• City Birthday Bash at Marna O'Brien

It was a fun night at Wildomar's Marna O'Brien Park as the city celebrated its 7th birthday.

It started at 5:00pm with a car show featuring The Drifters Car Club and various vendors. Then at 6:00pm The Fabulous Woodies played surf music until 8:00pm when there was a '50s costume contest. 

On the left is Dan York, winner of the contest on the men's side, the other guy is me.

There was a shave ice vendor along with one that was selling hot dogs and nachos and the like. Over at the main snack bar, drinks were available for $1 and was being run by Kids Worldwide. A group that is looking to put on youth basketball leagues in the parks. I look forward to learning more about them soon.

You can't get any cuter than the kids that entered the contest. 

The evening concluded with the classic movie Grease. Thank you to the team that made this possible. Let's spread the word to more of Wildomar's residents for the next city event. Which happens to be Wildomar Community Night at the Lake Elsinore Storm game.

Part of the proceeds will be going to Wildomar VFW... plus you'll be getting a shirt out of the deal plus a fun night out. See you there.

Check out the video produced by Jack Neal of TemescalNewsdotcom.

To see more pictures, follow this link to the album.

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There are few treasures that exceed the wealth of good times with good friends. ― Joseph Morabito

A Wildomar Rap would be a Reuben sandwich tucked into a tortilla if it were served at a deli.

• New Council Chambers, Another Look

Last night was the maiden voyage for the new City Council Chambers and tonight was the first community event in there. Luckily the entire chamber was opened so I was able to take some pictures to give you a better I idea of how it looks.

This is what you see as you look towards the dais from the entry doors.

I'm standing behind the lectern for this shot.

The event was Wildomar Chamber of Commerce hosting a mixer. The room was full as Pie Nation pizza was being enjoyed by the attendees. Thanks Pie Nation!

This shot was taken from the back of the room looking towards the dais.

What  a great new asset for Wildomar. I was asking Mayor Ben Benoit if the room could be rented out for things like Senior Art Classes as an example, and he responded with a resounding yes. He did mention that the rates are different in the day time hours versus the night time hours. Primarily because a city staffer would have to stay overtime so that they could lock up.

The panoramic doesn't give the room it's due.

For those that may be new to the area, City Hall and the New Council Chambers are in the south end of the Albertson's shopping center off of Clinton Keith. If you'd like to stay up on city events be sure to sign up for the city's Stay Connected option.

Reminder that this Saturday is a city party. Be sure to come out for the car show that starts at 5:00pm, followed by live music that begins at 6:00pm, and then the movie Grease that starts at 8:30pm. Don't be fooled by the posted start time, it's about 8:15pm on a cloudy evening as I'm typing and it's still not dark enough for an outdoor movie. ☺ Be sure to bring blankets and chairs.

Also there is supposed to be prizes for best '50s costumes. So guys that means you're supposed to come dressed as either James Dean, Arthur Fonzerelli, Richie Cunningham or Ward Cleaver. The ladies are supposed to dress in poodle skirts, as Marilyn Monroe, young Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis or Sandy Dumbrowski (look it up).

Come out and have some fun!

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Backward, turn backward, O time, in thy flight; Make me a child again, just for tonight. ― Elizabeth Chase Allen

Wildomar Rap is not a city service. It's just one guy that is fueled by curiosity and creativity, and his lovely wife telling him what to do. 

• City Council Meeting July 2015

After many months, the new city council chamber was ready for business tonight. What a great improvement over the old set up. There are several large video screens for easy viewing of any presentations, and the audio is much better too.

Here is one of the new video screens.

There are a couple of short comings. First there is a supporting beam that is right in the middle of the room, and though it is where the center row is, it does interrupt how people in the back can see all the members. Second, the chamber is deep instead of wide, so even the front row is further away from the dais than the old back row was.

All in all it's a great improvement from the old council chambers.

Before the council meeting there was a brief open house where cake was served.

Bridgette Moore, Bob Cashman, Marsha Swanson, Ben Benoit and Tim Walker.

