Edition:
December 28, 2007
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January
After the Tuesday Work Group (TWG) searched the environs surrounding the Canyon Lake Golf Course, they found giant boulders to accommodate plaques at each tee box for what became known as the “Rock Monument Project.” The volunteers put in more than 120 hours installing boulders on all the tee ground areas with some boulders weighing in at over 3,500 lbs.
Canyon Lakers were blown away January 5 by the force of a windstorm that brought sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph according to the National Weather Service. The Operations Department reported the POA received several calls from homeowners who needed help because of boats and docks that had broken away after being buffeted by winds all day. Operations crews helped Marine Patrol in securing anything adrift. Crews also were kept busy removing trees and branches that had been blown down.
The Ski Club had to postpone its annual Polar Bear Day January 6 at Sunset Beach because of the windy conditions and low humidity that made skiing impossible and a bonfire prohibited. Skiers finally took a turn around the Main Lake January 20 without the benefit of a wet suit – only swimsuits and a life vest were allowed for those wanting to earn their 2007 Polar Bear patches.
January’s POA Community Forum attracted a score of members and staff to review concerns and conditions facing the gated community. Those in attendance were concerned about the Campground, postal service, the dredge project, barking dogs, the SolarBees, the need for a new Canyon Lake logo, reduced hours at the Lodge and County Club restaurants, the entry sign at the Main Gate and dog parks.
With a great puff of arctic air, Mother Nature turned the tables on Canyon Lakers last January with a light flurry of snow. It was so cold sprinklers on Railroad Canyon Rd. turned into miniature snow machines, coating bushes in the median with a layer of the white stuff.
Some residents reported temperatures on their thermometers as low as 19 degrees and others reported frozen and burst water pipes. The cold snap broke records across the state.
Operations crews scrambled to repair frozen heat pumps on the roofs of the Lodge and Country Club and, at the Equestrian Center, Manager Luis Martinez purchased 55-gallon barrels to provide water to the horses after a break at the water main. Water mains at Sierra, Harrelson, Diamond Point and Roadrunner Parks had to be shut down, and Blue Bird Hall was closed altogether with events relocated. Crews were also working on problems at Lucky Cove, the Senior Center, the Campground and the North Ski Area.
After serving as Canyon Lake City Manager for two years, Bernie Strojny stepped down from his position, saying, it was time “to retire for real.”
The POA printed a survey in The Friday Flyer to garner opinions on the Lighthouse Restaurant, a Main Gate facelift and possible projects such as the Lodge bar expansion, Tennis Court Clubhouse and an East Port Recreation Center, among others.
February
Spurred by calls from Canyon Lake parents increasingly concerned about the number of reckless and speeding drivers regularly seen in the vicinity of school bus stops within the lake, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department assigned motor officers to follow the school buses and ticket any violators.
The Inland Empire Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge honored Ellen Kellett and Howard and Margene Ziff at its annual awards luncheon February 17.
Several nights of temperatures in the 20s left Canyon Lake’s normally lovely landscapes looking more like “paradise lost.”
The Canyon Lake Community Theatre and Performing Arts Association presenedt “Back to the 70s,” a Valentine’s celebration at the Lodge. The fundraising event included dinner and retro entertainment by Rosalie Perrotte and Ron Myre, among others. Proceeds benefited the CLCT College Scholarship Fund.
The City Council approved the hiring of Lori Moss as the city’s new City Manager. Lori stepped down from a similar position in Murrieta the month before.
The 17th annual Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce recognition banquet and installation was held February 23. Jayne and Peter Stanyon were singled out as Canyon Lake’s Citizens of the Year for the couples’ efforts on behalf of supporting organ and tissue donation awareness with the Heart to Heart Foundation. The Canyon Lake Cotillion was judged to be the community’s top service organization and Nick Tousseau of Temescal Canyon High School and Carlee Blakemore of Elsinore High School were named local “Youth of the Year.”
Lisa Tousseau was chosen ‘Volunteer of the Year” and two commercial enterprises Costco and Lakeside Lending were honored as “Businesses of the Year” for contributing to the Chamber’s programs and hosted events. The 2007 event also acknowledged the special contributions of Chamber Executive Director Lee Clark and the Property Owners Association’s Director of Food and Beverage Loretta Dudziak.
