News Briefs

Helping Hands invites community to donate toys

Helping Hands, a local nonprofit organization in Canyon Lake, is spearheading a toy drive to support families in need during the holiday season. The organization is reaching out to the community for contributions of clean, used toys in good condition. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for families to involve their children and grandchildren in the spirit of giving. It’s a chance for youngsters to clear out their toy boxes, making room for new Christmas gifts, while also making a meaningful contribution to those less fortunate.

Helping Hands emphasizes the importance of donating toys that are still in great shape, appealing to the community’s generosity and consideration. They recommend cleaning the toys thoroughly and replacing batteries if necessary, ensuring that the donated items are ready for immediate enjoyment by their new owners.

Residents can find donation boxes for the toy drive at several locations, including Pack Wrap & Post and City Hall in the Canyon Lake Town Center, and the Canyon Lake Community Church. The organization is dedicated to distributing the collected toys to children in need before Christmas, ensuring that the spirit of the season reaches every corner of the community.

Neighborhood to host festive ‘White Wake Wonderland’ event

The residents of White Wake Drive are hosting a holiday gathering, “White Wake Wonderland,” inviting the Canyon Lake community to join in the festive celebrations. The event, set for Dec. 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., is expected to be a delightful occasion, filled with holiday spirit and community togetherness.

Adding a touch of whimsy to the event, attendees will enjoy a special appearance by the Grinch, bringing a playful element to the evening. The gathering will also offer cozy winter treats, including hot cocoa and a variety of snacks, perfect for enjoying on a chilly December night.

To enhance the festive mood, music will be a central feature of “White Wake Wonderland,” providing a cheerful backdrop for the community celebration. The residents of White Wake Drive encourage everyone in the community to participate in this free event. It promises to be an evening filled with warmth, joy, and holiday cheer, suitable for all ages.

CL Car Club to Host ‘Cars, Coffee & Donuts’ tomorrow

Canyon Lake car enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Canyon Lake Car Club hosts its Cars, Coffee & Donuts event tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. at the Sierra Park Pavilion #1. This casual gathering invites community members to showcase their unique vehicles and share their passion for automobiles.

Attendees can bring their prized cars, whether classic, exotic, or custom, to the event and enjoy a morning surrounded by fellow car enthusiasts. The Canyon Lake Car Club will provide coffee and donuts, which are available while supplies last, so participants are encouraged to arrive early.

This event presents an excellent opportunity for car lovers to connect, discuss their vehicles, and create a sense of camaraderie within the Canyon Lake community. The Cars, Coffee & Donuts event promises to be a relaxed and enjoyable affair for all who share a love for cars.

Women’s Golf Club to host Christmas Tournament

The Canyon Lake Women’s Golf Club Christmas Tournament is Tuesday with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start and will feature four-person teams competing in a scramble format. In the spirit of the holiday season, participants are encouraged to bring a new toy for children, contributing to the club’s Christmas charity initiative.

Following the tournament, a lunch will be held at the Canyon Lake Lodge, where the annual awards will be presented and the club’s annual installation ceremony will take place. This event is not only a great opportunity for golf enthusiasts, but also a chance to celebrate the season and contribute to a good cause.

The committee organizing the event includes Ina Pickard, Linda Kamashian, Linda Johnson, Maxine Whalen, Ann Blay, and Lou De Young. For any questions regarding the event, Ina can be contacted at 951-244-3062. The deadline to enter the tournament was yesterday.

Woman’s Club to host holiday luncheon at general meeting

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club invites members to its upcoming general meeting and holiday luncheon at the Canyon Lake Country Club. Scheduled for Dec. 20, the event will start with vendor shopping at 9:00 a.m., followed by the general meeting at 10:00 a.m. The day is set to be filled with holiday cheer and relaxation.

The bar will be open for attendees, and a lunch will be available for $16. However, reservations are required for both the meeting and the luncheon. Those interested in attending the luncheon can make their reservations at clwclunches@gmail.com.

The menu offers a choice of Half Cobb Salad, Fish Tacos, or a Half Chicken Caesar Wrap with a cup of soup, along with a non-alcoholic beverage of coffee, tea, or water.

Due to limited space, attendees are urged to RSVP for both the meeting and the luncheon by Wednesday, especially if planning to attend both events.

This holiday gathering is a perfect opportunity for members of the Woman’s Club to come together to celebrate the season, enjoy a delightful meal, and participate in the club’s activities.

Canyon Lake P.E.O. luncheon, boutique fundraiser Dec. 16

The Canyon Lake P.E.O. Chapter is inviting the community to its annual luncheon and boutique scheduled for Dec. 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the Canyon Lake Senior Center. The event, priced at $25.00 per ticket, is not just a social gathering, but also a meaningful initiative to support women’s education.