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The meeting itself was the quickest one I've been too. It was over just over half an hour after it started. There really wasn't much to speak about that came out of the meeting.

There was a presentation where Mayor Ben Benoit and Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore give recognition to Jake Moore for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Still trying to figure out the lighting and best place to stand for pictures.

The few items on the agenda all passed 5-0 with little discussion.

So the only real thing to share was Miss Miller doing what Miss Miller does best. Entertaining us in new and exciting ways. Last time she asked to be escorted out, but didn't have the nerve to follow through. Tonight she waited until the officer came and escorted her out... as if she was at a wedding waiting to be seated by an usher.

She basically referenced the camera and wanted me to post it. I had a good mind not to, but I know that many people never seem to grow tired of her antics so here it is.

But If she does it next time, I won't be uploading it unless it's truly spectacular. She'll have to throw a glitter bomb, deliver a pie in the face, take her close off and streak around, ride a unicycle, walk on stilts, do a dramatic reenactment of a classic movie scene or something awesome.

Otherwise, I'm going to be adopting Major League Baseball's policy of when fans run on the field. They do NOT allow it to be broadcast on TV so as to discourage copycats.

 

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Reminder that tomorrow, July 9, 2015 will be a Wildomar Chamber of Commerce mixer right back in the same room... though the dais will be closed off. From 5:30 to 7:00pm.

Also remember that this Saturday, at Marna O'Brien Park there will be a Wildomar birthday bash. Check the flyer for the details.

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A good conscience is the best pillow. 

― German Proverb

Wildomar Rap doesn't shrink in the dryer.

• 4th of July Parade... The Farm Style

Happy Birthday USA!

Today was a fun morning over at The Farm in Wildomar. They celebrated Uncle Sam's birthday with a parade that wound it's way through the community, something they've been doing since 1977, on a circuit that took about an hour to drive.

There were about half a dozen decked out golf carts, and about a dozen or so cars (including a 1923 Ford) followed by a Station 68 fire truck bring up the rear.

This is basically an event that is closed to those outside of The Farm. We were guests of The Farm resident, and The Farm Facebook Group moderator, Mary Haire. I'm thinking this was her first parade at The Farm since things didn't go quite as planned.

First I just thought we were going to watch the parade. Then I thought we were going to walk in the parade. Soon we found that we were going to have a car in the parade too. 

Good thing our car is just right color of blue for a patriotic parade. ☺

Also in our group was Council Member Bridgette Moore. We actually started the parade on foot, behind the blue Rap-Mobile, and things were pretty good for about 3 mins.

Then we got out of the area with gravel and onto the main roads. Right away we saw George Taylor, long time Wildomar resident out at The Farm, as he was videotaping the parade. He asked if we were going to walk the parade route in a surprised tone.

"Yes" we replied, and went on our way with big smiles. Then we noticed that our ride was about to disappear around the corner, as we'd been left in the dust. Somehow, we thought this was going to be a slower, more traditional parade. Silly us.

Earlier I had done the math in my head. The number of miles divided by the one hour event time and knew the pace was going to be past human capacity... but I ignored that little voice that was trying to communicate with the rest of me.

Luckily, when we got to the first cross street, I saw a flagman about 200 yards up the street. Though the parade had gone a couple of blocks on before turning left, I suggested we go right and see if we couldn't head them off at the pass.

We got there just in time to see the front of the parade. In fact, one of the people in one of the leading cars looked at us in a confused manner and asked, "Aren't you two in the parade?"

We laughed, as we rejoiced, at seeing the Rap-Mobile come around the corner just in time to save us.

What a beautiful sight to see... our Knightess, Grace Morabito, in shining Honda CRV armor.

From there it is was a spectacular time. People were out in front of their houses, on corners, or down at the street's edge as they were waving American flags and exchanged smiles and "Happy 4ths" with us as we drove by.

Dena Piraino was in front of her home, with one of the best shirts I saw out there and waving a flag.

♥

Some of the cars in the parade were tossing candy out to the watchers.

One of countless groups of people out celebrating Independence Day.

