Category Archives: IDENTITY

Temescal Valley Road Rally is April 8

Trilogy’s TGIS President Bill Brewster with residents Wayne and Sandi Clabough man the Trilogy stop at last year’s Road Rally.

The We Are Temescal Valley Identity Committee will again host the Road Rally event, a family-fun and educational activity, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 8.

(PRINT THE RULES, MAP AND LOCATIONS HERE)

The rally requires participants to stop at pre-determined locations throughout the valley. Participants will be asked a question about the community or given a set of physical exercises to do at each stop. A checklist will be stamped once the task is completed. Kids will be collecting beads along the way which will become a necklace at the end of the rally. If at least six communities are visited — participants will receive a free native milkweed plant. Additional communities visited will increase chances for a larger prize.

The event begins at 1 p.m., and the maps and directions can be printed HERE. The rally ends at Deleo Regional Sports Park where checklists can be turned in and prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m.

According to Chairwoman Tracy Davis, “This event provides us with a better understanding of who we are and where we live. It’s a great way to discover all the Temescal Valley neighborhoods and to learn more about our monarch butterfly project.”

For the second year, residents, HOAs and businesses are being encouraged to plant the native milkweed throughout the valley to help save the rapidly decreasing monarch population. This “Save the Monarch” effort is being supported by the El Cerrito Branch of the Riverside County Public Library System and by the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District.

Native milkweed plants are being grown by 7 Oaks Nursery and should be available next month. You can learn more about the valley’s monarch butterfly project HERE

For more information or to help with the rally, email Tracy: tracycyto@yahoo.com. This is a good opportunity for teens to log community service hours.

Milkweed to Monarch project? Learn all about it here

Monarch-Butterfly-680x340By Tracy Davis
Identity Committee Chairwoman

Why the monarch? We see butterflies everywhere.

The plight of the monarch butterflies was brought up at our Identity and Beautification meetings in November 2015, inspired by articles appearing in the Orange County Register and The Press-Enterprise the week before.

Monarch caterpillars chomp away on native milkweed.

Monarch caterpillars chomp away on native milkweed.

Milkweed is the preferred plant of monarch caterpillars which hatch from eggs laid on the milkweed plants by mama monarchs. One of the reasons the monarchs are in decline is because native milkweed is becoming harder for them to find.

The 90 percent decline in the monarch population for the last 10 years was all we needed to know to start our project. Pulling both committees into the solution, I took the lead because of my love and fascination for insects, knowing full well it would be a huge project.

PARTNERSHIPS ARE FORMED

A month later, lo and behold my friend Nancy Reiter, who is Branch Manager at El Cerrito Public Library, had seen the same article and was looking into a Books2Action grant for books on the monarch subject. She contacted me to see if the We Are Temescal Valley group would sign off as a partner in the project, helping secure the grant. We got together for a committee planning session and worked with the Temescal Heritage Foundation to secure the grant as partners.

This set the ball rolling to include the Sycamore Creek Interpretive Center — a Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD) nature center located in the heart of Sycamore Creek. They, too, were planning a conservation project for native milkweed.

7 Oaks Nursery and The Acorn Cap, both located in Temescal Valley, sell native milkweed.

7 Oaks Nursery and The Acorn Cap, both located in Temescal Valley, sell native milkweed.

Now came our dilemma — no known local nurseries grew the native milkweed or had sources. We needed to convince our local 7 Oaks Nursery to grow the native milkweed for the project. Bringing all the facts and known sources for seeds to 7 Oaks, it took about a month to convince them it was good for the nursery and the monarchs.

In checking the seed sources, a native nursery popped up — The Acorn Cap, a nursery that specialized in California natives. It was located in Horsethief Canyon Ranch but had not yet changed its postal designation to Temescal Valley. By the end of January, we had not one but two local nurseries growing milkweed for us and the caterpillars!

Educating the people of Temescal Valley would take time. We began with the homeowners’ associations. I attended nearly all of the HOA board meetings in Temescal Valley to share the need to use native milkweed rather than other variations to bring back the monarch.

