News Briefs

BY

City Council Meeting

The next Special City Council meeting will be held on June 24, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The next Regular City Councilmeeting will be held July 1, at 6:30 p.m. To see the meeting agenda, visit cityofcanyonlake.org.

The next Administration and Finance Committee meeting will be on June 30, at 8 a.m. in the City Council Chamber.

The next Public Safety Committee meeting will be on June 30, at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chamber.

A press release on the subject of the contract for fire services can be viewed at cityofcanyonlake.org.

Block Captain Meeting

Canyon Lake Police Lt. Earl Quinata reports there will be a meeting for Neighborhood Watch Block Captains on Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m. in the POA Conference Room. All Block Captains are urged to attend. Anyone who would like to become a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain is welcome.

Family Golf Scholarships

The Canyon Lake Family Golf Club has four $1,000-each scholarship awards for senior graduates. The club is requesting a 500-word essay as to the graduate’s intentions. Mail the essay to CLFGC, 22941 Lassen Dr. Canyon Lake, CA 92587. Deadline is August 1, 2015. For more information, contact Mary Leathley at 951-244-0114.

Join ‘Flower Power’

Canyon  Lake Community Theatre is still looking for aspiring actors, singers and dancers for the upcoming all-kids production of “Flower Power.”

Parts are available for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. Come to the cast meeting on Wednesday, June 24, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Pool View Room at the Lodge. Bring $15 for CLCT membership. Show CDs are available for $3. The production fee is $125. Show dates are July 31, August 1 and 2. For more information, call or text Director Ilene Moore at 909-239-1177.

Chamber Mixer

The Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce Mixer will be held Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at BBVA Compass Bank in the Towne Center. There will be a 50/50 drawing that benefits the Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund.

The Chamber office is located at 31658 Railroad Canyon Rd. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact 951-244-6124 or canyonlakechamber@outlook.com, or visit www.canyonlakecoc.com.

RRC Rd./I-15 Meetings

The City of Lake Elsinore will hold a Public Outreach Meeting on Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. for the Railroad Canyon Rd. Southbound Deceleration Lane Project. This project is expected to begin next month and is a critical safety improvement project that should create additional capacity and reduce congestion for this off ramp.

The next Railroad Canyon Rd. Interchange Public Outreach Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Meetings will be held at the Cultural Center, 183. N. Main St. in Lake Elsinore. Sign up for the e-mail list at www.RRCanyonInterchange.com.

Experience Israel

Want to see where Jesus walked, watch your Bible come alive in full color and experience the many cultures – Jewish and Arab, secular and religious – while you’re at it? Then come “Experience Israel” in 2016 with Hope for Israel. There will be an informational meeting, along with fundraising tips, on Monday, June 29, 7 p.m. in the New Hope Church, 31542 Railroad Canyon Rd. Ste. 1, in the Canyon Lake Towne Center.

Vendors Wanted

The Canyon Lake Family Matters Club is looking for local Canyon Lakers who have business selling unique items. The club will be hosting a Quarter Mania Auction on Sunday, July 19, at The Lodge. Vendors are invited to obtain a booth to show and sell their items during the event. The cost of the booth space is $35 and an item for the auction. For more information, contact 714-394-4885 or clfmclub@aol.com

Beach Bus to Roll

This summer, RTA will make it easier to reach the beach thanks to expanded seasonal service on CommuterLink Route 202. From June 15 through September 7, the express route will provide additional weekday and weekend trips to the Oceanside Transit Center from the Murrieta Walmart and Temecula Promenade Mall. Round-trip cost is only $6 with discounted rates for seniors, disabled customers and veterans.

Host Families Sought

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs, in cooperation with area high schools, is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries: Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan, to name a few.

ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families.

The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

To become an ASSE host family or to learn more, contact 1-800-733-2773 or visit www.host.asse.com to begin a host family application.

Bingo at the Senior Center

The Lioness Club hosts Bingo every first and third Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center. Games are open to all members of the community and are $20 for a 12-sheet set and $10 for a six-sheet set. Funds raised by bingo are contributed to Lions’ projects for the sight-impaired and the needy of the area.

