• Metal Detector Brigade at Old Brown House Site

If you were driving down Grand Avenue, where the old Brown House once sat, you saw a lot of people with metal detectors.

An easterly view from standing on the spot where the old house once sat.

A facebook friend had alerted me to the mid morning dig, so I went over to see what was what.

I arrived as the dig was just coming to an end.

As it was, it had already been somewhat of a topic on local facebook pages by that time. 

The de facto leader of the group was an amiable gentleman named Larry Englehart out of Menifee. He was telling me that he was given the a-ok to be out there by an RSO deputy, as long as they filled in their holes. 

They'd heard that tract houses are slated to be there and wanted to dig up whatever was there before it was too late. They were out there for about 3 hours and found many old coins and other bits of metal. 

One person's finds.

Though they aren't a particularly organized group, mostly just metal detecting enthusiasts, I asked if they had a facebook page if others in the area were interested in knowing more, but they don't. 

I was told that if a person left a comment on his youtube channel, that would be the best way to get in touch. 

LINK TO HIS CHANNEL

I chatted with a couple of local Wildomartinis that had found several old coins, and some toy cars. They let me take some pics of their finds. 

An array of old pennies on the hood of their car.

What's better than an old Hot Wheels car?

Believed to be an old Montgomery Ward button for pants.

An old half dollar was found. In the image, you see the actual coin (L), and one I found at a collector's website (R). If it had been in mint condition, it could've fetched over $400. This one is probably not worth much more than face value due to the dents on it.

Another great find was an 1865 Indian head penny.

The coin from the site appears to have been used as a charm for a necklace at one point.

It was a great morning to be out and about. Who doesn't love Summer... especially when it's in the rear view mirror and 270 days away from returning? ☺

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There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.
– Walt Disney

There is more treasure in Wildomar Rap than all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island too... since it's not a real place and all.

• Measure Z Oversight Advisory Committee Vacancies

If you've thought about participating in the running of the city, but didn't know where to start, the Measure Z Committee is a good entry level position. You can be as young as 18 years of age.

Looking to give back to your community? 

We are in need of two Wildomar residents to volunteer for the Measure Z Oversight Committee.

MEASURE Z OVERSIGHT ADVISORY COMMITTEE VACANCIES

Two unexpired terms of office vacancies have been created on the Measure Z Oversight Advisory Committee. 

The Committee is comprised of five members and serves at the pleasure of the City Council. The City Council appoints all members to the Committee. These vacancies will be to an unexpired term of Office ending February,
2018. Applicants can be from anywhere in the City limits (at-large).

Committee meetings are held on the fourth Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., in the months of February, May, August, and November. 

All Committee members serve with no compensation.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the application which can be picked up at City Hall, 23873 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 201, Wildomar; Call 951/677-7751 and an application will be sent to you; or download it from the City’s website at

www.cityofwildomar.org 

(direct link to application)

All applications must be returned to the City Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on Monday, October 2, 2017.

There are only four meetings a year, and very little actual responsibility. You'll be asked to read over the expenditures pertaining to the maintenance of the parks in Wildomar, and also do a yearly assessment of them too.

Link to latest Measure Z Committee agenda

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Well done is better than well said.
– Benjamin Franklin

Wildomar Rap thinks that 'well done' is better than overdone, but not as good as medium rare.

• Wildomar Rotary 3rd Grade Literacy Program 2017

The Wildomar Rotary Club just completed its 6th annual distribution of dictionaries to the local third graders. 

The first school to get their dictionaries was Sycamore Academy. 

An eager student looks into her new dictionary.
Photo courtesy Sycamore Academy.

Their school has a unique feature where "barn doors" separate the classrooms, and the presentation and distribution was done in class.

As the dictionaries were being handed out.
Photo courtesy Sycamore Academy.

Smiling faces of some of the students. 
Photo courtesy Sycamore Academy.

The next school to get their dictionaries was Ronald Reagan Elementary.

Rotary members Stewart Moore and Paul Bakeman handout dictionaries
as the students file into the multipurpose room (also known as the MPR).

Rotarian Andy Morris addresses the third graders at Ronald Reagan Elementary.

Below is the video of the 11 minute presentation at William Collier Elementary (WCE).

Donald Graham Elementary was the next school to receive their dictionaries. 

I had the high honor of addressing the students at this presentation. Before dismissing the kids to return to their classrooms, I had them all hold up their new books for a photo. One was a super serious photo, the next one was the super silly photo.

Wildomar Elementary was the final school to get their dictionaries. I had so much fun talking to the kids earlier in the week that I asked to be able to get in a repeat performance; such an honor.

Happy faces all around.

The presentations consisted of telling the kids a bit about the Rotary Club. That we're part of a world wide service organization that has 1.2 million members. 