GOOD MILKWEED: Monarchs are drawn to this native milkweed -- Asclepias fascicularis, and will lay eggs on it. The caterpillars that hatch will eat the milkweed, stripping it bare and leaving nothing but sticks. It goes dormant but grows back each year.

GOOD MILKWEED: Monarchs are drawn to this native milkweed — Asclepias fascicularis, and will lay eggs on it. The caterpillars that hatch will eat the milkweed, stripping it bare and leaving nothing but sticks. It goes dormant but grows back each year.

WHY NATIVE MILKWEED IS IMPORTANT

Native milkweed dies back in the winter forcing the monarchs to migrate but tropical milkweed (Asclepias Curassavica), grows year-round in our mild climate. Monarchs will not migrate where tropical milkweed is planted because it provides a winter food source for the caterpillars. Winter breeding is unwanted in our area because it exposes the butterflies to the OE  (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha), parasite. This parasite either kills or weakens the caterpillars and adults, making their migration north each spring an impossible challenge in unhealthy monarchs. Planting native milkweed encourages proper seasonal migration and reduces the incidence of parasitic exposure. (Native versus Tropical? Learn more HERE)

Bottom line is that the monarchs’ milkweed habitat is dramatically reduced due to human population increases, and pesticide and herbicide use in farming and along roadsides.

BAD MILKWEED: Tropical milkweed stays green year-round and has colorful flowers -- usually red, orange and yellow. Because milkweed caterpillars can constantly feed on it, the monarchs will not migrate which leaves them exposed to a parasite.

BAD MILKWEED: Tropical milkweed stays green year-round and has colorful flowers — usually red, orange and yellow. Because milkweed caterpillars can constantly feed on it, the monarchs will not migrate which leaves them exposed to a parasite.

In researching the monarchs, I found that many sites have been logging habitat, migration and population of the butterflies. Monarch Watch stands out as a good resource for plants around the nation, but the Xerces Society lists the natives best for our area, also giving us a guide to create the proper habitat for the monarch and other pollinators.  (Click HERE for milkweed list.)

HOAs and residents can add to their gardens to create more habitat for the monarchs easily with our local nurseries growing native narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis), for the project.

We also need nectar sources to feed the adults. The nectar list is long, but look for flowers that monarchs can rest on while sipping, including composite heads, like sunflower, daisy or aster types, or clusters of flowers like lantana, verbena and pentas. Nectar sources do not have to be native, but choose drought-tolerant for our area. (Click HERE for native pollinator list.)

We hope that as more and more Temescal Valley folks decide to plant native milkweed and nectar plants to entice monarchs to their gardens that they will pay the $16 necessary to register their habitat with the Monarch Waystation Program. The Waystation registry could get our project national attention — so if you decide to register your habitat, please be sure to use Temescal Valley as your address! (Click HERE for the registration form.)

TEMESCAL VALLEY GETS INVOLVED

In trying to get the word out about the Milkweed to Monarch project we integrated Monarchs as a theme into our local events. The We Are Temescal Valley Identity Committee hosted the Temescal Valley Scavenger Hunt which had a monarch theme. The HOAs were encouraged to participate at the 15 stations around the valley. The main prize was a narrowleaf milkweed, with many other prizes donated by our local businesses.

Horsethief Canyon Ranch also had a Native Plant Sale. Hosted by Bob Hafner, chairman of the Beautification Committee and The Acorn Cap, the sale encouraged residents of the valley to plant native milkweed. The Temescal Valley Community Faire also adopted the theme of Monarchs and Melons for the 16th annual event held in May.

Our Milkweed to Monarch project is growing. We’re encouraged by our partnership with community nurseries and collaboration with educational organizations. Our success will make Temescal Valley the “Home of the Monarch!”

GET THE KIDS INVOLVED!

