Southwest Riverside County Community News Briefs: Woman's club plans kickoff
By: The Californian | ∞
MURRIETA -- From red hats to blue thongs, women are showing the world that they are not facing life meekly.
Most people know about the Red Hat Society, a group where women mostly 50 and older gather strictly for fun.
Now comes the Blue Thong Society, an organization started by four San Diego County women who wanted to fight frump and stay hip, beautiful and chic forever while continuing lifelong learning and staying attuned to what's happening in society, while giving back to charitable causes.
A membership kickoff for the new Temecula Valley chapter of the Blue Thong Society will be at 5 p.m. Saturday in Murrieta.
Members of the Blue Thongs range in age from the 30s to 60s, according to Mary Beth Stoneman, of Murrieta, one of the local organizers.
"It is very similar to the Red Hats in some ways," Stoneman said. "We're a group of women who want to stay dynamic and fashionable."
Besides the younger demographic, the Blue Thongs differ from the Red Hats in that members will work on charitable activities.
Stoneman said Habitat for Humanity and Operation School Bell are two organizations that will be proposed to the general membership as charities to adopt.
The help will not be financial, however.
"This group does not raise money or hold money," Stoneman said. "We will work on projects."
There are more than 125 Blue Thong chapters in 27 states, plus Mexico and Canada, including chapters in Canyon Lake and Temecula.
Stoneman said she read about the organization and attended a couple of meetings in Fallbrook before deciding to start a chapter here.
"I liked the positive energy of the women," she said. "I think it's just really an exciting group to be affiliated with."
Stoneman, who is 60 and recently retired, said the membership ranged from women like her to working women to moms.
About 45 people are signed for Saturday's Blue Hawaii kickoff party, Stoneman said.
Guests are asked to pay $5 for two blue martinis or blue "thongaritas," and bring appetizers for six people.
Kelly Golden, a co-founder of the organization, will speak.
After the initial get together, the local club will meet monthly, usually at restaurants. Family activities may also be planned, as well as groups for activities such as bunco, theater and dining.
While the Red Hats can be seen in their red hats and purple outfits, there is no official attire for the blue thongs, though many members favor wearing the color aqua.
And just what about the name?
"Many people think it's related to the underwear," Stoneman said. "But if you look at the logo, it can be either one. One side looks like a bottom and the other looks like a thong sandal.
"It's catchy. It tells you we're not dead yet. We want to learn, stay vital, do new things, learn new things, meet new people."
Reservations are required for Saturday's party, which will be at a Bear Creek home.
For reservation, e-mail Stoneman at rmstoneman@msn.com or Stacey Szabo at stacey.szabo@ge.com.
For information on the organization, visit http://www.bluethongsociety.com.
CLUB NEWS
Senator's rep to address group
SUN CITY -- A representative of state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth will speak when Riverside County United Communities meets Saturday at Boston Billie's. Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. and the talk at 9:30.
Tom Rogers will address the group, which meets the third Saturday of the month at Boston Billie's, 26850 Cherry Hills Blvd. For information, call 657-9319.
Historical library open to public
LAKE ELSINORE -- The Lake Elsinore Historical Society opens its museum and research library to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 to 3 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month.
The facility also schedules visitation from school groups, clubs and associations.
The museum is in the basement of the Cultural Center, 183 N. Main St. For information, call 678-4049.
Elks Ladies plan dance
WILDOMAR -- The Elk Ladies will host a dance Sunday featuring waltz, German and Polish dancing.
The dance will feature a three-piece band. Dances are the fourth Sunday of the month.
For time and location, call Sharon at 245-2948.
Radio club to meet
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.
Karl Walters will give an overview of image processing, giving a description of various digital files formats and methods for image manipulation, sharing image enhancement and restoration techniques to improve usefulness, image compression to reduce storage and bandwidth requirements for transmission and image understanding and analysis to extract information out of images.
The meeting is at 42135 Winchester Road. For information, call Ed Sherman at (800) 596-0615.
Vendors sought for Rotary event
LAKE ELSINORE -- The Rotary Club of Lake Elsinore will hold its inaugural Oktoberfest Oct. 6 in McVicker Park.
The day will include German food, entertainment arts and crafts and beer.
Vendor spaces to exhibit art or handmade crafts cost $50 until Aug. 1. The fee increase to $75 until Sept. 15 and $100 between Sept. 15 and Oct. 1. For vendor information, contact Pat Clary at 697-4707 or e-mail clarypat@aol.com.
Application forms are available at www.lakeelsinorerotary.org.
Lions Club offers hearing aids
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, applicants may contact the club to determine if they qualify for the program.
