This section contains information on local activities and items of interest to Canyon Lake residents. Information should be submitted to news@goldingpublications no later than 5 p.m. Monday.
Annual Bridge Marathon
Couples and ladies are encouraged to register for the Annual Bridge Marathon, sponsored by the Women's Club. The evening encourages friendly competition in a social situation. All games are played as foursomes in the entrants' home beginning in February and finishing by the end of June. The maximum play is five times. Newcomers to Canyon Lake are encouraged to find a partner and participate. Entry fee is $10 per person. Registration is open until January 31. Send checks,payable to Canyon Lake Women's Club, to Pat Swink, 30191 White Wake Drive. Contact Pat 244-9021 for more information.
MHA presentation
A “Making Home Affordable” (MHA) presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, at 7 p.m. in the City Multi-purpose Room.
The Making Home Affordable Program is a part of the Obama Administration's broad strategy to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, stabilize the country's housing market and improve the nation's economy. Homeowners can lower their monthly mortgage payments and get into more stable loans at today's low rates. The program can provide a way out of home ownership that avoids foreclosure. There also are options for unemployed homeowners and those who owe more than their homes are worth.
To confirm attendance at the presentation, call 579-4911. Help is free. To learn more, visit freehomeownership.gov.
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. The next volunteer orientation is Thursday, February 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Education Center. Minimum age is 16. Contact 679-8888, ext. 7254.
TCHS Band fundraiser
Temescal Canyon High School Band will be having a fundraiser through the Goodwill Southern California program, Saturday, January 28, in the Lowe's parking lot in Lake Elsinore. Items can be dropped off between 9 a.m.and 3 p.m. Director Tyler Smith informs residents that representatives from the program will pick up items from houses if they are unable to drop off.
To arrange pick-up, contact tyler.smith@leusd.k12.ca.us, or call Myisha Bratlien at 479-6506.
Walking schedule
Monday, February 6, Lodge parking lot
Thursday, February 9, Blue Bird Hall parking lot
Tuesday, February 14, Lodge parking lot
Thursday, February 16, Happy Camp Campground
Tuesday, February 21, Lodge parking lot
Thursday, February 23, Station 60 parking lot (BLM land)
Tuesday, February 28, Lodge parking lot
Caregiver support group
The Caregivers Connection support group, for caregivers and their patients, meets in rooms C5 and 6 at Canyon Lake Community Church on the second and fourth Monday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon. Meetings offer 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, stroke, heart issues or Parkinson's is welcome to attend. Activities are planned for the caregiver and those for whom they are caring. For more information, call facilitator Jo Ann Wickerath at 679-7736.
Electronics recycling
Temescal Canyon High Softball will host an Electronics Recycling event on Saturday, January 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school, 28755 El Toro Rd. in Lake Elsinore (down the road from Costco). They will be accepting all old computers, monitors, printers, cables, cell phones, microwave ovens, etc.
Softball clinic
Temescal Canyon High School Softball invites girls 5 to 14 years of age to participate in a softball clinic Saturday. February 11, from 9 a.m to noon. Varsity players and coaches will be teaching fundamental softball skills. Each girl will receive a T-shirt and lunch. The fee is $30.
Following the clinic, participants are invited to watch TCHS' annual Alumni Softball Game in which current varsity players challenge former players.The game begins at 1 p.m.
For more information about the clinic email tomkevett@titansoftballboosters.com.
Little League and Girls Softball signups
Canyon Lake Little League and Girls Softball are holding signups for the spring 2012 season. Registration is available at www.eteamz.com/canyonlakell. The season runs from February 25 through through June 3.
Itty Bitty T-Ball
Temescal Canyon High School Baseball is hosting its annual Itty Bitty T-Ball program for children 2 ½ to 6. The seven-week program begins Sunday, February 26. The cost is $70 for one player; the multiple-sibling discount is $60 each.
Sign up at www.tchsbaseball.com. There also will be a signup day at the TCHS gym on Sunday, February 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call Kim Larson at 640-4317.
