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Volume 5
Issue # 1
May, 2015
INSIDE THE ROAD FROM GUARDIANSHIP TO ADOPTION
Menifee Buzz Celebrates 5 Years
of Supporting the Community
by C.J. Leger Menifee Buzz ask the community to join them and celebrating a very anticipated five year anniversary! The vision of the Buzz was to bring positive the necessary information to the community, and today we are proud to say that we have succeeded in our mission of being one of the top informational sources in the region; but what we are proudest about is being able to say that we have supported small businesses and growth in Menifee for these past five years. We currently have progressed into a successful online and in-print newspaper, and we are proud to say that we deliver local news to 30,000 homes every month. We also deliver to Meni-
fee's high-traffic locations like our coffee shops, stores, and service businesses. With our website reaching over 1000 hits per day and growing, Menifeebuzz.com promotes a sense of togetherness that is uniquely representative of the population of Menifee, a relatively new city still trying to progress, and our success is completely owed to this very same community that supports us just as much as we support them. From sporting events and education, to fundraisers, honorable mentions and free advertisements, we help local businesses by promoting shopping and helping small businesses and organizations raise awareness about their causes and products. Over the years we have achieved a place at the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, who has supported us along the way. Using our seat on the Board of Directors, we have been helping businesses for over three years now. We received the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award for 2012–2013; and in 2014, we were presented with the same award, something that really enhanced our motivation to keep doing what we're doing.
Menifee Buzz would like to personally thank the community which has put their trust in us and embraced our vision throughout the years. You all have truly made us a part of your family, and we feel your appreciation and support every time you welcome our delivery team, email us, and visit our staff to congratulate us on our success and anniversary. We would also like to thank our staff, who with dedication and loyalty have been the gears on this machine, helping us push forward throughout the years. Lastly, but certainly not least, we would like to thank our writers, Whom with dedication and respect for the community of Menifee, have work hard to bring them the news that matters most to them. Each day, our team of journalist scour the area for interesting topics and create unbiased political articles to keep our community involved in any changes or new plans, keep us up-to-date with our local sports teams, and highlight the faces that make up the community of Menifee. We thank you all.
BREAKING NEWS
Menifee Man Incurs $27,000 Toll Violation Bill
Most people are irritated when the receive expensive traffic citations and bills; but a Menifee man’s situation takes that emotion to a whole new level. In breaking reports from various news sources including KABC, Cameron Aanestad claims that he was blindsided by the overwhelming bill for $27,000 in toll violations that he received. According to Aanestad, he regularly travels to the 91 Freeway toll road to get to his work site in Anaheim from his Menifee home; this toll route saves him about thirty minutes out of the overall 2 hour trip, each way.
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Menifee Barbecue Team Set to Compete in Nevada
Barbecue is a national favorite cuisine, and all those who participate in the creation of such delicious food, hold their position within competitions very dear to their heart. This month, a team from Menifee will be competing in Nevada at the Smokin in Mesquite Barbecue Championship.
MEET JENNIFER WALKER
By Robbie Motter I always enjoy writing stories about interesting people, I always think I know a lot about the person but when I get their stories I learn so much more and the readers of the Menifee Buzz also enjoy learning more about these individuals. Jennifer Walker is a very dynamic woman, who is a wife, mother, successful business woman, dynamic speaker and a
A Probate Guardianship is a court proceeding in which a legal guardian is appointed by the probate court to protect the person or estate of a minor. A Probate Guardianship suspends (but does not end, as in adoption) parental legal rights. Probate Guardianship is granted by the court if the court finds that it is “necessary or convenient”. Legally speaking, adoption is defined as the transfer of the parental rights of a child. Page B1
woman along with her family who totally supports their community and constantly can be found at many community events doing their part to make a difference. Jennifer has a BA Communications-Human Communications from Cal State University in San Bernardino. She is a California Licensed Insurance Agent since 2006, and in 2009 became a certified instructor- Tiger Rock Martial Arts. Continuation on A2
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Every day in a City, someone experiences a new beginning in life. A birth, engagement, marriage, or career change. Join the staff of the Menifee Buzz in celebrating the new beginnings along with these neighbors. See page A6
Scan with your smart phone app and see what happens.
See page B7
CITY NEWS
LOCAL News
LOCAL NEWS
Succession of Wallace Edgerton’s Seat Discussed During Latest Council Meeting
Menifee property owners required to remove weeds, excess vegetation posing fire risk Fire season is approaching and the City of Menifee is asking property owners, especially those of vacant lots, to remove wild brush, weeds and any junk, trash or debris located on the property.
A NATIONALLY AIRED STORY OF INSPIRATION, HOPE, AND LOVE. A local resident is sharing her story of how she found love, acceptance, and healing through her American Staffordshire Pit Bull mix named Trejo. Page A9
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FINANCE Help Mom with Her Retirement Income Strategy Mother’s Day is almost here. This occasion may have special significance for you if you’ve been fortunate enough to have your mother around for your adult life. So naturally, you’ll want to bring Mom some flowers or another gift Page B4
TECH News Nasty new malware locks your files forever, unless you pay ransom CryptoLocker, a new and nasty piece of malicious software is infecting computers around the world – encrypting important files and demanding a ransom to unlock them. Page B3
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Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Continuation from A1
MEET JENNIFER WALKER By Robbie Motter
Jennifer Walker moved to the Menifee area with her husband, Brian Walker, and their two kids, Riley and Adilynn in January 2005. In May of that year, Jennifer retired from her corporate manager position with Farmers Insurance to raise her children full time. Jennifer and her husband opened a Farmers Insurance Agency in Menifee in 2003, and grew their insurance business. In August 2011 they purchased a commercial property in the heart of Sun City where together they own and operate Rilynn Company Inc.; Jennifer manages the property and the 12 executive suites, while Brian manages the Insurance Agency. This is a woman of many talents and who successfully balances many things in her day to day life. She is the Vice President of ‘One Eye Open’ Toastmaster club, Assistant Director with Tri Valley Pageants and the Chair Elect for the Boys and Girls Club of Menifee. She is also a 3rd degree Blackbelt in Taekwondo and is a certified instructor. In the past, Jennifer has been an ambassador for the Menifee Valley Chamber, and was crowned Mrs. Menifee by Tri
Left to right back row, Jennifer, her husband Brian and front row left to right her children Adilynn and Riley. Valley Pageants. She also served as fundraising chair for the Boys and Girls Club creating Country Thunder Dinner & Auction foremost fundraising event held in September. Jennifer believes in helping her community, here are some of the projects she has worked on . Classroom Volunteer @ Chester Morrison Elementary, Ridgemoor Elementary, and Santa Rosa Academy is Menifee. Santa’s Workshop, a program for the Community Cupboard Board Member for Boys and Girls Club of Menifee Valley Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce • Cub Scouts – Menifee • Life Stream Blood Bank – Hosting Blood Drives in Menifee • Relay for Life in Menifee • Tri Valley Pageants in Menifee • Ronald McDonald House: Walk for Kids & Loma Linda House • Balloon and Wine Festival in Temecula • Reality Rally in Temecula supporting Michelle’s Place
Besides her formal activities, she has been a featured speaker at the Chamber Women’s Conference, the National Association of Female Entrepreneurs (NAFE) and taught a 12 month weekly educational workshop to help individuals and families succeed in life. Jennifer works with Tri Valley
Pageant training local and state queens in leadership and personal development skills for life, interview skills, and public speaking. Her daughter, Adilynn 10 years old, is the reigning Miss Menifee Pre-Teen and has been building a career in acting and modeling. As a Mom of a working actress, Jennifer helps develop positive self image and overall confidence in her daughter Jennifer has received numerous awards for her work in our community. • Iron Woman of the Year: Tiger Rock Martial Arts – Menifee Valley Taekwondo Academy • World Champion in Sparring: Tiger Rock Martial Arts • National Champion in Forms: Tiger Rock Martial Arts • Nominated for Educator of Year – Inland Valley Business & Community Foundation
• Mrs. Menifee – Tri Valley Pageants • Small Business of the Year – Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce • Competent Communicator – Toastmasters International Recently and moving forward, Jennifer and Brian have purchased their second commercial property in Big Bear. Along with the property came a Property Management and Real Estate company which has been in operation since 1979. Also in May, Jennifer will be opening a Martial Arts studio to continue her love of teaching and working with young and young at heart students. They love having the opportunity to live in two places and serve both communities. For more information and to follow Jennifer, you can call (951) 309-1032 and follow her on Facebook @ RilynnCompany or on twitter @themrswalker.