Proceeds from the luncheon will be dedicated to scholarships, continuing the chapter’s commitment to promoting educational opportunities for women. P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) is an international organization that has made a significant impact through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and the stewardship of Cottey College.

“Last year we were able to award seven scholarships to local girls,” the club’s Peggy Clark said. “We’re hoping to continue this positive impact through the funds raised at this event.”

Those interested in attending the luncheon and contributing to the club’s cause are encouraged to contact Johnnie D’Alessandroat 951-244-4191 for tickets. The event promises to be an enjoyable occasion with the added satisfaction of supporting educational initiatives for young women. Through events like this luncheon and boutique, the Canyon Lakes P.E.O. Chapter demonstrates its dedication to the empowerment and education of women, making a real difference in the lives of recipients and the broader community.

Pool closed for season; heater broken, will reopen in spring

The pool at the Canyon Lake Lodge is now closed and will remain closed for the remainder of the 2023 season due to issues with the heating system.

“We regret to inform our residents and visitors that the pool will be closed earlier than anticipated this year,” the Canyon Lake POA said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are grateful for everyone’s understanding.”

The closure comes as a disappointment to many who frequent the pool, but the POA assures that this decision was made with the community’s best interest in mind, prioritizing safety and comfort.

The POA extended its thanks to all who made the 2023 pool season enjoyable and successful. Despite the unforeseen closure, the POA remains committed to providing quality recreational facilities and is eagerly anticipating the pool’s reopening in spring 2024.

Little League opens spring season registrations

The Canyon Lake Little League is calling on young baseball enthusiasts to sign up for the spring 2024 season. Registration is now open for boys and girls ages 4-14, welcoming players of all skill levels to participate in the upcoming season.

Player evaluations are scheduled for the second week of January. Post-evaluations, the league may make adjustments to a player’s level of play to ensure safety and appropriate skill matching.

The registration fee covers various essentials and perks for the season, including season play with instruction, a complete uniform set comprising a hat, jersey, belt, and socks, a team photo and an end-of-season trophy, with the style varying by division.

Parents and guardians can register their children by visiting the league’s official website at clllca.com. The Canyon Lake Little League is dedicated to providing a fun, educational, and safe environment for children to learn and enjoy the game, making it a perfect opportunity for young sports enthusiasts to develop their skills and enjoy the spirit of teamwork and competition.

Bulky item pick ups can be scheduled online

CR&R, Canyon Lake’s contracted trash pick up company, provides the pick up of bulky items. The pickup of these items is available by scheduling on CR&R’s website, www.crrwasteservices.com, or by calling 800-755-8112.

Items that cannot fit in the curbside automated containers, such as a chair, couch, or other household appliances, are considered “bulky items.” Each residential customer is entitled to call and schedule a bulky item pick-up for no additional charge two times per calendar year, and each call can include up to two items.

Fire Department provides safe medicine disposal

Properly disposing of expired medications is available at the Canyon Lake Fire Department. The department’s Drug Disposal Program allows residents to properly dispose of expired medications, patches, ointments, and other pharmaceutical items by utilizing the city’s medication drop-off box at the fire station on Vacation Drive.

The implementation of this secure collection site aims to reduce the risk of pollution, drug misuse, and accidental ingestion of expired medicines, which the city is confident will cater to the safety and convenience of the community.

Studies have demonstrated that medications flushed down the sink or toilet can contaminate local lakes and rivers. Unfortunately, most water treatment systems are ill-equipped to remove pharmaceuticals, and homes with septic tanks can lead to chemical leaching into the groundwater, the city said. Consequently, aquatic life, including fish, suffers negative consequences, and these chemicals pose a potential threat to drinking water.

According to a national poll conducted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, 46 percent of parents have leftover prescription medications at home. Such expired medications are susceptible to bacterial growth and can contribute to millions of accidental poisonings and overdoses each year.

Younger children are particularly at risk of accidental poisoning when they gain access to these medications, while older children may engage in misuse of prescription drugs and experimental behavior.

To safeguard the environment and prevent accidental harm, the city said it is essential to adhere to the recommended steps for proper medication disposal:

Once an item has been placed inside the secure medication box, retrieval is not possible. Residents should refrain from attempting to retrieve any disposed medication.

Medications should be kept in their original packaging, and individuals should remove their names from the prescription bottles.

To ensure the medication’s security, tape the lids of the prescription packaging.

The disposal site strictly prohibits the disposal of illicit drugs.

Residents are encouraged to regularly check their prescription expiration dates and dispose of expired pharmaceuticals by utilizing the new medication drop-off box situated in front of the Canyon Lake Fire Department at 28730 Vacation Drive.

The management of this program falls under the responsibility of the Canyon Lake Fire Department in collaboration with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Lake Elsinore Station. The Sheriff’s Station will regularly handle the proper disposal of medications collected in the secured drop-off box.

