old town

If you’ve ever been to a winery or restaurant that features great live bands, chances are you’ve had a experienced the music of Lifetime Rocker; four local guys who are constantly in demand and never wanting for a gig. Consisting of Geoff Ryle (vocals, keyboards), Kelly Cowan (vocals, guitar), Joe Schiavone (vocals, bass), and Ray Ortega (vocals, drums) the members of Lifetime Rocker truly live up to their name in talent and experience.

I have compiled a list of some of the best Happy Hours and drink and food specials around town and I am sharing it with you, dear readers, because nothing means more to me than your good time. On my list, I have locations that are fairly new to the area, a few old favorites, and even some cool haunts off the beaten path; places you may not even know about but could be right in your own backyard.

Put on your finest lace dress and oversized hat because the City of Temecula’s 25 Days of Fun is about to get fancy! On Saturday, November 22nd, the Temecula Valley Museum and the Old Town Spice and Tea Merchant present their Silver Anniversary Tea Party, celebrating the 2 ½ decades since the city’s incorporation.

Gabriele Bitter knows firsthand the emotional power of art. Though mainly a contemporary abstract artist, Bitter also finds herself pursuing the medium of traditional printmaking, depending on her mood. Temecula residents have a chance to view and even purchase selections of both mediums at an exhibition all this month at the Gallery at the Merc in Old Town.

It’s been 25 years since Temecula became an incorporated city and the Community Services Department is pulling out all the stops, with 25 Days of Fun. Beginning November 11th, activities will be held all over town highlighting the people and organizations that make Temecula such a unique and beloved community.

On the last Tuesday of every month, popular Old Town haunt, Crush & Brew, hosts a Craft Songwriter’s Showcase where local and regional songwriters and recording artists can come together and share their latest work, all while sampling some of the area’s best wines and microbrews.

Go Greek this weekend as the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church presents their annual Greek Festival in Old Town. Entertainment includes live Greek music from the bands 4 Greeks LA and Tatoolis and traditional folk dancers, including children, will be on hand to demonstrate their authentic and lively Greek choreography.

Just looking around the Temecula Valley and you can tell how rich in historical significance the area really is, but how well do you really know the heritage of our community? If you have questions about Temecula or would just like to hear the stories about how the city came to be, the Temecula Valley Museum has the perfect way to learn about the town’s history while getting a little exercise in the process, with their Walking Tour of Old Town.

For anyone who lived through the Vietnam War, the emotional effects can still be debilitating, even decades later. Those who have not had a chance to visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.

What choice did I have but to do a little research and actually answer some of the questions that have been not only weighing on my mind, but apparently on yours as well. It is still a work in progress; I’m still waiting to hear from a few city workers on the city streets questions, for example, but I figured I would get you started with what I have discovered thus far.