Here are links to help children better understand how truly incredible the monarch butterfly is — fun facts and things to do:
Journey North for Kids
Raising Monarch Butterflies
Make Felt Monarch Butterfly Wings
A Magical Metamorphosis

Thank you for your participation in this project and thanks also to:

7oaks_LOGO7 OAKS NURSERY, 21501 Temescal Canyon Road, Temescal Valley, 951-277-2927. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. On Facebook

Acorn cap_logoTHE ACORN CAP, California Native Nursery, Temescal Valley, 951-245-4764. On Facebook
library_logoEL CERRITO PUBLIC LIBRARY, 7581 Rudell Road, Corona, 951- 270-5012. Open 3-7 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. On Facebook

center_logoSYCAMORE CREEK INTERPRETIVE CENTER (RCRCD), 11875 Indian Truck Trail, Temescal Valley, 951-515-2097. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Wednesday. On Facebook

Freeway monument is official!

And, the ribbon is cut! From left, Jeffrey Van Wagenen, EDA managing director; Eric Werner, TV Municipal Advisory Council chairman; Sandy Isom; Deni Horne, representing Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, and Supervisor Kevin Jeffries. Photo by Rob Mucha.

And, the ribbon is cut! From left, Jeffrey Van Wagenen, EDA managing director; Eric Werner, TV Municipal Advisory Council chairman; Sandy Isom; Deni Horne, representing Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, and Supervisor Kevin Jeffries. Photo by Rob Mucha.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held Feb. 5 for the long-planned and even longer-anticipated I-15 freeway monument, alerting motorists driving south that they’ve crossed the northern boundary of Temescal Valley.

Sandy Isom, a long-time Temescal Valley resident.
Sandy Isom, a long-time Temescal Valley resident.

About 40 people attended the event with ceremonies being handled by the county’s Economic Development Agency, which contracted for and had the monument built based on a concept in the county’s 2007 Temescal Valley Design Guidelines.

The work to begin the planning process for the monuments began years ago under the leadership of then-Supervisor Bob Buster and Sandy Isom, his local legislative assistant. The drive to make the monuments a reality was continued by Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, who was elected in 2012, and his legislative assistant Kristen Huyck.

Jeffrey Van Wagenen, EDA managing director, welcomed attendees to the event and introduced dignitaries. He was followed by Eric Werner, Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council chairman, whose remarks included a thank you to Isom for working with the MAC on the monuments for so many years. Isom, a long-time Temescal Valley resident, was honored with a proclamation from Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez that was presented by Deni Horne, Melendez’s field representative. 

Candy and Manny Sousa, the Weirick Road community residents who gave permission to the county to place the monument on their property.
Candy and Manny Sousa, the Weirick Road community residents who gave permission to the county to place the monument on their property.

Also recognized were Manny and Candy Sousa, who live in the Weirick Road community and gave permission to the county to place the monument on their property.

Vincent Coffeen, EDA assistant director of facilities management, said work has begun on the northbound I-15 monument at Indian Truck Trail on property donated by Speedway Development. 

Learn how the monuments are funded  HERE

 

 

 

 

After opening remarks and introductions, the group of 35 to 40 folks attending head up the hill to the monument to cut the ribbon. Photo by Rob Mucha.
After opening remarks and introductions, the group of 35 to 40 folks attending head up the hill to the monument to cut the ribbon. Photo by Rob Mucha.

Jeffrey Van Wagenen, Riverside County EDA managing director. Photo by Rob Mucha.

Jeffrey Van Wagenen, Riverside County EDA managing director. Photo by Rob Mucha.

Eric Werner, Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council chairman. Photo by Rob Mucha.

Eric Werner, Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council chairman. Photo by Rob Mucha.

Google recognizes Temescal Valley

We received an email from a Montecito Ranch resident who doesn’t want to be identified, and he shared very good news with us.

He complained to Google after using its mapping program and couldn’t get our area identified as Temescal Valley. Google must have checked out his complaint with the US Postal Service because here’s Google’s reply to him:

“Thank you for reporting this problem. We’ve reviewed your problem and you were right! The default view in Google Maps has already been updated to reflect your suggested change, as shown below.

