Scout Report: '09 CA OT Gavin Pascarella

Corona (CA) Centennial High School

Ht: 6-foot-4
Wt: 260 lbs
GPA: 4.6
Class: 2009 (High School)

6/27

By B Huffman. Gavin now holds offers from Nebraska, UTEP, Boise State, Army, Navy and Air Force. He plasy both guard and tackle.

Pinkberry...Yum-UP!

Yesterday while shopping at the Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos I couldn't help but stop by the infamous, better-respect Pinkberry. So, for the sake of science I ordered my very first Pinkberry frozen yogurt to compare to (what was formerly known as) Swirl. Now, I have only had a total of one Swirl experience but I'll gladly give Pinkberry their credit -- indeed, a (decent-sized) portion of heaven. Now, the immediate downfall is that it is not self-serve and they only have 3 yogurt flavors: original, green tea, and coffee. Also, they don't have as many topping choices as Swirl; but I like my yogurt simple so that wasn't a disappointment for me. That being said, their most-commonly-ordered "original" flavor was one of the best, if not THE best yogurt my little taste buds have ever experienced. A fresh, very distinct, never-gets-old flavor that delightfully compliments the toppings I had (strawberries, kiwi, and granola) . . . Maybe I should be a food critic. And while you'll still pay enough money to constitute a meal, they give you enough for it to be just that.

Admittedly, Swirl gets the job done, and pretty well at that . . . But Pinkberry, you just might have a little place in my heart.

Corona, CA Brunch (A Blogger's Perspective)

My friend Sharon and I drove east to Riverside County today for brunch at the new Taps. The restaurant got its start in Brea and now has a sister location in the Dos Lagos Promenade. The mall has high-end stores, which I would have explored but we ran out of time.

Brunch was plentiful, as expected. Sharon is a Taps veteran and has worked with a few of the Corona staff during her days at the Brea location. It was nice for her to reconnect with some familiar faces. I enjoyed the view of the fake lake and sipped a little champagne.

Highlights for me included bananas foster on my waffle, and later, steamed mussels and clams. Breakfast fare was mostly average, but their seafood bar is quite good. Sharon had the raw oysters; I passed.

Would I drive out there again for the food? Probably not. But the mall might be worth a second look … Perhaps on a day when the mercury wasn’t once again heading toward triple digits. (I couldn’t find the second lake.)

Next up, a concert in Los Angeles. I have an hour to relax and then I’m driving north.

I hope everyone out there is having a great weekend. My dog, Katy, is at the beach with her best four-legged friends, courtesy of Aunt Christine and Bobby. I’m slightly envious. The water would feel great, and I love watching the dogs romp at the beach. It’s like their Disneyland.

Murrieta, CA: SoCal man sentenced for slumber party molest (You Bad, Bad Man)!

MURRIETA – A Riverside County man has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for molesting two girls at his daughter's slumber parties.

Gilbert Simental of Murrieta was sentenced Friday in French Valley by a judge who said there was “little doubt” the 50-year-old would molest again if he is released.

Simental was convicted in April of molesting a 9-year-old girl and her 10-year-old sister on separate occasions in 2005 and 2006. At trial, he acknowledged twice molesting the younger girl but denied abusing her sister.

Before sentencing, Simental's lawyer asked for leniency, calling him a good man who made a bad mistake.

Update:

MURRIETA – A judge in Riverside County has sentenced a 44-year-old child molester to more than 1,300 years in prison.

Horace Mann Williams of Hemet on Monday received a 1,330-year sentence for molesting two girls under age 14 repeatedly between 1999 and 2005. In February, he was convicted of 12 felony counts in the case. He was eligible for enhanced sentencing because his crimes involved multiple victims.

Before he was sentenced, Williams spent 15 minutes verbally attacking the credibility of his former attorney, the judge and the prosecutor.

Williams served six years in prison after pleading guilty in 1992 to molesting a 5-year-old girl.

Riverside, CA FREE Movies in the Park Summer Schedule 2008

Riverside, CA: The City of Riverside Parks & Recreation and Community Services Department is proud to present a series of FREE G-rated family movies this summer. All movies will begin at dusk so be sure to come out early. You may like to bring a picnic dinner or some of your favorite movie snack foods to enjoy with your family and friends. Seating is on the grass, so be sure to bring comfortable seating. All movies will be announced at park on date of showing.

Date Place

July 18th 2008 La Sierra Park -5215 La Sierra Ave. Riverside

July 19th 2008 Nichols Park -5505 Dewey Ave. Riverside

July 25th 2008 Reid Park -701 N. Orange St. Riverside

July 26th 2008 Bordwell Park -2008 Martin Luther Ave. Riverside

August 1st 2008 Villegas Park -7260 Marquerita Ave. Riverside

August 2nd 2008 Bryant Park -7950 Philbin St. Riverside

Corona, CA Murder Mystery: Wife's suspicious death forces move of vet's grave

RIVERSIDE – The family of a veteran awaiting burial at Riverside National Cemetery had to find a new grave site because police believe he killed his wife before he died in a car crash, authorities said.

The bodies of Marine Corps veteran James Alan Summers of Corona and his wife Veronica were found May 31 after their sport utility vehicle plunged down a 200-foot embankment.

Police detectives first thought both died in the crash, but after a coroner's report they came to believe Summers bludgeoned his wife to death before he drove off the road, Corona police Sgt. Jerry Pawluczenko.

Vietnam veteran and retired CHP officer Steve Mackey alerted officials to the suspicions about the dead man.

“I just didn't think that it was right that he be buried with all the heroes out there at the cemetery,” Mackey said.

The burial that had been planned for June 12 was postponed and Summers' family had him buried elsewhere.

Federal law bars anyone convicted of capital murder – or those who flee or die before trial – from burial at a national cemetery.

The law was put in place in 1997 after Timothy McVeigh, a Persian Gulf War veteran, was sentenced to die for the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building that killed 168 people.

Yearly event grows Eastvale adds to summer picnic

EASTVALE - For this growing community, Eastvale Community Events Committee officials knew one day would not be enough for the annual Picnic in the Park.

So the committee expanded the picnic to three days, adding a concert and a carnival.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Picnic in the Park
WHEN: Today, noon to 10 p.m. (fireworks at 9:45 p.m.); Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Harada Heritage Park, 13100 65th St., Eastvale

COST: Free

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"People are really starting to look forward to the event. This isn't just people in the area. We're getting people from the surrounding communities," said Lupe Nava, co-chairwoman of the event along with Kathie Bogart.

Picnic in the Park was started by committee members four years ago to offer events to the community, Bogart said.

When it was first being put together, there were no other summer events in the area.

"There was a time when we were like an island. We didn't even have a grocery store in the area," Bogart said. "We didn't even have recreational events to our parks."

Aside from entertaining the community, both Bogart and Nava hope the event brings a sense of community to Eastvale. They also hope it will become a tradition.

