Thankful
Gratitude has a way of changing us. Not just in big, life-altering ways, but in the ordinary, everyday moments. When we practice it, even quietly, life feels less like something we’re rushing through and more like something we’re allowed to fully experience.
I’ve noticed that when I’m grateful — truly grateful — I’m not in such a hurry to fix or change things. Gratitude softens the edges, slows the pace, and makes room for presence. The morning drive feels less like a chore and more like a chance to see the light spill across the vineyards. A conversation with a friend feels less like small talk and more like connection. Even the challenges — and we all have them — take on a different shape when I choose to see them through gratitude. They become teachers rather than obstacles.
Maybe that’s why the holidays feel so different. For a few weeks each year, we all seem to lean a little more into gratitude. We take stock of what we have, rather than what we lack. We pause to celebrate traditions, to gather with family, to share a meal and remember the simple goodness of being together. It’s as if the whole world is practicing the same discipline at the same time — and you can feel the shift in the air.
This issue is devoted to that spirit.
I am deeply thankful for our advertising partners, whose support makes it possible to tell these stories month after month. And I am grateful for you — our readers — for making this magazine part of your homes, your conversations, and your lives.
As you enter this season, may gratitude guide your days. May it slow your hurry, lift your perspective, and allow you to see the beauty already in front of you. And may the peace and joy of this season remind you — as it does me — that life, in all its twists and turns, is something to be profoundly thankful for.
With gratitude,
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Sean Arnett | sean.arnett@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Desiree Allen | desiree.allen@citylifestyle.com
SALES DIRECTOR
Sean Arnett
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Desiree Allen
INTERNS
Emma Mangan, Ariana Vinh
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Emma Mangan, Ava Sarnowski, Hannah Cole
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Shawna Sarnowski
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The City of Temecula honored the lives lost and heroes remembered. 2: A solemn gathering united community members in reflection, remembrance, and gratitude on September 11, 2025. 3: The 9/11 Memorial brought together residents, first responders, and city leaders in a moving tribute to courage and sacrifice.
Photography by Shawna Sarnowski Photography
business monthly
Temecula Chamber Hosts Annual Monte Carlo At Wilson Creek Winery
The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 34th Annual Monte Carlo Extravaganza on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 5–9 PM at Wilson Creek Winery. Enjoy casino-style games, live music, a restaurant competition, and two $500 Grand Prizes. Presented by Title Sponsor Abbott. VIP Poker Tournament sponsored by Pechanga Resort Casino. Tickets include food, entertainment, and play money. Must be 21+. For tickets and sponsorships, contact 951-676-5090 or visit temecula.org
ARTICLE BY HANNAH COLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWNA SARNOWSKI
The Inaugural Southwest Artistry Exhibition
Presented by the Fallbrook Art Center
There are moments when art transcends gallery walls—it fills a community with meaning. It awakens something quiet yet powerful: a memory, a reckoning, a sense of belonging. This fall, the Fallbrook Art Center opened its doors to such a moment, unveiling the inaugural Southwest Artistry Exhibition , held from September 16 through October 18. For those who explored the exhibition, each canvas and sculpture offered more than visuals — they offered a moment of connection, reflection, and truth. It was spiritual, cultural,
a reminder that beauty—when rooted in truth and authenticity—has the power to unite.
The exhibition brought together paintings, photography, sculpture, and mixed media that spoke to the spirit of the American Southwest. These were not mere landscapes or studies of color. They were vessels of lived experience. Some whispered of endurance. Others radiated joy. A few offered quiet grief. Each one carried its own voice—its own offering. And together, they wove a portrait of a region that is not easily defined but always deeply felt.
Beyond the gallery walls, the Fallbrook School of the Arts, a division of The Fallbrook Art Center, continues this same spirit by giving people a place to learn, practice, and discover their own creative voices. Whether it’s painting, ceramics, printmaking, or jewelry design, the school offers a space where expression is nurtured and new stories take
shape. In many ways, the exhibition inside the Art Center is an extension of that mission—proof of what happens when a community is given both the tools to create and the invitation to share.
Curated by artists Helen Shafer Garcia and N. Dixon Fish, the exhibition reflected more than artistic sensibility—it carried a shared commitment to truth, context, and cultural respect. For them, it was never just about showcasing talent. It was about honoring stories. And honoring the people behind them.
