• Local Child Care Provider Wins Award

It's always enjoyable to share the successes of others

With award certificate from NAFCC.

Today is that of Pamela "Miss Pam" Garlich (pronounced like the wonderfully pungent culinary delight) who runs a licensed child care from her home. 

My wife Grace and I had a chance to sit down with Pam, and her husband Darren, at Marna O'Brien park the other night and chat about Pam's recent award.

They moved to Wildomar about eight years ago from San Bernardino. Before moving here, she operated a daycare in her home with up to six kids.

A look at the play area in the backyard.

I asked how she chose child care as a profession and she replied, "That could be a long answer. There are seven siblings in my family, and my mom and dad were really good parents, they were always hands on." 

She related a story about when she was a wee lass, how she'd play as the teacher with the young neighborhood kids under a shade tree, passing out markers and pencils as she'd say, "Ok class, you've got to sit down."

A favorite activity is making smoothies. The children pick out what they want to put into a smoothie, some are delicious, some are green and mushy. [The kids have choosen] things from peanut butter to kale to pickles to whatever (Pam said with a smile and laugh).

She's been doing child care for more than 20 years, so I asked how much it's changed over time. Darren jumped in mentioning the wide range of providers that go from babysitting to educators. 
 

Cutting up celery for fresh vegetable soup.

"With every move she makes, she's teaching something," Darren continued, "we've got rocks at the house that are painted blue and green and yellow, all the different colors. You ask them to go stand by the yellow rock, not just 'go stand by the rock', it's a constant thing... I call her the Child Whisperer."

Pam's response about the differences centered on nutrition options and activities.

Where once she would have offered pizza bites and cookies, it's now one serving from each food group. 

We still serve pizza, but with whole grain crust, tomato sauce, cheese & sometimes a choice of meat. Along with the pizza, I would also serve a fruit and milk.

She's also gone from suggesting TV —as a goto activity, to things like easel painting, making play dough, puzzles, riding trikes, obstacle courses, cutting with scissors, digging in the sandbox, science projects, building with wooden blocks among many other things. 

Tending the garden.

An interesting thing I learned about Pamela's approach to dealing with children is that she doesn't like to use the word "no" with the kids.

"Instead of saying 'no' I redirect unwanted behavior with one that is acceptable. Sometimes children see "No!" as a challenge to get around. So, with my experience, redirection is a good alternative to 'no'."

Learning about fruits and vegetables.

I asked her to elaborate on what the NAFCC was and how she got nominated for the award. 

At the recent awards dinner.

"The NAFCC is National Association for Family Child Care, it's a national organization that helps as an information resource, recommending curriculum, help with obtaining insurance, they hold conferences for continued learning."

"How I got nominated... it's called the Let's Move Child Care, where Michelle Obama is trying to get nutrition out there. I signed up for the program, filled out the questionnaire, and they let you know the best practice"

"With the program there were certain things you had to meet. Along with the questionnaire, you had to submit photographs explaining what you were doing, why you were doing it, how were the children benefitting." 

"I submitted the application and a team from Let's Move Child Care read all the entries, and from there they chose the winners."

She was one of three chosen among the more than 7,000 members.

She takes her charge seriously, and as she was describing the slideshow highlighting Garlich Family Child Care, that she submitted to NAFCC, she started to tear up. 

She also received an award back in April from the 1st district of Riverside County having to do with the health department, regarding nutrition. 

Though it fluctuates, she cares for about nine children a day ranging from 6 weeks to 5 years, with children up to 12 years old on non school days/Summer.

For more information, visit the link below.
Click for blog where Pam was
recognized by Mayor Moore

 

Garlich Family Child Care Facebook link

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"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

— Frederick Douglass 1818-1895

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: You haven't experienced it all until you've had a ravioli smoothie. Basically last night's dinner into the blender. Complete with leftover ravioli, spinach, salad, topped off with some red wine and espresso... and yes, this actually happened.

• 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.

• Mayor For a Day 2016

On Wednesday July 6th, 2016, Ashley Fox was Mayor For a Day in Wildomar. 

Ashley has been active in the community for a couple of years now. In 2014 she earned her Girl Scouts Silver Award with the Freedom Swing project.
 