Teen Collecting Eyewear

Local high school student Cody Hankins continues to collect glasses to help those in need, both locally and around the world. He is doing so in conjunction with the Lions and Lioness Clubs of Canyon Lake. Cody thanks the many Canyon Lakers who have contributed to this cause over the past six months. He now calls his organization “A Clear Future.”

Those with an old pair of reading or prescription glasses may contact Cody at 951-805-7301 or ydochankins@verizon.net to arrange for pickup. All donations collected will be given to the local Lions and Lionesses for international distribution.

Breast Cancer Resources

Michelle’s Place is a breast cancer resource center serving this area, located at 27645 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 117, in Temecula. The center’s mission is to provide emotional and educational support to those touched with breast cancer and facilitate breast health care services. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about available services and resources at michellesplace.org or 951-699-5455.

Clothing Wanted

A couple in Canyon Lake regularly makes deliveries of food and clothing to the Riverside City Mission, where the needs of the hungry and homeless are continuous. Donations can be dropped off at the Coldwell Banker office in the Towne Center, 31620 Railroad Canyon Rd.

Steering Wheel Covers

The Lioness Club is selling custom-made steering wheel covers to protect hands from hot steering wheels. The covers are made of many different materials and patterns and work equally well during the cold months. The price is $8 for one, or two for $15. To purchase a cover, contact Laverne Can at 951-244-5715. Profits from this project will go to one of the Lioness Club’s ongoing philanthropic projects.

Farmers Market

The Farmers Market operates every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the upper section of the Towne Center parking lot. It features fresh produce from local farmers and fresh flowers from area growers as well as handcrafted items, vendor merchandise and freshly prepared food. It’s a good place to pick up fresh food for holiday meals and gifts from local vendors.

Caregivers Connection

Caregivers Connection offers a place of support for men and women who provide around the clock care for their husbands, wives, parents and even disabled adult children. Anyone caring for a loved one 24/7 for illnesses such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart issues or Parkinson’s is invited to attend to share common problems, needs and experiences.

The group meets in Room 6 in the gymnasium at Canyon Lake Community Church on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact the group’s facilitator Jo Ann Wickerath at 679-7736.

Lock Vehicles

Canyon Lake Community Patrol reminds residents to double-check the doors and windows in their vehicles each evening and be sure alarm systems are activated. Records show most thefts from vehicles in Canyon Lake occur because doors were left unlocked or windows left open. They also say residents shouldn’t leave items of value in front yards or driveways.

Open cars and valuables left outside can lead to “crimes of opportunity” that can be easily prevented. If a crime is in progress, call 9-1-1 immediately. Then call Community Patrol.

Call Community Patrol at 951-244-5950 any time there is a suspicious-looking person.

Grandparents Raising Grandkids

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Task Force (GRGTF) consists of representatives from the variety of county agencies that impact the lives of these families, as well as representatives of county and state elected officials, grandparents, and community volunteers.

As part of its goal to address the multiple, complex issues faced by grandparents who have taken the responsibility of primary caregiver, the Task Force hosts several support groups throughout the county. The Murrieta/Temecula area support group meets the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Mary Phillips Senior Center in Old Town Temecula, 41845 Sixth St., just behind the fire station.

GRG invites all grandparents raising grandchildren to come and share experiences, challenges and concerns, and learn about programs that are designed to assist in raising grandchildren. For more information, call 1-800-510-2020.

Al-Anon Family Groups

For those whose lives are affected by someone else’s drinking, the Al-Anon family groups provide a fellowship for sharing experiences, strength and hope in order to solve common problems. Al-Anon believes alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Even if the alcoholic continues to drink, his or her relatives and friends can achieve serenity as a result of Al-Anon Family Group.The group meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Lamb’s Fellowship, 21901 Railroad Canyon Rd. in Lake Elsinore. For more information, call 244-0081 or visit alanonriverside.org.