Canyon Lake resident and local pioneer Elinor Martin gave the community a treasure trove of photographs and information about this area for newcomers and old-timers alike in a new book called “Images of America: Canyon Lake.”
A capacity crowd attended February’s Community Forum meeting to interact with Directors regarding complaints, concerns and comments about issues facing the Canyon Lake POA. Perhaps because of the survey placed in The Friday Flyer, property owners were questioning the budget and how best to cut costs so that an increase in assessments would not be needed. Some at the meeting wanted to close the Lighthouse Restaurant and the Country Club to all but catered events. Pressed to reveal the steps the Board is taking to cut costs, Operations Manager Paul Johnson told those at the meeting that the Association would save approximately $500,000 over a five-year period by having eliminated 11 positions in his department and contracting with ValleyCrest, a firm that has taken over the majority of the landscaping duties here.
Canyon Lakers were treated to a brief preview of spring, with daytime temperatures one February day hitting a high of 80 degrees. However, Mother Nature was not quite through with winter and doused the community with a quick-moving storm and wind speeds of 40 mph.
The results of the POA’s survey were calculated and a total of 293 questionnaires were returned, representing slightly more than six percent of the 4,800 lots here.
A total 70.65 percent of respondents said the Association should keep the Lighthouse Restaurant open for food service, 50.17 percent favored using outside sources to operate the Lighthouse Restaurant and 62.46 percent favored using the Country Club to provide food service for banquets, clubs, etc.
By almost a two to one vote, Canyon Lakers supported the subsidy of $38 per year for the operation of the Lighthouse Restaurant.
As for a facelift for the Main Gate entrance, 47.78 percent voted in favor and 49.83 said no.
Property owners were not in favor of an individual fee increase to pay for individually identified projects – 62.8 percent said no and 23.21 percent said yes.
March
The Fine Arts Guild and Canyon Lake’s Coldwell Banker Associated Broker’s Realty presented legendary tenor Glenn Yarbrough at the Guild’s Spring Concert 2007. The singer’s career spanned a lifetime of performing and Canyon Lakers discovered his unique voice had lost nothing.
An identity theft prevention workshop hosted by Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) was well-attended by the community’s seniors, who packed the Canyon Lake Senior Center to capacity to learn ways in which to safeguard themselves against this ever-evolving and quickly growing crime.
Completion of the Continental Lift Station project was slated for December, 2007, according to Ben Wicke. The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District project began in early 2005 and was originally expected to take 15 months; however a plethora of delays plagued construction, pushing the completion date back a number of times.
After having been closed for the winter months, the Canyon Lake Pool reopened March 17.
Five Canyon Lake residents filed papers to run for the three positions available on the POA Board of Directors. Besides incumbents Jordan Ehrenkranz and Kreg McCoy, three others – Dave Johnston, Monty Jordan and Sue Moore –threw their hats in the ring.
Canyon Lakers were glad to learn that no rise in assessments would be needed. The annual dues were to remain at $2,160 for those paying the sum in full, while those making payments were assessed $185 per month.
On March 11, at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City, Canyon Lake property owner and former UPI photographer Ernie Schwork was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles. And John Nelson, a Canyon Lake resident and member of the Murrieta Police Department, was excited about embarking on a bicycle trip across country. John and six fellow MPD officers were training to ride from the Pacific to the Atlantic on a quest to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Canyon Lake boaters who trailer their boats to other freshwater lakes in the Inland Empire or frequent Colorado River lakes such as Lake Mead were warned that they might unknowingly be returning to the community’s private lake with an insidious and destructive pest – the quagga mussel, an invasive, non-indigenous species of mollusk that has caused billions of dollars of damage.
Canyon Lakers Tawny Vallin, Sarah Potter-Smith and former Canyon Laker Rachelle Howard were congratulated for their accomplishments with Pacific Coast Cheer All-Stars Fusion. The girls and their squad won three National Championship titles back to back.
At the age of 15, Connor DiMond became an international name in the world of racing. At the end of March he raced in Salbris, France, after being the first American ever invited to compete in the Rotax Mojo Max Euro Challenge, thanks to the interest of former British European Champion Gary Chapman.
