Daily Temecula

Temecula Pat & Oscars...Part Two

2011-09-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, word is that the Pat & Oscars company filed Ch 7 bankruptcy. They are restructuring their entire operations which includes closing several stores. The Temecula Duck Pond location is closed for now (and 60 employees were laid off) but there are plans to re-open under new management at some time in the future.

Stay tuned....

Pat & Oscars at the Temecula Duck Pond....Closes?

2011-09-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

Is it true? I heard today that amid a big corporate overhaul, our local Temecula Pat & Oscar's is (temporarily??) closed.

Without knowing the specifics, I would be so surprised if Pat & Oscar's as a company survives yet chooses to keep the Duck Pond store closed, since it always is packed and remains popular with families even during tough economic times.

Anyone have any info?

City of Temecula Fourth of July Parade

2011-07-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Our friend and neighbor Autumn Boden sang the national anthem to open the 2011 City of Temecula Fourth of July parade in Old Town this morning. She did a terrific job! It was thrilling hearing her beautiful voice amplified throughout the entire Old Town district. She got a great response from the crowd.

Then I opened my Californian newspaper this morning to find this article describing her singing like this:

In a performance that belied her youth, the 12-year-old delivered the national anthem in a clear, unwavering voice without affectation or apparent flaws, despite the legendary difficulty of the lyrics and melody.

Wow! Just, wow.

Hope you all had a fantastic Fourth!

Hair Feathers & Tinsel!

2011-06-22T18:38:00.001-07:00

We are back from a vacation in Washington, D.C. You hope when traveling with kids that they appreciate cultural differences in different parts of the world. For instance, my nine year old noticed that nobody had "hair feathers" in Washington. She did see some at Dulles Airport (tinsel, too.) I pointed out to her that the airport isn't always a great gauge of local style because people from all over the world are just passing through.

"Maybe those people are from California," she said.

Sure enough, one of the hair feather gals was on our LAX-bound flight.

Where can you get feathered and tinseled here in Temecula? Element Salon was one of the earliest local pioneers of this trendy-trend. (Element does great blow-outs, too!)

Also, the Fantastic Sam's near Baron's offers hair feathers (basically fancier looking fishing lures attached with hair extension beads, in a variety of sizes and colors) for $10 each (price includes feather and installation) or three for $25.

Sources for hair feathers and hair tinsel in Temecula:

Element Salon (near Bruegger's, across Winchester from Chapparal High)
(951)695-5400
39584 Winchester Road
Temecula, CA 92591

Fantastic Sam's (in the Baron's shopping center)
(951)695-6204
31867 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92592

Two Cool Venues -- Gershon Bachus Vintners and Monteleone Meadows

2011-05-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

A winter day at Gershon Bachus

So I'm watching The Soup and who pops on the screen but the unflappably professional Joe Vizcaino ("Joey"), Director of beautiful local winery Gershon Bachus Vintners, deflecting the "advances" (?) of the Real Housewives of Orange County.

I had the reception for my adult bat mitzvah at Gershon Bachus, and I cannot recommend them highly enough for a supremely special, luxurious event.

Oh, and did I mention....their catering is by Sorrel? This is no rubber chicken dinner. Nope. My guests were talking about the "adult grilled cheese" (with Chef Adrian's special house-made fig chutney) for days.

You'll feel like you're hosting family and friends at your private Tuscan estate at Gershon Bachus, while at this other cool location I just discovered, you'll feel like you invited them to your own secluded, edenic meadow.

Tucked away off Winchester near Benton Road in French Valley is Monteleone Meadows. I was honored to attend a dear friend's daughter's First Communion in the Catholic faith. They attend Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, which doesn't have their own building yet.

Ever driven along that stretch of Winchester heading out toward French Valley where you pass Fausto's Bail Bonds, with all the Hummers and other cool cars with "Fausto's" signs in their parking lot, then the Catholic church that meets in the Moose Lodge? That's Blessed Teresa's temporary home. (By the way, that is the new Moose Lodge location, and it used to be French Valley Winery.)

The congregation held First Communion for a bunch of children, and the mass was delivered from a beautiful lakeside gazebo at Monteleone Meadows. What a lovely setting for a special day.

This is a beautiful setting for a variety of events, especially weddings. I can't vouch for venue-catered food. I was at Catholic mass so I had....doughnuts and coffee, of course:-)

Gershon Bachus Vintners
www.gershonbachus.com
37750 De Portola Drive (on the De Portola Wine Trail)
Temecula, CA 92592
(877)I LUV GBV

Monteleone Meadows
www.monteleonemeadows.com
35245 Briggs Road
Murrieta, CA 92563
(951)677-6403

My Ongoing Love Affair with Old Town Temecula

2011-05-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

I will be so sad when this school year ends and our younger daughter won't be going to school in Old Town Temecula anymore.

It has been so much fun having her enrolled at Kid's World. We live closer to their second location (near Van Avery Prep and Hillcrest on Santiago) but I opted for the Old Town location instead because....well, it's Old Town!

Some of the highlights of being in Old Town several times a week with a preschooler have been:

* strolling down 2nd to MsChevious Boutique to check out what the mannequins are wearing (outfits changed daily)

* sampling old timey candy at the Sweet Shop

* picking her up early from school to have lunch on the patio at Palumbo's or Soro's

* shopping for fun girly home decor and crafty items at Farmer's Wife

I also happen to have a wonderful mechanic at Valley Auto Werkes, which is in...Old Town. He's right near CM School Supply and Campini's, and I just discovered that there is a gun store in the commercial space being Valley Auto Werkes.

No more boring waiting in the "customer lounge" while they are working on my car.

For instance, the other day, my car was making a weird noise (which the mechanic later identified as "metal on metal" in the rear brakes; uh oh! Glad I didn't decide to "fix it" by just turning the radio up louder.)

He needed it for a few hours so I ambled down Old Town Front Street, window shopping along my way to Cafe Bravo, which was hopping! I thought I'd stumbled in during a rush but it never slowed down. I sat there for almost three hours, just people watching. Many Old Town folks consider Cafe Bravo like a second office, and people were having business meetings, signing leases, working with their graphic artists, discussing school fundraisers, having post-yoga lattes, or simply hanging out listening to music (there was a violin/accordion jam session on the outside patio.)

Oh, and a quick Old Town tip: the newfangled, beautiful, brand new City Hall has restrooms. Just in case.

Get Feathered at Sweet Cheeks

2011-05-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

Want one of those cute little feather hair extensions we keep seeing all over town? Sweet Cheeks in Temecula (on Overland at Margarita, near Costco, in the same shopping center with Wahoo's and San Diego County's Credit Union) is having a special "feather" event this Saturday (also known as "tomorrow"), May 14, beginning at noon. Call (951) 695-0826 for info and to reserve a spot.

Old Town Temecula Civic Center Fountain

2011-05-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Our new civic center is really something to see. They did a great job. I love the fountains, especially this big, interesting one. The other day, my five year old and I had a "girls' lunch out" at Palumbo's Ristorante in Old Town (4th Street between Mercedes and Front.)

Half the fun of exploring Old Town is wandering somewhat at random....though when my kids are with me, our "random" path always seems to end up at either the Root Beer store or the old fashioned candy shop!

Daily Temecula in Inland Empire Family Magazine

2011-05-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

It's on newsstands throughout the IE now. Pick up the May, 2011, issue of Inland Empire Family to read Debbie Lavdas' ("Debbie in the OC") cover article, "Digital Moms," featuring...me!

(I'm on page 42.)

You can also read online (click on the picture of the magazine in the upper right hand corner to read the entire current issue), or click the "Archives" tab to access all past issues.

Yelpin' in Temecula

2011-05-05T17:55:00.001-07:00

Are you on Yelp yet?

If not, I highly suggest it. Yelp began as a community-generated site to share reviews of restaurants, but nowadays there are businesses of every stripe available so you can do your homework before you pull out your wallet.

I enjoy both reading and writing Yelp reviews. Feel free to follow me on Yelp and you'll get updates when I post new reviews.

Glen Ivy

2011-05-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's been decades (literally) since I "took the waters" at Glen Ivy, and I can't believe all that I've been missing.

If you have never been, now's the time, since spring is perfect weather (warm, but not too hot) and their grounds look incredibly lush and colorful.

Did you know Glen Ivy has been around since 1860? Wow! They also have spa locations in Brea and Valencia, but since you're reading DAILY TEMECULA, we'll stay local.

You may want to check out my Yelp review, and also, here are a few of my tips for a day of Glen Ivy fun and relaxation:

* Bring a friend or three. This is definitely a social spa experience
* Bring flip flops. I made the mistake of wearing Ugg boots, so I didn't have anything easy to slip on for lunch and walking from area to area within the grounds
* Bring a hat or visor.
* Bring sunscreen!
* Towels are provided, but if you like a cushier beach size towel, bring your own.
* Definitely eat at the restaurant. They have a very large menu and everything is made fresh to order.
* Wear an old bathing suit because the red mud does stain. Leave jewelry at home because the sulfur will tarnish some metals. (Or you can be like me and LOSE your jewelry for several frantic moments! Though luckily my favorite heart-shaped pendant, which I wear 24/7/365, was saved by a wonderful honest soul and turned in to Lost and Found.)
* Don't feel the need to book a bunch of treatments, especially if you're on a budget. They do offer a full menu of services (massages, facials etc) but there is easily a day's worth of relaxation to be had from the myriad pools and Club Mud included with your entry admission.
* Check out regularly-updated specials, sign up for their email list and Facebook page for additional deals, and plan your visit for weekdays if you want to pay a lower entry cost. They also offer discounts for seniors and Corona residents. Oh, and it's FREE on your birthday:-)

Glen Ivy Hot Springs
25000 Glen Ivy Road
Corona, CA 92883
1-888-GLENIVY
www.glenivy.com

City Parks & Recreation Registration Fair

2011-04-26T07:45:00.001-07:00

"Don't do what Donny Don't does."
-Bart Simpson

Don't be like me and FORGET to register your kids for super-competitive enrollment activities offered through the City of Temecula. You will be stuck in wait-list limbo.

The new summer/fall catalogue of activities should be coming out any day now (seriously! When? I keep checking my mailbox for it), and it will have online registration dates and times, but you can beat the crowds and up your odds of getting into the most popular programs by visiting the city's registration fair this SATURDAY, APRIL 30, at Temeku Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a fun event for the whole family, with prizes, deejay, and giveaways, but the best part is beating the rush and hustling everyone into six months worth of rec classes.

TRIED AND TRUE:

* yoga -- if you do the Saturday morning classes, they are held outdoors. What an exhilarating way to start the day

* Little Learners preschool -- a WONDERFUL preschool program for your three or four year old. This was so popular they added a bunch of sessions but it still fills up every time.

* cooking classes with Celine Coussou -- she specializes in fresh, simple, and local. If she offers her farmer's market tour with cooking class (you cook what you bought that morning), do it! It is a not-miss.

* etiquette classes with Angela Sturdivant -- so much fun! They drink tea and learn how to keep their elbows off the table.

SWIMMING: the city's aquatics program has a separate enrollment process. A tip: on the last day of each session, the kids have fun at the end either with fountains (Chaparral High) or water slides (CRC.) If your kids are dead set on going down the slide, enroll them at CRC. But if you want CRC and don't get it, console them by knowing the fountains at Chaparral are probably the aquatic program's best kept secret. They seriously never turn these things on except for the last day of rec class session, so nobody even knows they're there.

Spring Dos in Temecula

2011-04-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

All across the Temecula Valley there is so much to do now! Spring is THE hot time for galas, silent auctions, golf tournaments, and every type of fundraiser you could imagine.

If you have time, here are a few great events for worthy causes coming up in the next few weeks:

TEMECULA VALLEY FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION (TVFEE):

Check out Taste of Temecula Valley this Saturday, April 30, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The party continues with local faves Aunt Kizzy's Boys into the night. This is the inaugural year for this event, which will be held at the new Old Town Temecula Civic Center (if you haven't seen it yet, you must!) in Old Town.

SANTA ROSA PLATEAU FOUNDATION GARDEN TOUR:

Spring is an ideal time to check out the Santa Rosa Plateau, and the garden tour (also on Saturday, April 30) is a wonderful opportunity to be a welcome "looky-loo" into some beautiful gardens adjacent to the open space. Go to the Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation's site for more information and to buy advance tickets.

TEMECULA VALLEY SLOW FOOD FIELD TO FORK AT LEONESSE CELLARS:

Mark your calendars: this very popular event for the entire family will be May 21! Go to Slow Food's site to buy presale tickets. Proceeds benefit the school gardens program in our Temecula Unified School District schools.

Temecul-AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

2011-04-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

Mwah! That is me, giving YOU, my Temecula Valley peeps, a huge hug and kiss. I missed you guys.

Daily Temecula is back. Honestly I can't say it's "better, stronger, faster," since all I did was a few behind-the-scenes technical things so readers can actually find us, but hey, here we are...

