VBJ August 22 online

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2022 

SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE 

SYSTEM AWARDED 

FOR TOTAL HIP AND TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT 

FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION 

by Ted Saul 

SEE PAGE 19 

TAKING A VACATION, 

THE RIGHT WAY 

One responsibility of a business owner or leader often 

overlooked is knowing how to enjoy a restful vacation. 

Having the proper rest and regeneration while away from 

the office is important to keeping one’s business as well as 

personal life strong and healthy. 

A good vacation can promote creativity and renewed 

excitement about current work. It gives new stamina to 

deal with the stresses and pressures of the job. 

SEE PAGE 22 

MURRIETA POLICE DEPARTMENT 

CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SERVICE 

WITH COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE 

TEMECULA THEATER’S 

2022-2023 SEASON 

Promises Exhilarating Performances 

for the Entire Family 

SEE PAGE 2 

It’s not due to luck that Murrieta is consistently ranked 

one of the safest cities in the United States among cities 

with a population of over 100,000. The Murrieta Police 

Department has been serving the community since August 

1, 2002, just over one year after the city’s incorporation— 

on July 1, 1991. Credit goes to the dedicated men and 

women who have worn 

the Murrieta PD badge, 

the engaged and supportive 

community, and 

strong support from City 

Council and staff for its 

incredible success. On 

Monday, August 1, the 

department will celebrate 

its 30th anniversary as a 

municipal police department, 

one of the few in 

Riverside County. 

SEE PAGE 20 

COMMUNITY 

EVMWD FOCUSED 

ON TRANSPARENT 

COMMUNICATION & 

GOOD GOVERNANCE 

7 

LEGAL 

WHAT BLENDED 

FAMILIES NEED TO 

KNOW ABOUT ESTATE 

PLANNING 

8 

COMMUNITY 

ASSEMBLYMEMBER 

SEYARTO’S 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER 

SHORTAGE BILL 

SIGNED INTO LAW 

12 

AND... 

TAX ADVANTAGES OF A 

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT 

STAR WARS: EPISODE IV 

(PG) MOVIE NIGHT

THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL 

2 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com 

August 2022 

Temecula Theater’s 2022-2023 

Season Promises Exhilarating 

Performances for the 

Entire Family 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 

The City of Temecula invites residents 

and visitors to join our growing Theater 

Family and experience the entire season from 

start to finish. Welcome to Temecula Presents’ 

2022 – 2023 Season at the Multi-Award- 

Winning Old Town Temecula Community 

Theater. It is our pleasure to present an array 

of programming ─ from family-friendly 

theater productions and eclectic performance 

series to First 

Friday visual art exhibitions. As you 

review the Seasons offerings, we hope your 

calendar will fill up with favorite shows for 

you, your family, and friends. 

Temecula Presents is pleased to announce 

our 18th Season overflowing with our favorite, 

top-notch performers from the popular 

Aloha, Big Band, Classical Music, Dance, 

and Legends Series. We have also added a 

few surprises this year! We are thrilled to 

welcome back the unique blend of Mariachi 

and modern music and the angelic harmonies 

of Ellas (JAN 14, 2023). 

Temecula’s Mayor Matt Rahn states, 

“Now is the perfect time to restate our mission 

to shine as one of Temecula Valley’s 

leading performing arts destinations. This 

Season, Temecula’s Theater continues to 

bring dance, music, and remarkable theater 

performances to our stages curated from 

local, national, and international artists. By 

working with dance companies, musicians, 

and thespians, we creatively present and 

collaboratively produce work with renowned 

artists from Southern 

California and beyond. The range and 

accessibility of Temecula Theater’s programming 

attracts and reflects the diverse communities 

around Temecula.” Your Temecula 

Theater Family welcomes Backhausdance, 

led by artistic director and founder Jennifer 

Backhaus, as our new resident dance 

company. Backhausdance and Temecula 

Presents will host a Summer Intensive Pop- 

Up Dance Workshop (AUG 20-21, 2022). 

Backhausdance will open our Dance Series 

(SAT, NOV 19, 2022) with a free, 90-minute 

Master Dance Class and evening performance 

followed by Reverb Tap Company (SAT, 

JAN 7, 2023) and Ririe-Woodbury Dance 

Company (SAT, APR 29, 2023). 

Temecula Presents’ Student-Led Arts 

Education Internship Program returns for 

the fifth year presenting Alice in Wonderland 

(FEB 3-5, 2023). This free internship program 

has delighted our community, offering 

the arts to students (ages 13-18). We believe 

that developing relationships and partnerships 

are essential for any arts organization. 

Temecula’s Theater is also pleased to 

co-present with Sherry Berry Music and 

Great Oak High School showcasing the Great 

Oak High School Jazz Band (SUN, FEB 

26,2023) live on Temecula’s main stage. 

City of Temecula • 41000 Main Street • 

Temecula, CA 92590 • 951-694-6444 TemeculaCA.gov 

Temecula Theater’s Resident Companies 

are back in full swing and will present: 

West Side Story; A Christmas Carol; Daddy’s 

Dyin’; Godspell; Oliver!; Joseph and 

the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; The 

Hunchback of Norte Dame; The Nutcracker 

Ballet; The SpongeBob Musical; Christmas 

In The Air; and A Musical Journey Through 

The Decades. The City of Temecula Youth 

Musical Theater Program proudly presents 

Peter Pan Jr.; West Side Story; Disney’s Descendants: 

The Musical; and Grease! 

Become A Theater Season Ticket Holder 

Temecula Theater is proud to welcome an 

ever-expanding network of new, eager, and 

passionate individuals who can rightly call 

the Temecula Theater home. As a patron of 

the arts, we would love to offer you the opportunity 

to purchase your tickets before the Season 

launches. Season Package Pricing offers 

tickets from our Temecula Presents Series’: 

Aloha, Big Band, Classical Music, Dance, 

Legends, and our new Spotlight Series at 

significant savings. Buy Series Packages and 

receive the deepest discount or Create Your 

Own Series by selecting five or more shows to 

get the Pick 5 rates. As a Season Subscriber, 

you will be all set for the season without worrying 

about sold-out performances or waiting 

in line to purchase tickets. Secure your seats 

now by calling the Ticket Office at 1.866. 

OLD.TOWN (1.866.653.8696). 

All tickets go on sale MON, AUG 1, 

2022. Tickets are available at the Old Town 

Temecula Community Theater (42051 Main 

Street), and online at TemeculaTheater.org. 

For more information, please contact Temecula 

Theater’s Ticket Office at 1.866.OLD. 

TOWN (1.866.653.8696). 

Join us this Season as we invite audiences 

to explore, celebrate, and embrace creativity 

and community. We appreciate your continued 

patronage, support, generous feedback, 

and passionate advocacy for Temecula’s Theater. 

Thank you for your continued support of 

the arts. We’ll see you at the Theater!



www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com 

3 

CAN I BE FRANK? SINATRA TRIBUTE 

Wednesday, August 3, 2022 

Duration: 1 hr 30 min 

Relax and enjoy a complimentary Frank Sinatra 

Tribute in beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country! 

Performance is located on the Solera Patio. 

WILSON CREEK LATE NIGHTS WITH 

RAYNALDO MARTINE 

Friday, August 5, 2022 

Duration: 3 hrs 30 min 

Have a night out with friends in Wine Country! Enjoy 

wine, delicious food, and live music. 5pm - 8:30pm. 

DINNER & LIVE MUSIC WITH JOHN 

SCOTT EVANS 

Thursday, August 4, 2022 


Join us Thursday Night at the Creekside Grille 

for Dinner and Live Entertainment with Guitarist, 

John Scott Evans 

DINNER & LIVE MUSIC WITH NATE 

PENLAND 



Join us Thursday Night at the Creekside Grille for Dinner 

and Live Music with our very own Nate Penland!