April
More than 400 members of Canyon Lake’s younger set descended on Holiday Harbor April 7 as the Junior Women’s Club (JWC) held its annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Men’s Golf Club assisted by hiding golf ball “eggs” for the hunt. Each child who participated received a prize, and the child who found the golden egg received a $20 gift certificate to Toys R Us.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the appointment of Canyon Laker David Long as Secretary of Education. The Office of the Secretary of Education is the primary education advisor to the Governor and is committed to creating, promoting and supporting the Governor’s policies that ensure access to quality education for all Californians.
Figures were released from the Riverside County Center for Demographic Research, based on the 2000 Census, showed Canyon Lake’s estimated population remained steady at an average of 9,925 residents during the years of 1995-2000, with figures rising approximately 300 per year for a 2006 total estimated population of 10,939.
Canyon Lake’s median age was 40.8 years old, with 18 percent of the population in the 35 to 44 age group, followed by the 45 to 54 age group at 14.4 percent, while those aged 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 tied for third, making up roughly 10 percent each. The lowest populated age groups are 20 to 24 year olds at three percent, with those aged 85 and over making up only eight-tenths of the city’s population.
The community’s racial and ethnic breakdown showed 87.2 percent of the population was white, with Hispanics comprising 8.5 percent and African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders and all other races making up the remaining 4.3 percent of the population.
Of the 6,000 registered voters in Canyon Lake, the overwhelming majority are Republicans at 3,763 followed by Democrats with 1,195.
Residents in at least two coves off the Main Lake noticed dead fish floating on the water, but while the sight was disconcerting, a decrease in oxygen at lower depths of the lake was the perceived cause, and the natural occurrence was no reason for alarm.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department brought its dive team to Canyon Lake last April for a training exercise that utilized a state-of-the-art sonar system designed to drastically reduce the time divers spend locating submerged objects, including bodies. The exercise focused on locating a dumpster just offshore from Happy Camp that had inadvertently caught fire when embers ignited; the dumpster had been pushed into the water to keep the fire from spreading.
May
Canyon Lake families and their friends began the month by attending the Jr. Women’s Club’s first Chili Cook-off celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Approximately 20 chili cooks answered the call to cook and provide tastes of their special recipes for the spicy dish.
The Canyon Lake Community Theater presented “Songs for a New World,” featuring local residents Heather Brunoehler, Tara Miller and Lisa Tousseau.
It was announced that Thomas Pierick was awarded the highest honor given by Lions Club International Foundation – the Melvin Jones Fellow award – named for Lions International founder, Melvin Jones. The award embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism. The recipient of this award becomes a model because of the exemplary service to his club and community in which he serves.
Golf Pro Dave Lindeman announced that POA residents could call in to reserve a spot in the Saturday morning shotgun start. In the past, to play in the “Early Birds” Saturday morning shotgun, residents had to arrive at the Pro Shop Saturday morning to sign up on a first-come, first-served basis to play.
Because of an expired permit with the County of Riverside, the Canyon Lake POA had been unable to have material removed by the dredging operation trucked out of the East Port staging area. This resulted in limited boat trailer parking for those utilizing the East Port launch ramp.
“Proud to be an American” was the theme of the annual Fiesta Day. The traditional event took place at the Lodge, where almost 100 booths offered food, crafts and a wide variety of products.
A continental breakfast was held for the community’s veterans, and entertainment was provided throughout the day. In addition, a special Kids Zone was set up for the enjoyment of younger Canyon Lakers and their friends.
The Canyon Lake Police Department released its 2006 Annual Report the City Council meeting. The annual report provided information on the city’s crime statistics. The Canyon Lake Police Department saw an overall decrease in crimes against persons (homicide, rape, robbery and felony assault) of 25 percent from the previous year. Although robbery reports did increase in 2006, rape reports posted a 67 percent decrease while felony assaults went down by 20 percent. Property crimes (burglary, grand theft, auto theft and arson) experienced an overall increase of six percent from 2005 statistics, with incidents of grand theft and arson posting increases. Grand theft reports increased by 25 percent while reported auto thefts decreased seven percent; 10 of the 41 reported stolen vehicles were golf carts. Twenty-five autos and pick-ups were stolen from inside the community.