:92883 is now known as Temescal Valley, Ca.

Depending on the nature of the problem you reported, it may take some time for the update to appear on other products and services such as driving directions, Google Maps for Mobile, and Google Earth. If you see an issue with the way we fixed your problem, please feel free to send us another note.
Thanks for helping us to improve Google Maps!

Wow — this is great news! We told the resident we warned by USPS that until larger companies — such as Google, updated address and mailing lists with the post office, that the Temescal Valley designation may not be immediately recognized by those companies even though the postal service recognizes it.

It appears we each need to reach out and target a company. I sent an email to Facebook today. Let’s see how long it takes to show where we live as Temescal Valley and not Corona.

If you’ve had success getting your address changed and the Valley identity recognized, please share it with us.

Temescal Valley, 92883 now in system

Zip codeBy TRACY DAVIS
Identity Committee Chairwoman

Hey, we are already in the United States Postal Service system as Temescal Valley, 92883! I just tried this tip I heard about from Jannlee!

Go to the USPS website under Zip Code lookup…. If you add your own address with Temescal Valley, CA and “Presto Chango” 92883 magically appears!!!

Try it out. https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action?mode=0&refresh=true

Thanks to Jannlee and my committee for your work on completing this Identity task!

:)  Tracy

Freeway monuments to ID the Valley

This is a digital rendering of the Temescal Valley monument.

This is a digital rendering of the Temescal Valley monument.

County representatives told a group of about 50 people at the Feb. 12 Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council meeting that freeway monuments identifying Temescal Valley should be erected in July.

Vince Coffeen and Vince Yzaguirre, with the county’s Economic Development Agency, showed photos of the two 14-foot by 24-foot signs to be constructed of concrete and metal, and will feature the Temescal Valley logo and mountains that will be back-lighted at night.

The signs will be placed at the north and south entrances to the Valley adjacent to the Interstate 15 — just north of Weirick Road for the southbound monument and just north of Indian Truck Trail for the northbound monument. While Indian Truck Trail is north of the Valley’s southern boundary at about Lake Street, Coffeen explained finding suitable property was challenging.

How monument will be lighted at night.

How monument will be lighted at night.

The monuments have been discussed for several years and were first suggested in the county’s Temescal Valley Design Guidelines approved by the MAC and Board of Supervisors in 2007.
(See the Design Guidelines HERE)

The cost of each monument is $250,000 and will be paid for by the Temescal Community Fund. The fund was established years ago  by former 1st District county Supervisor Bob Buster.

It was created through litigation between the county and Synagro, a Temescal Valley business that manufactured fertilizer made from human waste. According to Sandy Isom,  who at that time was a field representative for the supervisor, it was decided that during Synagro’s five-year phase out the company would pay the county for response to complaints of odor pollution.  Additionally, Synagro paid the county for each ton of human sludge it received. The supervisor set up the Temescal Community Fund account with the Environmental Health Department which was collecting the money, thus assuring the funds would be designated to the community and not be rolled into the county general fund.

The focus of the MAC meeting was on Valley identity with the news of the monuments’ July placement and an announcement later in the meeting of the United States Postal Service recognition of a “Temescal Valley” designation within the 92883 ZIP code. (Read related story HERE.)

 

USPS makes ‘TV’ official address

Local residents soon will be able to use Temescal Valley as their mailing address instead of the Corona designation.

The Temescal Valley Identity Committee has been working with the United States Postal Service to make “Temescal Valley” a recognized location within the 92883 ZIP code.

The new designation was announced in an email to the Identity Committee from Romina Allen, Address Management Systems manager at the USPS regional office in Santa Ana. Allen wrote, “Effective March 1, 2014, the residents of Temescal  Valley will be able to use “Temescal Valley” as an accepted last line for Zip Code 92883. Please remind the residents that they must continue to use 92883 as  their Zip Code. ”

According to Tracy Davis, committee chairman, “It’s always been ridiculous that our mailing address was Corona. People buy homes in the Valley and think they are living in Corona. There are Realtors who don’t know that this is unincorporated Riverside County.”

