Lake Elsinore Celebrates Its 125th Birthday ... With Attitude

Tuesday night at the Diamond Club in Lake Elsinore was a “who’s who” in local politics.

City, regional and state representatives made a showing, either in person or through staffers, and prominent non-political leaders and residents also turned out. More than 100 in all.

They were there to deliver proclamations and well wishes to all Lake Elsinore residents who are celebrating the city’s 125th birthday.

“It’s really a staggering and momentous occasion,” Lake Elsinore Mayor Bob Magee said during the celebration that was scheduled as part of Tuesday’s city council meeting. 

Among the highlights of the night, the San Diego Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 9 as “Lake Elsinore Day"; Craft Brewing Company of Lake Elsinore shared a special brew in honor of the city’s 125th; John Mahoney of West Coast Arborists presented city officials with a giant wooden plaque that he fashioned himself; Robin Golden of Lake Elsinore's Studio 395 unveiled her latest public artworks to be installed on local buildings; and Lake Elsinore Historical Society President Ruth Atkins delivered a retrospective.

But it was Storm Baseball President Dave Oster, together with Jason Klein of Brandious, who may have resonated with the crowd most.

“Let’s celebrate who we are,” Oster said. “We have a little bit of attitude.”

The edginess fits with Lake Elsinore’s identity, Oster said.

“We really are the Action Sports Capital of the World,” he argued.

Klein elaborated. “We’ve always embraced rebel personalities. We’re known to be a little bit irreverent,” he said.

Klein’s firm is working with the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce to brand the city as a top tourism destination, chamber president Kim Cousins confirmed.

Oster pointed to local high-profile personalities like top motocross rider Mike Metzer and former Storm Baseball great Jake Peavy who now pitches for the Chicago White Sox. The names, he said, can attract visitors to the city.

Extreme sports aren’t for everyone, Oster conceded, but he said action activities don’t have to involve mega adrenaline rushes.

“Action is movement, whether it’s jumping out of a plane or walking on the levee,” he explained.

Oster called on the community to change minds about Lake Elsinore by supporting local causes that improve quality of life in the city.

He asked residents to move beyond old Lake Elsinore stereotypes that have labeled the city as something other than desirable.

With the city’s 125-year history, Oster said, “This is a great time to change ... the perception …”

There were some memorable quotes from Tuesday night's soiree. Here are a few outtakes:

"Raise your pinky here and you just might lose it." --A joking poke at Temecula from Jason Klein of Brandiose.

"It pisses me off. I know we're better than that." --Storm President Dave Oster's response to negative comments about Lake Elsinore.

"After 27 years, this city has really changed." --Longtime Lake Elsinore resident Chris Hyland.

"Lake Elsinore is a treasure trove of natural wonders." --Lake Elsinore Historical Society President Ruth Atkins.

"I learned to drive on the lakebed." --1st District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries memories of growing up in Lake Elsinore.

"Supervisor Jeffries calls it his childhood." --Murrieta Councilman Randon Lane's attempt to look back 125 years.

"We may not be the fast moving city in terms of development, but we're methodical." --Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Board President Phil Williams.

"When we decided to stay, we just took the tires off our car." --Wildomar Mayor Tim Walker's memory of he and his wife's move to Elsinore Valley in a motor home as newlyweds.

"He still walks with a limp." --Menifee Mayor Scott Mann's retelling of a 1969 incident in which his yet-to-be father-in-law broke his leg in a watersports mishap on Lake Elsinore.

"You are the anchor of Southwest Riverside County on the northwest side." --Morris Myers, executive director of Economic Development Corporation of Southwest California.