“Southwest exhibitions have continued to expand viewpoints,” Helen shared. “Imagery now embraces broader regions and cultures, adding identity and diversity. This exhibition honors that evolution.”
Dixon, whose connection to the Southwest is rooted in his upbringing on ranches and a long career in the arts, added: “The days of romanticized,
“The context of imagery embraces expanded geographical regions and cultures, adding identity, narrative, and diversity.”
Lynnsie Rodriguez, Sacred Sky Stone
Mixed media (resin, acrylic, stones) | $24,000
A striking interplay of light and earthbound elements.
often appropriated subjects are behind us. The artists in this show have found both beauty and their voice in this diverse region.”
In their joint curatorial statement, the pair wrote: “We were diligent in selecting pieces that demonstrated cultural appreciation rather than appropriation. This exhibition reflects a range of mediums and influences true to the Southwest.”
These words served not just as a curatorial lens—but as a moral compass. They reminded us that art is not just for display. It is for remembering. For reconciling. For restoring.
In an age when images move fast and meaning is often lost, this exhibition called us to slow down. To notice. To feel. And to listen.
Walking through the gallery, visitors felt not spectacle but reverence. It was an atmosphere of sacred invitation. A call to reflect. To witness. To remember. And perhaps most importantly, to be changed.
As part of our Thankful Issue, this exhibition carries deep resonance. Gratitude, when fully lived, becomes collective. It becomes legacy. It becomes a call to preserve what is sacred.
The Fallbrook Art Center has long been a cornerstone of creativity in Southern California. With this exhibition, it becomes something more: a sanctuary for story, memory, and meaning. A space where art is not only admired, but understood. Where beauty is not only seen, but felt. And where purpose, always, leads the way.
Fallbrook Art Center
“I was looking for the feeling of the real Southwest,” he explained. “As you can see from the work displayed, the days of romanticized subjects—which often led to cultural appropriation—are fortunately behind us. Congratulations to the artists whose work is in this show. You have found both beauty and your voice in a vastly diverse area of the USA.”
WELCOMING
Home Our Veterans
CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARINE CORPS
ARTICLE
BY
AVA SARNOWSKI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWNA SARNOWSKI
In a season of reflection and reverence, we honor the legacy of those who served—those who stepped forward in uncertain times with courage, humility, and an unwavering sense of duty. This November, as our nation pauses to give thanks, we are privileged to share the stories of local veterans who answered the call in Vietnam, carrying the weight of war and the enduring spirit of service. Their stories are steeped in sacrifice and resilience. Their voices, hard-won and long-carried, are a gift to the community they now call home.
These are not only stories of war, but of humanity. Of duty carried out in impossible conditions. Of bonds that outlast decades. Of lives lived in honor of a promise—to serve faithfully, to protect one another, and to come home with dignity, even when the journey was marked by pain.
MARK BELLNAP: A CALLING BEYOND FEAR
After graduating high school in 1964, Mark Bellnap wasn’t sure about what he was going to do. But he was patriotic and supported the United States’ efforts in the Vietnam War. With no career prospects, he delayed going to college and enlisted in the Marine Corps, entering active duty on October 13, 1965. He told his recruiter that he wanted to enlist for four years and that the Marine Corps could place him in the specialty where he was needed. Bellnap believed the United States Marine Corps was an elite service.
Assigned as an Air Control/Anti-Aircraft Warfare Electronics Operator, Bellnap trained to guide aircraft from radar screens— monitoring movements, relaying instructions, and ensuring safe passage across dangerous skies. Stationed on Monkey Mountain near Da Nang, he worked with a team that pioneered new radar systems while living within the shadow of war.
He remembers the Tet Offensive of 1968—not from the frontlines, but from the mountain, watching tracer rounds streak across the night sky, and helicopters hovering like ghosts. The base, though relatively secure, was close enough to see the impact of war and feel its presence in every moment. Despite long hours and few comforts, Bellnap served with resolve and faith.
After leaving Vietnam, he continued to serve—three years in the Iowa Air National Guard and eighteen more in
the Army Reserves, retiring as a Major. Across 25 years, he wore three uniforms and took the oath to defend the Constitution each time with sincerity and pride.
