• Wildomar Birthday Bash 2019

A fun evening at Marna O'Brien park to celebrate the 11th year of Wildomar's incorporation as a city. It was estimated that 500 people cycled in and out of the park between 6pm and 10pm.

Caption contest time:
"Daddy, we're on camera." "I know son, just act cool and he'll go away in a minute"

© Richard Deskin

There were vendors, exhibitors, our new police motorcycle along with Officer Hansen, a car show, a beer and wine garden and Wildomar's favorite band: Cougrzz Rock.

Once the sun started to set, the crowd grew larger and larger.

This was my first Wildomar birthday event as a council member, and I didn't have the opportunity to take many pictures like I would have in the past. Aloha Photography, run by Wildomartini Richard Deskin, lent me some of his snaps to share here. 

A look at the front of vendor row.
© Richard Deskin

Lake Elsinore Storm's Thunder was on hand. He stopped by Pack 332 for a photo op.
© Richard Deskin

Classic as classic can be.
© Richard Deskin

Taking it all in.
© Richard Deskin

Getting in a little cardio.
© Richard Deskin

Mayor Pro-Tem Dustin Nigg and Councilwoman Bridgette Moore declare best in [car] show.
© Richard Deskin

Grace Richardson of Cougrzz Rock in mid song.
© Richard Deskin

Billy's Trike. It was even more fun once it was dark and the lights came on.
© Richard Deskin

Keith Jared of TapSnap was busy helping families make memories.

TapSnap took a great pic of our Wildomar PD. Chief Lujan is in the front.

It was an enjoyable time, and I was glad to meet so many great people from Wildomar. 

I'm also learning that if I've only met a person once or twice, there's a good chance I'll not recognize them if they're wearing sunglasses. Sorry about that... about half a dozen times.☺

Posing with Myrna, a coworker of my wife.

We're midway through the year and there are still plenty of park events left for you to attend. If you're not already signed up for city email alerts, be sure to follow the link below and do so. That way you'll always be informed of things going on in town, including park events.

USE THIS LINK

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Human knowledge has doubled in the last fifty years and will double again in the next twenty. Yet along the way there is much that we have forgotten we might well have done to remember.
– EG Marshall, CBSRMT 1977

Wildomar Rap's knowledge has far more than doubled in the last fifty years, it's probably even tripled. Then again, being 54, I'm not sure if that's saying much.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Wildomar Turns Eleven

The city of Wildomar officially turned 11 years old today.

John Lloyd keeps the line of bell ringers moving in an orderly fashion.

Wildomar Elementary had about 30 to 40 people in attendance, around its historic bell, for this year's ceremony.

The crowd was addressed by former Mayor and City Councilmember Bob Cashman, who is currently the president of the Wildomar Historical Society... which was serving up slices of watermelon and root beer floats.

Wildomar's first mayor, Bob Cashman, gave a brief history of the bell.

Here are some interesting facts about the bell
• It weighs 640 pounds. 
• The bell is made of cast iron
• It had to be lifted about 40 feet in the air to be installed in the belfry. They built a structure next to the tower, and along with a crane, got it up to a platform and then slid it across to a structure that resembles the existing one, that was atop of the old school.
• The bell used to be rung at the beginning of school. It alerted the students to line up for class. The bell was also rung at recess, the end of recess and at the end of the school day.
• There are two time capsules under the Bell to be opened in 2058.

Link to Wildomar Historical Society write up of event

Local cub scouts listen attentively.

Wildomar will be having a birthday celebration on Saturday, July 13th... I think this day was chosen because it's my mom's birthday too. ☺

It's going to be a great time at Marna O'Brien park to be sure. Live music (Cougrzz Rock), TapSnap Photo Booth, face painting, car show, local vendors, carnival games, and more... mark it on your calendar now! 

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A bad neighbor is a misfortune, as much as a good one is a great blessing.
– Hesiod

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: If you're the former, it's never too late to become the latter.

