:21:00 GMT

Architectural drawings show what Menifee Crossroads would look like from the corner of Newport and Bradley roads.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The developers of a proposed commercial center in Menifee have withdrawn their application after city officials indicated they would not remove one of the conditions of approval from the project.

Menifee Crossroads was designed as a 103,000-square-foot center to be built on nine acres of vacant land at the northeast corner of Newport Road and Bradley Road. As planned, the center would include a specialty grocer (tenant not announced), a Denny’s restaurant, two retail shop structures and two office space structures.

According to a representative of the project, Crossroads would’ve generated an economic benefit of approximately $39 million to the City and create nearly 350 jobs. The project, backed by the family owners of a Denny’s in Murrieta, had passed several plan checks and was approved by the Planning Commission last month.

The project hit a snag, however, over the summer when City planning officials added to the project the requirement that a raised median be built on Bradley Road heading north from the intersection and past a driveway entrance to Newport Plaza – a decades-old development across Bradley Road that includes Pitstop Pub, Giovanni’s Pizza Pasta & More, and Carnitas Express, in addition to doctor’s offices, a paint store, and a tire shop.

The Tabrizizadeh family initially agreed to pay for installation of the median on the condition it would eventually be reimbursed through regional funding sources. But all that changed when an attorney representing the ownership of Newport Plaza threatened to sue the project developer if the raised median was built. The letter from that legal counsel maintains that blockage of left turns from northbound Bradley Road into the Newport Plaza driveway by a raised median would greatly impact business in that center.

That resulted in appeals of the Planning Commission’s decision by both the applicant and the ownership of Newport Plaza, maintaining that the project should be approved only without the raised median requirement.

In their appeal, the applicants argued that because the median was not a part of the original project plans, it is not required. They told City Council members Wednesday night that they would move forward only without the raised median requirement.

“We’re just restaurant owners who are taking a big leap of faith to build a legacy project in Menifee,” said Tanya Tabrizizadeh. “We feel it’s a great opportunity for the first time to build something that has a lasting benefit to the community.”

Tanya’s father, Ali, also addressed the council during the public hearing.

“We’re facing a big challenge with this condition,” he said. “If it stays, it will bring litigation. We’re not objecting to paying our share of a median, but if it stays, we have no other choice than to withdraw.”

The Menifee Crossroads development would include a Denny's restaurant.

Arguing on the family’s behalf, attorney Tim Paone spent almost an hour on a detailed presentation designed to show that:

-- The City’s General Plan does not require a raised median on roads classified as a secondary road, as Bradley Road is at that point.

-- Studies conducted by an independent traffic analysis firm, Urban Crossroads, show that the project would not necessitate a raised median.

-- City planning officials were incorrect in adding the raised median as a requirement in the last of four reviews of the Urban Crossroads study.

Following testimony by Paone and a representative of Urban Crossroads, the council received testimony from Mike Monroe, representing the Murrieta-Wildomar Chamber of Commerce.

“I implore the City to do what’s right,” said Monroe, urging council to do whatever is necessary to see the project move forward. “Litigation will tie this up for a decade in the courts.” Wildomar resident Andrew Morris also spoke in favor of the project, citing the benefit of the Tabrizizadeh family to the region.

There was no representative of the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce to offer an opinion one way or the other. Following Morris’ comments, Mayor Bill Zimmerman asked council members if they had any questions.

After the lengthy presentation by the applicant and comments from the public, only two questions were asked by council members before the public hearing was closed and the deliberation period began. That lasted just a few minutes before comments by Zimmerman, Lesa Sobek and Dean Deines all indicated they would not vote in favor of the applicant’s appeal.

Council members Bill Zimmerman, Lesa Sobek and Dean Deines consider testimony during the meeting.

They were the only three council members who considered the appeals. Matt Liesemeyer recused himself because his construction firm is associated with the project, and Bob Karwin did the same because his law office is across the street from the property in question.

In response to a question from Sobek to state the City’s stance on the issue, public works director Nick Fidler said that the traffic impacts of the project would be greater than the Urban Crossroads study indicated because the study didn’t take into account all the paths of traffic through the Newport-Bradley intersection.

Menifee 24/7 reached out to Fidler for further clarification through email on Thursday. City manager Armando Villa does not allow staff members to correspond directly with the media through phone calls or emails, so the emailed response came from assistant city manager Rochelle Clayton.

In the email, Fidler was quoted as saying that although current traffic patterns does not require a median, the added traffic volume resulting from the new center would do so.

“Currently, the roadway operates at an acceptable level with the current traffic volumes and traffic striping/markings in place,” the email stated. “However, as traffic volumes continue to increase on both Bradley Road and Newport Road, changes to the roadway would be necessary and include the installation of the median.

“Unfortunately, the entrance to Newport Plaza is too close to the intersection of Bradley Road and Newport Road to safely allow for full access with increased traffic volumes on Bradley. Also, as our community grows, so does the demand on the shopping center, which adds vehicle trips to/from the shopping center.”

Fidler also denied the applicant’s assertion that the issue of a median was not raised in earlier plan checks of the project.

“The issue of a raised median was introduced into pre-plan check comments for the Menifee Crossroads project as early as September 2020,” the email stated. “City staff continued to express their concerns in each review of the Traffic Impact Analysis for the Menifee Crossroads project and then ultimately recommending the median in their third plan check in April 2021.”

This indicates that a raised median would not be installed with the project now withdrawn, even though previous City staff comments mentioned “concern over public safety” at that site. Even Sobek said her vehicle had nearly been hit recently while trying to turn left into Newport Plaza.

Sobek, who as a council member has approved many new residential projects and has often celebrated the City’s population growth, seemed to make an ironic statement in supporting Fidler’s position.

“I feel bad that our population has increased to the point that we have to make a decision like this, based on the health and safety and well-being,” she said.

Sobek proceeded to say in reference to the applicant, “If one person is rear-ended and killed, and if I didn’t take the recommendation of a professional – someone who has studied this and gone to school for it – I don’t want that on my conscience, and I don’t think you do, either.”

She made no mention of whether she considers Fidler more of a professional than the traffic engineers at Urban Crossroads.

Deines said the traffic concerns expressed by Fidler “gives me pause.” Zimmerman said that “I think this project has a lot of value. We want it. But I have to echo the comments of the Planning Commission. We want this project to go forward with an element of safety.

“It’s not as if we’re saying we don’t want you, but we have to listen to the professionals when we make a recommendation.”

Asked earlier by Paone if the applicant could make a decision before a vote on the appeals was taken, Zimmerman granted that request. At this point, the applicant withdrew the application and council members accepted the withdrawal by unanimous vote.

“I still believe there’s a way,” Zimmerman said. “Tonight’s an unfortunate circumstance along the path, but I believe that in the end, there can be a way to get this done. Hopefully, that’s something that comes from just working it out with our staff.”

Santa Rosa leads from start to finish over Paloma, 61-34

noreply@blogger.com — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 04:05:00 GMT

Marcus McCray (center) and Dylan Steenhoek (33) of Santa Rosa Academy block Paloma Valley's Jalen Pope's path to the basket.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Santa Rosa Academy used an aggressive defense and an opportunistic offense to dominate throughout the game and defeat host Paloma Valley 61-34 in boys basketball action Wednesday night.

Senior guard Max Steward led a balanced scoring attack with 17 points – 14 in the first half, in which the Rangers jumped out to a 33-15 lead at the intermission. Junior guard Dylan Sapong (right) had 11 points, senior forward Marcus McCray scored 10 and four other players scored for Santa Rosa, which improved its season record to 9-5.

The victory over a much larger school was a big step in the Rangers’ efforts to prove the Menifee charter school can play at a higher level.

“This is probably the most competitive team we’ve had at Santa Rosa,” said Gabriel Flores, in his fifth year as the team’s coach. “I purposely put this game on the schedule to test and see where we’re at. Are we a team that can compete with the Palomas? We’ve got a bunch of big schools on our schedule, and we’ve got to know where we’re at.

“We could’ve put teams like this on the schedule in years past, but I don’t know what we would get out of it. We need to find out now. We had a second-round playoff loss to Nordhoff [last spring]. It took us three quarters to figure out what to do, and by the fourth quarter we kind of ran out of gas. We’re trying to improve on that second-round loss last year. We’re taking small steps toward it.”

Santa Rosa, with an enrollment of about 1,500 students, has less than half the student population Paloma Valley has to choose from for student-athletes. The Rangers have had successful seasons in the past – 14-8 in the 2017-18 season, 17-9 in 2019-20, and 6-1 in a short 2021 spring season – but the competition has been mostly smaller charter schools. This year, Flores said, it’s time to put his team to the test.

Paloma Valley, which came into the game with a 4-5 record, played the Rangers close for most of the first quarter, although Santa Rosa led from the moment Steward sank an outside jumper for a 3-0 lead. He had 10 points in that period alone. The Rangers started to pull away in the second quarter, taking advantage of numerous Paloma Valley turnovers and blocking Wildcat shots.

Three of the Wildcats’ final four possessions of the second quarter resulted in turnovers left them with an 18-point halftime deficit. Then, when the third quarter began, Paloma Valley’s possessions began with a turnover, a blocked shot and another turnover. By the time Sapong drove for a layup following two more Wildcat turnovers later in the period, Santa Rosa had a 20-point lead (39-19).

It was all Santa Rosa from that point on, as the Rangers continued to capitalize on Paloma Valley mistakes and create offensive opportunities.

“We have to,” Flores said. “Against bigger schools, they’ve got more kids, a bigger pool to choose from, and we have to work with what we’ve got. Being a charter school, it’s kind of tough. But we have a tough starting five. They’re an experienced unit. They’re battle tested.”

Next up, the Rangers play Tuesday at noon at Liberty, which is fielding a JV team in its first season. In the coming weeks, their schedule includes games against bigger public schools such as Lakeside and Canyon Springs.

Paloma Valley was led in scoring by senior forward Jalen Pope with 11 points. The Wildcats resume play Thursday at 4 p.m. at Corona.

Marcus McCray drives against the defense of David Welcome and Caden Eveld (0).

Paloma Valley's Caden Eveld shoots against the defense of Dylan Steenhoek and Marcus McCray (24).

Jalen Pope of the Wildcats makes a layup in the first quarter of Wednesday night's game.

David Welcome of Paloma Valley drives against the defense of Santa Rosa's Max Steward.

Menifee PD plans DUI checkpoint for Dec. 18

noreply@blogger.com — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:11:00 GMT

Press release from Menifee Police Department:

MENIFEE -- Menifee Police Department will hold a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Dec. 18 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the Menifee city limits.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired. During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

With the easing of stay-at-home restrictions and more bars and restaurants being allowed to open, the Menifee Police Department is committed to keeping the public safe.

“The safety of our community is and always will be our mission,” Chief Pat Walsh said. “Driving while under the influence of alcohol, and/or drugs, is dangerous, and we will take every measure possible to ensure we keep our city safe.”

Menifee Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Enroll today for spring semester at MSJC

noreply@blogger.com — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:17:00 GMT

What's Up, Doc? Well, Here's Some Teaching Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 01:10:00 GMT

By Randall Freeman, PhD

Right about now, parents and caregivers are wondering how to successfully help their children with their learning in school. You may feel a bit out of sorts, especially with some new terms and phrases being bandied about. Like Common Core, Extended Learning, etc.

A few years ago, I created a website to help everybody – teachers, parents/caregivers, students – to access the enormous number of educational resources that are available on the Internet. There are so many resources; you may not know where to even begin looking for them.

My website, titled Dr. Freeman’s Educational Site (I know, not much creative thought here), is located at http://drfreeman.webs.com/. I have regularly updated it in order to simplify helping you with your child’s learning. There are sections for teacher, parents, and students.

Hopefully, this column will help you to begin easily navigating your way through my website.
On the main page, there is a yellow pull-down menu at the top. Parents, click on MORE and you will see 4 STUDENTS and TEACHERS & PARENTS. These are the most critical sections for you to assist your child and you with easing learning. There are numerous links to assist you in simplifying your life. Think of these links as your Yellow Pages® to online educational resources.

I have divided the links by subject area and – hopefully – by age groups. These links should assist you in your search for learning and practice.

There are also links to special needs issues, including autism and the like. These links will enlighten you on what families of special needs children deal with on a daily basis. They will increase awareness for us all.

There is a section on the Common Core State Standards. I am not here to attempt to convince anybody to accept or reject these standards. I believe that the majority of us have already made up our minds about CCSS. The fact is that the Common Core State Standards are now required in all public school districts in California, so I am providing (objective) information about CCSS. Check out the links for the benefit of your child and yourself in understanding what they are and are not.

In teaching the CCSS, a particular link is very useful for understanding by both teachers and parents/caregivers. The link is www.teachingchannel.com. It is located under the heading TOP WEBSITES 4 TEACHERS and is the second link from the top. The Teaching Channel provides short tutorial videos for each CCSS standard and is clearly marked as such.

My intention for this column and my website is to make everybody’s job just a little easier. Regarding Common Core, I am refraining from an opinion piece on it, simply providing you with the resources to understand it and how to make your child’s learning somewhat simpler. Even if you vehemently disagree with Common Core, it is good to know your enemy. It is the law for public schools as of now.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the parents of four daughters: Daniela, 17, and 13-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. As he explains it, this makes him Karen's boss for the first and only time in the marriage. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.

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Menifee Mom: Parents, Give Common Core a Chance

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

Common Core seems to be the buzzword these days. With the school year in full swing and this being the first year of full implementation of Common Core at our schools in Menifee, it's a good time to share my first impressions, at least in the theory behind it.

How it comes through in implementation, I admit, is a different story. Though I'm no expert, I have done some research on the subject to know how it will affect my kids.

When I entered my freshman year of high school (like my daughter this year), my class became the "guinea pigs" for testing an education reform centering on "Outcome Based Education" that was supposed to take over in Oregon. With that program, it seemed that core curriculum was thrown out the window and instead teachers were supposed to focus on developing qualities in the students.

For four years, the focus was on ensuring we became things such as Effective Communicators, Quality Producers, and Collaborative Contributors. The idea was that there is such a vast amount of ever changing information out there, it is better to teach kids how to learn for themselves instead of trying to pack information into their heads.

It was a big change. Having experienced that, I have a different perspective than many on what happens when change hits our schools.

One very positive aspect of Common Core is that there will be uniformity of standards among different states in our country. We have had many opportunities to move, and each time I have looked in depth at the test scores as well as standards taught at different schools in different states. I can verify that California has had the highest standards of all places I've researched.

When No Child Left Behind compared the performance of different states, they weren't comparing apples to apples. Each state set its own timeline for when standards were taught and wrote its own tests to align with that. So, when we were testing our third graders on multiplication, other states were waiting until fourth grade.

Not only does this create an impossible situation to compare states' performances, but it makes it difficult for families who move around. Their child may either repeat a good part of a year's worth of curriculum, or find themselves behind, depending on where they are going.

But let's get to the meat of the issue -- the change in curriculum. It is clear that in some ways there are fewer standards the kids have to learn. However, the idea is that those standards will be taught more in depth so that they are actually understood. Gone will be the days of blindly following math formulas, for example. Instead, the kids will learn why the formula works and how to apply it to real life situations.

Similar to the Outcome Based Education I experienced, Common Core focuses on teaching kids to read non-fiction material, make sense of it, and do something with the knowledge they gain.

These are just a few aspects of Common Core, but they are the ones I really like. We complained a lot about the education reform I experienced in high school, but once I got to college, I did see the value in what we did. I knew how to find and understand information in textbooks and research journals in the library. I knew how to work independently as well as with a group. I could use my research and put together a presentation appropriate for a lay audience or a professional one.

What excites me about Common Core is that the goal is to develop these skills and qualities in our kids that will help them be successful in college and/or career, but it doesn't throw core standards out the window. The ABC's and 123's and everything else on up will still be taught. They are not getting rid of the standards, they are just making them common among the states.

