Delicious foods, fine music and excellent wines and beer on tap

The 27^th annual Autumn Elegance fundraiser was once again sponsored by the Hemet-San Jacinto Exchange Club, as well as Friends of Valley-Wide Foundation and the Soboba Foundation. This is a critical event for raising funds to support the Valley-Wide Recreation District in park expansion, new equipment and various programs. 

Autumn Elegance 2019 just about filled the 50 table-for-six at the Soboba Event Center. The emcee was Mike Gow, Exchange Club President. Tom Wilson, event producer, was this year’s Committee Chairperson. The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians contributed use of the new Event Center at the Soboba Casino.

Beautiful floral arrangements were generously contributed by Future Farmers of America (FFA) clubs from Hemet High School and West Valley High School. Local florists contributed as well: Elite Flowers of Hemet, San Jacinto Florist and Floral Expressions. The evening included a silent drawing for the floral arrangements at 10 pm for those who stayed to the very end of the night.

The event offered a corner set-up with table games, and Blackjack was the game of choice.

Dancers were entertained by Mr. Wilson’s Band.

Fifteen restaurants were on hand to serve some of their finest dishes, including area favorite caterer Party Planners (slbparty@yahoo.com). Their roast-beef sliders on home-made cornbread with hatch chilies and cheddar cheese were a big hit. Canyons Restaurant (https://soboba.com/dining/canyons) and Noodles Asian food from Soboba Casino (https://soboba.com/dining/noodles) were also on-hand, with their distinct cuisine.

Janet L. Sawyer and Ruben Solis, owners of Sweet Baby Janes have served their perfect pulled pork at ten straight Autumn Elegance events, and it never fails to satisfy.

El Patron Mexican Grill served chicken flautas with cheddar/mozzarella cheese, chili verde burritos, sour cream, and house sauces.

Thirteen wineries and 10 breweries delivered some of their finest wines and beers.

Cyndi Lemke, Executive Director at Hemet/San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce, said, “I always look forward to going to Friends of Valley-Wide Autumn Elegance! Every year there’s delicious food. I always find a new, amazing wine and I have so much fun seeing everyone. It’s a night to enjoy the atmosphere of friends, food and drinks, and so much fun!”

The San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce was represented by Executive Director Sharon Myers Durbin with President Veronica Hawkes and Communications Director Velma Weaver Phillips. They were there to help promote “The Mayor’s Ball,” honoring San Jacinto mayor Russ Utz, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 6–10 pm.

The Exchange Club holds “The Weekend,” March 20 -21, featuring gift raffles to support a wide variety of organizations throughout the San Jacinto Valley.

For almost 50 years, Valley-Wide Recreation & Park District has responsibly provided sports and recreation programs for the public in the San Jacinto Valley. Reach them at 901 W. Esplanade Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92582. Telephone (951) 654-1505. Website www.gorecreation.org.

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It’s time to celebrate colorful falling leaves and cooling weather with fun seasonal activities. The good news? You don’t have to travel far from home to get your fall fix.

Here are a few ways to get into the spirit of autumn close to home:

Be Crafty

DIY decorate your home with seasonal flair, using items found in nature. Welcome guests with a wreath decorated using acorns and berries. Indoors, string a garland made of pinecones to the banister, or hang it from the mantle. Paint mason jars in favorite fall hues — orange, sienna, black and red — and then, fill them with candy or flowers in complementary colors to use as a table centerpiece.

Experience Fall Flavors

To fully take advantage of this flavor-packed season, be sure to try limited-time fall menus at your favorite local dining spots. For example, at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe, fall menu items feature delicious seasonal twists on classics.

The line-up, available through November 19, includes the returning fan favorite — Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, made with real pumpkin, Ghirardelli white chocolate, cinnamon and non-fat yogurt — as well as two new menu items. Try the Salted Caramel Smoothie, made with Ghirardelli sea salt caramel, roasted bananas, dates, non-fat yogurt and cinnamon or the Jerk Chicken Quesadilla, which is freshly prepared with grilled chicken, pineapple salsa, and black beans. For locations and menu details, visit tropicalsmoothiecafe.com.

Get Outdoors

With colder weather on the not-too-distant horizon, you’ll want to make the most of the outdoors all season long. From harvest festivals to pumpkin patches, this is the best time of year to celebrate the outdoors and enjoy the crisp air. Check local community listings for free fairs, arts and music festivals and more that abound during autumn, or visit a local farm that gives visitors an opportunity to pick fall produce like apples and pumpkins.

Don’t let fall pass you by without enjoying all the flavor and fun the season has to offer.

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