Boating skills, seamanship
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Tri-Lakes presents "About Boating Safety," a one-day course offered on February 19 and March 18. Classes are held at Lake Elsinore Marine, 18010 Grand Ave. in Lake Elsinore. The instructor is Peter Dawson, Coast Guard Auxiliary Coxswain and licensed captain. For more information, contact 202-1584 or petedawson@verizon.net.
Michelle's Place
Michelle's Place is a breast cancer resource center serving this area. The center's mission is to provide emotional and educational support to those touched with breast cancer and facilitate breast health care services. Events and classes are regularly offered at 27645 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 117 in Temecula. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about available services and resources at michellesplace.org.
Fill up at Eastport!
Residents are reminded Eastport Market has the only gas station in the City limits and, as such, is an important source of revenue for the City. After crude oil costs, taxes are the second largest contributor to the price paid at the pump. The owners say they buy the same gasoline from the same distributors that supply name brand stations and prices are competitive.
Lioness bingo
The Canyon Lake Lioness Club holds Bingo every first and third Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the City Multi-purpose Room. Games are $20 for a 12-sheet set and $10 for a six-sheet set. Two 50/50 games are played for $1 each or six for $5. Refreshments are provided for a nominal donation. All proceeds from the games are donated to various charities endorsed by Lions Club International as well as helping organizations in the community.
Kids tennis program
Tennis Pro Baba Soysa offers after-school tennis lessons. For more information, contact Marga Kidd at mikesmarga@yahoo.com or 442-4538.
Meals for shut-ins
Hot meals for shut-ins are delivered to Canyon Lake five days a week, provided by the Riverside County Home Delivered Meals Program. Meals are prepared at the Kay Ceniceros Center in Sun City and delivered by a group of volunteers from Canyon Lake. Residents who would like to request this service for themselves or someone else may contact Maxine Whalen at 244-6333 or Linda Johnson at 244-8852.
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.
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.
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 growing dramatically. Donations can be dropped off at the Coldwell Banker office in the Towne Center, 31620 Railroad Canyon Rd.
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.
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. The group meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Lamb’s Fellowship, 21901 Railroad Canyon Rd. in Lake Elsinore. For more information, call 674-3531or visit alanonriverside.org.
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.
Pet preparedness
The Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee is in need of donations of pet supplies to keep in storage in the event of a disaster affecting the community. If the need arises to open a Red Cross shelter, there will be a need to house Canyon Lake pets, too, according to CLEP Director Nancy Carroll. There is a need for wire enclosures, leashes, collars, food and water dishes and toys, as well as clean blankets and small bathroom type rugs for bedding. For pick-up or directions for drop-off, call Ellen Dyer at 244-7763 or Nancy Carroll at 244-8230.
Free Fax Friday
Debby Gagnon of Pack, Wrap and Post in the Canyon Lake Towne Center says she would like to help those who are currently seeking employment during these tough economic times by offering free use of the fax machine for the purpose of sending out resumes. Anyone interested in taking advantage of this offer is invited to stop by Pack, Wrap and Post on Fridays; no appointment is necessary. Debby says she will offer the service as long as she is able to do so.
Hospital volunteers needed
Menifee Valley Medical Center is seeking volunteers. Only four hours of volunteer service per week qualifies one as an active member of the hospital volunteer team. No experience is necessary; training will be provided. The minimum age for hospital volunteers is 16 years old. For more information call 679-8888, ext. 7254 or 925-6389.
Senior softball
Softball players 55 and older are needed for a 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.
Computer Club
The Computer Club of Menifee Valley welcomes all who have an interest in computers. It meets at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month and offer presentations, guest speakers, question and answer sessions, a computer lab and computer classes. It is a free club with no dues. Meetings are held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 29885 Bradley Rd. in Sun City. For more information, e-mail contact@ccmv.net or visit ccmv.net.
Child advocates needed
The local organization of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children is seeking volunteers for its program. As trained advocates, CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to be a voice for these children in court. No special education or background is needed – just a desire to help abused and neglected children. Volunteers must pass a background check, followed by a 30-hour training course. For more information contact Deborah Sutton at 304-5220 or visit nationalcasa.org.
Thank the troops
Xerox Corporation has created a simple way for citizens to thank military personnel overseas 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.