At 10 p.m., each Friday through the end of May, Pechanga Resort Casino will select a contestant to receive a Grand Finale Lucky Key. On May 30, twenty finalists will compete for a chance to turn the final key to the dream home’s front door so they can win, and move in, resort spokesperson Ciara Green told Patch.

“That’s their ticket back to the final drawing, hosted by TV personality Ty Pennington, for the four-bedroom, three-bath, gated community house in the beautiful Temecula Valley,” she said. And, the prize package is just getting more valuable.”The home sits on a sizable corner lot, surrounded by the amenities of the Prado community,” a resort spokesperson explained. The detached, single-family home offers a spacious, open-concept floor plan, chef-inspired kitchen, energy-efficient features, all appliances, window coverings, and ample outdoor space. The community features a pool, clubhouse, BBQs, picnic shelters and parks. The Prado Community is located off Ynez Road near the Harveston community, across from the Promenade Temecula Mall.

According to Rocket.com, home prices in Temecula have gone up since March of 2024 by 6.2 percent.

In April 2024, Temecula made Money magazine’s list of “50 Best Places to Live in the U.S.” That list pointed to cities with thriving local economies that were affordable, diverse, and had a rich quality of life. For Temecula, it was “the perfect place to raise a glass (and a family),” according to the article. Redfin has named the Southwest Riverside County city “a hot home market,” adding that 26 percent of homes accept an offer within one week.

Pechanga guests say they are enthusiastic about the Home Sweet Home giveaway and are pleased with the casino/resort’s contribution to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles alongside the promotion, according ot Sean Vasquez, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation.

“We’re very excited about our upcoming giveaway with the house, but in light of everything that’s happened to our friends and family in Los Angeles in the wildfires, we’d be remiss if we didn’t help by giving back in another way,” he said. “So we’re giving $50,000 to help our friends at Habitat LA enrich and help strengthen our communities so we can build back better.”

Vasquez said Pechanga also gave $500,000 to four charities to assist fire victims shortly after the January fires broke out.

“I’ve known for a long time about Pechanga’s generosity and their partnership with Habitat for Humanity in their local community,” said Erin Rank, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA. “When I was contacted by my friend who works closely with Pechanga every year, she told me the company was interested in supporting Habitat LA after these wildfires raged through our community. I was very touched because I know there’s a lot of support for Pechanga from the Los Angeles community and to feel that coming back from Pechanga to the residents of Los Angeles was really meaningful.”

“They’re also giving back to the community that supports them and I think that’s the way it should always be,” said Ty Pennington, television personality and host of Pechanga’s Home Sweet Win house giveaway. “If they win, we win. You help your neighbor and Pechanga is exactly that kind of family to work with.”

Pennington will take the stage at Pechanga Resort Casino for the Home Sweet Win Grand Finale on Friday, May 30. Known for his roles on many television home improvement shows, including a new show debuting on April 14, and for his charitable work with Habitat for Humanity, Pechanga recognized him as an ideal spokesperson for the three-month promotion.

Guests can enter and have a chance to win the new up through Friday, May 30.

Entrants must be 21 or older and must be a Pechanga Club member. Signing up for The Club is free and easy. Simply stop by the Club desk inside Pechanga, and one is on his or her way to earning valuable perks.

Every time a Pechanga guest plays with the Club card inserted into a slot machine or at a table game, they automatically earn entries. To win, guests must come into Pechanga on Fridays to activate their entries by inserting the Club card into a slot machine, Green said. The weekly hosts announce one finalist, chosen at random, each week. There will even be finalists selected on the Grand Finale day.

For more information, visit Pechanga.com/homegiveaway or call 888-PECHANGA.

The post Pechanga House Giveaway Update: Who Will Win A Temecula Dream Home? appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The charity drive entails a partnership between Pechanga, the nonprofit Hair We Share, Paul Mitchell Cosmetology & Beauty School and Smith Hair Salon.

“Our team is committed to shedding light on the need for hair donations through Pechanga’s ‘Mane Campaign,”‘ Spa Pechanga Director Vicky Naputi said. “The campaign has touched each and every one of us. We’ve seen so much love, tears and strength from the donors and from breast cancer patients through our programs, and because of that, we want to make this year’s campaign even better.”

The objective is to gather as much hair as possible for real-hair wigs created and provided by Hair We Share.
The minimum donation length is 8 inches, which is measured and collected by students from the cosmetology school.