In this issue: 

Southwest Healthcare System Awarded 1 

Taking a Vacation, the Right Way 1 

Temecula Theater’s 2022-2023 Season 1 

Murrieta Police Department Celebrates 30 Years 1 

UHS SoCal MEC Welcomes New Residents & Fellows 5 

Rosenstein Adds Two Attorneys 6 

EVMWD Focused on Transparent Communication 7 

What Blended Families Need to Know about Estate Planning 8 

Spirit of Innovation Announces Changes 9 

Tax Advantages of a Health Savings Account 11 

Substitute Teacher Shortage Bill Signed 12 

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac Matches Folds of Honor Donations 14 

Star Wars: Episode IV (PG) Movie Night 15 

City of Menifee Seeking Candidates 16 

Cataracts 17 

EXECUTIVE PROFILE | Andrea Shoup, Attorney at Law 21 

REALTOR® Report 23 

EDITOR/PUBLISHER/CEO 

Linda Wunderlich 

Email: publishertvbj@verizon.net 

Criteria for Submitting Articles: 

ADVERTISING SALES INFORMATION 

(951) 461-0400 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Helen M. Ryan 

VP OF DISTRIBUTION 

Dane Wunderlich 


www.facebook/thevalleybusinessjournal 

For questions, comments, or story ideas, please 

e-mail publishertvbj@verizon.net or call (951) 461-0400. 

1. Since the publication of articles is an added public relations feature for our advertisers, their articles 

will be given first priority. Other articles will be published on a space available basis. 

2. Articles should be submitted as a Word document file. 

3. Articles must be business-oriented and pertain to the author’s area of expertise. A photo of the 

writer is appropriate. 

4. All submissions are subject to editing by the publisher. 

5. Send completed articles by e-mail to: publishertvbj@verizon.net 

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.




UHS SOCAL MEC WELCOMES 

NEW RESIDENTS & FELLOWS 

AT WHITE COAT CEREMONY 

5 

Universal Health Services Southern 

California Medical Education Consortium 

(UHS SoCal MEC) was excited to 

welcome its new residents to the region 

at the traditional White Coat Ceremony, 

which took place at Temecula Valley 

Hospital on Thursday, June 30. The 

ceremony was also attended by faculty 

members and hospital administration 

across the UHS regional facilities. 

The White Coat Ceremony is a 

significant and memorable event as 

new residents make the transition from 

medical school to beginning their journey 

as practicing physicians. The long 

white coat is the pre-eminent symbol of 

physicians for over 100 years signifying 

the medical professionalism and trust 

expected from patients. 

“We are thrilled to welcome the 

newest cohort of residents and fellows 

to Southwest Riverside County,” said 

Michael Nduati, MD, MBA, MPH, 

FAAFP, Chief Academic Officer and 

Designated Institutional Official, UHS 

Southern California Medical Education 

Consortium. “Following a hugely successful 

inaugural year offering programs 

in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, 

Emergency Medicine and Transitional 

Year; we are excited to have expanded 

with the launch of residency programs 

in Ob/Gyn and General Surgery, and 

fellowships in Cardiology, Pulmonary 

and Sports Medicine.” 

“Research has shown that physicians 

often practice where they train, which is 

why we are committed to investing in 

and expanding our medical education 

offering,” said Darlene Wetton, Temecula 

Valley Hospital CEO. “Our goal is to 

retain these individuals in order to ensure 

high quality care over the long term in 

Southwest Riverside County.” 

The UHS Southern California Medical 

Education Consortium residency 

programs are based out of the California 

regional hospitals that are part of the Universal 

Health Services, Inc. (UHS) Acute 

Care Division, including Temecula Valley 

Hospital, Corona Regional Medical 

Center, Palmdale Regional Medical Center, 

and Southwest Healthcare System 

Hospitals Inland Valley Medical Center 

and Rancho Springs Medical Center. 

Approved programs are accredited by 

the Accreditation Council for Graduate 

Medical Education (ACGME). For more 

information, visit www.socalresidency. 

com.




Rosenstein Adds Two Attorneys 

DANIEL A. THOMPSON 

ELIZABETH “BETH” A. CHRISTOPHER 

Rosenstein & Associates, 

located in Old Town Temecula, 

recently added two attorneys, 

Daniel A. Thompson and Elizabeth 

“Beth” A. Christopher, 

to its business litigation team 

focusing on employment and 

general business litigation. 

“I joined Rosenstein & Associates 

because of their commitment 

to the community. As someone who 

grew up in this area, I want local businesses 

to succeed and can assist by 

providing a high level of service and 

legal knowledge,” said Thompson. 

More information about Daniel is 

available at https://thetemeculalawfirm.com/staff/daniel/. 

“Being a part of Rosenstein & 

Associates is rewarding because of 

the firm’s remarkable experience, 

reputation and ethics. I value the 

firm’s clear focus to diligently serve 

the needs of our clients and achieve 

the best results possible for them,” 

said Christopher. 

More information about Elizabeth 

is available at https://thetemeculalawfirm.com/staff/beth/. 

Both of the firm’s newest litigation 

associates are residents of 

Temecula. 

Rosenstein & Associates is focused 

on providing legal services to 

the business community, including 

drafting and reviewing contracts; 

business litigation; business formations; 

business reorganization; 

business bankruptcy; and drafting of 

wills and performing estate planning. 

The Law Offices of Rosenstein 

& Associates was founded in 1999 

by Robert Rosenstein and has more 

than 100 years of combined legal 

experience. The firm’s attorneys are 

licensed in the State of California and 

licensed to practice law before the 

United States District Courts (Central, 

Northern and Southern Districts), 

the United States Bankruptcy Courts 

(Central, Northern and Southern 

Districts), the United States Court of 

Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the 

United States Tax Court.




7 

By Greg Thomas 

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District 

Focused on Transparent Communication and Good Governance 

As a trusted public agency, EVW- 

MD’s board of directors, leadership team 

and staff strive to keep the lines of communication 

open between our District, 

our customers and our community. We 

recognize that transparency, accountability 

and ethics are essential for effective 

government. 

At EVMWD, we’re proud to continuously 

provide timely information to the 

public which is especially critical during 

the pandemic – and to offer plentiful 

opportunities for customer engagement. 

For example, everyone in our community 

is invited to attend and submit public 

comments at our public meetings, including 

our Board of Directors meetings, 

committee meetings and more. 

We also produce our quarterly 

Waterlog newsletter and regularly post 

updates to EVMWD’s social media 

channels to keep our customers informed 

about the latest news and helpful tips. 

In addition, EVMWD’s annual 

Water Quality Report provides detailed 

information about our water quality and 

delivery, water reliability initiatives and 

other EVMWD projects and programs 

and is available in print and online in 

both English and Spanish. Our District 

also provides regular budget reports and 

public notices regarding our rates and 

important projects. 

Plus, our annual water festival facilitates 

positive interactions between 

our customers and staff and helps to educate 

the community about the services 

we provide. Last June, EVMWD held 

its Annual Splash into Summer event, 

inviting our community to come take 

a peek at how EVMWD ensures safe, 

reliable water and wastewater services 

to Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Canyon 

Lake, Murrieta and other surrounding 

communities. 

