IN TOUCH - Turning to plants to replace Premarin

There are more than 50 million menopausal women in the United States. About 10 million of them are taking Premarin, derived from pregnant mares' urine, for estrogen replacement.

However, a number of specialists question whether Premarin should be used.

Michelle Broad, a certified OB-GYN adult nurse practitioner and owner of Women's Health and Wellness in Murrieta, says: "I have never written a new prescription for Premarin. And some of my patients on it have experienced severe leg cramps, weight gain and breast tenderness."

Amy Allina, program director for National Women's Health Network, a nonprofit education and advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., says, "Premarin is not simply a harmless aid for getting through menopause. It can increase other health problems, and women need to know that."

Jeff Stone, pharmacist and owner of Innovative Compounding Pharmacy in Murrieta, says studies last year showed the definite connection between breast cancer and equine estrogen.

"Equine estrogen, or Premarin, is positively foreign to the human body, including perimenopausal or menopausal women," Stone says.

Other side effects of Premarin include bloating, headaches and depression.

With long-term use, some believe, there is the potential for breast cancer, blood clots, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, gall bladder disease, and stroke.

Why not use bio-identical plant-derived hormones instead?

In Europe, pharmaceutical companies began producing natural progesterone derived from plants back in the 1940s.

According to the Jeff Stone of Innovative Compounding Pharmacy, "the trend now is to get women off Premarin and put on bio-identical hormones, such as bi-est, which is a combination of the hormones estrial and estradial. These are used for maintaining bone density and eliminating hot flashes and night sweats, among other symptoms."

Authors Marcus Laux, physician at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Ore., and Christine Conrad, in their book "Natural Woman, Natural Menopause," state that plant-derived hormones can improve sleep, have a natural calming effect during the day, have a positive effect against hypertension, improve the body's ability to use and eliminate fats, promote new bone formation, may protect against breast cancer, normalize the libido and regrow scalp hair.

Broad's Murrieta office provides blood and urine tests to determine what hormones women are lacking.

Based on the results, the pharmacy creates the appropriate bio-identical treatment.

Broad states: "Unlike the cookie-cutter approach, we can make creams, gels, pills or suppositories. Theingredients are plant-

derived and synthetic, and mimic our body's chemical structure, thereby lowering the side effects."

"And," Broad reports, "most PPOs cover these hormone treatments. HMOs are coming around slowly, and the usual out-of-pocket for the non-insured is about $35 a month."

Christiane Northrup, author of "The Wisdom of Menopause," says, "By the year 2008, women between the age of 50 and 65 will be the largest demographic group in the U.S. And for the first time in human history, the money they will be using will be money they have earned."

She continues: "What happens when we wake up to the power that has always been there but that our mothers and grandmothers were talked out of? … As we put our money and energy where our ideals are, the world will change in ways that reflect our inherent women's wisdom, wisdom that has the potential to benefit every woman, man, child, and living being on this planet."

Wendy Hammarstrom, a massage therapist and yoga instructor, writes a monthly column about complementary health-care issues. Call her at 677-5962 or send e-mail to Innerworks1@aol.com.

Chorus to hold auditions

The Southwest Women's Chorus will hold open auditions Tuesday and Aug. 12.

The chorus is open to all women who can carry a tune and enjoy choral music - no experience necessary. It has 35 members and would like to add five more.

The group's repertoire includes classical, spiritual, gospel and folk music, and members learn interpretation, vocal technique and sight-singing. The chorus meets from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays in Murrieta Hot Springs.

Auditions will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Congregation

B'nai Chaim, 29500 Via Princesa, Murrieta Hot Springs.

For information, call the director, Bill Paisner, at 694-5404 or e-mail wpaisner@

post.harvard.edu.

What's happening Temescal High to host cheer camp

LAKE ELSINORE - A one-day cheer camp will be held Aug. 16 at Temescal Canyon High School.

Titan cheer squads will instruct the camp, and there will be a performance at the day's end. The cost is $35 with registration before Aug. 11, and $40 thereafter. Pick up registration forms at the high school's front office. Call 245-4484 for information.

Candidate meet-up set in Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE - Friends of Governor Howard Dean will hold a "meet-up" at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Dean, a former governor of Vermont, is a potential Democratic candidate in the presidential election. The meeting, titled "Take Back America," will provide an opportunity to examine Dean and his stance on issues. For information, call 244-6565.

