Quilt group adds to Habitat house

LAKE ELSINORE -- Many sounds are heard when Habitat for Humanity builds a home. There's the rap of hammers, the whirr of drills and, in the case of the homes dedicated Saturday by Temecula Habitat for Humanity, the hum of a sewing machine.

About a dozen women from First Lutheran Church in Lake Elsinore didn't share in the manual labor, but they toiled hundreds of hours making six quilts, one for each member of the Castaneda family, who will occupy one of the homes.

And they didn't just make quilts, each was tailored to an individual family member, weaving their personalities into the design.

So one girl's quilt has a constellation design, one is pink, black and white and another features guitars. The boy's quilt is red and black with a karate theme.

And Mom gets a "crazy quilt" featuring a rainbow of distinctive colors. There's also a baby quilt.

"We asked what their favorite colors were, what their hobbies and interests were," group member Maurine Hahn said.

"We personalized each quilt," added her daughter, Heather Haworth.

The quilt group didn't exist until Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, which help members with their finances and gives back to congregations and the community, came to the church to see how members could help with the Habitat project. Thrivent said it already had money and manpower, and asked the church how it could help otherwise.

Hahn became the de facto den mother of the quilting group and Haworth, the only one with quilting experience, became the leader.

But saying Haworth had quilting experience is a reach.

"I watched a lot of television shows and read a lot of books," she said, admitting she'd never actually sewn a quilt.

The project started in 2006, was on a hold for a while as the homes went through the permitting process, then kicked back into high gear last year. The women worked almost daily, late into the night, in some cases.

Members collected material for the project as far away as Texas and Las Vegas, and used extra pieces to make distinctive backs for each quilt.

And while the Casteneda family will receive quilts from the ladies, the ladies received their own gifts back from the project.

Haworth said that as members of the church, the they knew each other in passing, but now, they are like a family.

"We really got to know each other," Haworth said.

And the group may continue quilting, working together on their own projects.

-- Craig Shultz, Staff writer

Local musician wins award

TEMECULA -- Antonio Pontarelli of Temecula won the People's Voice Award of the recent International Songwriters Competition.

More than 15,000 entries were received from 100 countries and Pontarelli received the most votes from fans.

A classically trained violinist and pianist, Pontarelli has brought those elements into alternative rock.

He has won awards as a songwriter and a performing artist, including his first national championship at age 13, when he became the grand champion of "America's Most Talented Kids," which included "American Idol" winner Jordan Sparks.

In January, Pontarelli won the 2008 Inland Empire Music Awards for Best Rock Band.

For information, visit www.antoniomusic.com.

Boys & Girls Clubs get grants

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County was recently awarded The Kresge Foundation $1 million Challenge Grant in support of the Capital Campaign for Kids and $10,000 from the Fieldstone Foundation to support programs for teens in Murrieta.

The Kresge award will help finance the construction of the final phase of the club's expansion plan -- a clubhouse in French Valley.

The club has raised alsmost $15 million toward the $17 million goal needed to construct three clubhouses and renovate two existing ones.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the French Valley clubhouse will be held at 10 a.m. May 27 at the eight-acre site at the corner of Winchester and Skyview Roads.

The Kresge Foundation supports communities by working with nonprofit organizations. The Challenge Grant Program is designed to assist nonprofits in strengthening leadership and offering financial support for capital projects.

The Fieldstone funds will be aimed at combating problems facing teens in the community, such as gang influence, drug use and other dangerous activities.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County will direct the funds to the Murrieta Clubhouse's Underground program, which is designed to coach teens in comprehensive living skills that strengthen their chances for successful completion of high school.

The Underground program offers a variety of teen-oriented activities, including fitness classes, sports tournaments and field trips, and in-depth components to enhance the lives of participants, such as Career Launch, which allows members to assess their skills and interests, explore career possibilities and make sound educational decisions; Money Matters, which promotes financial independence and responsibility by developing basic money management skills; Youth for Unity, which is designed to combat prejudice and intolerance; and Keystone, a leadership and service club in which officers are elected to implement activities to benefit the club and their community, promote character, leadership and free enterprise.

The Fieldstone Foundation was created by the Fieldstone home builders in 1983 to provide grants, leadership development and service to nonprofit organizations working to support individuals in the communities where Fieldstone companies conduct business.

For information about The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County, call 699-1526 or visit www.bgcswc.org.

-- The Californian

WHAT'S HAPPENING

FireSafe Council to meet Monday

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Wine Country chapter of the Southwest Riverside County FireSafe Council will choose committee members when it meets at 6 p.m. Monday at GlenOak Hills clubhouse.

FireSafe councils act as liaisons between firefighting organizations and homeowners to promote fire prevention and protection. The new council would cover Wine Country, Glen Oak Hills, Meadowview and surrounding areas.