Do All Towns Starting With "T" Look Alike?

2010-06-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

The Temecula Rite Aid (in the Stater Bros shopping center on 79S/Temecula Parkway) appears to be a great place to stock up on all of your Temecula merchandise:

Including tees:

Maybe they stored them alphabetically in the warehouse and this one got thrown on the Temecula truck by mistake:

Turlock is a Central Valley town which is home to the world's dwindling Assyrian (not Syrian, ASSYRIAN) population. It is also some 400 miles from Temecula.

We used to know folks from Turlock. And coincidentally I just picked up this Turlockian pita bread when we were in Glendale the other day, before I spotted the shirt at Rite Aid:

Now if only they'd import the pita bread to Temecula...

Off the Beaten Path: Temecula's Rose Haven Heritage Garden

2010-06-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Tucked away just off busy Temecula Parkway (formerly highway 79 South) is a beautiful rose garden tended by the experts of the Temecula Valley Rose Society.

Sprawling ranch-style houses dominate here, and larger McMansions dot the hills just above this horsey neighborhood. These immediate neighbors to the rose garden have playful horses who greeted us when we arrived.

These neighbors across Ynez/De Portola have llamas:

One of the things I miss about living in Riverside is UCR's terrific botanic garden. It was one of my favorite relaxation spots and Eva, who came home from the hospital to our Canyon Crest apartment and lived there until she was 15 months old, toddled around on the grass there on many lazy afternoons.

Rose Haven's focus is definitely on roses, but they do have other natives which make good rose companions, so I can get a taste of my botanic garden fix just five minutes from home.

I have a spot at home where I want to grow sprawly ground cover roses like these:

"Look, Mom! Frogpoles!" Jane couldn't linger too long because she was art director for my Salada Tea spokesperson contest 30 second video entry. (Our rose garden attempt had too much wind noise in the background, unfortunately. We're still working on it.)

The Temecula Valley Rose Society's Rose Haven Heritage Garden is located at 30592 Jedediah Smith (near the intersection of Jedediah Smith and Ynez/De Portola.) Open daily.

Temecula Old Pacific Coffee (79 South/Temecula Parkway) Closed

2010-06-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry to see you go.

Gluten Free Bakery & Cafe in Temecula

2010-05-26T12:50:00.001-07:00

(plus vegetarian, vegan...and a bunch of other good stuff)

Tucked into an unassuming corner space in the Armstrong/Michaels shopping center on the corner of Ynez and Rancho California Roads in Temecula is All of the Above Incorporated Bakery & Cafe.

Mother-daughter owners Lorilyn and Caitlin Teasdale rolled out their bakery, the first of its kind in Temecula, a few weeks ago, and word is quickly spreading.

All of the Above is a little hard to find, but it's well worth the search for locals from Temecula and Murrieta (and even gluten-free folks in Fallbrook, North County San Diego, Menifee, and other Southwest Riverside cities within easy driving distance of the bakery.)

And as Lorilyn Teasdale points out, "We may be hard to find, but once you know where we are, we're really easy to get to. We're right off the freeway and right here in the middle of town."

Lorilyn Teasdale is well known in the local autism community and has been baking gluten-free for her own family for years. You could say she is "gluten free OG."

Today more and more people are switching to gluten-free diets, whether by diagnosis of celiac or suspected celiac, as a treatment or adjunct to therapies for autism spectrum or other conditions in kids and adults, or for a dietary intolerance to gluten.

Many people interested in gluten-free products like to eat healthy, but the Teasdale team point out that they are a bakery, not a health food store. Their goodies are more gourmet than crunchy-granola, which is good news for gluten-free folks searching for special goodies like muffins, cupcakes, and cookies.

The display cases clearly label each product, with All of the Above's signature checkmarks informing patrons whether products are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or contain nuts.

This bakery will undoubtedly become a lifeline for families who follow special diets, whether for everyday or weekly goodie shopping, or for occasions like birthday parties. It would also be a great way to be extra inviting to guests with special dietary needs when entertaining at home; rather than labor through a new and untested recipe, present your guest with her own safe to eat warm pumpkin muffins, iced cupcakes, or "yellowies" (yellow cake.)

The interior of the space is clean, airy, and inviting, so this also is a welcome addition as a neighborhood hangout/cafe. In fact, whether or not you have special "kneads", an afternoon spent with a cup of tea and one of All of the Above's cookies or pastries would be simply heavenly.

Please visit Lorilyn & Caitlin Teasdale at their All of the Above Incorporated Bakery & Cafe in the Allstate Building in Tower Plaza (near Armstrong/Michaels), 27423 Ynez Road, Temecula, (951)693-4000. Hours: 9-5 daily except Sundays, when they are open 12-5; closed Tuesdays. You can follow them on Twitter, and while you're at it, follow me too!

New at the Promenade Mall in Temecula: The Lazy Dog Cafe

2010-05-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 'hood, Lazy Dog Cafe!

Regulars at the Promenade Mall in Temecula have been anxiously awaiting the opening of this small local chain (seven locations throughout Southern California) ever since the big mall expansion a year ago.

The Daily Temecula crew got a sneak peek this week before they open to the public tomorrow.

Rachel was there. Bethany and Loren from Taste of Temecula were there. Diane was there (though we couldn't find her! She tweeted about her apple cobbler. "Who did you serve apple cobbler to?" "Everyone! It's our most popular dessert.")

Here's a picture of our dessert, a luscious brownie decadently topped with both whipped cream and ice cream.

I want to support small local businesses like California Tea & Coffee Company and Public House, but there is a stereotype about the Temecula Valley that says that only chain restaurants do well here.

So if we have chains -- since they are the ones with the bucks and wherewithal to get the prime locations -- we should at least have good chains. Luckily Temecula has moved past TGIFriday's and Applebee's and we now rate our own Yard House, PF Chang's, and Shogun.

The Lazy Dog Cafe is the brainchild of Chris Simms, son of Tom Simms, founder of mega-successful chain Mimi's.

Chris Simms, CEO & Founder of Lazy Dog Cafe

They are going for a fun, casual, comfortable atmosphere that they describe as "Frank Lloyd Wright meets Ralph Lauren." (Our waitress told us that during the last few weeks before they opened, the very pregnant wife of the founder was in the store daily, taking measurements and making finishing touches on the decor.)

This week's media preview day was also a Spirit of Philanthropy recognition lunch for local volunteers. The 14 year old honoree volunteers locally at Sterling Senior Communities. Here she is being recognized by CEO Simms:

Director of Operations Roshan Mendis (who also got his start at Mimi's) was also on hand here in Temecula:

So was chef Gabriel Caliendo:

Their menu is very eclectic and there are a lot of choices. This would be the perfect place for larger parties with different tastes to share the same table. I can absolutely visualize our family (vegetarian with little kids) eating here with my New Yorker inlaws who eat according to Atkins, my meat-and-potatoes loving Dad, and my adventurous diner mom.

Maggie's Salad:

Our table shared the hummus trio appetizer:

Any of their burgers can be made with a Gardenburger patty. The Lazy Dog Cafe bleu cheese burger:

My vegetarian kids would enjoy Gardenburgers and fries, salads, Margherita pizza, and the hummus trio, and they have an ample kids' menu too, with choices for the littlest diners and a separate bigger kids' menu with larger portions and more options.

The Lazy Dog Cafe also offers a happy hour menu. The buzz is that PF Chang's had to add a happy hour menu to compete with its neighbor, Yard House. Lazy Dog will be a new contender for the after-work drink crowd. Word is they are employing 200 local residents (many part time) so that's a good thing too.

Lazy Dog Cafe - NEW Temecula location
The Promenade in Temecula
(outside the mall directly across the street from PF Chang's
www.lazydogcafe.com
Follow them on Twitter
(951)719-1884
11 a.m. to midnight daily (offering brunch on Sundays)

Where is @dailytemecula today?

2010-05-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

Daily Temecula is in transition. On hiatus. Going from something small and independent to something larger, more interdependent, and collaborative. And it is FUN. When I created Daily Temecula in the spring of 2009, my #1 rule was: if it gets to a point of not being fun (for me) anymore, I was outta there.

It has always been fun, but it got to be a bit unmanageable. I'm pretty ~~dynamic~~ frenetic, but I'm only one woman.

So I'm learning from the past and asking for help, teaming up, buddying up, and sharing the experience with friends.

We will be back SOON!

For now, follow me on Twitter and keep up with me on my other blog (and here too!).

Where is @dailytemecula now?

* #temeculatweets tweetup at California Tea & Coffee Brewery
* Temecula Duck Pond
* Old Town Temecula farmer's market
* Stellar Cellar
* Walmart, Target, KMart, and Costco
* Temecula Little History Museum
* Lazy Dog Cafe
* Go See Christy's Pink It Up pink carpet grand opening
* Junior League of Riverside annual meeting (where I'm presenting the Spirit of Volunteerism Award in memory of Bonnie Polis)

Whew! Now go do something fun in Temecula today. Don't forget to follow me on twitter and mark your posts to me with #dailytemecula.

Temecula Mommy & Me Day by Johanna Lack

2010-03-08T16:38:00.001-08:00

by Johanna Lack

Saturday February 6th, 2010

My husband and son were out of town on a camping trip, so I figured I would have a special mommy-daughter day with my six year old. Unfortunately, we woke up to pouring rain, and even though I had all kinds of activities planned around Temecula, the idea of slogging it out in an ark-worthy downpour wasn’t my idea of fun.

It was tempting to let Marissa just marinate in front of the TV while I did some much needed cleaning but then I figured that really wouldn’t win me the mom-of-the-year-award (and I’ve given up on ever coming close to winning housekeeper-of-the-year). Plus, I had promised Marissa a mommy and me day and that’s what we were going to do.

We made a framed picture with pressed flowers. We had a tea party that went on and on and on… then – thank you! – the sun came out. We quickly changed out of our pajamas and jumped in the car.

First stop was Target so that the little girl could spend the gift card she got for her birthday. With that out of the way, I promised her a surprise destination and made my way over to Old Town Sweet Shop’s grand opening.

We stepped into this candy land and Marissa’s eyes popped open wide. There was bulk candy and jelly bellies and old fashioned packaged candy and fudge and… it was enough to make any six-year-old’s head explode.

We made our way to the back where they were offering ice cream. The friendly lady behind the counter told us they were selling it for the first time and as a kick off were giving out free tastes all day long. Marissa had a scoop of the Cotton Candy flavor and I tasted a scoop of a delicious concoction called Espresso Explosion. The nice lady went on to explain that it was the Cascade brand ice cream made in the Pacific Northwest, and they selected it out of a zillion others because it was so especially good.

We then moved over to the fudge counter where they were also offering free tastes. So, why not? We each tried a bit and yes it was to die for. Then it was time to go to town filling up sacks of bulk candy. We grabbed a couple of extra large lollipops for good measure.

With my diet out the window, it was time to move on. Since we were right next to Granny’s Attic Antique Mall, I thought we’d go into my kind of calorie-free candy land.

I love this place. You never know what you’ll find and though I had absolutely no intention of buying anything, I saw the perfect jewelry armoire. I’ve wanted one since forever and the price was right. Marissa was a good sport during my sojourn here but after a while her patience wore thin. I could have easily browsed another hour but it would have been too much for any kid to take. I juggled the little armoire and held the little girl’s hand as we darted across Front Street to our car.

(Question to The City of Temecula: Would it be so hard to have a few more pedestrian cross walks in Old Town? Hmmm?)

After a stop at Michaels we headed over to Painted Earth. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been there. It was heaven for my arty child who’ll happily spend hours drawing and painting.

After her masterpiece was done, it was time for dinner. It had started raining again, so we dashed to the car and my mind started spinning. Where to go? Where to go? Then I remembered that my brother-in-law Leo had recommended El Taco Nazo. Leo knows his Mexican food and I figured he wouldn’t steer me wrong. He told me it was in the K-Mart shopping center but I didn’t know where exactly. We drove around in circles until I found it next to Bella Cappelli hair salon.

Now here are some things about El Taco Nazo:

1. Its name has been changed to Senor Baja but the sign outside still says El Taco Nazo. Curious.

2. It’s a no-frills place when it comes to interior decorating. We got our food to go.

3. The fish tacos are absolutely fantastic and very affordable (and on certain days they’re only 99 cents!)

4. Last but not least: marinated onions at the salsa bar. Need I say more?

We wrapped up our excursion with a stop at Hollywood Video to pick up Ella Enchanted. Back home again, we settled in to inhale our tacos and watch the beautiful Ann Hathaway struggle with fairy spells and true love. My heart was full when Marissa agreed; it was one of the best, girliest mommy and me days ever.