"It's just something to do, and maybe you'll meet someone who lives right next to you or down the street," Nava said.

As a one-day event, Picnic in the Park would typically draw 4,000 people,

with a couple hundred more going to the fireworks show at night, Nava said.
But with the new format, Nava said she is anxious to see what the turnout will be.

The Jurupa Community Services District is helping with the picnic, and the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Climate Boosters club is helping with the carnival rides.

Nava said the group tries to make improvements every year. One such improvement is the food. Last year, many people complained about the lack of food options.

This year, there will be 40 food vendors, including Izzy's Baja Fresh and the popular Pink's Hot Dogs.

Friday kicked off with food, rides and a performance by The Legendary Mustangs, whose members include Riverside County's 2nd District supervisor, John Tavaglione.

Today's activities include carnival rides and food vendors, and a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.

Sunday will feature the carnival rides and more food and fun.

Nava said the intent is not to try to compete with other events in the community, which is why the event is always held the weekend before the Fourth of July.

4th of July Events and Celebrations in the Inland Empire!

Pechanga Pow Wow
Free Admission, Contact for more info
Pechanga Resort & Casino
45000 Pala Road, Temecula
877.711.2WIN

4th of July Extravaganza
10AM Parade Front St, Temecula
2PM Festivities, 9PM Firesworks
Ronald Reagan Sports Park
30875 Rancho Vista Rd, Temecula
951.694.6480

Celebrate Independence
3PM - 9:30PM, Free
Fireworks at 9PM
Fairmount Park
2601 Fairmount Blvd, Riverside
951.826.2000

Fireworks Show
Gates open at 7PM, $4 per person
Riverside Sports Complex
1000 Blaine St, Riverside
951.826.2000

Lake Arrowhead Concert Series
5:30PM, Free
Lake Arrowhead Village
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
909.337.2533

Annual July 4th Car show and chili Fest
Hosted by Pomona Valley Christian Rods and Customs
10AM - 4PM, Contact for more info
10700 Town Center, Rancho Cucamonga
909.945.5532

July 4th Celebration
4PM - 10PM, Free
Santana Park
598 Santana Way, Corona
951.736.2241

City of Desert Hot Springs July 4th Event
6PM, Fireworks at 9PM, Contact for more info
Mission Springs Park
66-750 Park Lane, Desert Hot Springs
760.329.022

Green Valley Lake Family Fun Days and Parade
Adults $10, Children $5, contact for more info

Blue Ribbon Task Force Urges State to 'Get Real' About Fire Threat; includes Corona Fire Chief Mike Warren.

The extraordinary rash of lightning-caused wildland fires in Northern California has dramatically underscored the critical statewide natural disaster risk facing California in the 21stCentury. So says the Blue Ribbon Task Force, a watchdog panel of fire service professionals.

The 18-member Task Force, first established in 2004 and revived after the 2007 Fire Storm, today renewed its call for California’s policy makers at all levels to “get real” about the ongoing fire threat with more equipment and personnel and a serious commitment to fire-safe land-use planning.

“The June fires prove, if we needed any further proof, that the fire threat isn't regional and it isn't seasonal." said California Professional Firefighters President Lou Paulson, who sits on the Task Force. "It's a 12-month, statewide marathon that gets more serious every year. If we're going to do our jobs to protect the citizens of the state, California needs to get real about this threat and do what it takes to protect the tens of millions who live and work in harm’s way."

The Blue Ribbon Task Force, first established in the aftermath of the 2004 Southern California firestorm and revived after the 2007 fires, is made up of 18 individuals representing management and labor, and local, state and federal fire agencies. CPF is one of the co-sponsors of the panel, along with the California Fire Chiefs Association. The chair of the Task Force, Corona Fire Chief Mike Warren, said that Task Force supports, in concept, Governor Schwarzenegger's fire protection insurance fee, but warns the public won't accept it if it only keeps us treading water.

"We can’t keep waiting for the next major incident to act." Warren said. "California needs to make an ongoing commitment to disaster protection and prevention at all levels of government. Our citizens demand it, and their safety depends upon it."

In its interim report issued in January, the Task Force called for more than a dozen specific recommendations to increase permanent state and local emergency services, including:

More firefighters: Expand CALFIRE statewide, with permanent three-person staffing year-round and four-person staffing statewide during periods of highest fire risk. Establish reasonable standards of coverage for wildland-urban interface, and build strong statewide fire training program;

More fire engines: Fund purchase of 150 new engines by the state Office of Emergency Services. The OES engines would be deployed with local fire departments throughout the state, boosting local protection and providing rapid response during all disasters, including wildland fires;

More aircraft: Accelerate upgrade of CALFIRE helicopter fleet and redeploy functioning resources to local fire agencies as available to provide additional surge capacity.

Broader “surge” capacity: Insure that equipment and personnel are available during peak periods so that mutual aid response doesn’t leave local fire protection vulnerable or under-funded.

Fire-safe construction and land-use: Create a working group to develop a model hazard-reduction strategy, including specific fire-safe land-use guidelines, defensible space standards, model building and fire codes, and public education efforts.

Secure disaster response funding: Financing expanded wildland fire response as an ongoing budget item, as opposed to a year-to-year “emergency” expense.

Movies by the Lakes at The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos

Relax lakeside and watch a FREE family-friendly movie every Thursday night in June beginning at dusk. Families are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Entertainment begins at 6:45pm

June 26, Charlotte's Web (PG)

MURRIETA: Increase in bus fees set for vote

Annual pass could cost $30 more

MURRIETA ---- School bus pass prices could increase under a proposal school trustees are scheduled to consider Thursday.

The plan would raise Murrieta Valley Unified School District bus fees by $30 to $395 for an annual pass for a family with one child riding the bus. Families that qualify for reduced-price bus passes would pay $135 for the first child, $10 more than they currently pay for an annual pass.

There are similar increases for families with multiple children, one-way passes, semester-long passes and single-ride punch cards. The entire fee schedule is included with Thursday's agenda posted online at www.murrieta.k12.ca.us.

The fees would take effect for the school year starting in August. District officials say the increases are needed to pay for rapidly rising fuel costs and other cost increases.

The trustees are expected to vote on the measure in their meeting at 7 p.m. in the district support center, 41870 McAlby Court.

Housing: Looks like we hit some people’s price points….

It looks like CA homes sales jumped 18% year over year which is a good sign. It means that at least some people think that current prices are a good bargain. Don’t get too excited though because we still have a boatload of inventory to burn through not to mention the shadow inventory of bank owned properties out there and the thousands of foreclosures that are happening every month. We are by no means “out of the woods”. You can get a little excited when you see the following:

- YOY home sales rising - check
- median prices holding steady (in a 5K range up or down) for at least several months
- unemployment going down steadily
- the price of oil stabilizing or decreasing (you might want to read “The Coming Economic Collapse” or “Twilight in the Desert” to see what may in store for us in this arena. Also you can google “peak oil”).
- net new number of foreclosures not refilling the market as others are sold off
- there are almost no brown lawns in your hood (spray painting doesnt count!)