The big complaint I hear is that the government is brainwashing our children. However, the federal government doesn't write the curriculum and they aren't the ones deciding how those standards will be taught. That is done at the local and state level. Common Core simply outlines what the standards need to be.

I know that there are a lot of challenges with Common Core. I think that our kids and teachers will struggle as we transition. It will be difficult to change their mindset with math, for example, that they can't just crunch numbers but they have to understand the concepts behind the number crunching.

I will say that I did very well in math and tutored a lot of my friends in high school, but I never fully understood it. Some would ask, "Why does that work?" and I would say, "I don't know, but it does. Just follow the steps."

Our country has been far behind others in our academic performance. We've also looked at moving abroad, and I can tell you the direction Common Core takes us is in line with the rest of the world. I even discovered recently that new versions of the SAT and ACT college entrance exams are being released that align with Common Core.

Will there be bumps in the road? Yes. Will our kids complain? Most certainly. Will we as parents get confused when they show us their math homework? Probably. I hope that doesn't all mean we will throw in the towel.

There will be changes to Common Core and tweaking that needs to take place, that is expected and part of any program, whether it be in education or the corporate world. But I do think the concepts at the heart of this change are good and needed.

Our job as parents is to support our kids and help them through this transition year. I can tell you from experience, when parents protest, it only makes the kids struggle more and mentally give up. So let our communication be that of cooperation and partnership with our schools, working to find solutions so that we can work together to make this successful and make our kids the best students in the world.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

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What's Up, Doc? Lessons Learned from 'Star Trek' Series

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:26:00 GMT

By Randall Freeman, PhD

“Space, the final frontier…”

I was barely 11 years old when Star Trek first came to television. In the original three-year run, the starship Enterprise and her crew encountered many new life forms and met dozens of new civilizations. She also addressed many of the serious social and political issues of the 1960s.

William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and Nichelle Nichols’ Lieutenant Uhura shared TV’s first interracial kiss in the 1968 episode “Plato’s Stepchildren”. It followed by mere months the murders of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy. It ironically appeared on the fifth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Nov. 22, 1968.

Star Trek did not shy away from important issues of any kind. The Vulcan philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) was also introduced in 1968’s “Is There in Truth No Beauty?” The idea that people gathered together to accomplish a goal was greater than whatever goals could possibly be achieved on an individual basis was another breakthrough for television of the time. We Terrans can learn a lot from other civilizations if we allow ourselves to listen and observe with an open mind. We are greater together than apart.

As an impressionable 11-year-old boy, I became engrossed in Star Trek. I thought at the time that I was simply watching an outer space show. Upon reflection, I realized that it was much more than that.

Star Trek helped me to realize that prejudice was ridiculous. The episode “Let This Be Your Last Battlefield” showed me the insanity of judging people on appearance only. The entire planet of Cheron destroyed itself because the people who were white on the left side of their face and the people who were white on the right side of their face could not or would not accept these tiny differences in appearance.

There were many more such examples. I learned to realize what my own strengths and weaknesses were and to build upon my strengths while striving to strengthen my weaknesses. I came to realize that guiding young people into realizing their own potential was what my life needed to be directed toward. It took some time, but I came to accept and embrace that I was meant to be a teacher.

As a teacher of young children, teaching the curriculum is only a part of my job. Assisting the children to work toward what they aspired to be was another critically important part of my job. I should make it clear that it is not what I think they should be or what the family believes they should do, but what THEY want for their lives.

Individuals need to decide for themselves what they will do with their future. For those who love and support them, our job is to guide them along their path. Every person has a different path.

This is for me the essence of Star Trek’s message: Boldly Go Where You are Meant to Go. There is no Final Frontier.

Beam me up, Scotty.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the parents of four daughters: Daniela, 17, and 13-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. As he explains it, this makes him Karen's boss for the first and only time in the marriage. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.

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Menifee Mom: The Cat Wars Haven't Gotten Any Easier

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

For the past few months, I've been trying to pretend I didn't see the clumps of cat hair collecting around my yard. It is a sure sign that it is time to shave the cat again, but I was not feeling up to the task. However, after my kids begin to insist that we get it done, I gave in.

I wrote about my cat shaving experience last year, and this one wasn't much better. However, the kids are now a year older. Let me just say, older doesn't always mean more helpful.

The youngest two children were the only ones naive enough to volunteer to help. I got out all the necessary equipment: Long protective gloves and electric pet clippers. My kids thought a cat treat would be good, because that works for the dog. I don't really keep cat treats around, so they thought a can of tuna fish would be just right.

Picture this for a moment: A mom and a first and fifth grader armed with long gloves, a razor, and an open can of tuna, staring down one large unhappy cat with a look that says, "Don't even think about it."

So we began.

It started out OK. He ate some tuna while I began working on his back. The closer I got to his tail and stomach, though, the more agitated he got. Soon a deep growl began in his throat. The cat made it clear that he was NOT happy! I told my fifth grader to grab the cat by the scruff of the neck and lift it in the air so I could finish working his belly.

She grabbed the cat and somewhat succeeded in lifting him. The growling was joined by hissing. The youngest child grabbed the tuna and held it up to his face (while he was hanging in the air), saying, "Here Shadow, want a treat?"

The cat began to twist and squirm, the youngest was chasing his moving head with the tuna can, while the older child was struggling to keep a grip on him. All the while, I was trying to shave a matted area on his belly.

The cat was winning.

I announced, "I think the cat needs a break for a minute." (Really, I needed a break for a minute.)
Despite the gloves, I had sustained a few good scratches and it was time to call in back-up.
Enter the 12-year-old. She is a bit tougher and has a secret desire to show this cat who's boss.

She succeeded in holding him a bit more firmly. The youngest came back out and continued to try to calm him with tuna. Finally, I told her the cat would enjoy the tuna so much more if she waited until we were done. That seemed to make sense and the can disappeared. She was content to observe for now.

Soon the youngest said, "Look, he has one ear up and one ear down. That means something! I have a book that will help us. Let me get it!"

Before I knew it, she stuck a book right between me and the cat and was reading to me the part about cat body language.

"See mom, it says right here that...."

This would be great, if I wasn't currently trying to wrestle a cat with an electric razor! At that point, there was no mystery how the cat was feeling or how I was feeling, for that matter!
Finally, I raised the white flag and called a truce.

The cat looked somewhat like he had gotten hit by a lawnmower, but he had begun to spray us with his stench and I was done fighting.

The cat escaped outside the first chance he got. I imagine him getting picked on by all the neighborhood cats. The thought makes me smile and I think, "Nope, I win!"

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

What's Up, Doc? Another Crazy, Lazy Summer Gone By

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 01:47:00 GMT

By Randall Freeman, PhD

The summer of 2014 has been a typical summer for the Freeman Family. Dad Randy is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered at work last November, when he was run over by a tricycle (insert giggle here). Sarah was installed as Honored Queen for the local Job’s Daughters Bethel, while Megan and Holly were installed as Senior and Junior Princesses, respectively.

Big sister Daniela turned 17 years old (going on 32), Mom Karen also celebrated her birthday (age not disclosed in order to live another year). For Father’s Day, I received the DVD player I requested. Now I’m watching Prime Amazon Stream Videos on my computer because the TV is taken.

For our 21st Wedding Anniversary, I attended a morning Riverside County School Board meeting, took Holly and Megan to the Lodge so they could serve the Masons as part of the Bethel fundraising efforts, and attended a water polo fundraising meeting. My lovely bride attended water polo games and took Daniela and Sarah to club water polo practice in Corona.

Happy Anniversary, Honey.

I was finally notified that I qualified for shoulder surgery. (It only took eight months for worker’s compensation to agree to what everyone else knew months ago. I understand that eight months is very quick for WC.) I was blessed to learn that surgery could go forward on Aug. 7. Nice early 59th birthday present (birthday was the 11th).

I was supposed to return to work on Aug. 8, but I didn’t quite make it. The idea of teaching kindergarten a month or more after substitute teachers trained them for me warms my soul.

Our Chinese and Spanish visitors arrived on July 17. We very much enjoy these opportunities to share our home with students from other countries. Last year, we hosted two boys and and one girl. This year it was easy -- only two girls.

Daniela was in the Junior Olympics for water polo in San Jose. Mom Karen escaped – er, went with her -- as parental support. Everybody else stayed home with Dad.

No getaway trip to Phoenix this year. I missed the 118-degree temperatures. I missed turning the AC in the suite down to 63 degrees to take a nap while Karen and the girls enjoyed the eight swimming pools. Maybe next year.

All in all, it was a typical Freeman Family summer – six teenage girls (including our visitors from China and Spain for three weeks), three dogs, a 16-year-old cat who believes she owns me (she does -- 15 years of training worked wonders), and a turtle.

The summer has included the occasional school board meeting, trying not to kill the lawn, and watching all five seasons of "Eureka" in one month. Now when do I get to go back to teaching kindergarten?

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the parents of four daughters: Daniela, 17, and 13-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. As he explains it, this makes him Karen's boss for the first and only time in the marriage. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.

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Menifee Mom: Lessons Learned About Art, Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 20:37:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

While academics and sports take up a lot of our family's spare time, I do attempt to help my kids be well-rounded in other areas. So this week a trip to the Los Angeles Museum of Art was on our agenda.

We briefly visited LACMA many years ago and the kids couldn't remember a thing about it. The main thing I remembered was an exhibit with art featuring different colors of florescent lights. I didn't get it. I knew, however, there was a lot more to discover there.

Our visit started at the children's museum, which is basically a place where the kids could draw and paint. It was very relaxing and my girls enjoyed it; well, except for one child. She got frustrated and claimed that her painting was "horrible." Despite my encouraging words, she threw them away. The others left theirs out to dry while we explored.

At first, we saw mostly relics from Asia in years gone by: Pottery, china, furniture, etc. But then we hit the Ahmanson building and were wowed by the modern art exhibits. The kids couldn't believe a blue triangle was art and got a kick out the flying SPAM can.

The next room brought abstract art: Paint splatters and all. "I could do that!" one of them shouted as I quickly told them to remember their museum manners. Soon we came upon a room full of Picasso's artwork. I've always been entertained by his art, but my girls just thought it was plain weird. We took a seat and I asked them to look around and pick which was their favorite. This got them to actually study the works a bit instead of passing them off as strange.

Soon we were enjoying works by Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, and more. We talked about the different styles of painting, the use of dots or lines, light and shadow, depth and perspective. Well, I talked about it and they politely listened. While they weren't completely intrigued, they did show some interest in the various styles and commented about what they liked and didn't like.

Next we took a look at contemporary art that seemed to break all the rules. Most were not paintings, but large three dimensional structures.

I wasn't sure what my kids thought of our visit to the museum until late in the day, when we stopped at a library and gift shop. My older girls started reading through books about some of the artists and styles we had seen. The younger ones looked at postcard prints of the more famous works. I asked them which of the artwork we saw was their favorite. I was amazed when they could not only tell me which one they liked, but why.

We still had some time before we had to go home, so I let them paint one more time. I encouraged them to try out one of the different styles of art we had seen. My oldest ones went for the impressionism styles. I think the idea that that their art didn't have to look perfect was freeing for them. Realizing art didn't have to look like a photograph, the child who had thrown her previous paintings away made not only one, but two paintings, and was quite proud of them.

People sometimes wonder why we should make an effort to be "cultured." I always felt like it gave us a greater perspective on life in general and made us more interesting people. After watching the effect a few hours at an art museum had on just one of my children, however, I think it is so much more than that. Taking time to give our kids cultural experiences can teach our children to appreciate the differences that exist among us and that it's OK to try your own thing.

Whether it's artists daring to paint outside the lines or pilgrims willing to leave everything behind and settle a new country, it's people willing to break the mold and do something creative or stand for something different that brings about growth in our society. Sometimes the hardest lessons for kids (and adults) to learn is that they don't have to be exactly like everyone else. It really is OK to be different.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

What's Up, Doc? Remember the Role of a Teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 20:13:00 GMT

By Randall Freeman, PhD

What is a teacher?

A teacher is a caregiver for all students, not just those in his/her classroom. A teacher is a counselor, listening to the desires and concerns of his or her students. A teacher is a custodian, responsible for the cleanliness and constant care of his or her classroom.

A teacher is an interior decorator, assigned to regularly set up, arrange, and rearrange the classroom for 180 days. A teacher is an accountant, required to daily grade and post student grades to the online gradebook. A teacher is a listener, listening to parents and guardians express concerns and anguish over their children’s’ behavior and work. Sometimes teachers even receive praise.

A teacher spends more time with his or her students while they’re awake than anybody else in the students’ lives. That's an average of six hours a day. The parents may spend 3-4 hours with the children while they’re awake. Most people don’t think about this fact and the resulting importance in each child’s life.

As a teacher of very young children, I am regularly identified with the primary caregiver. I have been called mom, grandpa, - even grandma! The importance of a teacher in a child’s life cannot be overstated. A teacher is a primary role model for 30-180 students on a daily basis.

In high school, teachers play very important roles in the lives of their students. Teachers lend an ear to the unique issues and concerns of teenage students when the students feel uncomfortable in speaking with their parents. Teachers guide them toward helpful resources. They do not judge their students.

A teacher is a nurse. A teacher provides immediate basic first aid – usually a Band-Aid – and secures the health technician when the need is greater. A teacher provides comfort when feelings are hurt and counsel when a student strays from the path of righteousness.

A teacher is a lawgiver, guiding his or her students in creating a code of conduct for the class to follow. The rewards and consequences are also created and discussed so that all might understand behavioral expectations. The teacher models the proper behavior.

A teacher always demonstrates respect and caring toward and in front of his or her students. Parents, administrators, and other students come into daily contact with the teacher. The teacher is always "on". Students watch what the teacher does more than what he or she says.

Mostly, a teacher is human. Humans make and learn from making mistakes. Demands are made of teachers from students, parents, and administrators that do not allow for mistakes. Teachers are held to a higher standard, one that is impossible to maintain indefinitely.

Keep the above on your refrigerator and reread it occasionally. Remember what your child’s teacher is responsible for and appreciate the job they do. To a teacher, teaching is not just a job, it is a way of life.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the parents of four daughters: Daniela, 17, and 13-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. As he explains it, this makes him Karen's boss for the first and only time in the marriage. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.

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In the Wild With Jackie: Leapin' Lizards, It's the Blue Belly!

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:57:00 GMT

By Jackie Johansen

This time of year, Menifee is just crawling with lizards!

These quick-footed animals can catch you off-guard sometimes, but they are great for your garden. They are often seen basking in the sun, where they absorb heat, and can often be seen doing something that can only be compared to human push-ups. This motion is done for the same reasons that that some humans do push-ups: To show their strength and to attract mates.

This display marks their territory and warns other lizards to stay out. If you ever get a chance to observe these push-ups, you might think that the lizard is trying to threaten you, but there is a better chance that there is another lizard lurking around that you didn’t even notice.

What lizards have you seen in Menifee? The most common type is formally called the “Western Fence Lizard,” also known as the “blue belly.” These names suit this species well because they are often found basking in the sun on rock walls or on fences, and can also be seen running up your stucco.

If you happen to be brave enough to pick up one of these lizards, you will find that their ventral side (the underneath) is brightly colored with blue stripes on either side -- hence the nickname of “blue belly.”

Blue belly lizards are also small medical miracles. These lizards create a protein that kills the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. This bacterium is carried in the gut of the western black-legged tick. When the tick bites onto and stays attached to a human for a few days, the bacteria is transferred to the human.

If an infected tick bites and attaches to the blue belly lizard, the protein from the blood of the lizard is transferred to the gut of the tick, and the tick is actually healed from the bacteria, and is no longer a carrier of Lyme disease. This amazing feature is still not fully understood, but is likely the reason California has had a much lower occurrence of Lyme disease than in eastern states.

What animals have you seen in Menifee lately?

Jackie Johansen loves everything outdoors and spending time with her husband and kids. She teaches high school biology for Julian Charter School and holds degrees in zoology, conservation biology, education, and technology. Her "In the Wild" column will appear here once a month.

