• National Day of Cleanup 2023

On Saturday, September 16th, Wildomar saw 120 volunteers gather at the Elks Lodge to participate in this year's National Clean Up Day.

Some of the happy faces.

Then after some delicious Montague Brothers coffee, and Pam's Donuts, they went into the heart of City Council District 1, Represented by Carlos Marquez, and proceeded to pull out 110 bags of trash and debris, which filled up two donated roll-offs by CR&R, which weighed in at over 3.5 tons over about three hours time.

This group of eight volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints really put in a lot of work, for many hours. 

Impressive before and after shots. This is the north side of Sedco Blvd.

Before and after of the median on Sedco Blvd.

I'd like to take a moment to give credit where credit is due. Wildomar's longest-standing champion, Bridgette Moore. The average resident doesn't know why our city has less trash in it, including graffiti and illegal signs, and though it's a team effort to be sure, without a bonafide leader none of this could be possible.

Bridgette Moore as she's addressing the volunteers. 

She has such amazing grit and determination about her, she is the very definition of what an old-school Wildomarian (Wildomartini in my dictionary) is all about. Only when she decides to hang up her spurs will some in the community recognize the unfillable shoes she leaves for a rookie to try and fill.

This was about two hours into the clean-up event. She wasn't at the Elks Lodge looking over paperwork, she was out working, and it's never easy work. Whether it be litter pick up, or tackling tumbleweeds.

Ok, enough gilding the lily, but seriously, Wildomar is such a different place than it would have been had she not seen a need and tackled it head-on more than twenty years ago. Thank you for all you've done, and all you continue to do!

Here are a few more photos to round out this blog.

Gotta love the new paint for this trailer.

This trailer can carry anything.

The volunteers pulled a lot of large items off the streets.

• Busy Saturday in Wildomar

Everyday can be busy, but Saturday, December 2nd, was a notch above usual. Not counting the break-in at the American Legion (Link to blog about it here), there were other things going on too. 

In addition to the fire fighters, Scott Rux (blue tank), Mama Rux to his left,
Shirley Moreno and her daughter, Miss Teen Wildomar Daisy and Bridgette Moore.

There was a picnic at Windsong Park, put on by Scott Rux and other locals, as a thank you to the local fire fighters (especially considering the recent "Wildomar Fire".

Picking the winners.

Then there was the 19th annual Christmas Tree Lane held at the Elks Lodge. This is a much anticipate yearly event where the money raised goes to scholarships.

A large crowd checked their numbers.

There were 9 trees this year and a packed house eager to see who won. The proceeds go towards scholarships for local youths.

When I bought my tickets, I made the money taker promise that I would NOT win before I made my purchase.

Seriously, I was just happy to contribute, plus I have no way of carting off any winnings if I were so lucky to be in such a position anyway.

Larry Ryan keeps watch as others check their tickets.

While all that was going on, the last of the Brown House was being put into a dustbin. I've been pretty harsh about the Brown House over the years (justifiably so according to the venerable Stan Smith), but I can acknowledge its importance to others. Sorry things didn't work out as you'd hoped. 

(video courtesy George Cambero)

Still on the agenda for 2017 is Breakfast With Santa at the fire station. This will be Saturday morning, December 16th, from 7:30am to 11:00am. It's a great event whether you have kids or not. Mark it on you calendars now! 

This is too fun to miss. Mark it on you calendars NOW! ☺

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If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance.
– George Bernard Shaw 

Wildomar Rap advises that you ground all skeletons to powder that refuse to learn how to dance.

• Upcoming Events Final Quarter 2017

So many times I've heard people say, "Oh my, I only wish I'd have known about (insert name of event here), I'd have loved to have gone."

Well, here's your chance to put several events on your calendar, before they happen this go round. ☺

First up is the State of the City event. 

I've been to several of these, and though they are generally filled will fluffy happy talk, it's still good to get an assessment of where the city leaders think we stand. 

Tickets are free, but you need to get them ahead of time.

Here's the link to get tickets.

 City of Wildomar's 2017 State of the City 

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Next up on the calendar is the inaugural showing of the Scary Dairy. It's a fundraising event from the Wildomar Rotary Club. 

