Southwest Riverside County Community News Briefs: Post office food drive Saturday

By: The Californian - | Thursday, May 10, 2007 7:38 PM PDT ∞

Local post offices will conduct their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive to support food pantries Saturday. People are encouraged to leave nonperishable items in or beside their mailboxes for their carrier to collect.

While postal workers will collect any nonperishable items, there is a special need for soups and broths, canned fruits and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly and boxed cereal. Items in glass containers and expired items will not be accepted.

The drive, in its 15th year, is sponsored by the national Association of Letter Carriers. More than 70 million pounds of food was collected in more than 10,000 communities nationally in 2006, the association said. Since 1993, families have donated more than a half-billion pounds of food to Stamp Out Hunger, organizers said.

This is the first year Western Eagle Foundation of Temecula will receive donations.

Resource Director Joni Beckman said she doesn't know how much food to expect, but was told it will likely be a lot.

"They told me they can do some real damages to a 2-ton pickup," she said.

Beckman said her agency provides food to 100 other food banks, ranging from churches with small pantries to soup kitchens. They also offer a local food program.

Food collected in Southwest County will also go to St. Martha's Food Pantry, the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, Murrieta Senior Center and Temecula Pantry.

Local artist in competition

MURRIETA -- Richard Stergulz of Murrieta has been chosen to participate in the Oil Painters of America's 16th National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, today through June 8 at a gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas.

His painting, "Delilah," was one of 200 selected from more than 1,000 entries from across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Stergulz is vying for several awards, including the Oil Painters of America's prestigious American National Award of Excellence, with a top prize valued at $15,000.

Stergulz, an artist and instructor, began drawing at age 8. He graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago in the early 1980s and, after several years as a commercial artist, moved to California to begin his fine art career. His work has won numerous awards.

Founded in 1991, Oil Painters of America's mission is to advance the cause of traditional, representational fine art. Dedicated to preserving and promoting excellence in representational art, the group's primary focus is to draw attention to the lasting value of fine drawing, color, composition and the appreciation of light. For information, visit www.oilpaintersofamerica.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Trike-a-thon fundraiser today

MENIFEE -- Learning Tree Preschool at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church will participate in a trike-a-thon today to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The school is at 26704 Murrieta Road. For information, call 679-3010 or visit www.stjude.org/trike.

Community center opens play zone

LAKE ELSINORE -- The Lake Community Center offers an open play program with bounce houses, tunnels and toys from 10 a.m. to noon each Friday. The activity is for children 14 months to 5 years old.

Parents may purchase 10 visits for $40 or pay $8 per drop-in visit.

The center is at 310 W. Graham Ave. For information, call 245-0442.

Author to sign book

LAKE ELSINORE -- Mystery writer Skoot Larson of Murrieta will sign his new novel, "The No News is Bad News Blues," from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at The Book Store.

The book is the story of Lars Lindstrom, a trumpet player who awakens one morning to find a dead terrorist on his penthouse patio.

The store is at 31760 Casino Drive.

Libraries offer storytime

Many Southwest County libraries are offering storytime for children.

Preschool Storytime for children 3 to 5 years will conclude Tuesday at the Sun City Library. The 30-minute session begins at 10 a.m. at 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd. For information, call 679-3534.

Preschool Storytime for children 3 to 5 years will continue at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Mission Trail Library.

Storytime includes reading, singing, finger plays and art activities. The library is at 34303 Mission Trail. For information, call 471-3855.

Temecula Public Library offers a Bilingual Storytime series at 4 p.m. Fridays through June 8.

Each free 30-minute program includes stories in Spanish and English and other activities designed for children 3 to 7 years old.

The library is at 30600 Pauba Road. For information, call 693-8900.

Author to address library friends

SUN CITY -- Wayne Kelly, author of "Family and Friends Fun Guide to Southwest Riverside County," will speak at a meeting of the Friends of the Sun City Library at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Provident Bank.

Kelly is a retired journalism professor from Cal State Long Beach who lives in Murrieta. His book is a guide to fun and recreational activities, with history-laced stories that are illustrated with colorful photographs.

Friends members will also discuss ideas for expansion of the Sun City Library.

The bank is at 27010 Sun City Blvd.

Program scheduled on bubbles

LAKE ELSINORE -- A program titled "Bubblemania" will be presented at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Lake Elsinore Library community room.

It will teach about the science of bubbles. All ages are welcome. The library is at 600 W. Graham Ave. For information, call 674-4517.

Meeting set for special needs parents

TEMECULA -- A meeting for parents of special needs adults 18 and older will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Mary Phillips Senior Center.

The speaker will be Patricia Harrold.

For reservations, call Karen Newman at 677-1958. The center is at 41845 Sixth St.

Film series concludes at college

MENIFEE -- "Visit Palestine," a documentary about an Irish woman who volunteers as a peace activist in the Middle East, will be screened at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. San Jacinto College's Menifee campus. It will be the final screening of the Amnesty International Club's bimonthly film series.