The clubhouse is at De Portola Road and Vista de Oro. For information, call Dan Matrisciano at 506-0283.

Golf instruction offered to youngsters

TEMECULA -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County is registering children age 3 to 5 for Itty Bitty Golf program.

The 6-week program will run Tuesdays, May 6 to June 10, at the Old Town Temecula Clubhouse, 28790 Pujol St.; Wednesdays, May 7 to June 11, at the Murrieta Clubhouse, 40550 California Oaks Road; and Thursdays, May 8 to June 12, at the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse. 3711 Nichols Road, Lake Elsinore/

The fee is $80 for club members. Others will pay an additional $20 membership fee. All participants will receive a shirt and participation award.

For information, contact Steve Kittinger at 676-6800.

Azusa Pacific to host informational meeting

MURRIETA -- The Azusa Pacific University Murrieta Regional Center will host a free graduate/credential information meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The APU Murrieta Regional Center offers programs to obtain a variety of credentials, a master of arts degree in education or leadership and organizational studies and a combined credential and masters program.

The center is at 39573 Los Alamos Road. For information, contact Abena S. Salvant or Maria Buffington at 304-3400 or murrieta@apu.edu.

Computer course begins Wednesday

LAKE ELSINORE -- Computer and Internet classes for adults will be offered at the Lake Elsinore Library this month.

Basic computer skills will be taught Wednesday, basic Internet will meet May 14 and "office," covering programs such as Word and Excel, will be held May 28. All courses will be from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Registration is required by calling 674-4517. The library is at 600 W. Graham Ave.

Disco classes begin Wednesday

TEMECULA -- Disco hustle dance classes will begin this week at Temecula Community Center.

Weekly classes will be offered from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday to May 28 and Thursday to May 29. The cost is $28 for four weeks. Singles and couples are welcome

The center is at 28816 Pujol St. For information, call John Irwin at 676-1471. For registration, call 694-6480.

Spring fashion on menu for club

CANYON LAKE -- Spring fashions will be highlighted when the Canyon Lake Women's Connection meets from noon to 2 p.m. May 14 at Canyon Lake Lodge.

The "Fashion This" luncheon will feature clothes from Johncee's Closet. Gloria Feralio, an actress and real estate professional, will talk about "How Your Life Can Have a Happy Ending."

The cost is $15 and reservations are due by Wednesday.

Canyon Lake Lodge is at 22200 Canyon Club Drive. For reservations of information, call LaRue at 244-6470 or Gerry at 678-1407.

The group, which is affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries/Christine Women's Clubs, also has a Prayer Connection on the at 9:30 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Sunset Room at the lodge.

Church plans disaster fair

SUN CITY -- Home emergencies and disaster preparedness will be discussed at a free seminar at 9 a.m. Thursday at St. Vincent Ferrer Church.

Speakers will be Mary McCaslin-Blanchard from Sun City Disaster Service and Sun City fire Capt. Kerry Smith.

The seminar will be in the parish hall at 27931 Murrieta Road. For information, call 679-7521.

Michelle's Place plans Spring Fling

TEMECULA -- Michelle's Place, the Women's Breast Cancer Resource Center, will hold its annual Spring Fling on May 16 at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa.

The event will have a Hollywood theme, starting at 6 p.m. on the red carpet with a no-host cocktail reception.

Dinner, live auction and a variety show will take place in the grand ballroom at 7 p.m., followed by music and dancing provided by Jon Laskin.

Hollywood history will be revisited with impersonations of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, The Andrews Sisters and Elvis on three stages.

Proceeds will help fund the free programs and services provided by Michelle's Place to women and their families dealing with breast cancer.

Tables of 10 are available for $1,000. For information, call Michelle's Place at 304-1280 or e-mail info@michellesplace.org.

Volunteers needs for Western Days

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau is looking for volunteers to assist with Western Days in Old Town Temecula May 17 and 18.

Volunteers will receive one free ticket to the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.

Western Days features skits of the Old West performed by Southern California gunfight clubs, live western music, a working blacksmith, pony rides and stagecoach rides. May 17 features an International Chili Society sanctioned chili cookoff.

To volunteer, call Carrie at 491-6085.

Slow Food plans fundraiser

TEMECULA -- Local farmers will be paired with local chefs to showcase of a selection of organic produce, cheese and olive oil when Slow Food Temecula Valley holds its inaugural fundraising event from 1 to 5 p.m. May 25 at Leonesse Cellars.

Slow Food Temecula Valley is an educational organization dedicated to, among other things, stewardship of the land and ecologically sound food production and to living a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.

The festivities will include a tasting of Leonesse wine and Stone Brewery beer, guitar music and a children's section.

Tickets cost $65 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will be $75 at the event.