All categories of misdemeanor crimes displayed decreases across the board, with total offenses down eight percent from the prior year.
Three Directors were elected at the alternative Annual Meeting held May 24. Joining Travis Montgomery and Roger Windeler on the 2007-08 Board were Jordan Ehrenkranz, Kreg McCoy and David Johnston. All of the propositions on the ballot failed. They included a proposition to eliminate term limits, another to reduce quorum requirements to 33 percent and a third would have changed the required fence height to six-feet.
June
Plans to develop “Goat Hill” were announced by Sky Blue Investors, a company formed by Marty Gibson, Vince Martin and Dave Carlton. The Sky Blue Investment property includes 25 acres on Railroad Canyon Rd. that could be developed into a 17-acre retail shopping center that could include a major grocery market, large retail outlets, restaurants and specialty shops, according to the three men. There are an additional seven to 10 acres outside the retail center site where 16 custom golf course homes could be built. This area includes 16 POA memberships, and the home sites would be buffered by a hill so that the commercial center would not be viewed from the Golf Course.
Sudberry Properties Incorporated, the San Diego-based developer of the Canyon Hills Marketplace, confirmed that the anchor grocery store for the second phase of development would be Stater Bros. Canyon Lakers were told that the store was expected to open in the spring of 2008.
The Fine Arts Guild held a “Swing into Summer” concert and picnic at Holiday Harbor. Friends gathered to set special tables for dining at sunset and dancing under the stars to the popular harmony group Kulayd.
A Locks of Love event was held and deemed a success, according to Bailey Howe, 14, who hosted and organized the event with the help of California Styles owner Wendy Munio and her stylists, all of whom generously donated their time and services.
At Temescal Canyon High School, three of the 24 valedictorians were Canyon Lake residents: Kelcie Meineke, Catherine Pickett and Roman Sobolkin.
The much anticipated summer tradition, Taco Tuesday was once again in full swing. Canyon Lakers looked forward to getting together with family and friends for the popular weekly event, sitting on the beach or hanging out poolside at the Lodge.
After more than 25 years of editing Canyon Lake’s newspapers, Carolyn Knight announced her retirement and named her assistant, Sharon Rice, as the new editor of The Friday Flyer.
A Canyon Lake fisherman was forced to cut short his early morning trip when a fire broke out aboard his pontoon boat close to shore at the end of Buggywhip near a vacant lot. Marine Patrol, the fire department and Operations responded. In all, it took roughly 40 minutes to knock down the fire.
The Canyon Lake Ski Club extended an invitation to residents interested in learning to ski and skiers wanting to improve their existing skills.
Four adults were temporarily evacuated from two homes in the 22600 block of Pin Tail on June 30, while fire personnel from stations 5, 60 and 94 worked to clear a leaking propane tank. The 250-gallon tank’s relief valve had been sheared off, causing the leak. No property damage was sustained and there were no reports of injury.
July
During the month of July, the heat was on, lake levels were down and water and electric bills were up. Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District was asking everyone to conserve water and in the meantime, the utility was continuing to remove water from the lake at the rate of five million gallons per day, leaving docks at precarious angles and boatlifts in danger of being inoperable.
Driving and parking on Canyon Lake Dr. North became a little trickier last July as the POA contracted International Pavement Solutions of San Bernardino for Phase One of the planned Road Project. Phase One included several blocks of roadway between Cross Hill Dr. and Santa Maria Dr. with the reconstruction of damaged curb, gutters and cross-gutters.
At the July Board meeting, Tom Nathan reminded the Board of his and the POA’s earlier efforts to establish a dedicated dog park and requested Board members read the e-mails from residents. He didn’t indicate a specific location for such a park – he only asked members to concede it was an idea worth bringing back as a Board Action Item – then turn over to the Parks and Beaches Committee to determine the best location. Tom also mentioned the idea of a Dog Park Club to help implement oversight of a dedicated dog park.
Because of their work on behalf of One Legacy, a national transplant donor network, Peter and Jayne Stanyon were invited to attend the 10th National Donor Recognition Ceremony in Washington D.C., hosted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). At this special event, J.T. Rhodes, president of the board of directors of the Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc., presented the “Gift of Life Donor Medal.”