What's Up, Doc? The Road to Kindergarten Class

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:50:00 GMT

By Randall Freeman, PhD

I didn't set out to become a teacher. As a 9-year-old altar boy, I was determined to become a priest. At the age of 10, I discovered girls. Scratch that idea.

By the age of 12, I decided that I was going to be the next Perry Mason. Grades and reality set in. By this time, I was in the middle of my senior year of college. It would have been foolish to change my political science major at that point, so I completed my undergraduate degree.

Having completed college, I now had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. It took another decade to realize that some Supreme Being was directing me to becoming a teacher. So, after 11 years of drifting, I went back to school and earned my teaching credential at UC Riverside.

By now, I had decided that I would teach fifth grade until I died. Within a few short years, I realized something – girls were entering puberty in fourth grade. I did not want to deal with this situation -- ever. (Reread my previous column to see how that turned out.)

About this time, another teacher wanted to loop to first grade with her kindergarten students. She talked me into taking her kindergarten spot so she could do so. (You see how well I was being trained to deal with females; say OK and keep my mouth shut.)

So I became a kindergarten teacher. Well, technically, I became a teacher who was assigned to kindergarten. It took me a long time before I felt I could call myself a kindergarten teacher. The first month, I caught the stomach flu from one of my students. The experience taught me a valuable experience – keep a certain discreet distance from the little ones to maintain good physical health.

I slept some 10 hours a night until I learned to pace myself. Fortunately, I was single at the time. Didn't last very long, though.

My second year as a kindergarten teacher, I met Karen. Karen was a real kindergarten teacher while I was still very much a novice. I must explain that it was not because we were kindergarten teachers that I met the love of my life. Our district teachers’ unions were holding a combined training for building reps. This was Karen’s first experience as a rep; in fact, it was the first thing she ever did as a site rep. It was kismet.

Over the years, I have bounced back and forth between kindergarten and first grade. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up earning my doctorate in Early Childhood Education. I would never have imagined any of this when I was a kid or even in school the first time around.

If not for becoming a teacher, I would never have met Karen. I never would have become the father of four beautiful daughters (thank God they take after their mother in that respect). I likely would never have ended up in a place called Menifee. Strange how life turns out.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the parents of four daughters: Daniela, 17, and 13-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. As he explains it, this makes him Karen's boss for the first and only time in the marriage. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.

Menifee Mom: Family Togetherness, In the Pool and Out

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

After enduring eight hot Menifee summers, we finally put in a pool!

The reasons for waiting were many: Cost, housing market crash, safety with toddlers in the house, maintenance, etc. Everything finally came together last fall and we decided to go for it.

Putting in the pool was quite an adventure, but it was worth it. My kids have their friends over more, which I honestly do enjoy, and we've already created some great family memories.

The first pool party we had brought some older teenage boys into the pool, along with their crazy acrobatic flips. My husband and I were quite impressed and, after everyone had gone home, thought we'd like to try it out.

Our kids can bear witness that our first attempts were not pretty. My husband said that I looked like Superman crash landing into the water and his attempts displayed some pretty nice back flops! By the time we were done practicing, we pretty much conceded that we weren't as young as we used to be and that the tricks are best left to the teenagers. Our backs hurt, our necks hurt, and our egos were a little bruised as well.

Our kids, on the other hand, enjoyed seeing mom and dad making a fool of themselves and fail at something. We all shared a good laugh together, but more importantly, our kids realized that it's OK to try and fail. Hopefully it will give them a little more confidence to try out something new the next time they get the opportunity.

They haven't quite attempted the flips yet; they're having too much fun teasing us, but I know they will.

The family environment is such a great opportunity for learning and growth. We can try new things, share experiences together, and know that no matter what the outcome, we will still be loved and accepted. Our lives are so full and busy, it's nice to have something that brings everyone together and causes us to slow down and just relax.

You don't have to have a pool to enjoy family togetherness. Something as simple as cooking dinner together and then sitting down to eat as a family can bring wonderful memories and opportunities to share life's ups and downs. (My kids love to remind me of the time I set the French bread on fire in the oven!)

What matters is that you find something you can enjoy together that lets you slow down, relax, and just be yourself. We all need a safe place where we can leave the world behind and do just that.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Summer Daily Deals at Papa Murphy's Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:04:00 GMT

What's Up, Doc? New Columnist Remembers Big Event

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:58:00 GMT

Editor's note: This is the first entry in a new column by Menifee resident Randy Freeman. Randy and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the parents of four daughters: Daniela, 17, & 13-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, & Megan. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. As he explains it, this makes him Karen's boss for the first and only time in the marriage. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.

By Randy Freeman

Without a doubt, the most difficult job in the world is raising a family. Being a parent is a 24/7 position, entered into without any prior training or experience. It is strictly on-the-job training.

My oldest daughter was born when I was 41 years old. The change in our lives was immediate and drastic. Overnight, our lives were completely rearranged. I enjoyed Daniela immensely and I learned to sleep in short spurts in a space barely able to accommodate my body. I learned why kidneys were named kidneys. Kid’s knees were firmly planted in my back when I wished to sleep.

Eventually, I began to get the hang of it. God must have thought so, because my wife became pregnant again. She had informed me from the beginning that the first two pregnancies were "on her" but afterward it would be up to me if I wanted more children.

She never should have said that. At seven weeks, she came home from the doctor and wordlessly handed me a small blue bag. I must have looked puzzled because her next words were, "We have to move and you can’t go to Grand Lodge!"

I was no more understanding than I had been when she handed me the bag. I looked in the bag and saw three baby rattles. Okay, I was dense; I still lacked understanding. I looked at Karen with that husbandly puzzled look on my face. She finally spoke the words that brought understanding – and shock.

"I’m pregnant with triplets."

No response.

She stared at me. "We’re having three babies."

OK, now I got it. I didn’t move for about a good 10 minutes. When I found my voice, I kind of gurgled a bit. Karen reiterated the news that we were having three babies – at the same time.

When I recovered my equilibrium, I called my mom. When she heard the news, she laughed so loud and hard that I had to hold the phone away from my ear. Karen snatched the phone from my hand and slammed it on the hook. My mom called back and apologized – to Karen.

The following month, Karen had amniocenteses administered to make certain that the babies were healthy. The argument that we had been engaged in over learning the genders of the babies was made moot. One result of an amniocentesis was learning the sex of each baby. Then followed those fateful words:

“Baby A is a girl.” I crossed my fingers.

“Baby B is a girl.” I crossed my toes. (This wasn't easy to do, as I was wearing shoes at the time.)

“Baby C is a girl.”

I had nothing left to cross. I sat down with a thud.

It sank in slowly. The great news was that all of the babies were healthy. The fateful news is that I would forever be the father of four – that’s 4 in numerals – four daughters!

I was 45 years old.

Menifee Mom: Let's Remember What We're Celebrating

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

Last weekend, we got to join in on the Menifee tradition of celebrating the 4th of July, our country's Independence Day, a week early. My kids enjoyed the small town parade held before the fireworks and cheered on all the locals as they went by. Even the small amount of candy thrown brought smiles to their faces.

The best part, however, was the fireworks show. It's always a relatively low-key display, by some standards, but nice to enjoy with the kids. As a parent, I especially appreciate not having to fight crowds to get home when it's over!

Our family gathered together in our back yard to watch the fireworks and turned on some patriotic music. As we sang along to "America the Beautiful," "You're a Grand Old Flag," and "My Country 'Tis of Thee, " I couldn't help but feel appreciation to live in this great country.

Many disagree on the direction our country is headed politically, socially, or economically. Some think we're making progress, others think we're headed for doomsday. But either way, I can't help but think how lucky we are to have the freedom to disagree or to fight for change.

I hope that when the 4th of July rolls around, we instill in our kids a sense of patriotism. They may hear our criticism and complaints about things that happen, but they also need to hear about all the good things we have going for us in the USA.

From the pilgrims and the founding fathers to military men and women who serve our country, our history is rich with people who gave all they had to make our country what it is today.

As we gather together this weekend for the real 4th of July celebration, let's remember how good we have it. And with each explosion that goes off in the sky, let's think of those freedoms we enjoy and the people who made that possible.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Menifee Mom: There's a Way to Make Every Summer Day Count

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

It's official: Summer vacation is now in full swing! With all the end of school year events, the last few weeks of school felt like a knock-down, drag-out event. Echoes of, "I can't wait for school to be over," could be heard all around town, from parents and kids alike.

The last weeks of school in my family included field trips, class parties, kindergarten graduation, 8th grade promotion, band concerts, awards ceremonies for multiple children, Jr. Olympics, eight volleyball
games (they packed those in at the end!), soccer playoffs, a piano recital, soccer team parties, and final exams. It is amazing how much we can fit in a day when we have to!

It's no wonder everyone breaths a sign of relief when that final bell rings.

With two of my kids advancing in school, that bell left me with mixed emotions. My first child will be starting high school next year and I'm realizing that I have only four short years left with her at home.

At the other end of the spectrum, my youngest is advancing into first grade. Our little kid years are pretty much gone. As much as I thought I couldn't wait for this, I am going to miss the innocence of those preschool and kindergarten years.

You know, when all the kids in the class are their friend and they can't wait to show you the picture they colored just for you. On the bright side, summer means that the kids are home and you have free time to enjoy activities with them. One of my friends likes to make a summer bucket list with her kids. They talk about all the things they'd like to do during their time off and make a poster.

This helps them focus in on things they want to do each day rather than lazily letting the days go by and finding themselves at the end of summer, realizing they didn't really accomplish anything.

I love this idea! Not a summer has passed where my high expectations of what I wanted to accomplish were not shattered. This year, I'm going to actually have a bit of a schedule each day. Nothing major, but something that will ensure we accomplish a few things and still free time to enjoy.

If we do it right, we will find that we truly enjoy the time our kids have off instead of counting the days until they are back in school again. Our summer vacations are short and the kids grow up fast, so let's be proactive and make each day count!

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Home Sales Report for May 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Nemelka) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 02:59:00 GMT

Menifee Home Sales Prices for Single Family Homes in May 2014

Average Sales Price $269,444 $144 per sq'

PRICE POINT #Homes

>$100k 1

$100k 2

$125k 3

$150k 11

$175k 5

$200k 6

$225k 11

$250k 19

$275k 19

$300k 18

$325k 6

$350k 12

$400k 1

$450k 1

$500k 2

550k 0

600+k 0

*Information compliments of Chicago Title

$49 Quick Clean From Oasis Maids

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:03:00 GMT

For more information call (855) 581-0745 or visit their website here.

DOM = Days on Market - Increasing in Menifee Area

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Nemelka) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:20:00 GMT

After experiencing such a drastic increase in home values during the first 3 quarters of 2013, the Menifee market, as I saw it, fell flat around September of 2013. Although the SW Riverside Association of Realtors projected a 6-8% increase in our area in the year 2014, I have only really seen value increases in our Senior 55+ neighborhoods. What has definitely increased, however, is the length of time it takes for homes to sell.

Here is a breakdown of how long it is taking homes to sell here in the City of Menifee based on certain criteria.

The criteria used for this are based on:
"Standard" sales (no REO/Short)
Single Family Home (SFR - no manufactured)
Less than $500,000
Not in age restricted 55+ community

I have also divided the two sets into homes with POOLS (either private or community) and NON-POOL homes.

NON POOL HOMES

46 homes SOLD in the last 0-30 days, at an average of 56 days on the market
52 homes SOLD in the preceeding 31-60 days, at an average of 52 days on the market

55 homes are PENDING with an average of 55 days on the market
129 homes are ACTIVE with an average of 61 days on the market
(45 homes listed at less than $300k with an average of 52 days on market)
(84 homes listed at more than $300k with an average of 70 days on market)

POOL HOMES (Private and/or Community Pool)

30 homes SOLD in the last 0-30 days, at an average of 52 days on the market
45 homes SOLD in the preceding 31-60 days, at an average of 58 days on the market

45 homes are PENDING with an average of 38 days on the market
103 homes are ACTIVE with an average of 61 days on the market
(34 homes listed at than $300k with an average of 56 days on market)
(70 homes listed at more than $300k with an average of 61 days on market)

It is interesting to note that out of the 232 ACTIVE homes on the market, 77 of these homes are listed at $350,000+, which will definitely attribute to the length of days on the market because FHA loans are currently capped at $350,000.

If you are wondering what YOUR home is worth, contact us today for a free, no pressure, no obligation evaluation of your property.

Cynthia Nemelka, Owner
RE/MAX Diamond Realty

Menifee Property Management

26900 Newport Rd., #120

Menifee, CA 92584

(951) 301-9888 RE/MAX Office

(951) 301-9993 Menifee Property Management office

(951) 742-4697 Fax
(951) 259-9019 Cynthia's cell
www.TeamDadAndDaughters.com

Getting the Best Possible Appraisal for your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Nemelka) — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:28:00 GMT

By Cynthia Nemelka, Owner of RE/MAX Diamond Realty

With the drastic increase in Menifee home values last year, and how longggg it is taking homes to sell currently, it appears we have hit the market high for now.

It's a given that every seller wants to sell their home for the highest price possible. Listing and accepting offers on the high side of the market, however, may have challenges with the properties appraising at the contracted prices.

In answer to the question "How do I get the highest value on the appraisal of a home that I am selling or refinancing?", David Stein of Blue Wave Funding states, "Whether you are selling, refinancing to lower your payments or pulling money out of your home to pay off bills or invest, here is the best insider secret that you can do to get the highest dollar amount on your appraisal.

First, prepare a written list of the home's features to hand to the appraiser and, if possible, take pictures of the best features of the home. You see, busy appraisers might inspect three to six homes per day. Although they take notes on their appraisal forms, and the photos help jog their memory, even the best appraisers can't remember all the details of each residence and they probably didn't take as many pictures as you would have. That's why it is critical to hand the appraiser a list of your home's special features along with pictures of them.

Don't be shy about stating the sales price or your estimate of the home's market value. Make sure to be realistic when estimating market value and be sure it is based on recent sales of nearby comparable homes. "

If you are selling your house, your REALTOR will know to have printouts of comparables (comps) to give to the appraiser that will support the contracted price. If you are applying for a refinance, enlist the assistance of a LOCAL REALTOR to help you find the comps you will need. There are many of us here that are glad to help.

Stein continues, "Some appraisers say they resent it when the realtor or homeowner tells them come up with an appraised value close to the stated amount; you are able to nicely let the appraiser know what you think the residence is worth and why."

Early on in my career I came to realize that although appraisers must look at the numbers and comps in valuating a property, there is definitely a "human" side to their process. Although the comps I hand to the appraiser help substantiate my seller's value, my pleasant attitude, respect and the great big smile I offer that appraiser is definitely not going to hurt it.

NOTE FROM DAVID:

Hello Menifee!

I am a long time Mortgage Loan Professional and COO of Blue Wave Funding. I am VA loan Expert, FHA and Conventional loan Expert and a Direct Lender for the last 12 years! I have many new and niche programs that many other banks and lenders don't have including .5% down purchase programs, loans down to a 500 credit score, VA Loans, FHA loans, Reverse loans, Conventional loans. I also can get you an APPROVAL, not a Pre-Approval in 24-48 with the remaining conditions needed to close the loan, so that you can get the loan APPROVED prior to putting in an offer. This will ensure that your offer will be accepted just as if it was a Cash Offer. That approval will also apply to refinances as well. 24-48 Approvals! Stop Fighting to get your Purchase offer accepted! Ask about my niche Buying Programs * VA Loan Specialist (check out my Veteran & VA site) * 2 years out of Foreclosure Purchases! * VA Loans with a 500 credit score! * 100% VA Cashout Loans! * 150% VA loans! * .5% Down FHA Purchase Program! * 500 FHA FICO Purchase Program! * 3% Down Conventional Loan Purchase! * Unlimited LTV on HARP loans! (fannie and freddie loans) * Buy a New Home one month out of a short sale(If you were current on the old mortgage) Please go to my website to get more information! http://californiavetloans.info

David Stein

Direct Lender

Blue Wave Funding

www.californiavetloans.info

davbstein@yahoo.com

NMLS ID #343820

DRE LISC #01864975

858-337-9744 Cell

858-206-2298 Office

888-453-0458 Fax

Menifee Mom: A Reminder to Count Your Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

It's not uncommon to have a short encounter with someone totally change your day. We've all experienced rude drivers or shoppers who leave us more than a little irritated. But what's really amazing is how a brief conversation with a stranger can leave you with a new perspective on life.