As further testament to our commitment 

to transparency, EVWMD 

has received the following awards for 

communications/outreach and water use 

efficiency, finance and human resources/safety 

in 2021/22. To receive these 

awards EVMWD must demonstrate that 

we meet rigorous standards: 

• Public Relations Society of America-Inland 

Empire Chapter – Polaris 

Award: Flow Into Fall Virtual Open 

House- Podcast/Audio Broadcast 

• Public Relations Society of America-Inland 

Empire Chapter – Polaris 

Award: Flow Into Fall Virtual Open 

House- Ongoing/ Recurring Event 

• PRSA-Inland Empire - Polaris Award: 

EVMWD Op Ed Series-Writing 

• PRSA-Inland Empire Chapter - Capella 

Award: Financial Assistance 

- Community Relations 

• PRSA-Inland Empire - Capella 

Award: Waterwise Workshop Series- 

Podcast/Audio Broadcast 

• PRSA-Inland Empire - Capella 

Award: EVMWD Water Quality Report- 

Annual Report 

• California Municipal Utilities Association- 

First Place: Flow into Fall 

Virtual Open House- Community 

Service 

• Government Finance Officers Association 

of the United States and Canada 

(GFOA)Certificate of Achievement 

for Excellence in Financial Reporting: 

Comprehensive Annual Financial 

Report (CAFR) 

• Government Finance Officers Association 

of the United States and Canada 

(GFOA) 

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence 

in Financial Reporting: Annual 

Budget 

• California Society of Municipal Finance 

Officers (CSMFO): Operating 

Budget Excellence Award 

• Top Workplace Award from the 

Press-Enterprise 2019, 2020, 2021 

EVMWD welcomes feedback from 

customers regarding ways to further improve 

transparency. You can learn more 

and submit your input by visiting EVM- 

WD’s Transparency webpage at www. 

evmwd.com/who-we-are/transparency. 

Greg Thomas - General Manager, Elsinore 

Valley Municipal Water District




What Blended Families Need to Know about Estate Planning 

The fact is, estate planning gets more 

complex if you have been married multiple 

times, taken on stepchildren, or had 

children with your new spouse. 

You do not want to leave anyone out 

your estate plan. If you were to leave all 

of your assets to your new spouse, your 

children from a previous marriage might 

never get to see their inheritances. 

Let’s look at some reasons why you 

should meet with a lawyer to sort out 

the estate planning details for blended 

families. 

4 Reasons Why Estate Planning Is 

Essential for Blended Families 

When you meet with a lawyer, you 

can talk about your intentions with your 

assets if something were to happen to 

you. Then, the lawyer can translate those 

intentions into legal documents to keep 

your money safe and distributed according 

to your wishes. 

1. Include All Children As Beneficiaries: 

As we mentioned, you can outline 

who gets what in your estate plan. 

Instead of passing all of your assets 

over to your current spouse, you will 

be able to name multiple beneficiaries 

and the funds to distribute to each. 

2. Create a Trust with Stipulations for 

Qualifying for Inheritance: Create a 

trust for your loved ones with instructions 

on when you want to distribute 

assets to your children based on their 

age. If a child is not in the condition 

to receive a large sum of money, the 

trust can state the criteria for receiving 

the money. 

3. Avoid Probate and Family Drama: 

When an estate plan is unclear, the estate 

will enter probate and go through 

a court process to determine how the 

money is distributed. This can happen 

if the estate plan passes all the money 

on to a short-term spouse without 

including the children. Or vice versa. 

Be clear about your decisions, even 

writing a letter of intent to read with 

the documents. 

4. Make Quick Changes to an Estate 

Plan that Is Out of Date: When you 

work with a lawyer, you can continually 

update your estate plan to include 

the people that are currently in your 

life. With each life change, contact 

your lawyer to add a grandchild, 

remove an old spouse, or update a 

beneficiary who may have passed 

away. 

Keep your affairs in order and up to 

date with the help of an estate planning 

firm. You will never regret taking care 

of your loved ones if something were to 

happen to you. So instead of hoping it 

all pans out, be responsible and thorough 

with proper estate planning. 

Hire a Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer 

If you have a modern family, it is important 

you seek the help of a professional to 

ensure nothing falls through the cracks. 

The estate planning experts at Shoup 

Legal can help ensure all your bases are 

covered. Contact us today at (951) 455- 

4114 or email info@shouplegal.com. 

“ 

If you were to leave 

all of your assets to 

your new spouse, 

your children from 

a previous marriage 

might never get to see 

their inheritances. 

SHOUPLEGAL.COM 

LEGAL 

by by 

Andrea Steve Fillingim Shoup




Spirit of Innovation Announces Changes 

9 

By Diane Strand and Yanessa Hernandez 

Each month, JDS Creative Academy 

presents Spirit of Innovation, the only 

magazine-style news outlet for Southwest 

Riverside County. Spirit of Innovation 

has become a staple to Riverside County 

residents, being the go-to source for news 

and information about RivCo’s residents, 

community events, businesses, weather 

and traffic. In the latest episode, which 

dropped June 30, 2022, JDSCA co-founders, 

Scott and Diane Strand stepped out 

from behind-the-scenes to co-host and inform 

viewers about the upcoming changes 

as the show enters its fifth season. 

The Strands rang in the June episode 

by introducing the show’s new set! As they 

welcome many new changes, a change 

of scenery brings a breath of fresh air to 

the show. A new set exemplifies how the 

show continues to transform and evolve 

as Spirit of Innovation heads into its fifth 

year of production. 

The Strands and the #JDSFamily said 

“good-bye” to host, Mia Digenan, due to 

her decision to step down from her role on 

Spirit of Innovation to spend more time 

with her family. They sent Mia off with 

well wishes for a speedy recovery from 

her torn achilles tendon as she undergoes 

surgery and begins her path to healing. 

Following Mia’s step down, the 

creative team at JDS Creative Academy 

has decided to reorganize the structure of 

the show. JDS Creative Academy’s team 

will be inviting the community to join in 

hosting episodes of Spirit of Innovation. 

Viewers can look ahead to seeing innovators, 

community leaders, inspiration 

gurus, job-training program participants, 

JDSCA board members, and various industry 

professionals host the show. 

These changes will go hand-in-hand 

with fresh ideas and content as Spirit of 

Innovation continues to fill the media void 

in Riverside County, providing important 

good-to-know and need-to-know information. 

JDS Creative Academy is proud to 

use its platform to spotlight community 

businesses, community leaders, and other 

Riverside County nonprofits while also 

providing interesting impact segments 

featuring timely coverage on Riverside 

County legislation and monthly hot topics. 

To watch the most recent episode of 

Spirit of Innovation, you can visit SpiritofInnovation.org 

for all things “need-toknow” 

and “good-to-know” in Riverside 

County news. Follow the #JDSFamily on 

all social media outlets to get involved 

and keep up with future updates and 

opportunities.



10 August 2022




Tax Advantages of a Health Savings Account 

11 

By Esther Phahla CPA, CTS, MST 

Are you looking for ways to save for 

retirement? Did you know? The Health 

Savings Account (HSA) is the only 

tax-advantaged account that gives you 

both a tax deduction for the money you 

put in, and tax-free withdrawals. 

What is a Health Savings Account 

(HSA)? 

The HSA is a tax-advantaged medical 

savings account similar to an Individual 

Retirement Account (IRA) that 

is paired with a high-deductible health 

plan. It can be used for current and future 

healthcare expenses. It offers savings 

and tax advantages that a traditional 

health plan can’t duplicate. To have an 

HSA, your healthcare plan must have 

the following: 

A minimum annual deductible of 

$1,400 for self-only coverage ($2,800 

for family coverage); and A maximum 

annual deductible of no more than $7,050 

for self-only coverage ($14,100 for family 

coverage). 

If you or other family members are in 

poor health and currently need substantial 

amounts of expensive medical care, a 

high-deductible health plan may not be 

best for you. If you don’t require much 

medical care, however, the high-deductible 

plan with an HSA can work very 

well. Your health and financial wellbeing 

are connected. 

For the self employed: If you are 

self-employed or your employer doesn’t 

provide health benefits, you may open 

an HSA yourself with an HSA provider, 

which may be a broker, a bank, a credit 

union, or an insurance company. You can 

enroll in an HSA-qualified high-deductible 

health plan through your Affordable 

Care Act health insurance exchange or 

obtain coverage outside the exchange. 