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• The City of Wildomar Turns 10

The city threw a big 10th Birthday bash at Marna O'Brien park, and the attendees enjoyed their time at the celebration.

All three skydivers came in, hitting their marks, as they wowed those in attendance.

In years past, I had the chance to roam all over the park, trying to be in the right place at the right time, to get the best photos possible of the key moments, but this year I had a booth and was not able to roam around getting such shots. 

On the left, under the Edward Jones canopy, is the very affable Allen Montemagno. The nondescript blue canopy to the right is where team "Joseph Morabito for City Council" was set up. Twin Honda Fits parked on a city baseball field isn't something you see everyday.

Normally park event write ups are photo driven. But I only took about 2 photos this time (you've already seen them above ☺). So I'll just give a brief recap.

I give the city an A for planning, effort and execution. 

They planned out a fun late-afternoon that didn't end until 10pm. There were plenty of vendors, many run by local people, a ton of things for kids to do, two musical acts and after the sun went down, a laser show.

Over at the city booth, you could pick up a smartly designed brochure touting the city and community of Wildomar. If you didn't get one, contact city hall and see if there are still some available.

I was set up around the first base dugout on the southernmost ballfield. There were only a smattering of people the first 90 minutes or so (it was still nearly 100 degrees until past 5pm), and most people didn't even arrive until after 6:30pm from my vantage point.

Some vendors got to the park as early as 1:30 in the afternoon and the Summer Sun was relentless at times... people that stopped by the Edward Jones booth were offered a free bottle of water to stay hydrated (aren't I glad I was set up next door ☺). 

Like the brochure above, this special pin was available at the city booth. It was first shown at the previous city council meeting while cake was being served. This one is staying in the plastic so that my heirs, in 2118, will be able to sell it on ebay for $10. ☺

Even though the hours between 4pm and 6pm had sparse attendance, I still had a chance to talk to many people before the event was over. 

I'd say that 85% were from Wildomar, with one family coming in from Moreno Valley, because nothing was happening in their area according to the mom of the group.

Of the people in town, I'd say that it was evenly distributed from which part of the city they call home. I made a habit of asking how they heard about the event and I got replies that included: email, facebook, knowing Bridgette Moore, and driving by.

Suggestions for the next birthday celebration

After talking with attendees and vendors, I came up with a couple of suggestions.
1: Change the start time from 4pm to 6pm
2: Do an "Alice in Wonderland" un-birthday party in March, and heat won't be an issue.
3: I heard that the town itslef was established in November, so the second Saturday in November could work. Far enough away from Halloween, and still before Thanksgiving, but close enough to Christmas that there could be more interest in vendors with crafts. 

All in all, it was a great evening. I can't blame the organizers for people choosing to stay home, it was hot until the Sun was mostly set... but in the end, they're the ones that missed out.

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Imagine just one birthday every year. Ah, but there are 364 unbirthdays!
– Mad Hatter

Imagine just one Wildomar Rap every year... in your dreams!  ☺

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• Wildomar Turns 9 in Style

Wildomar celebrated its ninth year as a city with a big bash over at Marna O'Brien park.

There were many vendor booths, a BBQ food truck, and a beer and wine garden sponsored by the Wildomar Rotary Club. In fact, about 80% of the park was fenced off and made into a de facto beer garden. 

Thanks to the many thirsty guests, Rotary will be able to send three more high school juniors to the 3 day RYLA camp next year.

I didn't get a chance to meet the owner of this car. Maybe next time.
My dad has a blue Roadrunner in his car collection.

There was a classic car show with many great vehicles. I had to like the 1968 Roadrunner (I think that's the year) as I spent many quality years —car seat and seat belt free, from toddler to kindergartner in. Had to also like Pete Kee's 1956 blue and white Chevy - that was one clean machine. Relic VW also had a booth and a couple of cars there.