That's what happened last weekend when I was out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, celebrating a friend's birthday. As we waited to be seated, a woman across the restaurant caught our eye.

She was simply stunning. It wasn't the fact that she was wearing beautiful clothes or had good hair; it was the aura about her. She wasn't doing anything to draw attention to herself, yet in a busy restaurant, she stood out from everyone else.

As we walked out of the restaurant after dinner, the same woman was standing with a group outside. Again, she just stood out. A friend of mine decided that a compliment was in order. So, she introduced herself to her and explained how we had been commenting on how stunning she looked that evening.

To our surprise, the woman shared that she had just beaten cancer.

"On this side of cancer," she said, "everything in life is wonderful."

A second chance on life: That was her story.

Her comment has stayed with me all week. So often we get downtrodden by the little things: Too much to do in too little time, dirty dishes left in the family room, backpacks scattered about the house, having to wait out a four-hour window for a repair man, or being stuck in traffic.

I imagine that having a second chance at life makes you grateful to even be around to experience those things. Someone once told me to be grateful for the laundry and dishes, because it's evidence that you have a family and a home where those things can collect.

I'm thankful to have crossed paths with this cancer survivor. Her unexpected story made me realize that instead of getting annoyed by the little things in life, I need to be quick to count my blessings and be thankful I'm here to experience another day.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

In the Wild With Jackie: Observing the Great Egret

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 29 May 2014 16:34:00 GMT

By Jackie Johansen

Have you noticed a large, white, svelte bird standing or walking near the ponds or in the fields of Menifee? Does it seem out of place?

This bird of 40 inches was most likely hunting, and is most often found near shorelines of either fresh or salty water. The great egret has a wingspan of nearly five feet, and often lives 15 years in the wild. Great egrets have been seen in our area for several years, and hopefully are a mainstay. Their “S-Shaped” body and height make it a standout among other birds in Menifee.

Once hunted nearly to extinction for its feathers, the great egret is a beautiful and carnivorous bird. It hunts by walking slowly or standing still for long periods of time before gobbling its prey. Favorite foods of the egret include frogs and fish, but in our area, they have been observed eating mice and lizards. Their pointy beak can deliver a sharp blow to their prey, which is then swallowed whole.

During mating season, these otherwise pristine white birds will develop a patch of neon green skin near their beaks. These birds prefer to nest near water, and the males will allow the females to work on the nest, but will often be seen completing it on their own. The finished nest is made up of pliable plant material that dries into a one-foot deep, cupped shaped nest that can be three feet across.

If no tall trees near water can be found, the birds may resort to nesting on the ground or on man-made structures. The parents of the chicks are monogamous, and both parents take turns incubating the pale blue/green eggs in 3-4 day time periods. After hatching, the baby egrets can be very aggressive toward one another and, often, only the strongest survive. After about 3 ½ weeks, the babies will fledge, or leave the nest.

The impressive wingspan of the egret helps this powerful flier reach cruising speeds of 25 mph with only two wing beats per second. Occasionally, you can spot an egret swimming in the water looking for its prey, but this is a rarity.

The great egret is also the official symbol of the National Audubon Society because of the massive recovery that it experienced over time.

Have you been curious about any of Menifee’s wildlife lately? Leave your questions in the comment box.

Jackie Johansen loves everything outdoors and spending time with her husband and kids. She teaches high school biology for Julian Charter School and holds degrees in zoology, conservation biology, education, and technology. Her "In the Wild" column will appear here once a month.

Menifee Mom: A Time to Remember All the Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Fri, 16 May 2014 21:15:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

Mother's Day: A time to pause and think of all the things good women do for children. Whether it's their own child or not, so many women sacrifice so much of themselves for the well-being of another.

I think most of us didn't fully appreciate all our mothers did for us until we became a parent ourselves and experienced how difficult it is. Each stage of our children's lives are filled with challenges. Sometimes the only thing that gets us through it is the love we have for our kids.

I was remembering the other day how hard it was when my youngest was a baby and I had three somewhat needy elementary kids. When it was time to do homework, it seemed they all needed help at the same time. I'd go from kid to kid, answering questions, only to hear, "Mom, (the baby) is coloring on my homework!"

Sure enough, my youngest had climbed up on the table and was scribbling all over their work. I guess she saw all of us staring at those papers and was just trying to figure out what was so interesting. Or, she was trying to remove the object that was taking my attention away from her.

In a moment, she'd reach her hand out and grab the papers and have them scrunched up and torn. My attempts to pull her away from the table brought screaming and crying like only a toddler can do, further frustrating homework efforts. The next thing I'd hear was, "I can't concentrate with her crying like that!"

No need to blame dogs. In our house, the note to school sometimes read, "I'm sorry, but the baby ate her homework."

Bedtime offered different challenges. So many nights, our bedtime routine included sitting on the floor trying to lull the baby to sleep while reading bedtime stories to the older children. Of course, the baby would usually end up crying and our story would be interrupted. Instead of the picture perfect routine of tucking kids in at night, we often ended up with crying and chaos because there just weren't enough parents to handle everyone's wants at the same time.

As the kids get older the challenges don't necessarily get easier, they just change. Once they get home from school, the day often turns into a whirlwind of activity. Helping kids study for tests, buying supplies for projects, showing them how to do a Power Point presentation, studying the math book in effort to help them with a problem, consoling a kid who's had a tough day, making them dinner, or figuring out how to get four kids to four different activities that always seem to start at the same time are just a few of the things we juggle in those short hours between school and bedtime.

Yes, being a mom is a challenge. Often Dads do so much to help out, and I'm not discounting that. They too play an important role in the life of a child. But in most cases the juggling is left to the mom. Though we often get down on ourselves for our inability to be everything to everyone all the time, the efforts we make do matter. Our caring and love alone make a difference in the lives of the children around us.

I hope that last weekend we all remembered the moms in our lives, whether it was one who raised us or someone who took on that role in our life in some way. Most of us don't give them enough credit or thanks for the sacrifices they made for us or the time they took to shape us into the person we have become.

As an adult, I can look back now and say, "Thanks, Mom, for plugging away day after day, for giving up so much of yourself, for not giving up when things seemed unbearable, for doing the best you could for your kids, and for loving each of us individually."

As the mother of four girls, I haven't heard those sincere words of thanks just yet. But I do get some pretty amusing and heartfelt gifts each Mother's Day. For now, I treasure those hand prints and notes. They are enough to keep this mom juggling.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Buyers - Don't Make This HUGE Mistake When You Are In Escrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Nemelka) — Fri, 16 May 2014 18:00:00 GMT

Don't mess with your credit!!!

A recent buyer of one of my listings was devastated when 1 week before we were ready to close escrow, her credit score dropped 10 points, making her ineligible for the loan she applied for. Fortunately for her, my sellers were willing to give her a 2nd chance with a different lender and we should be closing escrow next week.

Sometimes, what we think would INCREASE our credit score, like paying off a credit card, might actually DECREASE our credit score. And when you are in the middle of buying a house, this is definitely something you do not want to happen.

LARRY LOCKE, of PRO-FUNDERS, INC. is a highly experienced mortgage broker, who has provided the following list of Do’s and Don'ts during the home loan process:

This list of Do’s and Don'ts will help you make your home loan process go smoothly…

- DO continue making your current housing payments.
- DO stay current on all your existing credit accounts.
- DO keep working at your current employer (unless you speak to your Lender first).
- DO continue to save the new paycheck stubs and bank/retirement account statements that
you receive, as these items will need to be refreshed later.
- DO call your Lender if you have any questions or if you want to change your financial profile in any way.

These Do’s and Don’ts are just before and during the loan process.
Once you are in your new home, you can return to normal.

- DON'T apply for new credit or let anyone run your credit - even if you are pre-approved
or your loan has already received a fully-underwritten loan approval.
- DON'T transfer credit card balances, or consolidate debt.
- DON'T close any credit card accounts.
- DON'T increase your credit card debt.
- DON'T make any large bank deposits (over $400) unless they are from payroll or tax refunds
(unless you speak to your Lender first). The source for all deposits that are not from payroll
or tax refunds must be fully documented. Notify your Lender before you deposit gift funds,
or funds from selling a vehicle.
- DON'T pay off loans or credit cards (unless you speak to your Lender first).
- DON'T make any major purchases (cars, furniture, appliances, etc.) - not even “6 months same as cash“.
- DON'T co-sign for anybody.
- DON'T pay collection accounts or charge off accounts (unless you speak to your Lender first).
- DON'T open or change bank accounts.
- DON'T take out a new loan.
- DON'T open a new cell phone account.

The best rule is “don’t change anything” unless you speak to your lender first. Refer to this loan checklist of Do’s and Don'ts often.

CALL LARRY TODAY to find how much of a loan YOU can qualify for, and about the loan programs currently available.

LARRY LOCKE, of PRO-FUNDERS, INC.
23905 CLINTON KEITH ROAD, #114-298, WILDOMAR, CA 92595
DIRECT LINE: (951) 675-6866 HOME OFFICE: (951) 461-4342 FAX: (951) 639-0277
Email: LarryLocke@Pro-Funders.com Website: www.LarryLocke.com
BRE #01263595 / NMLS #304673

Cynthia Nemelka, Owner
RE/MAX Diamond Realty & Menifee Property Management
26900 Newport Rd., #120, Menifee, CA 92584 (951) 259-9019

Menifee Foodie: Delicious Peanut Butter Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:36:00 GMT

By Malissa Meeks

I apologize for not having a column the last few weeks. My sweet Aunt Edith, from Florida, passed away and I have been down south for her funeral, visiting with my southern family and friends, and reacquainting my taste buds with amazing southern cuisine.

Refined southern women take a lot of pride in their cooking. Most of them have their signature dishes. For my mother, it is her German Cheese Bread and her Squash Casserole. My grandmother’s signature dishes were Divinity, Fried Mush and Deviled Crab.

Aunt Edith had many signature dishes, but she was best known for her peanut butter pie. Considering that I am a peanut butter lover, it was not hard to fall in love with this pie. I have attempted making one as good as hers and even though mine turns out pretty good, having had hers, I know mine doesn’t quite measure up to hers.

I really would not put it past her to leave out a simple step just so that her pie was always superior to anyone who tried her recipe. So in honor of Aunt Edith, here is her recipe for amazing Peanut Butter Pie.

Peanut Butter Pie

3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/3 cup peanut butter
Mix with fingertips till crumbly and set aside.

Bake a pie shell and let it cool. Place the above in pie shell, saving about 2 Tbsp for top of meringue.

Filling for pie:
2/3 cup of sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 egg yolks
3 cups milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. melted butter

Mix dry ingredients in top of double boiler; give a good stir with whisk. Add milk. Cook over boiling water in double boiler until mixture begins to thicken, stirring often to keep filling smooth.

Add a little hot mixture to slightly beaten egg yolks. Return to hot mixture; continue cooking and keep stirring until thick. Add vanilla and butter.

Cool over ice and continue stirring with whisk while cooling to prevent crusting.

Now put it together. Pour cooled filling on top of the crumbs in shell. Top with meringue and sprinkle reserved crumbs on top.

Bake on lower rack of oven for 5 minutes or until golden brown.

If you would like to make this a chocolate peanut butter pie, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cocoa to the dry ingredients.

My mouth is watering for a piece of this deliciousness.

Cookbook Corner:

I love peanut butter and have found a really good cookbook that has a great variety of recipes using peanut butter, ranging from main dishes to desserts. The author is Pamela Barnes. She has also authored a cookbook entitled "Jams and Jellies in Less Than 30 Minutes." Her recipes are so unique and very delicious. Her cookbooks are available on amazon.com.

Malissa Meeks is a mother of seven who knows her way around the kitchen. By her estimate, she has prepared more than 42,000 meals over the years. She also knows what she likes in a good restaurant. Her column appears here every other week. Leave comments here or email them to menifee247info@gmail.com.

Menifee Mom: Easter Egg Hunt Scored Another Hit

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 01 May 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

It was Saturday morning of the annual Menifee community Easter egg hunt. I walked through the door from my weekly group long run and found my family all still in bed. The hunt was set to start in just 45 minutes! Our spring break sleep habits were seriously encroaching on our plans for the day.

I quickly surveyed my kids: "Does anyone still want to go to the Easter egg hunt?"

The answer was a unanimous, "Yes!" (At least from the younger kids. There was one member who was a bit less enthusiastic about rushing out the door for plastic eggs.) After a scurry to get changed, gather the baskets from the attic and find some breakfast, we were in the car and on our way.

We haven't been to the Marion Ashley Community Center very often and we were pleased to see that the newly completed section of Menifee Road made it a short drive. We arrived at 10 a.m. on the dot, just when the flyer said the event would begin. However, we soon learned that the hunt didn't actually start until 10:45.

Our early arrival was not a disappointment, though, because there were several fun activities to keep the kids busy. They participated in a bean bag toss and a ring toss and won treats. My husband and I liked the idea of the bunny hop race, a version of the potato sack races we did as kids. It took A LOT of prodding, but our girls finally participated.

We enjoyed seeing the kids, young and old, try to hop down the little race track. One kid would take the lead, only to get caught up in his sack, fall down, and get passed by. Our girls all admitted it was exhausting trying to hop down the track and back, but they had fun. We enjoyed a bit of nostalgia.

The main event, the egg hunt, did not disappoint. The hunts were organized by age groups, to make it fair, and there was no shortage of eggs! For the older groups, the entire outfield was littered with eggs.

Our youngest daughter had a small section to hunt in. We remembered how last year she would pick up an egg and open it to see what was inside before gathering another egg. Needless to say, she didn't get many that year. This time she knew what to do. Running to an open area with lots of eggs, she started picking them up as fast as she could. Good thing, too, because in less than two minutes the eggs were gone.

I noticed an event worker had kept back a few eggs to give to some little ones who had missed the hunt or not gotten many. I was impressed at their thoughtfulness.

The oldest kids were led to the backstops of the baseball fields. You could see it in their eyes: they were ready to race. We watched as our two kids strategically positioned themselves and discussed their egg collecting plans.

With their eye set on a particular patch of grass, they listened for the signal. Soon we heard, "On your mark, get set, go!" and the kids were off, leaving a cloud of dust behind them. We watched all the kids running everywhere, frantically gathering as many eggs as possible. We laughed when we noticed one daughter's basket was so full that eggs fell out as she ran to another area. Kids were right behind her, picking them up!

It was a brief and fun way to start our Easter weekend. I really appreciated that the activities were planned for Saturday, leaving Sunday free for family and religious services. Valley-Wide Recreation has held this event in Menifee for many years and each time my kids have enjoyed it.

It would have been easier to let everyone stay in bed and enjoy a lazy Saturday morning, but we would have missed an opportunity to create memories. Sometimes the best family events and traditions are the little things we do.

Thanks, Valley-Wide, for continuing a great Menifee Easter tradition and helping a growing city maintain a small town feel!

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Menifee Mom: The Approach to Motherhood is Crucial

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:38:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

On a recent Monday morning, I found myself rejoicing as I sent my kids off to school. It had been a weekend filled with drama, senseless arguments, and overall frustration for me as a mother. To top it off, the house had become a complete disaster zone. With each kid I dropped off at school, I felt as if a weight was being lifted from my shoulders.

