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Californians can vote to add abortion to the state’s constitutional rights | Page B1
Weather: 99o/65o | Volume IV | Issue XXVI
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Thursday, June 30 - July 6, 2022
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REAL ESTATE | Page C2
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Newsom, legislators fast-track state budget deal
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SAN JACINTO, CA.
Andrew Vallejos Installed as Chamber’s Chairman of the Board SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS | CONTRIBUTED
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID HEMET, CA PERMIT NO. 69 92543-9998
In the past 12 years that Andrew Vallejos has worked as the Soboba Foundation Sponsorship Coordinator, he has come to know almost every business owner and nonprofit director in the San Jacinto Valley. So it makes sense for him to take the gavel as the newest Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Chairman at its annual Installation and Awards Gala on June 24. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians has a long history with the Chamber, since its original casino became a member in 1991 and the Soboba Casino Resort continued that membership after it opened in early 2019. Vallejos has been on the Chamber’s board of directors for the past six years and just completed his one-year term as Vice Chairman. He is succeeding Dr. Vince Record, who served two years as Chairman. Cyndi Lemke, the Chamber’s Executive Director, welcomed everyone to the black-tie event and shared a brief history of the organization’s local chapter, whose roots date back to 1919 with the City of San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce. “In 1920, the City of Hemet established a Chamber of Commerce with its first Chairman, Irwin Farrar leading the organization. Move forward to 1999 and the two original Chambers of Commerce joined together as one, unifying the valley business community,” she said. “Today, the combined Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce membership is over 500 from throughout the region, meeting the needs of the business community.” Record took to the podium to thank the three outgoing 20202021 board members for their contributions, dedication and commitment to making the valley the best it can be for the entire community. Due to the pandemic, there was no in-person gala to give them a proper sendoff. Richard Perry, who served as a
Students awaits near their horses as they await further instruction. | Photo by Rusty Strait.
HEMET/SAN JACINTO, CA.
The Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce annual Installation and Awards Gala was held June 24 at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. From left, HSJV Chamber Executive Director Cyndi Lemke, 2022-2023 Chairman of the Board Andrew Vallejos, Soboba Tribal Chairman Isaiah Vivanco and outgoing Chamber Chairman Vince Record. | Photos courtesy Robert A. Whitehead
past Chairman, “led our Chamber through several challenges with his calm and steady demeanor, sense of humor and his business expertise. He continued to guide me this year and his influence and legacy will continue to benefit the Chamber for years to come.” Dan Goodrich was thanked for his service, sharing his experience in business and with other Chambers “to help us make informed decisions that kept us focused on our purpose and to help strengthen the business environment of our community to benefit all who call this valley their home.” “Past Chairman Dr. G (Roberto Guadamuz) continues to be one of the most active community leaders in the Valley, and his influence extends far beyond the Chamber. He has led many of the events and initiatives that have shaped our Chamber, instilled a sense of stability and purpose, and participated in Chamber events and functions whether he has been a board member or not. He will always be a valuable resource for the future of our Chamber. As incoming Chairman, Vallejos was asked to recognize the 2021-2022 outgoing board mem-
bers. James Davis, manager of Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, arranged very generous donations of materials for several of the Chamber’s community service projects. Guillermo Alcazar brought to the Board “his skills in social media and helped us improve our communication to members and the community.” John Petersen was thanked for keeping the Chamber on track and making sure it had an effective risk management plan in plan. “His expertise ensured that the Chamber minimized its liability working and organizing events within the community,” Vallejos said. Soboba Tribal Chairman Isaiah Vivanco was then asked to take to the stage to officially install Vallejos as the Chamber’s 20222023 Chairman of the Board. This is the first time that a Tribal Chairperson has installed an HSJV Chamber Chairman and Vivanco thanked the Chamber for allowing him to take part in the event. He said it was great to see all the civic leaders as well as the business leaders of the valley
See SOBOBA on page A4
Special Needs Meet Special Steeds RUSTY STRAIT | SENIOR REPORTER
T.H.E. CENTER in Hemet has for almost forty years been assisting special needs children. Founded by Theresa Wilhelm in 1984 T.H.E. CENTER has assisted thousands of young people, not just special needs but all kids. Their summer program, currently under the guiding hand of Becky Polk, continues to grow. I had the privilege of sitting down with Becky this week and here is how it went: Q: What is the summer program about? A: We have a summer camp for three weeks which just finished up. This year we had 36 campers, a different set of campers each week. The normal fee is $225 per week. This year we were able to sponsor eighteen of those campers who come from low-income families. We work with Freedom House Church and My City Youth. Q: How do you apply equestrian healing? A: I’m not a therapist, but what we do is use different kinds of exercises when they are on the horse. Different kinds of positions to strengthen their backs and limbs. Much of it has to do with
mentality. These kids love riding horses. They enjoy the rhythm and gait of the horse as it walks. We don’t do anything strenuous. Q: How about your special-needs children? What are their needs? A: We work with cerebral palsy, down’s syndrome and autism. We can handle any type of disability that might be involved through the use of our horses. The children go through an orientation and evaluations. A doctor approves what they can and cannot do or be involved in. Doctors believe strongly in horse therapy. Q: Do the horses have a training regime? A: Oh yes. I have horse trainers who work with the horses, making sure that our horses are gentle and obedient and easy to handle. They spend a great deal of time teaching the kids to do the training themselves. Q: I understand that special needs kids bond with the horses from the get go. A: Oh, yes. They love the horses. They groom them and learn how to feed and water the animals. All of that is part of their therapy with the horses.
See STRAIT ON on page A4
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Planned Parenthood hosts rally outside Riverside City Hall
JONATHAN LINDEN | CONTRIBUTED
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n the wake of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood hosted an event outside Riverside City Hall last Friday. More than 100 people gathered outside Riverside City Hall for the event. “I can’t even express into words know how angry I feel, how frustrated I feel, I can’t imagine somebody telling me you can’t have an abortion,” said Riverside resident Tamara Kemp. Despite the supreme court ruling, abortion will remain legal in California and at least 20 other states. “If the roles were reversed and men had to carry the babies, this
would not even be a conversation. This is our bodies. How can you tell somebody what they can and cannot do,” Kemp added. Also present at the event was Riverside city councilmember, Clarissa Cervantes. The topic of abortion is a personal one for her. “I came out here today because as I mentioned in my speech to the crowd... I had a choice to choose to be a mother, when I chose to have my daughter and I couldn’t imagine not having that choice,” Cervantes said. Cervantes added that if people want continued abortion support in California, they need to elect pro-choice officials, even at the local level. “Things could very much change in our state and I think that’s something that we need to recognize that it’s a privilege right now,”
Individuals gathered outside Riverside City Hall during a Planned Parenthood event on June 24, 2022. | Photo: Jonathan Linden / 91.9 KVCR
Cervantes said. “We’ve worked so hard to have the representation we do right now to be a democratic state, but those democratic values are what are what’s giving us the
fundamental freedom to choose.” Only one counter-protestor was present at the event, with no altercations reported.
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