Seen/Scene

2009-11-14T08:47:00.001-08:00

SEEN/SCENE

Do you know someone who is looking for affordable preschool here in the Temecula Valley? I tell everyone I know about the FANTASTIC and very affordable Temecula Parks & Rec class Little Learners (held at Harveston), but they book up fast (even with a waiting list.) Now there is something new: a preschool class at Fitwize called Terrific Tots. It's for 3-5 year olds and is two days a week (9:30-12:30) for $150/month. Contact Fitwize at 676-KIDS for more info.

Giving Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes a run for the money...Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is once again having a Holiday Open House TODAY, Thursday, November 12, from 4-8 p.m. Come try FREE 12 oz. drinks. Choices include peppermint latte, pumpkin latte, or Winter Dream Tea latte, all available hot or ice blended. The Temecula Coffee Bean is located on Temecula Parkway at Margarita (in the Home Depot shopping center.)

Shop 'til you drop...Also TODAY, Thursday, November 12, local fitness guru Michelle Rotell is hosting a holiday boutique at a private home featuring the fitness wear and other clothes and accessories that she sells at trunk shows around town. The boutique will feature many other vendors as well. Contact her at mrotell@roadrunner.com for more info.

Spreading the joy of reading...the Business Women's Network (BWN) is running a book drive now through December 31. Drop your good-condition books, DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes to one of the collection locations: Tesoro Winery in Old Town or Artist's Gourmet Cafe, 41790 Winchester Road.

Friday the 13th plus snow?...They say we are due for real snow again this winter (or so the 5th graders in my neighborhood tell me.) I don't know the odds on that, but a sure thing is The Promenade Mall's holiday kickoff celebration featuring Santa and snow. Check out all the details at www.promenadeintemecula.com.

And while you're at the mall...check out the grand opening on Friday, November 13, of paint-your-own-pottery store Paint a Dream, located next to Pottery Barn.

Olives, olives, olives...Temecula Valley Slow Food, Temecula Olive Oil Company, and Olive View Vineyard are having a November olive harvest event on November 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Generous portions of food and wine tastings will be offered for $20 on the grounds of the Temecula Olive Oil Company's Olive View Ranch, located at 46780 Hwy 371 in Aguanga. Reserve tickets here today!.

Are you experiencing a little holiday denial?...Old Town's own Tesoro Winery tasting room (28475 Old Town Front Street, at 6th, 308-0000, or www.tesorowinery.com) is having a Girls' Night Out party with bunco. It's the "Holiday Denial Party"! What a great idea. Check out GNOHolidayDenial.eventbrite.com to reserve your spot.

Also at Tesoro this winter...The So Cal Artist Series is launching on December 12 and will continue every 2nd Thursday of the month. Contact Tesoro for full details.

Late fall wining & dining...It's the winemaker's dinner at Ponte featuring a six course meal with wine pairings created by Executive Chef Steve Stawinski. To spend an evening in the Italian countryside, contact Ponte.

Skate 4 a great cause...Rady Children's Hospital is once again hosting an ice rink at Horton Plaza in San Diego. Opening night is Thursday, November 19, and Wednesday, December 2, at 7:30 will be the Horton Plaza tree lighting (plus skating, of course!) Proceeds from the skating rink go right back to the kids at Rady Children's. For information about the Temecula Unit of the Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary, contact me today!

Shop 'n' build for a great cause...Habitat for Humanity has opened a second ReStore location. What a great idea this is! Unused building materials are donated to be sold at up to 70% discount with proceeds benefitting Habitat. Temecula already has a location and now the region's second location is open in Lake Elsinore at 570-I Central Ave. Call 471-1188 for more info and store hours.

Holiday art...There is so much art happening in Fallbrook! On November 22 from 10-5 there will be a Fallbrook Holiday Art Faire on the grounds of Pala Mesa. See www.findfallbrook.com for more information.

Looking for an older edition of Seen/Scene?

Seen/Scene June 12, 2009

Seen/Scene June 15, 2009

Seen/Scene June 19, 2009

Seen/Scene for Father's Day weekend, 2009

Seen/Scene June 26, 2009

Seen/Scene for Sunday, June 28, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 4th Weekend, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 11, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 22, 2009

Seen/Scene for September 14, 2009

Seen/Scene for September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

Morning Memo

2009-11-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Saturday, November 14, 2009

A brisk fall good morning to you!

It is a perfect morning for heading out the Temecula Farmer's Market in Old Town to re-stock with fresh produce. This is the time of year when I like to make a lot of soups, including my favorite Tuscan white bean soup with rainbow greens or local kale. I am also going to stop in at local favorite Jack's Nuts to stock up on some small, special hostess gifts for winter events. (The Spice Merchants is another great spot for picking up unique little gifts with a beautiful presentation, plus she always has a pot of delicious and fragrant tea to sample.)

It is a little chilly (at least by my California-native standards), but there's not a cloud in the sky. It's a perfect day to head over to Harveston for the 14th annual Police K-9 competiton and public safety fair. Check out the city's site for full info.) It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is a great event for the entire family.

Also happening today: my friend and local Realtor Rachel Lopez of Lighthouse Realty is presenting a Distressed Homeowner Workshop at 10 a.m. at the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce. Even if it's too late to attend when you read this, if you need help, call (951)526-7858 to speak to Rachel. She is very knowledgeable about foreclosure-avoidance and will honestly and empathetically discuss all of your options with you. Rachel has begun speaking more and training other professionals, but her first love is her clients, whom she treats with the utmost respect and regard.

The calendar really books up around this time of year. Make sure to write in (in ink! This is a do-not-miss) local jewelry artisan Tina Steinberg's "Sweet Scentful Succulent Stylish Sunday Sale" on Sunday, December 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Contact her at info@tinasteinberg.com to RSVP or for questions. There will be Tina's jewelry (at great holiday sale prices), Sprinkles cupcakes, Vera Alexander's Scentsy candles (mmmm....Scentsy! Follow her on twitter as @LoveScentsy), and even chair massage. This will be a do-not-miss event!

Also, if you missed the snow last night at the Promenade Mall, make sure to mark your calendar to attend Bel Villaggio's Snow Day on Saturday, December 12.

Starting on November 27 ("Black Friday"), register with any Bel Villaggio merchant to win a $500 or $100 shopping spree. I already have plans to shop with my holiday postcard coupon at Tangerine Boutique and make a custom "grandchildren" locket charm at Tina Steinberg's studio located inside Anela Apothecary, so that is where I will enter.

You can also enter to win $100 in "Bel Villaggio Bucks" by texting BVSHOPS to 25827.

On December 12, Bel Villaggio will have its Snow Day, with over ten tons of snow, live KFROG radio remote with Santa Frog, jolly jump and face painting for the kids, gift wrap table, and more. Bel Villaggio has free wi-fi throughout so I might even be doing a little real-time blogging.

What more could a girl want?

Festively yours,

Juliet

PS - Feeling oinky? Track H1N1 "swine flu" locally at the County public health department's site.

THE READING LIST
Who is talking about Temecula today?

Special thanks to Tipster Scott for sending me the link to this really interesting blog about IE real estate.

* My Mompreneur

* Press-Enterprise

* Californian

* Valley News

* Under the Sun

* Neighbors Newspaper

* Full Value Review

* Temecula Insider

* Temecula Eats

* Taste of Temecula

* Temecula-Murrieta Kids Guide

* Thanksgiving Feast: Temecula Blog-a-rama

* Q 103.3 Radio

* KMYT Smooth Jazz

* Only 2 Degrees

* Jeff Pack's blog the.jeffpack.prjkt

* Paul Gallaher's My Frame of Mind blog

* Stacy Nelson's Real Women Drink blog

Does your newspaper, magazine, radio station, or blog cover Temecula? Email editor@dailytemecula to be listed on The Reading List.

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word! While you're at it, sign up to follow Daily Temecula on Twitter: @dailytemecula.

Juliet

Read older Morning Memos from Juliet

June 12, 2009

June 11, 2009

June 15, 2009

June 19, 2009

Father's Day Weekend, 2009

June 26, 2009

June 28, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July 4th Weekend, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

July 13, 2009

July 22, 2009

August 27, 2009

September 14, 2009

September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

November 13, 2009

Morning Memo

2009-11-14T08:27:00.001-08:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Friday the 13th, 2009

Good morning!

This is cool! I attended the first SITSCation conference for female bloggers at the beautiful Venetian in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. (If you don't know what SITS is yet, check it out, and refer a blogger over there today. It is truly life-changing!)

It was funny that I traveled all the way to Las Vegas to meet a dynamic, intelligent, creative woman who lives in my own backyard: Holly Suso, creator of My Mompreneur.

(The local connection to SITS, Tiffany, tweets as @SITSGirls, and Holly of My Mompreneur tweets as @hsuso; add them to your Follow list today.)

Do you know someone with mortgage woes? Expert local realtor Rachel Lopez of Lighthouse Realty is presenting a Distressed Homeowner Workshop this Saturday, November14, at 10 a.m. at the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce. Call (951)526-7858 to RSVP to attend or for more info.

I have been raving to everyone I know about the hottest new thing in "candle technology," Scentsy.

Have you seen this? It's a warmer that safely and gently melts wax with a lightbulb. No flame, no wick, no dangerously hot burner. And their scents are fabulous.

My friend Jen Matis, who styles hair at Colours Salon on Jefferson, introduced me to Vera Alexander, who sells Scentsy locally. You can find Vera on Facebook or tweeting as @LoveScentsy.

This is such a busy time of year so mark your calendar early to attend local jewelry artisan Tina Steinberg's "Sweet Scentful Succulent Stylish Sunday Sale" on Sunday, December 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Contact her at info@tinasteinberg.com to RSVP or for questions. There will be Tina's jewelry (at great holiday sale prices), Sprinkles cupcakes, Vera's Scentsy candles (mmmm....Scentsy!), and even chair massage. This will be a do-not-miss event!

Fragrantly yours,

Juliet

PS - Feeling oinky? Track H1N1 "swine flu" locally at the County public health department's site.

THE READING LIST
Who is talking about Temecula today?

Special thanks to Tipster Scott for sending me the link to this really interesting blog about IE real estate.

* My Mompreneur

* Press-Enterprise

* Californian

* Valley News

* Under the Sun

* Neighbors Newspaper

* Full Value Review

* Temecula Insider

* Temecula Eats

* Taste of Temecula

* Temecula-Murrieta Kids Guide

* Thanksgiving Feast: Temecula Blog-a-rama

* Q 103.3 Radio

* KMYT Smooth Jazz

* Only 2 Degrees

* Jeff Pack's blog the.jeffpack.prjkt

* Paul Gallaher's My Frame of Mind blog

* Stacy Nelson's Real Women Drink blog

Does your newspaper, magazine, radio station, or blog cover Temecula? Email editor@dailytemecula to be listed on The Reading List.

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word! While you're at it, sign up to follow Daily Temecula on Twitter: @dailytemecula.

Juliet

Read older Morning Memos from Juliet

June 12, 2009

June 11, 2009

June 15, 2009

June 19, 2009

Father's Day Weekend, 2009

June 26, 2009

June 28, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July 4th Weekend, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

July 13, 2009

July 22, 2009

August 27, 2009

September 14, 2009

September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

Seen/Scene

2009-11-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

The Calendar...brought to you by: SEEN/SCENE

Go behind the scenes...The Temecula Chamber's Valley Young Professionals group is presenting a "back of the house" tour of city hall TODAY, Tuesday, November 10 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. City Hall is located at 43200 Business Park Drive. This is a great opportunity to meet the movers and shakers and learn how the city runs.

Wednesday, November 11 (Veteran's Day)...Kids' fitness center Fitwize 4 Kids (proudly locally-owned and operated by my friends Bobbi & Brian Klein) is offering FREE classes today at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. Contact them at 676-KIDS for more info.

Also at Fitwize...Do you know someone who is looking for affordable preschool here in the Temecula Valley? I tell everyone I know about the FANTASTIC and very affordable Temecula Parks & Rec class Little Learners (held at Harveston), but they book up fast (even with a waiting list.) Now there is something new: a preschool class at Fitwize called Terrific Tots. It's for 3-5 year olds and is two days a week (9:30-12:30) for $150/month. Contact Fitwize for more info.

Giving Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes a run for the money...Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is once again having a Holiday Open House on Thursday, November 12 from 4-8 p.m. Come try FREE 12 oz. drinks. Choices include peppermint latte, pumpkin latte, or Winter Dream Tea latte, all available hot or ice blended. The Temecula Coffee Bean is located on Temecula Parkway at Margarita (in the Home Depot shopping center.)

Shop 'til you drop...Local fitness guru Michelle Rotell is hosting a holiday boutique at a private home featuring the fitness wear and other clothes and accessories that she sells at trunk shows around town. The boutique will feature many other vendors as well. Contact her at mrotell@roadrunner.com for more info.

Spreading the joy of reading...the Business Women's Network (BWN) is running a book drive now through December 31. Drop your good-condition books, DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes to one of the collection locations: Tesoro Winery in Old Town or Artist's Gourmet Cafe, 41790 Winchester Road.