Rising Gas Prices Crushing Housing Recovery in Inland Empire

Even though falling prices in California’s Inland Empire are making homes more affordable, rising gasoline prices are crushing hopes of a housing recovery in this area, east of Los Angeles.

Deutsche Bank analyst Nishu Sood estimates that gas expenditures in the Inland Empire have increased to $1,322 a month from $534 a month in 2003 among local residents who commute about 120 miles a day, round trip.

Mr. Sood says soaring gas prices are hurting home builders that generated much of their profits during the housing boom by building in the far-flung suburbs of California. But it’s also hurting builders in non-bubble markets in Texas and Atlanta with long commutes.

Overall, a person living in a recently built suburban subdivision travels 14,883 miles a year compared to an average of 12,197 miles, Mr. Sood estimates. “Land that was purchased with expanding metro areas in mind has already been hard hit in value,” says Mr. Sood. ”Sustained higher gas prices could render it effectively worthless.”

McCain in Riverside, CA today!

Editors Note: I am not endorsing either Candidate.

RIVERSIDE, CA — Senator McCain ripped Senator Obama’s energy plan as “business as usual” at a press conference where he took aim at his Democratic rival on a number of fronts Tuesday afternoon.

“Senator Obama has said basically no to…a majority of the proposals that have been made, not just by me, but others,” McCain told reporters in Riverside. “Americans are hurting very badly. They expect us to propose a plan of action. He is basically saying the status quo and business as usual. I don’t think the American people are looking for that kind of leadership.”

During the last couple days, McCain has been mainly stressing his proposals on the campaign trail and laid off his rival while Obama has trashed his proposals as “gimmicks.” But today the presumptive GOP nominee went back on offense.

“On this energy issue, yeah, it’s easy to say no to everything-that’s what Senator Obama is doing. We have got to come forward with bold proposals, innovative ones,” McCain said, also attacking Obama on who is the true bipartisan reformer.

“Senator Obama…talks about it and has done almost nothing,” McCain said. “I have a long record of putting my country first, of putting my country before not only my party but before myself. Senator Obama does not have that record. He has talked the talk but has not walked the walk.”

UPDATE–OBAMA CAMPAIGN RESPONSE:

“During the decades he’s spent in Washington, John McCain has said no to investments in alternative energy and no to higher fuel standards time and time again. In this campaign, instead of offering a bold, long-term strategy to end our dependence on oil, he’s proposing $4 billion in tax breaks for oil companies and more of the same Washington gimmicks that even he admits will only provide ‘psychological’ relief to Americans struggling with high gas prices. Barack Obama believes the American people need real relief, which is why he’s proposing a second stimulus rebate check and a $1,000 tax cut for 95% of all working families. He’ll also help our automakers raise their fuel standards and invest $150 billion in the alternative sources of energy that will create up to five million new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced,” said Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan.

Corona, CA Welcomes new Principle to Santiago High School.

Two of the district's three high schools will have new leadership when students return to school in August.

The principals at Rialto and Eisenhower high schools are both leaving their posts.

Eisenhower Principal Reggie Thompkins, 42, will be moving to the 4,000-student Santiago High School in Corona, and Rialto High Principal Mehran Akhtarkhavari, 45, is off to Africa, where he will be an administrator at the International School of Lusaka in Zambia.

"It's a good move for my family," said Thompkins, who is planning to move to the Corona area, close to where his wife's family lives.

It's been a dream of Akhtarkhavari's to work in international education, he said.

"It's got nothing to do with Rialto. I mean here is an opportunity that I've got in front of me," he said.

Carter Assistant Principal Andres Luna will take over at Rialto, though a replacement for Thompkins hasn't been named.

In the interim, Assistant Principal Tom Hoak and former principal Armand Messer will run the school.

Thompkins, who's led Eisenhower for three years, said the school will be OK without him.

"I say the staff is intact on that campus, and they're the ones - along with the students - who have created that environment," he said.

Akhtarkhavari will be the deputy director of the International School of Lusaka, which has 600 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

"I kind of admire my wife coming along," he said, noting that moving across the ocean will be a big change for him. "Our whole life had to be reduced to a 4-by-4-by-4 crate."

He joked that his most important accomplishment as principal was that the Associated Student Body now takes credit cards, making it easier for students to purchase things like prom tickets and yearbooks.

"I cannot take credit for anything else," he said.

Luna, 50, said he wants to improve Rialto High's graduation rate and send more students to college, in part by working together with students, teachers and parents.

"I am hoping to raise the student achievement, to really bring the staff together, to really make a difference in the students' lives academically," he said. Luna, who called himself a "team player" and a "good listener," has worked in the district for 24 years.

Akhtarkhavari and Thompkins both said they'll miss Rialto.

"My message is thanks for the memories. It's been wonderful, and see you around the world," Akhtarkhavari said.

Inland Empire: On the path to a housing rebound

The pain that homeowners and homebuilders are feeling now is a sign that things are going to get better.

The news that housing starts have fallen to their lowest level in 17 years sounds like one more reason to be depressed about the shrinking value of your home. In fact, it's an almost certain sign that the path to a housing recovery is finally in sight.

If prices are going to stabilize, let alone rebound, the United States needs to produce far more first-time home buyers than new houses. That's the only way to tame the glut of "For Sale" signs dotting front yards from the Inland Empire of California to the Gold Coast of Florida.

Builders constructed far more homes from 2002 until 2006 - the peak bubble years - than could possibly be absorbed by the normal growth in households.

As a result, the market is now swamped with one million new and existing homes for sale that aren't occupied, and hence need to sell quickly. That's a multiple of the figure in most downturns, and it testifies to the duration and girth of the bubble.

"For the recovery to begin, builders need to eliminate the standing inventory of finished, unoccupied new homes," says Mike Castleman, founder of Metrostudy, which assembles sales data on four million subdivisions across the U.S.

The massive overhang of unsold inventory has remained stubbornly high. Sure, builders cut back, but sales dropped just as quickly.

Now that excess supply is finally beginning to shrink. In April, the number of new homes for sale stood at 456,000 according to the U.S. Commerce Department, still a big number, but 93,000 below the mountainous figure a year ago.

The return of the first-time buyer
The key player in any recovery scenario is the first time buyer. The housing market operates with a pronounced laddering or ripple effect. When entry-level buyers flood the market, they not only stimulate production of new homes, they purchase existing homes. Those purchases, in turn, allow the sellers to move up to bigger houses.

But when the first-timers are absent, the entire buying chain gets frozen.

