News Briefs — January 30, 2015

BY

This section contains information on local activities and items of interest to Canyon Lake residents. Information should be submitted to news@goldingpublications.com no later than 5 p.m. Monday.

Help for the Homeless

Jill Batinich invites Canyon Lakers to help stock supplies for her non-profit organization, Serenity Sacks. Jill says the organization fills bags and sacks with travel size toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, granola bars, combs, hair brushes, hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, etc. Those who would like to make a donation may call her at 951-244-1972 and she will arrange pick-up from home or office.

Book Drive

Miss Teen Canyon Lake Karina Bowen is collecting new and used books for the “American Book Drive.” She is doing this in connection with her platform in the Miss Teen Mastermind Pageant – a program she says is about “the brains before the beauty.” Karina is happy to pick up the books or they can be dropped off anytime at 29873 Mayflower Dr. To ask for pickup, call Karina at 714-394-4885. The due date is February 6.

Caregivers Connection

The February 9 meeting of Caregivers Connection will feature the video, “Living with Dementia,” in which Dr. Richard Taylor, a retired psychologist, author and international speaker, will discuss from the heart about what it’s like for him to live with the condition that has become the purpose of his life. The video will be presented by Jane Farmer, the community relations director of Desert Hills Memory Care Center in Hemet.

Caregivers Connection offers an opportunity for caregivers to share common problems, needs and experiences. Anyone caring for a loved one 24/7 for illnesses such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart issues or Parkinson’s is welcome to attend.

The group meets in room C6 at Canyon Lake Community Church on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.

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

Renaissance Faire

The Jr. Women’s Club and Family Matters Club are planning to host a Renaissance Faire on October 17. They want to let the community know that vendors will be invited to participate. The event is expected to fill Holiday Harbor, with the Family Matters Club handling a kids section on the lower level and JWC handling an area geared toward adults on the upper level. Currently, Julie Aguirre is seeding a magician, aka “wizard,” to perform magic tricks and have a vendor booth to sell magic items. Contact Julie at aguirrejulie@aol.com.

‘Old Town Temecula Events

For Canyon Lakers who like to visit Old Town Temecula, here’s a list of upcoming events.

• First Friday Art Event: February 6, 7 p.m. at the Truax Building, corner of 2nd and Mercedes

• Art Off the Walls: March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3 August 7, September 4

• Rod Run: March 6 and 7

• Blue Grass Festival: March 21 and 22

• Western Days: May 16 and 17

• Summer Sunsets Concert Series:  June 4 through July 30

• Summer Solstice Night of the Luminaries at Rose Haven Garden: June 20

• Moonlight Movies in the Park & Classic Movie Series: June through August

• Temecula Art and Street Painting Festival: June 26 to 28

For more information, visit TemeculaEvents.org.

Lioness Bingo

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.

Lioness Bingo is managed by volunteers Nancy Coughlin and Barbara Jacobson. Profits are donated by the Lioness to aid the sight impaired and local needy. This Christmas season the Lioness are donating to HOPE and to Cops For Kids.

‘King and I’ at the Welk

“The King and I” currently is showing at the Welk Theater, featuring Broadway and touring veteran Victoria Strong as Anna and Riverside resident and San Diego favorite Richard Bermudez as The King. The Broadway musical is set against the exotic backdrop of Siam in the 1860s. It is the story of a governess who tries to help an Eastern king come to terms with the modern world, but finds himself challenged to resist the forces of ancient customs. The tension between Eastern and Western cultures inspired this popular musical, beloved by audiences the world over.

Tickets are $48; a buffet can be added for between $19 to $22. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.Welkresorts.com or call 888-802-7469.

Confidence-building Program

Boy and girls, ages 8 to 12, are sought to form a new, non-profit, rhythm novelty dance team  to perform for audiences in Southwest Riverside County. This is an outlet for children who are not financially able to participate in studio lessons, sports and other extracurricular activities that challenge family’s budget. The four-month program will cost $30.

Children will learn novel character dancing, rhythm, facial expressions, leadership, public speaking and other confidence-building skills. Rehearsals will be held in Southwest Riverside County. To learn more, contact Veralene Juber at 951-380-5096.

Teen collecting eyewear

A local high school student, Cody Hankins, is collecting glasses to help those in need, both locally and around the world. He is doing so in conjunction with the local Leos and the Lions and Lioness Clubs of Canyon Lake.

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.

Carl’s Jr. Coupon Books

The Lioness Club is selling Carl’s Jr. Community Star Fundraising coupon books for $5 each.    These books contain $55 worth of super coupons that are valid until the end of December 2015. Contact Joanna Spiller at 244-1553 to get one before they are gone.

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.

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.