• Solar Eclipse, Wildo-style

A fun morning at Marna O'Brien park as the onlookers shared the partial eclipse together. Here are some pics to get a feel of the day.

Local astronomy buff John Garrett starting setting up his solar-safe telescopes around 8:00 in the morning for the long anticipated astronomical event. 

Reminder: on September 23rd John will be hosting Astronomy Night at Marna O'Brien park. They're always fun events so be sure to add it to your calendar now.

John Garret addressing the crowd as Daniel Torres (L) and Richard Deskin (R) look on.

Periodically he'd address the crowd, reminding them to be safe and the best ways to view the eclipse.

This family came with eclipse shirts.

The lines were constant, but moved quickly.

This mom is helping her son see the eclipse.

The crowd was estimated to be between 100 and 140 people there. Pretty impressive number considering it was a Monday morning while school was in session.

A look at part of the crowd from about 60 feet in the air and 100 feet away.

People of all ages took turns looking through special glasses or telescopes equipped with the proper filters to allow for safe viewing.

Wildomar Mayor Tim Walker gets a gander of the eclipse through special glasses.

Seeing is believing.

Oohs and ahhs.

Many people tried to take photos with their phones through the filters. 

One of several telescopes that were set up for the public to look through.

The one I took wasn't all that impressive.

There were other ways to view the moon passing in front of the Sun besides the special glasses or the telescopes. Such devices ranged from store bought items, homemade viewers, all the way down to your own hands.

This is my favorite photo of the day.

I wasn't sure what was happening here, but know it was another viewing strategy. ☺

Mayor Tim Walker thanked the crowd for coming out and invited them all back to the park on Saturday, September 9th, for a free concert in the park. 

Come on out for the last hurrah of Summer 2017, before the holiday season starts up.

 •          •          •

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
– Samuel Smiles

Burden or no burden, Wildomar Rap isn't like the sun, so don't expect assistance in photosynthesis just because you read it.

• Memorial Service for Stan Smith

The morning of Saturday, August 19th, 2017 was picture perfect with unseasonably moderate temperatures for the middle of Summer in the IE. 

It also was the day that family and friends of Stan Smith, about 150 people, said their goodbyes to him.

Wildomar's Cornerstone Community Church hosted the viewing, service and reception. It began with a couple of songs accompanied by acoustic guitar.

One of several tables in the foyer that displayed remembrances of Stan.

There were three eulogies

First by longtime friend of Stan Smith, Rick Estes. Below are some highlights.

• He was my first boss. [...] In those days we didn't have so much formal education [In the real estate business], it had to be done by learning on the job. So he would correct my contracts, he would correct everybody's contracts in the office, he was the general manager. He'd take us out, and if necessary show us how to do the things that you do when you're selling land. 

He taught by example, so I learned how to locate corners and fill out a contract properly, and find flood plains [...] but more important than anything else he taught me, by example, the integrity that is necessary to sell. The honesty. When you told somebody something, it was your word, that was the end of it. The paper was important, but it was your word that was most important thing.

• Stan was a 'people oriented person'. He never talked about money or commissions, it was people that mattered. That was consistent through his entire life. 

• I think it's probably pretty obvious by the crowd you see here, the family that is involved. He was very proud of his sons and his grand kids. As they were growing he would talk about them, brag on them like dads/grandpas are supposed to. If you wanted to get Stan going, to get him talking, wanted to spend some time... ask him about how his grand kids are doing and out would come his telephone and you'd get a chance to see and hear what was [what]. 

• Stan was involved in the planning of [the city of] Wildomar, the community of Wildomar.  I can't tell you all the organizations he was involved in. Obviously he was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Realtors, he was involved in the Southwest Area Plan, and it goes on and on. 

Some don't know that he was actually involved, back around '75, when we were lobbying for the off ramp at Baxter because Caltrans didn't have that in the plan. So it goes right back to the very beginning, the Baxter off ramp and how it goes down to the center of Wildomar, was part of his doing. 

• Stan got me involved in the WIN committee, he recruited me. I came to the first meeting at his request. One of the things about him in the WIN committee was such a source of detailed knowledge, he had an ability to remember details. If you needed to know almost anything, he was there. He knew all the boundaries of the old land grants. He knew the streets, he knew the subdivisions, and it went on and on and on. 

I don't think it would be possible for the city of Wildomar to be incorporated without Stan's help. 

• The picture you see up here, the picture you saw on the flyer, is the same Stan, the same smile that he had 42 years ago when I met him.