Before I could even think of tackling the chores at home, though, I needed a stress relieving run. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, so that day I decided to listen to a podcast about motherhood as I ran. There was so much going through my mind, I didn't focus on most of what I heard. But one phrase stuck out: "Deliberate Motherhood."

I honestly couldn't tell you what the podcast said this meant, but it was such an interesting phrase it got me thinking. That morning I just couldn't wait to get my kids out of the house and out of my hair. I know all moms feel that way from time to time. Still, I wondered if I was deliberately being a mother to my kids, or if I was simply surviving each day.

I stearted looking at the day to day happenings in life, like school, homework, meals, sports, chores, shopping, playtime, etc. and all the issues that arise in the midst of it. I wondered if I use those events to purposely teach my children skills they need for life, or if I am just trying to check things off of a "to do list." Do I take advantage of teachable moments?

As I've tried to mother my children more "deliberately," I've realized that it doesn't necessarily mean making great changes to the things I am already doing. It's more about changing my attitude and sometimes my approach. I realize that even the little routine things we do are shaping the childhood memories my kids will have as adults.

When I welcome my kids home from school, by simply being sincere and taking a moment to stop and greet them, I am purposely helping them feel loved at home and happy to be here.

When we go to soccer practice, if I give them a few words of encouragement on the way or take time to ask meaningful questions about practice afterwards (and actually focus on their answers), then I am becoming a part of that soccer experience with them.

When they ask for help with homework, I can slow down and focus as I help them instead of just giving them rushed advice as I pass by.

I've found that changing my approach helps me to enjoy motherhood more and helps my kids to sense that I enjoy being a mom; that I enjoy being their mom. With the busy pace of life, it is easy to get caught up in just getting things done. If we can remember to get those things done with a purpose in mind, we are deliberately being the mom our kids need.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Menifee Mom: More Lessons Learned From Another Shaker

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:00:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

Did your family feel the earthquake last weekend? Mine did. We were all sitting upstairs talking on my bed when everything started rumbling. It was a small shaker, but it certainly got our attention!

I'd like to say that our efforts to teach our kids to "duck, cover, and hold on" were successful and everyone grabbed a pillow to protect their heads, but we all just sat there saying, "We're having an earthquake!" I know it didn't require action, but I'd like to have seen some type of thoughtful reaction. At least I can proudly report that no one panicked.

After a long quiet period, it seems the earthquake faults have awakened again. Perhaps the little shaker we had was also a wake-up call to all of us that we need to be prepared.

Though the city of Menifee isn't on top of any major faults, it does lie between the San Jacinto Fault and Elsinore Fault. Some experts say the Elsinore fault is at high risk of producing a big quake soon.

When you have little kids, preparing for an earthquake can be a little tricky. You have to find that balance between teaching them what we need to do and not scaring them so much that they won't leave your side! For the most part, though, I have found that helping our kids feel prepared eases their fears.

We found some great videos online that demonstrate what to do and what not to do. We previewed them first to determine which ones were most appropriate for our kids. It really helped them visualize what it would be like in an actual earthquake and helped them to see what they can do to be safe in different situations: Lying in bed, in the car, at school, playing outside, etc. For days afterwards, our kids would ask, "What should I do in this room if there was an earthquake?"

The USGS and FEMA websites have pages dedicated to teaching kids how to be prepared. There are even online games. The Earthquake Country Alliance outlined the following seven basic steps for earthquake preparedness:

Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. (Our family is reminded that we need to secure that tall heavy armoire and bunk beds in the kids room!)

Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. (We told our kids where our alternate meeting place is in case our home is not accessible.)

Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. (We have backpacks with basic food and emergency supplies for each member of our family. It is also advised that you keep a flashlight, sneakers, and leather gloves next to the bed to aid in escaping a major disaster.)

Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance. (Keeping insurance documents, birth certificates, etc . in a fireproof safe is always a good idea.)

Step 5: Drop, Cover, and Hold On when the earth shakes. (We learned that you shouldn't run outside and if you are in bed, stay there. You shouldn't run to your kids' rooms because you are likely to get hurt on the way, making you no help to them when shaking stops. And -- a surprise to me -- doorways are not the safest place!)

Step 6: Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage. (In the event there is damage, you should shut off your main gas line and avoid using any electricity; a spark could cause an explosion if there is a gas leak.)

Step 7: Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.

I love step 7! Whenever there is a major disaster, we see contrasting images of communities pulling together and looters taking advantage of the situation. In Menifee, our citizens have shown a lot of support for others who've experienced their own personal disasters of one kind or another. I'd like to think that we would help dig each other out in a large scale disaster, too.

If nothing else, teach the members of your family to "Duck, Cover, and Hold On." It just may save their life someday.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

In the Wild With Jackie: The Painted Ladies Are Here

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:39:00 GMT

Editor's note: This is the first monthly column by the newest addition to our columnist lineup. Jackie Johansen's "In the Wild With Jackie" column will focus on wildlife found in the Menifee area.

By Jackie Johansen

If you have been out for a walk lately, or even had to clean your windshield, you have likely encountered lots of butterflies!

While winter didn’t really come to Menifee this year, spring is definitely here. Among the blossoms you will likely find lots of Painted Ladies, a delightful orange and black butterfly.

Painted ladies start out as an egg, usually on the underside of leaves. In their larval stage, they look like tiny ants, and eventually grow to the size of a 1 ½ inches. After four molts, and forming a chrysalis, this butterfly is ready to emerge.

But be warned: Just before hatching, the chrysalis can move wildly. This jiggling motion might make you jump, just like it is supposed to. The motion is meant to scare predators away from this otherwise tasty snack.

You are likely in for a good laugh if you watch a child try to catch one of these. The painted lady doesn’t fly very straight. In fact, their flying behavior has been described as a “cork screw.”

This beautiful butterfly is a helpful pollinator to our area, and is likely benefitting your garden, because it mostly feeds on weeds, like thistle. It also has a migration route from California to Mexico in some years.

Many scientists have hypothesized that their migration pattern is tied to El Nino weather patterns, when the deserts have more water and flowers. During this “irruptive migration,” an irregular migration that isn’t tied to any known environmental cues, this butterfly can travel up to 100 miles per day, and has been clocked at speeds of 30 miles per hour. This helps explain the windshield mess!

The painted lady is the most widely dispersed butterfly on the planet, and are most often found in Riverside County from July to October. It is a popular choice for science projects, and for home-hatching fun! Next time you see this little lady, take note. She won’t be around long!

What animals or plants have piqued your curiosity in Menifee lately?

Jackie Johansen loves everything outdoors and spending time with her husband and kids. She teaches high school biology for Julian Charter School and holds degrees in zoology, conservation biology, education, and technology. Her "In the Wild" column will appear here once a month.

Menifee Mom: It's Time to Just Get Out There and Run

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:29:00 GMT

By Karen Thomas

Winter is officially over (well, what was supposed to be winter, anyway!) and race season is in full swing.

I used to think that races were for runners who had a natural ability, were fast, and trained hard all the time. But I've learned that most of the participants are average people, often moms like me, who started running to get in shape.

I signed up for my first race because I had a group of friends who were going to train for it and it was the perfect opportunity to cross something off of my bucket list. At the time, my only goal was to complete the race. I never thought it would turn into a hobby. But once I got through the pain (yes, I will admit to some pain) of training and experienced the thrill of crossing the finish line, I could only think about how much I wanted to do it again!

Yes, running is a bit addicting.

It's now been almost two years since my first race. While squeezing in runs during the week and waking up early on Saturday to get a long run in before a busy day with the kids can be difficult, I continue to do it. Let me share with you why I run and why, if you have any desire to be a runner, you should give it a try.

1. It's Convenient and It's Free: Well, not completely free. You do need a decent pair of running shoes and if you sign up for races, there are entry fees. However, there is no gym membership to pay for, no driving to the gym, and no limitations as to where or when you can run. Just step out your door and get going! In just 30 minutes, you can be done with a great workout.

2. You Get Time to Yourself: I love to listen to fun music while I run, but I also will turn on podcasts that let me think or inspire me. Sometimes I just leave the headphones off and use the time to sort out my thoughts. With our busy lives, we all need some time to do just that.

3. I Have More Energy: OK, there are times I come home just dead tired. But most of the time my days are way more productive when I start with a run. It just gets me moving and often the momentum gets carried throughout the rest of the day. Plus, being in better shape gives you more energy.

4. A Sense of Achievement: I think the hardest part of being a mom is feeling like you never accomplish anything. You finish the laundry only to turn around and see the baskets filling up again. The dishes never end, there is always food to be prepared, and there are always messes to clean up. But with running I can set goals, track my progress, and when a race is over I can feel like I actually achieved something tangible. Yes, motherhood is rewarding in more ways than I can count, but sometimes a mom just needs something she can accomplish that is hers alone and completely within her control.

5. Social Time: OK, so this contradicts reason No. 2 a bit, but I also love to run with friends. Short runs are generally time for myself, but the best part of a long run is being with friends. It's great to get together with other moms and solve all of life's problems while completing a 10-mile run. I really could have used this when my kids were all little!

Despite the true enjoyment I now find in running, the thing that really keeps me motivated are races. Once I'm signed up, my training takes on new meaning.

So find a race that interests you (a nightime glow race, a mud run, a color run, an obstacle race, or even just an ordinary 5K or half marathon; a quick Internet search will yield tons of options), con a friend into signing up with you, and get going! If you want to stay really close to home, the city of Menifee hosts a 5K and half marathon in May as well as an annual Veteran's day race.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and run!

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.

Menifee Foodie: Great Ideas Come From Great Food Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:36:00 GMT

By Malissa Meeks

We are so fortunate to live in the age of computers. There is a fountain of knowledge at your fingertips. You Tube, recipe web sites and food blogs are all so valuable in our continuing quest to be the best foodie we can be.

One of my favorites is Six Sisters. Since I have six daughters, I was of course drawn to this site. Six Sisters was created as a way for six sisters to stay in contact with each other and share ideas and recipes. These awesome ladies actually have a best selling cookbook out entitled Six Sisters. They have recipes for just about anything you are looking for.

One of the things I like about their site is the organization. They have the recipes indexed by type and this makes it so easy to find just what you are looking for. Their recipes are easy to follow and I have been very pleased with just about everything I have made from their recipe file. They can be found at www.sixsistersstuff.com.

Another blog I have recently been introduced to is Fire and Spice. Sisters who just happen to be twins write this blog. They are from a very large family and are both busy moms so they keep nutrition and time saving in mind.

These sisters are very health conscious and wanted to share recipes that they have both created and tried that put a healthier meal on the table. A couple of my favorites are the Cilantro Lime Chicken Enchiladas and the Skinny Slow Cooker Taco Soup. On their blog they list some of their favorite foodie blogs, which are also a great resource. They can be located at http://twinnersrecipeblog.blogspot.com.

Once you get into the foodie blogosphere, it is almost addicting. There are so many great ideas and recipes out there and they are all at your fingertips. Mix things up. Make a new recipe every week that you have never made before. It is so much fun to get out of your rut and do something different.

If you have a favorite blog that you would like to share with our readers, leave a comment. We would love to explore your blogs.

Malissa Meeks is a mother of seven who knows her way around the kitchen. By her estimate, she has prepared more than 42,000 meals over the years. She also knows what she likes in a good restaurant. Her column appears here every other week. Leave comments here or email them to menifee247info@gmail.com.

Man About Menifee: These Boy Scouts Need Your Help

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 01:52:00 GMT

By David Baker

Frequent readers of my columns will know that I have written about a wide variety of topics, ranging from helpful how-tos to announcements of community events.

One thing that has always impressed me about the community of Menifee and the surrounding areas is the sense of fellowship and outpouring of support that tends to occur during times of hardship.

I've seen it with members of our community that have fallen ill or become injured. We all saw it in each other during the Terry Smith Jr. case. I've witnessed instances of extreme giving associated with the Menifee Christmas Dinner.

I suppose this is why news stories like this one about the theft of a scout trailer surprise me that much more:

For those who haven't heard, the Boy Scouts of Troop 332 from Wildomar showed up for their weekly Tuesday night meeting and discovered their toy hauler with all of their camping gear had been stolen.

Apparently, the trailer was parked in front of the local VFW post and the last time anybody remembered seeing it was Friday night.

When I read about this crime, I had the same reaction a lot of you probably did. That reaction was to ask myself, "How desperate does someone need to be to steal from the Boy Scouts?" I suppose the answer is in the question, because it would have to be somebody who is incredibly desperate.

However, knowing the nature of my friends and neighbors here in Menifee, I suspect that many of you will turn this negative into a positive by a show of support for these boys. Hopefully we can show them that there are good people of the world, too.

I am still trying to get contact information for the scoutmaster or committee chairperson of this Troop. If anyone has this information or if anyone knows about an organized effort to help these boys restock supplies, please post a comment below or send me an email at manaboutmenifee@gmail.com

I certainly intend to do everything I can to help out. And of course if you have any information that will help the police catch the criminals, or recover any of the gear, please contact Investigator Cornett at 951-245-3357, or by email at LakeElsinoreStation@RiversideSheriff.org

David Baker, our Man About Menifee, writes about his adventures in and around town every other Friday in this space. You may leave comments for him here or email him at manaboutmenifee@gmail.com.

Menifee Foodie: Breakfast House Gets High Marks

noreply@blogger.com (Menifee 24/7 Correspondent) — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 21:24:00 GMT

By Malissa Meeks

I don’t go out to breakfast very often, but when I do, I know where I will be headed.

One recent morning I went to The Breakfast House Los Tejabanes, located at 27701 Scott Road in Menifee. Let me just say it was delightful.

We were greeted immediately upon arriving by a very friendly hostess. We were seated and our waiter came out immediately with a cinnamon coated flour tortilla as a treat to snack on while we decided what we would order.

The menu has something for everyone. The breakfast menu offered everything from steak to grits, and this Southern girl was excited to see grits on the menu.

The restaurant was very clean and welcoming. There were booths as well as tables with fresh linen on them. The music was at the right volume where it was easy to have a conversation at your table and be able to hear everyone. The kitchen is well partitioned off so you are not hearing a lot of kitchen noise. They have an area for larger groups and can accommodate between 13 and 20 in a larger group setting.

I ordered the corned beef scramble bowl. The bowl came with a choice of toast or biscuits and gravy. I, of course, chose the biscuits and gravy. The bowl contained corned beef, cubed potatoes, bell pepper, onion, cheese, and scrambled eggs and was topped with an adequate amount of cheese. It was delicious. It was almost like a homemade corned beef hash but one step better with the added ingredients.

The menu also includes lunch and dinner with a very large variety of choices. I am eager to try some of their dinner choices.

They have daily specials, which are displayed on a board when you enter the restaurant. Check out their website for their specials at www.breakfasthouselostejabanes.com. Some of the specials include Taco Tuesday, which they also have on Thursday. Street Tacos are only 99 cents and Fish or Shrimp Tacos are only $1.99. Wednesday’s kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. Monday through Friday they have a breakfast special from 6-8 a.m. This includes two pancakes, one egg and bacon or sausage for $2.99.

They have a children’s menu and offer a 10 percent military discount.

I highly recommend The Breakfast House Los Tejabanes. I give this restaurant five out or five spoons.

Malissa Meeks is a mother of seven who knows her way around the kitchen. By her estimate, she has prepared more than 42,000 meals over the years. She also knows what she likes in a good restaurant. Her column appears here every other week. Leave comments here or email them to menifee247info@gmail.com.

