TEMECULA ó Temecula plans a day of Fourth of July activities, beginning with the Star Spangled 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m.

Marching bands, floats and grand marshals ó the winners of the cityís Good Neighbor Contest ó will parade across Old Town Front Street, between Moreno Road and Second Street. Afterward, the city will host Family Fun Day at the Park, from 2 to 10 p.m. at Rancho California Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road.

Guests can listen to bands, eat at the food court, shop at the craft booths and let their kids play in the fun zone.

The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the park. The display is synchronized to a stereo soundtrack of patriotic music played by radio station KATY 101.3 FM. Guests should bring portable radios or tune their car stereos to the music station. Post-fireworks entertainment follows at 9:30.

For information, call the Community Services Department at 694-6480.

Fireworks displays will cap the Lake Elsinore Storm games on Friday and Saturday. A pre-game barbecue Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. includes grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and Louisiana hot sausage, plus corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans and potato chips. Tickets can be purchased by calling 245-4487.

On Thursday, the Inland Empire/Riverside County Philharmonic Orchestra will give a free concert at the Riverside National Cemetery amphitheater. Patrick Flynn conducts the ìConcert for Heroes,î which begins at 8 p.m. Amphitheater seating is limited; guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Jurupa plans its sixth annual Fireworks Spectacular on Thursday. Festivities include entertainment, food and family games and begin at 5 p.m at Agate Park, 8623 Jurupa Road. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Call 361-2090 for information.

Annual powwow set

The Californian

TEMECULA ó The Pechanga tribe will hold its eighth annual Pow Wow this weekend at the Pechanga Resort & Casino.

The free event features fireworks Saturday night.

Festivities run from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call 693-1819 or (888) 732-4264.

Get wet at Soak City

The Californian

MURRIETA ó The Community Services Department plans a trip Tuesday to Soak City Water Park in Palm Springs.

Residents 12 years and older pay $25; residents ages 3 to 11 years old pay $22. Nonresidents pay $30. To register, drop by the Community Center at 41810 Juniper Street, or at California Oaks Sports Park, 40550 California Oaks Road.

For information, call community services at 304-7275.

12-year-old reels in derbyís biggest fish

The Californian

LAKE ELSINORE ó Twelve-year-old Aaron Irizzarry caught the biggest fish at the Just for Kids Fishing Derby at the Lake Elsinore Recreation Area on June 14.

The fish measured 17 inches long and was a carp ó the only carp caught that day, said Maureen Foster-Davis with the city of Lake Elsinore. The rest were catfish.

Five-year-old Elijah Hall caught the first fish at 7:01 a.m. ó one minute after the derby started. Elijah ended up catching four fish, the most in his age category of 5 to 7.

In the 8-to-10 category, Filberto Quintera caught the most with a haul of four. Taylor Pullbrook also caught four and nabbed the prize in his age category of 11 to 12. Finally, Issac Grundenís two fish won him the prize in the 13-to-15 age group.

Blood drive in Temecula

The Californian

TEMECULA ó The Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties plans a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road.

Donors receive a patriotic lapel pin and CD holder.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not be at risk of AIDS or hepatitis.

For information, call the Blood Bank at (800) 879-4484.

JUST BETWEEN US

We are the power, not politicians

In two days, we will celebrate the 227th anniversary of our countryís founding. It was not an easy birth, and anyone who glamorizes what the founding fathers did hasnít read the very documents upon which we rely and rally about. Our freedoms, our rights ó or are they?

Right now, our state ó and many others, I might add ó faces fiscal disaster, and politicians are considering imposing even more taxes on us. That is certainly nothing new. For as long as people have been around, there have always been those who felt it was their ìrightî to impose on others what they would not do themselves.

What has happened to the American spirit that creates and invents solutions? Where has it fled, or did it just crawl away and die quietly while no one was looking because so many big shots were reaching into everyoneís pocket but their own?

We, the people, are the seat of democratic power. The governor and the legislators are elected by us to serve and to protect us. Why are so many of us sitting back and wringing our hands as if we have no ideas and solutions?

We are the solution.

Are you in debt? So was Washingtonís army, and it persevered.

Are you in need? Our republic fought ó and survived ó civil war because slavery was an abomination. Donít be enslaved by fear of failure.

Are you tired of political rhetoric? Do something. Write your congressional representatives. Do it again and again, and remind them they are not elected by divine appointment for life. Have you registered? Do you vote regularly? Keep on keeping on ó donít quit now.

Money is simply an idea backed by everyoneís confidence. It is little pieces of paper that we have put great store by because they buy comfortable lifestyles.

Remember the true vision, not the golden one. Real men and women work together instead of acting like naughty children. Real leaders take responsibility and donít ask others to do what they wonít do.

Two hundred and twenty-seven years ago, men, women and children died because they cherished an ideal that was not something negotiable in monetary terms. We cannot let their memory languish because of our discomfort or laziness.

We citizens must be ready to pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to keep America what it was intended to be ó a land of opportunity for all willing to do their part.

Let the torch burn bright. You are the power here, not the other way around.

Jeanie Corral writes about community events. She can be reached at 674-4228.