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
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Art
Welcome the Newest Writer to the Buzz Family Sharon Otis
Bonnie Boekeloo Selected as Artist of the Month By Arts Council Menifee Bonnie Zick Boekeloo has been involved with creative endeavors since the age of three when she started studying classical ballet. She took piano lessons for eleven years and began her first serious painting effort when her brother gifted her with paints and a canvas as a teen. Although she had no prior interest in art, her love for oil painting continued through college and beyond. Since moving to Menifee in 2001, she has become active in the local art community, including joining Arts Council Menifee that has honored her as May’s Artist of the Month. “The Arts Council Menifee leaders do a wonderful job of providing opportunities for artists of all ages in our community,” she said. Boekeloo and her husband of 57 years, Maury, are retired but art has become an activity they
can participate in together. “My husband backs me 100 percent and enjoys making cards and prints (of my artwork) and talking to people at exhibit receptions,” she said. “He is quite the fan.” While raising their three children, Boekeloo’s art was limited to occasional recreational painting and a Lake Michigan scene commissioned by a good friend. “We were sailors on Lake Michigan and enjoyed the water, sunrises and sunsets,” she said. The Boekeloos also spent a few years in Hawaii where she taught kindergartners. “Working with children, one sees stories,” she said. “They were inventive and a delight. I like to tell a story with my paintings – the children taught this to me. I try to feel everything I do.” Boekeloo’s commissioned paintings have found homes in
several states and Washington, D.C. Recently, one of her works was selected for the holiday card of the Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity chapter in Temecula. “Someone handed out small squares so we could donate to Habitat,” she recalled. “When I won it was a surprise for sure; I did not know it was a contest.” After moving to San Dimas in 1985, her art interest increased and she joined the San Gabriel Fine Arts Association. “Entering contests and being judged takes away from the joy of painting for me,” she said. “I don’t compete – I paint.” Boekeloo makes time to work with her oils on a daily basis – drawing from her memory, photographs or pictures of things she likes. She looks for character in her portraits and loves recreating a flower’s stages of bloom. Many of her favorite memories have become subjects for paintings that colorfully cover the walls of every room in her Menifee home. For more information, please visit www.artscouncilmenifee. org or call 951-290-ART1.
Meet Sharon Otis, our newest writer currently residing in Menifee, CA. Sharon has been a valley resident since the time when dirt bikes and horseback riders shared the fields of local area’s. She herself would head off into the Murrieta and Menifee hills on her 1984 Honda 250R. Her roots run deep and her dedication to seeing the area maintain it’s friendly appeal is apparent in her daily life. Sharon is a single mother to a boy named Tristan. Her family consists of herself, her son, a dog, and a couple cats. She provides for her little family be means of her self employed hair business at Salon 29 in Temecula where she has been providing hair services for 24 years. Pick her title: Self Employed Hair Stylist, Single Mother, Student, Writer, Animal Advocate, or a simple devoted resident to the city of Menifee, she has a lot on her plate. She recently received her B.A. in Sociology all while working full time and caring for her son 100% of the time. Her passions surround things of a sociological nature. Animal welfare is one of her top concerns in the area. Following that is Mental Health, Well Being, Veteran Appre-
ciation, and Human Interest Stories. Through her life experience, Sharon has gained the awareness that she has today of the importance of recognizing, preventing, and treating mental health issues and promoting healthy habits. Sharon believes that by maintaining healthy and positive habits in life one can find peace and happiness. Some of a few things that Sharon identifies as life changers are her mother, her son, and her Pit Bull, Trejo. Sadly though, Sharon lost her mother in a tragic motorcycle accident in her 20’s and her companion Pit Bull in 2013. To stay strong and stable, Sharon holds onto the good things in her life both past and present to alleviate the sadness of tragedy. When asked what would she like to be remembered for her reply was simple and exact, “I would like to be remembered for being a great loving strong mother, (and hopefully a great wife one day), having the ability to rise above tragedy, conquer fears, respect for all of life’s process’s, and moving forward with hope”. Look for her writings as I think you will not be disappointed.
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Food & Fun Menifee Barbecue Team Set to Compete in Nevada By C.J. Leger Barbecue is a national favorite cuisine, and all those who participate in the creation of such delicious food, hold their position within competitions very dear to their heart. This month, a team from Menifee will be competing in Nevada at the Smokin in Mesquite Barbecue Championship. The whole city is excited to see who will come out as the winner of $40,000 and complete bragging rights for the best barbecue. Over 20 other teams we competing at this championship that this Menifee catering company will be fighting their way through. This Menifee team consist of five members who are residents of both, Menefee and Lake Elsinore; Andy Allen, Keith Hanson, Kellen Wagoner, Joe Angelone, and Joey Chapin. Together, the team has made a successful business of barbecue at the Rooftop BBQ, which they named after a rather divine metaphor. Think back to your Sunday school days and remember the Book of Acts 10:13; if you remember, that's the story in the Bible where Peter the Apostle fell asleep on a rooftop and had a dream that would change the way we see pork. In his dream, a sheet descended from the heavens filled with "unclean" animals, and from the
sheet, Peter heard a voice telling him to "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." This story in the Bible signified that it was okay to eat pork, which the team says is what inspired them to name their business after it. According to a report from a local newspaper, PE, Allen said, "and pork has been really good to us". The team has traveled across the 50 states various times that has competed in over 50 barbecuing championships and events, taking home a whopping 150 awards for their flavorful food. Throughout their competitions, they've been able to win about $6000 in prizes. This year you can see the team compete at the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino in Nevada, where the seventh annual Smokin in Mesquite Barbecue Championship will be held between 7 AM and 7 PM on May 2 and May 3. All those who wish to attend will be immersed in spectacular selections of chicken, ribs, brisket and even pulled pork, smothered in homemade sauces, seasonings, and rubs. It is sure to be an event that will satisfy even the most reserved of foodies. Location: The CasaBlanca Resort Casino 950 West Mesquite Blvd. Mesquite Nevada
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
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Joke of the Month: Q: Why is a computer so smart? A: Cause it listens to its motherboard.
Across 1. Twelve (5) 4. Hoard (5) 7. Unaware (9) 8. Gape (4) 10. Wore away (6) 12. Birds of prey (6) 13. Notion (4) 16. Large spider (9) 18. The lowest point of anything (5) 19. Implied (5)
Down 1. Journal (5) 2. Menagerie (3) 3. World's longest river (4) 4. Secret or hidden (6) 5. Bustling (7) 6. Abated (5) 9. Placed a bet (7) 11. Thinner (6) 12. Consumed (5) 14. Proficient (5) 15. Female relative (4) 17. Part of a circle (3)
MAY’s Fun Facts: 1. The faster a kangaroo hops, the less energy it burns! 2. The first hard drive available for the Apple II had a capacity of only 5 megabytes. 3. Research has determined that most people are happiest at 7:26pm on a Saturday night. 4. The average cough comes out of your mouth at 60 miles per hour. 5. Dogs and cats, like humans, are either right or left handed... or is that paws?! 6. You mostly breathe from only one nostril at a time! 7. Spiders have transparent blood. 8. The human sigh acts as a physiological reset button. 9. On average, every dollar bill you touch has over 3,000 different types of bacteria. 10. 80% of 10 year old girls in the U.S. go on a diet.