Today, newbies are coming back. Why? For the first time in years, entry-level homes are affordable. Builders have slashed prices, and what they're building tends to be far smaller than the McMansions of the boom, selling for far lower prices. KB Home's average selling price dropped to $248,0000 in its February quarter, versus $267,000 a year earlier. In 2006, KB's basic model in Victorville, Cal., a former boomtown east of Los Angeles, took up as much as 3,800 square feet and sold for $328,000. Today, its stripped down offering goes for $220,000, at less than half the size.

So the first time in a decade renters can carry the mortgage payments and taxes on a new house for what they're paying a landlord. Call it the New Affordability.

Here's how the numbers play out: Single-family housing starts are now running at fewer than 500,000 a year. The normal demand for housing, based on immigration and household formation, is around one million units.

We won't get back to that figure for a while because so many people rushed to buy homes during the boom.

But with first timers returning, sales should rise to almost 700,000 units by the end of next year, according to Bernard Markstein, senior economist for the National Association of Homebuilders. That means sales will soon exceed new production by as much as 250,000 units a year.

That margin forms the foundation of the housing revival that comes in four steps.

Step 1: First, the return of first-time buyers will shrink the overhang of new houses for sale.

Step 2: Second, because so few new homes are being built, first-timers will start buying existing homes from owners who want to move up but have been trapped by the dearth of buyers. Their improved fortunes, though, come with a big caveat: The prices of new homes are now lower than comparably-sized existing homes. It's as if used cars are selling for more than new ones. That can't last. So move-up buyers are going to have to accept less than they had hoped to get for their current homes.

They'll get a big break as they trade up, however. Unless they bought at the height of the boom, they'll still sell at a profit. They can then use that equity to buy bigger homes at bargain prices. During the bubble, homebuilders started pushing up home sizes to 3,500 square feet or more. It's those behemoths that are selling for the steepest discounts today.

Step 3: Next, housing starts should start rising, probably next year. The increase, however, will be slow and gradual. For the next two years at least, homebuilders will compete ferociously with existing home sellers for customers.

Step 4: Eventually, the glut of existing homes will disappear as well. The excess of new-home buyers over new homes being built makes that inevitable. But the oversupply is so enormous that the healing process could take as much as three more years. Only then will prices in former bubble markets start rising again.

What could go wrong?
One event has the potential to slow or even derail the recovery: A sharp rise in interest rates. Right now, the first-timers are gorging on 6% loans guaranteed by the FHA. But rates may not stay there.

If they rise to 8% or higher because inflation rebounds, it would take a far bigger drop in prices to make new and existing homes affordable.

The New Affordability is now in place. But if rates rise, we'll have to establish a New New Affordability - at even lower prices.

$.99 Swag in Riverside, CA...get there early!

The new Apple 4GB iPod Nano that holds up to 1,000 songs, 3,500 photos, 4 hours of video, or some of each will be sold for only 99 cents to the first 9 customers of the newest 99 Cents Only Stores(R) on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 8am. The next 99 customers can purchase a scooter for only 99 cents at the ribbon-cutting grand opening of the new 99 Cents Only Stores(R) located in Riverside, CA.

The new store is 14,000 square feet and located at 8900 Limonite Avenue, on the southwest corner of Van Buren Boulevard.

The following 99 customers can buy a backstroke back massager that includes an instructional video - a $19.99 value - for 99 cents only! The next 99 customers can buy a three-in-one vacuum/flashlight/fan set for 99 cents only!

The next day on Friday, June 27th, the first 99 customers can buy a men's Hawaiian shirt made from 100% Turkish cotton - an $84.99 value - for 99 cents only! On Saturday, June 28th, the first 99 customers can buy the Dirty Harry Series from the Clint Eastwood Collection, a five-video set for 99 cents only! On Sunday, June 29th, the first 99 customers can buy an executive portfolio binder with insertable solar calculator - a $19.99 value - for 99 cents only!

On Monday, June 30th, the first 99 customers can buy a pair of automatic powered scissors - a $19.99 value - for 99 cents only! On Tuesday, July 1st, the first 99 customers can buy a Clip Art jelly pen - a $31.99 value - for 99 cents only! On Wednesday, July 2nd, the first 99 customers can buy a genuine $2 bill for 99 cents only!

99 Cents Only Stores(R) is the nation's oldest existing one-price retailer. 99 Cents Only Stores(R) is celebrating over 25 years of selling Everything, Everyday for 99 cents only in its 272 clean, attractively merchandised stores located in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. The company's New York Stock Exchange symbol is NDN.

Corona, CA ranked in the top 20 of the 100 best places in the United States to raise a family

The city’s first-rate education, safety and quality of life contribute to ranking by MSN.com

CORONA, CA: The city of Corona is pleased to announce that it was ranked No. 13 on MSN’s list of the 100 best places to raise a family in the United States. Its education, safety and quality of life contributed to its high rank.

“We can thank the men and women who keep our streets safe, our children educated, our parks clean and the spirit of community alive for Corona ’s high ranking,” said Mayor Jeff Miller, city of Corona . “Our city’s family-oriented environment and amenities have always been leading factors that attract families to Corona .”

In order to provide its residents with a high standard of living, Corona ’s leadership invests heavily in education, safety, recreation and commercial development. Its focus on training police, fire and medical response teams has helped Corona rank as one of the nation’s top 100 safest communities according to the F.B.I. Since 1996, Corona ’s crime rate has declined by 52 percent.

Corona is home to several nationally honored schools, including Santiago High School , Corona High School , Corona Ranch Elementary and Anthony Elementary. With 34 public schools, nine private schools and 12 new schools planned or under construction, Corona has the capacity to accommodate population growth and offer children the knowledge and skills they need for success in life.

During the 2005-2006 school year, Corona-Norco Unified School District students preformed significantly above the state average on the California High School Exit Exam. Additionally, Centennial High School ’s football coach Matt Logan was named the 2007 high school coach of the year by ABC7 News and the NFL.

Corona has six local golf courses and 38 public parks covering more than 364 acres, which include sports fields, playgrounds, tennis courts and skate parks. The city supports the healthy, active lifestyles of its residents and preserves open space for recreational uses. Corona offers upscale lifestyle centers with top retailers and restaurants that provide endless options in dining and entertainment for the entire family.

Cities were evaluated according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Education Statistics, FBI, American Association of Museums, National Center for Health Statistics and the American Bar Association.

About the city of Corona

The city of Corona , centrally located between Orange County and the Inland Empire , is an innovator in building an attractive environment in which to locate a business. Rising from its humble beginnings as a small agricultural community, Corona is now an upscale city, offering a vibrant and thriving economy for businesses, residents and visitors alike. It is located in West Riverside County , at the hub of Los Angeles , Orange County , San Diego and the Inland Empire .

Corona, CA Fireworks: NEW LOCATION Santana Park July 4th, 2008 Celebration!

Corona, CA: The Corona Parks & Community Services Department is the proud sponser of our annual 4th of July Celebration of Independence Day. So be sure to come and celebrate the 232nd Birthday of the United States of America!