The college is at La Piedra and Antelope roads. For information, visit www.msjc.edu/diversity/calendar.htm.

Local to perform with noted pianist

TEMECULA -- Allyse Smith, a 2002 graduate of Murrieta Valley High School, will perform with acclaimed pianist Marvin Goldstein at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Smith was invited to sing for Goldstein at an educational conference in August. That led to the two collaborating on a CD containing various inspirational songs.

Goldstein is an internationally known pianist, entertainer and composer whose career spans four decades and three continents. He founded the Peace with Music Foundation, whose mission is to bridge cultural, religious and political differences of people everywhere through the medium of music.

Goldstein will be performing Broadway tunes and classics, with selections from Smith.

Tickets are $25 and available at www.temeculatheater.org. The theater is 42051 Main St. Call (866) 653-8696.

E-waste to be collected

TEMECULA -- People can drop off their used and obsolete electronics, or e-waste, for free May 19 at Best Buy in Temecula and May 20 at the Earth Festival at Lake Skinner.

Acceptable items include computers, monitors, televisions, printers, copiers, fax machines, servers, DVD players, cell phones, radios and other items considered office or consumer electronics. No liquid hazardous waste or household appliances will be accepted.

The items will be collected by Ease e-waste Inc., which will recycle the items.

The store is at 32939 Highway 79 South. For information, visit www.ease-e-waste.com or call (866) 548-8100.

Earth festival planned at Lake Skinner

WINCHESTER -- An Earth Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20 at Lake Skinner.

The day will feature family fun with earth-friendly services, products and activities. There will also be music and food. The Metropolitan Water District's Solar Cup Finals will be going on at the same time at the lake's edge.

The reserve is at 37701 Warren Road. For information, call Pam Nelson at 767-2324 or Wendy Hammarstrom at 677-5962.

Dinner to support children in Africa

TEMECULA -- Educational Development in Africa Inc., a faith-based nonprofit organization in Temecula, will host a fundraising dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. May 25 at New Covenant Fellowship.

The volunteer group supports children in Kenya. All donations go to help the children with their education, medical and physical needs. It also is working to create sustainable economic development and provide clean water to villages. Lack of clean water and sanitation leads to a wide range of diseases.

Proceeds from the dinner will help the organization with construction of an orphanage in Machakos, Kenya.

The cost of the dinner is $50. There will be music and a silent auction. The speaker will be Temecula City Manager Shawn Nelson.

Reservations are due by Tuesday. For information, call 970-8606 or visit www.edinafrica.org.

The church is at 38801 Calistoga Drive, Murrieta.

HEALTH

Chronic fatigue group to meet

TEMECULA -- A fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue support group will have its first meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Temecula Public Library.

Discussions will include pain management, dealing with depression, new research, understanding medications, nutrition and supplements, safe exercise, massage therapy, the healing power of humor and traditional and alternative approaches to the ailments.

The group is led by Valerie Rogers, a nurse and consultant with Visalus Sciences.

For reservations, call Rogers at 265-4983. The library is at 30600 Pauba Road.

Hospitals plan volunteer orientation

WILDOMAR -- Inland Valley and Rancho Springs will hold a volunteer orientation at 10 a.m. Monday at Inland Valley Medical Center.

For registration or information, call Ginny Ince at 600-4342. The hospital is at 36485 Inland Valley Drive, Wildomar.

Bone density testing offered

TEMECULA -- Henry's will offer bone density testing for $25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19.

Reed Davis, a clinical nutritionist and authority on bone density, will use the latest diagnostic technology to take the measurements. The fee includes immediate results and a prevention kit.

The market is at 32413 Highway 79 South, Suite 300. For information, call 303-0087.

CPR course to be offered

LAKE ELSINORE -- Lake Community Center is offering a one-day training course for CPR and first aid certification on May 19. The cost is $45 for both courses.

The CPR course runs from 8 a.m. until noon, with the first aid course from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the center, 310 W. Graham Ave. Certificates will be issued after the classes.

Preregistration is required. For registration or information, call 245-0442.

Blood drives

Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

8 a.m. to 1 p.m today, California Lutheran High School, 31970 Central Ave., Wildomar.

Noon to 6 p.m today, Rancho Ford, 26895 Ynez Road, Temecula.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m May 18, Cal Oaks Bowl, 40440 California Oaks Road, Murrieta.

Information, (800) 879-4484.

Valley Blood Services

10 a.m. to 3 p.m Monday, Sizzler, 40485 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Murrieta.

2 to 7 p.m Monday, Pat & Oscar's, 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

2 to 7 p.m Thursday, The Movie Experience, 41090 California Oaks Road, Murrieta.

Donations may be made at Valley Blood Services, 25115 Madison Ave., Suite 105, Murrieta, from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Those who make donations today or Saturday will receive a voucher for a free Hornblower Harbor Tour.

