News Briefs

Sam Bock presented city scholarship

Sam Bock was presented with an oversized replica of the city’s $1500 scholarship at the Canyon Lake City Council last week. Sam received the award for being selected as the winner of the recent Canyon Lake Scholarship Contest.

The City of Canyon Lake essay contest consisted of participants submitting their résumés and writing a 500-to-750-word essay on a unique challenge faced by local governments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Essays were to explain what each author thought his or her local government did well in responding to this challenge and what could have been done differently. Also included were what lessons could be taken from this experience, and how local governments could better respond to similar emergencies in the future.

Sam will be attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo this fall semester.

Sam Bock, second from right, is presented with a $1,500 scholarship by members of the Canyon Lake City Council at its meeting last week. Sam wrote an essay, which was chosen as the winner of the scholarship contest. Photo provided by the City of Canyon Lake.

Bassmasters hold monthly tournament

Five bass weighing a total of 17.84 lbs. earned the team of Jim Wright and Jeremy Evans first place last week in the monthly Canyon Lake Bassmasters Tournament. Jerry Jones won the award for catching the biggest fish when he reeled in a bass weighing 5.52 lbs.

Brian Hohn and Jerry Jones came in second place with a total fish weight of 16.55 lbs. and Mauro Megalo and Keith Bridges finished in third place with a total fish weight of 15.96 lbs.

The 18 participants in nine boats participated in the tournament held this month at night from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. After the weigh-in, all fish are released back into the lake.

Parade of Frights returning in October

The Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce has announced it is resurrecting Halloween’s Parade of Frights on Oct. 23 in the Canyon Lake Town Center. The annual event has been a traditional mainstay of the community since its birth nearly 30 years ago. COVID-19 restrictions shut it down last year.

Parade of Frights is a massive Trick-or-Treating carnival in the Town Center where costumed kids go from business to business collecting goodies. Other activities and booths are also part of the event. More details will be announced by the Chamber as the event draws closer.

Blood drive at church to help shortage

While donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to give this summer, the need for blood and platelets remains crucial for patients relying on lifesaving transfusions. The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage and donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now.

Canyon Lake residents will have an opportunity to simply drive across the street on Friday (July 23) to donate. The blood drive will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Community Church, 30515 Railroad Canyon Road.

Right now, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet current demand as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries.

To thank donors who help refuel the blood and platelet supply this month, all who come to give through July 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email and will also receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). More information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel. Also, all those who come to donate throughout the entire month of July will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. To learn more, visit rcblood.org/CedarFair.

Donors who give now will help stock the shelves for the rest of the summer season. Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

Bunco is back every 2nd Wednesday

Canyon Lake Women’s Bunco, formerly CLAWS, is back at the Senior Center in Canyon Lake. The group plays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month. It’s open to all who would like to play and everyone is invited.

For more information call Josie Haney at (951) 244-8484 or Betty Henry at (951) 244-3091.

Canyon Lake Family Triathlon tomorrow

The Canyon Lake Kids & Family Triathlon, put on by the Canyon Lake Triathlon & Fitness Club, will take place tomorrow (Saturday). The event is open to members only and there will be no onsite signups.

The event will consist of an Adult Super Sprint at 8:00 a.m. (check in at 7:30 a.m.) and will include a 1/4 mile swim, a 6 mile bike, and a 1.5 mile run.

The event will also consist of a KId Triathlon at 9:00 a.m. (check in at 8:30 a.m.). The Kid Triathlon will be a short swim around the swim area buoys and a short bike/run. There will be a light brunch and snacks after the race.

Lion’s Bingo starting back up Sunday

After being shut down by the COVID-19 restrictions, the Canyon Lake Lion’s Club is reopening its Bingo Night on Sunday at the Canyon Lake Senior Center.

Approximately 50 Canyon Lakers have gathered in the past for the Lion Club’s Bingo Fundraiser. The club invites adult members (18 and over) of the community to play Bingo on the first and third Sundays of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All proceeds go toward the various charities the Lion’s Club supports.

Admission is $10 per six-sheet set. Special games are also available for $1.00 each. The amount of the cash payouts depends on the number of players in each game.

Newbies need not be intimidated, Joanna Spiller of the club said. The Bingo caller explains each game before it is played, she said. Lion Club volunteers are on hand and ready to offer assistance to those who are new to the game or need help.

Daubers are available for $1.00 each. Chips and canned soda are available for purchase for 50 cents each. Attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks, Joanna said. Those wishing to attend from outside the community should call Nancy Coughlin at 951-805-0543 or Joanna at 951-244-1553 for gate entrance.