Beautiful Menifee Home for Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 04:44:00 GMT

ONE OF THE LOWEST TAX AREAS IN MENIFEE... CLOSE TO SOUTH SHORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE HOUSE IS PRICED AT 377,000. This Lovely 2007 Two Story Home Is On A Quiet Cul-De-Sac In The Heart Of One Of Menifee’s Nicest Communities - HIDDEN MEADOWS! This Home Is Spacious And Has 2,942 Square Feet Of Living Space. The First Floor Features: Custom Painted Formal Living Room And Dining Area With Office/Study Room/Game Room. A Very Spacious Family Room With Fireplace. The Large Kitchen Includes An Island With Room For Bar Stools, Has Granite Counter Tops, Lots Of Counter Space And Cabinets, Dining Area, A Large Pantry, Powder Room With Closet And Under Stair Storage. The Second Floor Features: Custom Painted Master Bedroom With Master Bathroom Tub And A Stand Alone Shower With Walk-In Closet And Dual Sinks. The Two Upstairs Bathroom Has A Tub/Shower Combo Plus 4 Nice Size Bedrooms. The Laundry Room Located On Upper Level Is Spacious And Has A Counter To Fold Laundry. The 2 Car Garage And 3rd Car Garage Or Workshop Are Attached To The Home And Have Access From The Kitchen And Office. The Backyard Is Long And Would Enjoy Many Family And Friend Get Togethers.

For more information call Colleen Moorhouse at 951.764.4595

or email her at CMoreHouses@yahoo.com

LCL Realty: Another 8.3 Million Underwater Homeowners on Track to Resurface Before 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 18:11:00 GMT

While 10.7 million residential homeowners nationwide owe at least 25 percent or more on their mortgages than their properties are worth, another 8.3 million homeowners are either slightly underwater or slightly above water, putting them on track to have enough equity to sell sometime in the next 15 months--without resorting to a short sale.

The 8.3 million include homeowners with a loan to value (LTV) ratio from 90-110 percent, meaning they have between 10 percent positive equity and 10 percent negative equity. These homeowners represented 18 percent or all U.S. homeowners with a mortgaged as of the beginning of September.

The 10.7 million residential properties with an LTV ratio of at least 125 percent represented 23 percent of U.S. residential properties with a mortgage--down from 11.3 million deeply underwater properties representing 26 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage in May 2013 and down from 12.5 million deeply underwater properties representing 28 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage in September 2012.

"Steadily rising home prices are lifting all boats in this housing market and should spill over into more inventory of homes for sale in the coming months," saying Daren Blomquist, vice president at Reality Trac. "Homeowners who already have ample equity are quickly building on that equity, while the 8.3 million homeowners on the fence with little or no equity are on track to regain enough equity to sell before 2015 if home prices continue to increase at the rate or 1.33 percent per month that they have since bottoming out in March 2012."

Upcoming Menifee Events for September

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 21:29:00 GMT

City of Menifee Events for September

Soap Box Derby

On Saturday September 7^thfrom 8:00am to 12:00pm go check out the soap box derby in Menifee. All spots are filled but it would be a fun event to go watch and take the kids to. So go out and support your local community. Click on the following link for more information on this great event. Soap Box Derby

Teen Book Club
On Monday September 9^thfrom 4-5pm at the Sun City Library there will be a Teen Book Club. This is an event for teens to meet new friends while enjoying a good book. There will also be activities at the end of the night. Click on the flowing link for more information. Teen Book Club

Author’s Spotlight
On Monday September 16^thfrom 3:30-4:30pm in the Sun City Library there will be a local author talking about their book that has been published and the process behind it. There will be a new author each month. Click on the following link for more info. Author’sSpotlight

By: Stefan West Owner/Broker of West Realty

LCL Rental of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 15:42:00 GMT

Come see this 3 bedroom 2 bathroom family home in Menifee! Perfect starter home for the new family. Decent size bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms. The kitchen has been upgraded and has cupboard space all around. Backyard has a covered patio great for entertaining friends and relatives. Close to Lazy Creek and Pete Peterson park. Freshly painted and ready to move in! Close to the 215 freeway and the Menifee Market.

For more information on this property please visit www.lclrealty.com

In-house Loan Services

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:10:00 GMT

Many major real estate companies offer their own mortgage affiliate, however buyers should not feel pressured to use the in-house loan services.

In-house loan services are not new, but they have become important since the market declined. When the lending environment started to become restrictive, the need to have a mortgage broker in house who could give preapprovals that actually worked became important to real estate brokers.

Relationships between real estate brokers and in-home mortgage brokers can benefit buyers by providing access to the loan officer or mortgage broker. This may reduce processing time, and possibly fees.

While using an in-house mortgage service may be beneficial and help increase the process, buyers have the right to select any lender they want. Federal law prohibits agents from steering clients to a particular mortgage company or lender, and from accepting payment for referrals.

It’s important that borrowers do their homework, check all fees, and request the Good Faith Estimate, regardless of which lender they choose.

Menifee Rental of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 21:53:00 GMT

Pebble Beach is a stunning 3 bedroom 2 bathroom SENIOR home with 1708 square feet of room. This quaint senior home is a MUST SEE. It has a large living room, huge family room, decent sized kitchen with a lot of storage. It comes equipped with an in-door laundry room off the kitchen and roomy bedrooms! This is an AMAZING senior home. The backyard is large with a lanai! Ready for a garden as well! Come take a look at this property, you will fall in love!

Why Sight Unseen is Trending in Today's Market

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:17:00 GMT

The lack of available homes for sale is creating a tough market, and in some cases home buyers are making offers on homes they haven't even seen!

In Short:

Buying homes sight unseen is a small but growing trend in some areas,even in the rental market. This is brought on by the advanced technology and competative market.

Buyers might make offers without seeing a house for several reasons: They live elsewhere or for business and even for personal reasons. The buyers may have had scheduling conflicts and couldn’t visit before bids were due or they’re investors are use to buying just based on the characteristics of the property.

Even though some buyers are making offers without seeing the properties, they’re not going in blind. With the extensive photos and video tours, plenty of websites offer the buyers opportunities to learn about the neighborhoods, schools and research all comparable sales.

Those who bid sight unseen have the chance to tour the house during escrow and can still cancel the deal. Courthouse auctions that are in the final stage of the foreclosure process do not offer a chance to see properties in advance, nor is there an inspection period.

Menifee Sale of the Week! MUST SEE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:04:00 GMT

Stunning 5 bedroom 3 bathroom home in Canyon Lake. This manicured home backs up to the golf course with a beautiful view. Gorgeous modern kitchen, with island. Large family room with fire place, decent size bedrooms. Wonderful balcony attached to Master bedroom. This is a gorgeous must see home.

For more information on this property please visit our website at www.lclrealty.com or call 951-260-0711

What's Selling in the Menifee Area!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:55:00 GMT

We are already half way through the month of May which means summer is not far away. I am really looking forward to days spent at the beach and time to relax with my kids. In my article for the month I will be looking at what the Menifee real estate market is up to. I am hopeful to see our numbers on the rise! As always my stats are based on single family, detached residences, with 3+ bedroom and 2+ bathrooms.

· Total # of Active Listings: 45

· Average Listing Price for May: $337,154

· # of Homes Sold in April: 67

· Average Sold Home Price in Menifee: $252,160

· Average Days on the Market: 63

I can see right away that we have increased the number of listing in Menifee from 40 in April to 45 now in May. That’s not a huge increase by any means but it is an improvement from last month. The price in which they are selling at had improved slightly from $311,703 to $337,154 8%. With a little more supply this month it’s makes it easier to get buyers into homes.

Now taking a look at our closes in Menifee, the number of closes has dropped from 82 in March to 67 now in April. These homes are selling for a little more than they were in March by about $12,000. We are also seeing that homes are remaining on the market a little longer than in previous months.

If you or someone you know is looking to enter into the real estate market contact my office and I would be more than happy to help assist you.

By: Stefan West - Owner/Broker of West Realty

LCL Rental of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

This cozy 2 bedroom 2 bathroom has been newly rehabbed. It resides on Cedar Crest in Menifee in the Senior Community. This gorgeous home has been freshly painted all around with new carpet throughout and has a lovely modern kitchen with 2 full bathrooms. The property has a large back yard with a patio and cover; wonderful for entertaining or watching the birds.

If you want to see more of this home please visit us at www.lclrealty.com or call (961) 260-0711.

Rental and Sale Markets Rise Together

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

As you may all be aware, the sale and apartment markets normally compete with each other. The calculations are rather simple; if the amount of people who own homes goes up, then the amount of people who rent goes down. However, according to the economists the demand for rentals and housing sales are increasing at the same time.

Why you may wonder? Well, the number of households are growing again after years of being behind the population growth. For many years, college graduates have been moving back home or sharing a house with roommates. Now, these college graduates are starting to strike out on their own which creates a huge demand for new housing sales and rentals.

Since the housing inventory has been desperately trying to catch up to the growth in population for years; both rental and for-sale homes are in short supply. With the huge demand of housing, construction jobs should increase which would also create more jobs and household demands.

The sale market is recovering faster than what we saw last year. Prices rose more than 7 percent despite the small number of houses on the market. Low home prices and interest rates also turned the cost of owning a home into a great deal compared to the increase of costs renting a home or apartment.

At the current level of supply, renters who are trying to buy a home are having difficulties. Even though the real estate recovery is just starting to spread the number of homes that are available are the lowest since 1999, which was the year of the Internet boom. For years, we have heard about the flood of homes which is currently totally 3.4 million--but are still in foreclosure or seriously late in payments. However, banks cannot flood the housing market by trying to sell the homes all at once, even if they wanted to. "A majority of the homes are tied up in the foreclosure processes," according to Freddie Mac.

Construction on the Rise

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Housing construction passed the mark of one million in March coming in at 1.036 million homes, up 7 percent. The increase was due to a 31 percent increase in apartment construction to a level of 417,000 units, the highest since January 2006. Single-family construction fell 4.8 percent from February The first quarter single-family average was up 6 percent from the fourth quarter 2012.

Housing permits were down 3.9 percent but from a high not seen since July 2008. The first quarter average was up 2.6 percent from the fourth quarter. Builders were stock piling permits in February and the inventory of unused permits decreased 9 percent in March. Single-family permits were unchanged so the change was due to a 10 percent drop in apartment permits is most likely because we are approaching the sustainable level of apartment construction.

Market Trends for Menifee April 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:47:00 GMT

April is coming to a close and with May just around the corner we have Mother’s Day to start thinking about. Mother’s Day is a great way to celebrate all those special women in our lives. Also coming up on May 19^thin Menifee is their 2^nd annual Half Marathon and 5K. Clink on the link and it will take you to all the info. In my market trends report for the month I will be looking at Menifee’s real estate market to see if we have made any improvements from March. As always my stats are based on single family, detached residences, with 3+ bedrooms and 2+ baths.

· Total # of Active Listings: 40

· Average Listing Price for Menifee in April: $311,703

· # of Homes Sold in March: 82

· Average Sold Home Price in Menifee: $240,917

· Average Days on the Market: 46

Unfortunately the number of active homes on the market hasn’t changed at all! With there being no new listings available, buyers are continuing to be frustrated with the low supply of inventory in the area. The listing price has dropped slightly in April to $311,703 from $324,831 in March. I am hopeful that in May we will see an improvement in the number of listing in the Menifee area.

Now moving onto what is selling in Menifee. I’m seeing an improvement for March, there were 82 homes close escrow and back in February there were only 65 that’s an increase of 26%. The average selling price for these homes has also gone up from $230,823 to $240,917. We are seeing a decrease in the amount of time that homes are remaining on the market by 11 days in March.

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the area please contact my office and we would be more than happy to help you in any way we can.

Have a great month!

By: Stefan West - Owner/Broker of West Realty

Cash Offers shut out Average Home Buyers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:20:00 GMT

Average home buyers are being shut out due to all cash offers in today's market. With the influx of inventory being released by the banks, an enormous amount of all cash offers are swooping up the inventory and dominating the market. The lineup against average buyers are fiercely competitive investors, others paying cash, a scarcity of homes for sale, and bidding wars that have run up prices and even problematic appraisals.

In a normal market, increasing demand and rising prices would encourage more sellers to put their homes on the market which is a slow occurrence because home prices fell so low during the crash that many homeowners can still only sell their homes at a loss with little to no profit.

Another obstacle for some would-be buyers are those who are paid by commission or who are self-employed. The self-employed or comission paid people may fall outside the credit guidelines of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; the two government-owned companies that purchase mortgages from banks.

According to Barbara Caley, part owner of LCL Realty and Property Management "With the increase of market inventory, banks have been offering to carry. However, since there has been a significant increase of all cash buyers the banks have opted to accept the cash offers over any carry. This has been making the market highly competitive and inventory has been flying off the shelves."

If you or anyone you know are in this type of situation please contact our office at (951) 260-0711. We have experienced agents that will work with you given any situation. Let us help secure your dream home today!

Sale Prices Continue to Rise

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Total current home sales increased 0.8 percent to an adjusted annual rate of 4.98 million in February from a revised 4.94 million in January, and are 10.2 percent over the 4.52 million-unit level in February 2012. February sales are at the highest level since the tax credit period of November 2009.

Total housing inventory toward the end of February rose 9.6 percent to 1.94 million current homes available for sale, up from 4.3 months in January, which was the lowest since May 2005. Listed inventory is 19.2 percent below a year ago when there was a 6.4-month supply.

Single-family home sales dropped 0.2 percent to an adjusted annual rate of 4.36 million in February from 4.37 million in January, but increased 8.7 percent above the 4.01 million-unit pace in February 2012. The median existing single-family home price was $173,800 in February, which is 11.3 percent higher than a year ago.

Existing condominium and co-op sales rose 8.8 percent to an annualized rate of 620,000 in February from 570,000 in January, and are 21.6 percent above the 510,000-a year ago. The median existing condo price was $172,500 in February, up 13.9 percent from February 2012.

Featured LCL Rental of the Week: Drake Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:00:00 GMT

This beautiful 5 bedroom 3 bathroom 2162 SqFt. cul-de-sac home is located in a great neighborhood up on Bell Mountain. This one story home has an indoor laundry room, 3 car garage and a wonderful backyard. It is close by multiple schools in the Menifee area, various shopping centers and 215-freeway access.

For more information about this property please visit our website at www.LCLRealty.com

Spring Home Buying Starts Early!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:11:00 GMT

Realtor.com has recently released its data on the U.S. Housing Market for February 2013. The National Housing Data (provided below) indicates that current listing inventories increased 1.15 percent, where the median list prices were slightly higher, increasing by $189,900.00. These numbers show that home buyers are getting an early start on the spring season despite the fact inventories recently hit record lows. Lets take a look:

Per Realtor.com the National Data concluded:

In February, the total number of single-family homes, condos, townhomes and eve co-ops for sale in the U.S. (estimated 1,492,218) increased by 1.15 percent month-over-month. On an annual basis, however, inventory was down by 15.97 percent.
The national Median list price for single-family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops (estimated $189,900) increased by 1.01 percent year-over-year and 1.55 percent month-over-month in February.
The median age of inventory for sale listing fell to 98 days in February, down 9.26 percent from January and 11.71 percent below the median age one year ago. (February 2012).

Per Realtor.com the Local Data shows:

Nearly all of the markets with the largest year-over-year declines in their for sale inventories in February were in California, where declines averaged 48 percent. This list includes: Riverside County, Sacramento, Stockton, Oakland, and San Jose, just to name a few. These markets also experienced a dramatic decline in the median age of inventory, falling to an average of 31 days, or 53 percent lower than one year ago.
However, on an annual basis, February median list prices were up by 5 percent or more in 51 markets while they were down by more than 5 percent in 11 markets. These markets experiencing a year-over-year list price decline in February (being 39) is significantly below the number of declines observed in January (being 50).

According to Barbara Caley, broker and part owner of LCL Realty & Property Management "We are entering the the busiest time of the year for home buyers and sellers. Within the last 45 days our listing prices have increased with a significant influx of offers. As the market progresses, you can expect to see the inventory to increase along with higher listing prices as sellers become more satisfied with the market conditions."

Featured LCL Menifee Rental of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:54:00 GMT

29219 Overboard Dr--Heritage Lake Community:

Gorgeous 4 bed 3 bath home nestled in the Heritage Lake Community. Features an open floor plan, with a fabulous modern kitchen perfect for wining and dining. This home also features a cozy loft upstairs with modest sized bedrooms and a full guest bathroom. The master bedroom includes walk-in closets with shelving to spare! Not to mention the master bathroom with its his and her sinks and wrap around mirrors. This home is a MUST SEE.

