Returning to work after vacation, I asked on Facebook what I’d missed.
Among your answers: “Mayhem and madness” (Brenda Dunkelman), “The Old Crow Medicine Show in Escondido. Great band!” (Michael Smith), “Kids on e-bikes are taking over the IE!” (Will Plunkett), “Justin Timberlake got a DUI” (Jesse Perez) and “The dude that escaped from Rancho detention center, they got him yesterday in Hollywood” (David Schieler).
“Can’t think of anything much you missed,” mused Natalie Stalwick, “but you would have found lots to write about if you had been here.”
Ain’t it the truth. The big news was the recall election for Joseph Komrosky, the Temecula Valley Unified board leader, who got the hook after serving 18 months.
It was close, 51% to 49%, but he’s gone. The outcome was considered so newsy that even the New York Times covered it.
Will he be back? Komrosky seemed defiant on June 11, his last board meeting: “I look forward to serving my community again in November.”
On June 20, in a statement, he was more circumspect: “I will likely run again in the November 2024 General Election. If not, it has been an honor to serve the Temecula community…”
You may remember that his day job is teaching philosophy at Mount San Antonio College. As his loss sank in, did he become philosophical? Either way, he’s eligible to run, elections officials have concluded.
The board was already down one member after Danny Gonzalez’s resignation last December. The three remaining board members met June 22 to accept the election results and add Komrosky’s seat to the November ballot.
Curious how that had gone, I went back Thursday and watched the meeting online. Even at a mere 15 minutes, it was a little testy, a little weird.
Jen Wiersma, now serving as board president, clarified for the audience — because she said “there has been some confusion” — that the board was not “certifying” the election results but merely “ratifying” them.
Not certifying the election, got it. I pictured audience members quietly stepping outside to dismantle their makeshift gallows.
Reading from a statement, Wiersma said: “Despite a tremendous amount of money and time, with heavy union support, Sacramento’s involvement, a press that didn’t always give you balance, even my colleagues choosing to participate in some of the recall activities, Dr. Komrosky did lose by a little over 200 votes.”
Before Wiersma had reached her sentence’s verb, colleagues Allison Barclay and Steven Schwartz were objecting, with Barclay implying that Wiersma had been involved as well. Anyway, the motion to hold an election for the seat was OK’d 3-0.
Having made her political statement, Wiersma went on to say that she’s “hopeful we will move forward together” at the July 23 meeting. Temecula will see how that goes.
RIP, Mike Downey
Mike Downey, who died of a heart attack in Rancho Mirage on June 12 at age 72, was a longtime columnist for the Los Angeles Times and other papers, including in Detroit and Chicago, before his retirement. I liked his sense of humor.
Once, while grousing about upcoming college bowl games, Downey referred in print to “that Outback Steakhouse Bowl, or that Outhouse Steakback Bowl, or whatever it is.”
That line has stuck with me a long time. Google tells me that column was published in December 1997. That means I’ve been snickering every time I pass an Outback Steakhouse for nearly 27 years. Few jokes have that kind of staying power.
Thanks, Mr. Downey.
Back on my feet
I was down with a cold for three days, then back to work last Monday, but not quite at full strength. That afternoon, I did a rare thing, which was to take a nap.
The next morning called for me to be up early and in Jurupa Valley by 7 a.m. — groan — for my scheduled hike to see the 13,000-year-old oak.
I didn’t know if I had it in me, but I walked 2.5 miles and, in the up and down terrain, climbed what my fitness app told me was the equivalent of 29 flights of stairs. Evidently I’ve made a full recovery. Although a nap would have been nice.
For the record, one bit of nomenclature was faulty in the print version of that column: On the trail I passed a brittlebush, not a bottle brush. If you prefer that I pass a bottle, just ask.
I enjoyed my visit to Jurupa Valley and will need to return to see more of it. Shadow Rock Park, where our transportation back to the trailhead awaited, merits its name. Its 20 acres lie at the base of a sheer cliff, known as Jensen Quarry. It’s picturesque.
The tot lot has climbing ropes, a slide, a miniature zip line and a child-sized climbing wall. Then there are two ball fields, a basketball court, two dog parks, a picnic area, walking trails and restrooms. Find the park at 6598 20th St.
Also, at 7 p.m. July 30, you can watch a free screening there of “Back to the Future.”
Later in the day I was in Riverside. Returning on foot to my car on an upper level of a parking garage, the 30th flight of stairs was achieved. It was satisfying to round things off.
brIEfly
While leaving Shadow Rock Park, a street name in the adjacent neighborhood caught my eye: Volcano Way. I have no idea how it got that name, but it’s memorable. Still, imagine having to give your address as Volcano Way while applying for homeowners insurance.
David Allen erupts Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Email dallen@scng.com, phone 909-483-9339, like davidallencolumnist on Facebook and follow @davidallen909 on X.