For those operating as a corporation: 

If you operate your business as a corporation 

and you work in the business, you are 

an employee. Many corporate employers 

offer HSAs and high-deductible health 

plans as an employee fringe benefit. If 

an HSA is opened through an employersponsored 

program, the money in the 

HSA account belongs to the employee. 

For those on Medicare: You can’t 

open a new HSA if you’re on Medicare. 

But you can keep your old HSA after 

you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare. You 

just can’t make any more tax-deductible 

contributions to the account. Beginning 

with the first month you are enrolled in 

Medicare, your contribution limit is zero. 

Three Tax Benefits of an HSA Account: 

Whether you’re self employed or an 

employee, HSAs can have a triple tax 

benefit. 

1. HSA Contributions Are Tax-Deductible: 

Employer employee, and self-employed 

contributions to HSAs are tax-deductible 

up to annual limits. The employee, 

employer, or both may contribute to 

the employee’s HSA in the same year, up 

to the annual limit. 

Employee HSA contributions by 

pre-tax payroll deduction are excluded 

from the employee’s taxable income and 

escape FICA taxes. Direct contributions 

by employees to their HSA are 100 percent 

tax-deductible. 

Annual limits. The 2022 HSA contribution 

limits are $3,650 for individual 

coverage and $7,300 for family coverage. 

If you’re age 55 or older during the tax 

year, you may make an additional catchup 

contribution of up to $1,000 per year. 

For 2022 that’s up to $4,650 for self-only 

coverage ($8,300 for family coverage) 

per year for taxpayers ages 55 to 65. 

Unlike with IRAs, the tax code 

allows you to contribute to an HSA regardless 

of income. 

Claiming the deduction. As mentioned 

above, HSA contributions by the 

self-employed are 100 percent tax-deductible. 

Individuals, such as the self-employed 

and employees, claim the HSA 

deduction on Schedule 1 of their Form 

1040 as an “above-the-line” adjustment 

to income. 

Many employers contribute to their 

employees’ HSAs, although they are not 

required to do so. For those individuals 

who are not more than two percent S 

corporation shareholder-employees, such 

contributions are tax-deductible to the 

employer and tax-free fringe benefits for 

the employees. 

Contributions by an S corporation to a 

two percent shareholder-employee’s HSA 

are deductible by the S corporation and 

includable in the shareholder-employee’s 

gross income. The shareholder-employee 

then deducts the HSA contribution on 

their Form 1040 Individual Tax Return. 

2. Tax-Deferred Growth : 

The money in the HSA rolls over 

each year and grows tax-free. Unused 

funds roll over year to year, there is no 

“use it or lose it” penalty. 

Depending on the HSA provider, you 

may invest the HSA money in money 

market accounts, bank certificates of 

deposit, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 

Treasury bills, and notes. You can even 

obtain a self-directed HSA that gives you 

complete control over how your money 

is invested. 

You may take distributions from 

your HSA at any time. But, unlike with 

a traditional IRA or 401(k), you don’t 

have to take annual required minimum 

distributions from the account after you 

turn age 72. 

When you die, if your spouse is the 

designated beneficiary of your HSA, it 

will be treated as your spouse’s HSA. 

There is no tax to be paid.If you have an 

HSA beneficiary other than your spouse, 

the account stops being an HSA when you 

die, and its fair market value becomes 

taxable to the beneficiary. 

3. Tax-Free Distributions for Medical 

Expenses: 

You pay no tax on distributions you 

make from your HSA to pay for qualified 

medical expenses for yourself, your 

spouse, or your dependents. 

No other tax-advantaged account 

gives you both a tax deduction for contributions 

and tax-free distributions. 

Let’s compare to the following: 

With IRAs, you get one or the other, but 

not both. Regular IRA contributions are 

deductible, but distributions are taxed. 

With Roth IRAs, distributions are 

tax-free after five years, but you get no 

deduction for contributions. 

Qualified medical expenses are 

broadly defined to include any medical 

or dental expense that qualifies for the 

itemized deduction for medical expenses. 

It also includes insurance premiums 

for long-term care, COBRA health care 

continuation coverage, and Medicare if 

you are 65 or older. 

If you take distributions to pay for 

anything other than qualified medical 

expenses, you must pay income tax on 

the amount at ordinary income rates. If 

you’re under age 65, you must also pay 

an additional 20 percent penalty tax on 

the distributions. 

Did you know? There is no time limit 

on when you may take a distribution to 

pay for qualified medical expenses. For 

example, you can take a tax-free distribution 

in 2022 to reimburse yourself for 

a medical expense incurred in any earlier 

year, as long as the expense was incurred 

after you established your HSA. 

What are the Best to Uses of an 

HSA? The best way to use an HSA is to 

take full advantage of its three tax benefits. 

This means you: 

1. contribute the maximum amount every 

year until you enroll in Medicare, 

2. defer taking distributions as long as 

possible, and 

3. take tax-free distributions only to pay 

for medical expenses 

Do your best to max out your HSA 

contribution each year before you put any 

money into retirement accounts such as 

IRAs or 401(k)s. Because of the HSA’s 

three tax benefits, money invested in an 

HSA can be worth far more than a like 

amount invested in any other account. 

Example. You invest $1,000 in an 

HSA. After 30 years you’ll have $7,612 

if you obtain a 7 percent annual return. If 

you withdraw $7,612 to pay for medical 

expenses, the money is tax-free. 

If you withdraw $7,612 from a traditional 

IRA to pay for medical expenses or 

anything else, you’ll have to pay income 

tax on the distribution. If you’re in the 

22 percent income tax bracket, you’ll be 

left with only $5,938 to pay your medical 

expenses. 

If you max out your HSA each year 

and don’t take many distributions, you 

could end up with a substantial sum 

saved. A family that makes maximum 

HSA contributions for 30 years can end 

up with nearly $1 million after 30 years, 

based on an annual 7 percent growth 

rate. A couple that opens an HSA at age 

50 could have over $200,000 in their 

account by the time they reach age 65 

and enroll in Medicare. 

Personal finance experts estimate 

that an average retired couple age 65 will 

need at least $300,000 to cover health 

care expenses in retirement. Some will 

need more. 

Don’t Miss Out on These Tax Benefits: 

No other tax-advantaged account 

gives you these three benefits: A tax 

deduction for contributions, tax-free 

growth, and tax-free distributions. 

As always, review your own needs, 

talk to a professional and make an informed 

decision. The money you save 

today is the money that will save you 

tomorrow. 

Reminder Tax Due Date: September 

15, 2022, file 2021 calendar year 

S corporations and Partnerships if you 

requested an Extension earlier this year. 

Esther Phahla is a Certified Public 

Accountant (CPA) and Certified Tax 

Strategist (CTS) in Temecula. She also 

holds a Masters of Science in Taxation. 

She is the Author of Tax Planning books: 

“Why Didn’t My CPA Tell Me That” and 

“10 Most Expensive Tax Mistakes That 

Cost Business Owners Thousands”. 

Esther is passionate about proactive tax 

planning being the key to reducing taxes. 

She spends hundreds of hours taking 

continuing education classes to ensure 

she provides the best solutions for her 

clients. Over the years Esther has helped 

hundreds of business owners save thousands 

in tax. She has given seminars on 

proactive tax planning as well as written 

a number of articles on the topic. 

She can be reached at (951) 514-2652 or 

visit www.estherphahlacpa.com. 

FINANCIAL 

Esther Phahla, 

CPA, CTS, MST 

“ 

The Health Savings 

Account (HSA) is the 

only tax-advantaged 

account that gives you 

both a tax deduction 

for the money you 

put in, and tax-free 

withdrawals.




ASSEMBLYMEMBER SEYARTO’S 

BILL TO ADDRESS CALIFORNIA’S 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHORTAGE 

SIGNED INTO LAW 

Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto 

(R-Murrieta) is proud to announce 

that the Governor has signed his legislation 

to expand opportunities for 

individuals to receive an Emergency 

Career Substitute Teaching Permit and 

improve the pool of those who can fill 

teaching vacancies. 