Canyon Lake residents “followed the yellow brick road” to the Lodge where Dorothy, Toto and friends, as part of the Canyon Lake Community Theatre and Performing Arts Association, presented an all-children’s musical production of “Oz.”
Members of The Canyon Lake Little League 12-year-old All Stars were elated when they became the first Canyon Lake Little League team to bring home a Division 28 All Star Championship.
Canyon Lake kids were being kept busy with a number of activities. The POA sponsored another of its popular Horse Camps for kids during July at the community’s Equestrian Center. The Pool and Sunset Beach were the site of junior lifeguard classes, while others enjoyed water polo. In addition, ongoing registration was being held at the Pool office for several sessions of swimming lessons. More than 500 kids participated during the six weeks of swimming lessons, four weeks of water polo clinics and three Saturdays of the junior lifeguard program.
It was announced that shortly after Labor Day weekend, untreated water purchased by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District would start flowing down the San Jacinto River into Canyon Lake. The EVMWD, which owns the water in the reservoir, had reviewed its options to determine the most cost effective way to meet its water level obligations for Canyon Lake while still having water for the district. As a consequence, it determined to purchase 2,500 acre-feet of water from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which raised the lake level approximately three and a half feet.
The Canyon Lake City Council unanimously approved a new fee schedule for city services, including charges related to building, planning and engineering services, permits, valuations and inspections; business license applications and renewals; City Multi-purpose Room rentals and vehicle towing and impound recovery.
The Board of Directors publicly recognized Food and Beverage Director Loretta Dudziak. “For the third month in a row the Lighthouse has beat its budget,” said Director Roger Windeler.
August
Despite favorable reports to the Board of Directors in prior months regarding the dredging project, the big yellow dredge was placed in “dry dock.” While previously dredging the East Bay between 17 and 20 days per month – and removing 200 to 250 cubic yards of sediment each of those days – the operation came to a halt. According to a disclosure statement from the Board of Directors, the Southern California Labor/Management Operating Engineers Contract Compliance Committee of the California Department of Industrial Relations filed a lawsuit against the Association requesting that the POA pay the state’s prevailing wage for public works to the employees trained to operate the dredge, an issue first brought to the attention of the POA in July 2005. At issue was whether the project should be considered a “public work.”
The Canyon Lake Police Department was in discussions with the Riverside District Attorney’s office in regard to children riding in golf carts on the lap of other passengers. CLPD officers who witnessed this activity and felt that the safety of the child was being compromised could stop the golf cart and write a report for the DA’s office for consideration of filing child endangerment charges; Child Protective Services also would be contacted for follow-up.
The Canyon Lake Bassmasters hosted the 21st Annual Kids Fishing Derby at Holiday Harbor, for Canyon Lake residents and their guests ages 5 to 15.
Summer was winding down and school preparation was in full gear for many Canyon Lake families as public schools officially started on August 20.
Skiers from 13 western states competed in 110-plus degree temperatures during the 2007 Western Regional Championships held on Imperial Lakes near El Centro. Canyon Lake Ski Club came away with 38 awards for placing in the top five places.
Real estate signs and dry, weed-infested yards told their own story – that Canyon Lake was not immune to the downturn in the real estate market affecting Riverside County and the rest of the country. According to POA Controller Ron Phipps, the Association was seeing an increase in foreclosures, which in turn meant a larger than expected bad debt.
The City Council was asked to authorize advance funds for preliminary engineering and environmental work for the widening of Railroad Canyon Rd. City Manager Lori Moss explained that the environmental work, specifically the noise and traffic elements, required a great deal of time for preparation and processing.
The Operations Department was receiving calls from Members curious about where to launch their boats with the lake level so low. Only two sections on the Main Launch Ramp were designed to allow boat launching at lower lake levels.
Operations closed the rest of the launching areas until the lake level rose.
Golf Pro Dave Lindeman reported that 240 kids received trophies, ate tacos and listened for their names to be called in the prize drawing during the annual Jr. Golf Clinic. Kids participated in lessons Monday through Thursday, learning the basics of putting, chipping, iron play and driving the golf ball. A tourney was held the last day.