A memorial resolution from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ben Benoit spoke for about five minutes about Stan. Selected highlights below.

• For those of you that don't know me, I'm Ben Benoit Mayor Pro-Tem for the city of Wildomar. I wouldn't be in that position today if it wasn't for Stan. 

When I met Stan I had just been talked into running for city council by Scott Farnam, and Scott told me "There's someone you've got to meet right away." It only took me a few minutes to realize that everything I needed to know I could learn from Stan.

• Just like Rick [Estes] said, there wasn't a map at city hall, there's not a map in this community, and there's not a map in the communities around us that Stan didn't know what was there, why it was there, how it got there. And I'm not [just] talking about the current place, but [what] was there before it, and before that.

• As I look around this room of the great friends of Stan, I'm envious. I'm envious that all of you have had decades with him, as I only had one decade with him. That decade was filled with so many smiles, so many helpful moments. 

• Matt Bassi, our planning director, (after he was first hired) came to me and said, "Ben, I just had lunch with Stan, the planning commissioner, and I now understand the layout, the plan, the organization, every detail of our city's general plan." 

So we can keep calling it "the general plan", which is the plan that our city goes by when we look at development in our city, but to me, it's "Stan's plan" and it's a wonderful plan. 

• When I got on city council in 2010 I asked for applications for planning commission, and I was so honored when he put his application in. I was so happy to make him my planning commissioner. 

• Thank you Stan. Thank you for all your hard work in the community, the communities around us, and thank you for giving us all the great plans to go forward with. 

• To Stan's family, there wasn't a time that I could be with him where I couldn't hear all the wonderful things about all of you. He loved all of you so much. 

Thank you for letting us have our time with him, and thank you for all the time you were able to support him [allowing] him to go out into the community, because we know that it takes a lot of good family time to do that. Thank you.

The flag draped coffin sat at the front of the stage
as Ben Benoit delivered some heartfelt words.

For the next 8 minutes there was a charming slide show that had photos of Stan from his earliest years, right through his last birthday party. I'll post the pics I took of his 78th birthday here.

Stan shakes hands with Michael Sheehan as he accepts the anchor clock birthday gift from the VFW. Looking on is Bridgette Moore (standing on the left) and Tim Walker (standing on the right).

Stan showing off his new clock.

Stan enjoys the moment with his granddaughters.

Kevin Smith regales the crowd with stories of his dad.

Marsha Swanson talking about how many years she'd known Stan.

Members of the WIN committee in attendance: Rick Estes, Bob Cashman, 
Stan Smith, Geri Stevenson, Tim Underdown and Bridgette Moore.

Joseph Morabito poses with the birthday boy.
(Can there be a higher privilege than having the guest of honor give you rabbit ears?)

Staff pastor Tyler Moore gave an uplifting talk that weaved together stories about Stan regarding his family, friends and involvement in the community and some scriptures too over the course of fifteen minutes. The entire address was well crafted, and it was difficult to choose which passages were to be shared. Below are just a few of the gems I paid special attention too.

• I listened to Kevin [Smith] as he told me about his father, as Kevin told me about Stan the man, the oldest of seven children, growing up, working before school and after school in the orange groves. Growing up with a mindset, a mentality that there's always something to be done. A work ethic that served him well, especially in the navy. 

• Kevin told me of a fierce love that Stan had for his wife. A love that would wait during his times serving our country. A love that would not only span those short years, but a love that would span the entire test of time —forty-six years, married to the love of his life.

• Kevin told me about the love his father had for his boys, a love that wouldn't spoil his two boys rotten but a deeper love. A love that would teach them discipline and the blessing of hard work. The love of a father that would not spare his children, but would cultivate that hard work in him and [his brother] Mark throughout their development.

• I want to encourage you today, whatever lesson, whatever value, whatever ethic, whatever principle, [however] Stan impacted your life; I want to encourage you today — don't let it end here, don't let it end now. Take it with you out those doors. Share it with others. Demonstrate it. Live it out. The lessons, the memories, the love from Stan, share it with your friends and your family as well. 

The service was concluded by the singing of Amazing Grace by the same duo that had sung at the opening of the service. 

Afterward his family escorted the coffin through the hall to the hearse that was taking him to his final resting place, the Riverside National Cemetery. 

Personal note

I don't know how it happened, but I became friends with Stan Smith sometime over last three plus years. I can come off as aloof, but his friendly nature blasted right through that facade. 