Link to 2014 blog entitled Meet Ashley Fox

Her morning started bright and early with breakfast at the newly opened Yellow Basket. Originally the plan was to attend the Chamber of Commerce breakfast, but being it was the same week as a national holiday, they didn't have one this month. 

When Yellow Basket owner, Tom Boussiacos, heard about it, he was happy to not only host the breakfast, but sponsor it too. He then suggested that a return trip for lunch would also be provided by Yellow Basket. 

Ashley Fox, Tom Boussiacos, Bridgette Moore.

To be environmentally friendly, the Mayor, and Mayor for the Day, rode around in the Fox family's vehicle that transports Ashley's wheelchair, piloted by her mom Kimberley.

It doesn't have a mechanized lift, so at every stop, it was necessary to place a specially designed ramp at the back of the minivan, bring the chair down to ground level, refold the ramp, and then help Ashley into it.

At first I just watched, then quickly realized that a second set of hands would lighten the load and quicken the pace for all. 

UT photographer Andrew Foulk snaps a few pics for the newspaper.

After Yellow Basket, they were off to a meeting at City Hall with Steve Falk, from HOPE, and the discussion centered on a coming round table/summit of local organizations to address the local homeless population.

Steve Falk of HOPE and Mayor for the Day Ashley Fox.

Between the first meeting at city hall, and lunch, was a trip to the cemetery to look at an opening in the wall that isn't wheelchair accessible; a possible Girl Scout Gold Award project bringing it up to ADA standards.

Then over to Marna O'Brien park to see the newly moved Freedom Swing, that's its own story, and discussion of a second ribbon cutting for it.
 

Blog about first ribbon cutting in 2014

At a horseshoe shaped table during an RTA meeting with local elected officials.

The next stop was all the way up in Riverside, at an RTA meeting. After the meeting they gave a tour of the facility to Mayor Ashley and the group.

The tour was given by Bob Bach of RTA. Looking off in the direction of the bus wash.

Showing where the buses are stored when not in use. This facility houses 60 buses with even more that get parked outside. It's a veritable hive of activity in the late evening hours as the buses are turned in and then cleaned and refueled.

Pointing to an area that has older buses that are no longer in commission.

Here Ashley discusses bus service, including Dial-A-Ride, at The Farm with Virginia Werly.

From there it was back to City Hall for another meeting which didn't finish until 4:00pm, when she called it a day.

She had to leave before I could ask her a couple of questions about her day, so I emailed them to her instead. The answers are shorter than they'd have been had I asked them in person.

At the end of her long day, showing a certificate commemorating her time in office, and beaming a big smile too.

Which part of the day did you find most difficult?
Trying to stay awake (with a smiley emoticon with tears of laughter).

Which part did you enjoy most?
Eating (with another smiley emoticon).

Which part surprised you, or you didn't anticipate?
[Hearing about] the way the RTA handles the money (when the bus drivers turn their fares in at the end of the day).

Do you see yourself participating in local government in the future?
No. (To which her mother added, "At least she's honest lol")

I asked Mayor Bridgette Moore more about "Mayor for a Day" and how Ashley was selected.

Back in 2010, I had two Mayor for a Day programs. For 2016, probably will just have the one day (July 6th). I have always picked a young person (preteen/teen) that has/is making changes for the better, in our community.

As you know, 15-year-old Ashley Fox raised the funds to purchase and install a wheelchair swing at Marna O'Brien Park. By doing this, she has made the park a destination spot for those in wheelchairs to come and enjoy the swing and park. What I especially love about Ashley is that she does not let her own wheelchair define her. She is a cheerleader and a Girl Scout. She sold enough cookies to earn a cruise to Canada! In her young life, she has already provided awareness about what people in wheelchairs can accomplish and she promotes accessible programs.

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From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California, a good evening.

—Jerry Dunphy, 1921-2002

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: 
Don't wait to be asked to do something that you can tell you should already be doing.

• Wildomar Get's Spanked? Really???

Someone shared a link to a Patch article with me, and when I clicked on it I saw that it wasn't actually an article, but just a throwback to a bygone era —when locals would post all sorts of half-baked stories just to get a rise out of commenters. Things based in truth, but then spun into yarns that would even make Munchhausen blush.

Ominous looking headline. I'm guessing this will end up on Eye Witness News, film at 11 with Jerry Dunphy.