Events Calendar May 1 Cherry Hills Farmer’s Market 8:00am-1:00pm Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC) May 2 Street Dedication event honoring former Councilmember Fred Twyman 10:00-10:30am (City) Provecho Weekend Family Brunch 9:00am-1:00pm (Prov)
May 3 Ken Rice, Simply Sax 1:304:30pm (MLCC) Champagne Brunch Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm (Bost) Karaoke 5:00-9:00pm (MSCC) Pancake Breakfast 8am12pm (QVFD)
May 4 Karaoke W/Nicole 5:009:00pm (MLCC) May 5 TEAM Referral Network 8:30-10:00am (Rilynn)
May 6 City Council Meeting 7:00pm (City) Senior Lunch 11:00am2:00pm (Bost) Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC) May 7 Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission Meeting 7:00pm (City)
LEGEND OF EVENTS
Toastmasters 12:05-1:05pm(Rilynn) Toastmasters 6:30-7:30pm (Rilynn)
May 15 Cherry Hills Farmer’s Market 8:00am-1:00pm Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC)
May 9 Provecho Weekend Family Brunch 9:00am-1:00pm (Prov)
May 17 Champagne Brunch Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm (Bost) Ken Rice, Simply Sax 1:304:30pm (MLCC) Karaoke 5:00-9:00pm (MSCC)
May 8 Cherry Hills Farmer’s Market 8:00am-1:00pm Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC)
May 10 Mothers Day Champagne Brunch Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm (Bost) Karaoke 5:00-9:00pm (MSCC) Ken Rice, Simply Sax 1:304:30pm (MLCC) May 11 Karaoke W/Nicole 5:009:00pm (MLCC) May 12 TEAM Referral Network 8:30-10:00am (Rilynn)
May 13 Planning Commission Meeting 7:00pm (City) Senior Lunch 11:00am2:00pm (Bost) Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC) May 14 Toastmasters 12:05-1:05pm(Rilynn) Toastmasters 6:30-7:30pm (Rilynn)
May 16 Provecho Weekend Family Brunch 9:00am-1:00pm (Prov)
May 18 Karaoke W/Nicole 5:009:00pm (MLCC) May 19 TEAM Referral Network 8:30-10:00am (Rilynn)
May 20 City Council Meeting 7:00pm (City) Senior Lunch 11:00am2:00pm (Bost) Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC) May 21 Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission Meeting 7:00pm (City) Toastmasters 12:05-1:05pm(Rilynn) Toastmasters 6:30-7:30pm (Rilynn)
May 22 Cherry Hills Farmer’s Market 8:00am-1:00pm Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC)
(Pit) Pit Stop Pub & Grill 26900 Newport Rd (951) 679-0869 (QVFD) Quail Valley Fire Department 23890 La Bertha Lane (Val) Valley-Wide Park 30627 Menifee Rd Menifee, CA 92584 (951) 672-6744 (Beer) The Beer Hunter 30080 Haun Rd., #350 (951) 301-4700 (MSCC) Menifee/Sun City Concern 26842 Cherry Hills Blvd (Bost) Boston Billies 26850 Cherry Hills Blvd (951) 679-1756 (SCShop) Sun City Shopping Center 26928 Cherry Hills Blvd. (MLCC) Menifee Lakes Country Club 29875 Menifee Lakes Drive
May 23 Provecho Weekend Family Brunch 9:00am-1:00pm (Prov)
Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC) Senior Lunch 11:00am2:00pm (Bost)
May 25 Memorial Day Youth Advisory Committee Meeting 4:00pm (City) Karaoke W/Nicole 5:009:00pm (MLCC)
May 29 Cherry Hills Farmer’s Market 8:00am-1:00pm Bingo 1:00-4:00pm (MSCC)
May 24 Champagne Brunch Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm (Bost) Karaoke 5:00-9:00pm (MSCC) Ken Rice, Simply Sax 1:304:30pm (MLCC)
May 26 Senior Advisory Committee Meeting 10:00am (City) TEAM Referral Network 8:30-10:00am (Rilynn) May 27 Planning Commission Meeting 7:00pm (City)
May 28 Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission Meeting 7:00pm (City) Toastmasters 12:05-1:05pm(Rilynn) Toastmasters 6:30-7:30pm (Rilynn)
May 30 Provecho Weekend Family Brunch 9:00am-1:00pm (Prov)
May 31 Champagne Brunch Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm (Bost) Karaoke 5:00-9:00pm (MSCC) Ken Rice, Simply Sax 1:304:30pm (MLCC)
(SCLib) Sun City Library 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd. (951) 679.3534 (Prov) Provecho Grill 26862 Cherry Hills Blvd (951) 246-3200 (Rilynn) Rilynn Professional Building, 27070 Sun City Blvd (951) 309-1032 (City) The City of Menifee 29714 Haun Road (951) 672-6777 (Kay) Kay Ceniceros Center 29995 Evans Rd. (951) 672-9673 (Mar) Marion V. Ashley Center 25625 Briggs Rd. (951)672-173 (MVCC) Menifee Valley Chamber 29683 New Hub Dr. (951)672-1991
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Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Buzz’n Around Menifee www.MenifeeBuzz.com
Photo of the month To have your picture en tered for the photo of the month please send your picture with your cont act information to Melanie@ menifeebuzz.com . If yo ur picture is chosen you will receive a prize an d be showcased in the next issue of the Menifee Bu zz.
MAY 2015
Celebrity Birthdays:
May 1st May 3rd May 4th May 7th May 8th May 9th May 10th May 11th May 12th May 13th May 14th May 15th May 16th May 18th May 19th May 21st May 22nd May 23rd May 26th May 27th May 29th
May 1st May 2nd May 3rd May 4th May 5th May 6th May 8th May 9th May 10th May 12th May13th May 14th May 15th May 16th May 17th May 18th May 19th May 20th May 21st May 23rd May 24th May 25th May 27th May 29th May 31st
Mike Harter Richard Johnson Christy Johnson Kati Miale Tara Wunderlich Chris Wolford Natalie Gozlan Shannon Robin-Nelson Cyndi Lemke Jeff Barkan Summer Lyn Jason Weller Suzanne Collins Alyssa Frigo Mieke Jacobs Kimberly Blackmon John Detmer Rebekah Jager Tracey Lane Kurt Stranick Leeann Stowe
Tim Mcgraw (48) Dwayne Johnson (43) Eric Church (38) Rory Mcllroy (26) Chris Brown (26) George Clooney (54) Enrique Iglesias (39) Billy Joel (65) Bono (54) Tony Hawk (46) Robert Pattinson (28) George Lucas (70) Ray Lewis (39) Megan Fox (28) Nikki Reed (26) Tina Fey (44) Sam Smith (22) Peyton Clark (20) Mr, T (62) Melissa Mcbride (49) Bob Dylan (73) Mike Myers (51) Jamie Oliver (39) Daniel Tosh (39) Clint Eastwood (84)
Happy 13th Birthday
Natalie Gozlan! May 10th
Every day, someone experiences a new beginning in life. A birth, engagement, marriage, or career change. Join the staff of the Menifee Buzz in celebrating. For announcements that you would like included in our future editions of the Menifee Buzz please email your requests to: melanie@menifeebuzz.com.
Photography by:
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Local Menifee Paloma Valley HS NJROTC Headed for National Drill Championship
by C.J. Leger The City of Menifee has a new set of youngsters to be very proud of, and they come in the form of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps members from our very own Paloma Valley High School. The program has influenced the decisions and future careers of hundreds of young students in the Riverside area, and for the first time ever, the Menifee program members will be heading to Pensacola, Florida for the championship. The NJROTC prepare students and young individuals for a life of leadership through precise drills, the emphasized importance
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Lake Menifee Women's Club 25th Anniversary of focus and attention to detail, and the teachings of valuable life lessons. In an interview last week, Dennis Caoile Jr., a student at the Paloma Valley High School and member of the NJROTC, did "Most people think it's about the military, but there's a lot about leadership, getting to know different people”. Another student stated, “It's taught me how to be a better person, how to treat people right”. Around the country students who get involved with ROTC programs tend to keep those values with them throughout their lifetime. Many of them venture into the military and pursue a long-term career in the Armed Forces, using their ROTC leader as their role model throughout. Master Sgt. Frank Puebla, who is in charge of the Menifee program, stated that the program also teaches students how to be on time, emphasizing that showing up early, is actually their version of “on time”. ROTC programs have helped shape the lives of many at-risk children in low income areas or from broken homes. These programs act as a firm support system for these young adults, similar to other programs currently available, but with many more structured building blocks for self-esteem, success, and most importantly, values. The hard work and devotion these young adults and their leaders have put into their program, has resulted in their acceptance into the NJROTC Nationals Drill Championship in Pensacola Florida. An added advantage and exciting adventure for these young adults is the opportunity to fly on a military aircraft. A Naval airlift flight will be transporting them all the way to Florida this week. We at MenefeeBuzz send many congratulations to the Menifee Paloma Valley High School NJROTC members and wish them success at the national.
The Lake Menifee Women's Club celebrated 25 years of serving the community on Saturday March 28, with dinner and dancing at the Menifee Lakes Country Club. These dedicated volunteers are known for their enormous involvement in the Spark of Love Toy Drive and Santa's Workshop every year, at which nearly 1000 low-income children receive gifts, from dolls to bicycles. The club has also been for many years the driving force behind Menifee's Independence Day celebration and parade. They partner with the city to coordinate this spectacular event. This year they plan to make the Independence Day celebration and parade (Saturday June 27) bigger and better than ever! There will be dozens of booths selling crafts, souvenirs and food, lots of games for the kids, music and contests. Contact them to find out about having your family or group join the parade and/ or have a booth. Parade and vendor applications are at their website, lakemenifeewomensclub.org. The Lake Menifee Women’s Club was started 25 years ago by several dedicated women, some of whom are still active in the club. One of their very first community efforts was the creation of the Wheatfield Park snack bar. Visit their website, lakemenifeewomensclub.org, to find out more about the club. They look forward to hearing from you!