CLUB NEWS

Assistance-dog club in the works

LAKE ELSINORE - The Elsinore Valley Assistance Dog Club is forming.

The first educational presentation - "What Is an Assistance Dog and What Is This Club About?" - will be at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10.

Organizational meetings will be the first Sunday of the month; educational presentations, the second Sunday; and outings, the third Sunday.

For information, call Joy De Meta at 674-0455 or e-mail her at aJoy2cre8@aol.com.

Poker ride to raise funds for coalition

WINCHESTER - The Diamond Valley Country Coalition will hold a poker ride Saturday.

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Wild West Arena on Ninth Street. The ride begins at 9:30. One hand costs $5; two hands, $7; and three hands, $12. The $5 cost for lunch buys hamburgers, potato salad and baked beans.

The poker ride is a fund-raiser for Diamond Valley Country Coalition, a group of residents trying to keep the Diamond Valley area rural and equestrian. For information, call Robert Moya at 658-0032 or Sonya Feigen at 652-7621.

Coffee social and fashion show set

TEMECULA - The Temecula Valley Newcomers' Club will host a free coffee social at 11 a.m. Monday for new and prospective members.

For information or reservations, call Win at 696-5168.

In addition, club members will enjoy a fashion show at their meeting 11 a.m. July 21 at Menifee Lakes Country Club. The $17 cost includes chicken Caesar salad, rolls and chef's pie. Call Carol Pierce at 677-6611.

Msons, Shriners meet in Sun City

SUN CITY - The Sun City Masonic Club meets at 8 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 27221 McCall Blvd.

The $4 cost includes breakfast. Call 672-0029 for information.

Members of Perris Masonic Lodge No. 411, Free and Accepted Masons, meet the first Monday of the month. Dinner starts at 6 p.m., and the meeting follows at 7. Call 693-1061 or 679-9493 for information.

The Sun City Shrine Club meets at 8 a.m. the first Thursday of the month for breakfast and entertainment. Call 246-2111.

Books half-price at summer book sale

WILDOMAR - Friends of the Mission Trail Library is holding a summer book sale.

Customers can buy hardback books at half-price. The sale runs through the summer at the second-hand bookstore at the library, 34303 Mission Trail.

Workers' comp seminar slated

TEMECULA - The Hemet/Temecula Employer Advisory Council will sponsor a seminar titled "Workers' Compensation Is Not a Paid Vacation."

David Torres of Employer Advocacy Services will detail how to prevent or minimize the cost of claims, maximize care for the legitimately injured and control fraud.

The seminar runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 17 at the Workforce Development Center, 27447 Enterprise Circle W., Temecula. Advisory council members pay $15 with advance registration or $18 at the door. Nonmembers pay $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call Laura Harris at 955-3381 for information.

VFW accepting new members

WILDOMAR - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1508 is accepting members.

Those who have served overseas in a war, insurrection or expedition and would like to join the VFW should call 674-4735 or e-mail VFW

Post1508@yahoo.com for information.

Wives, widows and other women with connections to a veteran may be eligible to join the Ladies Auxiliary. Call the above number for information.

AARP to hold TriUmph Classic

SAN DIEGO - The AARP TriUmph Classic 50+ Swim-Bike-Run will be held in San Diego at 7:30 a.m. July 20.

Competitors will take part in a quarter-mile swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride and a

3.1-mile run/walk.

The American Association of Retired Persons holds the national triathlon to encourage regular physical activity. The race targets people age 50 and older; however, people of all ages can participate. The entry fee is $35.

For information or registration, call (866) 812-2277 or visit www.aarp.org/triumph.

Former soldiers can walk in parade

TEMECULA - The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus seeks past and current members of the armed forces to participate in the July Fourth parade in Temecula.

Call Eddie "Mac" McFadden at 677-3501 or Frank DeFea at 693-1615.

Sunrise Rotary installs officers

TEMECULA - The Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club installed Chuck Delgado as 2003-04 president on June 24.

Other officers installed: Donna Olszewski as vice president; Lenny Bustin as president-elect; Mark Banasiak, secretary; Charlene Francis, treasurer. Directors named were Harold Lehman for club service; Dwayne Lewis for community service; Roger Waite, vocational service; Weston Smith, international service; Tom Yuzer, foundation; and Donna Wilder, youth service.

Donna Wilder and Jimmy Hsieh received Co-Rotarians of the Year honors, while Roger Waite was awarded Rookie of the Year. Tom Yuzer and Dwayne Lewis were honored with Service Above Self Awards.

Greens to discuss Summerfest 2003

SUN CITY - The Green Party of Riverside County's Southwest chapter will discuss Greenfest 2003, a music festival to take place in Idyllwild, at its July 13 meeting.

Also on the agenda: helping Greens seek office, animal rights, the peace movement and SB921, the "Health Care for All Californians" bill. The Greens meet from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the Sun City Library's community room, 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd.

PT Cruisers club plans museum trip

TEMECULA - Members of Pt Cruisers of Inland Valley will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at Billy B's, on the corner of Winchester and Jefferson.

The destination is the NHRA Motor Sport Museum in Pomona. The trip includes a 50/50 raffle drawing. For information, call Tim at 288-7514 or Penny at 679-5432.