Leonesse Cellars is at 38311 De Portola Road.

For information on Slow Foods, call Leah DiBernardo, president of Slow Food Temecula Valley, at 694-3663, e-mail tvslowfood@delytes.com or visit www.temeculavalleyslowfood.org.

Cops for Kids sponsors golf tourney

The Southern California office of California Police Youth Charities Cops for Kids will host its inaugural Tee Up Fore Kids celebrity golf tournament June 1.

The festivities will kick off with a paring party and dinner May 30 at California Palms restaurant in Hemet. Celebrities expected to attend include actors Michael Dante and James MacArthur, boxers Tony Lopez, Danny Lopez and Carlos Palomino, and former pro football players Tom Flores, Ben Davidson, Rod Martin, Christian Okoye and Gary Plummer.

The event will include live and silent auction and entertainment. It is free for golfers and $20 for others.

The golf tournament will take place May 31 at Golden Era Golf Course in San Jacinto.

The tournament will benefit California Police Youth Charities and the Sheriffs Activities League, which were both established to reach at-risk and under privileged youth. The money raised will help provide educational, athletic and recreational programs.

For information, call Jeff Penn at 634-8078.

Balloon & Wine Festival needs volunteers

TEMECULA -- The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival needs volunteers for its 25th anniversary event June 6 to 8 at Lake Skinner.

Volunteers work four-hour shifts in various venues, including ticket taking, balloon crewing and beverage service. Ticket office volunteers are needed for the month prior to the festival.

The event opens June 6 with concerts and the evening balloon glow. Friday night features country music star Blake Shelton and pop rocker John Waite.

Saturday's main stage headliner is Kenny Loggins. Sunday entertainment includes Ambrosia and the Moto Cross Stunt Show.

Volunteer application are available online at www.tvbwf.com or call 676-6713.

Souvenir posters for the festival are available. Shawn McKelvey designed the poster, marking the third time his artwork has been chosen for the festival.

He created a giant hot air balloon in the shape of a wine bottle with the 25th anniversary logo on the label. Surrounding the wine bottle in the air are hot air balloons resembling guitars, grape bunches, wine glasses and wine buckets as the crowd views from below.

Souvenir posters sell for $7. A limited edition of 75 posters are printed on archival paper and signed by the artist. The cots for those is $25.

Posters are available online or at the festival office, 27498 Enterprise Circle West, Unite 01.

Council offers child-care aid

SUN CITY -- Southwest Childcare Council is offering subsidized child care tuition assistance for qualified working parents.

In order to get the assistance, parents must work, but earn no more than $40,000 per year. They also must reside in Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar or Lake Elsinore.

For information, call Sharon Hanson at 490-0962 or e-mail swscholarship@aol.com.

Car show registration under way

MURRIETA -- Registration is under way for the city's 38th Annual Father's Day Car Show, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 15 at California Oaks Sports Park.

Registration costs $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.

The Thunder Heart Band will be performing, and there will be food, vendors and jumpers for children.

For information or a registration form, call 304-7275 or visit www.murrieta.org.

SERVING THE FLAG

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Jonathan P. Garcia has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airmen studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies, performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Garcia, who earned distinction as an honor graduate, is the son of Eulogio and Edelwina Garcia of Temecula. He is a 1993 graduate of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower.

Air Force Airman Jarrod A. Bricker graduated from the Utilities Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The course is designed to train students in water processing, analysis, operating principles of water treatment plants, maintenance of water and waste water, fire suppression and backflow prevention systems and components, and maintenance and repair of water supply, waste and natural gas systems.

Bricker will be assigned to the 554th Red Horse Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, in Agana, Guam.

Bricker is the son of Jeff and Patricia Bricker of Winchester. He is a 2007 graduate of Chaparral High School.

MEETINGS

Lake Elsinore

Planning Commission -- 6 p.m. Tuesday, cultural center, 183 N. Main St.

Lake Elsinore Unified School Board -- 6 p.m. Tuesday, district offices, 520 Chaney St.

Parks and Recreation Department -- 7 p.m. Thursday, cultural center, 183 N. Main St.

Murrieta

City Council -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall, 24601 Jefferson Ave.

Murrieta Valley Unified School Board -- 7 p.m. Thursday, district support center, 41870 McAlby Court.

Riverside

County Board of Supervisors -- 9 a.m. Tuesday, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St.

Western Riverside County Council of Governments -- 2:30 p.m. Monday, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St.

San Jacinto

Mt. San Jacinto College, Board of Trustees -- 3:30 p.m. Thursday, 1499 N. State St., Room 200. The meeting is linked via live video to the Menifee Valley campus, room 130.

Temecula

Temecula Valley Unified School Board -- 6 p.m. Tuesday, district administration center meeting rooms, 31350 Rancho Vista Road.