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Education
The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2014-2015 Student of the Month program in September 2014. The students are nominated by their teachers and staff at their respective school sites and are chosen for their character, integrity, love of learning, ability to persevere and overcome challenging circumstances, community service, and how they make a difference on their high school campus. March’s students and their families attended a breakfast sponsored by the Perris and Menifee Chambers of Commerce along with local businesses and organizations. Principals and teachers from each high school shared stories about the students and they each received certificates of recognition, numerous gifts, congratulations and encouragement from local, county, state and federal dignitaries. Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month is Hadasa Castro. Hadasa started showing leadership qualities early on according to Principal, Don Williamson. It started out with helping other students during her freshman year and has evolved into her senior year. Hadasa credits her father for being a gig inspiration to her and always encouraging her to do her best and move forward. With that encouragement and that of her art teacher, Ms. Arroyo, Hadasa was able to start the Art Club on campus and become vice president of Team Calculus. Hadasa will be attending Azusa Pacific and will major in math or science to become a high school teacher, where she plans to help inspire other students. California Military Institute’s Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Lopez is March’s Student of the Month. As one of only five cadet lieutenant colonels in the State of California, and the first out of CMI, Miguel exemplifies the military aspect of CMI, according to teacher, Steve Nichols. He’s not only in charge of over 900 cadets during morning formation, but also oversees all military events throughout the year. He leads his peers with compassion and understanding. Miguel credits everyone around him
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com including, family, teachers, and staff for helping him get to where he is today. It’s a far cry from when he first started out as a shy kid who declined his first leadership position. Miguel plans to attend UC Berkley and major in English to become a teacher. Simon Tautala is Perris High School’s Student of the Month. Simon embodies all the things that teachers look for in a student, according to his teacher, Ms. Debbie Georgianna. As a student athlete, Simon’s character is what shines the most. He is kind and respectful not only to his teachers and fellow students but to himself. The way he displays his work ethic and treats others is indicative to his character. One of the lessons Simon will take with him to college is to never give up. His love of football and hard team work helped make a momentous year for Perris High. Whether in school or on the field he always pushes forward. Simon plans to attend either Azusa Pacific or University of Redlands to major in engineering and then hopefully enter the military. Heritage High School’s Student of the Month is Cami Burnett. Cami is one of those students that are a bit quiet but leads by example according to Principal, Julie Zierold. As a scholar athlete and active student involved in various club activities, she is a role model to her peers and is genuine in her charac-
Pictured are March’s Students of the Month; Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Lt. Charlie Wilhite, Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce/ Riverside County Sheriff ’s Department; Simon Tautala, Perris High School; Hadasa Castro, Paloma Valley High School; Cadet Lt. Col. Miguel Lopez, California Military Institute; Cami Burnett, Heritage High School; Dorothy Wolons, CEO, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce; Councilman Matt Liesemeyer, City of Menifee; Mayor Pro Tem Tonya Burke and Councilman David Rabb, City of Perris.
ter. One of the lessons Cami has learned these last few years of high school is that she’s learned to develop a true appreciation for the amazing people in her life; those who have helped her grow and get through her struggles, specifically with learning to cope with type 1 diabetes. Cami hasn’t decided between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State, but she plans to become a nutrionist to help
Registration Opens for Summer School at MSJC Registration for Summer School 2015 at Mt. San Jacinto College has opened and students will be able to select from robust schedule of more than 250 classes. MSJC has flexible and convenient times and locations for summer classes, Summer classes are available in all quarters of the district: at the San Gorgonio Pass Campus, the San Jacinto Campus, the Menifee Valley Campus and in Temecula. MSJC will hold day and at night classes and students can choose from online and on-ground offerings. In addition, MSJC will offer two summer sessions. The eight-week session starts on June 8th. The sixweek session starts on June 22nd. English, math, basic skills classes and those that help students transfer to four-year universities will be among the courses available. Students interested a business degree can enroll in summer school to complete the requirements for the
Business Degree Program, a joint offering through MSJC and California State University San Marcos at Temecula. The program offers a fouryear pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree in business. Students in the program will earn an associate’s degree from MSJC in two years and transition into Cal State San Marcos to earn a bachelor’s in another two years. All courses in the Business Degree Program with CSUSM are offered at MSJC’s Temecula Higher Education Complex. New students must apply at www. msjc.edu/apply. Current students can visit ea.msjc.edu for registration appointment dates.
Serving the communities of Menifee, Quail Valley, Romoland, & Sun City
Call us @ 951.588.5558
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others with diabetes. All of these students demonstrated a desire to work hard and have a drive to exceed others and their own expectations. The Perris Valley Chamber and the Menifee Valley Chamber wish them the best in their endeavors. If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder, Sally Myers at (951) 506-8024.
Editor - info@MenifeeBuzz.com News - news@MenifeeBuzz.com
Writers Melanie Gozlan - Lead Writer / Photographer melanie@menifeebuzz.com Robbie Motter , Writer news@menifeebuzz.com Natalie Gozlan—Kidz Buzz Natalie@menifeebuzz.com
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The opinions expressed in the Menifee Buzz do not necessarily reflect those of the staff. Advertisements are accepted, and believed as factual. It does not constitute endorsement of its sponsors or the products offered. We will not knowingly publish fraudulent, libelous or misleading advertisements. We reserve the right to reject any advertisements and editorial we find unsuitable to the format of the publication.
Students should make an appointment with a counselor to create individualized education plans to help them reach educational goals. Tuition at MSJC is only $46 per unit. The MSJC Financial Aid offices can also help students determine if they qualify for aid. Visit www.msjc.edu or call 951487-3311; 951-922-1327; 951-6395311; or 951-506-6752 to get started today.
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Local A NATIONALLY AIRED STORY OF INSPIRATION, HOPE, AND LOVE
A local resident is sharing her story of how she found love, acceptance, and healing through her American Staffordshire Pit Bull mix named Trejo. Seen nationally, Sharon Otis’s story was aired on season 2 of Animal Planet’s hit TV show, Pit Bulls and Parolee's. The show highlights Villalobos Rescue Center, unwanted Pit Bulls, Parolee’s coming out of prison, and the families that adopt the Pit Bulls. Sharon had always yearned for a dog and she knew that it had to
be a Pit Bull. When she arrived at a point in her life when she felt she was ready for the long haul responsibility that goes along with owning a dog, she started applying to adopt a dog from local rescues/shelters. She chose this route as she does not support breeding for monetary gain whilst most of the dogs and cats at local kill for space shelters are killed everyday due to overpopulation. When she got a call from Villalobos Rescue center to come meet a few dogs she was ecstatic. Upon her visit she did not really click with the dogs that were presented to her. Sadly she thought all was lost. As she was leaving, she ran into a very special dog named Trejo. It happened to be volunteer day that day at the rescue. Dog walkers came to walk the rescue dogs to give them exercise and attention. As luck, or fate if you will would have it, that day happened to be Trejo’s turn to walk. To say that there was a gravitational pull be-
Picture from Pit Bulls and Parolees (44 Blue Productions Inc/Animal Planet)
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tween Sharon and Trejo would be a gross understatement. The next two hours were spent bonding with him. Sharon learned of Trejo’s sad, abusive and lonely past which resonated with her. Immediately it were as if 2 souls once lost found each other. As any good rescue should, Villalobos spent a few weeks fine tuning Trejo for his new life ensuring he would be a good fit for the family. After a successful home check by the rescue, Trejo finally had a home. He lived a very happy life and spent the next 3.5 years with Sharon and her family which consists of one young son, four cats, and an array of foster dogs. In September 2013 Trejo passed away. His departure was sudden and unexpected. Sharon recollected that upon attempts to console her many people declared she gave Trejo the best years of his life, however she begs to differ. She believes that Trejo gave her some of the best years of her life. By her own words, Trejo taught Sharon what love is again and what rehabilitation can do to a soul
that has been hurting for years. Despite Trejo’s horribly abusive past he lived life with as much joy as he could. If Trejo could overcome fear Sharon reasoned that she could as well. Sharon refers’s to Trejo as her ‘Soul Dog’. He is described as being happy, goofy, gentle, pure in spirit, loving, loyal, and a truly dedicated family member who loved to run like the wind and relax with his frozen peanut butter filled Kong’s. Sharon made a tribute video that can be found on YouTube titled, ‘Trejo, The Pit Bull Tribute’. Trejo also has a Facebook fan/memorial page called ‘Trejo, In Loving Memory’. There you can see important events relating to animal welfare issues, as Sharon keeps his legacy of love alive.
