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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2023 15 By Tim Jahns, Resident Though Hemet has limited offerings for artistic or cultural experience, it does have a few noteworthy places for that kind of stimulation. One that is definitely worth visiting is the Western Science Center, a natural history museum that is reminiscent of the more famous La Brea Tar Pits. It's a surprisingly sophisticated and inspiring place that focuses on the region's distant past and more recent times, with impressive displays of the Pacific Mastodon, fossil treasures collected on the site, and an array of life forms that existed in this valley over the millennia. Founded in 2006, the Science Center offers changing exhibitions generated either by its own curators or traveling shows produced elsewhere. It boasts eye-catching permanent displays built on their significant archaeological finds and ongoing research, regular tours geared to educating school groups, and lecture series appealing to an adult audience. Displays include fun fossil arrangements in transparent floor areas, glass cases teeming with specimens, a room showing films about the valley and man-made Diamond Valley Lake, and interactive table projects for kids. The fascinating collection draws upon thousands of Ice Age fossils, Native American artifacts, and other finds from past eras in the region. Skeletal remains and dioramas help bring to life exotic creatures from the past, from sloths and wooly mammoths to smaller marine life from other locations. All items are explained in excellent labeling. My first encounter with the museum was several years ago when I visited during the "H20" exhibition about water resources and conservation. That show originated at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, but was organized in collaboration with the local Science Center. It was both informative and lively with its mixture of somewhat quirky artistic displays, interactive pieces, and more straightforward educational texts. The museum declares its mission to be advancing knowledge of the region's natural history and cultural heritage; conveying to students and the general public an appreciation for science and mathematics as essential for understanding the natural world, human cultures and how they interact; and playing a leading role in helping to build a sustainable future for people and their environments. The science center is located at 2345 Searl Parkway within a complex of modern structures on the northeast edge of Diamond Valley Lake, near the aquatic center and the marina. That complex includes the Western Center Academy, a charter school for grades 6-12 with a STEM emphasis. Their curriculum integrates research and hands-on experience utilizing the resources of the Science Center. Admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors 62+. See the center's website for their hours and more details. Science Center: A Gem Near to Home By eresa Rossetti, Resident Here we are in the midst of the holiday season again. Back in the day, I used to go all out on Thanksgiving, cooking the stuffed turkey, mashed and sweet potatoes, veggies, and at least one pumpkin and one pecan pie. It was exhausting! After that I only had a couple of weeks to get ready for the Christmas lunacy I foisted on myself. There were 15 different types of cookies, a specialty cake or two, then packaging them all up to bring to parties, family events and work was the usual for years. I'm not ashamed to say I am way too old for all of that anymore. I've learned to streamline and distribute to others a good portion of this work. Carrying that idea to the everyday, here are my hints on how to minimize time in the kitchen. 1. Stock the fridge, pantry and freezer with ingredients you use frequently. Rotate your staples often to avoid discarding expired or moldy food. 2. While it's tempting to cook for only one or two, if you don't mind leftovers, cook more than you need, portioning and freezing some of it for another day. 3. Prep common ingredients in advance. Buy frozen chopped onions. You won't be sorry. If you use shredded cheese often, buy a block and shred it yourself. Store portions in the freezer for use whenever you need it. Lots of bananas? Peel and freeze them for smoothies, banana bread, etc. Freeze julienned basil in ice cube trays filled with olive oil. Throw one or two into a pan, cook up some onions and garlic to season just about anything you can think of. We are very fortunate here in Southern California. We have a growing season that lasts almost all year. In our community we often share the excess fruits of our trees or produce of our gardens. So, can or freeze those peaches, make fig jam, grow those veggies and herbs and then use them! Our lemon tree gifts us with lots of fruit every year. I have enough cubes of lemon juice in the freezer to make lemonade, season fish or chicken, or make some kind of funky pasta dish till next spring. One more hint, label everything with name and date. You'd be surprised how often you have no idea what you just found on the bottom shelf of the fridge or freezer if you don't! Advice From A Lazy Cook

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