Earle Stanley Gardner, Jerry Yang, Balloon Flights and more ....

Did you know that Temecula has two sister cities? Yes, it maintains connections with Leidschendam-Voorburg in the Netherlands and Daisen, Tottori in Japan. Still to find out: what joint endeavors do these cities take part in? Did you know that Jerry Yang, the winner of the World Series of Poker in 2007, lives in Temecula? How about the fact that Earle Stanley Gardner wrote 100 of his Perry Mason novels from his ranch in Temecula? Yep.This from Wikipedia: "He died on March 11, 1970 in Temecula, California. ^[3]Gardner's ranch was known as Rancho del Paisano at the time. It was variously described as being 700 acres (2.8 km²), 1,000 acres (4.0 km²), or 3,000 acres (12 km²) and was sold after his death to a Newport Beach couple. In 2001, the ranch was resold to the Pechanga Band of Indians, renamed into Great Oak Ranch and eventually adjoined to the Pechanga reservation.In 2003, Temecula Valley Unified School District named a newly opened middle school after Gardner."

Earle Stanley Gardner (photo, circa 1966)

 A comic strip artist, Tim Barela, lives in Temecula as well.
There is much to attract people to Temecula: the Mediterranean climate, the beautiful view, the wineries, and in recent years, many fine restaurants and shops. Some years ago, the Temecula International Film Festival was initated and there are Bluegrass and Jazz Festivals as well. Just hop online and find these. For those of you who have not yet discovered the French Valley Airport, you can go up for a demo flying lesson for about $100; the flight instructor will actually let you take the wheel ( I did it, so I know). There is also early morning champagne hot air balloon flights. This is a phenomenal date activity: I did that also, on a date with an industrial psychologist. The memories of the view from the balloon and the panorama photos I took of the scenery below are still around. The psychologist? Well, he is ancient history. There is an abundance of lower hills for taking long hikes, even enjoying a picnic. Take the family or a date and savor Temecula.


Jerry Yang, 2007 Winner, World Series of Poker

JO on the GO: P.F. Changs Happy Hour

Well, I bought a Lottery Scratcher ticket yesterday, one of those Millions in Cash five dollar tickets. Turns out it was a most unusual ticket. Of the 16 numbers on the ticket, there were 11 winning numbers. The number 33 was on the card five times, with $6 each win; the number 12 was on the card twice, with $6 wins; the number 11 won twice at $6 each, and the number 30 also won multiple times, for $6 each. In addition, there was a 20x (twenty times) win at $2, for a total of $40. The total win on the card was $100. What to do with a hundred? Well, we took a drive to Temecula, of course, and cruised through the Promenade Mall environs looking for something that appealed to us. Aha ! There was P.F. Changs, with its huge corner windowed double sided bar. Coincidentally, it was the prime of the Happy Hour, with special prices. We ordered a beer for him and a Vodka Gimlet for me (my absolute favorite drink, it is such a delicious buzz), and vegetable dumplings and peppered calamari. Yum ! They serve the Happy Hour delights with hot mustard and several dipping sauces. The list of appetizers is plentiful and includes such delights as crispy green beans.   So we savored my mini fortune and for the first time in many many months, I felt filled with the joy of the complete abandonment of all cares or worries. Not because of the little bit of cash, of course, but because this was one of those rare occasions that I give myself a respite from my many endeavors.  It is clear to me now that taking a break once in a while is a good thing, and  P.F. Chang's is a great place to go to take a break. So ! P.F. Changs is now my preferred place to go for a Happy Hour treat. Thank heavens Temecula has it now.

After the Vodka made my arms feel like wet noodles (they were that relaxed), we drove to the B & N (Barnes and Noble), where I ordered a sobering latte and browsed the Sandra Brown books. (Being just barely over five feet tall, it takes little alcohol to affect me.)  We lingered at the bookstore for an hour or so, savoring previews of the latest novels and also arts and crafts books before heading back home to Gio, my little Italian Greyhound. Driving home, I imagined that this little spot of good luck was a sign that the universe is preparing me for a much much bigger stroke of good fortune. Okay, I am paying attention; my full attention is engaged and ready. Of course the better part of good fortune is already mine: I live in the Temecula environs with its perfect weather and beautiful topography and there is a P.F. Chang's in the Promenade.