Once the announcement was shared on Temescal Valley social media pages, posters wondered if the Temescal Valley designation would impact home values. US Census Bureau QuickFacts list the median value of owner-occupied housing units in Temescal Valley at $418,400 and in Corona at $341,600. (See Valley census data HERE. See Corona census data HERE.)

Davis said that after the city’s unsuccessful attempt to annex a portion of the Valley, the Identity Committee was formed with the goal of “shoring up our identity.” The official designation by the USPS “is a major step toward making that goal a reality,” Davis said.

Committee members will be reaching out to residents and businesses to use the new Temescal Valley designation in correspondence and advertising material.

Q&As

Q. Why weren’t we given our own ZIP code?

A. The Identity Committee did seek a separate ZIP code designation for Temescal Valley. In early communication with USPS manager Allen, she stated, ” I regret to inform you that our
policy does not allow for our office to consider requests for ZIP Codes based
solely on establishing community identity. The assignment of delivery ZIP Codes
is an internal process of the USPS for the enhanced efficiency of the processing
and delivery of mail.” Additionally, it’s costly for the USPS to establish a new ZIP code.

Q. Do I have to use Temescal Valley as my mailing address?

A. No, you can continue to use Corona. People living in Trilogy who use Glen Ivy, which is a recognized postal designation, also can continue to do so.

Q. Do I have to submit a change of address card to the post office?

A. No, the change for USPS automatically goes into effect March 1. Whether you bank or pay bills online or by check, your mailing address can easily be changed by looking for change of address information.

 

Identity Committee meets monthly

Tracy Davis
Tracy Davis

BY TRACY DAVIS
Identity Committee Chairwoman

Spending all of 2013 outdoors around Temescal Valley at opposition letter signings, I became more aware and proud of my surroundings. Compared to a city the size of Corona, we are a small unincorporated community with a rich heritage. We have the Temescal Valley Faire hosted by Temescal Heritage Foundation, special community events planned by for us by Riverside County Economic Development Agency, and several local businesses that I feel we all must support. 

After we fended off Corona’s annexation bid, the small group that led the opposition decided to stay involved with the community. We have formed committees to work more closely with county officials to solve problems in the Valley. We want to improve our lifestyle and our county services. 

Why do we need an Identity committee? Lessons were learned in fighting annexation. It was amazing. Many of the people we spoke to erroneously believed if they had a Corona address they lived in Corona. Their children go to the Corona/Norco Schools, but not those of our southern Temescal Valley neighbors like Horsethief Canyon Ranch, which attend Lake Elsinore schools and also have a Corona address. 

Local Realtors and Wildrose Ranch residents Glen and Kelly Nelson have included the Temescal Valley identity in their marketing materials.

Local Realtors and Wildrose Ranch residents Glen and Kelly Nelson have included the Temescal Valley identity in their marketing materials.

Helping our residents understand where they live and where to find their local services is our main goal. One solution to this goal is outreach to our local Realtors through an informational flier about the Valley’s history and county resources which they can distribute when selling homes in Temescal Valley. We’re putting the flier together now. Additionally, we’re asking Realtors to stop marketing us as Corona. 

We’re working on getting Temescal Valley monuments placed adjacent to the I-15 at our northern and southern entrances to the Valley. This will be a big step in shoring up our visual identity. 

Our final solution is working with the United States Postal Service to get an actual postal designation for Temescal Valley. 

Have an idea that can help our identity crisis? We meet the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at Senor Tom’s restaurant at Tom’s Farms. If you can make the meeting, feel free to contact me at tracycyto@yahoo.com. If you can’t make the meeting and have some ideas, please drop me an e-mail and I’ll share them with the committee. We look forward to seeing you.