For more information on this property please visit our website at www.lclrealty.com.

March 2013 Market Conditions for Menifee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:46:00 GMT

Well with it being the month of March we have two holidays ahead of us. The first being St. Patty’s Day and the second is Easter. So after your done having your green beer it’s time to get out those Easter baskets in preparation for the Easter Bunnies arrival. In my report for the month I will be pulling the numbers for the city of Menifee. As always my stats are based on single family, detached residences, with 3+ bedrooms and 2+ baths.

· Total # of Active Listings for Menifee: 40

· Average Listing Price for Menifee: $324,831

· # of Homes Sold in February: 65

· Average Sold Home Price: $230,823

· Average Days on the Market: 57

In pulling the numbers for the month of March I can see that we have dropped down in our active listings by 8 homes. We are still not seeing much of an improvement with Menifee’s real estate market. With the inventory of homes not increasing dramatically it’s still very much a seller’s market out there. The average listed price is maintaining its average of $324,831.

Taking a look at what sold in February I see that we have decreased our sold numbers by 18%. In January we had 80 homes close escrow and in the month of February we only had 65. Like our average listing price, our sold price is staying within a couple thousand dollars each month. No real change in this number.

Again, if you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the area I would be more than happy to help. I have been working in this valley for over 10 years and know this area well. Also if you have any questions in regards to short selling your home or would just like a complimentary market analysis of your home please let me know and I can get the information to you accordingly.

By: Stefan West - Owner/Broker of West Realty

Menifee Housing Market February 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:51:00 GMT

With Valentine’s Day over I hope you all had a nice day with your loved ones. It’s hard to believe that the month of February is already coming to a close in a week. In my monthly market update I will be pulling numbers for the Menifee’s real estate market. As always my stats are based on single family, detaches residences, with 3+ bedrooms and 2+ baths.

· Total # of Active Listing for Menifee: 48

· Average Listing Price for Menifee: $325,929

· # of Homes Sold in January: 80

· Average Sold Menifee Home Price: $227,609

· Average Days on the Market: 65

Getting into the numbers for the month of February, I can see right away that we have gone down in the number of active listings. In January we had a total of 64 and now in February we are down to 48 a 25% decrease in inventory. The Price in which these homes are being listed has risen this month to $325,929 from January’s price of $295,498. With the supply of homes still so low it’s continuing to make it difficult for people to purchase a home in the Menifee area as well as other surrounding communities in the valley.

Now taking a look at what is selling in Menifee, we haven’t seen as many homes close escrow in January. We have dropped off 17 homes last month in comparison to December’s numbers. The average price in which they are actually selling for has remained within $1000. The amount of time they are remaining on the market is maintaining its average.

With the debt relief act continuing until December 31, 2013 many homeowners are taking advantage of the benefits by doing a short sale instead of going through the foreclosure process. I have a lot of experience working with these types of situations and I know they can be a long process but if this is something you or someone you know is considering please call and I will be happy to answer any questions and get the ball rolling. I know this can be a difficult situation, but I am here to help.

By: Stefan West Owner/Broker of West Realty

January 2013 Menifee Real Estate Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:26:00 GMT

Well, it’s the beginning of a new year and with that comes resolutions and new beginnings. I hope you are all as excited as I am to see what 2013 has in store. In my monthly report we will be looking at what Menifee real estate market is doing in the New Year. As always my stats are based on single family, detached residences, with 3+ bedrooms and 2+ baths.

· Total # of Actives in the Month of January: 65

· Average Menifee Listed Price: $ 289,818

· Number of Homes Sold in the Month of December: 96

· Average Price of Homes Sold: $225,500

· Average Days on the Market: 64

Our active listings in Menifee have not changed in numbers to much over the last couple of months. We are only seeing it fluctuate between 1-3 homes. The price in which these homes are selling however, is increasing from $273,710 up to $289,818. Menifee’s housing market seems like its staying pretty quiet in terms of the listings. The numbers aren’t changing a lot either way.

Moving onto the closes for the month, we had 96 homes close escrow in the month of December and looking back to November there were only 65. That’s an increase of 47%! The price these homes are selling at has gone up slightly to $225,500 from $219,589. Homes aren’t staying on the market as long as they have in the previous months. We are down to 64 from November’s 80 days.

One thing that I wanted to point out in this month’s report is that the Debt Relief Act has been extended through December 31, 2013. This is a relief to many homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship. Doing a short sale instead of a foreclosure has proven to not impact your credit score as badly. So if any of you are considering a short sale please give me a call and I would be happy to help answer any questions you may have and make this process as easy as I can.

By: Stefan West Owner/Broker – West Realty

Panera Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:51:00 GMT

Genre: Sandwich Shops

30318 Haun Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-6093

http://www.panerabread.com

(Located in Countryside Marketplace)

Hours:
Mon- Sat: 6am – 9pm
Sun: 7am – 8pm

Panera Bread offers a complete menu of breakfast items, freshly made bagels and bread, sandwiches, salads, paninis, hot and cold beverages, and baked goods. The interior offers a cozy atmosphere to enjoy a meal. Or, the Menifee location also features a convenient drive-thru.

News & Media:

Panera Bread Celebrates Menifee Opening With Ribbon Cutting August 20, 2012 - Menifee 24/7

Panera Bread is Coming to Menifee (January 7, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Yojo Frozen Yogurt & Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:11:00 GMT

Genre: Coffee Shop & Frozen Confections

26924 Cherry Hills Boulevard
Menifee, CA 92586
(951) 246-3600
(Located inside Sun City Shopping Center)

Hours:
Mon – Sat: 7am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 8pm

Unique combination frozen yogurt and coffee shop offers self-serve frozen yogurt and a full service coffee bar. New frozen yogurt flavors rotate each week, and a topping bar of fresh fruit, candy and cookies, sauces, and sweet treats allow the customer to create their very own custom confectionary creation. Trained baristas are quick to whip up any caffeinated hot or cold beverage on the menu, pair it with a fresh pastry for a real treat.

News & Media:

YoJo Frozen Yogurt and Coffee Opens in Menifee (September 28, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Pitstop Pub Sports Bar & Grill

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 19:47:00 GMT

Genre: Bar & Grill

26900 Newport Rd Ste 101
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 679-0869

Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun: 11:00am - 2:00am
Sat-Sun: 8:30am - 2:00am

Pitstop Pub Sports Bar & Grill offers a full bar, beer and wine and a menu of pub fare favorites. They offer a breakfast menu and $3.50 blood marys on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 9:30 am. Sports are always on at Pitstop, 7-days a week, and there's always something going on. Karaoke takes place Wednesday and Thursday night, live bands perform every Friday starting at 9:00 pm, and pool tables and a juke box add to the ambiance. Every Tuesday is acoustic night from 8 to 11 pm. Open band jams are Sundays from 8pm-midnight and Saturday night dance parties are from 9pm-1:30am.

More About Pitstop Pub Sports Bar & Grill:

Pitstop Pub Offers Expanded Menu, Drink Specials, NFL on TV (Oct 19, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

New Breakfast Menu at Pitstop Pub (Sept 21, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Pool Leagues, Tournaments Are Heating Up at Pitstop Pub (Aug 24, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Live Bands, Karaoke Contest Makes Pitstop Pub the Place to Be (July 26, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Pitstop Pub Offers Fine Food, Drink, Music, and Entertainment (June 15, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Provecho Grill

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:57:00 GMT

Genre: Mexican

26862 Cherry Hills Boulevard
Menifee, CA 92586
(951) 246-3200

http://provechogrill.com/

(Located inside Sun City Shopping Center)

Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Fri: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sat:: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm

Provecho Grill offers authentic Mexican cuisine in both traditional and eclectic styles, offering many menu items that won't be found anywhere else. Provecho features a full breakfast menu 7 days a week, as well as happy hour, Margarita Monday, Taco Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, and live entertainment.

Enjoy their Puebla Chicken Mole Enchiladas made from raisins, almonds, peanuts, chocolate, and four different types of chiles. Try the Sweet Corn Tamales made from an old family recipe. For an appetizer, try the Shrimp Cocktail, made from fresh avocado, cucumber, shrimp, spices, cilantro and citrus. For dessert, try their favorite, Fried Vanilla Ice Cream, encased in a double thick shell, it's a sticky, sweet on the outside and cool and creamy on the inside.

Happy hour, Sunday to Thursday, 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Margaritas and beer!

Taco Tuesday! Crispy Tacos and Vegetarian Tacos, $1.00 each.

Weekend brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bottomless mimosas, brunch menu items, fruit and pastries all for $12.95.

Catering Service: Planning a party? Let Provecho Grill take care of the cooking! Order your favorite dishes from their To-Go Catering Menu. All party portions are prepared in chafing-ready half trays that fit right into any standard rectangular chafing dish. Unique Mexican recipes and professional service will turn your party into an unforgettable experience.

News & Media

Provecho Grill Launches New Fall Menu (October 12, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Menifee's Provecho Grill Caters to Your Every Request (Sept 13, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Provecho Grill Summer Nights Live Entertainment (July 16, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Provecho Grill is Open for Breakfast (June 6, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Provecho Grill Grand Opening Extravaganza (April 29, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Provecho Grill Brings Authentic Mexican to Menifee (Apr 11, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Irish Beer & Food Pairing Special at The Beer Hunter Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:48:00 GMT

Seats are still available for tomorrow night's beer pairing dinner at The Beer Hunter. Chef Ben McCormick will prepare a special menu of Irish food to be paired with three different Irish ales and lagers.

Price is $24.99 per person. Please RSVP at: (951) 301-4700.

Barbecued Pork Ribs at Giovanni's Pizza & Pasta, a Review

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Sticky, gooey, saucy fingers is hardly the idea that most people get when they think of an Italian restaurant, yet Tom Powers takes great pride in his barbecued pork ribs.

Powers, the owner of Giovanni's Pizza and Pasta in Menifee, had been raving so much about the sweet, bold flavor of his ribs, that we had to stop by and give them a try.

"We cook them right here on the premises for four to five hours", says the former bakery manager and marketing associate. "They roast in our ovens in a covered pan, that's what makes them so tender and juicy. After that, we slather them with barbecue sauce and then run them through our pizza oven to give them a shiny glaze."

Available for both lunch and dinner, they come as a half rack or full rack, accompanied with a choice of two sides, french fries, sauteed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or switch them out for the soup and salad bar.

"People tell me that they can't believe how much flavor these ribs have", says Powers. "I've had them tell me they prefer these ribs over their Moms'.

As for what kind of ribs he serves up, they're pork loin ribs. "Pork loin ribs have a little bit more meat on them than baby backs", he goes on to explain.

And sure enough, that's what we noticed the most, big chunks of tender, moist meat.

Powers continued, "And our full rack has thirteen bones, while most other places only give you nine or ten. Our half rack has six bones, when other places give you only four."

But what I noticed right away was how soft and moist the meat was. Powers guaranteed "fork off the bone", but these were "fall off the bone". Just pulling a bone from the rack caused much of the meat to slide right off. No fork and knife needed with these babies, just a couple of fingers and a well coordinated set of tongue and teeth could clean these bones off as well as a starving colony of army ants.

And the sauce? Mostly sweet and tangy, not overly spicy but quite mild, yet adding enough decadence to make Lady Gaga want to smear it all over her meat dress. Giovanni's also offers sauce options of "Sweet Chili" or "Honey Garlic", if you want something that will pry your eyes open a little wider.

For the side dishes, I ordered garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. But Powers wanted me to try his new broccolini. It's not broccoli, but a cross between broccoli and kale, where the stalk is more thin, and the florets more small. Giovanni's steams it half-way where it's soft enough to chew, but still having a little crunch. I found it more flavorful than regular broccoli.

As for those garlic mashed potatoes, they're real mashed red potatoes, very creamy, slightly chunky, with the skin still on, and with only a light taste of garlic.

But why barbecued pork ribs at an Italian restaurant?

"The reason we brought in the ribs, steak, and salmon, because we're a family restaurant", says Powers. "It used to be if Mom wanted Italian, and Dad wanted ribs, they're going to Chili's. We want the whole family to come here."

Giovanni's Restaurant has been in Menifee since 1991. Powers bought it in February 2007. "When we took over, we removed the sugar from the sauces, relying on crushed pear tomatoes to provide that right bit of sweetness. We also introduced 90% lean ground sirloin for our meat sauce, before it was just 50% lean ground beef."

What many customers don't know is that Giovanni's offers all of its pasta dishes and sauces as gluten-free by request. Powers' wife Caroline has Celiac's disease, making her gluten-intolerant. "We're looking to make as many of our dishes gluten-free as possible." he notes. "We're also adding a couple of gluten-free salad dressings."

Giovanni's Pizza and Pasta
26900 Newport Road, #12
Menifee, CA 92584

Phone: (888) 904-3180
Phone: (951) 672-8080

Open 7 Days - 11:00am to 9:00pm

Dana Frank Garrett Now Playing at The Beer Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:23:00 GMT

Known by many as "Kid Tater", Dana Frank Garrett has covered the San Diego music scene like sour cream and chives on a steaming hot russett.

Having played in numerous venues and clubs around Southern California, covering everything from rock to jazz to hip hop, there's nothing that he and his saxophone can't cover.

"I'm here to get the night life going" the Tater says of his recent gig at The Beer Hunter. "Previously there was a more soft sound here. I'm here to help this place transition from a sports bar to a sports bar night club."

And Garrett definitely delivers. Covering everything from James Brown to Van Morrison to the Black Eyed Peas, he rips off solos on saxophone inspired by boyhood idols like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond and Lenny Picket. His tall, thin build looms large with his shiny brass sax, as he walks up and down the Beer Hunter bar ripping off notes from today's latest chart toppers.

His musical roots goes back to his days in Irwindale, when he picked up a saxophone for the first time at age 10. But it was up in Fairbanks, Alaska, in high school, that he refined his art enough to win numerous awards and accolades, including the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and the John Phillip Sousa Band Award.

Garrett will be playing at The Beer Hunter from 9:00pm to 12:30am Friday & Saturday evenings.

The Beer Hunter
30080 Haun Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-4700

Beer Pairing Dinner with Stone Brewing at The Beer Hunter in Menifee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 07:47:00 GMT

The beer pairing dinner at The Beer Hunter in Menifee for Monday, March 7, 2011 welcomes Stone Brewery, pairing together an exclusive three course dinner with three beers...

Call The Beer Hunter in Menifee to make reservations.

Enjoy a Beer Pairing Dinner at The Beer Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:59:00 GMT

Wine pairing dinners have long been popular across the country, allowing diners to learn the subtleties of different varietals and how they pair well with different foods, while still providing a fun evening with a friend or spouse.

Beer pairing dinners are a similar phenomenon that grew from the recent interest in craft beer. Southern California has become a hot bed of craft breweries thanks in part to laws and regulations in the Golden State that allow them to flourish, and San Diego County has evolved into the premier destination for craft beer lovers.

Last month, The Beer Hunter in Menifee launched its inaugural beer pairing dinner in conjunction with Samuel Adams, matching up three popular Samuel Adams beers with an exclusive three-course meal prepared by the chefs at The Beer Hunter.

At $19.99 per person, diners got to enjoy three Samuel Adams beers, an appetizer, a 10oz top sirloin steak dinner, and a dessert, along with butter and rolls.

A sold-out event of 25 guests listened to George Paulicivic, District Manager for Samuel Adams, explain the nuances of each beer and why they work so well for the dishes they were paired with.

Shrimp Scampi Ravioli with Crustini, paired with Samuel Adams Coastal Wheat

"Seafood goes really well with our Coastal Wheat", Paulicivic explained. "People like to squeeze lemon on shrimp and fish, and we find that our Coastal Wheat compliments citrus so well".