For information, call 696-4067 or visit valleybloodservices.org. Valley Blood Services is part of the San Diego Blood Bank.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Addiction recovery

TEMECULA -- An addiction recovery support group for women is being formed based on the book "The Jude Thaddeus Home Recovery Program."

The group will meet once a week for two hours. For information, call 693-4838.

Celebrate Recovery

MURRIETA -- Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery program, meets each Saturday at 6 p.m.

The program offers help to overcome hurts, habits and hang-ups such as codependency, divorce, sexual addiction, eating disorders, financial recovery, sexual abuse and other behavioral issues. A free barbecue is offered.

Celebrate Recovery is at 24750 Lincoln Ave. For information, call 600-4676.

Debtors Anonymous

WILDOMAR -- Debtors Anonymous, a 12-step program for compulsive debtors or spenders, meets at 5 p.m. Sundays at Inland Valley Medical Center.

The meeting is in the conference room at 36485 Inland Valley Drive. For information, call 301-5221.

Food addicts

MURRIETA -- Food Addicts Anonymous meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at 41640 Corning Place, No. 104, Murrieta. For information, call Molly at 301-0448.

Grief

MURRIETA -- A grief support group facilitated by the Rev. Ron Card meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at the Church of Religious Science, 26871 Hobie Circle in Murrieta.

For information, call (760) 224-1686 or 304-0268.

Lupus

TEMECULA -- The Lupus International Support Group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in Temecula. It is free.

For information and meeting location, call Danielle at (888) 532-2322, Ext. 4.

Multiple myeloma

RIVERSIDE -- The Inland Empire multiple myeloma cancer support group meets the third Tuesday of each month.

The group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Riverside Community Hospital Cancer Center at 14th Street and Brockton Avenue.

For information, call (800) 452-2873.

Overeaters Anonymous

TEMECULA -- Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Catherine's Catholic Church. The meeting is for anyone who wants to stop eating compulsively.

Meetings will be in room L1 at the church, 41875 C St. For information, call Linda or Dorothy at 461-1013.

Senior caregivers

SUN CITY -- Care Connexxus Inc., which provides adult day care services in Sun City, offers four free caregiver support groups in Southwest County.

Meetings are 9:30 to 11 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road, Sun City; 10 to 11:30 a.m. the third Thursday at Lake Elsinore Senior Center, 420 E. Lakeshore Drive; and 10 to 11 a.m. the first Tuesday at Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth St., Temecula.

The organization also operates an Alzheimer's daycare center at the senior center. For information, call 672-9536 or visit www.careconnexxus.com.

Serenity Seekers

TEMECULA -- Serenity Seekers, a support group for those diagnosed with a chronic illness such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or lupus, or debilitating pain meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Meetings are at Rancho Community Church, Room C104, 31300 Rancho Community Way. For information, call 303-6789, Ext. 407.

SENIORS

Senior driving course offered

SUN CITY -- The AARP driver safety program, a classroom refresher course for drivers 50 and older, will be offered from 8 to 4:30 p.m. today at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road. To register, call Neil Timpson at 704-4797.

It will also be offered from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth St., Temecula. To register, call Walt Thoennes at 677-7586.

The cost for either class is $10.

Bingo offered at center

LAKE ELSINORE -- Bingo is offered at 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Lake Elsinore Senior Center.

Cash prizes are awarded and refreshments provided.

There is a need for volunteer callers.

The center is at 420 E. Lakeshore Drive. For information, call 674-2526.

Exercise offered for seniors

MURRIETA -- The Murrieta Senior Center offers a variety of exercise classes.

Senior exercise -- 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. $1 per class.

Movers -- 8 a.m. Tuesday. Participants walk one mile around Town Square. Free.

Senior Tai Chi -- 8:30 a.m. Friday. $3 per month.

Senior Yoga -- 9:30 a.m. Friday. $3 per month.

The center is at 41717 Juniper St. For information, call 304-7275.

Senior center offers trips

MURRIETA -- The Murrieta Senior Center is taking reservations for two upcoming day trips.

The center will sponsor a Queen Mary excursion June 6. A docent-led tour will be provided, followed by lunch. The cost is $52.

A trip to the J. Paul Getty Center will be held July 18. After lunch at Soup Plantation, it's off to the museum in Los Angeles, whose exhibits include European painting, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts and European and American photographs.

The cost is $37. For information or reservations, call 304-7275.

PETS

Cindi

Cindi is a 1-year-old big black lab who wants a little love and attention. She and other dogs are available from Sun City K9 Adoptions, 679-6444, www.sck9adoptions.org.

Bella

Bella is a 1-1/2-year-old brown and white beagle/hound mix. Her intake number is 19940. She and other pets are available for adoption from Animal Friends of the Valleys in Lake Elsinore, 674-0618, or www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com.