AB 1876 allows the Commission 

on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to 

issue an Emergency Career Substitute 

Permit at the request of a school 

district, if that district participates in a 

consortium of school districts and verifies 

that the candidate substitute taught 

at least 90 days during the last three 

years at schools within the consortium. 

According to the CTC, the number 

of new substitute teaching permits 

issued has declined by approximately 

25% since the 2016-2017 school year. 

Many districts do not have enough 

substitute teachers to compensate for 

the shortage and absences of teachers, 

and there is a vastly smaller amount 

of substitute teachers permitted to 

teach a classroom for the duration of 

a prolonged absence compared to the 

number of substitute teachers holding 

the standard 30-day permit. 

“California is struggling with a 

diminishing pool of substitute teachers,” 

said Assemblymember Seyarto. 

“This bill will make the Career Substitute 

Teaching Permit more accessible 

to qualified substitutes that are needed 

to address the extended shortages and 

absences of full-time teachers without 

compromising our current teaching 

standards.” 

Before being signed into law, AB 

1876 passed through both the Senate 

and Assembly with no opposition and 

bipartisan support. 

Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto, 

R-Murrieta, represents California’s 

67th Assembly District, which includes 

the cities and communities 

of Canyon Lake, East Hemet, El 

Sobrante, French Valley, Good Hope, 

Hemet, Homeland, La Cresta, Lake 

Elsinore, Lake Mathews, Lakeland 

Village, Menifee, Murrieta, Nuevo, 

Temescal Valley, 

“California is struggling with a diminishing 

pool of substitute teachers.” 

~Assemblymember Seyarto




13




Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac Will Match Your Donation to Folds of Honor 

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac is 

dedicated to making a difference in the 

communities they serve by supporting 

non-profits that provide vital services 

to those in need. Paradise is proud to 

support Folds of Honor. 

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac has 

partnered with Folds of Honor, a 

nonprofit that helps the families of 

fallen and injured military veterans by 

providing them with scholarships for 

education. The campaign will be available 

to all employees and customers to 

contribute to the organization and the 

families it helps. 

For the remainder of the year, Paradise 

is assisting them on their mission 

to help provide the families of fallen 

and disabled service members with 

educational scholarships with a goal 

of raising $25,000! 

Terry Gilmore, President of Paradise 

Chevrolet Cadillac stated, “After 

attending the Bear Creek charity golf 

tournament in honor of Folds of Honor, 

I was inspired by their mission and 

commitment to the families of our heroes. 

As a veteran myself, supporting 

fellow veterans and the families that 

supported them is a privilege.” 

“Thank you to Paradise Chevrolet 

Cadillac as we welcome them into the 

Folds of Honor family. We would like 

to recognize their work in supporting 

our military families. We salute Paradise 

Chevrolet Cadillac for their effort in 

carrying our message to honor the sacrifice, 

to inspire and empower families 

by funding scholarships that provide the 

opportunity of education. Folds of Honor 

is extremely blessed to be the recipient 

of their efforts. We stand with Paradise 

Chevrolet Cadillac as they move forward 

in their endeavors to provide even more 

families with life changing scholarships.” 

LT Colonel Dan Rooney, CEO/President 

of Folds of Honor. 

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac supports 

many local non-profit causes and 

organizations through their financial contributions 

as well as volunteer service. 

“Making a Difference” is the motto for 

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac. Their goal 

is to make a difference; for their valued 

customers; for their dedicated employees; 

and for the community. 

Folds of Honor is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit 

organization that provides educational 

scholarships to families of military 

men and women who have fallen or been 

disabled while on active duty in the United 

States armed forces. Their educational 

scholarships support private education 

tuition and tutoring for children in grades 

K-12, as well as higher education tuition 

assistance for spouses and dependents. 

Founded in 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, 

a F-16 fighter pilot currently stationed 

at Tyndall AFB Florida as a member of 

301st Fighter Squadron, who served three 

tours of duty in Iraq. Folds of Honor 

is proud to have awarded more than 

35,000 scholarships in all 50 states, 

as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the 

Virgin Islands, including more than 

6,500 in 2020-2021 alone. 

For more information or to donate 

in support of a Folds of Honor 

scholarship, visit foh.org/paradise or 

text “paradise” to 833-843-1313 and 

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac will match 

your donation! 

We would like to recognize their work in 

supporting our military families.




15 

Star Wars: Episode IV (PG) Movie Night at the 

Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library on 


Unpack your lightsaber, pull up a 

seat and enjoy a movie night at the Ronald 

H. Roberts Temecula Public Library 

(30600 Pauba Road). Join us from 5:45 

pm to 7:45 pm on THU, AUG 18 2022 

for a showing of Star Wars Episode IV: 

A New Hope. Light refreshments will 

be provided. 

Film Synopsis: The Imperial Forces - 

under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David 

Prowse) - hold Princess Leia (Carrie 

Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell 

the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. 

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and 

Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of 

the Millennium Falcon, work together 

with the companionable 

droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny 

Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony 

Daniels) to rescue the 

beautiful princess, help 

the Rebel Alliance, 

and restore freedom 

and justice to the 

Galaxy. 

Sponsored 

by the Friends of the Temecula Libraries. 

Space is limited. Registration begins at 

the Library reception desk, or by calling 

(951) 693-8900, two weeks prior to the 

event. Star Wars fans of all ages are welcome 

to attend. 

For a full list of programs and offerings 

at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula 

Public 

Library, please visit TemeculaCA. 

gov/Library and be sure to follow @ 

TemeculaLibrary on social media for 

updates.





Cataracts 

by Pat Utnehmer 

A new year can bring visions of new 

goals, activities, and experiences. What if 

your glasses or contact lenses don’t bring 

the visual clarity you might be hoping for? 

After updating your prescription (during an 

eye exam) an optometrist will also check for 

a cataract, which is a common reason vision 

is less than optimal even with new glasses 

or contact lenses. 

Isn’t a cataract a “film growing in the 

front of my eye?” Actually, a cataract is a 

cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear 

lens of the eye. Depending upon its size and 

location, it can interfere with normal vision. 

Most cataracts develop in people over age 

55, but they occasionally occur in infants, 

young children and those under 55. Usually 

cataracts develop in both eyes, but one may 

be worse than the other. 

The lens is located inside the eye behind 

the iris, the colored part of the eye. 

Normally, the lens focuses light on the 

retina, which sends the image through the 

optic nerve to the brain. 

However, if the lens is clouded by a 

cataract, light is scattered so the lens can 

no longer focus it properly, causing vision 

problems. The lens is made of mostly 

proteins and water. Clouding of the lens 

occurs due to changes in the proteins and 

lens fibers. 

Cataracts generally form very slowly. 

Signs and symptoms of a cataract may 

include: 

• Blurred or hazy vision 

• Reduced intensity of colors 

• Increased sensitivity to glare from lights, 

particularly when driving at night 

• Increased difficulty seeing at night 

• Change in the eye’s refractive error 

There are no proven treatments to prevent 

or slow cataract progression. In age-related 

cataracts, changes in vision can be 

very gradual. Some people may not initially 

recognize the visual changes. However, as 

cataracts worsen, vision symptoms increase. 

Types of Cataracts 

The lens is composed of layers, like an 

onion. The outermost is the capsule. The 

layer inside the capsule is the cortex, and 

the innermost layer is the nucleus. A cataract 

may develop in any of these areas. Cataracts 

are named for their location in the lens: 

• A nuclear cataract is located in the 

center of the lens. The nucleus tends to 

darken, changing from clear to yellow 

and sometimes brown. 

• A cortical cataract affects the layer of 

the lens surrounding the nucleus. The 

cataract looks like a wedge or a spoke. 

