Tour planned at local reserve

TEMECULA —— The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve will sponsor a docent-led educational tour beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.

This will be a 2-mile round-trip hike that begins at the north gate reached from Rancho California Road and descending into the Temecula Gorge.

A $5 donation is suggested to support the docent program. For directions and information, call Mark VanScoy at (760) 728-9446.

Bell choir to perform in Old Town

TEMECULA —— The Full Measure Hand Bell Choir will perform while dressed in Charles Dickens-era attire from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday in Old Town.

The carolers sing and play giant musical hand bells to seasonal classics. They'll be performing at the Chocolate Florist as part of Old Town Temecula's ninth annual holiday celebration, where shops feature holiday lights, festive displays and holiday cheer.

Dickens characters and a variety of holiday musicians will entertain every weekend through Dec. 20. Children can enter the coloring contest at Santa's Workshop or pick up an entry blank from any merchant. Entry blanks have an Old Town Temecula Christmas game board on the front.

Photos with Santa will be available for $5 and proceeds will benefit the Temecula Community Pantry.

For information and a complete schedule, call 694-6412.

Holiday craft event this weekend

RAINBOW —— The Holiday Under the Oaks craft and antique fair will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Rainbow Oaks Country Square, south of Temecula off Interstate 15 at Rainbow Valley Boulevard.

There will be more than 40 vendors. For information, call Garnett at 694-8401.

Tree lighting set for Monday

TEMECULA —— Temecula's eighth annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Duck Pond.

Besides the lighting of the city's tree, there will be holiday music performed by Motif, refreshments and a visit by Santa Claus.

The Duck Pond is at Rancho California and Ynez Roads. For information, call 694-6480.

Art classes to begin

TEMECULA —— Art classes will be offered by the Temecula Community Services Department beginning next week.

Classes in oil/acrylic painting will be taught for three weeks beginning Wednesday. The cost is $52. Watercolor painting class will begin Thursday. They are ongoing classes for students of all levels.

Both classes meet from 9 to 11:45 a.m. at the Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol St. For information call the city at 694-6480 or visit the instructor's Web site at www.gabrielebaberart.com.

Library plans holiday events

TEMECULA —— The Temecula Library Family Series will present two free holiday-themed programs next month.

A Gingerbread House program will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Children 6 and older will make edible gingerbread houses. Registration opens at 7 p.m. Monday.

Christmas Tree Crafts will be the focus at 11 a.m. Dec. 6. Children 3 to 5 will create edible Christmas tree decorations. Registration opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Space is limited to 60 children at each event.

The family series is sponsored by Friends of the Temecula Library and Albertsons. The library is at 41000 County Center Drive. For information or registration, call 600-6262.

Accessory sale planned at hospital

SUN CITY —— The Menifee Valley Medical Center Auxiliary will hold its Accessory Mania jewelry sale from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the hospital.

Merchandise will include fashion jewelry, sterling pieces, watches, rings and necklaces. Proceeds go to the auxiliary for hospital projects.

The sale will be in the main lobby of the hospital, 28400 McCall Blvd. For information, call 679-8888.

Craft night planned at church

TEMECULA —— Crafters are invited to join Hope Lutheran Church's Handbell Ministry to craft the night away from 5 p.m. to midnight Dec. 2. Crafters will be cropping, stampings, stitching and writing Christmas cards.

Crafters should bring their own supplies. The event costs $12, which includes dinner and snacks, and benefits the handbell ministry.

For a registration form or information, call Barbara Meinke at 674-7557 or e-mail tbmeinke@hotmail.com.

Gourd art event at museum

TEMECULA —— Children and adults are invited to participate in an afternoon of decorating gourds for the holidays from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Temecula Valley Museum.

Participants will decorate, design and paint different sized gourds.

The museum is at 28314 Mercedes St. For information of reservations, call 694-6450.

Master Chorale to perform

The Temecula Valley Master Chorale will kick off the holiday season with Yuletide concerts Dec. 3 and 4.

The group will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at St. Martha's Catholic Parish in Murrieta and at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at St. Catherine's Catholic Parish in Temecula.

The concert will include a broad range of seasonal selections. There will be a carol sing-along during the performance.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. They are available by calling 302-1652 or at www.temeculavalleymasterchorale.org.

Decorating contest deadline looms

TEMECULA —— The deadline to apply for the city's Holiday Lights and Festive Sights Decorating contest is Dec. 5. The competition involves outdoor lighting and decorating and has categories for individual homes and neighborhoods.

Applications are available at City Hall, Community Recreation Center, Mary Phillips Senior Center and Temecula Community Center. For information, call 694-6480.

HEALTH

Red Cross offers CPR, first aid courses

TEMECULA —— The American Red Cross is offering lifesaving classes in Temecula on Saturday and next week.

Classes in CPR and first aid will be offered most Saturdays and some weeknights at 27715 Jefferson Ave., Suite 117.

Preregistration is required by calling 676-3711 and asking for Richelle at Ext. 1004 or Cindy at Ext. 2010. Registrations, as well as times and prices, are available online at riversidecounty.redcross.org.

Blood bank plans drives

TEMECULA —— The Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will hold two blood drives in the area in the next week.

The first will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday at The Promenade mall, 40820 Winchester Road. There will also be a drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Claim Jumper restaurant, 29370 Rancho California Road.

Donors at both drives will receive a Blood Bank 2006 wall calendar. Those who donate at the restaurant will also receive a Claim Jumper gift card, while supplies last.

Donors should be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors age 76 and older must provide the Blood Bank with annual written permission from their physician.

For information, call (800) 879-4484.

Grief support group meets

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.

Murrieta man named to Cancer Society advisory team

MURRIETA —— Dalton Menhall of Murrieta has been appointed by the California Division of the American Cancer Society as chair of its Human Resource Advisory Team.

The team reviews and makes recommendations regarding all human resource policies and procedures. As chair, Menhall will work with the vice president of human resources as well as with a team of staff members and volunteers.

Menhall's involvement with the Society includes serving as president of the San Diego Unit and as regional council members, chair of the Advocacy Team and as legislative ambassador. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the California Division and member of the Board Development Committee. He had received several awards for his work with the Cancer Society.

Menhall is also active as a senior warden at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Temecula and as a teaching assistant in the cabinet and furniture program at Palomar College.

Professionally, he was president of the National Association of Bar Executives and is a life member of the Fellows of the American Bar Association. Menhall served as special assistant to the district attorney in San Diego County.

For information about the American Cancer Society, call (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

SENIORS

Senior driving course offered

SUN CITY —— The AARP driver safety program, a classroom refresher course for drivers 50 and older, will be offered next week.

The course will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday in the East Room of the Sun City Civic Association, 26850 Sun City Blvd. Call Neil Timpson at 704-4797 to register.

The cost is $10 for the two-day course.

Golden Years group plans dinner

TEMECULA —— Seniors' Golden Years of Temecula Valley will have its annual Christmas dinner and dance from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Community Center.

There will be a catered dinner, music by John Buzon and door prizes.

Tickets are $15. Reservations are required by calling 694-6466 between 9 a.m. and noon weekdays.