Southwest Riverside County Community News Briefs: Thanksgiving meals to be offered
By: The Californian - | ∞
Two groups will be offering free Thanksgiving meals Thursday in Southwest County.
Helping Our People in Elsinore will be serving meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Elsinore Christian Center, 104 S. Kellogg St.
The public is invited and organizers are anticipating serving 200 to 250 meals and delivering another 125 or so to shut-ins.
HOPE is coordinating the dinner along with various churches, schools and service organizations.
The groups also prepared 450 Thanksgiving baskets for seniors and others referred to the agency. The baskets include the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal with a turkey or certificate to buy one.
Siggy's restaurant in Murrieta will be serving its 14th annual free Thanksgiving meal from noon to 4 p.m.
The meal will consist of turkey, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy.
The restaurant is at 26820 Jefferson Ave. For information, call 696-0119.
CLUB NEWS
English Club meets weekly
TEMECULA -- The English Club, for learners of English who want to practice with native speakers, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at the Temecula Valley International Center.
There is no cost to attend. The center is at 28780 Single Oak Drive, Suite 210. For information, call 693-9184 or email: info@csofe.com.
General to address Marine League
MURRIETA -- Eugene L. Hudson, a retired Air Force major general, will speak when the Marine Corps League Murrieta-Temecula Detachment 1057 meets at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Hudson, who joined the Army Air Corp in 1942, flew combat missions during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was assistant deputy chief of staff for systems and logistics at Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C., when he retired in 1976.
The league is a veterans organization of the U.S. Marines and is composed of current and former Marines with honorable service. It meets the last Saturday of the month. All qualified Marines are encouraged to join.
The meeting will be at Fire Station 75, 38900 Clinton Keith Road. For information, call 698-6561.
Ham radio club plans meeting
TEMECULA -- The Golden Triangle Amateur Radio Club Inc. will have its next general meeting Monday at the Rancho California Water District offices. The group meets the fourth Monday of the month with social time at 7 p.m. and the meeting at 7:30.
Monday's speaker will be Bob Grimmick, who will present a travel log of his recent trip to Antarctica.
The meeting is at 42135 Winchester Road. For information, call Ed Sherman at (800) 596-0615.
DAR chapter to meet Tuesday
MURRIETA -- The Daughters of the American Revolution, Luiseno chapter, will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sizzler.
Don Kremple will wear his George Washington outfit and talk about the American Creed, which was adopted in 1918.
Everyone is invited, especially those who are interested in tracing their heritage to ancestors of the American Revolution. Applications and instructions for documenting lineage will be available.
The restaurant is at 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. For information, call Marsha Timberlake, 677-7443.
XYZ group plans dinner
MURRIETA -- The Murrieta XYZ group -- Extra Years of Zest -- will have a Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Senior Center.
Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy will be provided. Guests are asked to bring salads, cranberries, vegetables and desserts.
The Community Center is at 41717 Juniper St. For information and reservations, call Richard Mannex at 677-2591 or Ron Goggia at 304-0130 by Thursday.
PEO to sponsor home tour
SUN CITY -- The Sun City PM PEO group will sponsor a Christmas Home Tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2.
Visitors will enter a home at 28653 Carmel Road that will be filled with Christmas decor in every room. The cost is $5. Homemade baked goods will be available for purchase.
The Philanthropic Educational Organization is dedicated to supporting women's education.
For information, call Irene Hampel at 679-5767.
Elks sponsor Hoop Shoot
TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Elks' Lodge has distributed materials for the 2006 Elks' National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest to area schools. The Hoop Shoot is open to boys and girls aged 8 through 13. All public and private schools in the lodge's jurisdiction are invited to participate.
Three boys and three girls from each age category will advance from each participating school to the Temecula contest on Dec. 2 at the Community Recreation Center. Winners at that level will advance to the district contest.
For information, call Steve Jones at 676-9711 or e-mail jonesclan5@verizon.net.
Choral clubs unite for concert
SUN CITY -- The Sun City Choral Club will be joined by the Canyon Lake Choraleers in "A Holiday Journey" at 3 p.m. Dec. 3.
A $5 donation is requested for the show at United Church of Christ, 26701 McCall Blvd.
The Sun City Choral Club is also seeking members. There are no auditions or residency requirements and the group is open to all voices. For information, call 301-8705.
Historical society plans home tour
LAKE ELSINORE -- The Lake Elsinore Historical Society's Holiday Home Tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9.