• A posterior capsular cataract is found 

in the back outer layer of the lens. This 

type often develops more rapidly. 

What Causes Cataracts? 

Most cataracts are due to age-related 

changes in the lens of the eye that cause 

it to become cloudy or opaque. However, 

other factors can contribute to cataract development, 

including: 

• Diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes 

are at higher risk for cataracts. 

• Drugs. Certain medications are associated 

with cataract development. These 

include: 

• Corticosteroids 

• Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine-related 

medications 

• Ultraviolet radiation. Studies show an 

increased chance of cataract formation 



with unprotected exposure to ultraviolet 

(UV) radiation. 

• Smoking. There is possibly an association 

between smoking and increased lens 

cloudiness. 

• Alcohol. Several studies show increased 

cataract formation in patients with higher 

alcohol consumption compared with 

people who have lower or no alcohol 

consumption. 

• Nutritional deficiency. Although the 

results are inconclusive, studies suggest 

an association between cataract formation 

and low levels of antioxidants (for 

example, vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids). 

Further studies may show that 

antioxidants can help decrease cataract 

development. 

Rarely, cataracts are present at birth or 

develop shortly after. They may be inherited 

or develop due to an infection (such as 

rubella) in the mother during pregnancy. A 

cataract may also develop following an eye 

injury or surgery for another eye problem, 

such as glaucoma. 

While there are no clinically proven 

approaches to preventing cataracts, simple 

preventive strategies include: 

• Reducing exposure to sunlight through 

UV-blocking lenses 

• Decreasing or stopping smoking 

• Increasing antioxidant vitamin consumption 

by eating more leafy green 

vegetables and taking nutritional supplements. 

Researchers have linked 

eye-friendly nutrients such as lutein and 

zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and 

zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye 

diseases, including cataracts. 

How Is a Cataract Diagnosed? 

Cataracts can be diagnosed through 

a comprehensive eye examination. This 

examination may include: 

1. Patient history to determine if vision 

difficulties are limiting daily activities 

and other general health concerns affecting 

vision. 

2. Visual acuity measurement to determine 

to what extent a cataract may be 

limiting clear distance and near vision. 

3. Refraction to determine the need for 

changes in an eyeglass or contact lens 

prescription. 

4. Evaluation of the lens under high magnification 

and illumination to determine 

the extent and location of any cataracts. 

5. Evaluation of the retina of the eye. 

6. Measurement of pressure within the 

eye. 

7. Supplemental testing for color vision 

and glare sensitivity. 

Further testing may be needed to determine 

how much the cataract is affecting 

vision and to evaluate whether other eye 

diseases may limit vision following cataract 

surgery. Using the information from these 

tests, your optometrist can determine if 

you have cataracts and advise you on your 

treatment options. 

How Is a Cataract Treated? 

Cataract treatment is based on the level 

of visual impairment they cause. If a cataract 

minimally affects vision, or not at all, 

no treatment may be needed. Patients may 

be advised to monitor for increased visual 

symptoms and follow a regular check-up 

schedule. In some cases, changing the eyeglass 

prescription may provide temporary 

vision improvement. In addition, anti-glare 

coatings on eyeglass lenses can help reduce 

glare for night driving and increasing the 

amount of light used when reading may be 

beneficial. When a cataract progresses to 

the point that it affects a person’s ability to 

do normal everyday tasks, surgery may be 

needed. Cataract surgery involves removing 

the lens of the eye and replacing it with an 

artificial lens. The artificial lens requires no 

care and can significantly improve vision. 

Some artificial lenses have the natural focusing 

ability of a young healthy lens. 

Two approaches to cataract surgery are 

generally used: 

• Small-incision cataract surgery involves 

making an incision in the side of the 

cornea (the clear outer covering of the 

eye) and inserting a tiny probe into the 

eye. The probe emits ultrasound waves 

that soften and break up the lens so it can 

be suctioned out. This process is called 

phacoemulsification. 

• Extracapsular surgery requires a somewhat 

larger incision in the cornea so 

that the lens core can be removed in one 

piece. The natural lens is replaced by a 

clear plastic lens called an intraocular 

lens (IOL). When implanting an IOL is 

not possible because of other eye problems, 

contact lenses and, in some cases, 

eyeglasses may be an option for vision 

correction. 

17 

As with any surgery, cataract surgery 

has risks from infection and bleeding. 

Cataract surgery also slightly increases the 

risk of retinal detachment. It is important 

to discuss the benefits and risks of cataract 

surgery with your eye care providers. Other 

eye conditions may increase the need for 

cataract surgery or prevent a person from 

being a cataract surgery candidate. 

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and 

most effective types of surgery performed in 

the United States today. Approximately 90 

percent of cataract surgery patients report 

better vision following the surgery. 

Come in and see us for a comprehensive 

eye exam and discuss personalized 

options for your eyes. 

Dr. Patrick Utnehmer, Promenade Optometry 

& Lasik, (951) 296-2211.




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Contact us for more information at (951) 461-0400.




19 

SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AWARDED 

ADVANCED CERTIFICATION FOR TOTAL HIP 

AND TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT FROM THE 

JOINT COMMISSION 


Inland Valley Medical Center, 

a campus of Southwest Healthcare 

System, announced it has earned 

The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal 

of Approval® for Advanced Certification 

for Total Hip and Total Knee 

Replacement. The hospital system 

is one of a select few hospitals in all 

of Riverside and San Diego Counties 

combined to achieve the gold seal of 

approval for this line of service. The 

advanced certification is for Joint 

Commission-accredited hospitals, 

critical access hospitals and ambulatory 

surgery centers seeking to 

elevate the quality, consistency and 

safety of their services and patient 

care. 

Inland Valley Medical Center 

underwent a rigorous review recently. 

Joint Commission experts 

evaluated compliance with advanced 

disease-specific care standards and 

total hip and total knee replacement 

requirements, including orthopedic 

consultation, and pre-operative, intraoperative 

and post-surgical orthopedic 

surgeon follow-up care. 

“Achieving Advanced Total Hip and 

Total Knee Replacement Certification 

recognizes Southwest Healthcare System’s 

commitment to provide care in a 

safe and efficient manner for patients,” 

said Patrick Phelan, executive director, 

Hospital Business Development, The 

Joint Commission. “The advanced certification 

will help Southwest Healthcare 

System better provide coordinated and 

comprehensive care to patients undergoing 

a total hip or total knee replacement.” 

“Our hospital is pleased to receive 

advanced certification from The Joint 

Commission, the premier health care 

quality improvement and accrediting 

body in the nation,” added Jared Giles, 

CEO of Southwest Healthcare System. 

“We look forward to improving patient 

safety and quality of care for the increasing 

number of patients undergoing total 

hip or total knee replacement surgery.” 

Established in 2016 and awarded for 

a two-year period, the advanced certification 

was developed in response to the 

growing number of patients undergoing 

a total hip or total knee replacement 

surgery, as well as the increased focus 

on clinical evidence-based patient care 

as it relates to pain management, quality 

of life issues, functional limitation in 

mobility and the return to normal daily 

activities. 

The Joint Commission 

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission 

seeks to continuously improve health 

care for the public, in collaboration with 

other stakeholders, by evaluating health 

care organizations and inspiring them to 

excel in providing safe and effective care 

of the highest quality and value. The Joint 

Commission accredits and certifies more 

than 21,000 health care organizations 

and programs in the United States. An 

independent, nonprofit organization, The 

Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest 

and largest standards-setting and accrediting 

body in health care. Learn more 

about The Joint Commission at www. 

jointcommission.org. 