Parade begins at 10:00 AM.

* Parade route: Main St. (Ontario to Olive St.)

* Parade units include: Wheels on parade, Pets on parade, The US Army 40th Infantry Division Band, and Corona All Star Marching Band!

July 4th Celebration from 4:00-10:00 PM.

NEW LOCATION & FREE ADMISSION!
598 Santana Way
Park opens at 4:00 PM.

Parking at Crossroads Church (Enter at Ontario & Fullerton Ave.)

* Festival & Fireworks Show

* Games, food, and entertainment

* Entertainment: Barry Rillera Band with guest Las Vegas Performers Michaelina & Reno Bellamy Sr. and Southland Band

* Formal program & tribute to Military (To take place around 8:15 PM.)

**Please no smoking, pets, or alcoholic drinks.**

Barbie maker embroiled in Bratz fight in Riverside, CA

Call it a real `wheredunit,' complete with fake hair, computer cleaning and body parts. At stake: Ownership of a doll phenom and millions of dollars

RIVERSIDE, Calif.–Barbie vs. the Bratz sounds like a Saturday-morning cartoon show, but the bitter copyright infringement trial in federal court plays more like an episode of CSI, complete with body parts.

Doll body parts.

As the trial over who owns the wildly successful Bratz powered through its third week in U.S. District Court in Riverside, there has been courtroom intrigue over a software program named Evidence Eliminator, a high school yearbook, an anonymous warning letter and a mixed-gender sample doll made out of a Barbie body with Ken boots.

On one side of the courtroom is the world's largest toy company, Mattel Inc., which claims the Bratz concept was created secretly by one of its own designers who at the time was working on its signature Barbie line. Mattel, based in El Segundo, Ca. wants a stake in Bratz, known for hip-hugging outfits and bare midriffs, which have prospered as chaste Barbie has faltered.

On the other side is MGA Entertainment Inc. of suburban Van Nuys, Ca. a formerly small player in the toy business that debuted Bratz in 2001. It claims full ownership; its lawyers have said the doll was created at a time the designer was taking a break from Mattel.

The cast in the sterile courtroom includes high-priced lawyers, a no-nonsense judge and a Greek chorus of courtroom observers, some of whom wouldn't say why they were there or give their last names.

The reason for all this is money, and lots of it. MGA is a private company that doesn't disclose its earnings, but analysts estimate it makes as much as $2 billion a year from Bratz products and licences.

The doll's creator, Carter Bryant, has received more than $30 million in royalties.

It's not clear how much of that he'll be able to hang on to. Bryant, 39, was named in the Mattel suit, filed four years ago.

Last month, shortly after Judge Stephen Larson ruled that the exclusivity contract Bryant signed as a Mattel employee was valid, Bryant reached a settlement with the toy giant. Neither Bryant nor Mattel will talk about the sealed deal.

Mattel and MGA continue to slug it out, with Bryant as the uncomfortable star witness.

So far, this case has been all about timing. A former songwriter wannabe, Bryant got a job designing fashions, hair and makeup on the Barbie line at Mattel in 1995 and stayed until April 1998, when he left for the Springfield, Mo., area to live with his parents. He got a job at an Old Navy store.

Bryant and MGA contend that the doll came out of the designer's imagination – and he did the key sketches of it – during the Missouri break. Bryant returned to Mattel in January 1999, defecting to MGA in October 2000. Mattel is pushing the theory that Bryant created Bratz during his second stint at the company.

Among the topics Mattel lawyer Bill Price brought up with the designer during intense and methodical questioning:

The Evidence Eliminator

Price said the program, advertised as being able to remove "sensitive information," was used on Bryant's laptop two days before investigators copied the computer's contents. Bryant said he bought the program to eliminate pop-up ads and his Internet search history, which included viewing sites that an MGA attorney described as "adult-content type."

Price hammered away at the use of the program to wipe out content. Did Bryant run it shortly before the investigators arrived, Price asked.

"You know, it's possible," Bryant testified. "I don't remember doing it."

The yearbook

Bryant said he was inspired by seeing the clothes worn by students as he drove past Springfield's Kickapoo High School. (Actor Brad Pitt was a 1982 graduate of the school.).

Although the multiracial Bratz wear what Mattel has characterized as hip-hop fashions, pictures from the school yearbook showed students who seemed more Ozzie and Harriet than Lil' Kim.

Bryant said he was also inspired by ads with pouty-lipped women with large shoes and tight outfits.

The trail of fake hair

Price showed a letter from Bryant to a doll-hair company in Japan asking for samples. Although he was still employed by Mattel, he wrote: "The company I am working with is called MGA Entertainment."

Other evidence included Bryant's admitted use of discarded Barbie and Ken parts to make a mock-up of his creation and an invoice presented Tuesday that showed he had billed MGA for work on "hair designs and sketches" while still at Mattel.

MGA maintains that the crucial factor is when Bryant actually created the doll.

The missing pages

The jury was shown a spiral notebook, missing several pages, that Bryant had used for sketching and notes. Some of the remaining content, including a handwritten list of bank deposits, was from 1999, when Bryant was at Mattel.

Price hinted that Mattel could prove that drawings key to the dolls' creation came from the notebook. He asked whether Bryant understood that "sometimes the pressure you make with your drawing can make indentations on the next page."

Then Price suddenly dropped the topic. One observer in the courtroom whispered: "If Price brought that up, he'd better be able to deliver on it."

Mattel's forensic experts take the stand this week.

Bryant said during cross-examination that he didn't use notebooks sequentially.

The unsigned letter warning of Mattel surveillance

The anonymous letter arrived at an MGA office June 4, warning Chief Executive Isaac Larian that Mattel executives "have collaborated to spy on you and your family at your home and your children's school."

Mattel spokeswoman Lisa Marie Bongiovanni called the allegations "completely unfounded."

The case is likely to go into July, unless the two sides settle.

But they might have to find neutral ground for that.

The most famous place to stay in Riverside is the historic Mission Inn. MGA's legal team is staying there, but when Mattel's attorneys tried to book a block of rooms, they were told they couldn't. MGA had gotten the hotel to agree to turn Mattel's representatives away.

Mattel's team complained in court, but the judge said he had no power to rule on the matter. Mattel set up at the Marriott.

Who said doll makers play nice?

Former skydiving champ killed in accident in Lake Elsinore, CA

LAKE ELSINORE, CA -- A former national champion skydiver has died after his parachute failed to open during a weekend accident at Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, Calif.

Richard Alvin Schindler, an off-duty Riverside County sheriff's deputy, died Saturday. The 39-year-old had a back-up parachute, but there was no indication it had been deployed.

A Marine Corps veteran, Schindler began skydiving 15 years ago and had been working part-time at SkyDive Elsinore as an instructor.

