Local Services

Voices for Children

45 Years of Impact Article by Hannah Cole There is a nine-year-old boy in Riverside County who painted his future self as a soccer player who helps the homeless at night. There is a teenage girl who handed her CASA volunteer a chapbook of poems she'd been quietly filling with her pain, her grief, and her determination to heal. There is a 12-year-old who wouldn't make eye contact, wouldn't say a word — until the week his advocate found a shelter for his abandoned dog, and something in him...

Life + Culture

Built on Belief

Margaret Rich and the Mission That Keeps Growing Article by Hannah Cole Last year, Margaret Rich paid for the school buses herself. Not because she had to — because she refused to let the funding gap become the reason these kids didn't come. This year, the buses rolled back through the gates of Green Acres Interactive Therapy Ranch, and Margaret was there to meet them, same as before. Same dusty boots. Same open gates. Same unshakeable belief that every child in this community deserves a...

Local Services

Futures for Families

SAFE Family Justice Centers Is Building a Safer Temecula — One Family at a Time Article by Desiree Allen | Photography by Monica Kirkland This spring, at the SAFE Futures Celebration Casino Night at Monteleone Meadows, SAFE Family Justice Centers presented the Temecula Valley Woman's Club with the 2026 Dan Atwood Legacy Award — the organization's highest honor, reserved for those whose commitment to survivors has gone far beyond expectation. Twenty-seven years. Through funding, advocacy, and...

Local Services

She Threw the Party.

Then She Changed Lives. Article by Hannah Cole | Photography by Time Stood Still Photography It started with a dress and a dream. Charity Prestifilippo had always wanted to attend the Oscars — the gowns, the glamour, the electric feeling of a room full of people celebrating something bigger than themselves. When that didn't pan out, she decided to do what she does best: create it herself. Then life handed her a better reason to throw the party. When her sister's lifelong best friend and her...

Health + Wellness

Our Most Enduring Asset

Why investing in time outdoors may be the wisest decision a growing community can make. Article by Desiree Allen | Photography by Shawna Sarnowski Photography When we talk about investment in Temecula, we often begin with what is visible — new construction, expanding business districts, rising property values, the steady rhythm of a city in motion. Growth is tangible. It signals confidence. It reflects belief in what lies ahead. But the truest measure of a community’s strength is not found...

Local Services

The Investment in Community

Why the strongest returns are the ones we reinvest locally Article by Desiree Allen In every community, money moves. It flows through storefronts and payroll, through real estate and expansion plans, through investments carefully structured for growth. We measure it. We track it. We celebrate when it multiplies. But beneath that visible current lies another form of capital — less discussed, rarely quantified, yet equally essential to the long-term strength of our city. It is the capital of...

Health + Wellness

Time Is Currency

How we spend our hours may be the most consequential investment decision we make Article by Desiree Allen Unlike money, time cannot be replenished. It cannot be recovered once spent. It compounds only through intentional use, and it depreciates quietly when squandered. In a city as dynamic as Temecula, where growth feels visible and momentum constant, time becomes our most valuable form of currency. It fuels businesses. It shapes families. It determines whether ambition translates into...

Home + Design

Rebel Pink

IKEA’s 2026 Color of the Year Article by Desiree Allen Design trends often reflect more than what looks good in a room — they reflect how people want to feel in their spaces. One color rising to the surface does exactly that: Rebel Pink. Bright, expressive, and unapologetically playful, Rebel Pink marks a clear shift away from the quiet neutrals and muted palettes that have dominated recent years. In their place, it invites optimism — a reminder that homes can hold creativity, emotion, and...

Home + Design

Three Simple Touches

That Can Change a Room Article by Hannah Cole You don’t need a full renovation — or a blank check — to transform a space. Often, the biggest impact comes from a few thoughtful details. Whether you’re refreshing a room for a new season or simply craving something different, these small updates can make a noticeable difference. 1. Start with lighting Lighting sets the tone. Swap harsh overheads for softer, layered sources — table lamps, floor lamps, or sconces — to add warmth and depth...

Entertainment

Spring Break,

Right at Home Article by Desiree Allen Spring break doesn’t have to mean a suitcase — or kids disappearing into their phones and iPads all day. Some of the best memories are made close to home, with a little creativity and a change of routine. From DIY movie nights to kid-created “gallery openings,” these ideas turn the ordinary into something unforgettable with a little intention, a few props, and a whole lot of creativity. Whether you’re wrangling little ones or negotiating with teens...