Inland Valley Medical Center 

This campus of Southwest Healthcare 

System is the only hospital in the 

region to offer Level II Trauma Services, 

a Certified Primary Stroke Center, the 

region’s only Total Joint Center now 

with advanced certification from the 

Joint Commission and is a nationally 

recognized center for weight-loss surgery 

by the Metabolic and Bariatric 

Surgery Accreditation and Quality 

Improvement Program (Also awarded 

the Blue Distinction for outstanding 

bariatric surgical services). www. 

inlandvalleymedcenter.com 

Rancho Springs Medical Center 

This hospital campus of Southwest 

Healthcare System features the 

largest Women’s Center (Awarded 

the Blue Distinction for Outstanding 

Maternity Care) in the region which 

includes Rady Children’s Level III 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Rady 

San Diego: Ranked 5th in the nation 

for neonatal care by US News and 

World Report 2021), a Certified 

Primary Stroke Center, and the da 

Vinci © Robotic Xi Surgical System 

performing the region’s first virtually 

no-scar single site procedures. www. 

ranchospringsmedcenter.com.




City of Menifee Seeking Candidates for Quality of 

Life Measure Oversight Committee Applications 

to fill the District 1 and District 4 vacancies will be accepted through 

Friday, August 19 

The City of Menifee is currently 

accepting applications from residents to 

fill the District 1 and District 4 vacancies 

on the City’s Quality of Life Measure 

Oversight Committee (Committee). Applications 

will be accepted until Friday, 

August 19 at 5 p.m. An appointment to 

the Committee is expected to take place 

on Wednesday, September 21. 

Applicants must be a current Menifee 

resident residing within District 1 or 

District 4, a registered voter, and not be 

a member of any other City commission, 

City office, or a City employee. 

The positions will require attendance 

at two regularly scheduled meetings per 

year and other special meetings as called. 

The term of office will end December of 

2022, but committee members are eligible 

for reappointment. 

Passed by Menifee voters in November 

2016, the Quality of Life Measure 

(also known as Measure DD) approved 

a one-cent sales tax to provide local 

funding that cannot be taken by the State. 

The funding provided by the measure 

has allowed the City to maintain and 

enhance numerous city services including 

emergency preparedness, police and 

fire services, and road safety and traffic 

mitigation. 

The Committee is responsible for 

reviewing, monitoring, and overseeing 

the appropriation of the sales tax proceeds 

and to make recommendations to 

the City Council to ensure the proposed 

use of sales tax proceeds is consistent 

with the purpose of Menifee’s Quality of 

Life Measure. Each City Councilmember 

selects one committee member from their 

respective district. 

For more information regarding the 

positions and to access the application, 

please contact the City Clerk’s office at 

(951) 672-6777 or visit the City’s website 

at www.cityofmenifee.us/Committees-Commissions. 

MURRIETA POLICE DEPT. CELEBRATES 30 YEARS 


While much has changed since the 

initial 25 officers and 9 civilian employees 

began operations on August 1, 1992, 

the department’s culture remains rooted 

in excellent service delivery and a strong 

partnership with the community. The department 

works hard to hire only the best 

law enforcement officers, dispatchers, 

and professional staff. In addition, the 

department now raises its own police 

officers through the Explorer and Cadet 

programs. 

According to Chief Anthony Conrad, 

the department’s 7th Chief of Police, 

“The partnership built between the police 

department and the community is the personification 

of community policing and 

is the primary reason Murrieta remains 

such a safe community. We have a true 

partnership with our residents, and we 

police this community with a service 

delivery approach, leveraging our highly 

skilled officers and dispatchers and with 

a proactive mindset.” 

30-Year Anniversary Community 

Open House 

There’s no better way to honor 30 

years of service to the community than 

inviting the community to celebrate. On 

Monday, August 1, 2022, from 5pm to 

8pm, the Murrieta Police Department 

is hosting a free community open house 

event at the Murrieta police station and 

Town Square Park and Amphitheater. 

An engaging, educational, and fun event 

for the entire family, there will be food, 

treats, a photo booth, and displays from 

SWAT, Traffic, K9, Off-Road Detail, 

Explorers, and Volunteers. 

There will be multiple opportunities 

to meet Murrieta PD officers and to get 

up close and personal with the equipment 

they use on a day-to-day basis and equipment 

used in emergency situations. The 

Murrieta Police Department Command 

Center will be on site, as well as the 

SWAT Team’s Bearcat. In addition to 

the displays and great food, the police 

department “Pink Patch Project” will be 

selling Murrieta PD pink patches to the 

public to raise breast cancer raise awareness. 

30th Anniversary memorabilia will 

also be handled out by officers and staff. 

This open house is free and open to the 

public. Opening ceremonies for the event 

will begin at 5 p.m. 

In addition to all the engagement 

outside in Town Square Park, the Murrieta 

Police Department will be opened-up 

for guided tours. Unfortunately, due to 

popular demand, all tour slots have been 

filled. The response from the community 

was overwhelming, with tour spaces 

filling within days. However, the community 

will have another opportunity to go 

behind the walls of the Murrieta Police 

Department. 

The fall 2022 Citizens Police Academy 

will be announced soon and begins 

on September 28, 2022. The Citizen’s 

Police Academy allows Murrieta residents 

and those who work in Murrieta to 

get an up-close look at police department 

operations, training, and personnel. For 

more information on the Citizen’s Police 

Academy and to sign up, visit murrietaca. 

gov/364/Citizens-Police-Academy.




21 

EXECUTIVE PROFILE | 

Andrea Shoup, Attorney at Law 

I enjoy being a go-to expert in Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, Probate, 

and Business Succession Planning here in the Valley. I’m proud of 

our team at Shoup Legal, where we embrace each family’s unique 

estate planning and business needs to help them plan today for peace 

of mind tomorrow. 

I’m a big believer that planning for 

difficult times, such as the passing 

of a loved one, is vital for peace of 

mind and for protecting legacies. 

Time and again, I’ve seen how 

preparation helps families overcome 

stress, avoid time in court, 

maintain control of family assets, 

prevent infighting, and minimize 

delays and costs. After all, the time 

of a loved one’s passing is already 

tough enough without having to 

deal with fallout from failing to 

plan properly. 

Following law school, I worked 

as a Deputy District Attorney for 

the San Diego District Attorney’s 

Office. As a felony trial attorney, 

I dedicated myself to making sure 

justice was served. It’s a way of 

thinking that has carried over to 

my private practice here in the Valley. 

Through sharing knowledge, 

straight talk, and compassion, I 

believe the informed decisions I 

help my clients make is a form of 

“justice” that helps them protect 

and secure their legacies, both for 

themselves and their heirs. 

In 2012, while my husband was 

an active-duty Marine, we moved 

to beautiful Murrieta, which has 

since become our home. We’ve 

found the Valley to be an incredible 

community in which to make 

friends, set down personal and 

professional roots, and raise our 

four children. 

AFFILIATIONS 

The California State Bar has certified 

me as a specialist in Estate 

Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. 

Other affiliations include the 

Trust and Estates section of the 

California Bar Association, the 

Temecula and Murrieta Chamber of 

Commerce, the Riverside County Bar 

Association, the Southwest Riverside 

County Bar Association, and the California 

Advocates for Nursing Home 

Reform. 

If you’re noticing a pattern, my affiliations 

naturally tend toward my 

areas of expertise, Estate Planning 

and Probate Law. 

MY BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY 

I founded Shoup Legal, A Professional 

Law Corporation because I 

believe visiting a law firm should 

be a comfortable experience, not an 

intimidating one. Our clients come to 

us for help navigating the legal system 

and understanding their options—and 

that’s what they get, not just a lot of 

legalese and added confusion. 

As a specialist in Estate Planning, 

Trust, and Probate Law, I am honored 

to support families when they are 

preparing for and/or processing the 

loss of a loved one. Helping families 

navigate through difficult legalities 

effectively and efficiently so they 

can focus on healing is personally 

rewarding for me. 