After reading the information (which had a total of 765 words to describe a report with 555 words, of which 121 words dealt with Wildomar's history as a town and a city) I thought I'd give another perspective on the topic of "Wildomar Gets Spanked".

This Grand Jury Report only came to be because a resident complained about something. 

Something that is utterly unworthy of serious discussion, but some people keep the bar to such things so low, that even an ant can step over it.

The report is titled 2015-2016 GRAND JURY REPORT City of Wildomar. Allow me to just cut and paste it instead of recapping it.

After being reminded about that, next the methodology was discussed.

I had been wondering why the Grand Jury would bother with such picayune nonsense, but it was right there in black and white. They interviewed a "Citizen of Wildomar" aka (Complainant)... figures.  

It wasn't like they came looking on their own, someone told them that the sky was falling and they were basically obliged to check it out.

Well, this has to be good... right? Something along the lines of either the corruption exposed in Bell (from several years ago) or even Beaumont's current fiasco... again... right?

I'm still trying to figure out the problem here. 

The agendas and vacancies do get posted, just as they're supposed to be, yet people still find ways to get rankled over it. 

Somehow the City is supposed to have jurisdiction over bulletin boards at the Library (county) and the Post Office (federal)?

Well, I wonder what the Grand Jury has in mind as punishment for old Willy'Mar? 

Seems like the best solution is the city website and stop with all the corny bollocks of posting it at the library, post office or fire station. As disheartening as this may be to hear, we are NOT Mayberry RFD of the 1950s. We jus' ain't.

I still fancy the bulletin board behind the hitchin' post over at Round Up my own self. 

The fact that so few people participate in local politics, or apply for positions on city commissions, can be traced to several things. None of which includes they couldn't easily find the information.

• First, people across the nation simply do not care about civic duties like they may have in the past. 
• Second, Wildomar, for all it's 130 years of existence, is still a brand new community. Most of our 35,000 residents came here [relatively] recently and often have allegiances to their childhood neighborhoods/cities. 
• Third, and not to be too quickly discounted, this city has had more than its share of mean-spirited cranks in it. It doesn't take a lot to chase good people back to the safety of their homes, and they know it, and think they have some kind of muscle they can flex to scare others. 

Another thing, what is with people that are looking for trouble where it doesn't exist? That is the same mentality that forced Wildomar to go to districts, because of unfounded and offensive suggestions, that members of the community were being kept from voting for a candidate of their choice based on ethnicity. 

These kinds of false accusations to the Grand Jury do NOT help the cause of the average citizen. When you repeatedly cry wolf, and there is no wolf, the real wolf just may take notice as everyone else turns a deaf ear... then you end up with a situation like Beaumont.

This kind of "story" is why I stopped visiting the Patch years ago. This was found there, but no mention of the coming City Birthday event? Pshaw!

FTR this blog had 675 words in it (not counting the report graphics, that is).

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Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

—Baron Munchausen 

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: If you're really that bored, try either crossword puzzles or Words With Friends... assuming you have friends.

• Planning Commission Meeting July 2016

This meeting only had two items on the agenda. Both were dealing with zoning ordinances.

2.1 Dealt with Micro-Craft Breweries

The amendment to the existing zoning will allow up to 15,000 barrels to be produced per year for a type 23 ABC license and 5,000 BPY for a type 75 ABC lic.

This applies to "consumption on site" types of businesses, not breweries looking to sell to the mass market.

Ken Mayes spoke on this topic. His concerns were about water use, though he started off by reading some history about the town's founders' desire to make Wildomar a perpetual dry area in the years leading up to Prohibition. 

So much for attempting to control others after your days are over.

"What's the benefit to the community of producing a product that will use imported water, imported ingredients —as barley and hops are no longer local crops, there's nothing unique about any beer that can be produced here. They could all be brewed somewhere where there's plentiful water, and sold in any bar."
—KM

Let me step in here Kenny. 

We can certainly extend that same logic to everything. Why have anything in Wildomar when we can easily drive to a neighboring city to purchase goods and services?

He then mentioned that the water consumption of a micro-brewery is akin to a laundromat, and how we don't even have a laundromat. 

When it was the commission's turn to chime in, Stan Smith suggested, "About the laundromat, what if we had a micro-brewery in the laundromat? While you washed your clothes you could drink beer."