I first saw him in action in 2013 when I went to my first planning commission meeting. I remember wanting him to be more forceful with the gavel at times, but that wasn't his way. He was always more than willing to hear all sides of the issue, even the rude people that couldn't care less about decency and decorum.

I had the opportunity to have a one on one breakfast with him a couple of years back at OMG (Old Market Grill). It was one of those meetings that you hoped could continue well beyond the appointed time. Quite the story teller he was. 

He also entrusted me with some historic photos of Wildomar. He allowed me to scan them in before returning them. 

Wildomar Elementary: Class of 1928.
David A. Bown is standing, top row on the right.

I used to see him at the Wildomar Chamber monthly breakfasts. More than a couple times he would come over and sit at the same table I was at. 

I remember more than one bus trip to Harrah's that we both were on. The first one was a couple of years back. I just remember that he and Gary Brown were joking with my wife Grace the whole ride home... while I was taking a hops driven siesta.

An example of his sense of humor. 
He delivered the above with a perfect straight-man look on his face.

The 2017 Harrah's bus ride had us changing our usual eating plans. In the past we'd headed straight for the Mexican restaurant, but this time we went to the buffet. As it turned out, veterans could eat free that day, and that covered a friend too. 

With some quick calculating by Bridgette Moore, we paired up all the vets with non vets and we all ate for free. That night I was Stan's date, though we sat at different tables.☺

Grace and I would see him at park events, where he'd often be with his granddaughters. Even though they weren't little, they'd be there for the movies in the park.

I also had the opportunity to meet him over at the VFW, usually for their renowned steak nights. The last time was just a couple of months ago, and though my wife wasn't feeling well that night, she suggested I take Stan up on his invitation.

It was Stan, Cheri and Rod Zamora and me. Not the usual crowd, but a great evening just the same.

That occurred a couple of months before he was diagnosed with cancer. At that time, he was hoping to qualify for a knee replacement surgery. Life throws curve balls and who knew that would be the last steak night I'd be able to hang out with him.

The last time I saw him was at the Riverside Kaiser hospital about a week before he passed away. All things considered, he looked pretty good that day, and was up to his usual gregarious self. We didn't stay too long, but I'm glad I had a chance to give him a hug before saying goodbye.

Below is a brief video of Stan leading the planning commission meeting in the pledge of allegiance.

•          •          •

“Immortality is to live your life doing good things, and leaving your mark behind.” 

—Brandon Lee (1965-1993)


Wildomar Rap isn't concerned with immortality, or leaving a mark behind, but does enjoy doing good things when the opportunity arises. Goodbye dear friend Stan, you'll truly be missed and will continue to serve as a role model, even in your absence.

• Rumors of a Craft Beer Festival in Wildomar Are a Brewing

Oh yeah, gotta love the cheesy headline I came up with, but if all goes well, by Autumn of 2018, Wildomar will be the host area for the Santa Rosa Plateau's fund raiser involving craft beers.

Their aspiration is to evolve this into a signature event for them and the city. Starting it off slowly, with hopes that over time it would develop into something that would bring in people from all of SoCal, and even other parts of the nation. 

I'd first heard chatter about such a thing a couple of months ago, and at the recent Parks Subcommittee meeting the details were gone over by Santa Rosa Plateau's Ginger Greaves.

At the start of her presentation she played the following video in hopes of "educating you (the committee) a little more about what we do". 

The power point presentation was interesting and filled with many possibilities. Clearly an idea with a lot of potential. Marna O'Brien Park was mentioned as the perfect site for at least the first several years as the event grows.

This may be reason to dust off plans for a hotel in town. I think I remember being told that there is a pad right next to city hall that is already designated for such a thing too. ☺

I'd love to hear more about the "future Wildomar Parks' Foundation." It wasn't elaborated on during the meeting.

"Marketing for the city of Wildomar. It would enhance your city profile to potential businesses and developers. Providing an opportunity for partners wanting to invest in Wildomar. [A]s your build-out evolves, and recognizing that you have a 40% undeveloped space, events like this can help portray the community as a vibrant and progressive city, with quality offerings for their residents."

—Ginger Greaves

As a longtime resident of Wildomar, one really has to like the sound of that. With the right groundwork and people behind it, this could be what puts the area on the map. A Signature Event for the city.

I know that for many years the Wildomar Rotary Club has hosted a yearly barbecue, but this year it didn't materialize. There is talk of having it come back next year, at least in some form, but it wasn't listed among the 2018 events I saw last night. 

As much as I love the Rotary Club —heck, I'm even a member in good standing as of this blog ☺, I'd love to see another group of people take the lead in a key event such as the one discussed here.

