Podiatrist in Temecula, CA

TEMECULA, CA — A proposed development project that would bring up to 1,750 residential units and other construction to a 270-acre area west of Old Town Temecula is likely moving forward — under the terms of a legal pact with conservation groups.

On Tuesday, Temecula City Council will address a piece of the legal requirements for the Altair development.

The proposed Altair project dates back almost 10 years and the environmental review process was completed, but conservation groups balked at the development citing the impacts on a wildlife corridor for endangered Santa Ana mountain lions and other creatures.

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In October 2020, a legal agreement was hammered out with the city to protect the corridor. The pact permanently secures a 55-acre “south parcel” — one of the few passages left for mountain lions to move between coastal and inland mountains. The lion population suffers from extremely low levels of genetic diversity due to limited wildlife connectivity, according to the conservation groups Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Mountain Lion Foundation, and Cougar Connection.

The groups filed a lawsuit against the development in January 2018, with Endangered Habitats League filing a concurrent suit. In March 2020, Judge Daniel Ottolia found that the development’s environmental review failed to properly account for impacts on the Santa Ana mountain lions. The ruling also found that the development was not consistent with Temecula’s general plan nor the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

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As part of the October 2020 agreement, the conservation groups dismissed their legal challenge to the development.

During Tuesday's Temecula City Council meeting, councilmembers are slated to sign off on a "right of entry" agreement with Brookfield SoCal Land Constructors, LLC that will allow the firm to conduct physical and biological surveys on city-owned properties in connection with the Altair project. The areas to be surveyed are just west of the Temecula Parkway/Interstate 15 loop.

The surveys are required under the 2020 legal agreement. At the time of the agreement's signing, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity said the pact gives Santa Ana’s imperiled mountain lions "a pathway to recovery.”

“Poorly planned highways and development have hemmed this population in, and these beautiful big cats are being driven toward extinction. Now they have a better chance at survival," said attorney J.P. Rose.

“This agreement marks an important step in the fight to protect the Santa Ana mountain lions, and we look forward to collaborating on future efforts to plan and fund the restoration of corridors for these big cats,” said Vicki Long of Cougar Connection.

In addition to housing, the Altair development calls for an elementary school, commercial space, a clubhouse, civic site, parks and trails. The project is slated for a 270-acre area in southwest Temecula, west of Old Town and south of Ridge Park Drive.

Tuesday's 6 p.m. Temecula City Council meeting takes place at the Civic Center, 41000 Main Street. Read the full meeting agenda here.

"Cook my meat!" Lisa from Temecula is tossing salads and roasting Temecula once again on SNL. Here's what local residents think about it.

|Updated Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 1:32 pm PT

TEMECULA, CA —Whether residents love or hate it, the new "Saturday Night Live" character "Lisa From Temecula," portrayed by actress and comedian Ego Nwodim, appears to be here to stay.

The "Lisa From Temecula" bit is written by three SNL writers: Alex English, Gary Richardson and Michael Che, and the skits are performed by Nwodim and the ensemble cast. Lisa from Temecula likes her steak well done, would rather have ranch dressing than balsamic and isn't afraid of offering any opinion to anyone.

Whether Nwodim's portrayal of a Temecula resident is accurate or bizarre is up in the air, according to locals.

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Lisa first appeared in a sketch at a restaurant with friends, including the actor Pedro Pascal. That skit —combined with a physical comedy gag where she attempted to carve up an "extra extra extra well-done" steak, knocking everything over in the process— had multiple cast members breaking character, laughing despite themselves, and struggling to finish the scene.

Lisa From Temecula made her second appearance on SNL Saturday, seated with friends at a table, wearing her trademark hot pink dress, and this time avoiding E. coli by over-dressing her salad at a wedding.

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Once again, she performed her table-knocking food prep, and things went flying.

Temecula residents took to Facebook groups to weigh in and comment on the skits. Several claimed it wasn't funny, while a handful reported being offended that the character has ties to the Southwest Riverside County town.

Still, others suggested how Lisa could behave more like a Temecula woman (Hear that, SNL?).

"If she was wearing LuLu Lemon or carrying around a Starbucks cup, she may be more believable as truly from Temecula," one resident said.

