News Briefs

Painting House by House named Business of the Month

Painting House by House, a leading painting service provider in the Canyon Lake area, has been named the February Business of the Month by the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce. This accolade recognizes the company‘s exceptional service and commitment to customer satisfaction in the community, the chamber said.

Specializing in both interior and exterior painting, Painting House by House has established a reputation for excellence. The company has also expanded its services to include minor drywall and stucco repairs, catering to a broader range of customer needs.

Sandy Varzarschi, the owner of Painting House by House, expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the importance of being a part of the chamber.

“Joining the chamber was a straightforward decision, offering a fantastic opportunity for networking and participating in the many events it organizes,” Sandy said. “It’s great to be part of such an active and supportive community.”

Canyon Lakers encouraged to support seniors at Peanut Butter Drive

In a compassionate response to food insecurity among local seniors, Aprile DeAnne McKinnon, alongside the Helping Hands charity, has initiated a peanut butter drive for the month of February in Canyon Lake. The drive aims to collect jars of creamy peanut butter to support seniors who often rely on this staple food towards the end of the month when financial resources are strained.

Helping Hands, a nonprofit focused on senior assistance, identified peanut butter as an essential item for many seniors during difficult times. To address this need, the peanut butter drive encourages community members to contribute by dropping off donations at specified locations within the Canyon Lake Town Center. For those interested in making a difference or seeking additional information, Aprile can be reached at 951-545-7855.

Spring Luncheon for individuals living alone Feb. 24 at CL Community Church

Canyon Lake Community Church‘s Priscilla Circle is set to host a special spring luncheon for individuals living alone within the community. This event, part of the People Living Alone Now (PLAN) outreach program, is scheduled for Feb. 24 at noon in the Family Activities Building C.

The luncheon aims to provide companionship, engaging conversations, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere for about one hundred attendees.

The Priscilla Circle, comprising approximately 30 women, meets monthly to foster fellowship and plan outreach activities. Their PLAN ministry focuses on inclusivity, extending invitations to both church members and non-members who live alone, ensuring everyone feels welcome.

Attendees can expect beautifully-themed decorations, delectable food prepared under the guidance of Rita Robles, including chicken bow tie pasta in white sauce and a fruit vinaigrette salad, with lemon mousse and white chocolate cupcakes for dessert. The event will also feature pleasant music, door prizes, and a talk by Linda Sasser, adding to the luncheon‘s appeal.

For more information and to RSVP, interested individuals are encouraged to contact Nancy Horton at 951-246-2928. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon commencing at noon.

Tennis Club invites guests to Valentine Tennis Tournament, Potluck Feb. 24

Canyon Lake tennis enthusiasts are invited to celebrate a belated Valentine‘s Day with a special tournament on  Feb. 24, at 9:00 a.m. This event is a perfect opportunity for residents to bring along their Valentine, Galentine, or a friend for some friendly competition and socializing.

A potluck will accompany the tournament. Participants with last names beginning with A-L are asked to bring desserts and drinks, while those with last names starting with M-Z should bring breakfast items.

The entry fee for the tournament is $15, with payment options including cash, check, or Zelle, using the email cltennisclub2022@gmail.com. Those interested in participating are encouraged to sign up by Thursday’s deadline. Any sign-ups received after this date will be placed on a waitlist, subject to availability.

Red Cross urges blood donations amid national shortage at Lodge on March 2

The American Red Cross is calling for blood and platelet donations to bolster the national blood supply this month. Donors of all blood types, particularly those with type O blood, are crucial to ensuring that blood products remain available for immediate hospital needs.

Blood donation opportunities in Canyon Lake are available on Wednesday  from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Community Church located at 30515 Railroad Canyon Road.

Individuals interested in donating can schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. As a token of appreciation, donors in February will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

Canyon Lake Guild to host Sinatra Tribute Concert at Lodge on March 2

The Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild will host a Frank Sinatra tribute concert featuring Matt Mauser on March 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Lodge. The event will replicate Sinatra‘s iconic performances with The Count Basie Orchestra at The Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.