Friday the 13th plus snow?...They say we are due for real snow again this winter (or so the 5th graders in my neighborhood tell me.) I don't know the odds on that, but a sure thing is The Promenade Mall's holiday kickoff celebration featuring Santa and snow. Check out all the details at www.promenadeintemecula.com.

And while you're at the mall...check out the grand opening on Friday, November 13, of paint-your-own-pottery store Paint a Dream, located next to Pottery Barn.

Are you experiencing a little holiday denial?...Old Town's own Tesoro Winery tasting room (28475 Old Town Front Street, at 6th, 308-0000, or www.tesorowinery.com) is having a Girls' Night Out party with bunco. It's the "Holiday Denial Party"! What a great idea. Check out GNOHolidayDenial.eventbrite.com to reserve your spot.

Also at Tesoro this winter...The So Cal Artist Series is launching on December 12 and will continue every 2nd Thursday of the month. Contact Tesoro for full details.

Late fall wining & dining...It's the winemaker's dinner at Ponte featuring a six course meal with wine pairings created by Executive Chef Steve Stawinski. To spend an evening in the Italian countryside, contact Ponte.

Skate 4 a great cause...Rady Children's Hospital is once again hosting an ice rink at Horton Plaza in San Diego. Opening night is Thursday, November 19, and Wednesday, December 2, at 7:30 will be the Horton Plaza tree lighting (plus skating, of course!) Proceeds from the skating rink go right back to the kids at Rady Children's. For information about the Temecula Unit of the Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary, contact me today!

Shop 'n' build for a great cause...Habitat for Humanity has opened a second ReStore location. What a great idea this is! Unused building materials are donated to be sold at up to 70% discount with proceeds benefitting Habitat. Temecula already has a location and now the region's second location is open in Lake Elsinore at 570-I Central Ave. Call 471-1188 for more info and store hours.

Holiday art...There is so much art happening in Fallbrook! On November 22 from 10-5 there will be a Fallbrook Holiday Art Faire on the grounds of Pala Mesa. See www.findfallbrook.com for more information.

Olives, olives, olives...Temecula Valley Slow Food, Temecula Olive Oil Company, and Olive View Vineyard are having a November olive harvest event on November 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Generous portions of food and wine tastings will be offered for $20 on the grounds of the Temecula Olive Oil Company's Olive View Ranch, located at 46780 Hwy 371 in Aguanga. Reserve tickets here today!.

Looking for an older edition of Seen/Scene?

Seen/Scene June 12, 2009

Seen/Scene June 15, 2009

Seen/Scene June 19, 2009

Seen/Scene for Father's Day weekend, 2009

Seen/Scene June 26, 2009

Seen/Scene for Sunday, June 28, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 4th Weekend, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 11, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 22, 2009

Seen/Scene for September 14, 2009

Seen/Scene for September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

Morning Memo

2009-11-12T08:45:00.001-08:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Tuesday, November 10, 2009

UPCOMING: Distressed Homeowner Workshop featuring Realtor Rachel Lopez of Lighthouse Realty! This free workshop will be at 10 a.m. on November 14 at the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce. Know someone who needs advice? Forward this info to them today.

Good morning! If school or work feels a little empty, it's because flu (H1N1 "swine" variety and plain old seasonal) are here. Track H1N1 locally at the County public health department's site.

Our younger child was diagnosed with asthma and every winter she gets a mild cough that turns into months of late night and early morning hacking, so the day the first 1,600 H1N1 shots (not the mist, which people with asthma cannot have) arrived in Riverside County, I hustled her down to the nearest available location, the walk-in clinic in Perris.

It was pretty much exactly like you'd expect a county public health clinic to be, and in Perris, too. The guy in line in front of us was there to be seen for a possible tattoo infection.

We waited and waited and waited and finally had to leave because our older daughter was arriving home from school soon. We left without getting the shot and need to head back to brave the lines again, if there are still shots remaining in that batch of 1,600.

Thimerosol-free H1N1 shots for pregnant women are available starting today in EXTREMELY limited quantities. The nearest location for Temecula Valley residents is...the county health clinic in Perris. So go join hundreds of coughing, sniffling, and tattoo-itching Parisians (Perrisites?) if you dare.

Fever-free-ly (so far!) yours,

Juliet

THE READING LIST
Who is talking about Temecula today?

Special thanks to Tipster Scott for sending me the link to this really interesting blog about IE real estate.

* Press-Enterprise

* Californian

* Valley News

* Under the Sun

* Neighbors Newspaper

* Full Value Review

* Temecula Insider

* Temecula Eats

* Taste of Temecula

* Temecula-Murrieta Kids Guide

* Thanksgiving Feast: Temecula Blog-a-rama

* Q 103.3 Radio

* KMYT Smooth Jazz

* Only 2 Degrees

* Jeff Pack's blog the.jeffpack.prjkt

* Paul Gallaher's My Frame of Mind blog

* Stacy Nelson's Real Women Drink blog

Does your newspaper, magazine, radio station, or blog cover Temecula? Email editor@dailytemecula to be listed on The Reading List.

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word! While you're at it, sign up to follow Daily Temecula on Twitter: @dailytemecula.

Juliet

Read older Morning Memos from Juliet

June 12, 2009

June 11, 2009

June 15, 2009

June 19, 2009

Father's Day Weekend, 2009

June 26, 2009

June 28, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July 4th Weekend, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

July 13, 2009

July 22, 2009

August 27, 2009

September 14, 2009

September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

Lighthouse Realty Distressed Homeowner Workshop

2009-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

UPCOMING: Distressed Homeowner Workshop! This free workshop, featuring Realtor Rachel Lopez of Lighthouse Realty, will be at 10 a.m. on November 14, at the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce.

Seen/Scene

2009-11-10T08:01:00.001-08:00

The Calendar...brought to you by: SEEN/SCENE

Go behind the scenes...The Temecula Chamber's Valley Young Professionals group is presenting a "back of the house" tour of city hall on Tuesday, November 10 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. City Hall is located at 43200 Business Park Drive. This is a great opportunity to meet the movers and shakers and learn how the city runs.

Wednesday, November 11 (Veteran's Day)...Kids' fitness center Fitwize 4 Kids (proudly locally-owned and operated by my friends Bobbi & Brian Klein) is offering FREE classes today at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. Contact them at 676-KIDS for more info.

Also at Fitwize...Do you know someone who is looking for affordable preschool here in the Temecula Valley? I tell everyone I know about the FANTASTIC and very affordable Temecula Parks & Rec class Little Learners (held at Harveston), but they book up fast (even with a waiting list.) Now there is something new: a preschool class at Fitwize called Terrific Tots. It's for 3-5 year olds and is two days a week (9:30-12:30) for $150/month. Contact Fitwize for more info.

Giving Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes a run for the money...Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is once again having a Holiday Open House on Thursday, November 12 from 4-8 p.m. Come try FREE 12 oz. drinks. Choices include peppermint latte, pumpkin latte, or Winter Dream Tea latte, all available hot or ice blended. The Temecula Coffee Bean is located on Temecula Parkway at Margarita (in the Home Depot shopping center.)

Shop 'til you drop...Local fitness guru Michelle Rotell is hosting a holiday boutique at a private home featuring the fitness wear and other clothes and accessories that she sells at trunk shows around town. The boutique will feature many other vendors as well. Contact her at mrotell@roadrunner.com for more info.

Spreading the joy of reading...the Business Women's Network (BWN) is running a book drive now through December 31. Drop your good-condition books, DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes to one of the collection locations: Tesoro Winery in Old Town or Artist's Gourmet Cafe, 41790 Winchester Road.

Friday the 13th plus snow?...They say we are due for real snow again this winter (or so the 5th graders in my neighborhood tell me.) I don't know the odds on that, but a sure thing is The Promenade Mall's holiday kickoff celebration featuring Santa and snow. Check out all the details at www.promenadeintemecula.com.

And while you're at the mall...check out the grand opening on Friday, November 13, of paint-your-own-pottery store Paint a Dream, located next to Pottery Barn.

Are you experiencing a little holiday denial?...Old Town's own Tesoro Winery tasting room (28475 Old Town Front Street, at 6th, 308-0000, or www.tesorowinery.com) is having a Girls' Night Out party with bunco. It's the "Holiday Denial Party"! What a great idea. Check out GNOHolidayDenial.eventbrite.com to reserve your spot.

Also at Tesoro this winter...The So Cal Artist Series is launching on December 12 and will continue every 2nd Thursday of the month. Contact Tesoro for full details.

Late fall wining & dining...It's the winemaker's dinner at Ponte featuring a six course meal with wine pairings created by Executive Chef Steve Stawinski. To spend an evening in the Italian countryside, contact Ponte.

Skate 4 a great cause...Rady Children's Hospital is once again hosting an ice rink at Horton Plaza in San Diego. Opening night is Thursday, November 19, and Wednesday, December 2, at 7:30 will be the Horton Plaza tree lighting (plus skating, of course!) Proceeds from the skating rink go right back to the kids at Rady Children's. For information about the Temecula Unit of the Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary, contact me today!

Shop 'n' build for a great cause...Habitat for Humanity has opened a second ReStore location. What a great idea this is! Unused building materials are donated to be sold at up to 70% discount with proceeds benefitting Habitat. Temecula already has a location and now the region's second location is open in Lake Elsinore at 570-I Central Ave. Call 471-1188 for more info and store hours.

Holiday art...There is so much art happening in Fallbrook! On November 22 from 10-5 there will be a Fallbrook Holiday Art Faire on the grounds of Pala Mesa. See www.findfallbrook.com for more information.

Olives, olives, olives...Temecula Valley Slow Food, Temecula Olive Oil Company, and Olive View Vineyard are having a November olive harvest event on November 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Generous portions of food and wine tastings will be offered for $20 on the grounds of the Temecula Olive Oil Company's Olive View Ranch, located at 46780 Hwy 371 in Aguanga. Reserve tickets here today!.

Looking for an older edition of Seen/Scene?

Seen/Scene June 12, 2009

Seen/Scene June 15, 2009

Seen/Scene June 19, 2009

Seen/Scene for Father's Day weekend, 2009

Seen/Scene June 26, 2009

Seen/Scene for Sunday, June 28, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 4th Weekend, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 11, 2009

Seen/Scene for July 22, 2009

Seen/Scene for September 14, 2009

Seen/Scene for September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

Morning Memo

2009-11-10T08:00:00.001-08:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Good morning! If school or work feels a little empty, it's because flu (H1N1 "swine" variety and plain old seasonal) are here. Track H1N1 locally at the County public health department's site.

Our younger child was diagnosed with asthma and every winter she gets a mild cough that turns into months of late night and early morning hacking, so the day the first 1,600 H1N1 shots (not the mist, which people with asthma cannot have) arrived in Riverside County, I hustled her down to the nearest available location, the walk-in clinic in Perris.

It was pretty much exactly like you'd expect a county public health clinic to be, and in Perris, too. The guy in line in front of us was there to be seen for a possible tattoo infection.

We waited and waited and waited and finally had to leave because our older daughter was arriving home from school soon. We left without getting the shot and need to head back to brave the lines again, if there are still shots remaining in that batch of 1,600.

Thimerosol-free H1N1 shots for pregnant women are available starting today in EXTREMELY limited quantities. The nearest location for Temecula Valley residents is...the county health clinic in Perris. So go join hundreds of coughing, sniffling, and tattoo-itching Parisians (Perrisites?) if you dare.

Fever-free-ly (so far!) yours,

Juliet

THE READING LIST
Who is talking about Temecula today?

Special thanks to Tipster Scott for sending me the link to this really interesting blog about IE real estate.

* Press-Enterprise

* Californian

* Valley News

* Under the Sun

* Neighbors Newspaper

* Full Value Review

* Temecula Insider

* Temecula Eats

* Taste of Temecula

* Temecula-Murrieta Kids Guide

* Thanksgiving Feast: Temecula Blog-a-rama

* Q 103.3 Radio

* KMYT Smooth Jazz

* Only 2 Degrees

* Jeff Pack's blog the.jeffpack.prjkt

* Paul Gallaher's My Frame of Mind blog

* Stacy Nelson's Real Women Drink blog

Does your newspaper, magazine, radio station, or blog cover Temecula? Email editor@dailytemecula to be listed on The Reading List.

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word! While you're at it, sign up to follow Daily Temecula on Twitter: @dailytemecula.

Juliet

Read older Morning Memos from Juliet

June 12, 2009

June 11, 2009

June 15, 2009

June 19, 2009

Father's Day Weekend, 2009

June 26, 2009

June 28, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July 4th Weekend, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

July 13, 2009

July 22, 2009

August 27, 2009

September 14, 2009

September 27, 2009

October 12, 2009

Seen/Scene

2009-11-09T09:47:00.001-08:00

SEEN/SCENE

IT'S FUNNY 'CAUSE IT'S TRUE...Thanks to East Coast Tipster Cate for sending me this blog post (check out the last line for where the guy is moving to next.)