Bellnap and his wife, Connie, moved to Temecula in 2019, wanting to be closer to medical facilities and their two daughters. He worked as a financial manager and university professor and has now retired. His life is luscious with stories and interests. Bellnap is an active tournament chess player, a devoted Rams fan, a Lions Club member since 1980, and now a member of the Temecula Valley Historical Society. He was a cavalry reenactor in the Custer Little Bighorn defeat and remains an accomplished public speaker.
ROD "DOC" FINK: HEALING IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS
Rod Fink’s service was marked by constant danger and a singular mission—to save lives. A Navy corpsman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines—known as "The Walking Dead"—he replaced a medic who had just been killed by enemy fire. Within days, he was in Khe Sanh, crawling through the mud, dressing wounds, and navigating trenches lined with fallen Marines.
Fink’s tour was filled with horrors he couldn’t speak of for twenty years. He saw close combat. He watched friends die. He risked his life daily, driven by duty and a fierce commitment to those under his care. “You don’t think about dying,” he said. “You just do what you’re trained to do.”
His worst day came during a brutal hilltop battle. In the aftermath, Fink moved through devastation-tending to the injured, steady in his purpose, and leaning on faith to carry him through. The memory lives on—not as trauma alone, but as a sacred moment of sacrifice and service.
After the war, Fink struggled with PTSD, nightmares, and survivor’s guilt. Healing came slowly—through counseling, community,
and faith. He poured his experiences into writing and now shares his journey in a book titled The Three Wars of a Walking Dead Corpsman: Combat, PTSD, and Agent Orange. He still battles triggers and physical pain, but he has found peace through honesty and purpose.
“You’re not the same person anymore. You grow up really fast,” he said. Fink was twenty-two when he went to Vietnam, and he was one of the oldest men in the company. Only three men were older than him, the gunnery sergeant, company commanding officer and a staff sergeant. The rest were younger, with many lying about their ages. Many fled to the service to avoid jail time back home. In truth, joining the Marine Corps taught them discipline. For many of these Marines, the best father figure they ever had was a senior Marine looking out for them and preparing them for survival. “You can see the strong bond of brothers,” Fink concluded.
ARTHUR "BILL" COVEY: FINDING PURPOSE IN THE TOWER
Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Arthur Covey, better known as Bill, was an air traffic controller during the Vietnam War. His rank was Sergeant E5, and he was with Marine Air Traffic Control 62, working from a tower.
During the Tet Offensive, a rocket exploded near his control tower. He was wounded by shrapnel and medically evacuated under enemy fire.
Covey recovered in Japan and returned to Vietnam, where he reconnected with a friend from boot camp—his future brother-in-law. That bond saved his life. Through a compassionate transfer, he was assigned to a quieter duty station, away from the front lines. It was during his recovery that he began exchanging letters with a young woman named Barbra, who later became his wife of 57 years.
Bellnap playing chess in the barracks on Monkey Mountain in November 1967
Fink at Camp Pendleton after Fleet Marine Training with his orders for Vietnam.
After his service, Covey became an educator, teaching woodworking and carpentry for over three decades. He found healing in purpose, love, and craftsmanship.
“I’m blessed,” he reflects. “Who knows what their stories are, what they saw, and what they experienced that I did not? Many are weighed down by that, even today, living on the streets. I never went that way. I just continued my life as it was before I went into the service. When I got out, I went right back to school and got married. I’m blessed; I’m truly blessed,” he said with gratitude.
ROBERT CROCKETT: A LIFE OF SERVICE
Robert Thomas Crockett, born Dec. 17th 1932, was a master sergeant in the Marine Corps. He enlisted in Corpus Christi, trained at boot camp in San Diego, California, and went to Camp Pendleton for advanced infantry training. He also deployed several times to Okinawa, Japan. “There’s nothing like it. There’s nothing to compare, and you’re glad you go through it. But you’ll never want to go through it again!” he laughs. Crockett was stationed in Vietnam twice. The first time was with the American embassy, and the second was in Vietnam, in the village of Khe Sanh. He was there from 1965 through 1967, in an infantry unit. Ironically, Crockett was in the same place and time as his neighbor, Arthur Covey, another Marine Corps veteran.