'Star Search' semifinalist to sing

TEMECULA - Victoria "Tori" Kelly, a "Star Search" semifinalist from Canyon Lake, will perform Tuesday at The Promenade mall.

Tori's performance is part of Musicians Workshop's "Live at the Plaza" from 6 to 8 p.m. Joining her are soloists Danielle Steigely, Amy Joy and Tany Setrest. For information, call 678-2517.

Sex abuse workshops set

The Californian

HEMET - The Center Against Sexual Assault, or C.A.S.A., will offer free workshops Aug. 11 to help children and parents prevent sexual violence.

The children's workshops are geared for ages 5 to 11 and entail self-defense training, "Stranger Danger" and "Good Touch, Bad Touch." Adults will learn how the Amber Alert is used, the different types of child molesters, rapist patterns, the definition of incest and Megan's Law. Children can also be fingerprinted.

Participating in the workshops are officials with the California Highway Patrol, Hemet Police Department, San Jacinto Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff Hemet Station.

There are three workshop times - 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. - at Valley Wide Vista Community Center, 43935 E. Acacia Avenue.

Registration is required by Monday. Call C.A.S.A. at 652-8300.

Refresher courses in driver safety offered

The Californian

The American Association of Retired Persons hosts a driver safety program in Southwest County.

The refresher course is for drivers age 50 and older. The cost is $10, and most classes span two days.

• Temecula Senior Center: 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6. Call 676-5155.

• The Village in Hemet: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 1 and 2. Call Nancy Trippe at 658-8379.

• Golden Village Palms Resort in Hemet: 9 a.m. to

1 p.m. Aug. 11 and 13. Call Helen Manning at 929-6601.

• Camelot Retirement Center in Hemet: 9 a.m. to

1 p.m. Aug. 12 and 13. Call Bill McKinney at 766-8024.

• Simpson Senior Center in Hemet: 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 18 and 20. Call George Andersen at 766-7651.

• Sun City Civic Association: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30. Call Jerry Wolleat at 679-8207.

• Arroyo Fairways in Hemet: A one-day class from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 14. Call Jean Norton at 927-7164.

For general information, call Jim Schwabe at 658-4482.

Kids Day is planned

TEMECULA - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County will celebrate National Kids Day from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

National Kids Day was established in 2001 to educate parents and children about the importance of spending time together.

The event at the club's Temecula site, 28790 Pujol St., features entertainment and family Olympic events.

For information, call the organization at 699-1526.

Seminar looks at nursing-home costs

FALLBROOK - Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary plans a free seminar on nursing-home costs.

Craig Smedley, a Medi-Cal planner, is the speaker.

The seminar is from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at 333 N. Vine St. For information, call 728-1689.

Saturday dance has tropical flair

SUN CITY - The Kay Ceniceros Community Center will hold a "Tropical Nights" dance Saturday.

The dance runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the center, 29995 Evans Road. Music will be provided by Dan Damon.

Tickets cost $5 and may be purchased at the center before the dance or at the door. For information, call 672-9673.

Medi-Cal workshop set for Wednesday

SUN CITY - Craig Smedley will hold a Medi-Cal workshop at Hospice of the Valleys at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Smedley is an estate and Medi-Cal planner who conducts the free workshop each month. Hospice of the Valleys is at 28127 Bradley Road.

For reservations, call 672-1666.

Artists to display works in Idyllwild

The Californian

IDYLLWILD - The Art Alliance will host a Gallery Walk on Saturday.

A dozen galleries in the mountain town will display works from 25 artists. Most of the galleries are within walking distance of one another, and all have maps that point out gallery locations.

A sampling of some of the galleries taking part in the event:

• The Parks Exhibition Center on the Idyllwild Arts Campus will feature American Indian art.

• The Courtyard Gallery will show collages, prints and pine needle sculptures by Ruth and Allyn Hart.

• Idyllwild Gallery of Fine Art will display a collection of whimsical teapots in clay and glass.

The free event runs from

2 to 5 p.m.

For information, call the Art Alliance toll-free at (866) 439-5278.

Ballet classic coming to stage

TEMECULA - Dancers will perform the ballet "Carnival of the Animals" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Temecula Community Recreation Center amphitheater.

The ballet, put on by the Temecula City Ballet Company, features about 45 dancers portraying lions, dinosaurs, elephants, birds and other animals. Camille Saint-Saens composed the playful piece in 1886 but did not have it released until after his death.

