So-Cal Chef Open Heats Up |
Food Network, Diners, Drive-in & Dives, Cooking Channel and more! The Celebrity Judges and competing Chefs for the 14th Annual So-Cal Chef Open come with some major culinary expertise and some who have been featured featured on multiple shows.
In June, Oak Grove hosted a preview event for the Media on the rooftop of the beautiful Traux Building in Old Town Temecula. Competing Chefs were introduced along with the Judges and all were given a chance to meet, mingle and preview the event scheduled for Monday, August 30th.
Featured Judges:
Competing Chefs (as of 7/4/21):
Owner, Pit Master and Executive Chef Al Borda & Chef Aaron May, HoBo’s BBQ
*Some Chefs are returning and some are new, but all are very talented and ready to compete!
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Media Night Event crowd included Oak Grove Board Member BJ Fazeli, California Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto, and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington and his beautiful wife, Kathy. |
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2020 Pinnacle Award Winner, Chef Justin Mabunay talking about his dish with Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto. |
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Steven Moore "The Trendy Chef" giving a unique demonstration making Smoked Monkey Bread. |
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Board of Director Randall Powell, Oak Grove CEO Tammy Wilson, Board of Director Sonya Linden and husband Richard enjoying the evening. |
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Introducing Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Cookie as July's Cookie of the Month. Created by one of the Dorm B girls, this sweet treat tastes just like summer! Fruity, sweet, chewy white chocolate chip. Yum!
VIP Cookie of the Month Club Members and Corporate Culinary Club Members are in for a treat this month or they can elect to custom order a Baker's Dozen that may be their favorite.
Not a member? That's okay! You can still enjoy this sweet treat. Stop by Culinary Creations in Old Town or order yours online.
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THRIVE and Partners Hold High School Graduation Party
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Oak Grove has been the proud provider of Riverside County's Independent Living Program for foster youth since 2013. Our program is called "THRIVE" and during the pandemic, Oak Grove was the only statewide program that saw regular and increased participation by the youth. We actually had the highest level of participation in classes.
In June, THRIVE partnered with Riverside DPSS and Faith in Motion held the annual High School Graduation celebrating those foster youth throughout Riverside County that graduated High School. We were so thrilled to all be back in a smaller venue but in person. THANK YOU to Harvest Christian Fellowship Church donated the space for the event, provided free iced coffee from their Coffee Cart, and provided the servers that handled the portioning out and the serving of dinner as well as the appetizers and drinks. Appetizers were provided by New Life Culinary Creations. The dinner was ordered by DPSS from Capone’s in Riverside.
DPSS and Probation Directors greeted youth and the Guest Speaker was former foster youth and now Social Worker Melissa Gaston. The cap and gowns were provided by a combination of DPSS, THRIVE and Faith in Motion.
The candy leis that each Graduate received when they did the grad walk were donated by La Sierra Church. It takes a Village and we are grateful for such wonderful partners.
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Sanctuary Palm Springs Comes in 4th |
Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs is a new program that serves LGBTQ+ identifying youth ages 18-21 as they transition out of foster care into independent adulthood. Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs offers safe, stable housing with supportive resources to help these Non-Minor Dependents get on their feet successfully. Employment, education, connections, therapy, and a sense of belonging are just a few of the benefits for the young adults.
In June, you may have voted to help this program in the Desert Oasis Healthcare 40th Anniversary campaign. Thanks to everyone's support, Oak Grove Sanctuary Palm Springs received $5,000 for coming in at 4th place! A significant gift to support an important transition in these young people's lives. Thank you for your vote!
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EDUCATION PROMOTION & GRADUATION |
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Celebrating Our Graduates |
In June, Oak Grove's Jack Weaver School held Graduation celebrating seven young people who have overcome adversity and significant challenges to earn their High School Diplomas or Certificates of Completion. In addition, some Students received special recognition for leadership and GPAs achievements.
Both Jack Weaver and Oak Grove at the Ranch held a Promotion Celebration recognizing several students moving onto Middle School and High School. Students were also recognized for Honor Roll GPA achievements or class awards, showing great leadership and resiliency during a difficult year.
See more photos
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Oak Grove's Own Special Olympics |
The regional Special Olympics are held each year before the end of school. Typically, it is between multiple schools but due to the pandemic, the event was cancelled.
That didn't stop Oak Grove! Staff put together our own Special Olympics with Students in the Special Needs Program competing in multiple events such as the baseball toss and fast-walk. Regardless of what place they came in, Students were thrilled to compete, cheer on their friends, and celebrate.
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Youth to Run Half Marathon |
A select few members of the Oak Grove Running Club will participate in the upcoming San Diego Half Marathon on July 18th. They will be expected to run 13 miles and as of this week, we are proud to say they are up to 8.5 miles!
Every time we run, they go a little bit further and their excitement grows. Already they feel the benefits of hard work and achievement.
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PARTNERS FOR IMPACT SPOTLIGHT |
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Oak Grove Center has amazing staff that empower our youth and help transform lives every single day. We appreciate our Essential Workers. They are our Heroes!
June Meeting the Moment HEROES:
Omar Perez, Dorm A
Nicole Evans, Dorm B
Jenny Marroquin, Dorm B
April Honore, Ranch
Jason Legardere, Education
Terry Morrissey, Education
Cynthia Ross, Ranch
Isabella Loma, Culinary
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GOLF CLASSIC
August 30th
Temecula Creek Inn, Temecula
Join us for a day of golf for a great cause! The Golf Classic raises funds for Oak Grove's Sports & Recreation Program. Golfers enjoy the challenge of Temecula Creek Inn's scenic golf course and ends they day celebrating their win (or not) with complimentary tickets to So-Cal Chef Open later that evening. Visit the website below to reserve your spot and learn more.
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SO-CAL CHEF OPEN
August 30th
Temecula Creek Inn, Temecula
While ticket holders enjoy a culinary experience tapas style featuring Chefs from all over Southern California, Chefs compete for two prestigious awards. This year's competition is heating up. Click here to see the line-up and get your tickets today before they are sold out!
Pre-Sale Tickets: $40
Prices go up to $55 at the door
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MURRIETA ROD RUN
October 8-9, 2021
Downtown Murrieta
This premiere car show features hundreds of beautiful cars, vendors, food, music and more. An annual tradition and favorite car show for miles around! The car spots are all sold out, but you can still enjoy the show. Join us in October for classic cars, music and vendors in beautiful old town Murrieta.
Contact us for Sponsorship or Vendor opportunities
reaching over 20,000 spectators!
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Murrieta Rod Run is brought to you by Drifters Car Club of Southern California
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Contact us to become a Sponsor or Vendor and reach over 20,000 potential customers!
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Be like Francesca! You shop there, so make it count! Select Oak Grove Institute Foundation through your AmazonSmile Program and every qualifying purchase will help get much-needed items for the youth and help our families in financial need.
Click below to register!
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Now Open Sundays!
Visit Culinary Creations in Old Town Temecula for a cup of coffee, a cookie or both! Every purchase supports the vocational program training youth for employment and introducing them to new careers.
Store Hours:
Mon/Tues: Closed
Wed/Thurs: 11 am - 6 pm
Fri/Sat: 11 am - 10 pm
Sun: 11 am - 6 pm
New Website:
For catering inquiries:
(951)-319-0627 Phone
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