COMMUNITY NEWS: The Californian, Friday, Dec. 5

By Readers of The Californian | Friday, December 5, 2008 12:10 AM PST ∞

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Lake Elsinore Winterfest set

Kylie Aylers, 5, of Wildomar was among the thousands of people who attended the Lake Elsinore Winterfest in 2006. This year's event takes place tonight. Thirty tons of snow will blanket the areas around City Park and Main Street downtown, and three entertainment stages will feature dance groups, carolers, the Bell and Song Choir and Frosty's Magic Hat puppet show. Family activities begin at 5 p.m. and include train rides, a petting zoo and crafts. The tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m., on Main Street, and will feature the Windsong Singers and a visit from Santa. For information, call 674-3124, Ext. 265.

Tribute ceremony scheduled

TEMECULA ---- The ninth annual Community Candlelight Tribute, to remember loved ones who have died, will be held Saturday at The Promenade.

The event will include music, inspirational stories of local families, poetry and a candle-lighting ceremony. A special military tribute will be given by David Barragan, a retired Marine sergeant major from Operation Military Assistance.

The tribute will be held at 5 p.m. outside in The Plaza area of the mall.

Church hosts Christmas concerts

SUN CITY ---- Christmas music from performers throughout the community will be featured Friday and Saturday at the Menifee Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A young adult choir from Citrus High School will perform Friday night. The Community Christmas Celebration will showcase choirs and soloists and will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday night. A dessert reception for guests and performers will follow the concerts.

The celebration is free, but guests are asked to bring a boxed or canned food item. The church is at 29725 Bradley Road, one block north of Newport Road.

For information, call 579-1151.

Woman's club hosts holiday boutique

CANYON LAKE ---- The Menifee Valley Woman's Club will hold a holiday boutique Sunday, at the Canyon Lake Farmer's Market.

The boutique will feature handcrafted items, gift packages and more, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the shopping center across from the main entrance to Canyon Lake.

Proceeds will benefit the club's scholarship fund and the Thessalonika Family Services for Abused and Exploited Children.

Tower Plaza hosts holiday activities

TEMECULA ---- A wide array of activities will be featured Saturday, when Tower Plaza holds a Family Holiday Spectacular.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the shopping center on Ynez and Rancho California roads. Santa will arrive at noon in a limousine and walk down Candy Cane Lane to Tower Plaza. A tree lighting ceremony is planned for 5:30 p.m.

The celebration will include live music, a dance performance, holiday beauty makeovers and gourmet food and wine tasting, plus an arts and crafts corner for children that will include stories, puppet and magic shows. Santa will be available for photos with children, adults or pets and a five-foot Mrs. Claus created from balloons will be featured.

A fashion show will be held at 6:30 p.m., featuring Tangerine Boutique of Temecula, Los Angeles-based Blue Violet Boutique and the San Diego-based Satori Designs. An After Party celebration will follow.

For information, call 699-5514 or visit www.tviff.com/holidayevent.

Christmas Tree Lane set

LAKE ELSINORE ---- Lake Elsinore Elks Lodge No. 2591 will host the 10th annual Christmas Tree Lane on Saturday to raise funds for local graduating seniors.

The event will include 12 trees decorated with different themes and supplied with presents valued at $500 to $1,000. Admission is free and raffle tickets are $1. Winners must be present and must pick up their trees by 4 p.m.

Christmas Tree Lane will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trevi Entertainment Center, 32250 Mission Trail.

For information, call (951) 674-6804 or (951) 674-5353.

Auditions set for 'Willy Wonka Jr.'

TEMECULA ---- The Temecula Performing Arts Company will hold auditions on Friday and Saturday for an upcoming performance of "Willy Wonka Jr."

Singers and non-singers ages 6 to 20 are needed, and no experience is necessary.

Those auditioning are asked to prepare a 60- to 90-minute "up-tempo" song from a Broadway or Disney show and to bring it on a CD or iPod, to sing along with, as a background or karaoke track.

A $200 participation fee is required to pay for costumes, rehearsal materials, family tickets and more. Scholarships are available.

Auditions for the show, which will be put on in March, will be held at the Old Town Temecula Theater, 42051 Main St. Weekend rehearsals will begin in January.

For audition appointments, call 506-5863 or e-mail to TPACadmin@verizon.net.

For information and audition materials, visit www.temeculaperformingarts.com or www. broadwayboundonline.com.

Two breakfasts with Santa set

LAKE ELSINORE ---- The city of Lake Elsinore will offer two chances to eat breakfast with Santa.

From 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Santa will be at Fire Station No. 10, 410 W. Graham Ave. From 8 to 10 a.m. on Dec. 13, Santa will dine at Fire Station No. 85, 29405 Grand Ave.

The cost is $5 and space is limited. Tickets are available at Lake Community Center, 310 W. Graham Ave.

A professional photographer will be available to take photographs with Santa or firefighters.

For information, call 245-0442.

Gospel Concert features quartets

TEMECULA ---- Southwest Gospel Concerts will present a free concert by The Watchmen Quartet on Saturday at Southwest Christian Church.

The quartet has been performing for 40 years, and they will be joined by the Gospel Truth Quartet. The performance will begin at 6:30 p.m., at 28030 Del Rio Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

For information, call 308-1888.