“We didn’t know each other at the time, but I remember when the air traffic control tower got hit. Later, I learned that he was at the base of the tower,” he said. He admitted that no one realized the significance of their arrival and how serious the impact was. Traveling to so many countries was most memorable to him. “Camp LeJune led me to the Mediterranean three times and Southeast Asia three to four different times,” he said. When he returned, he was stationed at El Toro in Orange County. After retiring, Crockett worked with the Department of Defense as a police officer at the naval station in San Diego. He spoke about how much he enjoyed his experiences with the Marines, knowing that he couldn’t have received them anywhere else.
“The military wasn’t my full-time career—but it was my highest honor.”
— Mark Bellnap, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
RON KRATOCHVIL: THE STEWARD OF STORIES
Though not a Marine, Ron Kratochvil’s role in bringing these voices forward cannot be overstated. A Navy supply officer who served from 1964 to 1968 aboard the USS Cacapon, Ron now calls Temecula home and remains active with the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Ron helped collect and organize these stories—not for glory, but to ensure they are never forgotten.
THE LEGACY LIVES ON
The threads that connect Bellnap, Fink, Covey, and Crockett are threads of duty, resilience, and faith. They are men who stepped forward not for fame, but for purpose. They gave of themselves so that others might live in peace. Their lives, now woven into the fabric of Temecula, are testimonies to the strength of character and the power of legacy.
As we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving, let us remember the veterans whose service gave us the freedom to do so. Let us offer gratitude not only in words, but in the way we live—with integrity, humility, and a willingness to serve others.
To all who have served—and to those who continue to carry the stories—we thank you. Your legacy endures.
THE WEIGHT OF SERVICE. THE GIFT OF STORY.
In sharing their experiences, these Vietnam veterans offer more than history—they offer healing. Through moments of pain and perseverance, their stories illuminate what it means to serve with honor and to live with gratitude. As we give thanks this season, let us remember that freedom comes at a cost—and that every veteran carries a story worth hearing.
Let us not only remember their sacrifice—but carry it forward with purpose, humility, and faith.
CAPTURING LIFE’S GREATEST ADVENTURES
Lifestyle photography for the Temecula Valley and Beyond! Let us capture the special moments in your family’s life! The big game, that special performance or a day at the beach. We’ll capture your Star’s Big Moment!
ARTICLE BY HANNAH COLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWNA SARNOWSKI
Women of Impact
EMPOWER. ELEVATE. INSPIRE.
As we move through this reflective season, we pause to recognize the women who don’t just lead—they elevate. Who turn challenge into purpose and create change that lasts. The ones who lead with intention, who reach beyond titles and accolades to lift others with them. In that spirit, Temecula City Lifestyle is honored to highlight women who do exactly that. Women of Impact—women changing lives not with applause, but with courage, compassion, and purpose.
These are not simply professionals or high-achievers. These are women who move with intention. Women who lead with compassion, who create space where there was once absence, who turn hardship into healing and platforms into purpose. They are entrepreneurs, educators, visionaries, advocates. Mothers and mentors. Builders and restorers. A reminder that when one woman rises, she brings others with her—and when women rise together, communities thrive.
Sponsored by Desert Capital Financial Management Group, and brought to life through partnership and belief in the power of community, the initiative found its home at Doffo Winery, where the landscape itself seemed to lean in and listen. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Celeste at Ranch RV & Self Storage, whose belief in the mission and generous sponsorship helped shape the experience.
Some came to learn. Some came to lead. All came to connect. Panel discussions sparked raw reflection, offering not just strategies, but sisterhood. Live testimonies brought tears and applause in equal measure. It was a reminder that wisdom wears many faces—and that strength, in its truest form, is deeply communal.
Stories of women who have walked through fire and come out with their arms open. Stories of grief turned into purpose. Of gifts sharpened through struggle.
MEET THE WOMEN OF IMPACT
Women who once faced unimaginable hardship now stand in full power, sharing their stories as living proof of what’s possible when support meets purpose. Their journeys differ, but their mission is shared: to make the world better—one action at a time.