TRY THE CHERRY LIMEADE...Midwestern cult fave Sonic has a third Riv Co location. Yup, the Murrieta Hot Springs Road (just west of Margarita) location is NOW OPEN. (Other county locations are in Hemet and out in the desert in Cathedral City.) My mom and dad ate at a 50s vintage Sonic on an architectural driving tour that included Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Mom got a small sundae and Dad got a Diet Coke. I say they missed the boat! Everyone says the thing to get is the cherry limeade.)Eclectic Books owner Tess, whose shop shares a parking lot with Sonic, was spotted trying the tots.

STORMY WEATHER...A winter storm is blowing into town today with rain predicted for Monday (10/12) night. They say a year with many Daddy Longlegs (aka "Harvestman") spiders means a rainy fall and winter. Have YOU seen more spiders than usual? I know we have. Do black widows count?

DID WE JUST GET DISSED?...Check out a blogger's take on attending the Temecula Valley International Film Festival on the Focus On....page. Hey, at least they know where Temecula is, right? (Thank you, Sir, may I have another?)

VEGAS-STYLE GLAM...long-awaited Old Town hot spot The Edge is finally open. Fun, fun, fun. Temecula really doesn't have another restaurant quite like this. It would be a perfect spot for a date, girls' night out, or even an over-the-top proposal. Check it out!

COUNTRY WINE WEDDINGS....The Knot honoree Ponte is offering a 33% discount on winter weddings for up to 100 guests. Think snow-capped mountains and pleasantly cool temps on Ponte's beautiful grounds. Check out this and other deals at Ponte's site.

Morning Memo

2009-11-09T09:32:00.001-08:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Monday, October 12, 2009

Good morning! I love the smell of Purell in the morning.

Autumn is in the air. Kids are packing into school buses to head out to Peltzer Farms, an adorably cute pumpkin patch (plus pony rides, petting zoo, and pig races) in Wine Country. Anyone who has had to stand in a ten-deep line waiting for the porta-potty after the long drive out to Bates Nut Farm will appreciate having a local alternative.

This is THE month for local Disneyland season pass holders to swamp the park. Friday was a "pupil-free day" at TVUSD elementary schools and it seemed like everyone in my Facebook feed was "in line for Space Mountain" or "stuck on the 91." Tipster Carolyn reports via her sister Loretta that Disneyland reached capacity for season pass holders on Friday afternoon. Today is Columbus Day and perfect Disneyland weather -- cool but dry -- so it should be another big day at the Mouse.

Everyone seems to be sniffling and sneezing, whether with coughs, colds, allergies, H1N1 "swine" flu, or regular good ol' seasonal flu. Our oldest daughter was sick for a week with the standard variety, which included fever, chills, and body aches. The day she was better I hustled both kids off to CVS's Minute Clinic for flu shots. (I figure lightning doesn't often strike twice but who wants to have the flu twice in one year?)

Local friend and Daily Temecula Tipster Reshma recommended Minute Clinic to me last year and I was very impressed. They have a fantastic and quick computerized sign-in procedure and we were seen very quickly. Two registered nurses working together administered the shots (including measuring out a pint-sized dose for our three year old after weighing her, and examining our seven year old including taking her temperature since she had been sick earlier in the week.) They submitted insurance paperwork and our PPO insurance covered both girls' shots ($30 cost) at 100%. Plus I was able to buy all of our Halloween candy at the same time.

H1N1 "swine" flu is definitely here in Riverside County. An October 6, 2009, County Department of Public Health press release says the County is scrambling to get vaccine clinics up and running by early this week. The first doses will be nasal spray, which is not recommended for anyone with a chronic health condition (including asthma), pregnant women, and adults over age 49.

Obsessive much? Track H1N1 locally on this website.

Have a crisp and brisk fall day!

Juliet

Daily Temecula - Off the Beaten Path

2009-10-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

Daily Temecula reader Genelle sent me on over to Allo Spa for an acupressure foot massage. She knows I love pampering, AND I love a bargain. Allo doesn't disappoint on either count.

This place is hard to find. It's tucked into a nondescript office park on Enterprise Circle North (off Winchester) at 41715 Enterprise Circle North, 506-0998.

From the outside, I actually wondered if it was one of those "happy ending, no-tell" type of places, but once I got inside, I was reassured because it was soothing, serene, and immaculately clean.

I ordered my acupressure foot massage from a laminated card at the counter and was led back to an oversized chair so comfortable I almost fell asleep several times.

My masseuse offered me my choice of water or tea then got right to it, soaking my feet in warm water infused with essential oils, then massaging my feet & legs, and ending with a hot towel wrap. It was really blissful and since it's acupressure, I can practically justify it to my pocketbook not as luxury but as a necessary medical treatment.

And that's the best part: a generous half-hour treatment (she went longer than half an hour AND if you've ever had professional massage you know half an hour is a lot if all they're working on is your feet) is only $16.

So dare to venture off the beaten path and give Allo Spa a try.

Seen/Scene

2009-10-12T11:10:00.001-07:00

DID WE JUST GET DISSED?...Check out a blogger's take on attending the Temecula Valley International Film Festival on the Focus On....page. Hey, at least they know where Temecula is, right? (Thank you, Sir, may I have another?)

VEGAS-STYLE GLAM...long-awaited Old Town hot spot The Edge is finally open. Fun, fun, fun. Temecula really doesn't have another restaurant quite like this. It would be a perfect spot for a date, girls' night out, or even an over-the-top proposal. Check it out!

MICRO-WINERIES SHOWCASE NEW TALENT...coming soon (October 2 is the scheduled opening date), The Collective is a specialty tasting room featuring wines from Woodworth, Middle Ridge, Vista las Estrellas, and Fazeli. They are right next door to The Edge and will feature The Edge's small plates as well as a variety of wine tasting options.

COUNTRY WINE WEDDINGS....The Knot honoree Ponte is offering a 33% discount on winter weddings for up to 100 guests. Think snow-capped mountains and pleasantly cool temps on Ponte's beautiful grounds. Check out this and other deals at Ponte's site.

HARVEST BOUNTY...they say 2008 is going to be a good year for the wine grapes here in the Temecula wine country. Help celebrate at the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association's Harvest Celebration barrel tasting in mid-October. Buy your 2-day pass before October 5 and it's only $79.

Morning Memo from Juliet - September 27, 2009

2009-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Sunday, September 27, 2009

Good morning!

I went to high school in the Santa Cruz area, which is a book lover's paradise. I was THRILLED to discover that the Temecula Valley now has a wonderful independent bookstore which reminds me of my hometown: ECLECTIC BOOKS in Murrieta.

What a hidden little gem of a shop! It won't be hidden for long since its shopping center (currently anchored by Fresh & Easy, at Margarita where it dead-ends into Murrieta Hot Springs Road) is the future site of cult favorite Sonic drive-in.

Eclectic Books sells a wide variety of new and used books, plus they have a generous, comfy seating area with tables, chairs, magazines, and even board games.

I was thrilled to discover racks with used sheet music (wow!)

I picked up a 1952 etiquette book (I collect them just for fun) and a couple of paperbacks for my third grader.

Eclectic Books warmly welcomes book clubs, browsers, sit-and-readers, and anyone else who loves the printed word. Tell them Daily Temecula sent you!

Have a relaxing day curled up with a good book.

Juliet

Seen/Scene

2009-09-27T15:41:00.001-07:00

DID WE JUST GET DISSED?...Check out a blogger's take on attending the Temecula Valley International Film Festival on the Focus On....page. Hey, at least they know where Temecula is, right? (Thank you, Sir, may I have another?)

TICKLED ORANGE....Tangerine Boutique (41377 Margarita, in Bel Villagio on the outer ring of the Promenade Mall) won "Best Boutique in Murrieta/Temecula Valley" in a recent My Fox LA viewer poll. Congratulations! (And next time you're at Tangerine, check out Anela Apothecary next door (featuring an in-store studio & shop of local jeweler Tina Steinberg.) Don't drive to LA or Orange County! We have fantastic shopping right here in town.

FARMER'S MARKET PARADISE....We are lucky to have so many to choose from! I recently learned about the Bonsall Certified Farmer's Market on Sundays from 9:30 to 1:30 located at the Bonsall Community Center & Elementary School. Now Fallbrook is getting into the action on Sundays with a half-day market beginning September 6. Fallbrook Town Center Certified Farmer's Market is in the Caffe Primo parking lot on Main Street in downtown Fallbrook. Beginning on September 6 it will be held Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekly, year round.

NESTING...and while you're at the Promenade Mall , see if you can spot the bird's nest in the "R" of the Sears sign (near Sears Auto Center.) This thing is amazing, and very sturdy. We first spotted it about six months ago and it's going strong.

Morning Memo from Juliet

2009-09-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Morning Memo from Juliet for Monday, September 14, 2009

Good morning! So much is going on around town at this time of year. The local 2009 grapes are being harvested right now as I write this. Palomar Winery had a grape stomp this weekend and Ponte's is coming up on September 27 (check out Ponte's site for complete information on this fun event for the entire family.)

Peltzer Farms opens for the fall season on Saturday, September 26. We don't need to drive all the way to Bates Nut Farm for the pumpkin patch experience, and Peltzer does a fantastic job.

As we enjoy the bounty and beauty of summer-into-fall (what a glorious time of year here in town!) now is a good time to think about our quality of life here in the Temecula Valley.

I am often asked my opinion on some important local issues so today I want to share my views on two hot topics: Liberty Quarry and the new hospital on Temecula Parkway.

* I am opposed to Liberty Quarry locating a mining operation at the Santa Rosa Plateau. I join many of my friends and neighbors who are members of Save Our Southwest Hills, as well numerous local business owners, realtors (who know the crippling effect the project would have on our property values), and the scores of doctors (including my kids' pediatrician, who sees enough asthma cases already even without this project) in our wholehearted, earnest opposition to this project. I fully support the Temecula City Council in their opposition and I also support those members of the County Board of Supervisors who oppose the project.

I believe this project would cause grave harm to our local air quality on a persistent, ongoing, long-term (decades!) daily basis. The light and noise pollution would be destructive to sensitive rare wildlife who live in the area. And on a purely pragmatic level, as a homeowner, real estate investor, and small business person living and working in this community, we can't afford the dollars and cents consequences of the loss in value of our investment. The demand for quarried materials waxes and wanes with demand; the quarry itself cannot be undone as trends change. The irreversible damage is done the day the first blasting begins.

* I support the California State Department of Public Health's decision to delay construction of the new hospital on Temecula Parkway (79S) until the company which will run the hospital can PROVE it has its act together and will run it in a safe, effective manner.

I agree with everyone else who has had to be treated at Rancho Springs or Inland Valley (especially the ER.) Readers of my blog know I (un-)affectionately call Rancho Springs "Beirut ER."

Great people work there. Great doctors and great nurses have dedicated their careers to serving the people of our valley. They are given an impossible task by the company that runs the hospital. Huge fines aren't doing the trick to get through to this company that their way of doing business is UNSAFE. It's a tragedy waiting to happen.

So that's what I think. Check out Focus On... to see what some of our neighbors think of the proposed Summerhouse devleopment.

Have a sunny day!

Juliet

THE READING LIST
Who is talking about Temecula today?

Special thanks to Tipster Scott for sending me the link to this really interesting blog about IE real estate.

* Press-Enterprise

* Californian

* Valley News

* Under the Sun

* Neighbors Newspaper

* Full Value Review

* Temecula Insider

* Temecula Eats

* Thanksgiving Feast: Temecula Blog-a-rama

* Q 103.3 Radio

* KMYT Smooth Jazz

* Only 2 Degrees

* Jeff Pack's blog the.jeffpack.prjkt

* Paul Gallaher's My Frame of Mind blog

* Stacy Nelson's Real Women Drink blog

Does your newspaper, magazine, radio station, or blog cover Temecula? Email editor@dailytemecula to be listed on The Reading List.

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word! While you're at it, sign up to follow Daily Temecula on Twitter: @dailytemecula.

Juliet

Morning Memo for August 27, 2009

2009-09-14T13:17:00.001-07:00

Good morning! Happy first day of school to students and teachers in the Temecula Unified School District. I hope your year is fantastic!

Make sure to check out our Charity & Nonprofit page here, where you can read about Gospel Fest 09 to benefit Oak Grove and Wishes for Children's upcoming golf tournament at Pechanga's Journey golf course.

This year I remembered to snap a picture of the kids as they head off to the first day of a new year...new friends, crisp new binders and freshly sharpened pencils, blank notebooks waiting to be filled in, and the promise of fun and friendship all year long.

Whatever YOUR first day of school tradition, I hope you have a little magic in your day today!

