March, 2010
Top left, Lake Elsinore Mayor Melissa Melendez shimmered in her blue silk. Middle left, Mayor Pro Tem Amy Bhutta was stunning in her elegant black gown. Bottom left, City Councilman Daryl Hickman and his lovely wife, Amy, are always visible at community events. Pictured in right column, Ron and Cindy Hewison (of H.O.P.E.) looked elegant. Kim Ryan (L) one of the nominees for Citizen of the Year joins her good friend Claudette Beaty wearing her burgundy satin. Longtime Tuscany Hills Elementary kindergarten teacher Dee Thomas (L), her husband, Tom, current president of the LEUSD Board of Trustees, and Jami Passarella (R)  were all arrayed in black and gold. Political candidate Russ Bogh (L) joins Donna Niehouse (center) a Citizen of the Year nominee and Dr. Frank Passarella, Superintendent of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District as the festivities begin.  
“Night at the Oscars”

By Jeanie Corral
TH News Editor

    Tuscany Hills residents turned out in their elegance at the annual Chamber of Commerce's installation dinner held at the Diamond Club on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. Using "A Night at the Oscars" as the theme, the formal black-tie event featured lots of spectacular silentÊand live auction items,Ê and a soiree worthy of evening filled with glittering couples and various honors bestowed on worthy members of the community.
    Five nominees for the Citizen of the Year and five nominees for the coveted John Packman Memorial Award were showcased throughout the evening festivities. Business and civic leaders from throughout the valley came to hear the top business winners that included best homebased business, small, medium and large business for the 2009 year. The Albertsons Market located at Four Corners (Riverside Drive and West Lakeshore Drive) was given an honorary lifetime membership in the chamber for its ongoing service related efforts in the community.
    Of the nine candidates for large business of the Year, the Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball was the honoree; of the medium business with 10 candidates, the Lonestar SteakhouseÊ& Salon was selected; of the 12 small businesses nominated, USA Federal Credit Union emerged as winner, and the final category of home based business was won by Square Imaging, Inc.
    Adria Poindexter was named the 2009 Citizen of the Year and Chance Edmundson was named the 2009 John Packman Memorial Award winner.
    The seven live auction items including a Sunset Cruise, a Mammoth cabin stay, a Del Mar ocean front retreat, a Big Bear cabin weekender, and a private dinner prepared by Raviolis, a private brewing lesson and a golf foursome at Sherwood Lake Country Club brought in lots of excited bidders.
    Tuscany Hills resident Ron Hewison won the silent auction item of having lunch with local Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries.