Temecula Olive Oil Company

We started the day in Old Town. Walking through the quaint city it brought the feeling of being in the old west, with the wooden walkways creaking as we moved along. We ventured into Temecula Olive Oil Company. Surprisingly, that was where our tasting would begin. We mozied on over to the “bar” where we were served a variety of family made olive oils and balsamics. My favorite had to be the Citrus Reserve, who would have thought blood oranges tasted so good combined with olive oil?

As we walked around historic Old Town, The Old Town Sweet Shop and Old Town Rootbeer Company were definitely first on our list. These are a must for anyone visiting the city.

Once we finished in Old Town we made our way to our final destination – Ponte Family Estate and Winery. As we pulled in the driveway of the barn style Tasting Room, we immediately knew we were in the country, wine country!

Our tour of the winery and grounds started, naturally, with a glass of their Moscato in hand. Our friendly guide Ty showed us all that the winery had to offer. The tour felt more like we were catching up with an old friend. We momentarily forgot it was a business. We explored the wine making process and even tasted a Port wine straight from the oak barrels in their Mission style Barrel Room.

Ponte Vineyards are among the oldest and largest in the Temecula Wine Country. Claudio Ponte has owned the 310-acre vineyards since 1984. The vineyards include single named grape varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ll be honest I am more of a white wine and sweet wine drinker. Once in the tasting room, Ty introduced as to their most popular hand crafted wine called Beverino. It’s a sweet boysenberry and black raspberry infused red wine that I am officially hooked on, you have try it!

Shhh ….. we had a sneak peak at what the accommodations will look like when their two-story, sixty-room boutique hotel, Ponte Vineyard Inn, is completed in April of 2012. These modern yet homey feeling rooms will be the perfect relaxation place after a fun filled day enjoying the winery. The hotel will be complete with a garden which leads to a pond.

We ended our day at the all-outdoor restaurant featuring casual Californian cuisine with an Italian influence. The Restaurant at Ponte where Chef

Roasted half chicken with pan jus along with fried basmati rice and Temecula summer vegetables

Vincent Logan has created an amazing menu was delizioso. I am a huge bread person and their rosemary bread with scallion olive oil was out of this world. I experienced the roasted half chicken with pan jus along with fried basmati rice and Temecula summer vegetables. My friend, Dianna , enjoyed a grilled pork tenderloin with a port cherry ginger sauce complete with truffle mashed potatoes and summer vegetables. These dishes gave savory a whole new meaning. It is no wonder they are an award winning venue.

Beginning in August when you take a tour you may also be able to taste the grapes right off the vines. On October 2, the 9th Annual Grape Stomp is on tap. You can enjoy tractor rides through the vineyard and can also enter their Grape Stomp Competition with a chance to win a case of Ponte wine, and much more.

For more information about Ponte Family Estate and Winery contact (951) 694-8855 or visit www.pontewinery.com

The Eagles’ only score came on a 96-yard kickoff return by Bryan Aguilar in the first quarter. Leading the Rams was running back Joshua Simagunsong carried the ball 20 times and rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown. As well as Carlos Mota who added 69 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Serious injures did hit the field, however, in the fourth quarter where Rams’ Austin Esparza was treated and transported by paramedics from the field after what looked like a possible broken ankle and tibia.

During halftime at Friday’s football game vs. Temple City, South El Monte honored Temple Station Sheriff’s Department. The high school chose the game against Temple City, where the station is located, to honor all the deputies including Captain Joseph Fennell on behalf of the Department for their commitment to the city. Also in attendance was South El Monte’s Sergeant Gus Stilgenbauer as well as South El Monte’s School Resource Officer, Deputy Louis Serrano. The tradition started last year and is now complete with the “TEM5” (Temple Station # 5) logo on the field as well on the back of their helmets. Principal Eddie Zuniga, explained to the crowd why Head Coach Ray Hernandez and the Eagles wanted to honor Temple Station. To represent, symbolize, and thank the Brave men and women of the department who proudly protect and serve the community.