STEPHANIE MEARSE
Vice
President, Desert Capital Management Group | CEO | Author | Global Speaker
A financial executive and four-time author, Stephanie Mearse has spent the past decade empowering women and families through her work at Desert Capital and beyond. As founder of Empower Hour, a global women’s network, and CEO of Crowned Consulting, Stephanie uplifts small businesses and leads with faith and purpose. Her work spans financial strategy, humanitarian outreach, and leadership coaching—all rooted in her belief that everyone has the power to create lasting impact.
MICHELE PEREZ
Vocal Artist | Respiratory Therapist | Advocate for Connection
Michele Perez lives at the intersection of healing and artistry. By day, she’s a NICU respiratory therapist; by night, a soulful performer known for her powerful voice and presence. Whether singing at a winery or serving at a fundraiser, Michele’s work is about connection. She uplifts others through music and message—showing that joy and purpose can live in every note.
KELSEY MARKHAM
Marketing Director, Desert Capital Management Group | Community Connector
With a background in environmental science and sustainability, Kelsey Markham brings both insight and heart to her role at Desert Capital. She’s a key voice in the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce and Valley Young Professionals, where she helps bridge generational gaps in business leadership. Kelsey believes in building brands that serve people—and in creating community wherever she goes.
VIVIAN WELSH
Co-Founder & CEO, Vivians.io | AI Strategist | Advocate for Human-Centered Tech
Vivian Welsh is redefining how we think about technology. As co-founder of Vivians.io, a women-owned AI consulting firm, she helps small businesses streamline workflows with automation and CRM tools. Her mission: make AI feel human. She designs systems that remove the noise of busywork so people can focus on what matters— connection, creativity, and impact.
CELESTE DUCHARME
Vice President, Self-Storage Development | Founder, Choose to Be Restored | Author
Celeste Ducharme leads with both strategy and soul. As Vice President at The Rancon Group, she’s driven growth and led major real estate projects. But her deepest calling is Choose to Be Restored, a nonprofit she founded in 2023 to support women facing grief, addiction, and trauma. A bestselling author and ministry leader, Celeste is living proof that transformation happens when faith and resilience meet.
SHAREEN HARDING
NICU Nurse | Founder, Kenai’s House, Inc. | Animal Advocate
As a NICU nurse, Shareen Harding provides lifesaving care for the smallest among us. As founder of Kenai’s House, she extends that care to rescue dogs in need of rehabilitation and placement. Named after her beloved dog, Kenai, the nonprofit matches dogs to families with a focus on second chances. Her impact reaches from hospital cribs to backyard kennels, reminding us that love is powerful in every form.
JENNIFER HUNTER
Founder, The Learning Project | Educator | STEM Advocate
With over 20 years in public education, Jennifer Hunter is transforming how kids experience learning. She founded The Learning Project, a STEMfocused program for homeschool and charter communities centered on creativity, equity, and curiosity. From classrooms to boardrooms, Jennifer supports families, trains educators, and inspires students to learn boldly and live confidently.
DR. JESSICA C.H. SMITH
President & Founder, MALHY Community Outreach | Youth Advocate | Chamber Leader
As founder of M.A.L.H.Y. Community Outreach, Dr. Jessica C.H. Smith leads programs in mental health, human trafficking prevention, and crisis support for youth ages 10–25. As President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Valley, she champions economic growth in underserved communities. Her faith-driven leadership has saved lives and sparked lasting change.
Impact takes many forms.
In lives saved, in songs sung, in second chances given. This November, we honor the women who rise with purpose and lead with grace.
Here’s to the visionaries, the restorers, the Women of Impact.
Here’s to continuing the work. Here’s to being restored.
Take charge of your financial future.
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
NOVEMBER 1ST
Kick Up Your Heels at Temecula
Stampede
28721 Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590 | 6:30 PM
Start your weekend with line dance lessons every Friday and Saturday at 6:30 PM at Temecula Stampede! Perfect for beginners or seasoned dancers, these fun, high-energy classes are a great way to kick off your night. Ages 18+. Learn more at temeculastampede.com.
NOVEMBER 2ND
De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Celebration
De Portola Wine Trail participating wineries | 10:00 AM
Sip, savor, and celebrate on Sunday, November 2, 2025, during this one-day event featuring 11 wineries, each offering 3 wine tastings paired with chef-crafted bites. A perfect way to explore Temecula’s wine country! More info: https://deportolawinetrail.com/