They still have a few more ducks to get in a row, then they plan on announcing the 2018 date later this year. They haven't settled on a specific date yet, but expect it to be anywhere from the last weekend in September up through the start of November. 

They're looking to make sure that the date isn't in conflict with any other regional events before opting for one.

Late September seems like the best time. That way the headaches of the holiday season can be avoided.

Let's hope there's more on this topic to blog about before the year's out.

This graphic was in the power point presentation.

•          •          •

“Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”
– Martin Luther

Wildomar Rap harkens back to the halcyon days of youth, and recalls the quickest path to sleep. It involved three 24 ounce cans of Steel 211. Not sure that it was all that heavenly the next day though. 

• Another loss for Martha Bridges et al

On August 8th it was made known that the 'Martha Bridges et al' lawsuit, against the proposed MSJC Wildomar Campus, lost in the court of appeal when they affirmed the lower court ruling.

Meaning: add another tally to their vast loss column.

For those that aren't sure what this is about, here is a link to a Press Enterprise editorial about it from December of 2015.

Here's a link to a blog I wrote about the editorial the same day.

I started to pull highlights from the document but then realized that was an impossibility. It's 28 pages long, and has over 7,000 words in it, estimated to take more than 35 minutes to read. No thanks, we all have real lives.

For those that would like a taste of the actual findings in the PDF, here are the opening couple of paragraphs before they delved into the "Factual Background" of the case.

This California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)1 case arises from a community college’s decision to buy a plot of vacant land from a regional park district for potential future use as the site of a new campus. Plaintiffs and appellants Martha Bridges and John Burkett (appellants) are residents of Wildomar, the city where the land is located. 

They sued respondent Mt. San Jacinto Community College District (the community college, or the college) alleging it violated CEQA by failing to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) before executing a purchase agreement for the property. Appellants also allege the community college violated CEQA by failing to adopt local CEQA implementing guidelines.

The trial court dismissed the action in its entirety, and we affirm. As we explain, appellants did not exhaust their administrative remedies before filing this suit and have not demonstrated they were excused from doing so. And, even if the exhaustion doctrine did not bar appellants’ suit, we would affirm the court’s ruling because both of their CEQA claims lack merit. 


As to their first cause of action, CEQA does not require the college to complete an EIR before signing a purchase agreement, especially under these circumstances, where the agreement itself requires the college to complete an EIR before the sale can be finalized. As to their second cause of action, the college is exempt from formally adopting local implementing guidelines because it uses the guidelines of another California agency.

Sorry, but I don't have a link to the PDF. If you'd like the complete 28 page report, ask the city to send you a copy.

My three favorite parts of the findings were as follows:

• From page 2

The trial court dismissed the action in its entirety, and we affirm. As we explain, appellants did not exhaust their administrative remedies before filing this suit and have not demonstrated they were excused from doing so. And, even if the exhaustion doctrine did not bar appellants’ suit, we would affirm the court’s ruling because both of their CEQA claims lack merit. 

• From page 28

We conclude the second cause of action lacks merit and affirm the trial court’s dismissal.

• From page 28 (last thing before the three judges' names)

DISPOSITION
We affirm the judgment and award costs to respondents.
 

Does that mean what I hope it means? 

Could it be that they'll actually have to pay something out of their own pockets? 

Heck, they've only delayed the start of the project by many, many years... what's it to them if it's not opened in time for your kids to attend that campus?

No biggie. Just the actions of a community activist, looking out for what's best for the rest of us... just "following her heart." LOL

Yep, pretty much like Ken Mayes declared back in June in the comment section of a Wildomar Rap blog...  

"I for one thank Ms. Martha Bridges for her diligence in ensuring wildomar stays on the right course. I consider her a friends[sic] an[sic] confidant, even a comrade if you wish. Just like a local suffragette of old, the one and only Margaret Collier (the MAR in wildomar), Ms. Bridges follows her heart." 

The unmitigated gall to make such a comparison. But, that's what makes Kenneth, Kenneth.

If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to request that Wildomar's most infamous litigant stay out of the news for a few months... my keyboard needs a rest.

•          •          •

In the world’s broad field of battle, 
   In the bivouac of Life, 
Be not like dumb, driven cattle! 
   Be a hero in the strife! 
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 
excerpt from A Psalm of Life

Wildomar Rap is the antidote if you've been caught up with the dumb, driven cattle. Be it in the broad field of battle, the bivouac of life or the pages of Nextdoor.