Annual craft workshop scheduled

TEMECULA ---- The city's annual holiday craft workshop will be held Saturday, offering participants a chance to create homemade seasonal gifts.

There is no charge to participate and craft kits are available for $1.

The workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol St. Refreshments will be available.

For information, call 694-6469.

Authors to sign history book

MURRIETA ---- Three local authors will sign a new book on the history of Murrieta Hot Springs in a presentation Saturday at the Murrieta Public Library.

Authors Rebecca Farnbach, Loretta Barnett and Marvin Curran joined Tony Guenther in creating "Murrieta Hot Springs," a photographic history of the famed hot springs resort and part of the Images of America local history series.

The event is free and will begin at 1 p.m. at the library, 8 Town Square, near the intersection of Adams Avenue and Kalmia Street.

For information, call 304-2665.

Remembrance celebration planned

MURRIETA ---- Hospice of the Valleys will hold its 14th annual Light Up a Life Celebration of Remembrance on Friday.

The celebration will include refreshments from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony of remembrance from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

All those who would like to remember a loved one are invited to help light the Tree of Light.

The celebration will be held at the hospice office, 25240 Hancock Ave., Suite 120. For information, call 200-7800.

Straw art workshop set

TEMECULA ---- A workshop teaching the Mission-era art form of straw art applique will be held Saturday at the Temecula Valley Museum.

For a $2 fee, participants will have the opportunity to create a holiday ornament. The workshop will be from 10 a.m. to noon, at 28314 Mercedes St.

For reservations or information, call 694-6450.

Annual craft workshop scheduled

TEMECULA ---- The city's annual holiday craft workshop will be held Saturday, offering participants a chance to create homemade seasonal gifts.

There is no charge to participate and craft kits are available for $1.

The workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol St. Refreshments will be available.

For information, call 694-6469.

Association presents Handel's masterpiece

TEMECULA ---- The Rancho Music Association will present its annual rendition of Handel's "Messiah" on Sunday at Temecula United Methodist Church.

The free 4 p.m. performance will include vocal soloists, a voice chorus and a symphonic orchestra.

The church is at 42690 Margarita Road.

For information, call 676-1800.

Auditions scheduled for play

TEMECULA ---- Temecula Valley Players will hold auditions for an upcoming performance of the comedy play "Lend Me a Tenor" on Sunday and Monday.

Roles are available for four women and four men from their mid-20s and older. Men are asked to bring sheet music and be prepared to sing. Auditions will be at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St.

The show will run from Feb. 6 to 15.

For information, call 676-6055 or visit www.temeculavalleyplayers.com.

HEALTH

Michelle's Place hosts group, class

MURRIETA ----- Le bed exercise classes are offered twice a week at Michelle's Place.

The free classes are held at 7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays.

Le bed is a relaxing way to increase the circulation in the lymph system after breast surgery.

Michelle's Place, the Women's Breast Cancer Resource Center, is at 41785 Elm St., Suite 305. For information, call 304-1280.

Blood drives set

LifeStream will hold three blood drives on Dec. 12 and 13.

The drives will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday, it will be held at Stater Brothers on Hancock Avenue and Los Alamos Road and at Stater Brothers at 36010 Hidden Springs Road in Wildomar.

Saturday, the collection will be at Ashley Furniture, 25125 Madison Ave., Murrieta.

LifeStream, formerly called the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, needs to collect 500 donations each day to serve patients in Southern California. Donors earn points that are redeemable through a LifeStream online store.

Donors must be 16 years old, healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds; the process takes about an hour.

For reservations, visit www.LStream.org or at (800) 879-4484.

SENIORS

Social Security help available

LAKE ELSINORE ---- A representative from the Social Security Administration will visit the Lake Elsinore Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Visitors can get assistance without an appointment the second Tuesday of each month. The center is at 420 E. Lakeshore Drive. For information, call 674-2526.

Senior driving classes offered

The AARP offers an ongoing driver safety program for mature drivers. The eight-hour course is offered for drivers 50 and older at various locations throughout Southwest County.

The course, which costs $10, can help participants save money on auto insurance.

Upcoming classes are:

-- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road. Registration, 672-9673.

-- 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18, Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth St., Temecula. Registration, 506-0444.

Golden Years hosts Christmas party

TEMECULA ---- Senior's Golden Years of Temecula Valley will hold a Christmas Party on Dec. 13, featuring the band "Global Affair" and a catered dinner.

The party will begin at 5 p.m. at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41865 Sixth St. Reservations are required and tickets are $15.

For information, call Linda at 693-2089 or Esther at 694-6466.

PETS

Lova

Lova is approximately 1 12/ years old. She is sweet and friendly and gets along great with other dogs. She and other dogs are available from Sun City K9 Adoptions, 679-6444, www.sck9adoptions.org.

Toby

Toby is a 4-year-old tan chihuahua mix who has been neutered. His intake number is 37665. Kiki is a 4-year-old grey-and-white domestic short-haired cat. Her intake number is 37763. Toby, Kiki and other pets are available for adoption from Animal Friends of the Valleys in Lake Elsinore, 674-0618, or www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com.