July 2022

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 7 JULY 2022 

Summer 

Events in 

the Valley 

COMMUNICATING 

LEADERSHIP 

by Ted Saul 

SEE PAGE 14 

Leadership training will tell you that to lead effectively 

possessing good communication skills is required. 

Here are some ways to communicate with your employees 

and customers. 

If the size of your company permits, meet with employees 

regularly one-on-one. Getting out of the office 

and taking them to lunch or coffee is an excellent way to 

open up lines of communication. 

SEE PAGE 23 

2022-23 MURRIETA ROTARY 

OFFICERS, DIRECTORS TO 

TAKE OFFICE 

John Brown will take office July 1 to serve as President of the 

Rotary Club of Murrieta for the 2022/23 Rotary year, succeeding 

Steve Nicholson. 

$333 MILLION EXPANSION OF 

TRAUMA CENTER APPROVED 

TO MOVE FORWARD IN WILDOMAR 

WITH 7-STORY TOWER 

Inland Valley Medical Center received unanimous approval from 

City Council, paving the way for the construction of a new seven-story, 

290,000 squarefoot hospital tower building that will accommodate 202 

total patient beds. The approval will allow expansion of the trauma 

center to move forward. 

SEE PAGE 5 

John Brown, 2022-23 President 

SEE PAGE 11 

COMMUNITY 

DEALER OF THE YEAR 

AWARD CEREMONY - 

PARADISE CHEVROLET 

6 

COMMUNITY 

MURRIETA’S 

FEDERAL COMMUNITY 

PROJECT FUNDING 

REQUESTS SELECTED 

20 

REAL ESTATE 

REALTOR® REPORT 

23 

AND... 

$333 MILLION EXPANSION 

OF TRAUMA CENTER 

FREE SUMMER LUNCH 

PROGRAM

THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL 

2 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com 

July 2022 

UHS SOCAL MEC LAUNCHES FOUR NEW GRADUATE 

MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS 

Universal Health Services Southern 

California Medical Education 

Consortium (UHS SoCal MEC) has 

been approved by the Accreditation 

Council for Graduate Medical Education 

(ACGME) to launch four new 

programs in July 2022 for General 

Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 

Pulmonary and Sports Medicine, facilitated 

through Temecula Valley Hospital, 

Southwest Healthcare System 

and Corona Regional Medical Center. 

“We are extremely excited to continue 

adding Graduate Medical Education 

training to Southwest Riverside 

County with the recent additions of our 

UHS SoCal MEC residency programs 

in Ob/Gyn and General Surgery, and 

fellowships in Pulmonary and Sports 

Medicine,” said Michael Nduati, MD, 

MBA, MPH, FAAFP, Chief Academic 

Officer and Designated Institutional 

Official, UHS Southern California 

Medical Education Consortium. “With 

our dedicated physician faculty and 

future graduates, we will continue 

to raise the level of clinical care and 

help address physician shortages in the 

region. These training programs will 

provide a significant positive impact 

for the communities we serve.” 

The Obstetrics and Gynecology 

Residency is a four-year program under 

the direction of Kimberly Tustison, 

MD, and will accept three residents 

per year at Southwest Healthcare 

System. The program aims to provide 

superior education and develop 

resilient physicians who will provide 

professional, compassionate, high 

quality obstetric and gynecologic 

healthcare for women. The program 

strives to train physician leaders to 

care for the women of our community. 

The curriculum includes inpatient 

obstetric care; comprehensive gynecologic 

care in the office, hospital, and 

operating rooms; ambulatory training 

in private clinics, continuity clinic, 

and the outpatient surgery center; and 

sub-specialty experiences including 

gynecologic oncology, outpatient 

and inpatient maternal fetal medicine, 

urogynecology, family planning 

and reproductive endocrinology and 

infertility. 

The new fully accredited General 

Surgery Residency Program is a fiveyear 

program, placing three residents 

per year at Corona Regional Medical 

Center, Southwest Healthcare System 

and Temecula Valley Hospital. This 

new program will expand surgery 

training opportunities and attract 

more top medical talent to the Inland 

Empire. The program will allow UHS 

to train the next generation of surgeons 

to provide compassionate care with a 

commitment to improving the health of 

the diverse communities that we serve. 

The Pulmonary Fellowship program, 

led by David Lee, MD, is a 2-year 

program for two fellows per year at 

Temecula Valley Hospital. The program 

provides excellent exposure and training 

in all aspects of pulmonary disease from 

routine outpatient practice to advanced 

lung disease and transplantation. The 

primary goal of this program is to train 

a competent well rounded specialty consultant 

to prepare them for a broad range 

of career opportunities upon graduation. 

This training is provided by both didactic 

instruction and direct patient care 

under the direct supervision of expert 

pulmonary, critical care, sleep medicine 

and other faculty. Didactic instruction is 

provided in all areas of pulmonology and 

critical care as outlined in the specific 

topic areas required by the ACGME. 

The Primary Care Sports Medicine 

Fellowship is a one-year program with 

two sports medicine fellows led by Jerry 

Hizon, MD. This program will help in 

the community with team care, event 

care and individual care of active/athletic 

patients. It will use state-of-the-art musculoskeletal 

ultrasound to aid in exact diagnosis. 

The fellows will engage in community 

service at the local high schools, 

Mount San Jacinto College, as well as 

with Temecula Valley Pop Warner teams 

and will academically be involved with 

the American Medical Society Sports 

Medicine, Olympic Training Facility and 

Ballet Performing Arts in San Diego, Ski 

Trauma at Mammoth Mountain and anatomy 

teaching high schools of Temecula 

Valley Unified School District. At the 

conclusion of their training, they will sit 

for the sports medicine boards to obtain 

a certificate of added qualifications in 

Primary Care Sports Medicine. 

“Adding these additional residency 

programs on top of our already successful 

Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and 

Emergency Medicine programs allow 

us to provide additional support to our 

patients, facilities, and community,” said 

Group Vice President for UHS Southern 

California Region, Brad Neet. “In addition, 

we are excited to begin our Cardiology 

Fellowship program at Temecula 

Valley Hospital in July of 2022. Our goal 

is to retain these individuals in order to 

ensure high quality care over the long 

term in Southwest Riverside County.” 

For more information, visit www. 

socalresidency.com. 

About UHS Southern California Medical 

Education Consortium 

The UHS Southern California Medical 

Education Consortium, LLC (UHS 

SoCal MEC), established in 2018, was 

created to develop graduate medical 

education (GME) residency programs 

in the California network of UHS acute 

care hospitals, with a strong academic 

affiliation with Western University of 

Health Sciences in Pomona, California. 

These hospitals include Temecula Valley 

Hospital, Corona Regional Medical Center, 

Southwest Healthcare System (Inland 

Valley Medical Center, Rancho Springs 

Medical Center) and Palmdale Regional 

Medical Center. 

Our residency programs are integrated 

into the core mission of the hospitals: 

to provide our community superior quality 

care that patients recommend to family 

and friends and physicians prefer for their 

patients, while offering unique training 

opportunities to the next generation of 

healthcare providers. 

