This Western theme quilt held by Pam Grender (Temecula Valley Museum Board President) and Yami Hess (Temecula Valley Women’s Club Museum Committee Chairwoman) was designed and sewn by Patricia Fast.  The donated quilt will be displayed at the flea market to be held on Saturday June 12^th from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM in Sam Hicks Monument Park in Old Town Temecula.  Tickets for the quilt will be available during the event hosted by the Temecula Valley Museum Board and members of the Temecula Valley Women’s Club.  Reservations, for crafters or those wishing to promote an organization, are currently available at the museum for $25.00 for each 10’ X 10’ space.  All reservation fees and ticket proceeds will benefit the Temecula Valley Museum.

The Temecula Valley Museum and Sam Hicks Monument Park is located at 28314 Mercedes Street in Old Town Temecula.  Operating Hours:  Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

For reservations please call (951) 694-6450 or visit the museum.

Being the mother of three teenagers puts me in nearly constant contact with teenagers of all kinds. One, a 17-year-old friend of my daughter’s named Niki, loves all things vintage. She recently told me that she was saving for a record player to take with her when she goes to college in the fall. “I know just where to take you to start your collection!” I told her. We set a date to go to Old Town Records in Old Town, Temecula.

Old Town Records is tucked away on Main Street. If you are not looking for it, you may miss the sassy pin-up girl logo that adorns the shop, but missing it would be a mistake.  Don Weddle, a true music lover owns the shop. Don’s interest in records and music goes back

 I was looking for a place to eat lunch with a friend.  Someone strongly recommended Sweet Lumpy’s Barbecue, at its new location on Third and Mercedes next to the new parking structure in Old Town Temecula.

I ate at Sweet Lumpy’s once, shortly after it opened, when it was at its original location on Front Street. Before we even walked in, my friend and I knew the recent move was a great idea for Sweet Lumpy’s. The courtyard had cheerful red and white umbrellas over picnic tables. Each picnic table had a whole role of paper towels, a harbinger of the saucy meal to come. Yellow hay bales led to the welcoming porch. The inside was even more charming. Greeting us, just inside the door, were giant cans filled with whole peanuts, and shells scattered on the floor. A white dresser to our right held bottles of condiments and sauces. The shiny red walls and cowboy regalia were pretty, not corny. This place was nice enough for a date, homey, but definitely not homely! My friend and I were all smiles, and we hadn’t even gotten to the food. Truly, the best was yet to come.
 
“Everything is made on the premises, including the barbecue sauce,” we were told as we were deciding what to order. A large window behind the counter gave an unobstructed view of the kitchen. Orders were placed on a large paper clip and sent through the window zip-line style. One glance at the menu told me I would not be able to resist the garlic chips. We decided to split a half-rack of ribs with coleslaw and fries. We sat outside in the courtyard, and discussed food preferences while we waited. We only had time to think of one food each that we disliked, (oysters for her, beets for me) before our garlic chips showed up. The garlic chips were like potato chips cooked like French fries. Some, but not all were crisp. Some were tender, and all were drenched in what tasted like butter and heaps of fresh minced garlic. When I asked what exactly was on them, I was told that no secrets would be disclosed to me. We were told to enjoy them, and so we did, without any further questions. We barely made a dent in the chips when our ribs came out. We split the meal in half started eating. I knew the meat would be good, but it was much better than I remembered. The ribs were meltingly tender with perfectly balanced barbecue sauce glazing them. We were served extra at the table, as well as some spicy barbecue sauce. The coleslaw was a pleasant surprise. I am often put off by coleslaw that is too sweet or too vinegary. This was rich, and just barely sweet. The fries were excellent, crispy on the outside, dry and fluffy on the inside. We soon found that the roll of paper towels was not just a winsome touch, but a real necessity. Even after we were full we could not stop eating the garlic chips, and in the name of journalism, I took the extra rib!

I love fancy food, and innovative cooking styles, but when you want good Southern American food, Sweet Lumpy’s is the place to go. The attractive atmosphere, family vibe, and excellent food make it a winner on all fronts.
Sweet Lumpy’s Barbecue (951)506-3747

This past month I went to Vegas for a family reunion. My beloved aunt and uncle offered to let my four kids and me stay at their house for the visit. Aunt Liz and Uncle Pat are far too special for an ordinary hostess gift like a candle or fancy soap. Taking my kids to the house I practically grew up in called for something special. I talked to my husband, Steve, who is a self proclaimed “idea guy”.