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Health & Fitness

Come Together Murrieta

Local Murrieta hot spot, Spelly's, Hosts Fundraising Event Thursday

It had always been our goal, when we moved from Orange County, to settle into Murrieta, so our kids could attend high school here. My intention was to home school until that time and then...they'd be ready for the rigors of a great school and an amazing foundation. Well as things often do in life, the road took us in a different direction.

First, the house we bought was NOT in Murrieta. We loved it, our neighbors and the little town, but we were told 11 years ago that it was in the process of being annexed (have you heard that one before?) into Murrieta. Well you know how most of those end, that never happened. We were just young marrieds with little kids, who knew NOTHING about well, ANYTHING when it came to politics, districting or the fact that you should probably research your facts before you plunk down a sizable amount of money into an investment. Innocence...or stupidity. Hindsight you know, always so clear.

Sooo...9 years later we made it! Murrieta became our home, families hanging out on the front lawns in summer, washing cars in their driveways on the weekends and walking the bazillion walking paths throughout the city. Safe, comfortable, home. We walk the Las Brisas loop several times a week and often in the evening or very early in the morning with no concern to safety.  

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Our walking patterns changed in December, at least for a while. If you live here, you know what I'm referring to. There were two incidents within a mile of each other that kind of rocked our world for awhile. Tragic events that happened to unsuspecting people, just going about their daily lives.  

The lives of: Saskia Burke, a Murrieta Valley High School senior and 36-year-old Samuel Vanettes of Winchester were taken, and understandably, their families and the city was pretty shaken up. But...as great cities do after a tragedy...the city of Murrieta and its local businesses have come together to support the victims' families. 

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Spelly's Pub and Grille is hosting an event this Thursday, to benefit the charities of Saskia Burke and Sam Vanettes. There will be music, a raffle and prizes as well as the wonderful Spelly's food and drink. All proceeds of the raffle and donations will go to the families or their choice of charities. (They are still taking donations for the raffle, so give them a call if you have a donation.)

6 p..m to 9 p.m. Jan. 19 at Spelly's Pub and Grille, 40675 Murrieta Hot Springs Road.

I still believe that Murrieta is a wonderful city, a safe city, a community of strong individuals and businesses that care about people, not only the bottom line. I'm proud of our community for coming together and not running away. Thankful for the folks at Spelly's that care enough to host this event, and thankful for the city of Murrieta, and our council for supporting this effort.  

"In every community there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it." -Marianne Williamson

 

P.S. We're back to walking the Las Brisas loop, as are our neighbors.  

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