Matt, a Southern California native, has transitioned from an all-American swimmer to a noted musician, capturing Sinatra‘s essence. Tickets are available at canyonlakeguild.org, with VIP seating at $60 and general admission at $45.

The concert is part of the Guild‘s 2024 lineup, including tributes to Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, and a 1970s hits celebration.

Attendees are encouraged to secure tickets early for this anticipated event.

Canyon Lake Woman’s Club announces Scholarships

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club is calling on local students to apply for its annual scholarship program, with an application deadline of April 14. This opportunity is aimed at supporting the educational aspirations of full-time Canyon Lake residents who have demonstrated academic excellence with a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Open to both graduating high school seniors and continuing college students, the scholarship seeks to ease the financial burden of education on students and their families. Applicants must have lived in Canyon Lake for at least six months prior to the application.

Debra Sacks, the scholarship chairperson for the Woman’s Club, urges interested students to reach out for more information or to apply. The application process includes submitting two letters of reference, recent transcripts, proof of enrollment for college students, or SAT scores for high school applicants, alongside a personal letter detailing any hardships that might impact the applicant’s education.

Following the application submission, candidates may be invited for a personal or telephone interview with the Woman’s Club Scholarship Committee during the week of April 22-26, with interviews scheduled after 3:00 p.m. For application details and more information, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Woman’s Club website or contact Debra Sacks directly at debrajsacks@gmail.com.

City relaunches Canyon Cash e-Gift Card with bonus incentives

The City of Canyon Lake, in partnership with the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce, has announced the return of the Canyon Cash Gift Card program. This initiative, designed to boost local businesses, was first launched during the post-pandemic recovery period and is being reintroduced to further support local commerce.

The Canyon Cash eGift Card program is a strategic effort to encourage residents to shop and dine locally, thereby supporting the wide array of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues in Canyon Lake. The program offers a unique incentive: for each eGift Card purchased, the buyer receives an additional Bonus eGift Card, increasing their spending capability within the community. The bonus structure is as follows:

Buy a $100 eGift Card, receive a $50 Bonus Card.

Buy a $50 eGift Card, receive a $25 Bonus Card.

Buy a $25 eGift Card, receive a $15 Bonus Card.

To ensure equitable distribution of this offer, there is a limit of five bonus gifts per purchaser for the duration of the campaign, irrespective of the number of gift recipients. This offer is subject to availability and will continue while supplies last. The bonus cards will be valid for one year from the date of purchase. Additionally, the purchase must be made using a credit card held by the purchaser.

The program is a part of the city‘s ongoing efforts to support and strengthen the local economy, especially focusing on small businesses that form the backbone of the community‘s economic landscape. The Canyon Cash eGift Card program not only benefits consumers through bonus incentives but also drives traffic and revenue to local businesses, contributing to the overall vitality of Canyon Lake.

Registration, Safety Exam for e-bikes now mandatory

In an effort to promote safety and responsible usage of electric bicycles within the community, the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association has introduced a new regulation requiring all electric bicycles to be registered.

Residents who use electric bicycles on Canyon Lake streets must first pass a mandatory online safety exam. This measure is designed to ensure that electric bicycle riders are well-informed about safe riding practices. The POA advises completing this exam before visiting the Member Services office for registration, which is located in the Canyon Lake Town Center and open during regular business hours.

After successfully completing the online safety exam, participants will receive a certificate. This certificate will then be verified by POA staff via email, streamlining the registration process. It‘s important to note that the actual electric bicycle is not required to be present for registration.

Once the safety exam is completed and membership is verified, residents will be issued a registration tag at no cost. This tag is to be prominently displayed on the rear of the electric bicycle, in accordance with the new regulation.

Canyon Lake POA providing live online pickleball court camera

The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association has introduced an innovative feature for pickleball enthusiasts: a live online camera providing real-time views of the pickleball courts. This new tool is designed to enhance the experience for players by simplifying the process of checking court availability.

Available on the POA website under the “Pickleball” page within the “Recreation” section, the pickleball cam is easily accessible and user-friendly. It offers live visuals of the courts, allowing players to conveniently determine if courts are available for use at any time, from any location.

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.

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.

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.

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.