That locally we send high school juniors to a leadership camp (RYLA), we put on the yearly Bicycle Safety Event that is held at Marna O'Brien Park and the tradition of Breakfast With Santa at the fire station... to name just a few things.

The kids read the Rotary's 4 way test, which was affixed to the inside covers:

• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

They then tested out their new dictionaries by looking up a word of their choice. Of all the words this year, I think I liked "twinge" the best. 

If you've ever wondered about the Rotary Club, what they're about or what they're up to, we meet for lunch on Thursdays at The Elks Lodge on Mission Trail at 11:45am... or just ask us if you see us at a local event.

We have a guest speaker each week, often from a local business or organization, and enjoy about an hour camaraderie.

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Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
– George Bernard Shaw

Wildomar Rap isn't about telling you what to think. It's about telling you what I think. 

• Wildomar Square Inches Closer to Opening

If you've lived in Wildomar for more than a couple of years, you've heard about Wildomar Square for more than a decade. The first sign I saw suggested that it would be opening in Fall of 2008, but the recession came and put it on the back burner. 

The stated hope of "Spring 2017" was off by about six months.

So far back on the burner that it lost it's original anchor, In-N-Out Burger (or so the story goes), but The Habit will make everyone else forget about them in short order. 

With all that water under the bridge, Wildomar Square is finally getting set to open... at least in part.

I've noticed that the Taco Bell has looked ready for business for a couple of weeks now, so I thought I'd stop by and take some pics to share. 

It's funny to think about all the fuss some people engaged in when passersby
thought this was going to be a purple building.

I bet the people that freaked out over the primer paint that was used, thinking the building was going to be purple all over, also get upset if they see their scrambled eggs when they are still liquid, worried that they are going to be served cold egg soup. ☺

While there, I spoke to one of the managers (or was he an owner?) and I learned that they had been hoping to open last Saturday (September 16th, 2017), but it's been pushed back to sometime this week.

Bear Creek Optometry, which is currently in the shopping center directly west from Wildomar Square, is going to be relocating to the new center. I stopped by and learned that they anticipate the move to be around the start of the new year.

Another business that will be coming online is called Petrichor Float. They use sensory deprivation tanks for the process of "helping and healing the victims of PTSD and other stress related conditions that traumatize the body and soul". 

Link to Petrichor Float's Facebook Page

There are several businesses in the shopping center that are very close to opening too. Where others appear to have many months left before they'll be able to open for business, one of the buildings hasn't even had the foundation poured yet.

Below are several photos to give you a feel of how far the construction progress is to this point. 

A look at Jersey Mike's and Dunkin' Donuts.

Another view of Jersey Mikes.

Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins are in the same building which has a drive thru.
Not sure if ice cream cones will be sold that way or not.

A peek inside Baskin Robbins.
Does anyone else still refer to it as 31 Flavors?

This building, which the back of it is against Hidden Springs Rd, will house Angelo's Brick Oven Pizzeria. There is no sign up at this point, so I attached my own.

A look at the right side of the establishment.

Follow their facebook page to know when they'll be opening.

A look at the left side of the restaurant.

Country Kitchen looks to be a good sized eatery, a future breakfast destination to be sure. They have a "Now Hiring" sign, but don't just walk over to Starbucks without calling that number first. I was told by the barista that they've had many people just come in and ask about the interviews but haven't actually seen any conducted. 

Here's a link to their website. I checked the menu, but didn't see any prices.

A look at the inside of Country Kitchen as they get closer to opening.

Sushi Ka is right next to Angelo's. I spoke with Chris (I think he was the owner),
a nice guy and I look forward to tasting their specials once they've opened.
You can probably tell that I added the "coming soon" sign to the building.
It had been hanging on a fence.

The Habit, which is also a drive thru, takes up most of this building.
It's not clear what will occupy that small suite on the far end.

As you can see by the placement of the plants, and other fragile decorations, they are getting ready to open.

Link to their website

After a quick look at their menu, I see that they are a very reasonably priced hamburger place.

This photo reveals that this unit is many months away from being ready for business.

This building hasn't even gotten off the ground yet,
and behind it appears to be the new tire shop (Mountain View Tires).

In total, there are said to be 21 occupants that have signed to do business there, and there remains a few open spots. The site is over 45,000 square feet in total and sits on the southwest corner of Clinton Keith and I-15.

The one thing I haven't seen under construction yet is the 65 foot high sign, with the 200sf LED display, that will be visible from the freeway. 

This graphic was part of the developer's presentation to the Planning Commission. The image on the left represents what it would look like in the daylight hours, and the right side is what it would look like in the evening hours.

You'd think that the owner (and the businesses) would want that thing up BEFORE they opened, not after. Either which way, this center is getting ready for your business.