“It’s a great opportunity for the students to get real-world experience and to work toward a fantastic cause,” Naputi said.

According to organizers, since the campaigns began in 2014, 700 pony tails have been procured.
“The length of 650 pony tails is equal to double the wingspan of a (Boeing) 747 or five blue whales,” according to Pechanga.

With every hair donation, the resort contributes $50 to Hair We Share, organizers said.
“Statistics show more than 200,000 women get breast cancer and more than 40,000 women die from the disease each year,” according to Pechanga, citing U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention data. “Hair loss, one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment, can be especially traumatic for a woman fighting cancer.”

Hair donors will receive vouchers for free hairstyles at Smith Hair Salon, as well as automatic entries into a contest to win a Pechanga Getaway Package, featuring a “two-night luxury hotel stay, day passes for two to Spa Pechanga and a $200 food and beverage credit,” according to the casino.

Donation cuts are available any Monday afternoon between Oct. 7 to Oct. 28. Anyone interested in booking an appointment was asked to call 951-770-8501.

The post Donate your long hair to get free stuff from Pechanga Resort Casino appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Caris Sandino, 28, of Beaumont, was one of the two MSJC graduates to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholarship. The coveted scholarship was awarded to only 60 students across the nation. She said joining the MSJC Honors Enrichment Program was one of the best decisions she’s made.  

“I am really happy with my experience at MSJC,” Sandino said. “It helped me grow personally and academically as well.” 

Of the 2,183 students earning degrees and certificates this year, 974 graduates walked in one of two ceremonies, marking the highest number of students to date participating in commencement. The MSJC Class of 2024 earned a total of 2,848 degrees and certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate or a combination of both.  

The ceremony honored the college district’s 60th anniversary with the theme “A Legacy of Transformation.” MSJC began its anniversary celebration in the 2023-24 academic year to mark the 1963 opening of the college. Its first graduating class was celebrated in 1965, with a total of eight students.  

Sandino came to the U.S. from Nicaragua when she was 11 with her mother and is the first in her family to graduate from college. She founded MSJC’s Eagles DREAMers Club, which provides a safe space for undocumented students to network, advocate, and get the support they need to succeed.  

“Launching Eagles DREAMers has been one of the most personally meaningful accomplishments in my college journey,” Sandino said. “It’s been an incredible privilege to advocate for and support our undocumented student community, knowing that our efforts have the power to impact lives and foster inclusivity within our college community.”  

Her leadership and hard work in the classroom helped her earn the Cooke scholarship.  Sandino will transfer to the University of California, Berkeley to major in business administration.  

Temecula resident Joseph Awad, who served as Student Trustee this past year at MSJC, was the second MSJC graduate to receive the Cooke scholarship in 2024. Awad will transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles to major in psychology.  

Like Sandino, Awad joined the Honors Enrichment Program and was recognized for several significant research projects, including an Outstanding Abstract award from the Honors Transfer Council of California’s Research Conference held at University of California, Riverside in April for his research on “Contextualizing the Lived Experiences of Queer Arabs: Understanding the Dimensions & Manifestations of Fear.”  

Awad, 20, said his experiences and success seem surreal given his background as a self-described “first-generation, queer, Arab immigrant, wannabe college student.” He credited his success to his mentors and “many kind souls at MSJC.” 

“I hope the past three years of my life can show how much you can change somebody’s life by investing in them and their story, and for that I’ll always be grateful,” Awad said.  

Lake Elsinore residents Eric Ellis, 35, and his wife, Carolyn Ellis, 38, celebrated a milestone as they crossed the stage together. Eric, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, plans to become a social worker to support fellow veterans in their mental health journeys. 

Carolyn plans to transfer to Loma Linda University to become a surgical technician.  

“MSJC provided all the building blocks we needed to reach our goals and have meaningful careers,” Carolyn Ellis said. 

Jilema Silver, 44, of San Jacinto, said she was proud to graduate MSJC with her son, Cameron Britt, 23. Silver said she started pursuing a degree in business, but through her work at MSJC’s Veterans Resource Center, she decided to receive a second degree in psychology so she could help others. In addition, Silver served as the vice president of the Student Government Association, went to a conference in Washington, D.C. and learned how important it was to “speak up on matters.”  