September
Canyon Lakers planning typical Labor Day weekend festivities were foiled by Mother Nature, who pulled out just about every weather trick in the book, from high winds to thunderstorms and even an earthquake thrown in for good measure. Temperatures reached 110 degrees the day before a cloudburst accompanied by high winds and earsplitting cracks of thunder occurred. Operations crews were called out to Harrelson Park when a 40-foot eucalyptus tree fell during the storm. Air heavy with monsoonal moisture remained throughout the weekend and a second storm hit Saturday. More than 6,500 residents were without power. As if the wild weather wasn’t enough, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook Canyon, centered in the Santa Ana Mountains, eight miles west-northwest of Lake Elsinore and 1.6 miles from Santiago Peak. The jarring lasted 14 seconds, followed by a number of aftershocks registering as high as 2.5 throughout the day.
Canyon Lakers were told by the EVMWD that work on the Continental Lift Station was entering the final phases in anticipation of the January 1, 2008 completion date.
The Canyon Lake Ski Club had 18 skiers qualify to ski in the National Water Ski Championships held at Ski West Village in Arvin, California, near Bakersfield. This USA Water Ski National Tournament is known as the world’s largest and most prestigious tournament and is sponsored by Goode Ski Technologies. The residents brought home 19 medals.
At a few homes in Canyon Lake, pristine lawns and blooming flowers gave way to brown straw and shriveled petals as a “Little Bit of Paradise” turned into a financial nightmare for some homeowners. Apparently caught in the web of lenient lending, adjustable loans and stagnant home prices spoken of in news stories across the country, there were some here who cut their losses and abandoned their dream homes. The hard times suffered by homeowners also was having a ripple effect in Canyon Lake. Cash flow for the POA was being affected, according to Controller Ron Phipps, who said that, “Due to the number of Canyon Lake foreclosures, the POA has had a larger than expected bad debt, and accounts receivables have increased substantially.”
The president of the Ski Club, reminded those in attendance of the 10-page spread about Canyon Lake in the May 2007 issue of Water-ski Magazine titled, “Water-Ski Town USA.” The Ski Club placed the entire article in a three-frame collage and presented it to the Property Owners Association at the September meeting.
The owners of a great many RVs, boats and trailers along Canyon Lake’s 36 miles of roadways were told they could feel the impact of a new rule being considered by the POA Board of Directors. That rule would allow “no storage of any vehicle, boat, trailer, equipment. . . anywhere in the first six feet of the community setback area back of the curb of the street. This rule prohibits storage in the six-foot wide strip of any yard or driveway adjacent to the curb.”
October
Residents were invited to join the Canyon Lake Campground Club for the Harvest Festival Camp Out at Happy Camp. Families were encouraged to camp out for the weekend and enjoy a late afternoon day full of fall festivities, including arts and crafts, a pumpkin carving contest, food and even a Halloween movie under the stars.
More than 700 Canyon Lakers turned out for the second annual Heart to Heart Foundation “A Taste of Paradise,” held September 22 at the Lodge, raising $57,000 for the foundation as well as awareness for organ donation.
A large group of property owners gathered at the October Community Forum meeting to protest the proposed rule that would prohibit storing RVs, boats trailers and other “toys” in the six-foot community setback. In addition, a capacity crowd filled the POA Board Room at the Regular POA Board meeting, with an overflow of approximately 50 Members watching the proceedings on TV in the City Multi-purpose Room. Many attending the meeting had signed petitions provided at tables outside the front door of the building – about 125 by the time the meeting was over, according to activist Bob Givens, who is once again heading a group calling itself the Property Rights Committee.
An intense Executive Session held after the televised October POA Board meeting resulted in the resignation the following day of two Directors. Both President Travis Montgomery and Treasurer Roger Windeler delivered resignation letters to General Manager Clint Warrell.
In an effort to revitalize Canyon Lake’s commercial areas and stimulate tax revenue, the Canyon Lake City Council authorized the creation of a redevelopment project area. The action consisted of approving two specific resolutions – Resolution 07-29, “adopting a redevelopment survey area for study purposes” and Resolution 07-30, “designating the boundaries of the proposed Canyon Lake Redevelopment Project area and approving and adopting a preliminary plan formulated for the redevelopment of said area.”
