Southwest Riverside County Community News Briefs: Temecula Elks keep busy

By: The Californian - | Tuesday, June 5, 2007 7:47 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Elks, which recently kicked off its 10th year, has held a number of special events over the last couple of months.

Club members celebrated the anniversary with an installation of officers and inaugural ball. Paul Gonzalez, the exalted ruler, was joined by seven of the past rulers, Adam Barraza, Chuck Broddie, Mike Caruso, Tom Kirkconnell, Bob Herrera, Diane Farrens and Bob Farrens. They shared highlights of their service, which provided a history of the lodge.

Gonzalez was installed as exalted ruler for the coming year, along with his leading knight, Steve Jones; loyal knight, Ginny Mulhern; lecturing knight, Bob Farrens; esquire, Chuck Broddie; chaplain, Walt Wilson; treasurer, Marti Barraza; secretary, Diane Farrens; inner guard, Gary Gunn; tiler, Howard Adkins; and fifth-year trustee, Vicki Puterbaugh.

At the club's April Family Night, the speaker was Mavis Johnson, one of the California-Hawaii Elks Association Major Project therapists. The therapists provide services for children with disabilities throughout California and Hawaii at no cost. In addition, they provide free vision testing to schools.

The club then held an appreciation dinner for volunteers who have donated their time throughout the year to support the various Elk community programs -- which include veterans, scholarships, drug awareness, Americanism, Hoop Shoot and dictionaries.

Bob Walker was named Elk of the Year for his work as training chairman, ritual coach, indoctrination chairman and volunteer on many fundraisers and activities in the lodge.

Steve Jones was honored as Officer of the Year for serving as the loyal knight, Hoop Shoot chairman, Neighbors coordinator and as a volunteer on numerous other activities.

Special citations were presented to Ginny Mulhern and Walt Wilson. Mulhern has chaired the Wine Gala fundraiser, Mothers Day Tea and Valentine Party, served as esquire and has helped on many other projects. Wilson was recognized for his work as lodge chaplain, his visitations to veterans at Jerry Pettis VA hospital, coordination of the lodge's participation on Christmas Tree Lane, and has also helped with other Elk programs.

Ken Smith was named as the Temecula Elks Citizen of the Year for his support of the Murrieta and Temecula communities.

Finally, the club held its annual Peace Officer Appreciation Night. Five officers were honored. Each department in the area was asked to nominate one of their officers for their service above and beyond their duty to the community.

Recognized were: Lt. Dennis Vrooman, Murrieta Police Department; Officer William Kenny, California Highway Patrol, Rainbow Inspection Facility; Cpl. Kenneth Violette, Riverside County Sheriff's Department; Senior Patrol Agent Steven Munoz, U.S. Border Patrol; Officer James Arbogast, California Highway Patrol, Temecula office.

courtesy photos

At the Temecula Valley Elks annual Peace Officer Appreciation Night, were, from left, Elks President Paul Gonzalez and honorees Lt. Dennis Vrooman, Officer William Kenny, Cpl. Kenneth Violette, Senior Patrol Agent Steven Munoz and Officer James Arbogast.

Temecula Valley Els honorees, from left, Steve Jones, Officer of the Year; Bob Walker, Elk of the Year; Ginny Mulhern, Special Commendation; President, Bob Farrens; Ken Smith, Citizen of the Year; and Walt Wilson, Special Commendation,

CLUB NEWS

Group offers services, bingo

SUN CITY -- Sun City Concern Inc., a community-supported service for Sun City and surrounding areas, offers services such as information and assistance, referrals to community services, outreach programs, telephone reassurance and gatekeeper programs, trips and bingo.

Bingo is held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road. Registration begins at 12:45 p.m. and the pot is $100.

Sun City Concern is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays at 29995 Evans Road. For information, call 679-2374.

Masons to dedicate cornerstone

MURRIETA -- A cornerstone ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the new Murrieta Library. The ceremony is a symbolic event commemorating the erection of a new public building.

The Grand Lodge of California, Free & Accepted Masons, will conduct the ceremony. The hosting lodges, Menifee Valley Lodge No. 289 of Sun City and Temecula-Catalina Island Lodge No. 524, are providing a granite slab with the information relevant to the cornerstone engraved on it. The slab will be enclosed in a monument near the library's Adams Street entrance. A plaque will be donated by the Colony Masonic Club.