“I love MSJC,” Silver said before the ceremony. “I love everything that it’s done for me, [and] the professors and I just grew as a person.” 

Silver is transferring to California State University, San Bernardino and said her son is already earning money with his degree in digital media, serving in a paid internship through the city of Menifee. 

Silver served as a student speaker during the morning graduation ceremony. She thanked her son for sharing in the journey, faculty for their support, and peers for becoming friends and companions.  

“As we step out into the world, let us do so with heads held high, knowing that the legacy of transformation we leave behind will continue to inspire and uplift others for generations to come,” Silver told the Class of 2024. “I leave you with these final words: Remember you can do anything and everything – except give up.” 

The post Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates “A Legacy of Transformation” at the 2024 Commencement  appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams,” Blanco told her fellow graduates. “Today, I am here to tell you that everything is possible!” 

Blanco, of Menifee, was one of 2,078 graduates in MSJC’s Class of 2023. During two commencement ceremonies held at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, MSJC awarded a total of 2,881 degrees and certificates. The Class of 2023 earned 2,514 associate degrees and 367 certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate, or a combination.  

This year’s commencement theme was “Together: We Live. We Dream. We Transform.”  

Blanco, who served as the speaker for the morning ceremony, said she signed up for English as a Second Language classes at MSJC and expressed interest in pursuing nursing. Despite warnings it would be tough, she enrolled in prerequisite math and science courses and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She was accepted into several universities and chose the nursing program at Cal State San Marcos.  

Kennidy Martin, of Cherry Valley, soared both on the court and in the classroom as captain of the volleyball team and a scholar with an impressive GPA. While at MSJC, she developed an incredible connection in the Umoja program.  

Umoja (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a learning community dedicated to the academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization of African American and other students. 

“Umoja provided me with a community of students with similar interests and goals. I’m sure to stay connected with many of them,” Martin said.   

Nearly 900 graduates participated in one of the two graduation ceremonies. The Class of 2023 includes graduates from 17 years old to 69 years young.  

Dalton Denis, of Murrieta, a former Marine, earned his degree in just a year and a half.  

“Hands down the [MSJC] Veterans Center is the main reason my transition to college and now transfer went smoothly,” Denis said. “They helped me through the VA process, assisted with paying bills, and guided me through my education. It truly is a community and valuable resource.”   

Diego Martinez, of Hemet, served as president of the Student Government Association during the 2022-23 academic year and actively represented MSJC students not only on campus, but throughout the state.  

“I am grateful for the experience I had at MSJC,” Martinez said. “It provided me with a strong academic foundation, valuable leadership skills, and a sense of community that I will carry with me.” 

Glenda Dixson served as student speaker during the afternoon graduation ceremony. Dixon, a management and supervision major from Hemet, plans to combine her management degree with teaching credentials.  

“We are graduates today celebrating our achievements here at MSJC,” Dixson told the Class of 2023. “This is just the beginning of a transformation of professionals, who have soared like the Eagles that we are. Because we never gave up on our dreams, never gave up learning, we are transforming education into real life accomplishments.”

The post Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates the Class of 2023  appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Mt. San Jacinto College celebrated a record-breaking 2,226 graduates on Thursday, May 26 during two graduation ceremonies at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.

MSJC awarded 3,219 degrees and certificates to the most graduates in the college’s nearly 60-year history. They earned a total of 2,717 associate degrees and 502 certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate, or a combination. This year’s theme was “Eagles: Unstoppable Today, Tomorrow, and Always.”

Jennifer Larimer and her brother Robert Turcotte graduated together. Jennifer, of Hemet, served as student speaker. Despite her struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, she was able to complete her goals at MSJC.

“I wouldn’t have made it this far without the unwavering support of my loving husband, my wonderful family, and the abundant support from the MSJC staff who helped me achieve my goals,” Jennifer told the MSJC Class of 2022.

Kayla Jones of Banning earned a degree in science while remaining active at MSJC as a member of Umoja and Honors Enrichment. Kayla is pursuing a career in orthodontics. She also served as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader. On Thursday, she led her fellow graduates in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” She also served as the student speaker at the college’s Imani Celebration for graduates on May 13.

“I’m pretty excited,” Kayla said after the ceremony. “I feel like I just can’t wait to expand in my career.”

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates Record-Breaking Class with In-Person Graduation at Pechanga Resort Casino appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.