At the 2005 U.S. National Skydiving Championships, Schindler was part of the Elsinore Equinox team that finished in first place in the four-way intermediate freestyle competition.

In northeast Missouri, officials are investigating the death of another skydiver. A man's body was found Saturday night in a field in Bowling Green, about 80 miles north of St. Louis.

Riverside, CA opens cool centers

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – In the wake of this week’s triple digit forecast for Southern California,
the City of Riverside is opening 15 “Cool Centers” available throughout the city to battle the
blistering burn of summer.

The centers are city facilities, such as libraries and community centers, equipped to offer
temporary respite for people when excessive heat warnings are issued for the city. Each
center will have air conditioning, resting area and water available during the facility’s regular
open hours.

Cool Centers are located at:
Cesar Chavez Community Center (Bobby Bonds Park)
Joyce Jackson Community Center (Nichols Park)
Janet Goeske Senior Center (Sierra Street)
Ruth Lewis Community Center (Reid Park)
Eric M. Solander Community Center (Bryant Park)
Dales Senior Center (White Park)
Arlington Library
Renck Community Center (Hunt Park)
Ysmael Villegas Community Center (Villegas Park)
Casa Blanca Library (Madison Street)
La Sierra Community Center (La Sierra Park)
Main Library (Mission Inn Avenue)
Eastside Library (Chicago Avenue)
Marcy Library (Central Avenue)
La Sierra Library (La Sierra Avenue)

The community centers and the Janet Goeske Senior Center will remain open Saturday from
noon to 5 p.m. On Saturdays, the libraries are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except the Marcy
branch, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For tips on dealing with the heat or heat-related illnesses, go to www.riversideca.gov.

Riverside, CA Fireworks

3rd Annual 4th at Fairmount
Enjoy live music, food & craft vendors, Youth Fun Zone and a fireworks
show over Fairmount Lake (Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd). Activities
commence at 3 p.m. and the fireworks show begins promptly at 9 p.m.
FREE* admission! *$5 per youth for Youth Fun Zone unlimited play

4th of July Spectacular & Concert
The 4th of July Spectacular at the Riverside Sports Complex will feature a live concert, roving
entertainers and a fireworks show at 1000 Blaine Street. No ice chests permitted. Stadium
gates open at 7 p.m. and the fireworks show begins promptly at 9 p.m. $4 per
person, children under 5 are FREE.

La Sierra Park
Celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks show at La Sierra Park (5215 La
Sierra Avenue). Show begins promptly at 9 p.m. FREE admission!
Mt. Rubidoux

The Independence Day fireworks show at Mt. Rubidoux begins promptly at 9 p.m. at
4706 Mt. Rubidoux Street. FREE admission!

FREE Movies at The Crossings at Corona Edward's Theaters!

Corona Crossings Stadium 18
2650 Tuscany Street
Corona ,CA 92881
951-582-0872

06/17/2008-06/18/2008 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G) Monster House (PG)

06/24/2008-06/25/2008 Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G) Bee Movie (PG)

07/01/2008-07/02/2008 Charlotte’s Web (G) Surf’s Up (PG)

07/08/2008-07/09/2008 Clifford’s Really Big Movie (G) Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

07/15/2008-07/16/2008 Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie (G) The Martian Child (PG)

07/22/2008-07/23/2008 Adventure Of Elm In Grouchland (G) Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)

07/29/2008-07/30/2008 Doogal (G) Shrek The Third (PG)

08/05/2008-08/06/2008 Everyone’s Hero (G) Open Season (PG)

08/12/2008-08/13/2008 Carebears 2 (G) Bratz (PG)

Over 5,000 Expected at this Weekend's 12th Annual Gourd Art Festival near Temecula, CA

With over 5,000 people expected to attend, the organizers of the 12th Annual Gourd Art Festival are working around the clock in preparation for this weekend's event, which takes place at the Welburn Gourd Farm in De Luz Canyon about half-way between Fallbrook and Temecula, CA.

"It takes a lot of people to pull off an event of this size," says Festival Director, Vickie Knox. "We have over 40 people on our staff alone, and that does not include the 16 artists who travel here to teach gourd art classes the three days preceding the festival."

The Welburn Gourd Farm, known as the world's largest supplier of hard shell gourds, offers gourd classes year round, but typically only 2 or 3 classes a month. During the week of the Gourd Art Festival, the farm hosts over 35 classes in 3 days, and students travel from as far away as Rhode Island and even eastern Canada to attend.

"Because they can combine taking gourd art classes with a trip to the festival, people feel it's worth making the trip," explains Marketing Director, Phoebe Welburn. "Many of the instructors come from across the country and even out of the country, so it really is a rare opportunity for students to learn from experts they normally would not have access to."

The list of Gourd Art Classes is posted on the Gourd Festival web site at www.GourdFestival.com. Classes are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before the festival, June 18th - 20th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and range in cost from $59.00 to $69.00. Walk-in registration is at 8:30 a.m. on all three days, or people may register in advance by calling the Welburn Gourd Farm office at 760-728-4271.

The Gourd Art Festival offers plenty to keep patrons busy, including 45 exhibitor booths of gourd art and supplies, over 50,000 dried gourds for sale, a gourd crafting arena, wine garden, great food, live entertainment, and more.

Festival gates open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21st and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22nd. Admissions is $9.00 for adults and children 12 and under get in free. Parking is $3.00. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the festival web site at www.GourdFestival.com or call 760-728-4271.

State Charges Inland Empire Fundraisers With Felony Campaign Money Laundering

RIVERSIDE–California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Riverside District Attorney Rod Pacheco today announced a 37-count indictment against Mark Anthony Leggio, James Lloyd Deremiah, and father-son team Nicola Cacucciolo, and Nick Vito Cacucciolo, for exceeding $3,300 Senate and Assembly campaign contribution limits by laundering money through various friends and associates.

“Leggio contributed $50,000 in excess of campaign contribution limits to six candidates for Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization by filtering money through friends and associates,” Attorney General Brown said. “Today’s charges send a strong message that the state will crack down on those who try to exceed California’s campaign finance limits.”

In November 2006, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into possible campaign money laundering, in violation of Government Code Section 84301, in a Riverside County State Assembly race for the 65th District. The timing and pattern of campaign contributions suggested that various individuals were being reimbursed for contributing to Leggio’s candidate of choice, in violation of the Political Reform Act.

“Democracy is the foundation of our society. The process by which we citizens elect our leaders and representatives must be honest and free from all corruption. Money laundering in elections hides a candidate’s true support. When it is of this significant magnitude a fraud is perpetrated on the public,” Riverside District Attorney Rod Pachecho said.

Investigators found that Leggio funneled money through various friends and employees of the Mark Christopher Auto Center in Ontario and Mountain View Chevrolet in Upland. Nicola Cacucciolo and his son Nick Vito Cacucciolo assisted with the illegal campaign donation scheme, as did James Llloyd Deremiah.