A time capsule containing items pertaining to the library's history will be also preserved.

The library is at 8 Town Square. For information, call H. Donald Young at 244-3380, Randy Freeman at 672-0867, or the library at 304-2665.

Elks plan pancake breakfast

LAKE ELSINORE -- The Lake Elsinore Elks Lodge will host a family pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the lodge.

The cost is $3.95 for pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee or milk.

The goal of the breakfast is to promote family togetherness and acquaint the public with the lodge's community and charitable endeavors,

The lodge is at 33700 Mission Trail. For information, call 674-6804. Tickets are available at the lodge.

Book group to meet

MURRIETA -- The Murrieta Book Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday for a 90-minute discussion of the book "Plan B 2.0" by Lester R. Brown. The book documents the Earth's ability to sustain civilization and offers a plan to rescue the planet.

The book group meets monthly to discuss books of societal importance.

Meetings are at the Community House of the United Church of the Valley, 24973 Washington Ave. For information, call 698-1520.

Women's club to host flea market

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Woman's Club Museum Committee will hold its annual flea market Saturday at Sam Hicks Monument Park on the grounds of the Temecula Valley Museum.

Up to 100 vendors will be on hand. Proceeds benefit the museum.

Vendor spaces can be reserved until Thursday. A 10-foot-by-10-foot space costs $25. For information or reservations, call 694-6450.

Student group to show film about Korea

TEMECULA -- LINK -- Liberty in North Korea -- a student club at Great Oak High School, will screen the movie "Seoul Train" from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The documentary tells the struggles of North Koreans who try to flee their country thorough China.

There is no charge to attend the film, which will be shown in the Performing Arts Center at the school, 32555 Deer Hollow Way. For information, call 294-6477.

Genealogical society plans summer social

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Genealogical Society will host a summer social from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday in the community room of the new Temecula Library.

Guests can circulate and visit with others, while more experienced members will share their expertise.

There will be a book sale and a silent auction. Guests are asked to bring items for the sale as well as either appetizers or desserts.

The meeting is at 30600 Pauba Road. For information, call Bev at 325-8807.

Hospital auxiliary hosts sale

SUN CITY -- Menifee Valley Medical Center Auxiliary will host a "Stop 'N Shop," featuring home interiors, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Menifee Valley Medical Center.

The sale will be in the lobby at 28400 McCall Blvd. For information, call 672-7002.

Garden club to hear about camellias

MURRIETA -- The Murrieta Garden Club will hold its final meeting of the season at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Murrieta Community Center.

Bobbie Belcher will talk about camellias. The club will resume meeting in September.

The center is at 41816 Juniper St. For information, call Julie at 698-9414.

Women's networking group to meet

TEMECULA -- Tracey Downey-Racen, a chocolatier, will speak when Murrieta For You Network meets at 11:30 a.m. June 13 at Country Garden Restaurant.

Downey-Racen, the daughter of late talk show host Morton Downey Jr., will talk about chocolate, how she got started as a chocolatier, opening The Chocolate Cafe in Laguna Niguel, and forming Downey's Chocolates.

The cost is $17 for members and $20 for guests with reservations. The cost is $22 at the door without reservations.

The restaurant is at 29000 Old Town Front St. For reservations, contact Robbie Motter at 679-8048 or e-mail rmotter@aol.com.

Genealogical society to meet

WILDOMAR -- Randy Thompson, who works with the National Archives, will speak when the Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society meets at 1:30 p.m. June 13.

Thompson will talk about naturalization and immigration resources. Employed by the National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Region since 1995, Thompson is responsible for preservation, arrangement and description of historically valuable records created by the federal government.

The group meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Mission Trail Library, 34303 Mission Trail Drive. For information, call Candy Peterson at 244-8715.

The group also offers an autobiography writing workshop at 1:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month and beginning genealogy workshops at 1 p.m. the fourth Wednesday.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Tibetan bowl concert planned

MURRIETA --- A Tibetan bowl concert will be presented at 7 p.m. today at Yoga Healing.

Tickets are $20. For information, call 696-9063.

Orchestra to close season

TEMECULA -- The California Consort Chamber Orchestra, sponsored by the Golden Valley Music Society, will present its final concert of the 2006-07 season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

The program will feature works by Vivaldi, Handel and Haydn.

A preconcert talk on the composers and the works begins at 7 p.m. They will be presented by three students from Thompson Middle School in Murrieta, who wrote winning essays on the composers.