♥
What a fun event, and afterward they had a big community barbecue, but we headed back home. If you live in The Farm, check out their Facebook page to stay up on the latest news there.

Here's the link.

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America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. ― Harry S. Truman

Wildomar Rap isn't affiliated with Wildomar Rapid Transit. Primarily because there is no such thing. 

• Grand Ave Repavement Project

If you use Grand Avenue you know that there has been a road improvement project going on for the past month or so. I use the road about one day a week, and just three days ago the lines had not been painted yet. Today I had a bonus trip down that road and it was striped, though the project appears to still have more to do before it's finished.

How the road had been striped before.

What I noticed is that it went from one lane in each direction, and a center turn lane... to a lane in each direction and NO center turn lane. The missing lane got divided up as shoulder room on each side of the road.

At first I thought that the new addition was the bike lanes, but you can see bike lanes in the old photos. So I'm not sure how the new striping helps. I'm glad I don't use the road regularly, and never in rush hour, but I see more problems created by eliminating the turn lane than solved with the extra room on the right.

Here you see a car turning left across traffic from the south bound lane... without the protection of a turn lane.

Instead of traffic flowing at a normal pace through Lakeland Village, now you'll need to be on your toes for sudden stops as people will be looking to turn left against traffic from the main lane of travel.

Here you see Corydon and the tiny turn pocket that they created instead of the old turn lane.

One place that looks like it is really going to be a mess is the intersection of Grand and Corydon. At the end of the day, that is the main route from Ortega Highway to the freeway. It's not uncommon for the lineup of cars to reach more than a dozen waiting to turn left.

The new turn pocket looks like it might accommodate 5 cars... maybe 15 if they were Smart Cars. I hope the additional cars at peak usage time will just use the same space they did before and NOT block the southbound lane.

A look at the original lane configurations and Grand Plaza on the east side of the road.

Also, when I've used Grand, going south in the afternoons before, it was common to see cars turning left into the strip mall on that corner. There is no turn pocket for them. I bet this is going to get dicey if this is the final lane scheme they have in mind.

One good thing that I saw, for those that turn right from Grand to a side street, is that it is much safer for them since they have their own 'lane' now... sort of a lane anyway.

Have you driven on it yet? Do you have thoughts on the new lane set up? If so, post them below... just keep in mind that anonymous comments that stray too far afield will be obliterated. Thank you, drive through. ☺

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What is meat and drink to one, is bitter poison to another.
― Titus Lucretius

Wildomar Raptor is not a creature in Jurassic World. 

• Wildomar Bell Ringing 2015

It was a spectacular evening to ring the bell at Wildomar Elementary school. The reason was to celebrate the 7th year of Wildomar becoming a city. The consensus was that there were between 60 and 75 people in attendance... I asked three fire fighters and a boy scout, so I'm going with it.

A wide angle look of the onlookers as Council Member Bob Cashman speaks about the bell and the history of the area.

The bell ringing is an event put on by the Wildomar Historical Society. In addition to MC Kristan Lloyd and WHS President George Cambero, there were many other local dignitaries in attendance. Mayor Ben Benoit, Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore, Council Members Tim Walker and Bob Cashman, City Manager Gary Nordquist, Assistant City Manager Dan York, and Planning Commissioners Bobby Swann and Gary Brown. I'm sure I'm leaving more out, but it may have been easier to direct you to the local white pages. (does such a thing actually still exist?)

Still, the people that impressed me the most were Thomas and Jewel (sp?) Burkhead (AKA Bill and Ellen Burkhead... not too sure about the back story on that one, just jotting down what I was told). ☺

Happy 65th anniversary.

What makes them special? Well, it was their 65th anniversary and they met at Wildomar Elementary back in the 1940s. He was telling me about ringing the bell back when he went to school there and how she rode her horse to school. He lived up on Grand Avenue and his mother had a beauty shop and cut the hair of most of the men in the area. He was telling me about going up in the belfry and chasing the owls out of it.

He had a lot of other great stories too, but it was a bit too loud with the bell and road noises to catch them... Perhaps someday in the future. ☺

Thomas (AKA Bill) Burkhead got the honors of ringing the bell first.