This will be happening on Friday and Saturday evening, October 21st and 22nd.

It'll be at Wildomar's famous DeJong's Dairy. See the flyer for more details. 

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Sunday October 22nd there will be a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for shooting victim Chelsea Romo at the Elks Lodge in Wildomar. 

There is a big window from 3pm to 8pm to come out to be part of this fundraiser. Leave the cooking and cleaning to others as you help out a local family in need.

Spaghetti is the the international food of friendship. ☺

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On Saturday October 28th, at Marna O'Brien park will be the site of Wildomar's 4th annual Trunk or Treat event. This event has really grown into a terrific community event. 

Plan on coming before dark and visiting all the candy-passer-outers. Come dressed in an original or clever costume and enter one of the contests and you might go home with a prize.

If you'd like to be one of the official "vendors" see the flyer below for details. There is no cost to sign up. It's a great way for your business or organization to meet a large swath of the community. Bring a lot of candy with you, and think of a clever way to decorate your vehicle too.

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Community Clean Up Day

Not as much fun as the other things mentioned, but for some maybe just what they've been waiting for. If you've got junk, then bring it to one of the two designated areas. 

This will be happening on Saturday morning, November 4th.

Be sure to check the conditions in the flyer before heading out... you don't really want to dress your truck up like that of the Beverly Hillbillies just to learn you showed up at the wrong location... or to mistakenly bring things on the contraband list.

Also, you'll be needing to unload your own junk, so bring a crew with you.

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Other things to consider include:

• Twin events, potluck at the VFW and a crafts fair the Elks Lodge on November 11th. The craft fair is starts at 10am and goes to about 2pm, whereas the potluck kicks off at 1pm. 

• The annual Christmas Tree Lane held at the Elks Lodge, Saturday December 2nd. 

• The annual Breakfast with Santa event that is held at Fire Station 61, on Gruwell St. 

There is no flyer made yet, but it's not too early for you to block out part of that morning to be part of one of Wildomar's most endearing and anticipated happenings.

• CERT reunion dinner, Thursday December 28th (other details to follow as we get nearer). There are many CERT alumni, but probably have lost contact after our classes were completed. 

As we've seen repeatedly this year, emergencies happen all the time, and seldom with much notice. If you've taken the CERT classes, it would be a good chance to reconnect over dinner... no cribbing on the menu. ☺

Come on out to one —or all of— these events and get a sampling of the Wildomar community in action. See you there.

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We know what we are, but know not what we may be.
– William Shakespeare

To Wildomar Rap or not to Wildomar Rap, that is the question. Nobility of suffering in the mind notwithstanding.

• Vet Expo 2017

The Wildomar Elks Lodge hosted Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez's Vet Expo, this was the 4th annual.

Once the key figures arrived, it started off with a prayer, the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 332, The Pledge of Allegiance, then the National Anthem sung by Wildomar city clerk Debbie Lee. 

From there Wildomar city council member Bridgette Moore introduced Lake Elsinore council member Brian Tisdale, and the Assemblywoman.

As with all of Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez's public appearances, lighthearted moments were a key factor. Also on stage are Brian Tisdale, Bridgette Moore and Debbie Lee.

The Assemblywoman spoke for a few moments, thanking the Elks Lodge, the council members from Wildomar and Lake Elsinore, Debbie Lee for singing the anthem, Helene Fowler for the prayer, Larry Ryan and the boy scouts, Gary Welsh and the Rough Riders, Mike Sheehan of the VFW for their work in making the event happen.

The point of the expo is to help returning veterans, or veterans that have been out of the service for many decades, with a variety of issues. 

There were several long tables of non profit organizations ready to help, with programs geared to helping vets reintegrate into our oft chaotic world of 21st century living.

The Assemblywoman poses with Boy Scout Troop 332. On the far left is Bridgette Moore.

On a personal note:
I find it a blessing to have been introduced to so many local vets living in and around Wildomar. Such an outstanding collection of community minded people. 

Fellow Rotarians Paul Bakeman, Joseph Morabito and Bridgette Moore pose for a pic.