People faced the flag as Jessi Talyor sang the National Anthem.
I've heard her sing it three times now, and every time she has made
great strides with her poise, confidence and performance.

At 6:00pm, still pretty hot outside, a crowd formed around a ribbon cutting in the parking lot, under the water tower. Eagle Scout candidate, Alec Vicnaire of troop 2011, was about to see his project dedicated to the city. 

A peek at the finished project on the left,
and the plaque on the west side of the boulder on the left.

His project involved removing old stones from under the water tower, replacing them with bark after leveling the area, and creating two DG paths to make getting from the parking lot to the grassy areas easier. 

A look at the plaque that is on the east side of the rock.
Commemorating the reopening of the parks that took place back in 2014.

Alec Vicnaire getting ready to cut the ribbon with his pocket knife. 
In the foreground, arm around his daughter, is District 2's city council representative
Dustin Nigg, and on the far right in pink is District 4's Bridgette Moore.

There were two bands that really rocked the house. One that played various covers called Big Truth, and another that was a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Little Lies. Kudos to Robert Walker for his work as MC/DJ and being the man behind getting those solid acts into W'mar. (If you look closely in the photo of the ribbon cutting, you'll be able to spot him in the upper left part corner... wearing the shades and black shirt).

County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, Planning Commissioner Stan Smith and City Council Member Bridgette Moore pose for a picture before the event got underway. Stan was still celebrating his birthday month. Happy 78th Stan.

I didn't get a chance to take many pics from about 6:30pm on since I was conscripted... I mean, I volunteered to work in the Rotary beer dispensary. But if you're on FaceBook, you probably saw a ton of photos that other people shared of the even.

This was at about 5:30pm, before the bulk of the crowd showed up. How can you blame them? By waiting forty-five minutes people saved at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit. On the stage is Stan Smith, Dustin Nigg, Bridgette Moore and Marsha Swanson. Dustin Nigg warmed up the crowd with his rendition of Happy Birthday sung to Wildomar, Stan Smith and City Manager Gary Nordquist... who happened to work some long hours on his Saturday birthday.

It was one of the biggest crowds to be at a Wildomar park event. There will be another free concert later in the Summer. Be sure to sign up for city emails so that you'll be sure to know when it's coming.

Follow this link to the city's email program.

Can't wait to see what the city has in mind to celebrate the 10 year milestone next year.

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Whenever I was upset by something in the papers, Jack always told me to be more tolerant, like a horse flicking away flies in the summer.
– Jackie Kennedy

If you find yourself upset by something in Wildomar Rap you might want to follow JFK's advice and flick away the flies. Flies basically suck.

• City Council Meeting July 2017

Super short meeting tonight. This one was about 45 minutes total, which included a couple of presentations. 

However, before the meeting was called to order, there was about 15 minutes set aside for Wildomar's 9th birthday. Donuts from Go-Nuts for all.

From left to right,  City Manager Gary Nordquist, Councilmembers Dustin Nigg, Ben Benoit, Bridgette Moore, Planning Commissioner Stan Smith, Marsha Swanson, Mayor Tim Walker and City Clerk Debbie Lee.

Deputy Robert Ochoa was recognized for his quick actions while off duty. He spotted a stolen vehicle that had been reported on social media earlier in the day.

Mayor Tim Walker and Deputy Robert Ochoa.

There is a short video of incoming EHS freshman Iliana Herrera who has already earned some scholarship money.

PUBLIC COMMENTS non agenda items
It was a short meeting, so it's going to be a short recap.
• Murrieta resident Pete Kee spoke about his continued opposition to the Camelia Townhouse Project. Suggesting they bring in more chairs when the item hits the council's agenda and even consider a PA system for an expected overflow crowd.
• Murrieta resident Tim Huizenga also spoke about his opposition to Camelia. 
• Glenn Miller, Senator Jeff Stone representative, congratulated the city on it's 9th year. Said that he and the Senator will attend the birthday celebration at Marna O'Brien park on Saturday.
• Ken Mayes mumbled something about being incompetent and damaged credibility.
• Trudy Curry discussed her continued opposition to the Camelia Townhouse project.
• Kathleen Hamblin added her opposition to high density, "I feel like a lot of the stuff isn't very transparent, as far as the planning goes" and also coined the phrase "suburban crawl".
• Ann Kiggins wanted some action on her neighbor's illegal growing habits.