The approach of our programs is 

to provide a diverse, firsthand clinical 

training experience coupled with didactics, 

research opportunities and involvement 

in hospital operations to prepare 

residents to pursue the next step in their 

careers, from full-time clinical practice to 

teaching, research, medical leadership or 

further subspecialty training. The keys to 

the success of the UHS SoCal MEC are 

to provide a solid, sound foundation for 

learning and training and new opportunities 

so residents can explore the various 

possibilities medical careers offer. The 

goal is to position graduates so they are 

prepared for the career they choose and 

are passionate about.



www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com 

3 

Southwest Healthcare System Announces New Patient Tower and Renovations on Inland 

Valley Campus Expansion and Renovations Underway on Rancho Springs Campus 

Southwest Healthcare System Announces 

New Patient Tower and Renovations 

on Inland Valley Campus. 

Expansion and Renovations Underway 

on Rancho Springs Campus 

A rendering of the new patient tower 

when completed 

Southwest Healthcare System’s 

Inland Valley Medical Center Campus 

in Wildomar announced today significant 

expansion and renovation plans 

that include the construction of a new 

patient tower. This follows last year’s announcement 

that Southwest Healthcare’s 

Rancho Springs Medical Center Campus 

in Murrieta will undergo expansion and 

renovation, focusing on Women’s and 

Children’s services and other key clinical 

offerings such as the health system’s 

robotics program. The facility master 

plan, comprising the two projects, will 

total more than $400 million, the largest 

expansion investment to date committed 

by parent company Universal Health Services, 

a perennial Fortune 500 company. 

The new seven-story patient tower at 

Inland Valley will feature: 

Modern, state-of-the-art private patient 

rooms Installation of leading-edge 

clinical technologies for minimally invasive 

procedures and advanced therapies 

Globally sustainable infrastructure 

enhancements including energy-efficient 

LED fixtures and solar panels 

The Inland Valley Campus will 

continue to feature the award-winning 

services of bariatric weight-loss surgery, 

the total joint program for hip, knee and 

shoulder replacement, as well as surgical 

services for spine and the region’s only 

Level II American College of Surgeons 

(ACS) Verified Trauma Center. The project 

is currently anticipated to be completed 

in phases over the course of the next 

two to five years, with particular focus to 

ensure that the facilities will remain open 

for patient care with minimal disruption. 

Inland Valley Medical Center- 

Learn more about the hospital 

We have been planning this expansion 

for quite some time and we are now 

excited to move into the next phase,” 

stated Jared Giles, CEO of Southwest 

Healthcare System. “Our teams do an 

amazing job at delivering award-winning, 

quality care to our patients and 

their families, and with the expansion and 

renovation projects on both campuses, 

we will be able to deliver leading-edge 

care to more patients. 

Recent distinctions and accolades 

include Inland Valley as an Advanced 

Certified Primary Stroke Center by The 

Joint Commission, the Total Joint Center 

awarded advanced certification from 

The Joint Commission for hip and knee 

surgery, as well as core certification for 

shoulder surgery, and spine services certified 

by The Joint Commission. Inland 

Valley is also a nationally recognized 

center for weight-loss surgery by the 

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation 

and Quality Improvement Program 

and was awarded the Blue Distinction for 

outstanding bariatric surgical services. 

Southwest Healthcare System is one 

of the largest employers in Southwest 

Riverside County with currently more 

than 1,600 team members. This comprehensive 

project is expected to create 

over 1,600 design and construction jobs, 

as well as hundreds of new hospital jobs 

including nurses, therapists, technicians, 

and housekeeping, once all new patient 

care areas are open. 

“In partnership with the medical 

staff and community, our goal is to be 

the leading provider of safe, high-quality, 

innovative, patient-centric healthcare in 

the region. With an average of 100,000 

emergency room visits a year, 16,000 admissions, 

9,000 surgeries and over 3,000 

births, we are privileged to be the healthcare 

provider of choice for individuals 

and families across Riverside County and 

beyond,” said Giles. “Our staff embraces 

our vision of Building Relationships that 

Touch the Heart, and we look forward 

to soon offering even more services and 

care to the community we all call home.”




In this issue: 

Summer Events in The Valley 1 

Communicating Leadership 1 

$333 Million Expansion of Trauma Center 1 

2022-23 Murrieta Rotary Officers, Directors 1 

HS SoCal MEC Launches Four New Graduate Programs 2 

The General Motors Dealer of the Year Award Ceremony 6 

Making Every Drop Count Matters More Now 7 

How Does Your Life Insurance Policy Fit into an Estate Plan? 8 

JDS Creative Academy Gets Ready to Kick off Fall Classes 9 

Co-Ownership Agreement–Unmarried Couples Buying Real Property 10 

Free Summer Lunch Program in the Park 16 

Eye Protection 17 

Murrieta’s Federal Community Project Funding Requests Selected 20 

Executive Profile | Pat Utnehmer 21 

Chamber Events 24 

Realtor Report 23 

Chamber Events 24 

Executive Profile | Diane Strand 25 

EDITOR/PUBLISHER/CEO 

Linda Wunderlich 

Email: publishertvbj@verizon.net 

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Helen M. Ryan 

VP OF DISTRIBUTION 

Dane Wunderlich 


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6. Article and advertising deadlines are the 15th of each month for the next issue. 

STAFF WRITERS/ 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Gene Wunderlich 

Ted Saul 

Craig Davis 

Stefani Laszko 

James Laszko 

Nicole Albrecht 

Julie Ngo 

Tom Plant 

Esther Phahla 

Steve Amante 

Monique deGroot 

Andrea Shoup 

Gloria Wolnick 

John & Christine Hamby 

Brian Connors 

Dr. Pat Utnehmer 

Bonnie Woodrome 

Haley Munson 

Don Hitzeman 

Dione Moser 

Diane Strand 

Kim Gerrish 

Katie Cook 

The Valley Business Journal is a California Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, 

without the written permission of the Publisher is prohibited. The publication is published monthly. The opinions and 

views expressed in these pages are those of the writer or person interviewed and not necessarily those of The Valley 

Business Journal. The Valley Business Journal hereby expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all misprints, 

errors and/or inaccuracies any advertisement or editorial may contain, to the credit of the specific advertising payment 

and/or the running of a corrected advertisement or editorial correction notice.




$333 MILLION EXPANSION OF 

TRAUMA CENTER 

APPROVED 

5 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 

“Inland Valley Medical Center is a tremendous 

asset as the only trauma center in 

Southwest Riverside County,” said Mayor 

Ben Benoit. 

“The $333 million investment they are 

making into the city of Wildomar will greatly 

benefit the region not only with improved 

healthcare services, but 220 full-time equivalent 

jobs and a myriad of economic development 

benefits for our city and the region as a 

whole. We applaud Universal Health System 

and Southwest Healthcare for making this 

happen.” 

The Planning Commission approved the 

project to proceed to Council at its meeting 

on May 18th where the approval of the project 

was met with applause from the Planning 

Commissioners. 

“This is a very important expansion for our 

city and the region,” said Kim Strong, Planning 

Commission Chair. “We are very pleased this 

is moving forward.” 

Inland Valley Medical Center is one of 

two medical campuses managed by Southwest 

Healthcare System and is owned and operated 

by a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, 

Inc. (UHS), one of the largest healthcare management 

companies in the nation. 

About Inland Valley Medical Center Campus: 

Southwest Healthcare System - Inland 

Valley is the only hospital in the region to offer 

Level II Trauma Services, an Advanced Certified 

Primary Stroke Center, Total Joint Center 

with advanced certification from the Joint 

Commission for hip and knee surgery, as well 

core certification for shoulder surgery, Spine 

Services certified by The Joint Commission. 

