Pools available for public swimming

The Californian

Area residents can try to escape hot temperatures by taking a dip in public pools.

Swimming pools at Chaparral High School and the Community Recreation Center in Temecula, Murrieta's California Oaks Sports Park and Lake Elsinore's Lakeside High School offer open sessions to the public.

Temecula

Lap/leisure and recreational swimming are offered at the CRC, 30875 Rancho Vista Road, and at Chaparral High, 27215 Nicolas Road.

Lap swimming is for those 12 and older to swim for fitness or therapeutic purposes. The cost is $1 for Temecula residents and $5 for others.

Recreational swimming is open to all ages, but children 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult while in the pool. There is no charge for residents. The cost for nonresidents is $5.

Family swim nights, swim classes and water aerobics are also offered. For schedules and other information, visit www.cityoftemecula.org.

Murrieta

Water exercise and lap, senior and recreational swimming are offered at Cal Oaks Sports Park, 40600 California Oaks Road.

The cost for residents is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Nonresidents pay $3. Monthly, family and seasonal passes are available. Water exercise costs $3 per class for residents and $5 for others.

Swim lessons are also offered, with registration due by Saturday for sessions that begin next week.

For schedules and other information, call 304-7275 or visit www.murrieta.org.

Lake Elsinore

Recreational swimming is offered at Lakeside High, 32593 Riverside Drive.

Open swimming is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. weekdays with open swimming and adult lap swimming from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Aug. 8.

The cost is $2 per person. For information, call 245-0442.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Ex-NFL singers to sign autographs

TEMECULA -- Former National Football League players Marcus Price and Gino Mingo, now part of the Christian recording group Distinguished, will sign autographs to benefit the EMH Foundation from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at The Coffee Bean.

Price played defensive line for the Chargers, Buffalo and Dallas from 1997 to 2004 and Mingo was with Kansas City. Their latest CD is "Warriors/Worshippers."

The EMH Foundation, which provides physical education and sports clinics to low-income and special needs children, will receive $1 from any drink purchased during the event.

The Coffee Bean is at 31938 Temecula Parkway. For information, call Mark Hollis at 302-5296.

Aglow in the Park planned

TEMECULA -- Balloons and surfboards will be the focus at the second annual Aglow in the Park event from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at Ronald Reagan Sports Park.

The free event includes a balloon glow at dusk -- where tethered hot-air balloons are lit up -- a performance by the band Surf City Allstars and the screening of the movie "Surf's Up."

Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner, blankets and beach chairs. Food vendors also will be on hand.

The park is at 30875 Rancho Vista Road. For information, call 694-6480 or visit www.ciotyoftemecula.org.

Explore science at museum

TEMECULA -- Children can explore science with Professor Pennypickle from 5:30 to 7:30 Fridays at the Temecula Children's Museum.

The cost is $5.

The museum is at 42081 Main St. For information, call 308-6376 or visit www.pennypickles.org.

Model search planned at outlets

LAKE ELSINORE -- The second annual Strike A Pose Model Search will be held Saturday at Lake Elsinore Outlets.

Auditions are open to boys and girls ages 4 to 19. Six winners will receive a one-year talent representation contract, a $250 shopping spree to Lake Elsinore Outlets, a professional photo shoot, and a Lake Elsinore Outlets Back-To-School backpack valued at $200.

From 10 to 11:30 a.m., participants can walk on stage and have their photo taken in front of four judges, including "America's Next Top Model" finalist Mercedes Yvette.

After the winners are announced at 1:30 p.m., Yvette will sign autographs and meet shoppers.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Outlets, 17600 Collier Ave.

Computer safety course offered

MURRIETA -- A course about keeping a computer secure from hackers will be offered from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday at Murrieta Senior Center.

Participants will learn how to protect their computer from those who could try to steal information. The cost is $20.

The center is at 41717 Juniper St. For information, call 304-7275.

Fair scholarship deadline nears

PERRIS -- Monday is the deadline to apply for the Southern California Fair's annual Farmer's Daughter Scholarship Competition, where girls compete for awards ranging from $500 to $1,250.

While a written application is required to be considered, participants will also compete in events such as goat milking, tractor driving, cooking and a mystery contest.

Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 19 and live in Riverside County.

Finalists will represent the Southern California Fair as goodwill ambassadors. The fair will be held Oct. 4 to 12 at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds.

For an application and instructions, call 657-4221 or visit www.SoCalFair.com .

Family night to be a feud

TEMECULA -- The Community Recreation Center will be turned into a game show set Monday for Temecula "Family Feud."

Residents can play the popular game show against other families for fun and prizes.

The free event will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For information, call 694-6480. The center is at 30875 Rancho Vista Road.

