Ambassador of the Arts Spotlight - February 2025

Arts Council Menifee has chosen Cynthia Nemelka to be featured in their “Ambassador Spotlight”. ACM has chosen Cynthia because she is putting the spotlight on artists with her recent involvement with the Center for Spiritual Living in Menifee.  Aligned with the mission of ACM, she has created a platform for singers, musicians, performing artists, culinary artists, visual artists and artisans, as well as an inclusive social gathering place for local seniors to appreciate music and participate in dance and other activities.

Cynthia’s contribution to the arts in Menifee has opened many doors. How did this happen when her focus had been in the corporate world? From a law firm controller to revered real estate maven, Cynthia Nemelka's journey is far from conventional. After working for 16 years at a law firm, Cynthia’s employer told her he was retiring in a year. She took that as an opportunity to decide on a new career path to take next. At age 43, she started thinking about “what she wanted to be when she grew up”. She wanted to have a career that helped people and focused on nursing.

Cynthia’s father who was a realtor encouraged her to get her real estate license for extra income while going back to school. Cynthia took his advice and immediately fell in love with her new career as a realtor. A year later, the market crashed. Instead of leaving the business, as many agents did, she persevered and closed over 60 transactions in those first rough years. In 2008, she launched a property management company which provided a stable income for her and her parents. In 2012, she purchased a RE/MAX Franchise. Ten years in, she decided to open an independent brokerage, Menifee Real Estate Group, to hyper focus on specifically serving the residents of Menifee.

Cynthia evolved into a community champion, deeply rooted in her beloved city of Menifee, and she has received multiple awards for her service. She helps sponsor several events each year. including Movies in the Park, the “special prize” eggs at the SpringFest, and the costume trophies at the Fall Festival, to name a few. Cynthia feels that her greatest community achievement is the publishing of an online community calendar, HelloMenifee.com. With so many new families moving in all the time, Cynthia wants to make sure the new residents, as well as the old, always have a resource for events happening in Menifee.

On the daily, Cynthia adores spending quality time with her 3 children and 7 grandchildren. In the years ahead, Cynthia wants to continue expanding her hyperlocal property management division, Menifee Property Management, and increase her sales. Her goal is to hit 100 sales per year to give and to help others without expecting anything in return.

Cynthia’s Current Community Service includes the following impressive list:

CEO of Angel in Me, Inc. - a non-profit dedicated to the social well-being of Menifee Seniors 55+

Publisher of www.HelloMenifee.com - Menifee’s online community Calendar

City of Menifee Community Partner - sponsoring multiple city events each year

Member of Lake Menifee Women’s Club 10+ years

Member of the Global Society of Female Entrepreneurs

Sunday School Teacher

I caught up with Cynthia to get her take on the growing art scene in Menifee . . .

Why do you think the arts for all ages are so important for the city of Menifee?

Engaging with the arts has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance overall well-being for Senior Citizens, and I am sure it is true for ALL ages as well. Arts events, such as concerts, exhibitions, etc. bring people together creating community engagement, and strengthens our community bonds. Community engagement helps to ‘Pop the Bubbles’ of social isolation that many of our Seniors 55+ experience.

For those who don’t know, what is the mission of Angel In Me?

To enhance the social well-being of senior citizens by providing opportunities for them to engage in meaningful social activities.  We strive to combat social isolation and promote physical, mental and emotional well-being among senior citizens by creating a community where seniors can connect and build friendships - cultivating a sense of belonging and purpose. My mom and all my children and their spouses are what makes up the Board of Directors for our nonprofit AngelinMe.org. We are all volunteers and none of them, including me (CEO) receives any compensation for serving.

How did you get involved in creating events at the Center for Spiritual Living?

For months I was trying to find a venue to rent for our weekly Senior Social Dancing. I could not find anything reasonably priced that would provide weekly consistency, and that would allow our program the opportunity to grow and develop. I really feel that I was 'guided' to find The Center, and the partnership we have been able to create with them has truly been 'heaven sent' for both of our organizations.

You were selected for the Ambassador Spotlight because you have a mission to put a spotlight on artists. What events are now taking place each month at the Center of Spiritual Living?

We just launched our weekly Vintage Vibes Dance Party which takes place every Saturday, and Karaoke with Nicole on the 3rd Friday of each month. I am also super excited that my Board of Directors has agreed to partner with my brokerage, Menifee Real Estate Group, in hosting our first bi-annual Children’s Business Fair on March 15th, 2025, and we will have a special area for our young budding artists to be able to display and sell their arts and crafts. In coordination with ACM, Artbeat, an evening of music, art exhibits and food by local chefs had a successful launch and is scheduled on the last Friday of each month at 6:30 pm. ACM also plans to have an Open Mic night the 2nd Friday of each month.  Events in the community are showing signs of growth.

What sort of events and venues would you like to see in Menifee in the future?

I am excited for our new Amphitheatre and really look forward to all the great events that will be happening there. We are limited on "entertainment" here in City and because of our lack of affordable commercial space, it will continue to be a struggle. I would love to see more businesses, churches and other non-profit organizations ‘up their game’ by trying to add more community events to their budgets each year. The events don't have to cost much, just a commitment of time and energy. Could you imagine how awesome that would be, if each group just hosted ONE extra fun event each year at a low or no cost to our residents? Yes, I am a dreamer, and when I do, I dream big.

For more information about Cynthia Nemelka

Phone 951-259-9019, email cynthia@ilovemenifee.com, or visit www.MenifeeRealty.com

Info about the non-profit can be found at www.AngelinMe.org

Info about senior events can be found at www.MenifeeSeniors.com

Center for Spiritual Living is located at 26805 Murrieta Road, Menifee, 92586

For information about Arts Council Menifee, contact us at artscouncilmenifee@gmail.com

Please contact us if you have a recommendation for Artist or Ambassador of the Arts.