Inland Valley is a nationally recognized center 

for weight-loss surgery by the Metabolic and 

Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement 

Program and was awarded the Blue 

Distinction for outstanding bariatric surgical 

services. For additional information regarding 

Southwest Healthcare System or Inland 

Valley Medical Center, please contact Brian 

Connors, Director of Marketing for Southwest 

Healthcare System at 951-600-4347 or brian. 

connors@uhsinc.com 

About the City of Wildomar: Wildomar 

is located along Interstate 15 in Southwest 

Riverside County. Wildomar is a growing community 

with a population of just over 37,000, 

comfortably nestled in a valley bordered by a 

mountain range on the west and rolling hills to 

the east. For more information regarding the 

City of Wildomar, visit www.cityofwildomar. 

org . For additional information call Kimberly 

Davidson at 951-677-7751, Extension 215, or 

email kdavidson@cityofwildomar.org 

“This is a true community event and everybody 

is invited to celebrate the City’s birthday 

with entertainment and fun. It’s a great way 

to kick off summer and enjoy with family and 

friends,” said Kim Summers, Murrieta city 

manager. 

The event is free and open to the public. 

It is an entirely outdoor event and visitors are 

encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets 

for seating. Umbrellas and shades are allowed 

until sunset when they will need to come down 

in anticipation for the fireworks show at 9 

p.m. Attendees can check out the non-profit, 

business, and food vendors at the event. The 

California Oaks Sports Park is located at 40600 

California Oaks Road in Murrieta. 

For more information about City of Murrieta 

events, visit www.MurrietaCA.gov/events. 

Murrieta’s more than 115,000 residents 

live in one of the safest cities in the U.S., with 

top-ranked schools, 52 parks, and a dynamic 

business environment. Central to all of Southern 

California, Murrieta is truly the gem of the 

valley. Murrieta boasts a well-educated population 

and a strong labor force. Ranked the fiscally 

healthiest full-service city in Riverside, San 

Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles counties, 

Murrieta’s future is undoubtedly bright.




The “Best of the Best” Chevrolet Dealers Were Honored at The 

General Motors Dealer of the Year Award Ceremony 

The “best of the best” Chevrolet 

dealers were honored at the General 

Motors Dealer of the Year award 

ceremony. Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac 

located in Temecula, California 

was among the elite dealers recently 

awarded the Dealer of the Year Award 

for the 8th year in a row. The Dealer 

of the Year program honors dealer partners 

who have done an exceptional job 

toward GM’s collective goal of earning 

customers for life. To receive this honor, 

a Dealer must be a top performer in Sales 

and Customer Satisfaction. Dealers also 

must show commitment to these areas on 

a long-term basis by retaining customers, 

using only Genuine GM parts, participating 

in Standards for Excellence and maintaining 

compliance with the Essential 

Brand Elements program requirements. 

Terry Gilmore, Paradise Chevrolet 

Cadillac’s President comments, “I am 

very proud of each and every one of our 

employees for their efforts in making 

our dealership one of the best in the 

United States. It is due to their commitment 

and dedication to excellence 

that Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac holds 

this prestigious award.”




7 

Making Every Drop Count Matters More Now 

Like most Elsinore Valley Municipal 

Water District (EVMWD) 

customers, you recognize that conservation 

is a way of life in California. 

We greatly appreciate everything 

you are doing to reduce water use. 

However, as the drought continues 

and we face the warmer months of 

our third dry year, now is the time to 

re-examine how we can work together 

to save even more water during these 

unprecedented times. 

Gov. Newsom’s approach to limiting 

summertime water use requires 

all Californians to do their part to use 

water wisely while also giving local 

water managers discretion based on 

local supply conditions. EVMWD has 

a local voluntary water use reduction 

of 10-20 percent currently in place. These 

actions underscore the serious challenges 

faced by California in maintaining a reliable 

supply of water during a drought. 

This year’s January to March period is 

the driest on record and as of April 1, 

the state’s snowpack plummeted to just 

38% of average. 

A good place to start is by evaluating 

what you’re already doing to reduce 

water use and finding new ways to save. 

There are many water saving tips on sites 

such as www.saveourwater.com. You 

can also find information on how to save 

more water as well as available rebates at 

www.evmwd.com/conservation. 

A majority of residential water use 

comes from outdoor uses, such as landscaping, 

cleaning sidewalks and driveways. 

Reducing landscape watering time, 

watering only after 6 p.m. and before 6 

a.m., replacing lawns with drought-tolerant 

landscaping, and using brooms 

instead of hoses to clean off driveways 

are some ways that residents can help 

save water. 

If the past drought taught us anything, 

it is that water is a precious resource that 

should not be wasted. There are many 

relatively easy ways to conserve water. 

In addition to ongoing efficiency, 

we also thank you for supporting 

significant investments in local 

drought-resilient supplies. These 

investments have made us better prepared 

for this drought and for future 

prolonged droughts. That preparation 

– combined with your water-wise habits 

– is key to achieving an efficient 

and resilient water future. 

If the past drought taught us anything, it is that water is a precious resource that should 

not be wasted. There are many relatively easy ways to conserve water.




How Does Your Life Insurance Policy Fit into an Estate Plan? 

If you have an estate plan, do you still 

have a need for a life insurance policy? 

Even if you have plenty of assets to pass 

down to your loved ones after your passing, 

having life insurance will still help 

you prepare for the unexpected. 

5 Ways to Include Life Insurance into 

Your Estate Plan 

A life insurance plan is always a good 

idea, whether you have loved ones who 

would benefit from the money or not. No 

one knows when they will pass away, and 

financial assistance is always appreciated 

to help with financial stress caused by the 

death of a loved one. 

1. Paying for Funeral Arrangements: 

Use money from life insurance to pay 

for the end-of-life care of your choice. 

It can be overwhelming to pay for a 

gathering for all the people who want 

to attend and honor a life well-lived. 

Having the money from life insurance 

can ease the burden without having to 

dip into savings. 

2. Rolling Life Insurance Money into 

a Trust: Use the money from life 

insurance to support living family 

members after your death. You can 

leave instructions for a trustee to dole 

out the money according to a timeline 

or an age of inheritance. 

3. Faster Payout for Loved Ones: 

There can be a lot of red tape when 

it comes to reviewing the will, possible 

probate, and dividing of assets. 

Life insurance funds come through 

quickly and can be divided among 

the beneficiaries as they await other 

inheritances. 

4. Ease in Dividing Inheritance Payments: 

Perhaps you have two beneficiaries, 

and it is difficult to divide 

assets straight down the middle. The 

life insurance payment can add ease to 

this task. For example, one beneficiary 

may get the life insurance money 

while the other beneficiary gets a real 

estate property. 

5. Covering Estate Taxes: The family 

has nine months to pay estate taxes 

after someone dies. Life insurance 

policies are a great way to cover this 

estate tax. Then, the family does not 

have to use unplanned funds or come 

up with the money to pay the taxes on 

the entire estate. 

Do you have questions about your 

estate plan? Shoup Legal is here to help. 

Reach out to us at (951) 455-4114 or send 

an email to info@shouplegal.com to get 

your questions answered today. 

“ 

If you have an estate 

plan, do you still have a 

need for a life 

insurance policy? 