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“The pessimist looks down and hits his head. The optimist looks up and loses his footing. The realist looks forward and adjusts his path accordingly.”
— King Ezekiel from The Walking Dead, writer Robert Kirkman.

Wildomar Rap still hasn't hit its head, or lost its footing, in nearly 4 full years of operation.

• Gold Award Project at Marna O'Brien Park

Thanks to the efforts of Girl Scout Marissa Hill, there is a new drinking fountain at Marna O'Brien park. 

For those that aren't familiar with what a Gold Award is, it's the Girl Scout equivalent to an Eagle Scout Project.

Marissa Hill readies the oversized scissors as she gets ready to cut the
ribbon that symbolizes the dedication of her project for community use.

It's not just your average water fountain. It accommodates people in wheelchairs, has a specially designed basin for dogs, plus a way to fill up water bottles too.

Thanks to Murdock Manufacturing for partnering with Marissa on this project.

Below is one of the first canine customers getting a taste of water from this new fountain.

I know that Marissa has been working on this project for many, MANY months. I wrote a blog about one of her fundraisers that occurred back in January. 
 

Link to blog

  She has put more than 80 hours into this project and more than 40 volunteers along the way. Which included family, friends and various community members.

She first started thinking about project ideas for her Girl Scout Gold Award last September, and it was approved by the Southwest Gold Committee on October 5th, 2016. She began fundraising in December 2016. She had a table at the yearly Breakfast With Santa event that is held at the fire station.

Marissa and her father Jose manning the craft table. 

I asked Marissa for some thoughts about the project.

I would of course like to thank my mom and dad for all there support. 

As well as Murdock Mfg., Bridgette Moore, VFW, Elks Lodge, PVM Maintenance, DeJong's Dairy, Wildomar Rotary Club, the City of Wildomar, Brad Evans, George Cambero, Joseph Morabito, and especially my Girl Scout troop 1122. This is honestly a small list, so many people have been so helpful, and I appreciate all their support!

Completing a Gold Award feels amazing because I know that I was able to help my community.

Marissa along with her grandparents.

This has been such an amazing experience. People have been so kind, and I have learned so much. Thank you!

I then asked if she had any words of encouragement to other scouts that are contemplating such a project of their own.

My advice to anyone who is thinking about tackling a Gold Award or Eagle Scout [project] would be to pick something you are passionate about. You will have some ups and downs, but if you love your project it will motivate you to keep going. Once the project is done it's great to know that you were able to make a positive impact on your community, and that is the best reward. You got this!

Thank you to Marissa Hill for working so hard for our community, and thank you to her parents for raising such a thoughtful young woman.

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Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.
– Theodore Issac Rubin

We here at Wildomar Rap always demand the best. Whether a person glows afterward or not, is strictly up to the individual.

• Concert in the Park September 2017

What do you get when you mix great music with family and friends, a Rotary Club beer garden and an unexpected soupçon of rain?

There were people dancing in front of the stage during the whole show, but nothing like the final half hour. Countless people were up there, movin' to the groove.

You get one helluva good time! ☺

This concert in the park had nearly 300 people attending, and though there was a short rain delay that prompted the attendees to seek some shelter, or go to their cars to get umbrellas, I'd say this was one of the most enjoyable evenings that Marna O'Brien park has ever seen.

Rotary to the rescue. During the light, but steady, rain many people sought shelter.

At the midway point of the show, the band announced that this was their last gig. I guess that all good things have to come to an end, and this was Arena's finale. Great job fellas, and thanks for the two shows you played in Wildomar.

Link to Arena's Facebook page.

They didn't disappoint as each of the 70's and 80's covers they played were spot on. I heard one person remark that they'd recently seen Styx at Pechanga and that Arena's versions of their songs were just as good as that of the legendary band.

The rain was coming down for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Most of the sky was clear, but that didn't prevent everything from getting wet, and almost having to see the concert cancelled. Electrical instruments don't often mix well with water. 

This was the last concert in the park for 2017, but there will be another great park event in just a couple of weeks.

Don't miss this fun event.

Astronomy Night hosted by local astronomy buff John Garrett. Be sure to come out to Marna O'Brien park for that one on Saturday, September 23rd.

A look at the new parks event sign the city recently had made.

To better keep up with park events I'd refer you to the city's facebook page, but for some inexplicable reason, they still don't have one. 

Come on city fellers, I think it's time to join the other local municipalities in 2017 and bend a knee to the curly headed dilettante named Mark Zuckerberg. 

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By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer's best of weather And autumn's best of cheer.
– Helen Hunt Jackson

Wildomar Rap loves the hot weather, but is ready for cool Autumn and a long cold Winter after that.