For information, call Tonia at 698-5242.
Boys & Girls Clubs get golf grant
TEMECULA -- The United States Golf Association has presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County with a $4,000 grant to support Junior Golf Programs. The funds will help provide club members with instruction, golf course access, equipment and transportation.
For information about the golf program, call John Whann at 676-6800.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Michelle's Place presents speaker
MURRIETA -- Dr. Padma Tadi-Uppala will discuss the "Latest Advances in the Treatment and Prevention of Breast Cancer" at 7 p.m. Thursday at Michelle's Place.
Tadi-Uppala is an environmental toxicologist and an assistant professor at Loma Linda University.
Michelle's Place, a women's breast cancer resource center, is at 41785 Elm St., No. 305. For information call 304-1280.
Free movies, music planned in Temecula
TEMECULA -- The Ranch Rockers will take the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of the Summer Sunsets Concert Series at the Community Recreation Center.
"Flushed Away," will be screened at Temecula Amphitheater in the Friday Summer Movies in the Park series.
Free concerts are at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the CRC, 30875 Rancho Vista Road.
The Friday Moonlight Movies in the Park begin at 6:30 p.m. Fridays with games and other activities. The films begins at dusk.
For information about the activities, which continue through Aug. 24, call 694-6480 or visit www.cityoftemecula.org.
Hot Summer Nights continues Friday with different bands playing free concerts throughout Old Town Temecula.
The bluegrass band the BladeRunners will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Mercantile at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St.
Viento Libre, an Andean Pan Flute band, will play from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Country Porch.
At the north end of town, The Two Of Us Plus One will perform classic rock and, at Rosa's Cantina, Older than Dirt will perform western tunes from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hot Summer Nights will continue from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 31.
Quarter horse event in Temecula
TEMECULA -- The VQHA Summer Circuit, an American Quarter Horse Association-approved show, will take place Thursday through Sunday at Galway Downs. American Quarter Horse shows test horses' ability in dozens of classes and features events such as jumping, reining, barrel racing and roping.
Galway Downs is located on Los Caballos Road off Highway 79 South about six miles east of Interstate 15. For information, call Shawna Shaver at (805) 720-1382 or visit www.aqha.com.
Outlets plan youth, music events
LAKE ELSINORE -- The Lake Elsinore Outlets Kids Outlet, a program for mothers and their preschoolers, and free concerts will continue through August at the center.
The children's program meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Friday.
Upcoming programs are:
Free concerts are scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
Performers this month will be: Saturday, Rock of the Ages Band, playing Latin jazz, and July 28, Heritage of the Andes, folk music.
The Outlets are at 17600 Collier Ave. For reservations for Kids Outlet or information on either event, call 245-0087 or visit www.lakeelsinoreoutlet.com.
Weekly peace rally Friday
MURRIETA -- United Church of the Valley sponsors a peace rally from 4 to 5 p.m. every Friday at The Community House.
The Community House is at 24973 Washington Ave. For information, call Jean at 970-1361.
CLUB MEETINGS
Encore Social Club
TEMECULA -- The Encore Social Club holds monthly social gatherings, a barn dance, theater events, card parties and a trip to the Griffith Park planetarium.
Information, Nancy Waligorsky at 301-8098.
Golden Girls Investment Club
TEMECULA -- The Golden Girls Investment Club meets at 1 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Grace Mellman Library, 41000 County Center Drive.
Information, 694-0375 or 676-5767.
Italian American Club
MURRIETA -- The Italian American Club of Temecula meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Information and location, Cathy at 695-5653.
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 Catholic Parish, 37200 Whitewood Ave.
Information, 677-8548, 294-0307 or 296-9894.
Over the Hill Gang
TEMECULA -- The Over the Hill Gang Temecula Valley meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at Country Garden Restaurant, 29000 Old Town Front St. Dinner is available before the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Information, Charles Lieber at (760) 723-0686.
Temecula Valley Screenwriters Club
Temecula Valley Screenwriters Club meets from 10 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of the month at members' homes.
Screenwriters and wannabe actors cold read screenplays so authors can hear what their work would sound like if converted into a movie.
Reservations and location, Keith Warn at 698-9622 or kwarn@ibexmovies.com.
Think Tank
TEMECULA -- The Think Tank group meets at 1 p.m. Tuesdays for brainstorming and problem solving.
The group will discuss just about any subject except politics and religion.
Information, 695-3305.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
LAKE ELSINORE -- The U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 5-1 meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at the sheriff's station, 333 Limited St., Lake Elsinore.
Information, Pete Dawson, 202-1584.
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. Information, 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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