Captain Fennell receiving a signed football from all the Eagles players as a thank you for their partnership with the community.

Kelsey Sih, Tyler Yung, Kasey Sickles, Dana Tran, Christine Nowak, and Carrington Taylor getting ready to head to down under

Kelsey Sih, Carrington Taylor, Dana Tran and Tyler Yung, were all smiles as they were surrounded by family and friends for the farewell dinner. They will leave Thursday evening for the land down under.  While getting ready for their trip the students  performed a California themed skit for those in attendance in preparation for their debut in Australia.   Two of the students will be celebrating  birthdays abroad.

When asked what they are most looking forward to,  Tyler  immediately replied,  “I can’t wait to say I swam in the Australian waters in the middle of winter.”  While Dana mentioned, “I want to see the wild kangaroos.”  The students will tour sites in the Hawkesbury as they stay in the homes of six Australian students who, in turn,  will visit Temple City this spring.

They will also attend high school with their host sibling , as well as visit some of the local elementary schools. There will be a tour of the capitol of Canberra and Sydney, including the famous Opera House, the Harbor Bridge, and Centerpoint Tower. The students will also venture to Bondi and Manley Beaches.

Stay tuned for personal accounts of their adventures in the upcoming weeks.  We will be featuring them weekly in Upcoming issues of the Temple City Tribune and online..

The newly updated lists can be accessed by clicking here.

The program’s enrollment fee is $75 per person ($65 for STARS Club members) for children in 8th grade and under.  The fee for youth in 9-12th grade is $50.  Deadline to register is January 8, 2010, space permitting.

Back court press, 3 point shots, free throw lines and other rules are changed to address the developing skills of the Mini, Clinic and “C” division players. Depending upon enrollment, boys and girls will play separately in the 5th – 6th grade only. A player meeting and first practice will be held at Cloverly, Cleminson, Emperor, La Rosa, Longden and Live Oak Park on Monday, December 7 at 3:30 pm to determine days and times for practice.

Team meeting and first practice for 7th and 8th grades will be held at the Oak Avenue Gym on Monday, December 7 at 6 pm. High School Division will begin February 15, 2010. Games will be held on Saturdays at Oak Ave. Gym and TCHS Gym beginning January 9, 2010. Evening games will also be held at Oak Ave. Gym, Tuesday through Friday.

Mini Division  4 -5 year olds (must be in Kindergarten or below)
Clinic Division -  Grades 1 & 2
“C” Division -  Grades 3 & 4
“B” Division Girls -  Grades 5 & 6
“B” Division Boys – Grade 6
“A” Division  – Grades 7 & 8
“AA” Division -  Grades 9 through 12

For additional information, including player meetings and start dates,  contact Mike Koski at the Live Oak Park Community Center at (626) 579-0461.

Enter your own residence or nominate a festively decorated home by calling the Department of Parks & Recreation at 285-2171 ext. 2328.
Donations received to date include gift cards for AMC Entertainment, Bath & Body, Chili’s, Macy’s, Starbucks, Fanny’s Flowers, Cabrera’s, Casa Del Rey, Mama Petrillos and The Hat. The City of Temple City would like to thank the following businesses that have submitted donations for this fun-filled event:

Athens Disposal, Cabrera’s Restaurant, Cal’s Jewelers, Casa Del Rey, Fanny’s Flowers, The Hat, Modern Lighting and Mama Petrillos
Entry forms are available by calling (626) 285-2171 ext. 2328 or at City Hall and the Live Oak Park Community Center or online at www.templecity.us.

EXTENDED ENTRY DEADLINE:    WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

JUDGING OF ALL ENTRIES: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15

Uprooted tree in the 5400 block of Persimmon Avenue.

Gusts of over 10 mph wind caused not only power outages in the city of Temple City but also knocked down a tree in the 5400 block of Persimmon Avenue Tuesday night. Power outages ranged from Temple City Boulevard across to Golden West Avenue and Garibaldi Avenue down to Live Oak Avenue.   At approximately 6:45 pm is when the tree was uprooted in the southeast end of the city.  The tree engulfed an older van and damaged the windshield.  A motor home was parked across the street but only incurred minor scratches.  The public works team worked diligently till 12:30 am clearing the road of most of the branches.  “We are going to need the County’s help to remove the remains,” commented new Public Services Manager Bill Tidwell.

