Now that Mothers Day is over, its supposed to be safe to plant your garden. But nothing is guaranteed. With the squirrels and gophers in abundance, youd better put wire around your plants. My carrots and beets were annihilated when they first started coming up, but theyve made a come-back since my son put up wire barriers. Hopefully, theyll get big enough to harvest before it gets too hot. Were eating cauliflower and peas. For some reason the critters dont seem to care for them. I know some folks who feel the same.All members of the community are invited to our meals and activities. Days of operation are Wednesday and Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.Keep saving those pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House. But make sure theyre aluminum. Some of the food tabs are not aluminum and were rejected. Reba Schulz and I took them down May 3. Were pleased to announce we turned in 268,154, plus or minus a few.Ron will barbeque burgers at the Post on Monday, May 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. in honor of Memorial Day. Come join us for good food and friends.Were changing the Ladies Auxiliary Meeting from the first Saturday of the month to the second at 9 a.m. So the next meeting will be on June 8. That way those of you who would like to attend the swap meet or gymkhana wont have to make a choice as to whether attend our meeting or a community event. I hope to see more ladies at the Post.Activities for the last half of May (which is National Correct Posture Month) are:May 17 Debbis roasted pork and potatoes w/homemade gravy, veggies, salad, dessertMay 18 Mens Auxiliary Meeting 9 a.m.May 19 Comrades eggs to order, sausage or bacon, toast, potatoes, fruitMay 22 Tonies lasagna, salad, garlic bread, dessertMay 24 Alona and Tonies hamburger steak in gravy, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, dessertNational Tiara DayMay 26 Barbara Anns fluffy pancakes, eggs to order, bacon or sausage, fruitMay 27 Rons BBQ burgers with all the fixings 1 to 4 p.m.Memorial Day Observed(Fly Your Flag at Half-Mast Until Noon) May 29 Dales chicken cacciatore, pasta, veggies, salad, dessertMay 31 Commanders steak, baked potatoes, veggies, salad, dessertAll meals include coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Dont forget our $1 hot dogs every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and pizza on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.Why ask why? How much faster would lightning travel if it didnt zigzag?If you were born in May your flower is the Lily of the Valley and your birthstone is the Emerald.

RIVERSIDE - Strong winds are expected to blow through the Coachella Valley and Riverside County mountains this afternoon through early Saturday, especially through and below the Banning Pass and along and north of Interstate 10. ''A trough of low pressure moving through Nevada will bring strong onshore pressure gradients, likely resulting in gusts of 45 to 55 miles per hour along mountain ridge-tops and desert mountain slopes and extending into the lower deserts,'' according to a National Weather Service advisory. ''Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles -- use extra caution.'' The NWS issued a wind advisory for Coachella Valley and the mountains from 2 p.m. today to 8 a.m. Saturday. The winds should diminish late Saturday morning, according to the NWS.

RIVERSIDE - The city of Riverside is not complying with rules regarding the disposal of assets possessed by redevelopment agencies dissolved by the legislature in 2011, and instead is holding onto funds it shouldn't, according to findings released today by the state controller's office. Controller John Chiang said an audit to ensure that the dissolution of Riverside's redevelopment agency, or RDA, was being carried out in accordance with state parameters revealed the city not complying. The audit showed Riverside's RDA remained in control of property worth $30.45 million and another $64.25 million in real assets had been transferred from the RDA to the city. All RDA assets are supposed to be placed under the supervision of a ''successor agency'' established by municipal officials, according to the controller's office. ''After decisions by the governor and Legislature to disband redevelopment, my office is working to make sure all remaining RDA assets, including those in Riverside, are used properly to retire debt and pay for critical local public services, such as education and public safety,'' Chiang said. City officials did not respond to a request for comment. All of the Riverside assets scrutinized by the controller's office -- totaling $94.7 million -- were ordered transferred to the city's successor agency, Chiang said. Cities and counties' successor agencies are tasked with paying off RDA- related debt obligations and ensuring the completion of remaining revitalization projects that were authorized prior to enactment of legislation that nullified RDAs. The city and county of Riverside opposed the governor's and Legislature's decision to abolish RDAs, arguing that redevelopment projects had stimulated local job growth and provided for countless other benefits, including improved roads, new libraries and parks, as well as affordable housing complexes and public safety buildings. A legal challenge to the state's action, however, was blunted by the California Supreme Court when the justices ruled on Dec. 29, 2011, that RDAs were created by statute through passage of the Community Redevelopment Act in 1951 and could be just as easily undone by statute six decades later. Monies that otherwise would have gone to RDAs are now required to be divided up between local governments, fire districts, special districts and school districts. RDA revenue was generated from property tax increments directly attributable to revitalization projects.

BONSALL This years Wine, Brews and Blues Festival is almost here! On May 18, every Bonsall Rotarian will be extremely busy starting at 8 a.m. to set up the Wine, Brews and Blues event that will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Center for the Performing Arts in Escondido.Certainly fun, celebration and camaraderie are a main factor for all of this work but there is another reason. Bonsall Rotary members put on this event every year to help their Charity Partners raise money for their own endeavors. Through the Charity Partner program, organizations join Bonsall Rotary in the fundraiser to sell tickets. Charity Partners are rewarded with the majority of ticket sales money going to their organizations. Current Charity Partners which were involved in last years event have been able to utilize these funds to help their groups include: Fallbrook Land Conservancy, which sold the most tickets for last years event, and used those funds to help support several of their projects including management of their preserves. According to Jennifer Anderson, "Fallbrook Land Conservancy will use money raised at this years event to help spearhead efforts to create a 'Walkabout Web,' a system of trails throughout Fallbrook and neighboring communities to provide access to park, preserves and downtown shopping areas.Likewise, Bonsall Education Foundation also benefits as a Charity Partner. "The funds raised in this years event will help us fund our music and visual arts program in the Bonsall School District" said Desiree Burkhart. The Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary which is also a Charity Partner looks forward to the funds simply providing day-to-day support of its organizations ongoing demands for supplies, food, medication, etc. According to Bonsall Rotary president Cassandra Costa, "We are very proud of the assistance we are providing the organizations in our community and, of course, we appreciate the help they provide us in selling tickets and supporting us. It truly is a win-win situation. To purchase tickets to the event and select a Charity Partner, go to www.bonsallrotary.com.