Fire Department accepting expired fire extinguishers

The Canyon Lake Fire Department has implemented an out-of-service fire extinguisher program.

Old or expired fire extinguishers can be dropped off at the Canyon Lake Fire Department Station 1 located at 28730 Vacation Drive.

Not only do fire extinguishers have manufacture dates imprinted on them to help determine their expirations, but if they have rust or corrosion, they should be taken to the fire department for disposal.

ABC fire extinguishers are the most common home fire extinguishers. Their life expectancy can range between 10 and 12 years depending on how well the extinguisher has been maintained.

After each use, the extinguisher should be recharged, even if the extinguisher is not empty. This will help to ensure that the extinguisher contains enough pressure and suppressant chemicals to extinguish future fires. Fire extinguishers should be serviced by a trained professional.

This new fire department program is also being implemented to promote the acquisition of fire extinguishers by Canyon Lake residents.

The Canyon Lake Fire Department recommends and encourages residents to have at least two fire extinguishers. Households should have one on each floor of the house as well as one for the garage.

The fire department also said to Immediately replace any fire extinguishers that are deemed out-of-service. Fire extinguishers are great for putting out small fires that have just started, but if a fire is too big and out of control, residents should evacuate the house and call 911.

POA seeking help with security camera footage

The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association is asking its members to volunteer to share home security camera footage when a criminal incident occurs near their home.

In partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, this program allows community residents with surveillance systems to voluntarily add themselves to a list that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Canyon Lake POA may refer to if a criminal incident occurred nearby.

With the increased popularity of personal surveillance systems, including simple doorbell cameras, for residents and property owners, the use of the footage from these cameras has become useful to law enforcement. As crimes occur near a home with security cameras, owners may not be aware that their system may have captured helpful information that could help solve the crime.

After signing up on the Canyon Lake POA website for this program, when these criminal incidents occur, the Canyon Lake POA and/or law enforcement may contact those on the sign up list near the incident to help solve the crime by requesting to review their video footage their system may have captured. This information or footage may assist in apprehending and prosecuting the criminals involved.

Members would only be contacted by the Canyon Lake POA or law enforcement to request permission to view your camera footage if there is a criminal incident near their home.

“You are not giving the Canyon Lake POA or law enforcement access to your system or footage, but instead agreeing to be contacted if you have a camera that may have been in the vicinity of a criminal incident,” the Canyon Lake POA said. “Your participation in providing any camera footage is strictly voluntary. Information provided to the Canyon Lake POA regarding your camera systems will be for official use only. Your personal information will remain confidential and will not be distributed.’

Video surveillance is one of the best methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects caught in the act of committing a crime, the Canyon Lake POA said. While many own and operate personal surveillance systems that could aid in solving crimes, law enforcement officials are not always aware of who may have this potentially vital information.

By signing up for this program, residents are added to a list that may be quickly referenced to identify nearby cameras that may have captured criminal activity.

City, POA, Lions unite to provide Vial of Life program

The Canyon Lake Lions Club, the City of Canyon Lake, and the Canyon Lake POA have joined together to provide a program where residents can leave resident medical information in a vinyl envelope on their refrigerators to help first responders save lives.

The Vial of Life Program is intended for residents to store all life-saving medical information in a convenient and accessible way for first responders who are coming to an emergency response at their home.

The Vial of Life kits are being provided by the Canyon Lake POA at no cost and come with a directions sheet, a medical information form, a magnetic vinyl envelope, and a Vial of Life decal. The Vial of Life name comes from the common practice of people stuffing their medical information into a prescription bottle in hopes of first responders finding it.

With the magnetic vinyl envelope holding this information, a patient’s medical information can now be found on the outside of the resident’s refrigerator. Also part of the kit is a decal that is to be placed on the front window of the home to alert first responders to look for the vinyl envelope.

The POA will be providing the Vial of Life kits to all new residents at no cost. Current residents can obtain a Vial of Life kit at either the Canyon Lake POA office in the Canyon Lake Town Center or at the Canyon Lake Fire Department. If there is more than one person in a household who would like to prepare their medical information, extra forms can be provided upon request.

Center calling all seniors to join in on game days

The Canyon Lake Senior Center is inviting the community’s seniors to a couple of days of interesting and fun games on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Hand and Foot, a quick moving card game with the objective to be the first to rid a player’s cards and for the team to take the most points is played on Monday’s at the Senior Center from noon to 4:00 p.m.

For more information on Hand and Foot, contact Ann Nickle at 951-387-1083.

The Mahjongg Group meets on Tuesdays between noon and 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Both Chinese and American styles are played.

For more information on Mahjongg games, contact Theresa Fidler at 858-784-1560 or Melody Clark at 949-370-4401.