Second course

TEMECULA - Allie's Tapas au Vin is expected to open Jan. 14 at 41653 Overland Drive. The menu consists largely of appetizer-sized portions of California-Mediterranean cuisine and a variety of California and imported wines.

Owner Steve Hamlin ran Allie's at Callaway, in Wine Country, from 2002 to 2006.

The new restaurant is on the Internet at www.AlliesTapas.com and its phone number is (951) 303-3358.

Branching out

TEMECULA - San Diego National Bank opened its 23rd branch Dec. 18 at 31990 Temecula Parkway.

Veronica Pavia-Hines has joined the bank as the manager of the new branch. She arrives from a 10-year career at Washington Mutual Bank. Pavia-Hines has 21 years of experience in the industry.

New home for homeopath

TEMECULA - John Cassone has joined Vibrant Bodies Center, a homeopathy and nutrition center that offers colon hydrotherapy, nutrition programs, biofeedback and clinical skin care.

Cassone offers seminars and talks for local schools and other organizations. Cassone spent 15 years as a personal fitness trainer in the Los Angeles area before beginning his study of homeopathy, or natural healing, in 2001. His Web site is at www.temeculahomeopathy.com.

Rainmakers

TEMECULA - Rancho California Water District was recently awarded $87,500 in recognition of the district's use of "smart" irrigation controllers, which save water, and is offering the devices to large water users.

The Bureau of Reclamation grant will be combined with Metropolitan Water District conservation incentives of more than $300,000 to purchase and install the controllers, which receive data on local weather and adjust irrigation accordingly.

Installation offers will be made to qualified commercial landscape users and residential customers of more than one acre.

For information, or to request a free eligibility evaluation, call the program contractor, Valley Soil Inc., at (951) 767-2215.

For sale, for rent, sold!

TEMECULA - Temecula Creek Villas, a 180-unit residential complex on Temecula Parkway near Pechanga Parkway, was sold earlier this month for $36.9 million, or $205,000 a unit. The complex was initially intended to be condominiums for sale, but switched to a rental basis before escrow closed on any of the units.

A & M Properties West, of Rancho Santa Fe, sold the complex to an unnamed private investor in Newport Beach.

Got an item for the Business Bulletin? Contact staff writer Chris Bagley at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2615, or cbagley@californian.com.