Photographer Kelly Vela was selected as the City of Moreno Valley 2016 Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to photographing shelter animals in a flattering way to help them find their forever homes.

Kelly has photographed more than 1,200 shelter animals since she began volunteering at the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter in 2014.

Her photographs showcase shelter animals in a beautiful, warm way that makes them more appealing to prospective families. More than 90 percent of the animals she has photographed have been adopted, returned to their owners, rescued by an animal partner or transferred to another shelter to be adopted.

In 2012, Kelly and her husband Gil, started a project called “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Lives” to depict shelter animals in a positive light. Through their company, Dos Vela Images, the couple is dedicated to spending time with shelter animals, gaining their trust, and ultimately taking a beautiful picture to help these animals get adopted.

Kelly is always trying to think of ways to add new dimensions to her project.  In an effort to highlight the dedicated staff members working at the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter, she is in the process of taking photographs of staff members to add to her album of shelter animals.

The City of Moreno Valley is grateful for the time and dedication Kelly has devoted to the City’s Animal Shelter. Her work continues to highlight the benefits of adopting a shelter animal.

Also nominated for the City of Moreno Valley's 2016 Volunteer of the Year were:   

• Frank Garcia – Frank has been teaching the guitar class at the Moreno Valley Senior Center since March 2008 and has seen his class grow from just a few students to 15 or more. In the last nine years he has taught more than 6,000 seniors and volunteered more than 800 hours. Frank continues to give his time every Thursday 
  
  
• Emergency Response Force - The Emergency Response Force (ERF) is a group of volunteers under the Fire Department comprised of members of the community with backgrounds from various walks of life including: first aid, disaster preparedness and logistics.  The members provide support to Public Safety personnel and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to all manner of emergencies and disasters.    

• Milton Adams – Milt has been a member of the City’s Emergency Response Force (ERF) since 2013.  Milt is enthusiastic, organized and a natural leader who makes himself available on short notice to assist in response and other City community activities including "Hikes to the Top," "Ride MoVal," and the Fourth of July Parade and Family FunFest.  

• Lynda Davis – Lynda has served as a volunteer with the Code and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Program since its reincarnation in 2015. Lynda is one of the City’s most active members of its volunteer team, often working two to three days a week. Lynda dedicates her time volunteering both in the field and in the office.

For more information about volunteering with the City of Moreno Valley please visit www.mymoval.org  

Come meet your Moreno Valley police officers at the next Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Starbuck’s Coffee, 12751 Moreno Beach.

Coffee with a Cop events provide a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about what the police department does to keep Moreno Valley residents, business owners and visitors safe.

The public usually only comes in contact with police officers during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.   It aims to advance the practice of community policing by improving relationships between police officers and community members, one cup of coffee at a time.  

The program is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Police officers across the country regularly sit down with residents over a cup of coffee at similar events as police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

For more information, please contact Deputy Moreno at 951 486 6717, or dmoreno@riversidesheriff.org.

The City recently expanded its bicycle network, recently installing Class II bike lanes on Ironwood Avenue from Pigeon Pass Road to Perris Boulevard as part of the City’s adopted Bicycle Master Plan.

The new two-mile segment provides a vital link from surrounding residential neighborhoods to bus stops, schools, and commercial retail centers, making it safer for bicyclists and motorists alike.  

The project included removal of existing striping, installation of new striping, markings, and several continental-style crosswalks.

Grants from the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) funded the project. The project was designed and installed by the City of Moreno Valley.

Do you run a nonprofit? Are you looking to increasing your fundraising in 2017?   Are you confused by the tax rules and want answers?  

Learn the rules that apply to your particular 501(c)(3), religious, youth or other charitable organization at this FREE workshop.

Experts will guide you on how to properly sell food, gift baskets, and conduct raffles, silent auctions, rummage sales and other taxable activities and fund raisers. You will also be guided through the process of obtaining a seller’s permit, using a resale certificate, and figuring use tax.

Presenter Lance Christiansen is the Information Officer for the State Board of Equalization’s Riverside office, representing Board Member Diane Harkey and District 4. Lance travels throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties speaking to groups of small business owners about the ins and outs of Sales and Use Tax. 

Join us at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center located at 14075 Frederick Street in Alessandro Room A.

Register online HERE.