Juliet

August 27, 2009

2009-09-14T13:15:00.001-07:00

BREAKING FIRE NEWS@Shortbusdriveby reports via Twitter seeing a fire in Temecula at around 10:45 a.m. This RVCFire report is that a structure is fully engulfed in flames. Stay safe and watch this space for breaking fire news.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m. Thursday, August 27 -- The official Buzzelli/Bailey family site reports that the girls have been found!

UPDATED 9:05 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2009, Temecula, CA: Julianne Buzzelli and Alexis Bailey are STILL MISSING. According to a trusted representative of the families, as of 9:00 a.m. today, Thursday, August 27, the girls have not been found, despite rumors circulating yesterday that they were. The families' representative advises that the most accurate source of information is their website: www.FindBuzzelliBailey.com and that information on Facebook and other outlets might be incorrect.

The families also request that volunteers continue posting flyers (available to download from their site) and that businesses are asked for permission before posting.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009: MISSING! Winchester teens (ages 15 & 16) have been missing for five days. Please view this site to stay informed. There is information that they might have been in the Pechanga Casino area so please keep your eyes and ears open. Friends at Temecula Prep, where the girls are students, say that running away would be extremely uncharacteristic for the girls. DAILY TEMECULA will report information as we get it. Media covering this story:

* Full Value Review
* Californian (North County Times)
* Press-Enterprise
* San Diego Union Tribune

BREAKING NEWS: Buzzelli & Bailey girls FOUND

2009-08-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

The official family website for the missing girls, www.findbuzzellibailey.com, reports that they have been found. There is no additional detail up on that site yet.

There have been many rumors of spottings and even rumors that they were found yesterday, but according to family representatives the most accurate information from this case is on the official site.

I'll post more information here and on Daily Temecula as I get it.

Summerhouse Temecula - Proposed Transitional Housing Project

2009-08-27T10:34:00.001-07:00

Californian article

Are you a local resident or business person with opinions (yea or nay) about this project?

Contact me at editor@dailytemecula.com with your views. Please include your first and last name and city of residence. Also let me know how you would like me to identify you on the Daily Temecula site: first and last name, first name only, "local resident," e.g.

Buzzelli & Bailey Girls STILL MISSING

2009-08-27T10:31:00.001-07:00

I spoke by phone with a family representative this morning and as of 9:00 a.m. today, Thursday, August 27, the girls are STILL MISSING.

There have been many rumors circulating including a widespread rumor yesterday (Wednesday) that the girls were found.

The family representative I spoke with expressed concern that rumors will distract from finding the girls. She emphasized that the best place for accurate information is the website created by the girls' familiies: www.findbuzzellibailey.com.

I will update Daily Temecula's main site whenever there is new information.

Seen/Scene for July 22, 2009

2009-08-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

SEEN/SCENE

IT'S A FREEBIE!!!...Temecula's newest fitness sensation Sweat Cardio & Yoga offers FREE classes for kids ages 6-12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. For the next three Tuesdays (July 14, 21, and 28) Sweat teams up with Premier Martial Arts (formerly Xtreme Fit) to offer a martial arts-based class. Got younger kids? Sweat also offers Mommy & Me for kids ages 18 mos to 3 yrs. Check out their schedule of classes and complete details at their website and while you're browsing, check out the Premier Martial Arts site too. Premier is THE destination for krav maga for all ages in the Temecula Valley. Some of the fittest women I know in Temecula are big fans of "krav."

COOL DOWN, SUDS UP, AND IT'S FOR CHARITY...on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dogtopia (27629 Commerce Center Drive, 506-1200, www.dogdaycare.com/temecula) is having a charity dog wash to benefit the Murrieta Police Dept K9 unit. For $10 you get a "wash, spritz, and bandana." Sounds too cute to shake (or throw & fetch) a stick at.

SIPPING & SAMPLING...PLUS ART & ARTISTS...Fallbrook's Wine & a Bite Art Walk series continues on the evening of July 18 from 5-7 p.m. in Fallbrook's historic downtown. More info is at www.findfallbrook.com. Future 2009 art walks are planned for August 15 and Sept 19.

SIPPING...TEA! (HOT, ICED, SHAKEN...)...Also on Saturday, July 18, California Tea and Coffee Brewery (40315 Winchester, at Margarita in the Longs Drugs center near Anthony's Ristorante) celebrates their one year anniversary. Come in from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and get a coupon for a free tea when you make a drink purchase.

ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO VOTE!...Visitors to Parents Connect can vote once each day until July 15 in the national survey of Best Local Places. Cruise on over to their San Diego category and cast your daily vote for Old Town's own Temecula Children's Museum aka Pennypickles.

Morning Memo for August 1, 2009

2009-08-01T07:36:00.001-07:00

Whew! How did it get to be almost August? For those of us with kids in Temecula Valley Unified School District schools, nine weeks is too short! I grew up in the 70s, back when summer vacation sprawled all the way from early June until after Labor Day. (Ditto for my New York-bred husband, only we didn't have to contend with snow days.)

I am bound & determined to squeeze every last droplet of fun & relaxation out of this summer. Check out my blog, where my kids and I are working on the Summer 101 List. Will we finish before school starts? It might be a photo finish!

What's doing this weekend? Tomorrow, August 1, you can check out the GRAND OPENING of Delaney's in Old Town (and if you missed it, read all about it and see pictures in the Focus On... section of Daily Temecula.)

Also, did you know Pizza Fusion (on Winchester across from the Barnes & Noble side of the Promenade Mall, in the Trader Joe's shopping center) has free pizza Fridays? Follow them on Twitter (@pizzafusion, @PizzaFusion951) for the lowdown.

A friend asked me the other day, "Is there a 'season' or 'better time' to go wine tasting in Temecula?"

I say every day is a great day for wine tasting in Temecula, whether you are at a winery, tasting room, or one of our cool new regional wine bars. But psst!!!!! Go on a weekday.

Have a wonderful day here in town or wherever your travels may take you!

Juliet

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word! While you're at it, sign up to follow Daily Temecula on Twitter: @dailytemecula.

Juliet

Morning Memo for July 22, 2009

2009-07-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

Happy HOT morning! Whew! I hope you are getting through this latest heat wave okay. Here's my favorite easy herbal iced tea recipe, which I've adapted over the years trying to duplicate the fantastic tea served at Native Foods in Palm Desert:

Pour boiling water over 4 Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger and 4 Lemon Zinger tea bags; steep 10 minutes and add 2 c apple juice. Chill & serve over ice garnished with fresh mint.

My neighbor had a scary night with her young son in the emergency room recently after he spent a long afternoon in the sun without drinking enough. He was in a swimming pool but still became dangerously dehydrated and over-exposed to the sun. Remember to keep drinking even if you feel cool and avoid direct sun during the hottest part of the day.

Meet me at a tweet-up and happy hour tomorrow, Thursday, July 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Miramonte Winery (33410 Rancho California Road), hosted by KKsWebs.

Daily Temecula will be at San Diego Comic-Con! I'm sure I'll have some fun pictures to share. Have a fantastic day!

Morning Memo for July 14, 2009

2009-07-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 14, 2009

THE READING LIST
Who is talking about Temecula today?

* Press-Enterprise

* Californian

* Valley News

* Under the Sun

* Neighbors Newspaper

* Full Value Review

* Temecula Insider

* Temecula Eats

* Thanksgiving Feast: Temecula Blog-a-rama

* Q 103.3 Radio

* KMYT Smooth Jazz

* Only 2 Degrees

Does your newspaper, magazine, radio station, or blog cover Temecula? Email editor@dailytemecula to be listed on The Reading List.

MORNING MEMO FROM JULIET for Wednesday, July 14, 2009:

Good morning!

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word!

Our list of Twitter followers continues to grow daily. If you tweet in Temecula I promise I'll read your tweets too. I love keeping up to date on what's going on...especially when I read great tweets like the Twitter buzz yesterday about the shirtless guys (cute guys, I am assured) manning a car wash near Chick-Fil-A. Now that's news!

Not on Twitter yet? It's fun (and a little addictive.) Creating an account is easy and you'll catch on fast. If I can do it, anyone can! Follow me: @dailytemecula.

It's shaping up to be a busy week here in Temecula. Check out where Daily Temecula has been lately (we have pictures!)

Don't miss pictures from Great Harvest Bread Co. on the "Focus On..." page. Great Harvest is a cute little shop and their bread is great. I cannot stop eating their cinnamon raisin bread, which I love to eat toasted with cold unsalted butter or as a sandwich with crunchy peanut butter. Yum!

Are YOU having a busy summer? Send me your pics and I'll put 'em up!

If you're like me, rocketing through your day, don't forget to take a minute to stop and smell the roses.

Juliet

Morning Memo for July 13, 2009

2009-07-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

I was up before the birds this morning brewing a thermos of Paris tea from Old Town Spice Merchants and warming a generous slice of Great Harvest Bread Co's cinnamon raisin toast with butter for my drive to downtown LA to pick up our daughters, who spent a week in Santa Cruz with their grandparents.

They trekked home on Amtrak's Coast Starlight and enjoyed a day in what my LA-bred parents call "the new LA." Pershing Square, the Downtown branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, Disney Concert Hall: everything was beautiful, gleaming, polished, and clean. If you haven't been to downtown LA lately (and I know we Temeculans sometimes don't go there often since it's a big drive especially with traffic), make plans to check it out.

At breakfast at downtown LA's Checkers Hotel I very fortuitously met up with Vaughan Lazar, president and co-founder of Pizza Fusion. He is based in Florida but is in town to check out their Santa Monica outpost. I raved about our Temecula store (even the kids had raves, especially for the wiki stix.) If you haven't been to Pizza Fusion yet, definitely check them out (they are on Winchester across from the Promenade Mall near Trader Joe's.)

Now it's onward and upward to a busy week. Whatever you choose to do, make it fabulous!

Seen/Scene for July 13, 2009

2009-07-14T07:30:00.001-07:00

WHO DID I SEE TODAY?

Watch this space for pictures of the wekend around town, including Fitwize 4 Kids' great Guitar Hero contest and giveaway!

SEEN/SCENE

SHUTTERED...locally-owned businesses Tamarindo and All About Paper closed their doors this month. Sorry to see you go...

UPCOMING...Fallbrook's Wine & a Bite Art Walk series continues on the evening of July 18 from 5-7 p.m. in Fallbrook's historic downtown. More info is at www.findfallbrook.com. Future 2009 art walks are planned for August 15 and Sept 19.

SIPPING & CHATTING....Several groups of ladies of various ages heading into Old Town's Truffles & Lace Tea Parlor. Temecula's newest workout sensation Sweat Cardio & Yoga informs Daily Temecula via Twitter that Truffles & Lace is a lot of fun. Can't wait to check it out!

Here's what their menu looked like a few days ago. There's lots of tea too, of course.

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING...Have you ridden the Temecula Trolley yet?! Free rides started this weekend. The story is that this trolley service, which links up Harveston to the Promenade Mall and Old Town, was part of a deal the Harveston developers made with the city to help alleviate traffic.

The trolley is free at least through the end of this year. It sounds like a lot of fun so check it out! Trolley signs are up on Ynez near the car dealerships. Next time your car is being serviced at DCH or Paradise you can trolley on over to Old Town. Check out the complete schedule and route map here.

SO MANY SPAS, SO LITTLE TIME...Walking through Old Town we were intrigued by the lovely remodeled exterior of the Old Town Temecula Salon & Day Spa (41925 Third Street, in Old Town just east of Front Street.) This is near the new location of Old Town favorite Sweet Lumpy's BBQ (now at 41915 Third Street.)

STOCKING THE SHELVES...Jordan Stone, proprietor of newly opened Delaney's Market, gets a little (lot?!) of help from her daughter, plus a friend who stopped by to check out the market's first few days and say hi:

GET OUT THE VOTE!...Visitors to Parents Connect can vote once each day until July 15 in the national survey of Best Local Places. Cruise on over to their San Diego category and cast your daily vote for Old Town's own Temecula Children's Museum, whose name was offiically changed to Pennypickles. Everyone always calls it that so news of the name change was anti-climactic.

Morning Memo for July 11, 2009

2009-07-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

Seen/Scene from July 4th Weekend, 2009

2009-07-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

CHECK IT OUT!

Daily Temecula pays a visit to California Tea & Coffee Brewery, where we spot regular customer Alisha Roberts cooling down with a custom mint-chocolate creation. Check out "FOCUS ON..." for more pictures!

SEEN/SCENE

SIPPING & CHATTING....Several groups of ladies of various ages heading into Old Town's Truffles & Lace Tea Parlor. Temecula's newest workout sensation Sweat Cardio & Yoga informs Daily Temecula via Twitter that Truffles & Lace is a lot of fun. Can't wait to check it out!

Here's what their menu looked like a few days ago. There's lots of tea too, of course.

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING...Have you ridden the Temecula Trolley yet?! Free rides started this weekend. The story is that this trolley service, which links up Harveston to the Promenade Mall and Old Town, was part of a deal the Harveston developers made with the city to help alleviate traffic.