Local business owner Tony Zepeda may be on to something, however, suggesting there might be a connection to the city somehow, an 'Easter egg' that nods to our tiny town.

Much of Temecula is missing the point, according to Temecula resident and Zepeda Graphics Design owner Tony Zepeda.

"It's funny how everyone wants to add more meaning than what it is. It is just an 'Easter Egg' by one of the writers that may have a connection to our town," he said. "It has nothing to do with the characters and the skit."

Regardless if you enjoyed it or were embarrassed by it, as Zepeda told Patch, you get out of a comedy show what you bring in with you.

"It has no reflection on our town. It is just a funny skit, nothing about stereotypes," Zepeda said. "It's just a funny character by a funny actress. It is us trying to interject our own issues and ideas on something they just created to be funny. We need to lighten up and enjoy things for what they are and nothing more. "

TEMECULA, CA — The sign at the door says it all: "It's not goodbye. It's 'see you around.'" The Temecula Best Buy storefront, located at 32937 Temecula Parkway, will close in early March, according to reports from employees of the store and the city of Temecula.

Patch spoke with a handful of employees from the store who declined to share their names even as shelves were being dismantled around them.

One employee said the rent had been raised and the chain was unwilling to foot the higher bill. There are at least three other Best Buys across the nation also shuttering in early March, two in Tennessee and one in Missouri.

Temecula Best Buy shoppers will have the option of buying electronics at Best Buy in Murrieta, Menifee, or online. Purchasers of the chain's "Geek Squad" services will still be serviced by nearby techs from as far away as San Marcos, according to a Best Buy spokesperson.

Multiple Temecula Best Buy employees will also be transferred to either the company's Menifee or Murrieta stores, while some are accepting severance packages, according to another employee who also wished to remain anonymous.

The retail center where Temecula Best Buy is located changed hands in late 2022 when Centers Dynamic and United Growth purchased the nearly 70,500-square-foot retail property for $19.75 million. The purchase comes after the buyer developed an extensive "acquisition, reposition and break-up/value add strategy," according to a report on The Registry.

Best Buy has no plans for opening another Temecula location, according to store employees.

Christine Damko, Temecula's economic development manager, said the city is working with the retail management company to determine the next tenant for the space. Though nothing is yet set in stone, stores such as "Smart and Final" are being considered as of this report.

Patch has reached out to Best Buy for a statement on the impending closure and will update this report when that is received. Best Buy shared this statement on the imminent closure of the Missouri store:

"The decision to close a store is never an easy one, and we are so grateful for our St. Joseph-area customers who have shopped with us over the years," a Best Buy statement to the St. Joseph News-Press reads. "We hope they continue to shop with us at BestBuy.com or on the Best Buy app."

Best Buy has quietly closed several stores for the past three years. In 2019, the chain closed 20 locations. Approximately 20 more Best Buy stores across the country closed in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Media reports suggest that at least 60 Best Buy stores closed in 2021. To start 2023, Best Buy operated 925 retailers across the country, with 145 of those locations in California.

2023 began with a bomb cyclone hitting California, bringing rain and flooding to many areas. Here's how Temecula fared during days of rain.

TEMECULA, CA — A strong Pacific storm that doused Temecula with rain and much of Southern California with damaging winds, high surf and flooding is moving out of the area Friday.

Some roadways across the Southland became overrun with water and debris, forcing some freeway lane closures. Still, the system dropped far less rain Thursday than initially expected as it quickly moved through the area.

The main front of the "bomb cyclone" moved into the area overnight Wednesday, but forecasters said the storm traveled much faster than anticipated, which "greatly reduced the amount of rainfall through the area," according to the National Weather Service.

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In Temecula, a total of 2.37 inches of rain has fallen this week, and the city sits at 7.09 inches for the water year, according to the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. That's just under half of our annual average rainfall of 16 inches already since the 2023 water year began in October 2022.

Riverside County's Rainfall Totals:

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During the rain event, light to moderate rain fell across most of the Southland Wednesday as residents braced for the brunt of the storm moving across the state.