Only after seeing the photo did I realize that I'd lost a golden opportunity to give out two pairs of rabbit ears. Then I remembered that I know how to use Photoshop and solved that problem. ☺

To read the blogs covering the 2015 and 2016 Vet Expos, click the following links. 

2015

2106

Contact info for the Assemblywoman

Website Link

41391 Kalmia St #220, Murrieta, CA 92562

(951) 894-1232

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Since coming back from overseas, this is more of a foreign country than the places overseas. I don't understand it. It's like America has lost faith in rational thought. 

—James Mattis

Wildomar Rap can attest to the good general's observations. One need not look any further than how dysfunctional California has become over the years to understand it.

• Water Safety Awareness 5K Recap

This event was several months in the making, and it was spearheaded by Wildomar resident Jodi Pesicka along with Toni Bravo-Rousseau. Both of these brave women are the mothers of children that survived near drownings.

You'd never imagine the amount of time, prep work, sweat and worry that goes into an event that is less than two hours from the public's point of view... unless you've done something similar yourself.

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The event was named after Jodi's daughter Justine Lee: The Justine Lee Pesicka Memorial Foundation Water Safety Awareness 5k Run/Walk. 

Here are the two shirts that were seen at the 5K. The black and purple one was worn by the volunteers and staff. The white with blue lettering was worn by the runners.

Justine died in 2013 at the age of 24, more than 20 years after the incident that forever changed the Pesicka family's lives.

Toni's seven year old daughter Summer is in hospice, though she was brought out to Marna O'Brien park to be at the event, she faces many challenges daily, and needs round the clock care.

Toni Bravo-Rousseau, Robin Dixon, Jodi Pesicka and Summer.

According to WHO, in the United States: drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children aged 1-14 years.

It's as silent as it is avoidable, and Jodi and Toni want to get the word out to parents and caregivers of children to not take their child's safety around water lightly. 

It only takes a moment for a drowning to occur, and the damage lasts a lifetime... if the child lives at all.

Toni Bravo-Rousseau, in the black shirt, looks at one of the exhibits that showed many near drowning survivors. The names of the survivors, and the number of years since their near drownings goes as follows. From Left to Right at the top: Ashleigh (11); Isaiah (7); Joey (10) ; Ivan (1); Owen (6) ; Damion (17); Summer (6); Angelina (4). Down the right side: Blake (2); Gabriel (3); Aiden (6). From left to right on the bottom: Adam (19); Bradley (25); Harper (2); Kurt (16); Matthew (4); Lucy (2). Down the left side: Noah (1); Niel (18).   

Water Safety Awareness was the point of the event. Though it was also a chance for the community to get together and have a great morning too. 

It was a good showing for a inaugural 5K. There were more than 75 timed runners, and about half that many walkers.

The first finisher, Mario Trujillo of Lake Elsinore, made the run in 18:03.

The snack bar was dispensing free Go-Nutz donuts, bananas, coffee, water and other things. There were also many different vendors and exhibit booths to visit. Take a look at the promotional video that THINK Together from Wildomar Elementary did for this event. It's as informational as it is cute.

All the money raised from the event will be going to help pay for infant float lessons for families that can't afford them. 

One family made the run in good time, and still had the energy to give a thumbs up.

Please visit the facebook page for more information about the foundation or where to get local infant float lessons. Just leave a message and you're sure to get a timely response.

Link to The Justine Lee Pesicka Memorial Foundation FaceBook Page

Jodi and Toni were grateful for the tireless efforts of many different volunteers. Also key were the Wildomar Rotary and the Elks. Thing about volunteers, they don't do it for the recognition, but for the value of being a service to others, so no one is getting named here. ☺

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The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with it.

– Michael Phelps   

Wildomar Rap was glad to be a part of this event. 

• Wildomar Egg Hunt 2017

With threats of rain through much of Friday, the 2017 Eggstravaganza was greeted by blue skies with billowing white clouds. 

A worm's eye view of the impending stampede of five year old kids.

The event was from 9:00am to 11:00am and the four various age groups had two different opportunities to participate. All the while Robert Walker performed the roll of DJ again this year and kept the peeps alive with tunes from all eras.