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Meet The De La Torre Family Owners of Louie’s Nursery Serving Menifee for over 30 years
By Robbie Motter Louie’s Nursery was originally started in Corona in 1984 and then the business moved to Riverside and in 1984 they started the Menifee Louie’s Nursery. I had the opportunity to recently sit down with Victor De La Torre in their beautiful surroundings of gorgeous flowers and plants. Victor told me he and his family love their customers. Their business mostly comes from word of mouth, and they have been serving generation of families for years. His father Louie who is retired also can be seen “Showing Up” at the nursery from time to time. Victor has been a part of this business since he was very young and loves it, he and his family strive to provide outstanding customer service, and they work with individuals budgets, and love answering questions about plants. He told me that customers need to learn to ask more questions so that they totally understand more about the plants that they are adding into their gardens. Victor says “he loves it that his customers are his friends”. Recently a widow came in and told him “Victor my husband passed away not long ago and he loved to come here and see the beautiful plants, as it made him so happy” he told her, “even if you are no longer planting items as she was getting older, we still love for you to drop in as we love our customers and former customers”. Tears came to her eyes as she remembered all the good times she and her husband had visiting this beautiful array of flowers and plants.
is the CHP 11-99 Foundation which is the. (The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation that provides emergency benefits to California Highway Patrol employees and their families in times of crisis). In addition to working with individuals, gardeners, they also love to work with new developers and builders. Stop by their location at 27985 Wickerd Road, Menifee, CA (215 Fry. & Scott Road) 951-679-7090 as they would love to meet you and also have you become one of their customers. Check out their website at www.louies-nursery.com Louie’s Sister-Linda, Father-Louie, Sister-Margaret, Nephew, Daniel, Brother-David, Noah Hansen, Nursery is a member of the MeniOlivia Hansen, Alyssa De La Torre, Mario Del Torre, Joseph De La Torre, Louie De La Torre, fee Valley Chamber of Commerce. Victor De La Torre and Brother Louie De La Torre,Jr.
With 17 acres of plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, garden art, fountains, statuary and much more, Louie's Nursery lays claim to the largest selection of Nursery related products in the Inland Empire. In business since 1963, Louie's Nursery has been serving Menifee, and the surrounding communities, longer than anyone. This is the kind of experience, and expertise that sets the original Louie's Nursery apart from its competitors. Just one experience at Louie's Nursery will have you raving about the quality, selection, expertise, and affordability that Louie's customers have come to expect. Services- they are open 7 –days a week 8:30 – 5:30 pm Louie's Nursery's affiliates offer a wide variety of services to choose from including: Delivery, Installation, Planting, Landscaping and more! Louie’s Nursery is also very community minded, they have supported many causes in our area by donating items that could be used as for fundraisers for these organizations. They even donated vegetables to Eagle Rock Church so they could feed the homeless, to Breast Cancer causes and so many more. One of Victor’s favorite’s
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Volume 5
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May, 2015 all involved and if it is necessary to terminate parental rights in order to proceed with the adoption this can and will cause even more stress. The Courts and California Legislature has made it easier to seek adoption after a guardianship has been in place for more than two years. Despite the legal aspects of the process, adoption has to be focused on the needs of the child rather than the needs and desires of the adults involved. If you have guardianship of a minor that you desire to adopt you should consult a local attorney. In closing, every child deserves a loving and supportive home and thank you to everyone that provides such.
Jeremiah Raxter, Esq Menifee Lawyer Concentrating on Business and Judgment Enforcement 27851 Bradley Rd, Suite 145 Menifee, Ca 92586 951-226-5294
THE ROAD FROM GUARDIANSHIP TO ADOPTION
A Probate Guardianship is a court proceeding in which a legal guardian is appointed by the probate court to protect the person or estate of a minor. A Probate Guardianship suspends (but does not end, as in adoption) parental legal rights. Probate Guardianship is granted by the court if the court finds that it is “necessary or convenient”. Legally speaking, adoption is defined as the transfer of the parental rights of a child. Once an adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents are legally (and otherwise) the parents in every sense of the word. Once a probate guardianship has been established for at least two years, the
Probate Code authorizes the termination of parental rights if certain criteria are met. Probate Guardianship has long been an alternative to child protective services intervention for children whose parents are unavailable or unable to care for their children, or who fail to provide adequately for their children’s essential needs. The California Probate Code 1516.5 is the basis of terminating parental rights and to convert a guardianship into a adoption. Under the Probate Code the overarching element that a guardian must prove to terminate parental rights is that the adoption would be in the best interest of the child. This is a less stringent standard than is typ-
ically required under the family code. Due to this less stringent standard it has been subject to constitutional challenges. In March 2009, the California Supreme Court resolved two cases challenging the constitutionality of the 2003-enacted parental rights termination scheme in Probate Code section 1516.5, subdivision (a) (2) which permits termination when a child has been in the physical custody of a guardian for two years. If you have current guardianship over a minor there are numerous factors to consider when deciding whether to seek adoption of the minor. As you can imagine adoption is very emotionally charged for
Three Things to Know About Long-Term Care Insurance
Does your financial plan take into account all of the possibilities regarding your health and your ability to care for yourself in the future? Most people don’t think twice about insuring their possessions, or protecting their families with a life insurance product. Yet many pass on the opportunity to purchase long-term care insurance, hoping they will be fortunate enough to avoid the need for costly extended care in their lifetime or believing they will somehow manage with their own resources if they do require it. Here are three reasons it makes sense for some people to consider investing in a long-term care insurance policy. There’s a good chance you’ll need some form of long-term care. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 70 percent of Americans age 65 today can expect to need long-term care services of some kind before they die.1 People generally also are living longer, having smaller families and saving less than previous generations.1 All of these factors point to a stronger possibility that if a need for long-term care arises in the future, many of us may not
have sufficient resources to manage on our own. Think carefully about how your family would be affected by long-term care needs. What would you do if you or your spouse needed ongoing services to assist with the personal tasks of everyday living? Could you count on family and friends to help with around-the-clock care? Would you be able to remain in your current home if you were no longer able to cook and clean for yourself? Do you have enough savings to pay for custodial care services for months or even years on end? Long-term care insurance products are designed to help families afford extended care in these kinds of circumstances. Public programs may not cover all of the needs of individuals requiring long-term care. Although Medicare may cover medically necessary care for a limited time, Medicare does not pay the largest part of long-term or personal care services. And while Medicaid does include provisions for long-term care in your home or a nursing home, you must meet income and asset requirements or spend down your assets until you do. There’s more than one kind of longterm care insurance. Traditional long-term care policies cover services provided at your home, in assisted living or in a nursing home facility. They generally cover some or all of the cost of coordination of care, which can add up over time. You can choose long-term care plans of varying amounts of coverage and duration. Most plans include a waiting period, and you may be able to opt for inflation protection. Your plan payments may be partially or fully tax deductible. Another way to insure for long-term care expenses is by purchasing a rider on your life
insurance policy, allowing you to use death benefits to cover long-term care costs. Talk to your financial advisor to determine if long-term care insurance is right for you. Together you can review your choices and consider the long-term care policy or rider that fits best within your overall financial plan. Age and health often determine your cost and eligibility so making this decision a priority might be beneficial. Even a modest policy can go a long way toward preserving your resources in retirement in the event you or your spouse needs extended care services. Jeremy Taylor is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services,
Inc. in Menifee, CA. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 11 years. To contact him, please call 951679-2222, 29826 Huaun Rd #206, Menifee, CA 92586. http://www.ameripriseadvisors. com/jeremy.i.taylor/profile/ 1http://longtermcare.gov/the-basics/who-needs-care Any benefits and guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File # 911541
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Public Events
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MAY May 13 Mixer at Miller Jones Mortuary
May 15 Ribbon Cutting at the Chamber office for Nick’s Jerky Store at 11:00a
JUNE
June 3 Ambassador Meeting
June 5 Installation at Soboba
June 10 Mixer/Ribbon Cutting for Humana 33040 Antelope Road Suite #201 Murrieta, CA 92563 June 18 State of the City
2014—2015
Board of Directors Tony Amatulli, Chair Amatulli Auto Parts Andrew Vallejos, 1st Vice Chair Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Karen Nolan, 2nd Vice Chair LCL Realty & Property Management Vicki Carpenter, , Secretary Coldwell Banker Margarita Castillo, Treasurer Castillo Heating & Air Conditioning & Margarita Style Yanik Gozlan, Director Menifee Buzz Jim Diaz, Director Lake Chevrolet Luis Hutchins, Director Atlas D. Consolidated, Inc. Cynthia Nemelka, Director RE/MAX Diamond Realty Debbie McClure, Director Edward Jones Investments Adam Eventov', Director Well Said! Communications Darci Castillejos Menifee Valley Community Cupboard
Taylor & Taylor Associates A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. As Ameriprise financial advisors, we believe success should be measured not just by your financial well-being, but by how confident you feel about your future. Our mission is to help you reach your financial goals through a personal relationship based on personalized, knowledgeable advice. This focus is designed to help you reach your goals, giving you greater confidence. Our mission is to deliver financial solutions through a tailored approach and a genuine interest in our clients' evolving needs. We help our clients achieve confidence.
