Temecula News & Updates

A Message from the City Manager

Greetings –

Autumn is upon us, and it is a busy time of year in beautiful Southern California Wine Country. Here at City Hall, we are finishing preparations for numerous end-of-the-year holiday events and timeless traditions unique to Temecula and known for bringing our community together in a magical way.

Speaking of community, I'd like to thank the Temecula Community Services Department (TCSD) whose staff works behind-the-scenes all year to "create community through people, parks and programs." TCSD fosters civic engagement by celebrating and showcasing the unique aspects of Temecula from culture, traditions, and local talents. November welcomes Native American Heritage Month and we will soon commemorate our local holiday, Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day, as we do every November 15th. Old Town then transforms into an enchanting display of "Temecula Chilled" festive décor, including white snowflakes that lead to an outdoor ice-skating rink and an oversized decorated Christmas Tree in Town Square, where we gather for the infamous (and proudly quirky) New Year's Eve Grape Drop. The Duck Pond also becomes a welcoming gateway with brilliantly lit traditions.

These festivities are a reminder of the countless programs and initiatives TCSD undertakes throughout the year. TCSD touches every part of our community from signature events and parades to overseeing several community recreation centers as well as the Mary Phillips Senior Center, the Temecula Valley Museum, Old Town Temecula Community Theater, the Temecula Public Library, City parks and associated sports activities, the outdoor amphitheater, and classes, performances, services and programs hosted at all of these City amenities -- and more, including the brand new Margarita Recreation Center opening in early 2024. The newly released Winter/Spring 2024 Guide to Leisure Activities provides a 44-page glance at thousands of opportunities (over the next six months alone) that are brought to you from our Temecula Community Services Department. These services, geared to enhancing the quality of life for Temecula residents, also boost the local economy and help promote a vibrant community ecosystem within our beloved hometown. For continued information, I encourage you to follow both @CityofTemecula and @TemeculaParksandRec among our other social media platforms listed here.

-Aaron Adams, City Manager

Budget Talk

Tune in to watch Budget Talk, a series that shares City fiscal facts.

Learn more about where your tax dollars go in this episode of #BudgetTalk.

New Playgrounds!

Did you know the City has been replacing an average of 3-4 park playgrounds every year since 2018 with entirely new, fun and creatively themed playgrounds? Rediscover Temecula's public parks through the many episodes of Around and About - Park Adventures and then go out and explore them with your kids. Here's an interactive map of all the City Parks.

Up next, four new playgrounds are being constructed as follows:

Redhawk Community Park - Theme: Redhawk Harbor

Construction Start: October 2023

Construction Completion: mid-November 2023

Calle Aragon Park - Theme: Odyssey

Construction Start: October 2023

Construction Completion: mid-November 2023

Temecula Creek Trail Park - Theme: Jungle Play

Construction Start: late-October 2023

Construction Completion: mid-November 2023

Long Canyon Creek Park - Theme: Tower Climb

Construction Start: December 2023

Construction Completion: January 2024

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH ACTIVITIES

Proclamation Celebration

Thursday, November 9, 6pm

City Hall Council Chambers

41000 Main Street

Presented by the REDI Commission

Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day

(This is a Local Holiday)

Wednesday, November 15, 4:30pm

City Hall

41000 Main Street

Every November 15th we commemorate the profound ways in which the Pechanga Tribe, Temecula’s first peoples, has shaped the community’s character and heritage, and to thank the Tribe for saving Pu'éska Mountain and, in doing so, protecting the quality of life in Temecula.

Temecula Valley Museum Art Mural Project

Wednesday, November 8, 5pm

Sam Hicks Monument Park

28314 Mercedes Street

Unveiling of a mural designed by artist Gerry Ceja and painted by Pechanga Chámmakilawish School Students, titled ‘Plants - Our Medicine’, a representation of plants as a resource to the ‘Atáaxum (the people).

Great Oak Press

Pechanga established "Great Oak Press" in order to provide an avenue by which Native voices and topics of significance and importance to Native Americans could find their way into contemporary discourse and become both a growing and permanent part of recorded knowledge. The City strongly encourages residents to learn more at GreatOakPress.com.