Even if you have plenty 

of assets to pass 

down to your loved 

ones after your 

passing, having life 

insurance will still help 

you prepare for the 

unexpected. 

SHOUPLEGAL.COM 

LEGAL 

by by 

Andrea Steve Fillingim Shoup


By Yanessa Hernandez 



JDS Creative Academy Gets Ready to Kick off Fall Classes 

9 

When you think of pursuing the creative 

arts, what comes to mind? Maybe 

it’s perfecting your acting and singing 

abilities, writing the next award-winning 

script, or becoming the creative director 

behind costuming and makeup. What you 

may not have considered is that indulging 

in the creative arts helps to build character 

and self-confidence. 

From social communication and collaboration 

skills to leadership and public 

speaking skills, choosing to partake in 

the visual, performing, and digital arts is 

proven to be beneficial to personal growth. 

At JDS Studios there is an array of classes 

that JDS Creative Academy offers to fill a 

void that may be missing in youth, teen, 

and adult lives. 

Every year, JDS Creative Academy 

(JDSCA) holds its seasonal visual, performing, 

and digital arts classes. Their 

scriptwriting, fashion design, musical theatre, 

acting, and spooky “Haunted Studio” 

courses provide not only the opportunity 

to learn a new talent or continue to pursue 

a passion but also room to grow into 

one’s truest self. The #JDSFamily strives 

to create a positive outlet and learning 

environment. In our day-to-day lives, 

there can often be a lack of opportunity to 

step outside of your comfort zone. JDSCA 

helps by creating a safe place to enjoy that 

experience. 

JDSCA’s scriptwriting class provides 

students with the professional guidance 

and judge-free environment needed to 

develop their personal projects and writing 

skills. While the experience will help students 

familiarize themselves with topics 

such as story structure, theme, dialogue, 

formatting, and other fundamentals, students 

also gain the tenacity to make their 

work known. 

Students collaborate with their peers 

while creating an open environment to 

build confidence in their work. At the 

conclusion of the class, students share 

their scripts as actors perform their newly 

written words at the winter showcase. 

Scriptwriting classes begin on Monday, 

August 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Fashion lovers and design enthusiasts 

will gain hands-on experience in fashion, 

sketching, working with color and fabric, 

and designing sets, props, and costumes. 

Students learn sewing skills, creating 

and working with patterns, costuming 

techniques, building props, working backstage, 

and stage and special-effects makeup. 

Fashion and backstage production 

provides skills in logistics while giving 

an artistic outlet for self-expression and 

boosts self-esteem. As students learn the 

ins and outs of working behind the scenes 

of a stage production, they also learn how 

to collaborate with a team and coexist with 

others. Fashion and backstage production 

classes start on Wednesday, August 31 

from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

The Haunted Studio, JDSCA’s handson 

haunted house, continues to get spookier 

each year! Students create new bonds 

and friendships while designing, building, 

and executing a full-scale haunted house 

that takes over the entire studio. The collaborative 

experience helps students gain a 

better understanding of the arts and themselves. 

Participants walk away with boosted 

self-confidence which they can utilize 

to be more sociable in their traditional 

school environment. The Haunted Studio 

is open to the public and takes place on 

Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 

29, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Come out to support 

since it’s also a fundraiser to raise money 

for the nonprofit scholarship program. All 

designers, builders, and haunters join us 

on Wednesday, September 28 at 5 p.m to 

be behind the thrills and chills. 

The JDS Family prides itself on 

creating an inclusive environment that 

encourages students from all walks of life 

and all levels of experience to learn the 

creative arts. Whether you’re a beginner 

or a seasoned professional, JDS Creative 

Academy welcomes you! Fall classes are 

now enrolling. 

To sign up or learn about scholarships 

to assist with the cost of classes and enrollment, 

visit JDS Creative Academy. 

org or call Diane Strand (951) 296–6715. 

“ 

From social communication and collaboration skills to 

leadership and public speaking skills, choosing to partake 

in the visual, performing, and digital arts is proven 

to be beneficial to personal growth. At JDS Studios 

there is an array of classes that JDS Creative Academy 

offers to fill a void that may be missing in youth, 

teen, and adult lives.




Co-Ownership Agreement–Unmarried Couples Buying Real Property 

Together Without Getting Burned 

By Kiki Manti Engel 

There has been a rise in couples cohabitating 

and purchasing real property 

together before getting married. While 

California is a community property 

state, California Law does not recognize 

common law marriages, and unmarried 

individuals are generally not entitled to 

support following a breakup. I have had 

countless consultations with individuals 

who purchased real property with their 

significant other before getting married 

and then they break up/separate. Oftentimes, 

one individual is solely obligated 

to pay the mortgage on the real property 

while both individuals are listed 

as co-owners on title. The question is, 

what happens now? Well, technically 

both are co-owners and they both have 

equal rights of management and control 

of the real property. What this means is 

that one individual alone cannot sell the 

real property unless both agree to sell it. 

The other options are for one individual 

to offer to buy out the other individual’s 

interest or to file a lawsuit with the Court 

to partition the real property and divide 

the proceeds therefrom. Also, if you are 

the sole obligor on the mortgage, you 

must continue to pay to avoid a negative 

impact on your credit and/or foreclosure. 

This is quite the conundrum, as most 

nonmarried couples do not envision that 

their relationship will end (which is why 

they agree to buy real property together 

in the first place), so they do not have 

a co-ownership agreement in place to 

address this worst-case scenario. 

Co-ownership of real property prior 

to marriage without any written agreements 

in place is a pervasive problem. 

I spoke with a senior colleague of mine, 

Elliott Luchs, to ask if he has ever drafted 

a nonmarital real property ownership 

agreement. To my surprise, in his nearly 

50 years of experience as an attorney, 

he has drafted this type of premarital/ 

nonmarital real property co-ownership 

agreement several times. Mr. Luchs has 

also drafted Nonmarital Cohabitation 

Agreements, which are between nonmarried 

couples who live together but who 

are not acquiring real property. 

Many couples 

are reluctant to discuss 

the “what if” 

we break up scenario. 

However, it is vitally 

important for nonmarried 

co-owners 

(or cohabitants) of 

real property to have 

a written agreement 

in place to protect 

themselves. If you 

decide to co-own 

property with your 

significant other 

while unmarried, 

have this frank discussion 

with them, 

and see what happens. 

More often 

than not, your significant other has the 

same reservations or concerns. Best 

case scenario is you never need such an 

agreement, but you will be glad you have 

one if things do go south. 

Kiki Manti Engel is an attorney at Reid 

& Hellyer, APC where she practices business 

and real estate litigation. She may 

be reached through our website at https:// 

rhlaw.com/attorneys/kiki-manti-engel/.




11 

2022-23 MURRIETA ROTARY OFFICERS, DIRECTORS 


Co-owner of Constant Companions 

Home Care, Brown is a Tax Audit/ 

Associate with PKC Kuebler. He is a 

10-year member of the Murrieta Rotary 

Club and is active in the community. 

He is the head coach of Murrieta 14U 

Fast Pitch Softball team currently. Previously, 

John chaired Murrieta’s Measure 

BB Citizens Oversight Committee, 

served as treasurer on the Salvation 

Army of Murrieta Advisory Committee, 

Murrieta PTSA auditor and as a 

board member of the San Diego High 

School Alumni Association. John and 

his wife, Gabriela, have five children. 