The alleged fraud involved contributions to six state campaigns for Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The prosecutor from the Riverside District Attorney’s Office, who launched the original investigation, was granted the status of Deputy Attorney General which allows him to prosecute violations in other counties.

The accusations in today’s indictment include: 11 felony counts of perjury, filing false statements, conspiracy, and 26 misdemeanor violations of campaign contribution limit and reporting laws. The indictment was unsealed in San Bernardino Superior Court and the arraignment is scheduled for July 11, 2008. If convicted of the most serious charges, Leggio faces up to 6 years in state prison and the other defendants face up to 3 years.

The indictment, which was filed under seal on June 11, 2008 and made public today, is attached.

In 20 days, a full California State Grand Jury transcript including all other findings in this case will be made public. Until that transcript is unsealed, no additional details of this case can be released.

For more information, please contact Michael Jeandron at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office: (916) 955-9215

DAVID NEAULT: People in Business: A who's who in business for June 20

DAVID NEAULT has been named vice chairman of the Sustainability Committee for the Urban Land Institute's Inland Empire Council. His Temecula-based landscape architecture firm, David Neault Associates Inc., has been hired by Clearwater Development to do work on a proposed water park in Bakersfield.

Movies by the Lakes at The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos

Relax lakeside and watch a FREE family-friendly movie every Thursday night in June beginning at dusk. Families are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Entertainment begins at 6:45pm.

May resale numbers by zip code...SQ FT $ fall hard!

Here are the sales numbers by zip code for May. There are a few areas that are selling well. Moreno Valley, Perris, Temecula, Murrieta and even Corona. Most of these sales are foreclosures or short sales, especially in the core areas. As you can see some of the price declines are pretty shocking considering that change is in only 12 months.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SFR Price % chg $/Sq Ft
Banning 92220 17 $211 -26.10% $169
Beaumont 92223 43 $253 -26.00% $122
Blythe 92225 3 $199 -13.10% $132
Cabazon 92230 5 $125 -42.70% $98
Calimesa 92320 7 $215 -40.40% $159
Canyon Lake 92587 26 $310 -40.40% $132
Cathedral City 92234 53 $235 -38.30% $140
Coachella 92236 27 $192 -6.80% $104
Corona 92879 34 $330 -34.70% $162
Corona 92880 84 $385 -30.00% $131
Corona 92881 35 $375 -30.90% $178
Corona 92882 76 $385 -33.90% $163
Corona 92883 70 $330 -35.40% $147
Dsrt Hot Springs 92240 50 $143 -41.20% $88
Dsrt Hot Springs 92241 3 $110 -67.40% $136
Hemet 92543 18 $142 -36.90% $106
Hemet 92544 53 $171 -40.90% $111
Hemet 92545 67 $200 -35.50% $107
Idyllwild 92549 7 $370 23.30% $201
Indian Wells 92210 12 $750 -36.40% $249
Indio 92201 63 $230 -36.10% $131
Indio 92203 37 $273 -31.50% $150
La Quinta 92253 105 $485 -24.80% $202
Lake Elsinore 92530 50 $226 -39.70% $123
Lake Elsinore 92532 32 $285 -40.60% $109
Mecca 92254 1 $230 -14.80% $146
Menifee 92584 64 $245 -36.30% $122
Mira Loma 91752 25 $390 -28.60% $142
Moreno Valley 92551 39 $180 -50.30% $120
Moreno Valley 92553 68 $170 -53.40% $116
Moreno Valley 92555 64 $271 -35.60% $109
Moreno Valley 92557 60 $225 -37.50% $127
Mountain Center 92561 2 $210 -61.80% $118
Murrieta 92562 97 $315 -30.00% $121
Murrieta 92563 132 $295 -26.30% $113
Norco 92860 19 $469 -21.00% $188
Nuevo 92567 5 $225 -45.10% $131
Palm Desert 92211 44 $405 -5.80% $210
Palm Desert 92260 32 $452 -14.30% $199
Palm Springs 92262 33 $375 -10.90% $235
Palm Springs 92264 17 $550 -13.80% $260
Perris 92570 32 $225 -40.50% $112
Perris 92571 88 $195 -44.30% $107
Rancho Mirage 92270 26 $850 15.60% $272
Riverside 92501 14 $268 -22.50% $167
Riverside 92503 61 $276 -34.30% $139
Riverside 92504 50 $250 -34.50% $178
Riverside 92505 26 $241 -37.20% $161
Riverside 92506 44 $300 -31.00% $190
Riverside 92507 27 $260 -28.80% $167
Riverside 92508 37 $365 -27.00% $143
Riverside 92509 32 $270 -34.40% $160
San Jacinto 92582 20 $222 -42.30% $87
San Jacinto 92583 38 $188 -41.00% $109
Sun City 92585 18 $250 -26.50% $125
Sun City 92586 31 $179 -24.60% $122
Temecula 92590 1 $681 -21.80% $323
Temecula 92591 50 $299 -28.00% $138
Temecula 92592 104 $323 -28.30% $139
Thousand Palms 92276 2 $163 -31.40% $99
White Water 92282 4 $190 -38.80% $116
Wildomar 92595 33 $290 -32.90% $114
Winchester 92596 47 $287 -37.30% $113

Hunter Safety Class in Corona, CA

SATURDAY
Corona, CA: Hunter Safety Class State law requires that all hunters complete a 10-hour safety class before they can purchase a hunting license. Choose from two certified courses: The first is $35 while the second is free and features barbecue for students and parents. Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, 14995 River Road, Corona. 951-735-7981

Nest Egg...cracked!!!

There is this new type of home equity loan that is getting some press and I haven’t fully grasped why anyone would do this except to simply take money and walk away later… Much like the HELOCs of past years, etc, etc… In this new type of equity loan you get a certain percentage of your homes value right now in cash and essentially sign away 50% of your home’s future appreciation or conversely depreciation to the lender. You make no payments for the loan until you sell your house at which time you pay back the amount of cash they gave you PLUS that 50% of the equity gain. Sounds great eh? But wait… This COULD work out for you if you’re sure that prices will go down until you sell your house. But if your house appreciates over time and you sell it, you have to give up half of the equity gain since signing the loan agreement to that lender. Depending on your timeline for selling your house and whether you need all of the equity gain in it to support some future need like moving into a retirement home, etc… this could be kind of a good deal or a really bad deal. The “kind of a good deal” side of things assume you do something meaningful with the money like improve your house so the price will be higher in the future or send the kids to college or invest it something that gains greatly over time or whatever. The trouble is that most people will not do that. They will blow the money on vacations, cars, toys and then have to give up even more in the future when their house appreciates in value. My gut is telling me that this is yet another baaaaaad idea. Its tempting to get some money now and not have to make any payments on it for years, but the reality is that you’ll likely pay for it many times over when you have to pay the initial amount back PLUS give up some equity in your house. Remember, there are no free lunches and the lenders that offer this surely dont have YOUR best interest in mind. I think everyone should have learned that by now.