The trolley is free at least through the end of this year. It sounds like a lot of fun so check it out! Trolley signs are up on Ynez near the car dealerships. Next time your car is being serviced at DCH or Paradise you can trolley on over to Old Town. Check out the complete schedule and route map here.

SO MANY SPAS, SO LITTLE TIME...Walking through Old Town we were intrigued by the lovely remodeled exterior of the Old Town Temecula Salon & Day Spa (41925 Third Street, in Old Town just east of Front Street.) This is near the new location of Old Town favorite Sweet Lumpy's BBQ (now at 41915 Third Street.)

STOCKING THE SHELVES...Jordan Stone, proprietor of newly opened Delaney's Market, gets a little (lot?!) of help from her daughter, plus a friend who stopped by to check out the market's first few days and say hi:

GET OUT THE VOTE!...Visitors to Parents Connect can vote once each day until July 15 in the national survey of Best Local Places. Cruise on over to their San Diego category and cast your daily vote for Old Town's own Temecula Children's Museum, whose name was offiically changed to Pennypickles. Everyone always calls it that so news of the name change was anti-climactic.

Morning Memo for July 4th Weekend, 2009

2009-07-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

Daily Temecula's intrepid crew of scienticians has been hard at work analyzing raw data to bring you....The Yogurt Index, our arguably statistically-relevant measure of a city's quality of life.

Manhattan has a population approaching two million yet their YI pales in comparison to Temecula's. How? Our 100,000(ish) population enjoys 15 (at last count) frozen yogurt shops. Factor in Murrieta's 100,000(ish) population as well and the two-city region is a veritable yogurt powerhouse, weighing in stronger than such traditional yogurt strongholds as Orange County's Irvine (population over 200,000 with a measly nine shops.)

And, we have Pinkberry.

Yup, Pinkberry, which created a sensation by backing up traffic as celebrities double parked to run in for their fix of original tart with fresh fruit topping, has a Temecula outpost on Winchester Avenue near Trader Joe's.

Irvine has a Pinkberry now, too (at the Spectrum.) See? Yogurt everywhere!

We are also the home of local franchise sensation White Lime, whose adorable shops and tasty yogurt are causing a frosty stir.

Yogurt Point. Another Yogurt Point. Mangoz. Wild Mango. Yogurt Island. And the list goes on...

So do you miss ice cream? Or are you happier with self-serve by the ounce with fresh toppings and clean rocks, pebbles, tile, and hip mod furniture?

Send me your yogurt stories. Love it? Hate it? Eat it daily? Eat it for breakfast? Eat it on a date? Did your kids get a White Lime gift certificate as their prize from the summer reading program at the Temecula Library?

FULL YOGURT INDEX REPORT COMING SOON!

Good morning!

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word!

Feeling tipsy? I want your pictures, ideas & info about what's going on in the Temecula Valley. Email me at editor@dailytemecula.com.

Follow Daily Temecula on Twitter (@dailytemecula)

. The Twitter feed on this page is broken. Did I break Twitter, or did Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, the Orange Glo guy, and the people of Iran? There's plenty of blame to go around.

Locals were burning up Twitter with reports of TEMECULA ON FIRE!!! but luckily our amazing, awesome firefighters did a fantastic job and as of now (Friday morning, July 2, 2009) the fire is reported over 75% contained. See "BREAKING NEWS" above for the latest.

We are road-tripping this weekend up to the Santa Cruz area to spend the Fourth of July weekend with friends and family. Please stay safe & especially play safe this weekend (fire danger is clearly HIGH now) and remember to designate a driver if you're somewhere alcohol is being served.

(Cautionary note: Growing Pains' Tracy Gold got her infamous bad-mug-shot DUI after a Labor Day family BBQ. Let her be a warning to us all. No bad mascara-streaked mug shots, please. In all seriousness she flipped her car with young children in it. Please be safe! I don't want to come back to town to read about YOUR DUI.

UPCOMING IN DAILY TEMECULA:

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. I stopped in at Anela Apothecary's brand new, beautiful location near Tangerine Boutique in the Bel Villagio Center on Margarita Avenue on the outer ring of the Promenade Mall. What a makeover they have had! The previous shop was lovely but a little cramped and their new digs are fabulous.

Michael of Anela tells me their grand opening party was a blast, with a packed store full of locals and even some out-of-town fans drinking champagne and enjoying luxe treatment from a celebrity nail expert from NYC!

AND....local favorite jeweler Tina Steinberg, who is spotted EVERYWHERE these days (recently seen at Delaney's in Old Town where her jewelry is proudly sold, plus the Old Town Farmer's Market on Saturdays), has a location inside Anela. I ran in and found a perfect little locket necklace for my mom's birthday and will return for Tina to custom make charms to fit inside. Score!

Morning Memo from Juliet for Wednesday, July 1, 2009

2009-07-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

Morning Memo for Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Daily Temecula's intrepid crew of scienticians has been hard at work analyzing raw data to bring you....The Yogurt Index, our arguably statistically-relevant measure of a city's quality of life.

Manhattan has a population approaching two million yet their YI pales in comparison to Temecula's. How? Our 100,000(ish) population enjoys 15 (at last count) frozen yogurt shops. Factor in Murrieta's 100,000(ish) population as well and the two-city region is a veritable yogurt powerhouse, weighing in stronger than such traditional yogurt strongholds as Orange County's Irvine (population over 200,000 with a measly nine shops.)

And, we have Pinkberry.

Yup, Pinkberry, which created a sensation by backing up traffic as celebrities double parked to run in for their fix of original tart with fresh fruit topping, has a Temecula outpost on Winchester Avenue near Trader Joe's.

Irvine has a Pinkberry now, too (at the Spectrum.) See? Yogurt everywhere!

We are also the home of local franchise sensation White Lime, whose adorable shops and tasty yogurt are causing a frosty stir.

Yogurt Point. Another Yogurt Point. Mangoz. Wild Mango. Yogurt Island. And the list goes on...

So do you miss ice cream? Or are you happier with self-serve by the ounce with fresh toppings and clean rocks, pebbles, tile, and hip mod furniture?

Send me your yogurt stories. Love it? Hate it? Eat it daily? Eat it for breakfast? Eat it on a date? Did your kids get a White Lime gift certificate as their prize from the summer reading program at the Temecula Library?

FULL YOGURT INDEX REPORT COMING SOON!

MORNING MEMO FROM JULIET for FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, 2009:

Feeling tipsy? I want your pictures, ideas & info about what's going on in the Temecula Valley. Email me at editor@dailytemecula.com.

Follow Daily Temecula on Twitter (@dailytemecula)

. The Twitter feed on this page is broken. Did I break Twitter, or did Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, the Orange Glo guy, and the people of Iran? There's plenty of blame to go around.

It was HOT here in Temecula this weekend. My car registered 104 degrees as I cruised into the parking lot of CVS formerly (for about three seconds) Long's Drugs on Temecula Parkway. I was happy to be able to pick up a bottle of local wine (I chose merlot from Van Roekel to bring to an afternoon meeting.) I love how even our chain grocery and drugstores carry wine from our local Temecula wineries. (Stater Bros usually has a very good selection.) Of course local grocery store and small regional chain Baron's The Marketplace has a fantastic selection of beer, wine, and other spirits. (It got its start as a wine shop.)

went all over the place this weekend handing out Daily Temecula postcards. If you see one, check out the back. Some of them have special Sharpie messages from me.

In addition to swimming, hammocking, and generally hanging out trying to beat the heat, I was excited to see the Ralph Love Plein Air Festival in Old Town. Old Town's own Spice Merchants were handing out samples streetside since all the busiest chalk action was right in front of their door.

While I was sweltering my way through Old Town I popped into the beautiful, peaceful Temecula Hills Winery at Villa di Calabro tasting room (on Main Street in the former Ville de Chene tea store.) Friendly proprietors Mike and Mindy Calabro were bustling around serving a full house of tasters, mostly from out of town since it was the weekend. I whipped out my Filofax right then and there and made a date with myself to come back for a tasting and learn more about their winery. (They make olive oil, too! Their bottles have really cute little corks on the front.)

Standing outside in their lovely garden, I thought how perfect a setting this would be for a milestone birthday, anniversary, shower, or girls' day out:

Stay cool out there as you have a wonderful day here in the beautiful Temecula Valley!

Juliet

Morning Memo from Juliet for Sunday, June 28, 2009

2009-06-29T08:59:00.003-07:00

Good morning!

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word!

Feeling tipsy? I want your pictures, ideas & info about what's going on in the Temecula Valley. Email me at editor@dailytemecula.com.

What a busy, fun weekend here in Temecula. The weather has been lovely and so much is going on. The Daily Temecula crew is busy running around town, meeting and greeting, and introducing ourselves to the community.

Delaney's opened in Old Town! Watch for the grand opening coming July 11. Meanwhile, stop in to say hi and tell 'em Daily Temecula sent you.

Part of what makes Delaney's special is the vendors. Owner Jordan Stone plans to frequently have vendors in-store to talk to customers and answer questions about their products.

Keith Thompson and Derek Van Gompel are friends and partners who created a specialty food business. They were at Delaney's on Friday offering samples of their scallion oil and cilantro almond pesto paired with fresh baguette rounds and talking about their company, DK Creations.

Old Town is going through amazing changes. This under-construction building on Front Street at Fifth keeps adding new tenants to its mix:

I've been blanketing the town with Daily Temecula postcards. Spread the word!

Have a wonderful day here in the beautiful Temecula Valley!

Morning Memo from Juliet for Sunday, June 28, 2009

2009-06-29T08:59:00.001-07:00

Seen/Scene for Sunday, June 28, 2009

2009-06-29T08:34:00.001-07:00

SEEN/SCENE

ROLLING INTO TOWN...the Temecula Trolley arrives TODAY! Check out the complete schedule and route map here. It runs seven days a week linking up Harveston, the Promenade Mall, and Old Town.

CHALKING IT UP...Head to Old Town today for the spectacle that is the Ralph Love Plein Air Festival. Entrants create works of art right before spectators' eyes. Bring the kids, then rent Mary Poppins for them.

CONFIRMED SHUTTERED...Yup, definitely. Local mommy favorite (for their kid-confining latching gate, shady area, and chessboard) Starbucks on Margarita Road near Chipotle (on the outer ring of the Promenade Mall) is closed. Where will we buy our Starbucks now? We only have eleventy seven others in town to choose from.

GET OUT THE VOTE!...Visitors to Parents Connect can vote once each day until July 15 in the national survey of Best Local Places. Cruise on over to their San Diego category and cast your daily vote for Old Town's own Temecula Children's Museum, whose name was offiically changed to Pennypickles. Everyone always calls it that so news of the name change was anti-climactic.

Seen/Scene for Friday, June 26, 2009

2009-06-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

ROLLING INTO TOWN...the Temecula Trolley arrives Sunday, June 28! Check out the complete schedule and route map here. It runs seven days a week linking up Harveston, the Promenade Mall, and Old Town.

CHALKING IT UP...Head to Old Town this weekend for the spectacle that is the Ralph Love Plein Air Festival. Entrants create works of art right before spectators' eyes. Bring the kids, then rent Mary Poppins for them.

CONFIRMED SHUTTERED...Yup, definitely. Local mommy favorite (for their kid-confining latching gate, shady area, and chessboard) Starbucks on Margarita Road near Chipotle (on the outer ring of the Promenade Mall) is closed. Where will we buy our Starbucks now? We only have eleventy seven others in town to choose from.

LICENSE PLATES DECIPHERED...Last week I puzzled over MY (HEART) TICS (with license plate frame "Save a Pig; Go Mechanical") and a Tipster came to my rescue with the explanation that this person probably has a mechanical heart valve rather than a more-controversial more-controversial one from pig tissue. Makes sense. Thanks!

GET OUT THE VOTE!...Visitors to Parents Connect can vote once each day until July 15 in the national survey of Best Local Places. Cruise on over to their San Diego category and cast your daily vote for Old Town's own Temecula Children's Museum, whose name was offiically changed to Pennypickles. Everyone always calls it that so news of the name change was anti-climactic.

Morning Memo from Juliet for Friday, June 26, 2009

2009-06-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Help us grow - steal my code: Click here to find code to add to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word!

Feeling tipsy? I want your pictures, ideas & info about what's going on in the Temecula Valley. Email me at editor@dailytemecula.com.

We've been busy. Here are some of the places and people the Daily Temecula team is scouting out for you:

* Bookshops! Sure, the mall has Barnes & Noble and Borders Express, but did you know we also have Paperback Shack (27515 Ynez Road, at Rancho California)? Murrieta's Kalmia Plaza has Murrieta Bookshop (41539 Kalmia) and now the Murrieta shopping center with White Lime and Fresh & Easy has Eclectic Books (39520 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, at Margarita.) Don't forget the Friends bookstores at our local public libraries. The granddaddy is the Friends Bookstore at the Grace Mellman Branch (41000 County Center Drive.)