Serving with John as board members 

is Steve Nicholson as immediate 

past president, Rob Haskins as president 

elect and Liz Jones as president 

nominee. Patsy Orr serves as Executive 

Secretary, and Lou Ellen Ficke as 

Treasurer. Saomorn Wong is Foundation 

Chair, and Administration, Dawn 

Layton. 

Club Directors are: Vocational Services, 

Jim Yanoschik and Linda Lunn; 

Community Services, Jody Lawlor; 

Youth Services, Liz Jones and Paul 

Distefano; Membership, Frank Donahoe; 

and International, Jan Lunday. 

The club serves the City of Murrieta 

and surrounding area, and is involved 

in international projects in cooperation 

with Rotary International which has as 

its ongoing theme “Service Above Self.” 

Chartered on April 28, 1992, the Murrieta 

Club is known for several signature 

projects including the Murrieta Field of 

Honor, which will celebrate its 14th year 

in November. 

Rotary is one of the largest international 

humanitarian service organizations 

in the world, with 1.2 million members 

in some 32,000 clubs in more than 200 

countries and geographic areas. Rotary 

began in 1905 in Chicago and serves 

the needs of local communities around 

the world.




YOUR LOCAL CHAMBERS 

Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce 

www.temecula.org 

Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce 

www.MWCoC.org 

Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce 

www.menifeevalleychamber.com 

Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber 

www.lakeelsinorechamber.com 

Hemet/San Jacinto Valley 

Chamber of Commerce 

www.hsjvc.com




13




CITY OF MURRIETA SUMMER 

EVENTS 

CONCERTS IN THE PARK 

Town Square Park Amphitheater 

Saturdays 6-8 p.m. 

LIFETIME ROCKER 

Classic Rock, July 2 

SAM CARY 

Country, July 9 

BIG REVENGE 

Classic/modern, July 16 

FOUR LADS (FROM LIVERPOOL) 

Beatles Tribute, July 23 

MOVIES IN THE PARK 

Town Square Park Amphitheater 

Saturdays, Dusk 

ENCANTO 

August 6 

SING 

August 13 

JUNGLE CRUISE 

August 20 

WILLY WONKA 

August 27 

LAKE ELSINORE SUMMER 

EVENTS 

PARTY IN THE PARK 

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Summerly Park, 18505 Malaga Road 

4th of July 

9 p.m. 

FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR 

Viewing locations include: 

Lakepoint Park, Summerly Park, Swick & Matich 

Park, Whiskers Fishing Beach, and a portion of 

the levee system. Paid viewing locations include 

all commercial campgrounds, Launch Pointe, 

Diamond Stadium, and by boat. 

Summer Concert Series 

July 7, 14, 21 & 28 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

184 S. Main Street 

Farmer’s Market 

Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

184 S. Main Street 

Classic Car Show 

August 27, 6-9 p.m. 

Historic Main Street




15 

CITY OF TEMECULA SUMMER 

EVENTS 

4TH OF JULY STAR SPANGLED 

PARADE 

10 a.m. 

Old Town Temecula 

4TH OF JULY FAMILY FUN & 

FIREWORKS 

2 p.m. 

Ronald Reagan Sports Park 

ART OFF THE WALLS 

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - July 1 

The Merc and The Lot on Main 

Featured Artist: Temecula Valley Art League 

(Multi-media Art) 

(42051 Main Street) 

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 

7-8:30 p.m. 

CRC Amphitheater 

(30875 Rancho Vista Road) 

EAGLES RONSTADT EXPERIENCE 

August 7 

STONE SOUL 

August 14 

JOURNEY CAPTURED 

August 21 

DETROIT UNDERGROUND 

August 28




Free Summer Lunch 

Program 

in the Park 

Offered in the 

City of Temecula 

With summer here, it’s time to think 

about keeping children eating healthy and 

engaged while school is out. The Temecula 

Community Services Department’s 

Human Services Division provides free 

lunches and enrichment activities to 

children and teens at the annual Summer 

Food Service Program. 

Lunches are served at the Michael 

‘Mike’ Naggar Community Park (29119 

Margarita Road) every Tuesday, Wednesday, 

and Thursday beginning June 21, 

2022 through August 4, 2022, from 11:00 

am – 12:00 pm, or until meals are gone. 

Meals are served on a first come, 

first serve basis. There are no income 

requirements or registration. Any child 

18 years old and younger, or adult with 

disabilities may come to eat. Meals are 

not intended for organized programs or 

private organizations. Parent supervision 

is required. 

Each year, the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture partners with local organizations 

like City of Temecula to provide 

free meals to children when school is out 

for the summer. For more information 

about the national Summer Food Service 

Program, visit http://fns.usda.gov/cnd/ 

summer. 

This institution is an equal opportunity 

provider. The agency does not 

discriminate against any person because 

of race, color, national origin, sex, age, 

or disability. 

For more information, please contact 

the Human Services Division at (951) 

694-6464. 

Lunches are served at the Michael ‘Mike’ Naggar Community 

Park (29119 Margarita Road) every Tuesday, Wednesday, and 

Thursday beginning June 21, 2022 through August 4, 2022, 

from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, or until meals are gone. Meals are 

served on a first come, first serve basis.


Eye Protection 

by Pat Utnehmer 



17 

Eye injuries in the workplace are 

very common. The National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

reports that every day about 2,000 U.S. 

workers sustain job-related eye injuries 

that require medical treatment. However, 

safety experts and eye doctors believe 

the right eye protection can lessen the 

severity or even prevent 90 percent of 

these eye injuries. 

Chemicals or foreign objects in the 

eye and cuts or scrapes on the cornea are 

common eye injuries that occur at work. 

Other common eye injuries come from 

splashes with grease and oil, burns from 

steam, ultraviolet or infrared radiation 

exposure, and flying wood or metal chips. 

In addition, health care workers, 

laboratory and janitorial staff, and other 

workers may be at risk of acquiring 

infectious diseases from eye exposure. 

Some infectious diseases can be transmitted 

through the mucous membranes 

of the eye. This can occur through direct 

exposure to blood splashes, respiratory 

droplets generated during coughing, or 

from touching the eyes with contaminated 

fingers or other objects. 

Workers experience eye injuries on 

the job for two major reasons: 

1. They were not wearing eye 

protection. 

2. They were wearing the wrong 

kind of protection for the job. 

A Bureau of Labor Statistics survey 

of workers who suffered eye injuries revealed 

that nearly three out of five were 

not wearing eye protection at the time of 

the accident. These workers most often 

reported that they believed protection was 

not required for the situation. 

The Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA) requires workers 

to use eye and face protection whenever 

there is a reasonable probability of injury 

that could be prevented by such equipment. 

Personal protective eyewear, such 

as goggles, face shields, safety glasses or 

full-face respirators must be used when 

an eye hazard exists. The necessary eye 

protection depends upon the type of hazard, 

the circumstances of exposure, other 

protective equipment used and individual 

vision needs. 

Workplace eye protection is needed 

when the following potential eye 

hazards are present: 

• Projectiles (dust, concrete, metal, wood 

and other particles) 

• Chemicals (splashes and fumes) 

• Radiation (especially visible light, 

ultraviolet radiation, heat or infrared 

radiation, and lasers) 

• Bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis or 

HIV) from blood and body fluids 

Computer Vision Syndrome, also referred 

to as Digital Eye Strain, describes a 

group of eye and vision-related problems 

that result from prolonged computer, 

tablet, e-reader and cell phone use. The 

average American worker spends seven 

hours a day on the computer either in the 

office or working from home. 