10oz Top Sirloin with Port Wine Reduction, paired with Samuel Adams Boston Lager

"Our classic Boston Lager has just enough of the malt flavor to compliment the natural flavors of beef, while having a hoppy, light bitter finish that cleanses the palate and prepares you for the next bite."

South of the Border Sundae paired with Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat

"This decadent dessert from Beer Hunter goes really well with our Cherry Wheat. The Cherry Wheat has a light cherry flavor that adds a nice fruity overtone to the vanilla ice cream and compliments the honey topping and the cinnamon sprinkling on the fried tortilla strips."

And guests didn't go empty-handed, each receiving free Samuel Adams beer glasses, bottle top openers, and a beer variety chart explaining the differences of each beer type.

Up Next: The Beer Hunter has a second beer pairing dinner scheduled for Monday, March 7, 2011, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, this time with Stone Brewing, pairing their Levitation Ale with a Biscuit Salad, Pale Ale with a Mediterranean Chicken, and Smoked Porter with Mocha Brownies.

Cost is $19.99 per person. Reservations required.

Call The Beer Hunter at (951) 301-4700.

The Beer Hunter
(located inside Countryside Marketplace)
30080 Haun Rd
Menifee, CA 92584

The Beer Hunter: A Three Perspective Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:35:00 GMT

by Steve Johnson @ 02/10/2011 11:21 AM

The Beer Hunter opened its doors on June 16, 2010 with great anticipation from residents starved for more dining choices in Menifee. And in its first couple weeks of opening, crowds of hungry diners stuffed its 128 indoor seats and 32 patio seats eager to sink their teeth into juicy burgers and steaks, enjoy ice cold beer, and watch sports across 32 wide-screen televisions.

And while much of that went well, The Beer Hunter experienced some problems during those opening weeks.

"We don't feel we were prepared as we would like to be" says Dan Held, manager of The Beer Hunter. "Our servers are great, our chefs are great, but it was a logistical problem in getting the two coordinated."

The result was some unhappy customers not getting their orders delivered in a timely manner. "But we made a lot of changes since then and got it all ironed out" Held explains. "We'd like to invite those people back to give us another chance."

Now having been opened for eight months, The Beer Hunter looks to broaden its appeal to more than just the sports crowd. Held wants to bring in more college students from MSJC, wants to make a destination for business lunches, and host social gatherings for women.

So a few of us writers at Menifee 24/7 took time out to do a review based on three unique perspectives, the college perspective, the ladies lunch perspective, and the guy's sports viewing perspective...

Beer Hunter Anyone?

by Julianne Lanz (college perspective)

The Pastrami Sandwich

Do not let the name fool you! The Beer Hunter is not just a sports bar; it is a full blown restaurant. The entire staff is warm and friendly, and it seems that all of them have wonderful personalities. Customers are welcome to enjoy their meals, even if you hang around and mingle for 3 hours! Students are invited to dine and utilize the free Wi-Fi, and you don’t have to be over 21 to enjoy a meal there.

The best part about the Beer Hunter is that they cater not only to the “Over 21” crowd, but even to those of us who have yet to reach drinking age.

I recently walked into The Beer Hunter for the first time to have lunch with a friend. I thought that customers had to be over 21 to eat there; imagine how silly I felt when I realized that I was mistaken. It took me forever to figure out what I wanted on the menu; there were just so many delicious options that I wanted them all! Wow, were we surprised when our meals arrived to the table, and the portions of food were huge. You really are getting your money's worth here! This brings me to my second favorite reason to visit them again.

Date night, date night, date night! With the massive food portions, you and that special someone could split anything on the menu, have an intimate meal, and save yourself a little coin! As a college student, I know that saving money is what we are all about. We need the money for books and other supplies, as well as bills, so we tend to eat food wherever there is a dollar menu. And you could barely call that food.

I've been to The Beer Hunter time and time again, and every time I am pleasantly surprised. Every week there are new specials on food, beer and dessert too! Their Big Mac Brownie is my favorite dessert; I highly recommended it for the chocolate lovers! I can’t think of a better place to do a little homework, enjoy a real meal, and treat myself to something sweet by sharing a Big Mac Brownie with my boyfriend! Beer Hunter – here we come!

Ladies Like to Lunch

by Tina Walker (ladies perspective)

The Tequila Lime Chicken

The kids are at school, you’ve run those errands, and now you need somewhere to rest your tired feet and recharge. Meet your girlfriends at The Beer Hunter. Don’t let the obviously male name keep you from entering the Man Cave. Ladies, this is one thing the guys got right!

The lunchtime atmosphere is deeply subdued, with the televisions quieter than the raucous evening sports bar atmosphere. Light and vibrant, the entire restaurant seems more relaxed and welcoming for a ladies lunch. Bright enough to see your food, but tranquil enough to collect your thoughts, The Beer Hunter is more than accommodating. Lunch specials abound, and since the portions are enormous, really geared for hearty appetites, most dishes are large enough to share and still be happily satisfied. The daytime staff is attentive and gracious and every nook and cranny of the restaurant is sparkling clean.

On a beautiful day, nothing beats cool drinks, delicious salads and covered patio seating to help you relax with the girls. The Tequila Lime Chicken is brightly flavored, served with vegetarian refried beans and Spanish rice, handmade tortillas, and farm-fresh pico de gallo. It is a guilt-free lunch that will leave you feeling contented. If you are in the mood for something a bit more decadent, hearty sandwiches, heaping burgers, and sumptuous pasta that is absolutely redolent of old Italy await to please you.

Once you have all thrown caution to the wind, and saved the diet for another day, dive into some dessert. The luscious Apple Crisp and delectable “Big Mac” Brownie are sure to please. According to Manager Dave, all desserts are calorie-free on Tuesday and Sunday, but somehow I think he was pulling my leg with that one.

With deep, comfortable booths that you will never want to leave and abundant table space for the gigantic spread you will be served, The Beer Hunter is Menifee’s newest “Ladies Lunch Destination!”

Beers, Burgers, and Sports

by Steve Johnson (guy's perspective)

The Texas BBQ Burger with Red Trolley Ale

When you come to The Beer Hunter, how could you not notice all the televisions? They hang from the walls and drop down from the ceilings in all of their 1080i high definition glory. Every seat in the house faces one or more televisions somewhere.

Every time I've been there, the bartenders and servers are happy to put on any game you want. The Beer Hunter subscribes to every sports package there is, if you know of a game playing, whether it's a college basketball game in Oklahoma, or a minor league hockey game in Connecticut, as long as it's on television, they'll find it.

And they have so many televisions that there's never an argument over who's get to watch what.

But I'm a beer guy. Yeah, The Beer Hunter has all of your favorite domestics and lagers (Bud, Coors, Heineken, Miller, Rolling Rock, Pacifico, etc.). Except I love craft beer. I love those thick, malty, hoppy ales, the kind of stuff that monks used to make in those dark old abbeys of Europe, the kind of beer you drink as a meal on its own. The Beer Hunter has over 150 brands of beer on tap and in bottles. They even offer their own brand.

I like to start with a Red Trolley from Karl Strauss, then move on to a dark, smokey Anchor Porter, then finish it off with something rich like a Stone Arrogant Bastard or the Chimay Grande Reserve.

The food quality seems to rival that with other sports bars throughout south west Riverside County. The Beer Hunter does offer pasta, but it's not going to compete with an italian restaurant. It does offer steaks and BBQ, but it's not going to compete with a steakhouse. And you can get tacos and fajitas, but it's not trying to be a mexican restaurant.

Instead, The Beer Hunter excels at providing you with the full sports bar experience. 150+ brands of beer to choose from, a full bar, large food portions, and a menu with a wide range of choices to satisfy whatever mood you're in.

The "Big Mac" Brownie

For this review, I had their Texas BBQ Burger, which was enormous. They deck it out with all the toppings and throw on a bunch of fries. When you come into watch Kobe sink a few three-pointers, you want to stuff your face with a juicy, messy, half-pound burger, and then wash it down with a cold one. The Beer Hunter comes right through in that regards.

Throw in the extras like the Buzztime Trivia games, the Hall of Foam beer challenge, and the friendly bartenders, you get that full sports bar experience.

Best of all, it's in Menifee!

Miguel's Jr.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:08:00 GMT

Genre: Mexican

30362 Haun Road
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 679-5299

(Located inside Countryside Marketplace)

Hours:

Mon-Thu: 10:00am - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 10:00am - 10:30pm
Sun: 10:00am - 9:30pm

Miguel's Jr offers a full line of Mexican food, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and a full salsa bar.

The Beer Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:54:00 GMT

Genre: American

30080 Haun Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-4700

(inside Countryside Marketplace)

Hours:
Mon-Sun: 11:00am - 1:30am
Happy Hour: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

The Beer Hunter is a sports bar offering a full line of pub favorites from burgers, salads, sandwiches, steaks, pizza, pasta, seafood and more. Enjoy a full bar of cocktails, wine, along with 150+ brands of beer, including domestics, imports, and craft brews.

Dine inside or outside on the patio.

Watch 32 high-definition, wide-screen televisions tuned into live sports, including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, boxing, UFC fights, and NASCAR. Play Buzztime Trivia, Buzztime Texas Hold'em, and arcade games. Bring in your laptop or tablet and enjoy free Wi-Fi.

There's a senior menu, a happy hour menu, and a late-night happy hour menu, including daily food and beer specials.

All major credit cards accepted.

Visit The Beer Hunter online: http://www.thebeerhunter.net/

More About The Beer Hunter

Football Season is Here, & The Beer Hunter is Ready (Aug 29, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Beer Hunter Introduces New Menu of Midweek Specials, Summer Cocktails (June 25, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

The Beer Hunter Unveils Menu Improvements (May 3, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Beer Hunter's Catering Service is a Big Hit (April 14, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

The Beer Hunter Casino Night Raffle Prize List Grows (Jan 17, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

K.A.T.Y. 101.3 Live Broadcast at The Beer Hunter (Jan 6, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Beer Hunter Adds More Craft Beer Choices to its Menu (Oct 26, 2011) - Menifee 24/7

The Beer Hunter Gives Back to Charities (Feb 23, 2011) - Menifee 24/7

The Beer Hunter, A Three Perspective Review (Feb 10, 2011) - Menifee Restaurants

The Beer Hunter Coming to Menifee (Jan 9, 2010) - Menifee 24/7

Beer Hunter Opens Tomorrow in Menifee (Jun 13, 2010) - Menifee 24/7

Giovanni's Pizza Pasta

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:50:00 GMT

Genre: Italian & Pizza

26900 Newport Road, #112
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 672-8080

(Located inside the Blockbuster Video Shopping Center)

Website: Giovanni's

Hours:

Mon-Sun: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Giovanni's Pizza & Pasta is a family owned restaurant. Offering a full menu of Italian entrees, pasta, pizza, ribs, steak, seafood, a salad bar, and evening entertainment this eatery is a little slice of Italy.

Daily lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Unlimited soup, salad, and pizza.

10 for $10 Tuesdays. Ten entrees offered for only $10 each. Choose from: spaghetti and meatballs, USDA prime steak dinner, 7 – 8 ounce Tilapia dinner, eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, Napoli herb chicken pasta, meat or spinach lasagna, and either a medium two topping pizza or a large one topping pizza.

News and Media:

Giovanni's Pizza and Past Offers Great Food, Entertainment (August 2013) - Menifee 24/7

Giovanni's Serves up Incredible Savings (September 2013) - Menifee 24/7

Menifee Lakes Country Club

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:29:00 GMT

Genre: American

29875 Menifee Lakes Dr
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 672-4824

(Located on Menifee Lakes Country Club Golf Course)

Hours:

Mon-Sun: 6:30am - 3:00pm
Bar is open during evening hours

Menifee Lakes Country Club is open to the general public offering a beautiful golf course, restaurant, and a bar. From 10 to 2 each Sunday MLCC hosts a popular champagne brunch buffet in the grand ballroom, reservations are strongly suggested. Their restaurant, the Palm View Grill, is open for breakfast and lunch daily and their bar, the Mountain View Lounge, is open for happy hour 7 days a week as well. The Mountain View Lounge is open until 9 pm on Monday and Thursday and often features live entertainment from local musicians as well as drink specials and appetizers.

More about Menifee Lakes Country Club:

Menifee Lakes Country Club Hosts Thanksgiving Feast (Nov 16, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Monday Night Football at Menifee Lakes Country Club (Oct 8, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Bountiful Brunch at Menifee Lakes Country Club (Sept 11, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Menifee Lakes Country Club Hosts Musician Nina Markert (July 8, 2012) - Menifee 24/7

Live Entertainment Comes to Menifee Lakes Country Club (April 19, 2012) Menifee 24/7

Papa John's Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:12:00 GMT

Genre: Pizza

30145 Antelope Road, Ste. B-102
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 679-7272

(Located inside the Ralph's Shopping Center)

Hours:

Delivery: 11:00am - 11:00pm
Carryout: 11:00am - 9:40pm

Papa John's Pizza offers up pizza, chicken strips, and buffalo wings.

Cathay Chinese Food

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:48:00 GMT

Genre: Chinese

30141 Antelope Road
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 672-0328

(Located inside the Ralph's Shopping Center)

Hours:

Mon-Sat: 11:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: 11:30am - 8:30pm

Cathay Chinese Food offers dine-in or take-out.

Pueblo Viejo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:41:00 GMT

Genre: Mexican

30141 Antelope Road
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-0299

(Located inside the Ralph's Shopping Center)

Hours:

Sun-Fri: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Sat: 8:00am - 8:00pm

Pueblo Viejo is a taqueria offering a full line of Mexican food with a salsa bar.

Taco Bell

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:22:00 GMT

Genre: Mexican

30115 Antelope Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-3747

(Located inside the Ralph's Shopping Center)

Hours:

Sun-Thu: 8:00am - 1:00am
Fri-Sat: 8:00am - 2:00am

Taco Bell offers a full line of Mexican fast-food, and is open for breakfast.

Jack in the Box

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:02:00 GMT

Genre: American

30111 Antelope Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 679-1159

(Located inside the Ralph's Shopping Center)

Hours:

24 hour drive thru

Jack in the Box offers a full line of fast-food, including breakfast.

Del Taco

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:50:00 GMT

Genre: Mexican

30107 Antelope Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-8268

(Located inside the Shell Station)

Hours:

Sun-Thu: 7:00am - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 7:00am - 11:00pm

Del Taco offers a full line of fast-food Mexican fare.

Subway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:28:00 GMT

Genre: Sandwich Shop

30123 Antelope Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 672-7877

(Located inside Ralph's Shopping Center)

Hours:

Sun-Thu: 7:00am - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 7:00am - 11:00pm

Subway offers hot and cold sub sandwiches and salads, and is open during breakfast hours.

In-N-Out Burger

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:16:00 GMT

Genre: American

30296 Haun Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(800) 786-1000

(Located inside Countryside Marketplace)

Hours:

Sun-Thu: 10:30am - 1:00am
Fri-Sat: 10:30am - 1:30am

In-N-Out is famous for their fresh-cooked burgers and fresh-cooked fries.

New York's Upper Crust Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:18:00 GMT

Genre: Pizza

30076 Haun Rd., Suite 220
Menifee, CA
(951) 301-8600

(Located inside Countryside Marketplace)

Hours:

NY's Upper Crust Pizza specializes in traditional thin crust, Sicilian or stuffed pizza, by the slice.

Vincenteo's

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:57:00 GMT

Genre: Mexican

26825 Newport Rd
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 679-5630

Hours:
Sun-Thu: 7:00am - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 7:00am - 11:00pm

Vincenteo's is a taqueria with a full menu of Mexican food. It has a drive-thru, and shares the same building with the Mobil Station.

Jack in the Box

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:41:00 GMT

Genre: American

26015 Newport Road
Menifee, CA 92584-9142
(951) 672-0095

Hours:
Sun-Thu: 6:00am - 11:00pm
Fri-Sat: 6:00am - 12:00am
Drive Thru: Open 24hrs

This Jack in the Box location shares the same building as the Texaco Station.