Contact: 29826 Haun Road, Ste 206 Menifee, CA 92586 Office: (951) 679-2222 Fax: (951) 679-2254 Email: jeremy.i.taylor@ampf.com ivette.p.taylor@ampf.com Website:
www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jeremy.i.taylor www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ivette.p.taylor
Visit us at: www.menifeevalleychamber.com
Chamber Board Appoints Interim President/CEO
Meet Dee Cozart, Interim President and CEO
Mary Deanna "Dee" Cozart has been a resident of the Inland Empire, in the San Jacinto Valley, since 1971. She is a graduate of San Jacinto High School, Mt. San Jacinto College and University of Phoenix with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. She holds an MBA from National University and has over 30 years in management level positions in many types of industries. She was the National Red Cross's Senior Director for Corporate Safety for 7 years and was with Red Cross for more than 14 years before retiring to return full time to the San Jacinto Valley. She lived and worked in Washington, D.C. and has traveled to 45 of our 50 states, England, Canada, Mexico, China, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Dee has been married for over 39 years to her high school sweetheart, Scott Cozart and they raised their two sons in the San Jacinto Valley where they graduated and are now raising their children. She has 4 granddaughters and 1 grandson ages 19 to 3 years. Dee is active in local charity organizations and has a passion for service. She is currently the President of VIP Tots, Secretary and Scholarship Chair for San Jacinto Valley Women's Conference, CFO of Habitat for Humanity Hemet San Jacinto Valley and a member of the Board of Directors for San Jacinto Education Foundation. She also sits on the Ramona Pageant Advisory Board and runs her own business, Cozart Management Services. She is an active volunteer for the Soboba Foundation. Dee is a member of Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society, American Association of University Women, a founding member of the National Museum of Women's History and the National Museum of the American Indian. She is the President of Soroptimist International San Jacinto Hemet Valley. If you would like to contact Dee, call the office at (951) 672-1991 or e-mail her: ceo@menifeevalleychamber.com
New Members: Walker Trial Lawyers 31618 Railroad Canyon Rd Canyon Lake 92587 (951) 667-5792 www.walkertriallawyers.com
New Address: 29737 New Hub Drive, Suite #102, Menifee, CA 92586 - Phone Number: (951) 672-1991
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TECH TALK
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Hello, my name is Yanik Gozlan from The Computer Repair Experts and I write “Tech Talk”. My goal is to give tips and information on the latest gadgets or common issues you may have with your technology. I have been helping people solve their technology problems since 2002. With multiple certifications and over 10 years of experience in this industry, I will try to educate and share common interests that most of the surrounding areas are talking about.
Nasty new malware locks your files forever, unless you pay ransom
CryptoLocker, a new and nasty piece of malicious software is infecting computers around the world – encrypting important files and demanding a ransom to unlock them. According to Sophos, the worldwide digital security company, it’s been hitting pretty hard for the past 6 months or so. “It systematically hunts down every one of your personal files – documents, databases, spreadsheets, photos, videos and music collections – and encrypts them with military-grade encryption and only the crooks can open it,” said Chester Wisniewski, a senior security advisor at Sophos. Even though it’s infected, your computer keeps working normally; you just can’t access any of your personal files. It’s scary, especially if you haven’t backedup your data. “Cybercrime is evolving, as the bad guys get smarter and use newer technologies,” noted Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. “They’re always looking for new ways to steal your money.” CyrptoLocker is different from other types of “ransomware” that have been around for many years now that freeze your computer and demand payment. They can usually be removed which restores access to your files and documents. Not CryptoLocker – it encrypts your files. There’s only one decryption key and the bad guys have that on their server. Unless you pay the ransom – within three days, that key will be destroyed. And as the message from the extorters says” “After that, nobody and never will be able to restore files…” The typical extortion payment is $500 USD paid by Green Dot MoneyPak, or for the more tech savvy, two Bitcoins, currently worth about $400. To instill a sense of urgency, a digital clock on the screen counts down from 72 hours to show much time is left before that unique decryption key is destroyed. The criminals behind CryptoLocker deliver their digital ransom note on the victim's computer screen. The typical
demand is for $500 or two Bitcoins. Note the yellow countdown clock at the bottom left. It gives the time remaining until the unique decryption key is destroyed and the encrypted files are inaccessible forever. One victim described his anguish in an online post: “The virus cleverly targeted …all of our family photos, including all photos of my children growing up over the last 8 years. I have a distraught wife who blames me!” This sophisticated malware is delivered the old-fashioned way – an executable file hidden inside an attachment that looks like an ordinary ZIP file or PDF. One small business reports being compromised after clicking on an email attachment that was designed to look like a shipping invoice from the U.S. Postal Service. Open that file and bad things start to happen, although it may take several days for the ransom demand to pop up on your screen after the machine is infected. “The author or this (malware) is a genius. Evil genius, but genius none the less,” an IT professional commented in an online tech forum. Another wrote, “This thing is nasty and has the potential to do enormous amounts of damage worldwide.” Good anti-virus software can remove the CryptoLocker malware from your computer, but it cannot undo the damage – the encryption is that good. “It’s the same type of encryption used in the commercial sector that’s approved by the federal government,” Wisniewski told me. “If the crooks delete that encryption key, your files are gone forever – even the NSA can’t bring them back.” Victims large and small The cyber-crooks are targeting both businesses and individual computer users – anyone who will pay to regain access to their files. The CryptoLocker forum on BleepingComputer.com is filled with page after page of horror stories. Here is a small sample: “Our company was infected this morning. The virus hit a machine 4 days ago and today we got the pop up about the ransom. All files on the network drive the user had access to are now encrypted.” “We had a workstation get in-
fected yesterday that encrypted everything on our network share drive. We had backups, although they weren’t recent enough, so despite all feelings against it, we paid the ransom and everything started to decrypt overnight.” Of course, there’s no guarantee there will be a happy ending if you pay the ransom. And then there’s the bigger issue – by doing this, you’re helping fund a criminal operation. “It encourages them to continue this bad behavior,” said Howard Schmidt, former White House Cyber Security Advisor and a co-founder of Ridge-Schmidt Cyber. “As people pay the ransom, the bad guys have the money to reinvest in create research that are more virulent and hide better from detection.” How to protect yourself Go on the Internet and there’s no way to guarantee malware won’t make it onto your computer – even if you follow all the rules of safe computing. So you need to act defensively, and that means regular backups. “Backup, back, up, back up,” said Schmidt. “That’s the only way to reduce the risk of losing your files forever.” If you have a recent backup, you can recover from CryptoLocker and other malware with no serious consequences. That backup should be a snapshot of everything on the system and not a simple synchronization, as happens with most automated external hard drives and many cloudbased services. With these s y n ch ron i z e d backups, stored files that have changed on the master drive are overwritten with the new ones. If a malicious program encrypts your master files, those backups would also be encrypted – and useless. Your backup should be disconnected from your computer until the next time you need to access it.
California Prepares for New Law Limiting Water Usage By. C.J. Leger The governor of California, Jerry Brown, has issued a state of emergency due to the drought conditions California is currently experiencing and has initiated a new law restricting the excessive usage of water. Californians are having to adapt to the increasingly low water levels and new developments are arising in the worrisome new law and what it means for the bracket in which California farmers fall into. The current snowpack water content stand that 5% of the average for April 1, the lowest it has ever fallen since 1950 was recorded at 25% of the average, making 2015 the driest winter California has ever recorded. More striking still, is the discovery that the Phillips Station located just off the highway 50, 90 miles east of Sacramento, recorded no snow at its peak during the time when this area should be covered in snow. Standing at 6,800 feet, the station began surveying snow in 1941, with its average falling into 66.5 inches, the discovery of no snow at all is startling. The first time in his four terms, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. took time out of his agenda to attend the survey personally and was quoted saying "We are standing on dried grass, and we should be standing in 5 feet of snow. We're in a historic drought, and that demands unprecedented action.” In response to witnessing the findings, the governor issued an executive order mandating a substantial amount of water reduction implemented across
the whole of California. The governor urged resident of California to pull together to reduce their water usage significantly, stating and emphasizing that we are in a different era, and that the idea of pristine the green lawns being watered daily, can possibly be a thing of the past. The governor also stated that the executive order which he signed was indeed one of the most detailed and lengthy reports covering various aspects of the new law, and he was quoted stating "I've never seen one quite like it before”. Reservoirs across California are also witnessing the water levels in their storage facilities shrink. Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville reservoirs are currently experiencing only for 73% and 67% of their historic averages respectively, in regards to the first weeks of April. The precipitation readings across San Joaquin and the Tulare Basin have significantly low readings, with just 41% and 42% of their normal average respectively. There is currently no announcement on when the mandate will be dismissed, if ever, and with California's wet season already over, only more dryness awaits the state and the drought is expected to get progressively worse.