With an approach that combines 

compassion and sensitivity plus high 

professional standards and efficacy, 

I am better able to provide prudent 

strategies that protect the interests of 

my clients. 

MY PASSION 

My passion is to make positive contributions 

to the lives of those I serve. 

As an Estate Planning and Probate 

Law expert, I find I am best able to 

do that by offering my clients individualized 

attention and a dynamic, 

collaborative process that ensures 

they understand every step along the 

way. After all, as Warren Buffet once 

said, “someone’s sitting in the shade 

today because someone decided to 

plant a tree a long time ago.” When 

proper planning is everything, as it 

is with Estate Planning, knowledge 

truly is power. 

GOALS 

My goal is to serve the Murrieta 

community with respect, professional 

competence, and kindness. I strive to 

provide a work product that is timely, 

accurate, and of great value to my 

clients. I am committed to carrying 

out charitable wishes and protecting 

family assets in a tax-efficient, family-centric 

manner. 

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND 

In 2002, I earned my Bachelor of Science 

Degree in Business Administration 

from California Polytechnic San 

Luis Obispo. I decided to pursue 

a law degree and graduated Magna 

Cum Laude from California 

Western School of Law in 2006. 

While in law school, I served as 

Editor-in-Chief of the California 

Western Law Review and was an 

officer of the Pro-Bono Honors 

Society. 

RESUME 

In law school, I was an extern for 

the Honorable Irma E. Gonzales 

(Ret.) of the United States District 

Court for the Southern District of 

California. 

After leaving the District Attorney’s 

Office in 2012, I founded 

Shoup Legal, A Professional Law 

Corporation, a boutique law firm 

serving estate planning, trust 

administration, probate, and business 

law needs.


22 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com 


TAKING A VACATION, 

THE RIGHT WAY 


There are right ways and wrong ways 

for taking a vacation, however. If you are 

not coming back to work rejuvenated, 

there are some things to consider. 

These questions may help to uncover 

some. Did you take a real vacation? 

Vacations might mean staying at home or 

traveling to a destination. When you go 

are you doing something that you find fun 

and relaxing? Some will take a vacation 

because a relative or friend suggested it 

but in reality, It wasn’t your thing. For 

example, if you are afraid of heights, a 

trip to the mountains to rock climb may 

not do it for you. Figure out what does 

work for you and your family. 

Have you ever combined a vacation 

with a business trip? This may be a good 

opportunity especially if the company is 

paying for part of the accommodations. 

However, be sure to separate the two 

experiences so each will be more productive. 

On your last vacation did you 

disconnect from the office? If your cell 

phone rings, will you have to answer it? 

Are you checking email on a regular 

basis? If your self-discipline is a little 

weak work on forming new disconnecting 

habits. One way is to put a sticker 

on your phone reminding you not to 

take business communication. This may 

sound drastic but think of everything riding 

on it. Do you have a trustworthy and 

dependable backup? If possible, train 

someone to “be you” to the best level 

possible. Review with them possible 

scenarios that may come up during your 

absence. 

If this person happens to be a peer 

perhaps you can make an agreement 

to cover them during their absence in 

return for being your backup. Devise 

other steps to take for a great get away. 

In doing so, your productivity and ability 

to lead will grow. Remember if you can’t 

get away to keep your good health, you 

have become a single point of failure. 

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. 

If you are not 

coming back to work rejuvenated, 

there are some things to consider.




23 

Welcome to the 

REALTOR® Report 

by 

Steve Fillingim 

The housing market has been the topic of many news articles and social media posts lately, 

and it’s not hard to understand why. 

Mortgage rates have increased 

again, and prices continue to rise, 

taking many buyers out of the homeownership 

market. Inflation is also 

playing a part as buyers have less 

disposable income. Pair that with 

increased mortgage payments, buyers 

still face challenges entering the 

marketplace. This has created some 

cooling and a slight shift away from 

a seller’s market. 

On a positive note, the bidding 

wars seem to be disappearing, and 

buyers are feeling less pressure as 

more options become available. As 

unit sales slow and more inventory 

becomes available, buyers once 

again have some options and aren’t 

as rushed to buy just because a house 

is available. Let’s jump into our local 

data from last month. 

The median home price 

in Southwest Riverside County 

was up 3% from a month ago 

($615,000/$600,000), was up 12% 

from a year ago ($550,000), and up 

an impressive 44.7% from 2 years 

ago ($424,990). Unsold inventory 

has increased to just over 3 months (6 

months is considered a healthy market), 

and days on market increased 

again from last month to 10 days, up 

from 6 days last year but still significantly 

lower compared to 17 days 2 

years ago. Unit sales dropped again, 

down 5% from the previous month and 

22% from last year. Unsold inventory 

continues to increase, up 30% from last 

month and an incredible 126% from last 

year. While the increase in inventory is 

a good thing, we are far from where we 

need to be. Once again, median prices are 

up in all of our local cities, ranging in an 

increase of 3.2%-21.6% Year-Over-Year. 

However, most saw increases around 14- 

15%, which is the lowest Year-Over-Year 

change since March of 2021. 

Even though we have seen sales 

decline, economists are still saying it is 

unlikely home prices will crash. Even if 

prices drop, it will be nothing like the 

Great Recession. A key factor in this is 

lending standards have remained tight. 

These sentiments have been echoed by 

the economists at the California Association 

of REALTORs®. They recently 

released a Statewide presentation on 

the housing market (May 2022), and I 

have included some of those slides in 

this report. 

Eviction protection for tenants in 

California officially ended on June 30. 

The application period is closed, so no 

new funds are available for relief based 

on COVID-19. There are still thousands 

of unprocessed relief applications to 

process, and the Department of Housing 

and Community Development hopes to 

have all pending applications cleared by 

early August. 

On the Legislative Front, we are 

nearing the end of the second year of 

the legislative cycle. July is the summer 

recess month, so August will be very 

busy. We have successfully played a lot 

of defense this year, beating back several 

bad housing bills. 

We have a couple of good bills that 

are still alive and seem to be moving 

along with little to no opposition. The 

filing period opens this month for local 

candidates, and we will be in full election 

season very soon. 

Californians will have 7 Ballot 

Propositions to decide on in November, 

but none are real estate related. I will 

continue to encourage you to do your 

research and be as informed as possible 

before casting your vote. 

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 

Even though we have 

seen sales decline, 

economists are still 

saying it is unlikely 

home prices will crash. 

Even if prices drop, 

it will be nothing like 

the Great Recession. 

A key factor in this 

is lending standards 

have remained tight.




August Events 

August 2 - How to Start a Small Business 

August 4 - Welcome Orientation 

August 4 - Ribbon Cutting- Temecula Executive Limos 

August 5 - August Coffee Connection 

August 9 - August Educational Workshop 

August 10 - August Chamber Brief 

August 16 - Ribbon Cutting- Cookie Co Temecula 

August 18 - 2022 Southwest Regional Economic Forecast 


August 3 - Chamber Business Briefing 

August 4 - Monthly Mixer 

August 5 - Grand Opening Costco Murrieta 

August 9 - Wildomar Coffee with the City 

August 11 - Networking Breakfast 

August 11 - Thirsty Thursday Multi Chamber Mixer 

August 17 - Small Business Rounttable 

August 18 - All Chamber Megamixer 

August 31 - Murrieta State of the City 

August 18 - All Chamber Mega Mixer 

August 19 - Ribbon Cutting- DM Shapewear 

https://business.murrietachamber.org/events 

August 23 - Ribbon Cutting- Sola Salon 

August 24 - Aug Morning Mixer 

August 26 - Ribbon Cutting- Skyrocket Pediatric Therapy 

Foundation 

https://members.temecula.org/events 


August 3 - Munch and Learn 

August 24 - BYOD with the Mayor 

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




YOUR LOCAL CHAMBERS 

25 

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




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back to business? 

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(951) 461-0400




27 

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