News Briefs

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.

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Alison Burrafato to lead Chamber of Commerce

Alison Burrafato

Alison Burrafato

The Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomes new Executive Director Alison Burrafato.

After being born in Manhattan, growing up on the East Coast, and raising a family in Chicago, Alison has moved with her husband Mike to Canyon Lake.

Although relatively new to the land of endless sun, Alison says she is experienced, prepared and excited to grow the Chamber to bolster relationships between the businesses, residents and community of Canyon Lake.

In addition to raising a son, Michael, an incoming senior at the University of San Diego, she has a long history of making business connections alongside her husband and family in support of several philanthropic causes throughout her life, including Chicagoland public schools, Rotary International and Junior Achievement, among others.

To learn more about the Chamber, visit www.canyonlakechamber.org or stop in at the office, located in the building adjacent to Auto Care USA in the Canyon Lake Towne Center.

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Caregivers Connection

The next meeting of the Caregivers Connection will take place Monday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to noon in room 6 of the gym at Canyon Lake Community Church. It will feature an inspirational message on “Finding Joy in The Toughest of Circumstances.”

The speaker is long-time Canyon Lake resident author Janelle Basham. Janelle  volunteers  with a local group very close to her heart called Canyon Lake Bosom Buddies. She also is a patient care liaison with Prestige Nurse Registry and My Choice In Home Care. Janelle cared for her mother when she was battling cancer so she will give a personal testimony as well as an uplifting message to those families providing care for their loved ones.

Caregivers Connection provides an opportunity for men and women to discuss common problems, needs and experiences and to learn from one another. Anyone caring for a loved one for illnesses such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart issues or Parkinson’s is welcome to attend.

The group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. For more information, contact facilitator JoAnn Wickerath at 679-7736.

Free Youth Concert

All Canyon Lake youth are invited to a free youth concert by “Dare to Be Dreamers,” an electro/rap hip-hop group that will be performing at Elevation Church, 28250 Bradley Rd. in Menifee, on Wednesday, July 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 951-230-8764.

Animal Communicator

The Equestrian Club is hosting Animal Communicator Lydia Hiby at the Equestrian Center on Saturday, July 25, starting at 10:30 a.m. Lydia does readings on all species of animals; however, for practical reasons she asks that cats and other nervous or flight-risk pets be left at home and a photo brought instead. It is $40 for a 15-minute reading (checks payable to Lydia Hiby).

Lydia has been featured in a number of major publications and her client list numbers more than 60,000 over 20 years. To learn more about her, visit www.lydiahiby.com. To make an appointment, contact Equestrian Club President Gretchen Painter at 951-334-4145.

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.

Southwest Women’s Chorus

The Southwest Women’s Chorus will be holding auditions on August 11 and 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., at The Ballet Studio, 41851 Date St. in Murrieta. Schedule an audition by email at auditions@SouthwestWomensChorus.org or call Anna Yamasaki at 951-297-0239.

The Southwest Women’s Chorus has two big concert seasons, Spring and Fall. The Fall season will prepare for “Christmas in the Air,” offering an eclectic mix of holiday music. The group meets Tuesday nights, 7 to 10 p.m., during the season. For more information, visit www.southwestwomenschorus.org.

Join Cub Scout Pack 346

Cub Scout Pack 346 will be beginning its 2015/2016 year with a Camping Expo Pack meeting on Sunday, August 23, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Lamb’s Fellowship Church on Railroad Canyon Rd. Boys entering 1st through 4th grade who are interested in Scouting are encouraged to come out and meet Pack 346 and learning camping skills and outdoor ethics. Cub Scout Pack 346 serves Canyon Lake, Canyon Hills and Tuscany Hills. For more information on joining Pack 346, contact 951-363-3346 or socalpack346@gmail.com.

Beach Bus

This summer, RTA is making it easier to reach the beach thanks to expanded seasonal service on CommuterLink Route 202. Through September 7, the express route provides 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.

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.

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.




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