The event includes a self-guided tour and refreshments at the Main Street Museum, 106 S. Main St.
Tickets cost $20. For information, call 678-1537 or 217-7637.
Freedom Foundation honors veterans
CANYON LAKE -- The Inland Empire Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge hosted a Veterans Day luncheon to honor a number of Canyon Lake residents for their military service.
Howard Best, who was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, and Don George, a former prisoner of war, were presented honorary memberships in the local chapter after sharing their experiences while in uniform.
The luncheon at the Canyon Lake Lodge was arranged by Maxine Preston, national volunteer chairman of the Freedoms Foundation, and presided over by chapter president Vick Knight.
Attendees heard reports about the recent volunteer conference in Valley Forge, Pa., attended by several Canyon Lake delegates and were told that at least one student from the community will attend the Spirit of America Youth Conference in March.
The group will host a luncheon Feb. 17 to recognize recipients of George Washington honor medals, plaques and certificates for National Freedoms Foundation awards.
According to its Web site, the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, founded in 1949, celebrates the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and their relevance in our daily lives.
The Canyon Lake chapter is one of 30 nationwide. For information on the foundation, visit www.ffvf.org.
Lions Club offers hearing aids to needy
MURRIETA -- The Murrieta Lions Club participates in a program that makes hearing aids available to qualified low-income persons.
After a doctor determines that a person is deaf because of physical conditions and a hearing specialist has performed an evaluative test, interested persons may contact the club to determine if they qualify for the program.
For information, call Tonia at 698-5242.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Center plans
Thanksgiving service
SUN CITY --The Center for Spiritual Living will have a Thanksgiving service, "A Family Affair," from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today.
The center is at 26805 Murrieta Road. For information, call 679-6622.
SAFE to benefit from screening
TEMECULA -- The animated film "Happy Feet" will be screened at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to benefit Safe Alternatives for Everyone, a charity for abused women and children.
In conjunction with the movie, Destry Johnson and his realty firm, ERA Ranch and Coast, will host a gift-card donation for the children of Safe. For information, call Natasha Chavez at 694-6767.
Crafters sought for Wonderland
MURRIETA -- Crafters are sought to be part of Murrieta's Winter Wonderland on Dec. 9. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the California Oaks Sports Park.
Space fees are $30 and spaces are limited. For information, call 304-7275, Ext. 6110.
City sponsors decorating contest
LAKE ELSINORE -- Residents of Lake Elsinore are encouraged to enter a Holiday Home Decorating contest sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Homes will be judged on yard displays and outdoor lighting.
For information or an entry form, call 245-0442 or visit City Hall, 130 S. Main St.
Locals do well in riding competition
TEMECULA -- Dana M. Mandela and Kirstin L. Foran both were Top 10 finalists in reining at American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show Nov. 4-18 in Oklahoma City.
Mandela rode Brother White, a 1996 chestnut gelding, and Foran rode Sure a Great Jack, a 1996 chestnut stallion. They competed in the Bank of America Amateur competition.
The world championships are the largest single-breed horse show in existence. To qualify, a horse must have earned enough points in AQHA-approved shows from Aug. 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006.
CLUB MEETINGS
NOTE: Some clubs may not hold their regular meetings during the holiday season. Please call in advance before attending.
Temecula Badminton Club
TEMECULA -- The Temecula Badminton Club meets at 5 p.m. Thursdays. Information or location, call Paul Gupta, 296-3397.
Drifters Car Club
TEMECULA -- The Drifters Car Club meets at 8 a.m. Saturdays at Country Garden restaurant, 29000 Old Town Front St.
The club is open to all car enthusiasts. Information, Craig Shelley at 206-7630.
Greek-American club
A Greek-American cultural club plans monthly dance marathons and family activities such as bus tours.
Information, 698-7176.
Kiwanis Club of Temecula-Murrieta
TEMECULA -- The Kiwanis Club of Temecula-Murrieta meets at 7:15 a.m. each Wednesday at Presto's Restaurant, 30590 Rancho Californian Road, C303.
Information, Tony at 334-8972 or e-mail kiwanistemecula@yahoo.com.
Knitting Ministry
WILDOMAR -- Cornerstone Community Church's Knitting Ministry meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at Cornerstone Community Church, 34570 Monte Vista Drive. The group creates hats, scarves and gloves for the homeless of Lake Elsinore and surrounding areas.