The remaining stump to be removed.

Photo Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

Tragically, the 42-year-old Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, who was reported missing after he went for a run in the Cleveland National Forest just outside of Corona, was found dead today.

Deputy Zoltan Tombol’s body was found at at the base of a cliff near a fire road at about 2:20 p.m. in Riverside County.  How Tombol died has not been released, an autopsy is scheduled to be conducted Wednesday.

Tombol was reported missing at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening by his wife after he missed a routine appointment to pick up his son from a relative’s house, according to authorities.

Tombol’s gray Ford F-150 pickup truck was then found Monday by Corona police at the end of a fire access road south of Green River Road and Highway 91. A multi-agency search team of more than 100 from Los Angeles County and Riverside County sheriff’s departments in collaboration with the Volunteers with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit as well as Corona and Brea police searched to locate him. The team included some on horseback, some with dogs, ATVs and two helicopters. They canvased a three-mile area in the forest, where he frequently went to go running and hiking.

Tombol was a 19 year veteran of the department and well respected by his colleagues. He was the first on the scene in April 29, 2002 when his fellow colleague, Deputy David March was shot to death during a traffic stop on Live Oak Avenue in Irwindale.  Tombol at the time worked the gang unit at Temple station. He currently worked out of the training bureau in Whittier. He was also a former member of the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division.

Tombol leaves behind a wife and 14 year old son.

Running Ruckle Hits Season Highs as Rams Rout Lancers

Lots of spirit and plenty of pompoms were on display as the Temple City High School Pep Squad conducted its annual fundraising Pep Clinic for the grades K -8. The clinic consisted of a full week of after-school practices at the high school where girls were grouped by age.

In preparation for the home game against La Salle on Friday, they were taught different cheers and routines and given spirit spreading gear like t-shirts and pompoms to aid them in pumping up the crowd, and before the game the girls were invited to a dinner with their Pep Squad buddies. As the game began, they were brought on to the sidelines where they performed and cheered for the varsity Rams until halftime.

The clinic was organized by the Pep Boosters and their Pep Advisor, Marta Bourjeili and Head Cheer Coach, Carol Chairez. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Temple City High School Pep Squad, helping to pay for their equipment and competitions in the coming year.

On the field, David Spratt started the game off for Temple City with a 79-yard touchdown reception within the first two minutes of the game.

“That was a heck of a long throw,” commented Barry Bacon, Temple City High’s baseball coach who was on the sidelines at this game and is a regular at most every TCHS sporting event.

La Salle and Temple City went back and forth exchanging leads. When there was just one second left in the first half, quarterback Justin Smith hit Andrew Anda with a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Rams at 21-20 lead going into the half.

But the second half would belong to Temple City.

In the third quarter the Rams, starting from their own 8 yard line, mounted an incredible drive of 13 plays that spanned 92 yards. The masterful drive culminated in a touchdown when Andrew Gibson broke into the end zone from the 1 yard line with 2:10 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Later, running back Max Ruckle scored the last of his three touchdowns on the night with an impressive 66-yard run that brought the score to 42-20.

Ruckle rushed for a total of 228 yards on 18 carries, an average of 12.7 yards per carry, a season high for the senior. Quarterback Justin Smith only completed 5 of his 14 passes on the evening, but those completions were still enough to garner 165 yards and three passing touchdowns as he connected to the Andrew Anda – David Spratt – Branden Pultz receiving committee. Smith also rushed the ball nine times himself for a total of 75 yards.

Next week, the Rams will face Rio Hondo league opponent La Canada in a Thursday night game in La Canada. The pivotal matchup will give Temple City a chance to move their 2-2-1 season record back into the positive with a win against the 2-2 Spartans.

- Photo Slideshow by Terry Miller