That was really all to the meeting. There was one more item on the agenda that had to do with Waste Management. 

There was one public speaker and it was shown to her that the issue was between her, the property owner, and Waste Management. Though the council made sure that she left her contact info so that they could follow up later.

Happily one of Waste Management's reps was on hand and the start of a resolution had begun. She had inherited a piece of property that's been vacant. She didn't understand why she was being billed for trash service even if no one was there.

There are a lot of details like that in our lives, that many of us may not be up on... like that there is a General Plan Map and a Zoning Map in every California town. A person's ignorance to such things has no bearing on it being reality or not.

Same here with trash service. Until I started attending city meetings, I'd have also thought like the woman in question, never knowing that trash service is mandated to protect public health.

When you learn new things about what makes your local government tick, which 11 times out 10 such things are mandated by either the state or the county, it's best to say something like, "Ah shucks, I had no idea that the General Plan outranks the Zoning Map," instead of suggesting that the planning commission isn't "transparent".

If it doesn't seem transparent perhaps you're just being a tad opaque at the moment. 

Last on the list was a reminder that there is going to be a big birthday celebration at Marna O'Brien park this Saturday. Stop on by and listen to some great live music. 

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Things are seldom what they seem, Skim milk masquerades as cream.

– W. S. Gilbert, H.M.S. Pinafore

Wildomar Rap wears no mask. This blog has always been about my own entertainment. If anyone has ever expected more from it, I have to blame my good character for their mistake.

• Wildomar Birthday Bash 2016

The evening had an inauspicious start with police activity, including a circling helicopter, centered at the nearby business Round Up gas station. There were a flurry of false rumors about the incident on FaceBook, including that it was a hostage situation and that the park event had been cancelled.

Ahhhh, Social Media... 
...you can't live with it, and you can't live without it. 

A quote from the Press Enterprise on the incident:
A patrol car driver's side window shattered for an unknown reason and the Riverside County sheriff's deputy behind the wheel was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

Link to story at PE
Link to RiversideCountyNewsSource Story

A shot of the RSO helicopter as it flew overhead.

Other than that hiccup, the park event went off without any further ado. 

An estimated 300 people gathered, looked at classic cars, visited various vendor booths, ate hot dogs, drand some beer, kids jumped in a bounce house, made giant bubbles, got their faces painted, visited with family and friends as they listened to some great music.

In attendance were several of the city council members and some of the local pageant girls known as Wildomar Queens.

Mayor Bridgette Moore (fuschia shirt) as she gets the festivities started.  

On the grass Council Members Marsha Swanson  (middle, navy blue shirt) and Bob Cashman (black shirt) 

and Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Walker (far right).

There were 24 cars on display. Most cars were from the car clubs, Cadillac Kings of Temecula and Drifters Car Club. 

The band that played was a high end Beach Boys tribute band - Catch A Wave. Their talent is crazy good as they were the same band that played last year as the Beatles tribute band - Paperback Writer.

Below is a short video of the band singing Happy Birthday to Wildomar.

Link to blog about last year's concert. You have to see the picture of "the lads".

A panoramic look at the crowd as the band started playing.

Also in attendance was Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, and Democrat candidate Tim Sheridan running for US Congress.

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I remember having this friend in school who said she didn't like the Beach Boys. And in that moment I knew we couldn't be friends anymore.

—Zooey Deschanel


Wildomar Rap tip of the day: You can go out with either Rhonda or Barbara Ann, but NEVER both at the same time... especially if they are California Girls.