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Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Finance Finding a person’s potential:
Motivation leads individuals to greatness and gives them the ability to accomplish laughable goals and unbelievable accomplishments. The trick is finding out what type of motivation is needed to get someone to believe in themselves. Everyone learns and listens differently, match the needs and style and you can have monumental success. Over the years, I’ve hired many people; some were good, some were not so good but all had some motivation other than the primary needs of food and shelter. Most did want money but the successful ones strived for a higher form of pay then their check. Filling a sense of belonging, having a partnership and flexibility within the job kept most coming back to work on Monday. What do you offer your Employees? What have you asked your Employer for? We would love to hear your
ideas and past experiences. Find us and comment on Facebook at facebook.com/RilynnCompany or Rilynninsurance.blogspot.com. By sharing ideas and practices, we can make Menifee an employee friendly place to work and hire the best and the brightest giving them what they want to succeed. In this way, we can all take our businesses Up 1 Level.
Brian E. Walker, CEO, MBA, LUTCF, DTM 27070 Sun City Blvd. Menifee, CA 92586 Office (951) 934-0338 Fax (951) 672-3427 CA License #0D76384
Help Mom with Her Retirement Income Strategy Mother’s Day is almost here. This occasion may have special significance for you if you’ve been fortunate enough to have your mother around for your adult life. So naturally, you’ll want to bring Mom some flowers or another gift. But if she’s planning to retire soon, you may want to think about a longer-term way to improve her life — namely, by initiating a conversation about her retirement income strategy. Of course, she may already have matters well in hand. But a great many people on the verge of retirement have not planned for those years, so you may be able to provide some valuable suggestions. Here are a few ideas: Boost contributions to retirement plans. If Mom is still working, urge her to contribute as much as she can afford to her IRA and her employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k). The chances are pretty good that she will be spending many years in retirement — in fact, the average life expectancy for a 65-year-old woman is 20.5 more years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So she’ll want to accumulate as much as possible before she bids “adieu” to the working world. Discuss appropriate withdrawal rates. Encourage your mother to meet with a financial professional to determine an appropriate rate
of withdrawal from her investments. To help ensure that she doesn’t outlive her resources, she needs to avoid taking out too much during her early years of retirement. Take care of legal arrangements. If you haven’t already done so, ask your mother if she has drawn up the important legal documents related to her estate plans. Does she have a will? Has she created a durable power of attorney, which allows her to name someone to make financial and health care decisions on her behalf if she becomes incapacitated? As you know, this is a sensitive topic, so you’ll want to approach it with care. Evaluate Social Security options. Your mother is probably well aware that she can start taking Social Security as early as age 62, but will get much bigger monthly payments if she waits until her full retirement age, which will likely be
66 or 67. But she may not know that she might be able to benefit from a Social Security “spousal strategy” that could result in her receiving more income than she could get by just taking her own benefits. For example, if her spouse is the higher wage earner and can afford to delay taking benefits, your mother could eventually receive higher survivor bene-
fits. Or, your mother and her spouse could employ a “file and suspend” strategy. Under this strategy, her spouse, upon reaching full retirement age, files for retirement benefits and then immediately requests to have those benefits suspended. As a result, your mother can file for spousal benefits, which would be larger than what she would receive at her full retirement age. To make sure they are making any Social Security-related moves correctly, though, your mother and her spouse will want to consult with a tax advisor who is thoroughly familiar with Social Security rules. You want your mother to enjoy a long, happy and active retirement. So, talk to her about the moves she can make to help turn that aspiration into reality. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Menifee boys all grow’d up By Sharon Otis As progress grows in Menifee so do the people who live within the community. Meet two guys, homegrown and living in Menifee. Aaron Narcisse, 32, a hard working father of two boys, 8 and 7 years of age. Aaron grew up locally, graduating from Menifee’s own Paloma Valley High School. He played sports growing up, loves football, and animals. He
coached with the Jr Menifee Wildcats in 2014. Now meet Tony Melton, 31, a proud father to a beautiful 5 year old little girl. Tony loves sports, and takes great pride in his dedication to his work and family. Along side of Aaron, Tony als o grew up locally and graduated from Paloma Valley High School. He spends his spare time being a loyal family man. What else do these two have in common? Tony and Aaron had worked side by side in construction for 7 years. Near the end of named T & A Construction. Upon 2013 they joined forces and started gaining their General B Contractors their own Construction Company licensing they set out to provide the community with their services which range from general contracting, mobile home set up and repair, underground utility, septic installations, garage builds, remodels, patio carpentry, masonry, and concrete. In 2010 Tony and Aaron set off to lend their help to rebuild the Oakridge community in Sylmar, CA. Due to the devastating fires in 2008 the entire community was destroyed and hundreds of people lost their homes. Tony and Aaron expressed their emotion as to how
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rewarding it felt to be a part of helping restore a community. This is the type of loyalty Menifee has to offer. Tony and Aaron hope to continue their work here in Menifee and the surrounding area's to help bring residents dreams alive and to keep moving forward with their goals. They love their families and take pride in raising them in Menifee. Two Menifee boys all grown up and now giving back to the community. This is what community is all about.
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City Succession of Wallace Edgerton’s Seat Discussed During Latest Council Meeting by C.J. Leger We've been following the story of Wallace Edgerton, Menifee councilman, since he first announced he was experiencing complications from a previous lung transplant. This week it seems that the city council has further concerns regarding the future of Wallace Edgerton at his political seat, considering that the councilman has not attended the meeting in over three months. Since he announced his complications, Edgerton firmly stated that he would try to take part in any council meetings via videoconference or by phone from San Diego where he is receiving treatment. However, the topic of succession had not been discussed until Wednesday of last week, when Edgerton publicly addressed the unknowns regarding his health condition and whether or not he will fully recuperate. Edgerton's term is set to expire in 2016. The councilman was quoted stating "The health issue I'm dealing with is up in the air,” and the last time he participated physically in a meeting was on December 17 of 2014. During his last teleconference appearance at a council meeting, Edgerton further discussed the possibility of appointing a replacement or holding an
election to fill his seat. The councilman who turned 81 in January, is said to be considering the possibility. However, when asked by councilman Matt Liesemeyer if he was proposing to resign, Edgerton replied with a firm “Not at this time”; Edgerton followed his statement with "But at
sometime one needs to, you know, address the issue”. According to the councilman his treatments in San Diego are progressing well, however, he is still uncertain about how his health will fare towards the end of treatment. Councilman Edgerton also stated that the reason he has not attend-
ed a council meeting since December, is because his treatments happened to fall on Wednesdays, the same days Menifee holds their council meetings. Councilman Matt Liesemeyer told Edgerton that he was very sympathetic to his situation and wish him the very best during the teleconference. According to the National Institutes of Health, only about 51% of lung transplant patients survive up to five years, the median survival rate is 4.6 years. The largest percentage of survival, 63%, only survive up to three years. As of yet, the council has not publicly placed any agenda markers aimed at discussing the succession or replacement of Wallace Edgerton's seat. Contact the writer: Inquiries@CJLeger.com
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Police Seek Public's Help in Identifying Bank Robbery Suspect by: C.J. Leger The Riverside County Sheriffs Department has recently released two photographs, of who they believe, is the suspect in a recent attempted robbery in Menifee. The photographs depict a Caucasian, adult male believed to be in his 30s or 40s and wearing a dark gray hoodie at the time the photograph was taken. The suspect was also wearing a St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap with a bright red visor underneath the hood of his hoodie, a pair of black shorts, and a pair of tennis shoes in a white and black design. The photos were retrieved from surveillance coverage at a Menifee bank where the cameras captured the suspect attempting to hold up the financial institution, just before he fled the scene empty-handed. According to reports, the investigation suggests that the bank robber entered the building and proceeded to hand a note to the bank teller attending him. Sergeant Sergio Rodriguez, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, was quoted as stating
that the note demanded money. The robbery attempt did not include the use of a gun, and there is no known vehicle associated with the events or the suspect. At 9:28 AM, the police were called and dispatched to report to a bank robbery at 27378 Sun City Blvd, however, the perpetrator fled before they could get there. The suspect was described as having fair skin with a thin build and a goatee that appeared to be graying at the sides of his chin. His hoodie was adorned with a gold, blue, and black embellishment on its left side, and its style is not a pull over, but rather a full zipper down hoodie. The Riverside County Sheriffs Department is reaching out to the public for information regarding the suspect and the events. They ask that anyone who recognizes the man in the photographs, contact the Menifee Police Department at 951-210-1000. Alternately, people can call the 24 hour line 951-776-1099