A wind advisory was in effect from 2 a.m. to noon Thursday, and a flood watch was in effect until Thursday afternoon.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," the NWS stated.

Forecasters predicted the Riverside metropolitan area could receive anywhere from a half-inch to 1.5 inches of rain between Wednesday night and Thursday evening. The Temecula Valley could receive the same totals, while the Coachella Valley was not expected to receive more than a half-inch throughout the storm.

"Though the rain and winds are the main stories for Thursday, high-elevation mountain snow will occur as well," according to the NWS. "With a low-pressure system tapping into warm atmospheric river moisture, snow levels are expected to be quite high ... above 7,000 feet during the heaviest precipitation. After the cold front passes Thursday afternoon, snow levels will drop to around 6,000 feet."

Above 7,000 feet, snowfall accumulations could exceed 12 inches, while an inch or less may accumulate at the lower mountain levels, forecasters said.

Statewide, as of Tuesday, the snowpack is at 174 percent of the average for this date, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

This season's conditions have proven to be strikingly similar to last year when California saw some early rainstorms and strong December snow totals only to have the driest January through March on record, according to DWR Director Karla Nemeth.

"The significant Sierra snowpack is good news, but unfortunately, these same storms are bringing flooding to parts of California," Nemeth said. "This is a prime example of the threat of extreme flooding during a prolonged drought as California experiences more swings between wet and dry periods brought on by our changing climate."

The mercury will trend slightly higher going into the weekend. For the Temecula Valley, the temperature band will bessentiallyly the same, while in the Coachella Valley, the mercury will top out in the mid to upper 60s Friday, with lows in the thmid-40s0s.

According to meteorologists, the storm train, which began last month with a dip in the jet stream, shows no signs of letting up, with additional inclement weather anticipated Sunday night through Tuesday.

The DWR encourages Californians to visit SaveOurWater.com for water-saving tips and information and to continue to conserve California's most precious resource, rain or shine.

Located in Riverside County, Southern California, Temecula is a picturesque city that offers a peaceful yet exciting way of life. From the stunning landscapes to the friendly residents, Temecula is the perfect place to call home. In this article, we'll explore the top benefits of living in Temecula, including specific businesses, restaurants, parks, activities, and sites that make it such a great place to live.

Family-Friendly Activities in Temecula

If you're looking for family-friendly activities, Temecula is a great place to live. One of the most popular attractions is the Temecula Children's Museum, which is designed to engage children in interactive learning. The museum features a variety of exhibits, including a child-sized grocery store, a pretend farm, and a real ambulance. Another great place for families to spend time together is Pennypickle's Workshop, a children's museum that teaches science through hands-on exhibits and experiments.

Nature and Parks in Temecula

Temecula is home to several parks and natural areas, providing endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. For example, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, that's close to Temecula, is a 9,000-acre reserve that offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The reserve is home to over 200 species of birds, including golden eagles and prairie falcons. Another great park to visit is Harveston Community Park, which boasts a 17-acre lake where you can fish, as well as a playground, sports fields, and picnic areas.

Shopping and Dining in Temecula

Temecula has a vibrant shopping and dining scene, with plenty of options to suit all tastes and budgets. The Promenade Temecula is a popular shopping destination, featuring over 170 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. From clothing and accessories to home decor and electronics, you'll find everything you need at this massive shopping center. When it comes to dining, Temecula has some of the best restaurants in Southern California. For example, you can indulge in classic Italian cuisine at Gourmet Italia.

Arts and Culture in Temecula

Temecula is a hub of arts and culture, with plenty of events and venues to explore. The Old Town Temecula Community Theater is a great place to catch a live show, with a diverse lineup of plays, musicals, and concerts. The theater is located in the heart of Old Town Temecula, which is also home to several art galleries and studios. Another great cultural attraction is the Temecula Valley Museum, which showcases the history and heritage of the area through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.

Temecula, California is a hidden gem in Southern California, offering a serene lifestyle that is ideal for families, nature lovers, and culture enthusiasts alike. From the variety of parks and natural areas to the diverse shopping and dining scene, there is always something to see and do in Temecula. So, whether you're looking for a place to raise your family, retire, or just escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, Temecula is the perfect destination.