The type of safety eye protection you 

should wear depends on the hazards in 

your workplace: 

• If you are working in an area that has 

particles, flying objects or dust, you 

must at least wear safety glasses with 

side protection (side shields). 

• If you are working with chemicals, you 

must wear goggles. 

• If you are working near hazardous 

radiation (welding, lasers or fiber 

optics) you must use special-purpose 

safety glasses, goggles, face shields or 

helmets designed for that task. 

Know the requirements for your 

work environment. Side shields placed 

on your conventional (dress) glasses do 

not provide enough protection to meet 

the OSHA requirement for many work 

environments. 

In addition, employers need to take 

steps to make the work environment as 

safe as possible. This includes: 

• Conducting an eye hazard assessment 

of the workplace 

• Removing or reducing eye hazards 

where possible 

• Providing appropriate safety eyewear 

and requiring employees to wear it 

Your optometrist can assist your 

employer and you in evaluating potential 

eye hazards in your workplace and 

determining what type of eye protection 

may be needed. 

There are four things you can do to 

protect your eyes from injury: 

1. Know the eye safety dangers at 

your work. 

2. Eliminate hazards before starting 

work by using machine guards, 

work screens or other engineering 

controls. 

3. Use proper eye protection. 

4. Keep your safety eyewear in 

good condition and have it replaced 

if it becomes damaged 

Dr. Patrick Utnehmer, Promenade Optometry 

& Lasik, (951) 296-2211. 

“ ...survey of workers 

who suffered eye injuries 

revealed that 

nearly three out of five 

were not wearing eye 

protection at the time 

of the accident. 

Visit us on Facebook: 

@ thevalleybusinessjournal




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19




Murrieta’s Federal Community Project Funding Requests Selected for Federal 

Appropriations Committee Consideration 

Rep. Ken Calvert selected 

the City of Murrieta’s Keller 

Road Interchange Project in 

the amount of $2.6 million as 

one of his federal appropriations 

within the Community 

Project Funding program and 

this week it was included in the 

House Transportation-HUD 

appropriations bill, moving 

further along in the process. 

To meet the needs of communities 

across the country, 

the Appropriations Committee 

accepts programmatic, language-based, 

and Community 

Project Funding requests from 

members of Congress. While 

this selection is the first step 

in the legislative process, it 

is a major milestone to secure 

federal funding for the interchange 

project. 

The requested funding 

would be used to advance the 

I-215 and Keller Road Interchange 

Project, which would provide 

critical access to a regional medical 

center. The $2.6 million in funding would 

supplement the $18.4 million already 

committed for the project. The City of 

Murrieta is actively applying for other 

grant and funding opportunities to make 

up the total project cost of $47 million. 

In addition, Murrieta’s Dispatch 

Technology Funding Request was selected 

as one of Senator Feinstein’s 

Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee 

requests in the amount of 

$275,000. The City of Murrieta’s dispatch 

technology project would improve 

the City’s communications center which 

also serves the City of Menifee. 

The Community Project Funding 

program was implemented in 2021, allowing 

members of Congress to submit 

eligible requests to set aside funds within 

specific federal accounts for projects proposed 

by public institutions, localities, 

states, Tribes, or non-profits. Last year, 

Murrieta received federal funding as part 

of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations 

bill, bringing $1.1 million to Western 

Riverside County to fund homeless 

prevention efforts and emergency preparedness. 

Murrieta’s regional homeless 

services received $500,000 and $600,000 

was allocated for emergency operations 

equipment at Loma Linda University 

Medical Center Murrieta. 

The City of Murrieta shared its 

appreciation for the partnership with 

Congressman Calvert’s office. “The City 

of Murrieta is proud of the partnership 

we have had over the years with our 

congressional representative,” Murrieta 

Mayor Jonathan Ingra said. “This support 

will assist in funding two Murrieta 

projects that will provide regional impact 

on public safety and access to Murrieta’s 

medical corridor.” For more information 

on the City of Murrieta’s legislative affairs 

program, visit the City’s website. 

Sharing and Caring: Insight Schools of California grateful for connecting 

withDr. Mona Salomo-Davies 

By Monica Chatfield 

When Insight Schools of California 

(ISCA) started planning their first 

in-person graduation ceremony, their 

first since 2019, they knew they had 

to select a keynote speaker carefully 

from the community. Whom could 

speak to the graduates and help them 

realize that earning their diploma 

was a tremendous accomplishment 

and steppingstone towards a brighter 

future? Whom could empathize with 

these graduates’ backgrounds and inspire 

them with their experience and 

practical next steps how to follow their 

ambitions? 

Luck was on Insight’s side as 

Graduation Coordinator, Monica 

Chatfield, happened upon an article 

found on PATCH.com highlighting 

the Community Outreach Ministry, a 

nonprofit organization in Wildomar 

offering services to children whose parents 

have been incarcerated. In reading 

about Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies and her 

husband Coach Bob and their Science, 

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

(STEM) workshop at the Spring 

Technology Day Camp in Murrieta for 

the youth they served, Chatfield knew 

she had found the right connection for 

the Insight graduates. 

Insight School of California is an 

online charter school serving at-risk 

9-12 grade students throughout the state 

of California. Students come to ISCA 

after experiencing challenges that make 

attending a traditional high school no 

longer an option for them. The students 

and staff are all remote and the graduation 

ceremony is their biggest in-person event 

of the year. Unfortunately, ISCA has not 

held an in-person ceremony for the past 

two years due to Covid-19. There was 

uncertainty that the graduation ceremony 

would even happen this year, but luckily 

with the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions, 

they were able to seize the opportunity to 

bring this joyous event to life. 

When Ms. Chatfield contacted Dr 

Mona Salomo-Davies to inquire about 

her being the keynote speaker, not only 

did she agree to be the speaker, but Dr. Salomo-Davies 

has taken on a true interest 

in helping the students of ISCA to make 

the most of the opportunities in their 

area to find assistance in locating gainful 

employment and taking advantage of services 

that apply to them. Dr. Salomo-Davies 

spoke at a virtual career chat with 

dozens of students ahead of her keynote 

speech that highlighted numerous practical 

career tips that students could utilize 

now and after graduation. In addition, 

Dr. Salomo-Davies has continuously 

provided information about opportunities 

in and around Riverside County targeting 

teens and young adults seeking a career 

in various fields, especially STEM and 

Law Enforcement. Dr. Salomo-Davies 

has become a true friend of ISCA, as well 

as an invaluable resource. 

The graduation ceremony was held 

on June 15, 2022, at the Pearson Park 

Amphitheater in Anaheim, California. 

It was a hot sunny day, and the student’s 

spirits were invigorated. Dr. Salomo-Davies 

words spoke directly to the graduates 

as she talked about her childhood and 

needing to grow up at an early age to 

support herself. Dr. Salomo-Davies knew 

exactly where these kids have been and 

what they are faced with as young adults 

going out into an uncertain world. 

We are extremely grateful that Dr. 

Salomo-Davies did us the honor of 

speaking to our graduating class of 2022. 