From left to right: Councilmember Bridgette Moore, Little Miss Wildomar (daughter of Councilmember Nigg), Councilmember Dusting Nigg and Young Miss Wildomar Daisy Varney are getting the next group of egg hunters revved up to start.

As has become the custom in Wildomar, there was a special needs table that drew a handful of participants. 

Besides the egg hunt, there was a bouncy house, face painting, glitter tattoos and pictures with the Easter bunny available.

Face painting was a popular attraction.

In addition to the city's booth, the Elks Lodge had a booth and so did the San Gorgonio girl scouts. 

Scouting is a great activity for your child (boy or girl). Consider getting them involved.

The snack bar was being manned by the parent's of boy scout troop 332, and troop 2011 was raising money for a coming eagle scout project that will see a refurbishment of the base of the water tower at Marna O'Brien park.

Members of the Elks helped out at the prize table.

There were also some tables for young artists to get in some coloring time or fabricate some crafts.

This aspiring artist was seen applying the just the right color to the just the right spot.

Families lined up to get a photo with Peter Cottontail.

Be sure to mark April 29th as another day to come to Marna O'Brien park. There will be the first of two 5K runs of 2017. 

It's a very good cause, water safety awareness. 

Drowning is for keeps, and it is the number one cause of death in children under the age of five.

Even if you don't want to run, it's going to be a beautiful morning with lots of activity at the park starting at 8:00am. There will be vendors and other activities too... so come on out! ☺

Click image to visit facebook page

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This is going to be the greatest Easter Egg Hunt ever, and I'm going to find them all!

– Lucy van Pelt

Wildomar Rap would rather find all the Pokémon if given a choice.

• Twofer Youth Night in Wildomar

The Elks Lodge and Wildomar Little League showed their community spirit with two events.

What do you do when there are two worthy events scheduled for the same time about a mile and a half apart? Attend both of course. ☺

The Elks Lodge held their 18th annual scholarship dinner, where thirteen local youths received college scholarships that totaled more than $10,000.

The funds are raised at the Elks annual Christmas Tree Lane event.

The names of the Elks Ladies Scholarship winners are Reina De Young, Destinee Davis, Jordan Castello, Jordyn Strange, Megan Carter, Brianna Gorham-Moran.

Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Elks Ladies Scholarship winners.

The names of the Elks Scholarship winners are Jolie Anderson, Shayan Khan,  Dylan Dickerson, Ashely Arrucha, Sydney Southwick and Justin Dela Cruz.

Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Elks Scholarship winners.
From left to right: Elks Exalted Ruler Gary Brown, Jolie Anderson, Shayan Khan, Dylan Dickerson, Ashley Arrucha, Sydney Southwick, Justin Dela Cruz, and Patty Quick.

How inspiring it was to watch our future leaders accept scholarships to help them with their schooling, and watch them all tell about their future plans.

From aspirations to teach at the local high schools, to chemical engineering, it was quite a sight watching them beam with enthusiasm as they told the audience of their future dreams.

All the Elks 2017 scholarship recipients.

In the audience were LEUSD Assistant Superintendent Kip Meyer, Stan Crippen LEUSD board member (and grandfather of one of the winners), Lake Elsinore City Councilmember Daryl Hickman and Wildomar City Councilmember Bridgette Moore.

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About a mile and a half to the southeast, there was a casino night fundraiser taking place to help fund the local Little League's season.

It was a packed house over at the Corporate Room as the people enjoyed a full evening of fun, and dinner, for the entry fee of $25. There were blackjack tables, roulette, craps, and other poker games to be found too.

The raffle table had at least a dozen different things to win.

The league, in it's fourth year back, is sowing the seeds for a great league for years to come. 

This year's TOC (Tournament of Champions) will be in Wildomar. Marna O'Brien Park will be the spot for many high caliber games throughout June and July. 

Bridgette Moore did the honors of pulling the numerous winning raffle tickets.

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I have to tell you, I'm proudest of my life off the court. There will always be great basketball players who bounce that little round ball, but my proudest moments are affecting people's lives, effecting change, being a role model in the community.
– Magic Johnson

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: 
Bouncing a ball is fine, but helping others bounce the ball is even better.