Temecula Library Literature Display

November 2023

Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library

30600 Pauba Road

Check out a variety of Native American literature with a display at the front of the library.

Patriotic Salute to Veterans

Saturday, November 11, 6pm

Temecula Civic Center

41000 Main Street

Show your appreciation for the men and women of the armed forces at the annual Patriotic Salute to Veterans. Following the military banner presentation, enjoy a live musical performance by the Temecula Valley Symphony.

The City of Temecula's Military Banner Program was created for the community of Temecula to honor and recognize active-duty military personnel that reside in or have immediate family living in the City of Temecula. Banners display the official military photo of the service person, as well as their name. More information about the Military Banner Program is available here.

Guide to Leisure Activities Registration for Classes Opens Nov 6, 8am

This bi-annual Guide is currently being mailed out and is also now available online. In addition to listing the many classes, events, and programs offered throughout the City of Temecula, the Guide also features premiere recreation facilities in Temecula, including the newly renovated Mary Phillips Senior Center (now open), and the newly built Margarita Recreation Center (opening early 2024) with classroom space for community programs, a dance studio, and a 25-yard swimming pool.

Browse the Guide online and visit TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD to access or create an account.

SBIR Talk (Wednesday, November 8): Join us for this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Talk Series Introduction to learn everything you need to know about the SBIR/Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) grant program, what you need to be eligible, and how to beat the odds to win these lucrative awards. This workshop is being held in partnership with UCR’s EPIC Small Business Development Center’s SBIR/STTR Resource Center. For additional details and to register, please visit: bit.ly/3u2Tosf

Employment Law Update (Tuesday, November 14): Join us to lean the new 2024 employment law changes including leaves and absences, remote work, using AI, legislative and case law developments, and more! This is in partnership with Barret Business Services, Inc. For additional details and to register, please visit: bit.ly/3tOh6Zr

How to Launch Your Small Business (Thursday, November 16): If you are a new or aspiring business owner, you won't want to miss this workshop! An SBDC Consultant will show you the steps needed to start your own business successfully. For additional information and to register, please visit: bit.ly/45LYK8F

Southern California Edison's Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Program

As part of Southern California Edison's wildfire prevention and mitigation program, over the next few weeks, SCE will be conducting inspections in your neighborhood using drones and/or helicopters.

SCE inspectors are using drones and helicopters to inspect equipment from difficult angles, and top-down angles for a 360-degree view.
The focus of these operations is to keep communities safe by inspecting electrical equipment on poles and towers and to identify any damage or potential hazard that may need immediate repair. See the video (link below) for details.
The amount of time it takes to conduct inspections varies depending on how much equipment is on each pole or tower (approximately 30 to 60 minutes).
Questions? Please contact SCE's Customer Support Center at 1-800-655-4555.

For more information on these efforts please visit Drones, Helicopters Help Mitigate Wildfires From the Sky | Energized by Edison.

To update your contact information, visit www.sce.com/outage-center/outage-alerts.

Rancho Water Showerhead Giveaway

Wednesday, November 15, 9-11am

Rancho Water Demonstration Garden

42135 Winchester Road

Every Rancho Water customer is eligible to receive two FREE 1.5 GPM showerheads, an hourglass shower timer, and a Practical Plumbing Book. Register for your freebies at RanchoWater.com/WUE.

Blood Drive at City Hall

November 8 and December 20

(other dates available too)

10am-4pm

City Hall Conference Center

41000 Main Street

The City of Temecula has partnered with the America Red Cross to host this blood drive. Participants must make an appointment before donating.

Click here to schedule your blood donation.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

41377 Margarita Road (Bel Villaggio Shopping Center)

Have you heard the scoop? Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is officially open in Temecula! Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is made fresh daily in-store, with a wide variety of unique flavors, cones, dishes, and toppings to choose from. Visit HandelsIceCream.com for more information or click here to see the many flavors.

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