Many Canyon Lakers accepted the invitation to take their classic cars “Out of the Garage and Down to the Lodge” as the POA sponsored its second annual car show. The event attracted a crowd of spectators as well, and a total of 206 cars were on display at the event, which raised $2,400 to benefit the Progeria Research Foundation.
Eastern Municipal Water District recently began an improvement project along Railroad Canyon Rd. between Skylink Dr. and Fire Station No. 94 aimed at updating the agency’s reclaimed water and brine lines located beneath the roadway.
Adults and kids alike in Canyon Lake had plenty to scream about the last weekend of October, with two Halloween-themed events – the Parade of Frights and the Halloween Carnival -– planned for Saturday morning and afternoon and an Oktoberfest celebration that evening.
Sunday, October 21, will go down as a day when strong and dangerous winds covered Canyon Lake with dust and dirt. Canyon Lakers had to secure their homes and property, such as awnings and docks, and help their neighbors do the same on a windy weekend. Nonetheless, after all of that, 75 volunteers still came out to Holiday Harbor Park to form the newly enlarged Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Canyon Lakers watched news coverage of the wildfires blackening much of the state from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension.
November
The Canyon Lake Community Theater and Performing Arts Association brought “Gypsy” to theater audiences throughout the Inland Empire at the Temescal Canyon High School Theater.
Veterans within Canyon Lake and the surrounding areas were asked to participate in the 2nd annual Veterans Day Luncheon, hosted by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Inland Empire Chapter.
Almost 300 residents filled chairs and stood at the back of the room at November’s Community Forum meeting. Most were there to protest the proposed six-foot setback rule the Board of Directors has been scheduled to vote on at the November 20 Board meeting. Applause broke out when President Jordan Ehrenkranz announced the Board members had been listening and had made a decision to form an investigative committee to investigate the issue and place the issue on the ballot next spring.
In an effort to revitalize Canyon Lake’s commercial areas and stimulate tax revenue, the Canyon Lake City Council authorized the creation of a redevelopment project area.
Canyon Lake chili aficionados turned out in droves for the Jr. Women’s Club Chili Cook-off, held at Holiday Harbor. Twenty chili cooks, some making a return appearance and others competing for the first time, vied for the best-tasting chili.
The Canyon Lake City Council voted unanimously to adopt two new City ordinances at its November meeting.
Ordinance No. 101 pertained to the regulation of noise in the community from parties, loud music and stereos. Ordinance No. 102 created “child safety zones” where children congregate and where sex offenders may reside. The ordinance was initially drafted using Jessica’s Law as the model and added a violation and penalties section and includes the Penal Code section that describes a sex offender’s place of residence.
The POA Board of Directors appointed two new Directors to take the place of Travis Montgomery and Roger Windeler, who resigned their positions in October. Unanimously appointed to fill the terms left vacant were Guy Kestell and Jack Wamsley.
Developers for the Audie Murphy Ranch project revised a plan that would have originally closed a portion of Goetz Rd. for more than a year, opting instead to wait for a full opening of all lanes on realigned Newport Rd. in the spring prior to beginning any work on Goetz Rd.
December
Canyon Lake got an early Christmas present when Mother Nature saw fit to shower the area with late fall rainfall measuring 2.13 inches, raising the lake level by more than four feet.
The annual reorganization of the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem was the first item of business on the City Council agenda at its last meeting of the year. The Council appointed Carl Armbrust to the seat of Mayor and named Frank Kessler Mayor Pro-Tem. Council presented outgoing Mayor Craton with a leather jacket commemorating her time as Mayor.
What would Christmas in Canyon Lake be without the annual Parade of Lights? Luckily, residents didn’t have to answer that question, as the event went on as planned amid concerns that recent rains had raised the lake’s water level too high for boats to make it through the Main Causeway tunnel.
Other December activities included the “Adopt a Tree” program, the annual Santa Run, the Tree Lighting ceremonies of both the POA/Jr. Women’s Club and the Chamber, the home decorating contest and Breakfast with Santa.
Residents were heartened to see the first phase of the City’s cleanup along the parkways and center median, which began this week.
The year ended with plans for New Year’s Eve party at the Lodge and with anticipation of big celebrations for Canyon Lake’s 40th anniversary in 2008.
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