The Historical Society was selling root beer floats as a fundraiser. They raised about $115 that will be going to their Brown House project.

Here's a link to last year's blog on the bell ringing, 

which includes some interesting stats and a link to a short video.

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A people's relationship to their heritage is the same as the relationship of a child to its mother.
― John Henrik Clarke

Wildomar Rap has been belfry free since day one. 

• Brown House Update

I've been wanting to do a blog on the Brown House and the Wildomar Historical Society for awhile now. How convenient for me that Kristan Lloyd, of the WHS, was giving a presentation at today's Wildomar Chamber of Commerce breakfast... which just so happened to be Wildomar's 7th birthday.

Seven years in City-Years is like a week compared to London, or a day to Rome, or an
hour to Athens. We're still a long way from getting our balance, but we're inching forward.

Her presentation keyed in on the Brown House's future.

Kristan Lloyd showing a photo of the Brown House before it was moved to it's current location.

Also in attendance was the president of WHS, George Cambero, in that position since 2008.

The aims of the Historical Society are to preserve the history of our city that was founded back in 1885 by William Collier, Donald Graham and Margaret Collier... Wildomar is a portmanteau of their first names.

Here are the key points the way I heard them.

WHS would like to convert the Brown House into a Heritage Museum and Visitors Center. I was at the planning commission meeting where the developers of Baxter Crossing said they would make room for the Brown House (here's a link to that blog). Though I took it as halfhearted gesture, with them banking on WHS not coming up with the necessary funding to make it happen, when I heard it.

They need people to start talking about this project, get involved, donate time and participate in the fund raisers. (Like tonight's bell ringing at Wildomar Elementary, where they will be selling root beer floats... or as I was just corrected by Mrs WR... trading them for a small donation.)

I asked Kristan what the proposed budget is for the Brown House restoration project.

For restoration, I'm thinking $250,000. The inside needs to be gutted. There will have to be some restructuring on the inside. It needs to be ADA compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act). The walk ways will need to be wider [for wheelchair access]. 

$250[K] is our low estimate. I'm sure people are like, "No, no I'm sure it's going to cost more like a million." We have an electrician on board that has restored [homes] in San Jose that wants to work on the project. 

One of our board members has project managers who would love to donate their time. It's just in a holding pattern [at the moment] and hope they still want to be involved in the next couple of years [as the project reaches that stage].

Some key issues the Brown House Restoration Project faces:

• Having it officially recognized as a historic building. Something that is currently in process.
• The Brown House isn't sitting on it's own land.
• There was an assessment done in 2004, but the state hasn't responded yet as to whether or not that will suffice for the purposes of having it declared historical or not, or if they need to do another one. Which would cost between $5,000 and $6,000 alone.
• There are issues with the condition of the structure. Whether or not it is even salvageable in the first place. Issues such as dry rot, termites, possible lead paint and/or asbestos... not to mention ADA concerns.
• Getting the funds to fully restore the house so that it's fit to be part of a new development.

As the brown house sits today.

Commentary

I like the idea of a Wildomar Heritage Museum/Visitors Center, especially at the proposed location. I just don't know how practical it is to try and restore an old building, especially one that has not had proper upkeep for the last 10+ years, attempting to bring it up to all the modern codes when building a replica would be a much easier way to go, and probably cheaper too.

I just got done watching a fantastic series on Netflix called The Ultimate Guide to the Presidents and one thing you'll learn is that the White House has been redone many times in its history. Old buildings just weren't built to withstand father time, and though the White House isn't the original structure, we still consider it the same place that most of our presidents have lived. 

Either way, this can't happen if the people don't get behind it. If you are interested in the Brown House being preserved you should get vocal about it, and plan on chipping off a few dollars along the way.

Check these links to the Wildomar Historical Society

https://www.facebook.com/WildomarHistoricalSociety

https://www.facebook.com/DavidBrownHouse

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Time and tide wait for no man.
― Geoffrey Chaucer

Wildomar Rap is not an island, nor an archipelago.