In addition, digitized pictures drawn by mainly sixth-grade art class students from Thompson, expressing their impressions of Vivaldi's "Summer," will be projected on a screen above the stage during the performance of that work.

Ticket prices are: Adults, $25; seniors, age 62 and older $20; students, $12.50; children younger than 12, $2.50. Tickets may be purchased at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater box office, by phone at (866) 653-8696, or online at www.fineartsnetwork.org.

The theater is at 42051 Main St.

Church to host marriage seminar

TEMECULA -- Nationally known relationship experts Les and Leslie Parrott will lead the Becoming Soul Mates seminar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Rancho Community Church.

Becoming Soul Mates is a comprehensive marriage seminar designed by the Parrotts, who co-direct the Center for Relationship Development at Seattle Pacific University. The program is dedicated to teaching the basics of good relationships.

Registration is $75 per couple and $40 for singles.

The church is at 31300 Rancho Community Way. For information and registration, visit www.ranchocommunity.org or call Don Hallworth at 303-6789, Ext. 102.

Chaparral seeks grad night help

TEMECULA -- Organizers of Grad Night activities at Chaparral High School are in need of volunteers to help set up the event and work during the celebration on June 15.

Volunteers will transform the school's gymnasium into a mystical place where graduate can participate in a safe and sober post-graduation party.

Help is needed decorating, which includes cutting, painting, stapling, gluing and building. Assistance is also needed at the event from 8:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 a.m. as well as cleanup, starting at 5:30 a.m. June 16.

Volunteers will be working in the gym from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and throughout the day each day after that until June 15.

There will be a preview night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 14. It is open to everyone but Chaparral seniors.

To volunteer, call Kathy Bruther at 265-3429 or e-mail krbruther@yahoo.com.

CLUB MEETINGS

CAR CLUBS

Corvettes of Temecula Valley

TEMECULA -- The Corvettes of Temecula Valley meets the second Thursday of the month at Marie Callender's, 29363 Rancho California Road. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7.

The club is open to Corvette owners. The club's monthly Mystery Lunch Run is held the last Sunday of the month.

Information, corvettesoftv.com.

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.

Temecula Valley Car Club

MURRIETA -- The Temecula Valley Car Club has its monthly cruise night from 3 to 6 p.m. on the second Saturday at Siggy's restaurant at 26820 Jefferson Ave. Trophies and raffle prizes are given away.

Information, Jim at 677-8106 or Skip at 830-7010.

GENEALOGY

Genealogy Club of Sun City

SUN CITY -- The Genealogy Club of Sun City meets at 1 p.m. the second Monday of the month at Provident Bank, 27010 Sun City Blvd. for programs and sharing of research skills.

The club also meets at 1 p.m. the fourth Monday for a workshop at Sun City Public Library, 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd.

Information, Linda at 301-9814.

SERVICE CLUBS

Optimists

Temecula Valley Optimist Club

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Optimist Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday at Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road.

Information, Cori Carey at 334-1823.

VETERANS GROUPS

American Legion

TEMECULA -- American Legion Post 852 meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the clubhouse of Heritage Village, 31130 S. General Kearny Road.

Information, 693-1058.

Lake Elsinore Veterans of Foreign Wars

WILDOMAR -- The Lake Elsinore Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1508 meets at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of the month at 21180 Waite St.

Information, 674-4735.

Temecula Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4089 meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at 28075 Diaz Road.

The post opens at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Information, 676-1541 or 699-9142.

OTHERS

FACTS

TEMECULA -- FACTS, a group for parents of autistic children meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Starbucks in The Promenade mall.

Information, www.FACTSfamilies.org.

Interfaith Council

The Interfaith Council, a body of faith-based community representatives, is open to all who seek to unite in mutual support, study, dialogue and action. The group meets at noon the second Thursday of the month at Pat & Oscar's restaurant, 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

Information, Council Secretary Larry Slusser, 694-3312 or larrysl@msn.com.

Wood carvers

TEMECULA -- Wood Carvers of Temecula Valley meets from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Fridays at Temecula Community Center.

The group is open to both seasoned carvers and beginners.

The Community Center is at 28816 Pujol St. For information, call Mary Jane at 699-5085.

Note, some groups do not meet during the summer months. Please call in advance. To have your club or organization added to this list, 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.

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