In summary, regardless of which way the housing market moves, when you sell your house you pay back the loan in full to the lender. They are betting that the market will go up over time and betting that up years will outnumber down years which historically is true (about 6.5%/yr for the past couple decades). You aren’t betting anything, rather you are taking “easy” money now and you are likely to get screwed either way down the road. You get screwed if the market goes down because you lose value in your house. Yes, the lender will assume half of that downside but YOU are still down! You get screwed if the market goes up because you have to give up half of the gains. So, again.. how is this good for you? I have no idea… I must be missing something…

What do you guys think? Is there some instance where you think this is a great idea?

Riverside County Marriage Licenses.

Marriage licenses: A map in Wednesday's Section A showing the number of marriage licenses issued Tuesday in various counties around the state reported that 27 licenses were issued in Riverside County. That was the midday figure. By the end of business Tuesday, the Riverside County clerk issued 133 marriage licenses. In addition, the average number of licenses issued in a day in Sacramento County is 25, not four, as the graphic reported.

RED, HOT, COOL . . .

Artists have produced an explosion of color, imaginative abstracts and summer themed scenes that will have you catching the scent of coconut suntan oil in the air and the sound of the surf whispering in the background.

The Corona Art Association is pleased to present our first themed show complete with prizes and surprises for the artists and our guests. We hope you will join us for the opening reception and support the Corona Art Association as we kick off the long, hot summer season of creative fun at the Art House Gallery.

We are also exhibiting works by the 2008 CAA Otis Washington and CAA Maxine Piester Scholarship winners in this show.

For more information about our shows and all our programs please visit our website at www.coronaartassociation.org or contact Cathi at (951) 371-2447 for more information about the "Red, Hot, Cool" show (and the "Five of Five...Jive" show coming up in August).

To find out more about the scholarship program contact Ira at (951) 206-0222.

CA: Groups ask court to halt gender-neutral marriage licenses

Excerpt:

A conservative legal group asked a Sacramento court Monday to order the California agency that oversees marriages to stop issuing gender-neutral marriage licenses.

The filing came just hours before the state Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage took effect at 5:01 p.m. Monday, allowing clerks to begin issuing the licenses.

Gary Kreep of the San Diego County-based United States Justice Foundation said his group filed a petition Monday on behalf of five county supervisors from Yuba, Stanislaus, Nevada and Sutter counties. The petition argues the state Department of Public Health failed to hold legally required public hearings on the licenses and claims legislators must amend state marriage laws before the licenses are valid.

A hearing on the request was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a conservative Christian law firm and a church joined in faxing letters to county clerk offices Monday, telling them that they do not have to do work related to same-sex marriages if it violates their religious beliefs.

Murrieta, Calif.-based law firm Advocates for Faith and Freedom and the Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council said clerk employees are protected from discrimination and entitled to accommodations for their religious beliefs. The letters cited the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Career Fair for Military Veterans and Military Spouses Coming to Riverside, California, on July 10

Riverside, CA -- The military-to-civilian recruiting firm RecruitMilitary will present a free hiring event for job seekers who have military backgrounds in California's Inland Empire on Thursday, July 10. This event, the RecruitMilitary Career Fair, will take place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at March Field Air Museum in Riverside. RecruitMilitary urges all job seekers who have military backgrounds to attend--veterans who already have civilian work experience, men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military spouses.

The event will be the 57th of 104 RecruitMilitary Career Fairs scheduled for 2008. RecruitMilitary will also produce events in Long Beach on July 17, in Anaheim on August 14, in San Diego on November 13, in Sacramento on November 20, and in Las Vegas and Phoenix on December 11.

An all-star team of veteran-friendly organizations will conduct one-on-one interviews with the job seekers in Ontario--organizations that will include corporate employers, law-enforcement agencies and other government employers, educational institutions, veterans service agencies, and veterans associations. Already in the line-up are Bally Total Fitness, the Brawley Police Department, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Cirque du Soleil--Las Vegas, DeVry University, FedEx Ground, Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold, Hanson Building Materials America, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lowe's, the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network, Philip Morris, San Bernardino County Fire Department, the San Bernardino Police Department, the San Diego Sheriff's Department, Team and Network Training LLC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the USDA Forest Service, Universal Technical Institute, University of Phoenix, and the Veterans Benefits Administration.

RecruitMilitary will produce the career fair in cooperation with The American Legion; HireVetsFirst, a unit of the United States Department of Labor; and the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN).

More than 500 organizations attended 45 RecruitMilitary Career Fairs in 2007. At those events, an average of 30-plus organizations interviewed an average of over 325 job seekers. RecruitMilitary Career Fairs conducted in 2006 and 2007 generated television coverage by CNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN; radio coverage by ESPN and numerous regional stations; and articles in metropolitan and local newspapers.

The American Legion is an association of veterans who served during times of war. The Legion has 2.7 million members in nearly 15,000 posts throughout the world. The National Commander of The American Legion is Martin F. Conatser, an Army veteran, of Champaign, Illinois. The Commander of the Department of California is Howard Darter. Congress chartered The American Legion in 1919. HireVetsFirst was created by Congress in 2002 to develop awareness among employers of the outstanding attributes of men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life. The Military Spouse Corporate Career Network was founded in 2004 to provide career opportunities and job portability for military spouses. The organization is made up of military spouses, caregivers to war wounded, and retired military personnel.

RecruitMilitary, based in Cincinnati, connects employers with job seekers who have military backgrounds. All of the company's account executives and retained search consultants are either veterans or active or former reservists. In addition to participation in career fairs, RecruitMilitary offers subscriptions to its database of self-registered job seekers who have military backgrounds, currently numbering more than 215,000, at its Web site, www.recruitmilitary.com , advertising in online and print media, and retained hiring services. The company mails more than 50,000 copies of a quarterly, print newsletter called Incoming! to over 230 military bases throughout the world for distribution to transitioning personnel; employers advertise their job openings in Incoming! The President of RecruitMilitary is Drew Myers, formerly a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. The company was founded in 1998.

Contact:
Drew Myers
President
RecruitMilitary LLC
800-226-0841

Federal court official taking Riverside County job

Riverside, CA – The chief executive and clerk of the federal court in California's Central District is taking a similar position at the backlogged Riverside County Superior Court.

In September, Sherri Carter will take over a 1,200-person organization that has been slowed considerably by its case backlog. The state Judicial Council says Riverside's court system has only half the jurists it needs.

The backlog has forced judges to dismiss at least 17 criminal cases since the start of 2007.

Carter says the challenges are what drew her to the job. Riverside's courts will be transitioning to an automated electronic filing system, a project that Carter stewarded at the Central District.

She will be replacing Inga McElyea, who is retiring after more than 30 years on the job.