The ISCA is excited to count Dr. Mona 

Salomo-Davies as a supporter and friend 

of the school and we are excited to see 

our partnership grow! 

“ Insight School of 

California is an online 

charter school 

serving at-risk 9-12 

grade students 

throughout the state 

of California.




21 

EXECUTIVE PROFILE | Pat Utnehmer 

I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin with six brothers and 

sisters, so when I found Rancho California in 1986 I felt right at 

home. 

Being one of the first eye doctors 

in town made it pretty easy to stay 

busy right away. Dr Bob Beck was 

the only dentist in town and he 

invited me to go down to Loreto 

Mexico for weekend medical clinics. 

This was fun because we flew 

right out of the old airport which 

used to be parallel to Diaz road on 

the west side of the 15 freeway. I 

had just gotten my pilots license so 

this flying doctors thing was right 

up my alley. That’s been going on 

for thirty-three years and we were 

just there last May. 

Haiti is also another great place 

that needs medical help so when Dr 

Walt Combs asked me to go there 

thirty years ago I jumped in and 

have enjoyed serving there with 

that group of doctors ever since. 

My wife Bonnie comes on every 

trip too and works harder than me. 

It was very easy to get involved with 

the community back in the early 

years, all you had to say was “yes”” 

and you were in. Rotary Club, Boys 

and Girls Club, Wine and Balloon, 

Tractor Race. It seemed everyone in 

town helped out and I have developed 

a lot of great friendships from 

being part of that. 

I believe that God has really blessed 

this valley over the past fourty years 

in part because I knew the first leaders 

of Temecula and they had the same 

morals and ideals that the men who 

started this country had. 

Temecula still is a place that feels 

safer and a little more protected than 

other parts of this country and that’s 

why I love living here. 

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHIES: 

My first real business plan was to do 

it like Nordstroms . No problem we 

can exchange that, fix ,that, return 

that. Just keep our patients happy and 

it has worked pretty good. Going to 

work everyday and loving what you 

do helps too. In any service business 

like Optometry the strategy is simple, 

just treat or take care of people like 

you would want to be treated or taken 

care of. 

FAVORITE SPORT: 

Now it’s golf. Love that we have so 

many great courses out here. I am 

going back to Wisconsin next week 

to golf with my eighty eight year old 

dad. He still plays 18 holes every 

week, not too bad. I have a wife who 

can kick my butt in racketball so we 

don’t play that much anymore. But we 

both still waterski, snowski and golf. 

GOALS: 

Haven’t thought about this much 

lately because I’m getting older but 

I would like to be a better Godly 

example for my wife and children. 

MENTORS: 

Walt Combs and Keith Johnson. 

I have always looked up to these 

two men and have really learned a 

lot about doing the right thing from 

them. Dr Combs I mentioned earlier 

but Keith Johnson who was a banker 

in Temecula went to heaven a few 

years ago but was a really solid guy 

who I will always miss. 

FAVORITE READINGS: 

Any autobiographies, I love history 

so if I have time to read I normally 

look for cool guys from the past. 

RESUME: 

Undergrad from UW Madison so I 

am a Badger. O.D. from Southern 

Ca College of Optometry 1984. 

And recently I found an old paper 

clipping that I came in third place 

with my cat at a dog show when I 

was seven. So I’ve got that going 

for me. 

BIRTHPLACE: 

Antigo Wisconsin



22 July 2022




23 

Welcome to the 

REALTOR® Report 

by 

Steve Fillingim 

I have been anxiously waiting to see the numbers for April to see the impact of the increase 

in mortgage rates. 

Today is also Election Day, and I 

hope you exercised your right to vote. 

As I always say, you can’t complain 

if you don’t participate! Before we 

jump into the numbers, last month, I 

wrote that our National Chief Economist 

was optimistic that we were 

not headed into a recession mainly 

due to the strength of the job economy, 

specifically the number of jobs 

available. Since then, we have seen 

inflation numbers continue to rise, 

and talks of a recession are becoming 

much more common. I am sure you 

are feeling it everywhere…at the gas 

pump, grocery stores, retail shopping, 

etc. We know that housing plays a 

big part in our economy so let’s jump 

right into the statistics for our region. 

The median home price in Southwest 

Riverside County held steady 

from a month ago ($600,000), was up 

13% from a year ago ($530,000), and 

up an impressive 44.6% from 2 years 

ago ($415,000). Unsold inventory is 

still hovering just over 2 months (6 

months is considered a healthy market), 

and days on market increased 

again from last month to 8 days, up 

from 5 days last year but still significantly 

lower compared to 18 days 2 

years ago. Unit sales dipped 4% from the 

previous month and 3% from last year. 

Unsold inventory saw another increase 

of 24% from last month and is up an incredible 

88% from last year. However, I 

must remind you once again that we are 

nowhere close to the inventory levels we 

need to be. Median prices are up in all of 

our local cities, ranging in an increase of 

1.9%-25.5% Year-Over-Year. 

While we are still seeing solid 

numbers across the region, things are 

definitely cooling off. Many of our cities 

saw a dip in median sales price from 

last month, but all are still showing an 

increase year over year. Additionally, 

the closed sales price is just over 2.25% 

higher than the list price in the region as a 

whole. We expected to see some cooling, 

so I wouldn’t be alarmed. Our shortage 

of inventory will still keep demand alive, 

which in turn keeps prices up. 

I have mentioned before that we have 

some supply help on the way. We hosted 

a City Managers breakfast for Hemet, 

San Jacinto, Perris, Moreno Valley, and 

Beaumont last month, and I am happy to 

report that those cities have over 14,000 

units either approved for construction or 

already under construction. Additionally, 

Lake Elsinore has over 20,000 units in the 

entitlement plan, as presented to a local 

group of business leaders last week. All 

of our cities understand the need for more 

housing, and developments remain strong 

throughout the region. 

On the Legislative Front, we had 

another big win defeating AB 2050 (Lee 

and Carrillo) which would have forced 

property owners to stay in the rental business 

for at least 5 years before seeking 

to use the Ellis Act to go out of business. 

Another example of an overreach by Sacramento, 

which does nothing to help with 

increasing supply. Crossover, the date 

when Bills must pass out of their house 

of origin, has passed. As a result, some 

Bills that we have been monitoring have 

died. We continue to monitor close to 50 

Bills that have some effect on housing in 

the State. 

Things aren’t slowing down, and the 

next few months will definitely keep me 

on my toes. 

If you’d like a copy of my entire 

report including the mentioned slides, or 

to be added to the distribution list, please 

email me at Adam@srcar.org. 

As always, I am available if you have 

any questions about the report. Until next 

month… 

REAL ESTATE 

by Adam A. Ruiz 

We expected to see 

some cooling, so I 

wouldn’t be alarmed. 

Our shortage of 

inventory will still keep 

demand alive, which in 

turn keeps prices up. 

COMMUNICATING LEADERSHIP 


There may be an agenda that includes 

career planning, understanding perceptions 

of the job and a time for answering 

questions about the business. In this 

case communication is a two-way street 

so listen to your employees and show 

empathy for issue they may be facing. 

Taking this time is an excellent way of 

growing your interpersonal skills, one 

of the key building blocks of Emotional 

Intelligence. 