Computer classes offered at center

LAKE ELSINORE -- Basic computer classes will begin Tuesday at the Lake Elsinore Senior Center.

The courses will be taught from 8:15 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays for three weeks by Rick Munyon.

Classes are limited to eight students each and early registration is recommended.

The center is at 420 E. Lakeshore Drive. For registration or information, call 674-2526.

Sunrise Rotary to hear speakers

TEMECULA -- Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar will be the speaker when the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. Tuesday at Marie Callender's.

On July 29, the club will hear about Safety Town, a weeklong interactive program designed to teach 5-to-7-year-olds various aspects of safety, which the club hosts annually.

Morning and afternoon sessions for Safety Town will be offered July 21 to 25 and July 28 to Aug. 1 at New Covenant Fellowship in Murrieta. Times are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

The price is $25 for the first child and $20 for each sibling, if registered by Tuesday.

The program offers a learning environment that is set up as a little town with buildings, pedal cars and street lights, simulating an actual town. Children are taught about safety principles and then placed in staged situations involving stranger safety, street safety, fire safety, bike safety and water safety.

For reservations and information, call teacher Christy Ortiz at 304-9675 or e-mail Diana Camba at SafetyTown@cambacorp.com. New Covenant Fellowship is at 38801 Calistoga Drive.

Marie Callender's is at 29363 Rancho California Road. For information, call 600-7673.

Youth belly dancing course offered

LAKE ELSINORE -- Youth tribal fusion and belly dancing classes are offered Tuesdays at Lake Community Center.

Participants will learn the basic steps and moves as well as dance choreography. Classes for ages 5 to 9 meet at 6 p.m. and for 10 to 14 at 7:15 p.m. The fee is $20 for four weeks of instructions.

The center is at 310 W. Graham. For registration or information, call 245-0442.

HEALTH

Physicians group offers events

TEMECULA -- Big Apple Physicians Health & Wellness Center will offer free demonstrations and seminars Wednesdays in July.

Attendees can to win prizes, including spa packages and gift certificates.Â

The center is at 31685 Temecula Parkway, Unit B. For information, call 302-5700.

Workshop focuses on vision problems

MURRIETA -- A free workshop to identify if vision problems are leading to a child's ability to learn will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Center for Vision Development.

The workshop will give practical tools to help build school performance by enhancing vision and how to perform assessments and tests of vision skills.

The center is at 24710 Washington Ave., Suite 4. For information, call 461-2256 or visit www.koehjohnsonod.com/wrkshp.htm.

Hospice hosts support group

SUN CITY -- A support group for people adjusting to changes following the loss of a loved one meets twice monthly.

The group, offered by Ramona VNA and Hospice, meets from 10 to 11 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Cherry Hills Club, 28333 Valley Blvd.

For information, call Regina Siez at 658-9288.

Cancer society sponsors wellness conference

RIVERSIDE -- The American Cancer Society's African American Community Outreach Committee will sponsor the fourth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 26 at California Baptist University.

Dozens of vendors and speakers will provide information and services relating to health in mind, body, spirit and finances. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. There is no charge to attend.

The college is at 8432 Magnolia Ave. For information or reservations, call Judith Padilla at the American Cancer Society, 300-1215.

MDA camp seeks volunteers

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is searching for summer camp volunteers to act as counselors to assist young people with neuromuscular diseases and help them enjoy summer camp July 28 to Aug. 1 at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old and able to lift and care for a patient between the ages of 6 and 21. Each volunteer counselor becomes a companion to a camper and helps them with daily activities, such as eating, bathing and dressing. Counselors will also assist campers with recreational activities, such as arts and crafts, swimming and horseback riding.

MDA's summer camp program serves about 4,200 campers nationwide in nearly 80 locations for free weeklong sessions.

For a volunteer application or information, call (800) 572-1717 or visit www.mda.org/clinics/camp.

Autism Summit planned for July 29

TEMECULA -- An autism summit, sponsored by Our Nicholas Foundation, is scheduled for July 29 at Rancho Community Church.

The free event will feature an expo with more than 50 professionals related to the autism community from 5:50 to 6:30 p.m. Speakers, from 6:30 to 8:30, will include a doctor from Defeat Autism Now and KVCR's Lilian Vasquez from the Inland Empire Autism Society. There also will be discussions about types of therapies and a possible autism school in the Temecula Valley.

The church is at 31300 Rancho Community Way. For information, visit www.OurNicholasFoundation.org.

Chronic pain group meets

TEMECULA -- A chronic pain support group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Rancho Community Church.

All who live with chronic pain can seek answers and find support from people who are experiencing this illness.

Child care is available. The church is at 31300 Rancho Community Way. For information, call 303-6789, Ext. 407, or 757-0645.