That sounds like a great new business

And while I'm in creative mode, allow me to suggest that one of the signature beers be called Dos Jotos with the following 'commercial' produced in 2009.

Planning director Matt Bassi was asked if there were any applicants considering opening a micro-brewery at this time, and his answer was, "Officially no, but they're coming."

Before voting 3-0 to approve this, Commissioner Stan Smith shared a tender story with those in attendance. 

"That reminds me of a story that a lady had written to her sons that their father had died. She said, that he had worked at the local brewery and he had fallen into the mix and drowned. They tried repeatedly to pull him out and he kept fighting them off."

2.2 Sign Regulations
This one was one of those that ended on a double negative.

The "yes" vote was to "not" recommend that the council approve the amendment, with the vote going 2-1 (Langworthy and Lloyd against the amendment and Smith for it).

This will still be going to the council where I'm betting that they will override the Planning Commission's recommendation (or lack thereof).

It potentially affects any business center within 600 feet of the freeway. Walmart has already said they aren't interested in such an LED sign.

If this zoning ordinance amendment is approved by the council, it would allow existing places (like Stater Bros or Albertson's) to consider installing such a sign too.

Specifically mentioned was the soon to come Wildomar Square, wanting to put in a sign that has a 200sf LED board in its freeway sign.

Artist's rendition of sign, with a mockup of what it would look like at night.

I'm no fan of billboards, but this is just a sign and hardly different than the one that Stater Bros has on the northwest side of Clinton Keith. The only difference is that the LED portion of it allows for a changeable image.

This was amended to change the dark period to 9:30pm-6:30am.

Having this sign display Amber Alerts was mentioned as were community messages, though that wasn't elaborated on. 

I'm wondering if such "community messages" would include info about coming city/parks events like the one below?

Planning Director Report
Matt Bassi mentioned several items of interest.

• Office building on Clinton Keith and Palomar is under reconstruction/remodeling. It's new name is to be "The Barn."
• Wildomar Square moving forward with 4 of the 8 buildings nearing construction approval.
• Lennar/Briarwood project on Prielipp and Elizabeth is moving ahead. 50% of the homes have already been sold.
• Griffin Homes in The Farm have complete 2 of 4 phases.
• Richmond America on Palomar (Chaparral at The Ranch) has models finished.
• The Grove Park development has had interest from a commercial broker (Yamas and Clinton Keith).
• Among several other things in the early stages.

•        •        •

If anyone, anywhere, at any time, commits a wrong, and we condone it or refuse to speak out against it, we truly become a silent partner.

—E.G. Marshall, CBSRMT 

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: When you find yourself befuddled by the words of a bien pensant, just keep moving and don't make a scene. 

• Wildomar Turns Eight

Wildomar turns 8... in its 130th year!

Funny thing about numbers, they can be contradictory and accurate at the same time. 

Here's how.

The community of Wildomar is 130 years old, but the city has only been incorporated for 8.

To help celebrate the city's birthday, the tradition of ringing the old school bell at Wildomar Elementary, was instituted from the start.

Kristan Lloyd, of the Wildomar Historical Society, was the master of ceremonies and warmed up the modest crowd before handing over the mic to Councilmember Bob Cashman.

Bob Cashman as he regales the gathered with tales of yesteryear.

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.

Councilmember Marsha Swanson takes a turn at ringing the bell.

Councilman Bob Cashman, Mayor Bridgette Moore, Councilmember Marsha Swanson and Councilman Ben Benoit.

This was one way to celebrate Wildomar's birthday, but there is a big bash planned for Saturday evening, July 9th, at Marna O'Brien park.

There will be a high end Beach Boy's cover band, a car show, a beer garden for the adults, and plenty to keep you entertained. People will start showing up around 5:00pm, so don't dawdle too much. See the flyer for more info.

Below is a video of the bell ringing from 2014. This is what it sounded like then and now... and believe me, it's LOUD!

Link to the 2015 Bell Ringing blog

Link to the 2014 blog

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The test of a lady is how well she can keep her temper, no matter how she is insulted.

—E.G. Marshall, CBSRMT 

FYI, Wildomar Rap isn't intimidated by scarecrow faced shrews with absurdly narrow set eyes.