* Yogurt! Wild Mango. Mangoz. Pinkberry. White Lime. Yogurt Pointe. Yogurt Island. FroGo. We flash back to the 80s with yogurt mania.

* Old Town's new faces! We will bring you some old favorites along with new discoveries. It's all fresh.

Keep reading and spread the word! Be on the lookout around town for the new Daily Temecula postcards. Want some? Email me and they're yours. Have a wonderful day here in the beautiful Temecula Valley!

Juliet

Seen/Scene for Father's Day Weekend 2009

2009-06-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

SHAPING UP...MOMS Club of Temecula-Central's Theresa Crews capturing 2nd place in Healthy Times Newspaper's fitness contest (her prizes include gift certificates to Arthur Murray, a day spa, Pilates studio, stylist Lori Dawn, and a membership at Simply Kneaded)

LICENSE PLATE SPOTTING...NO LITR (with license plate frame "Only Trash Litters") and this cryptic one: MY (HEART) TICS (with license plate frame "Save a Pig; Go Mechanical") - if you can explain this one, please email editor@dailytemecula.com

CONDUCTING...Local Suzuki violin instructor Sandiwa (Sandi) del Rosario leading a rehearsal at the Temecula Public Library. He is THE source for Suzuki locally. (951)694-4375.

POURING...Pechanga's first Microbrew Festival, featuring over 60 varieties, followed by an Elvis impersonator contest. The ads position Pechanga as a closer alternative to Vegas but with events like this we are clearly a destination in our own right.

CONTENDING...for a top spot in Parents Connect's national survey of Best Local Places -- Temecula Children's Museum (Pennypickles/Imagination Workshop.) VOTE! You can vote daily until July 15. (It's in the San Diego category and we're up against some heavy-hitters so go represent for Temecula!)

Morning Memo from Juliet Father's Day Weekend 2009

2009-06-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Steal my code! See the Daily Temecula logo at the bottom of this page? You can add it to your website or blog. Just cut and paste the code in the box to the right of the logo. Spread the word!

Daily Temecula postcards and tee shirts are coming soon. Email editor@dailytemecula.com and we can hook you up.

Even though you can't tell to look out the window, it IS summer, so be sure to check out Daily Temecula contributor Johanna Lack's article on fun (and inexpensive!) local activities to do with kids all summer long.

Here's what the Daily Temecula team is working on now:
* our visit to California Tea & Coffee Brewery
* meeting Charlie Pate of Wishes for Children
* an antioxidant skin scan with the Pharmanex Scanner
* riding the new Temecula trolley
* our newest columnist deciphers and interprets the local real estate market
* plus we visit Fitwize 4 Kids, Wild Mango, Great Harvest Bread Co, and more

Have a wonderful day in the beautiful Temecula Valley!

Juliet

Seen/Scene for Friday, June 19, 2009

2009-06-20T00:00:00.001-07:00

SEEN/SCENE

On the beat in Old Town...Neighbors columnist Bethany Rogers and her friend Jen Matis of Colours Salon sampling some of the tastiest food from local merchants for an upcoming article.

Celebrating a relocation...Beautiful upscale & luxurious Anela Apothecary has moved to 41377 Margarita Road and they are hosting a party on June 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. Local jewelry designer Tina Steinberg will be on hand showcasing her work. Come have a glass of champagne and check out their skincare, makeup, and other goodies.

Spotted...turning into the Promenade Mall - Just Right Horse Dentistry (you know you live in Temecula when...) If you need a horse dentist give him a call at (951)514-9999.

Chatting us up at the fountain outside Starbucks, Wild Mango, and Spuntino's...the well-behaved and gregarious children of the owners of Wendi's Donuts, which gets raves from members of MOMS Club of Temecula-Central.

The fountain is a gathering place for shoppers of all ages. Linda and her mom Barbie were enjoying cookies from Great Harvest Bread Co. and watching the kids play. Everyone was excited that these cookies are an upcoming prize in the Temecula Public Library summer reading program.

Dining vegetarian-style...local realtor Rachel Lopez checked out Taste of India (27715 Jefferson, in the same shopping center with Sizzler, Miss Sue's Dance, Colours Salon, and CC & Co Costumes) and reports back that the meal was delicious. Taste of India has been in Temecula for almost fifteen years and they have a loyal following.

Morning Memo from Juliet for Friday, June 19, 2009

2009-06-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Who am I? Where am I? This blog post on Thanksgiving Feast will help!

June Gloom is finally lifting and summer has arrived here in Temecula. Kids are out riding bikes and scooters. Dogs and their owners are frolicking at the Redhawk Dog Park (check out www.temeculavalleydogparks.com for local dog park info & resources). Skateboarders are making Ollie Impossibles possible at the Temecula Skate Park (and the middle of my street.)

It's also that time of year when parents are wondering how to keep the kids entertained for the next two and a half months. Check out Daily Temecula contributor Johanna Lack's article on fun (and inexpensive!) local activities to do with kids all summer long.

Local photographer Freida Hall of Le Bella Terra Photography headed out to Wilson Creek Winery at daybreak (she pinpointed the exact moment of sunrise: 5:37 a.m.) to capture some shots for her handmade photo greeting cards. Waking before the sun may be an occasional occupational hazard of photography but Freida's not complaining. She loves being out in nature, especially here in Temecula.

I had an opportunity to visit my favorite dentist, Mau Nguyen of Meadows Dental Group, where I got a clean bill of dental health (whew!). The whole crew over there is really terrific plus they don't laugh when I show up with my security blanket.

The whole Daily Temecula team has been all over Temecula this week scouting out all the latest to entertain and inform you. Here are a few places we went this week:

* California Tea & Coffee Brewery
* Fitwize 4 Kids
* Wild Mango
* Temecula Berry Company
* Taste of India
* Wendi's Donuts

Have a wonderful day here in the beautiful Temecula Valley!

Juliet

Seen/Scene for Monday, June 15, 2009

2009-06-19T08:29:00.001-07:00

SCHEDULED for June 20: the perfect pre-Father's Day activity! Dads and kids can attend a workshop together at the Rose Haven Heritage Garden (30592 Jedediah Smith Road, 677-0028 for info.) The workshop is presented by the Temecula Valley Rose Society and it is all about planting pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Fun! If you haven't checked out that garden lately, head on over. It's really lovely.

* ONGOING: Some kids who have trouble picking up reading find their skills improve when they can practice in a relaxing environment. The Paws to Read program is available at the library on Pauba Road on Saturday mornings (call 693-8980 to schedule a time.) Kids make themselves comfortable and enhance their skills by reading to a non-judgmental friend: a licensed therapy dog.

* STEEPING: California Tea & Coffee Brewery (40315 Winchester, near Margarita) brews up to-order high-end gourmet teas and coffees daily. Customers are served by the Waldens, owners and pasionate tea enthusiasts (and frequent Twitter updaters on topics relating to tea, coffee, and Temecula - follow them on Twitter @CA_tea.

* RELOCATING IN OLD TOWN: Local mom-about-town Krista Gillett reports that longtime favorite Sweet Lumpy's BBQ is relocating to another location in Old Town and a Mediterranean restaurant will go into the former location. I saw that Sweet Lumpy's was empty last time I was driving through Old Town and I'm glad it's sticking around. Krista also reports that the new fruit market on Old Town Front Street is open and looks quaint. If anyone has checked it out, report back! Thanks for the tips, Tipster Krista!

* SIT...STAY...GOOD DOG! Local supermom & dog expert Andi Albright presents Good Dog Training Academy. (If Freshmen learn Sit, Stay, and Down, I cannot even imagine what a Nursery School class looks like! Andi is patient.)

* WALKIN' THE DOG: Diane Powers of Diane's Doggies offers dog (and other critters) sitting and walking in Temecula/Murrieta as well as neighboring areas. She comes to her clients' homes plus she offers boarding at her own acreage. Check out the pictures of her satisfied doggie friends on her site.

Morning Memo from Juliet for Monday, June 15, 2009

2009-06-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

My school age daughter's summer vacation started Friday! We have lots & lots of fun activities planned for the next nine weeks, most of which will take place right here in our own backyard.

And why not? We are blessed with beautiful weather plus lots of fun things to do. Every time I walk through the entryway of the Wild Animal Park in Escondido (where we are members; we go to the Animal Park much more often than the Zoo simply because it's closer), I think, "People travel thousands of miles to vacation here!"

People come from Europe and Asia and all over North America to enjoy this fabulous playground we are lucky enough to call home.

Last summer our vacation flight home from Vancouver to San Diego was mostly filled with Canadian families with young kids heading south. Their excitement was palpable. The beach! The mountains! Our perfect weather! The Zoo! Wineries! (Yes, they know about our wineries, even if they say Teme-CU-la instead of Te-MEC-ula.)

Many of my friends are doing staycations this summer. I say: yippee! Hooray for the staycation! Revel in it. We have so much to do, see, and explore around here.

Have a wonderful day here in the beautiful Temecula Valley!

Juliet

Seen/Scene June 12, 2009

2009-06-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

* SPOTTED popping into Kids Care Club - Betty, owner of CC & Company Costume Shop (I still like to call them C & C Costume Factory so I can sing "Sweat!" by C & C Music Factory while I shop) to promote their Saturday, June 20 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) charity event. Donate your clean used kids' costumes to Discovery Arts, a nonprofit which uses the costumes to help kids in the hospital. Bring in a costume & get a goodie bag featuring items from Chick-fil-A, Mulligan, and more (plus face painting, balloons, and more.

Vanity plates SPOTTED!
* outside perpetually-packed Yogurt Island on Temecula Parkway (79 South): QLTKRZY (could this be the owner of Temecula Quilt Co.?)
* cruising along Ynez in a gorgeous Jaguar - A(HEART)ESOME (she did look pretty darned awesome)
* speeding past March Air Reserve Base - this guy probably doesn't even live in Temecula, but I love his plate so much I had to relate it here - 2B23AGN

Morning Memo from Juliet Friday, June 12, 2009

2009-06-15T14:06:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

Who am I? Where am I? This blog post on Thanksgiving Feast will help!

"So how does this Daily Temecula thing work, anyway?"

That's the question I keep hearing from people, especially small businesses in town who are surprised that I want to feature them here on Daily Temecula for free.

The businesses, nonprofits, and people you read about here on this website have not paid anything to appear.

All I ask in return is that they spread the word and let everyone in town know about Daily Temecula. Make us the little internet start-up that could.

Tell a friend. Follow Daily Temecula on Twitter and tell all your friends to do the same. Put a link to us up on your website, blog, Facebook or My Space page. Pass out our postcard-size business cards and wear our tee-shirts (coming soon!) Email us with your tips about goings-on around town.

(Someone tentatively told me yesterday: "There's a dead cat on Margarita near Avenida Barca. I didn't know if this is the kind of thing you want..." Yes! It's horrifying....and perfect. I learned that Animal Control does not Twitter. They should. In short, I want to know everything.)

Please frequent the businesses featured in these pages. It takes a lot of guts to live your passion 24/7 by starting up a small business. And by all means tell them you read about them on Daily Temecula.

Morning Memo from Juliet Thursday, June 11, 2009

2009-06-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

I have been out & about scouting all the best and most interesting places in Temecula and I am back with lots of great info and recommendations for you.

Please check out Focus On...for features on:
* Lesa, Kue, Jean, Michele and the whole gang over at Sweat Cardio & Yoga, where they got me to dust off my yoga mat and bust out a few Downward Facing Dogs.
* Jordan Stone of soon-to-be-open Delaney's Artisan Foods Market - Temecula's seven day a week farmer's market, where I got a behind the scenes tour

Here's what I'm working on for features coming soon!
* Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Auxiliary - Temecula Unit
* Assistance League of Temecula Valley
* Wishes for Children
* Jacob's House
* Fitwize 4 Kids
* Great Harvest Bread Co.
* Old Town Spice Merchants
* Andi Albright's Good Dog Training Academy
* Rachel Lopez of Lighthouse Realty

A note about endorsements
There is never a charge of any kind to have your local business, nonprofit, or newsmaker featured here on Daily Temecula. The people you read about here did not pay to appear in these pages. I will always clearly disclose to Daily Temecula readers if I received anything not available to the general public in the process of writing about someone.

For instance....I showed up at Sweat Cardio with a crumpled (thrashed!) door flyer for a free class. It got wet but I dried it out - good as new. (Want a free trial class coupon of your own? Swing by Sweat Cardio and check out their postcard rack outside their front door. Flip it over. Voila!)

Welcome to Daily Temecula

2009-06-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

Daily Temecula is now live! Check us out today. If you know of a business, nonprofit/charity, or newsmaker who should be featured on Daily Temecula, or to be a Tipster, email editor@dailytemecula.com today.

We love pictures!