Blood pressure checks offered

MURRIETA -- Free blood pressure checks are offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays at the Murrieta Senior Center.

The center is at 41717 Juniper St. For information, call 304-7275 or visit www.murrieta.org.

Running club meets regularly

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Trotters meet at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Pizza Factory in Redhawk for a 5-mile fun run.

Members also meet at 7 a.m. Saturdays at Paloma del Sol Park and have Monday night track workouts. All abilities and ages are invited.

For information, call Omar at 587-8450 or Bob or 676-4522.

Blood drives

Valley Blood Services

-- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11, Tower Plaza, 27555 Ynez Road, Temecula.

-- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12, Canyon Hills Marketplace, 29991 Canyon Hills Drive, Lake Elsinore.

-- 1 to 6 p.m. July 13, Wings and Beaks, 27496 Commerce Center Drive, Temecula.

-- 2 to 7 p.m. July 14, Pat & Oscar's, 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

-- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 15, Red Hawk Golf Club, 45100 Red Hawk Parkway, Temecula. Sponsored by Lake Elsinore Storm.

-- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 18, Renuance Cosmetic Surgery Center, 24687 Monroe Ave., Murrieta.

-- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 22, Temecula Valley Bank, 27710 Jefferson Ave., Temecula.

-- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27, Pat & Oscar's, 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

-- 2 to 7 p.m. July 29, Circuit City, 24380 Village Walk Place, Murrieta.

-- 2 to 7 p.m. June 31, Chick-Fil-A, 40531 Margarita Road, Temecula.

-- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2, Pat & Oscar's, 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

Donations may be made at Valley Blood Services, 25115 Madison Ave., Suite 105, Murrieta, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

For information, call 696-4067 or visit valleybloodservices.org. Valley Blood Services is part of the San Diego Blood Bank.

Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

-- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16, Wal-Mart, 31700 Grape St., Lake Elsinore.

-- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 18, Stater Bros., 31813 Temecula Parkway, Temecula.

-- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 19, Pole Position, 41810 McAlby Court, Murrieta.

-- noon to 6 p.m. July 24, Storage Express, 42189 Winchester Road, Temecula.

-- noon to 6 p.m. July 25, Rancho Ford, 26895 Ynez Road, Temecula.

Anyone donating blood in July and August will receive a free cholesterol test.

Information, (800) 879-4484 or www.bbsbrc.org.

SENIORS

HICAP coming to center

MURRIETA -- Representatives of HICAP will provide information for seniors July 18 at the Murrieta Senior Center.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program is administered by the California Department of Aging. Information about Medicare, retirement planning, health insurance and coverage, and future health-related costs will be available.

The program visits the center the first and third Friday of the month. Consultations are free, but appointments are required by calling (800) 434-0222. The center is at 41717 Juniper St.

Information fair slated

SUN CITY -- A senior information fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 25 at Sun City United Methodist Church.

It will include presentations about adult day care and Angel Food Ministries as well as information booths and lunch.

The church is at 30220 Carmel Road. For information, call Diana Camba at (877) 560-3852.

Activities offered at center

SUN CITY -- The Kay Ceniceros Center offers various events each month.

Upcoming activities include:

-- AARP tax assistance -- 9 a.m. to noon July 23, Aug. 13, 27. Assistance with homeowner or renter forms, economic stimulus payments of income taxes. Free.

-- Blood pressure checks -- noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Aug. 20. Sponsored by Visiting Nurses Association of Inland Counties.

-- Game day -- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in July. Participants can play board games or compete in bowling, tennis or golf on a Nintendo Wii system. Free.

-- Gardening class -- 10 a.m. July 30. $2 fee required.

-- Low-impact exercise -- 8 to 8:45 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

-- Quilting Club -- 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays.

-- Strength training -- 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays.

-- Weight Watchers -- 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 4 and 6 p.m. Thursdays.

The center is at 29995 Evans Road. For information, call 672-9673.

Donations sought for Grandparents Day

The Volunteer Center of Riverside County plans to celebrate Grandparents Day on Sept. 7 by delivering bouquets of flowers to residents of nursing care facilities.

The group is requesting $25 donations to purchase a bouquet, promote public awareness regarding the needs of lonely elderly residents in nursing home and fund educational services and training materials.

The bouquets will be delivered by ombudsmen.

For information, call 686-4402.

PETS

Garage sale to aid animal shelter

TEMECULA -- Money collected during a garage sale in Temecula will benefit the Animal Friends of the Valleys, fundraiser organizers said.

The garage sale will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 30482 Colina Verde, the home of Doris Elder, a longtime supporter of the Animal Friends. The nonprofit organization takes in abused animals and animals turned in by Southwest County residents.

Shoppers can expect to find household items, children's items, clothing, games, sporting goods, bicycles, knickknacks and some furniture, Elder said.