Information, Cathy at 674-8661.
Murrieta Breakfast Lions Club
MURRIETA -- The Murrieta Breakfast Lions Club meets at 7 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the fellowship hall at St. Martha's church, 37200 Whitewood Ave.
Information, 677-8548, 294-0307 or 296-9894.
Rotary Club of Southwest California
TEMECULA -- The Rotary Club of Southwest California meets from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Mazzaro's, 27644 Ynez Road, M11.
The cost, including dinner, is $15 for members and $20 for guests.
Information, Sandy Dodson at 676-8166.
Rotary Club of Temecula
TEMECULA -- The Rotary Club of Temecula meets at noon Wednesdays at Sizzler restaurant, 27717 Jefferson Ave.
Visitors are welcome, but they must RSVP with either membership committee chairman Chad Hensley at 377-2423 or attend as the guest of a Rotarian.
Stay at Home Moms of Murrieta
MURRIETA -- Stay at Home Moms of Murrieta is a group of mothers who share similar circumstances and seek friends for themselves and their children.
Activities include park days, field trips, play groups, a moms' night out and crafting groups.
Information, Tonya at 894-4389.
Wood carvers
TEMECULA -- Wood Carvers of Temecula Valley meets from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Fridays at the Temecula Community Center.
The group is open to both seasoned carvers and beginners.
The Community Center is at 28816 Pujol St. For information, call Ken at 676-1194.
To have your club or organization added to this list of regularly scheduled meetings, send the name of your group, time and location of your meeting and contact information to Community News, 28765 Single Oak Drive, Suite 100, Temecula, CA 92590 or e-mail the details to community@californian.com.
Fallbook-Bonsall school briefs-11-22
Soroptimists seek scholarship applicants
FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook Soroptimists are seeking young women between 14 and 17 who volunteer in the community or schools as nominees for the Violet Richardson Award. There is a $250 cash grant awarded in honor. Names of nominees should contact Gayle Marrocco at (760) 728-7223 or (760) 728-4828. Deadline to submit applications is Dec. 1
Soroptimist International of Fallbrook is a volunteer service organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in communities and throughout the world.
Learning Together Holiday seas
Between the holiday islands of Thanksgiving and Christmas lies the Ocean of Emotion. It is an ocean known for its Sea of High Drama and the Sea of High Energy. The Sea of High Drama features age-old revival shows such as "The Family Dinner." Each year, the core ensemble cast is augmented by new spouses, infants and girlfriends and boyfriends, who are ceremoniously initiated into the family traditions.
The ensemble members are in charge of perpetuating the rituals associated with good food, excellent drink and generosity of spirit, so that the new generation can carry it on. The revival shows are sometimes put on hiatus and a new show is given a chance. The tradition-breaking spectacular "Destination Holiday" involves a change in sets. The players take up temporary residence in a far-away place, where food and music is significantly different. In that difference the family can find renewal and affirmation of the holiday spirit. This requires a strong director who can keep the show from being swamped by the Sea of Commotion. The Sea of High Drama is impacted by the Sea of High Energy.
Through sheer human will, natural laws are suspended between the Islands of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Days grow longer to accommodate holiday parties, madcap shopping trips, increased attention to home decorating and tending to the perceived needs and wants of a temporarily expanded circle of friends and family. The Sea of High Energy is fueled by 1,000 watts of excitement and requires great skill to navigate successfully.
An unsuccessful navigation results in a great crashing upon the Shore of Disappointment. Lurking in the Ocean of Emotion is the Storm of Depression. The recently departed Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron, who wrote "Sophie's Choice," "The Confessions of Nat Turner" and "Lie Down in Darkness," suffered from depression.
He said, "The madness of depression is the antithesis of violence. It is a storm indeed, but a storm of murk. Soon evident are the slowed-down responses, near paralysis, psychic energy throttled back close to zero. Ultimately, the body is affected and feels sapped, drained."
Can you imagine what it is like to be caught in the Storm of Depression in the middle of the Ocean of Emotion? That has got to be a special kind of torture. Those who ride high on the Ocean of Emotion, who enjoy the thrill of drama and can access high energy during the holidays need to scan the troughs in the Storm of Depression and throw a lifeline to those struggling to keep their heads above water. If we watch out for each other, we will all arrive safely, mind body and soul in the true spirit of the season.
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