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Menifee Man Incurs $27,000 Toll Violation Bill by C.J. Leger Most people are irritated when the receive expensive traffic citations and bills; but a Menifee man’s situation takes that emotion to a whole new level. In breaking reports from various news sources including KABC, Cameron Aanestad claims that he was blindsided by the overwhelming bill for $27,000 in toll violations that he received. According to Aanestad, he regularly travels to the 91 Freeway toll road to get to his work site in Anaheim from his Menifee home; this toll route saves him about thirty minutes out of the overall 2 hour trip, each way. The problem, he says, is pertaining to a billing issue that has been less than easy to resolve, stemming from a toll lane transponder equipped in his car. Reports say that the transponder used in Aanestad’s car is linked to his mother’s account, however, the payment method that was used to open the account was a debit card, which had since been stolen. Aanestad claims his mother never changed the payment method when she received a replacement card. This is where the situation spiraled out of control. As a result of the card discrepancies, the account was deactivated, which meant it could no longer be used to pay for tolls; Cameron and his mother claim they never received a notice for the deactivation, and he continued to drive the
CRIME MAP Assault 4/5/2015 11:38 26600 Block MARK TWAIN CT 4/4/2015 11:24 27300 Block CAPILANO DR Assault with Deadly Weapon 4/18/2015 11:02 26900 Block NEWPORT RD Breaking & Entering 4/15/2015 11:46 26500 Block SUN CITY BLVD 4/14/2015 2:54 SEA BREEZE WAY & TIERRA SHORES 4/7/2015 8:12 29700 Block NEW HUB DR 4/3/2015 1:58 26000 Block SAN QUINTIN AV 4/1/2015 10:18 26000 Block RIDGEMOOR RD Theft 4/23/2015 7:13 30100 Block ANTELOPE RD 4/20/2015 9:39
25600 Block MOUNTAIN SPRINGS ST 4/20/2015 7:24 29800 Block BRADLEY RD 4/15/2015 12:33 27400 Block PINCKNEY WAY 4/15/2015 12:17 27300 Block PINCKNEY WAY 4/15/2015 10:57 27500 Block TERRYTOWN RD 4/12/2015 8:57 28500 Block QUAIL PL 4/10/2015 7:30 BRISTOL GATE LN & ROCKPORT RD 4/9/2015 1:12 29800 Block CALLE TOMAS 4/6/2015 12:46 26900 Block NEWPORT RD 4/6/2015 10:35 30100 Block HAUN RD 4/5/2015 10:12 26200 Block SUN CITY BLVD 4/5/2015 7:08 26000 Block WESTRIDGE AV 4/5/2015 2:11 28900 Block GOETZ RD
same route and says that each time he drove through the tolls, his transponder would beep, signaling that it was still working to his knowledge. Over time, the violations accumulated, totaling over $700 in unpaid tolls. The rest of the $27,000 bill accounted for penalties. Now, the man faces losing his home and his money to a collection agency seeking to settle the bill. Aanestad says that he is upset about the fact that the company can seemingly go to court and get a judgment without even notifying him. According to him, he did not get served or subpoenaed to appear in court for this case. The Orange County Transportation Authority has refused to comment on this particular case claiming that it will be in violation of their privacy policies to do so, however, they did state that for each violation, they send out three separate notices in the mail to notify the individuals responsible for them. This comment contradicts Aanestad’s account of never having received the notices. At the moment, Aanestad that has hired an attorney and plans to negotiate with the collection agency, however, he remains adamant that he is not at fault for incurring such a high bill.
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4/3/2015 7:22 25900 Block NEWPORT RD 4/3/2015 7:04 27200 Block CABRILLO DR Theft from Vehicle 4/17/2015 1:28 26100 Block NEWPORT RD 4/10/2015 7:13 28300 Block ENCANTO DR 4/7/2015 2:41 30100 Block HAUN RD Theft of Vehicle 4/24/2015 10:48 29800 Block OAKBRIDGE DR 4/8/2015 7:03 26000 Block NEWPORT RD 4/6/2015 12:36 30100 Block HAUN RD 4/1/2015 7:31 29100 Block PEBBLE BEACH DR Menifee Crime Watch "The Eyes and Ears of the Sheriff's Department" 27851 Bradley Rd. #190 Menifee, CA 92586 (951) 679-7031
COUPON Spotlight
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Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
Menifee honors hometown heroes with street naming ceremonies Menifee will have two new street names in Audie Murphy Ranch's Silverwood development, both honoring remarkable Menifee men. Sergeant Kelly Drive is located at Newport Road in Audie Murphy Ranch, and is named in honor of the late Army Staff Sergeant Nigel Kelly. Twyman Way is located nearby at Newport Road and Derby Hill Drive and honors the late councilman Fred Twyman III. Kelly, whose family moved to Menifee when he was 14 years old, was a 6-foot-5 star basketball player at Temescal Canyon High in Lake Elsinore. He joined the Army at age 18 and did two tours of duty in Iraq before a tour of duty in Afghanistan as an Army Combat Engineer. At age 26, Staff Sergeant Kelly was killed along with another soldier on June 25, 2011, when the enemy attacked his unit during a counter-insurgency assault mission in the rugged area of eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, one of the Army's highest honors. Twyman Way is the longest street in the new development and is near Salt Creek, a favorite spot of Fred Twy-
Sergeant Nigel Kelly
What's being built? New shops, restaurants and retail stores coming to Menifee
Menifee residents have recently seen signs pop up around town announcing new stores and amenities coming to Menifee. In May, Shoppes at The Lakes and Town Center Marketplace will be the first large shopping centers to begin construction.
KC Senior Center improvements underway
Fred Twyman III
man's, who was serving as the city's vice mayor at the time of his sudden death at age 46 on June 15, 2011. A beloved high school math teacher, Frederick Allen Twyman III was passionate about educating students and serving his community. He also was a devoted family man to his wife and four daughters. After graduating from Corona High in 1983, where he was captain of his high school swim team, Twyman began his career in city government teaching youth how to swim through a City of Corona recreation program. In 1989, he began his career in education at numerous schools in the Perris and Menifee school districts and was eventually elected to the Menifee School Board working tirelessly on the unification effort. Twyman served on the first Menifee City Council from 2008 through until he passed away in 2011. The street dedication for Twyman Way is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at 10 am. The community is invited to attend. For more information please call (951) 672-6777.
There's more action than normal at the city's KC Senior Center, located at 29995 Evans Road, during the next six weeks while the city makes both interior and exterior improvements. Exterior improvements include work in the parking lot to comply with American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, removing fencing around the parking lot and replacing and revitalizing landscaping with water-tolerant plants. Interior improvements include making the restrooms ADA compliant, adding hardwire
Shoppes at The Lakes is a 14-acre project located at the southeast corner of Newport and Menifee Roads. A Blue Ribbon Stater Bros. Markets store will anchor the shopping center, which also will include a pharmacy, restaurants and shops. Town Center Marketplace is located on the southwest corner of Newport and Haun Roads and will feature PetSmart, Party City, Aldi, The Habit, Buffalo Wild Wings, El Pollo Loco, Sonic Drive-in, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches and other shops and restaurants. "Menifee residents have been asking for more shops, restaurants and amenities in their community and the city has been working hard to attract new businesses," said Economic Development Director Jeff Wyman. "We've got 85 residential and commercial projects in the development process right now and we're thrilled to see these two shopping centers lead the way with construction beginning in this spring." For more information about construction projects, please visit the city's www.cityofmenifee.us. internet connection and audio/visual equipment, including new projectors, throughout the building. Additionally, the existing stage will get new lighting and a new curtain. Ownership of the KC Senior Center was transferred from the County of Riverside to the City of Menifee in 2014. In addition to the Senior Center, the facility has a community room available for public rental and is the new office space for Arts Council Menifee. Improvements to the center are funded through the city's Community Development Block Grant programs and will be completed mid-June. The grand re-opening ceremony for the KC Senior Center is scheduled for Friday, June 26.
Menifee Buzz—www.menifeebuzz.com
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Menifee property owners required to remove weeds, excess vegetation posing fire risk Fire season is approaching and the City of Menifee is asking property owners, especially those of vacant lots, to remove wild brush, weeds and any junk, trash or debris located on the property. The process of maintaining land and keeping vegetation to a minimum is known as weed abatement. Weed abatement is critical in preventing the start and fueling of wild land fires. Menifee property owners are required to cut down and remove hazardous vegetation by May 31, 2015. Owners who do not remove wild brush and weeds on his/her property will be notified. If not corrected, the city may fine owners then remove the hazardous materi-
als at the owner’s expense. Weed abatement requirements are as follows: • The parcel must have weeds cut and maintained as noted below AND be free of rubbish/ trash or debris at all times • Land owners must keep clear a 100-‐foot wide strip adjacent to a land parcel with a structure • Land owners must keep clear a 100-‐foot wide strip adjacent to roadways Land owners may meet abatement requirements by discing (tilling), mowing, handwork or brush cutting wild brush and weeds, and then removing cut vegetation.
Properties which have overgrown, dead, dry, decayed, diseased or overgrown trees, weeds or brush, not only pose a serious fire risk, but they also deter from an attractive environment for residents, and
businesses in Menifee. For more information on Menifee’s weed abatement policy, visit the city’s website at http://www.cityofmenifee.us/365/Weed-‐Abatement-‐ Program