Tickets cost $12 at the door, and the box office will open at 6 p.m. The amphitheater is at 30875 Rancho Vista Road. For information, call the ballet company at 694-9600.

Cityhood petitions available to sign

MENIFEE - A group working to forge Menifee Valley's independence is pressing forward to its goal of collecting 6,500 signatures on petitions to put the issue before voters.

Residents of Menifee Valley who are interested in signing the petition can do so between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations and days:

• Friday at Stater Bros. in Sun City.

• Saturday at Stater Bros. in Menifee.

• Sunday at Albertson's in Menifee.

Dance studio plans to make iMPACt

TEMECULA - Melea Dance Studio will put on the iMPACt showcase at the St. Jeanne Lestonnac School theater, 32650 Avenida Lestonnac.

On tap is a hip-hop routine, "The Carwash Mix," which won top honors at the Spotlight Nationals in Las Vegas last month. Other performances include a father-daughter routine inspired by the movie "The Matrix" that features 8-year-old Sophina DeJesus performing aerials and back handsprings.

The show has two times - 2 and 7 p.m. Assigned-seating tickets cost $10 per person and can be purchased at the door or by calling 600-0500.

Festival features basil food, drinks

TEMECULA - Ama's Herboretum will host "A Taste of Basil," an annual festival, from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Some of the attractions include a pesto table, basil food and drinks, and Dixieland jazz. Guests can buy herb plants to grow. The free event is at 36441 Rancho California Road. For information, call 699-2742.

Hazardous waste drop-off scheduled

LAKE ELSINORE - Riverside County residents can get rid of their household hazardous waste between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

The free waste drop-off is at 521 N. Langstaff.

Items accepted include cleaners, bleaches drain cleaners, fertilizers, latex and oil-based paint, aerosol cans, oil, garden chemicals, antifreeze, household and auto batteries, and medicines (no needles).

People may make multiple trips; however, any single car load cannot exceed 5 gallons or 50 pounds.

For more information call 674-3124, Ext. 265.

Blues, rock bands slated to perform

TEMECULA - Hot Summer Nights in Old Town continues tonight with blues and rock music.

Blues musicians Aunt Kizzy'z Boys will perform at the Country Porch, at Third and Old Town Front streets, while blues rock band the Gem Tones will play at the Wild Cactus porch, at Sixth and Front streets. The Two of Us will perform classic rock at Rosa Cantina Alcove, near Front and Main streets.

Hot Summer Nights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 22. Concerts are free.

'Aloha Ballroom Dance' on Saturday

TEMECULA - An "Aloha Ballroom Dance" will be held Saturday at the Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol St.

DJ and host John Irwin will play waltz, fox trot, swing, Latin, polka and hustle music from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Dress tropical; leis will be handed out. Guests should bring their own drinks and snacks, although cups and ice will be furnished. The cost is $5 per person.

Irwin also will offer East Coast swing classes on Wednesdays this month.

The classes run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. The cost is $20 per person for the four-week session. Singles and couples welcome.

Call Irwin at 676-1471 for information.

High Hopes to hold a 'Casino Night'

TEMECULA - High Hopes, a social organization for people with disabilities, will hold "Casino Night" today.

Prizes will be presented to winning players. The event is a potluck, so guests should bring "casino foods."

The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol St. Temecula residents pay $1, and nonresidents pay $2. For information, call Karen Newman at 677-1958, Candy

Flhor at 694-6469 or the city's Community Services Department at 694-6480.

Bookstore to host artist today

TEMECULA - Artist Jody Bergsma will be at Lady of the Lake bookstore, at 27326 Jefferson Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. today.

Bergsma's works feature American Indian elements and wildlife such as wolves and eagles. Her children's books, such as "Faerie" and "The Little Wizard," feature fanciful children and creatures. For information, call the bookstore at 296-0222.

Class teaches how to pair food, wine

TEMECULA - Callaway Vineyard & Winery will hold a "Food and Wine Pairing Class" from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

A winery chef will teach how to pair wine with food during a four-course meal. Portions will be hors d'oeuvre-sized. The cost is $50 plus tax, and reservations are required. Call (800) 472-2377.

Grammy winner to play in jazz series

TEMECULA - Grammy winner Norman Brown will perform at Thornton Winery's "Champagne Jazz" series on Sunday.

The jazz guitarist won "best pop instrumental album" for his album "Just Chillin'" at the Grammy awards in February. The show starts at 5 p.m. General admission is $40, and a gourmet-supper package costs $95. For information, call 699-0099.