To reach both employees and customers 

use one or two of the wide variety 

of social media tools available. For 

example, list your company on LinkedIn 

and send out invites to follow. Then post 

regular communications of what’s going 

on with the company. It’s an easy and 

fast method to get the word out. Private 

Facebook chats can also be set-up and 

very useful for a more local visibility. 

Many companies are using these groups 

and allowing by invitation contributors 

to join in the discussion. You in-turn can 

share availability of new products and 

specials that may be taking place. 

Writing letters is another means of 

communication. In very large companies 

where building relationships with 

everyone is difficult, a regularly delivered 

newsletter, bulletin or some other 

creative name will show good leadership. 

What is important is that the message is 

written clearly and to the point to not lose 

the reader after a few sentences. What 

is shared needs to be applicable to the 

reader and answer the question, “what’s 

in it for me”? Most important, write 

the letter yourself. Employees know if 

a “professional” writer has created the 

communication in which case its relational 

aspect has been lost. 

Other methods that may be obvious 

but easily forgotten. Meetings that may 

include a single team, organization or the 

entire company can be schedule regularly. 

Informal online chats can be used to 

allow the asking of questions. Be sure 

to prepare in advance to make it a good 

use of time. 

Whatever communication works 

best, be present, be real and connect to 

show what a great leader you are. 

Ted Saul is a business coach and writer 

that assists with Business Plans, Project 

Management and Career Management. 

He earned his MBA from Regis University 

along with a Masters in project 

management. Ted can be reached on 

LinkedIn or by emailing TedSaulbiz@ 

gmail.com 

For example, list your 

company on LinkedIn 

and send out invites 

to follow. 

by 

by 

Ted Saul, 

Steve Fillingim 

Sr. Staff Writer




June Events 

July 5 - SBDC How To Start A Small Business 

July 5 - VYP July Leadership Committee Meeting 

July 7 - Ribbon Cutting- Temecula Family Medicine 

July 8 - VYP July Leaders Who Lunch 

July 8 - Ribbon Cutting- Margarita’s Cocina Y Cantina 

July 10 - Rhythm on the Vine® Jazz Concert Series 

July Events 

July 6 - Chamber Business Briefing 

July 7 - Monthly Mixer at Animal Friends of the Valleys 

July 9 - Summer Concert Series 

July 12 - Wildomar Coffee With the City 

July 14 - Networking Breakfast 

July 20 - Small Business Roundtable 

July 26 - Murrieta Coffee With the City 

July 12 - July Educational Workshop 

July 13 - Greatest Asset Workshop 

July 20 - July Evening Mixer 

https://business.murrietachamber.org/events 

July 21 - Women’s Professional Collective 

July 24 - Rhythm on the Vine® Jazz Concert Series 

July 27 - Ribbon Cutting- Int’l Wealth Builders Association 

https://members.temecula.org/events 

July Events 

July 21 - Economic Workforce Development Committee 

July 26 - Bring Your Own Breakfast (BYOB) with the Mayor 

July 28 - After Hours Business Mixer 

https://lakeelsinorechamber.com/events-calendar/




25 

EXECUTIVE PROFILE | Diane Strand 

Through hard work, determination and dedication Diane 

Strand alongside her partner, Scott Strand, in both Life and 

Business, have built three successful JDS entities; Multi Awarding 

JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc., /dba: JDS Actors 

Studio and the Award winning nonprofit 501c3 JDS Creative 

Academy which altogether make up JDS Studios. Diane is 

the Executive Producer of Riverside County’s first news and 

information broadcasted TV Show, Diane is also the founder 

of Temecula’s Biggest Digital Media Festival and Competition 

DigiFest Temecula now in its 6th year. 

AFFILIATIONS: 

Diane is honored to be the 1st 

Vice President of Southwest Economic 

Development Coalition, an 

appointed board member, by 3rd 

District Supervisor Chuck Washington 

for Riverside County Workforce 

Development, the Chair for Southwest 

Riverside County Workforce 

Committee, JDS Creative Academy’s 

Founder, Executive Director 

and Board President. In addition, 

JDS Inc. and JDS Creative Academy 

are each members of the Temecula 

Valley Chamber of Commerce 

and the Economic Development 

Coalition. JDS Creative Academy 

is a member of Visit Temecula and 

Diane is the 2020 Xenia award recipient 

for Ambassador of the year. 

JDS is proud of the partnerships with 

The State of California with our apprenticeship, 

Inland Regional Center 

with our Title 17 program design and 

the City of Temecula with DigiFest 

Temecula. 

LIFE & BUSINESS 

PHILOSOPHY: 

Dream Big, Show Up, Work 

Hard, Take Risks, Say Yes, have 

Integrity, Never say Never, You only 

really fail if you quit, Give Back, 

Share your Knowledge, Tell your 

Story, Family, Community, Be Professional, 

and Kindness Matters. “I 

haven’t come this far to only come 

this far!” H.O.P.E Help One Person 

Everyday! 

GOALS: 

I plan to continue to provide 

opportunities to those who want to 

find a career in visual, performing 

and digital arts, in all populations: 

mainstream, and those with developmental 

disabilities and autism. 

Expanding workforce opportunities, 

bringing community together 

through the arts, continuing to grow 

JDS Creative Academy’s 3-day Digifest 

event, continuing to work with 

our valued JDS Inc. clients helping 

them market and communicate their 

business, launching actors into the 

mainstream entertainment industry, 

cheering on my amazing three Children 

– as they develop into productive 

adult humans and one day retiring on 

the beach somewhere south of here with 

my husband. 

MENTORS: 

I have had several, and new mentors 

enter my orbit every day. I try to 

glean something from every interaction 

I have, even those I mentor, I learn and 

grow from them just as much, as those I 

collaborate with and observe and glean 

influence from a far. I have my Dad’s 

strong work ethic, just keep plugging 

away by showing up, while in college, 

I learned Business 101 from one of 

my first Boss, who was a CPA, and 

I learned TV Production working for 

some amazingly talented individuals 

working on A list shows in the entertainment 

industry. My husband ignites 

my entrepreneurial spirit, and supports 

me so I can be strong, my JDSCA board 

who share the vision, and the business 

professionals in my community that I 

partner with and admire. 

FAVORITE READING: 

Scripts and Periodicals. I read a lot 

for work so I don’t read a lot for pleasure….. 

I am a TV Girl. My “Must See 

TV” Show still to this day is General 

Hospital. I have been watching it for 

40 plus years. The only time I did not 

watch the show, was the year I worked 

on the directing team for the show. I 

was reading scripts two weeks ahead 

of what aired. 

RESUME: 

General Hospital, Friends, Veronica’s 

Closet, Warner Bros., Universal 

Studios, The Walt Disney Company: 

Disney Channel, Built the HD Control 

Room at Staples Center, the DNC 2000, 

HBO Pay Per View, and Independent 

Production Companies. Current Diane 

is a bestselling author on entrepreneurship, 

and she just launched her second 

book on Breaking into the Industry as 

an Actor called Show Business. She 

is President of JDS Video & Media 

Productions, Inc. founded in 2003, 

Producer at JDS Actors Studio founded 

2010, launching over 100 careers in the 

industry, Founder, Executive Director 

and Program Director for JDS Creative 

Academy founded in 2014, the 

Executive Producer for JDS Creative 

Academy’s Award-Winning TV 

show Spirit of Innovation and the 

Founder of DigiFest Temecula. 

BIRTH PLACE: 

Detroit, Michigan




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July 2022

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