Tiles at the Tennis Courts

The Tennis Club is placing ceramic tiles made by kids or adults on the wall around Court 5, overlooking the parking lot. Tiles can be painted at The Cup Above in the Towne Center for $10, plus tax.

TOPS Meets in Lake Elsinore

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets each Tuesday at the Senior Center Annex, 420 E. Lakeshore Dr. in Lake Elsinore, next to Lake Point Park. The active club is led by Jean King. Weigh-in is from 8:30 to  9:15 a.m. and business and therapy is from 9:15 to 10:30. Visitors are welcome. Annual dues to join the national organization of TOPS are $28; the Lake Elsinore TOPS’s monthly dues are $2. For more information, call 674-0880.

Safe Alternatives

Safe Alternatives for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) is a non-profit agency in Temecula that is committed to providing programs and services to children, youth and families who have experienced or are at risk of violence and abuse. For more information on S.A.F.E.’s services go to www.safefamiliesca.org or call 951.587.3900.

Parkinson’s Support Group
The meetings of a local Parkinson’s Support Group are free and open to Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Murrieta Senior Center, 41717 Juniper St. in Murrieta. For more information, call 285-4008 or 696-7130.

Hospital Volunteers Needed

Menifee Valley Medical Center is seeking hospital volunteers. Only four hours of volunteer service per week qualifies one to become an active member of the hospital volunteer team. No experience is necessary; training is provided. Minimum age is 16. Contact 679-8888, ext. 7254.

Women’s Home

A couple from Wildomar would like to let area women who are experiencing domestic abuse, homelessness or other difficulties know they have opened a women’s home in Wildomar. Bruce and Phyllis Carranza call the women’s home a “lighthouse guiding women in need of changing their lives, a place where they can receive love and support, an anchor in Christ.” To learn more, call the Carranzas at 471-1791 or 445-0948.

Adult Day Care

Adult day care services are offered by Care Connexxus at 29995 Evans Rd. in Menifee. The non-profit organization is a non-medical licensed program that provides adult day care/adult day services to elderly and younger qualifying adults who are mentally, physically or socially dependent on others to complete tasks of daily living. For more information, contact Tiffany Kenny at 672-9536.

Elks Lodge Bingo

Bingo is open to Elks and the general public at the Lake Elsinore/Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail in Wildomar, on Thursdays. Doors open at 4 p.m. and games start at 6. For more information, call 674-6804.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Temecula Valley Alcoholics Anonymous holds meetings in most nearby cities. The primary purpose is to help members achieve sobriety. For more information, visit temeculacentraloffice.org or call 695-1535.

Wheelchairs for Seniors

Miracle on Wheels is notifying the public about the opportunity for seniors and others with debilitating conditions such as stroke, heart and breathing problems or diabetes to obtain a power wheelchair at little or no cost. According to Miracle on Wheels, Medicare’s regulations now make it easier to obtain a power wheelchair for seniors and others with problems getting around their home, or who are in danger of falling due to their medical condition. For more information and to learn about qualifying call 800-400-4210.

Mothers of Preschoolers

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is for mothers of children, newborn to kindergarten age. The meetings are held at the Canyon Lake Community Church on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. For more information, contact Heather Weber at 852-7478 or Jaclyn Copeland at 265-9938.

MOMS Next

MOMS Next is a group for mothers of elementary school aged children. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Canyon Lake Community Church. For more information, contact Dana Kocik at 246-1013 or Melissa Roberts at 757-6010.  Both groups can be registered through the church office.

Senior Softball

Softball players 55 and older are invited to join the senior men’s league in Menifee. The league plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Wheatfield Park, next to the Menifee campus of Mt. San Jacinto Community College. For more information, call Ed Hustead at 679-8626.

Thank the Troops

Xerox Corporation has created a simple way for citizens to thank military personnel overseas at www.letssaythanks.com. The sender selects a design and message, which is then personalized with the sender’s name and town. Xerox then prints and sends a postcard to a member of the military stationed overseas. It only takes a few minutes to send a postcard and say thanks.