Museum to offer Vail Ranch exhibit

The Californian

TEMECULA -- A glimpse of selected items from the Wilkinson Collection of Vail Ranch artifacts will open Saturday at the Temecula Valley Museum.

The exhibition will preview the most important collection of historical artifacts, photographs, maps and documentation from the Vail Ranch archives. The collection was amassed by Sandy Wilkinson, one of the last of the Vail Ranch hands, and the grandson of ranch founder Walter Vail.

From 1904 until 1964, the Vail Ranch, encompassing more than 87,000 acres of local land, was the dominant factor for life in the Temecula Valley. Vail purchased land from four original land grants spreading over Temecula and Murrieta. The lower portion was called the Pauba Ranch while the upper pastures were called the Santa Rosa.

The exhibit will highlight the building of the Vail Dam and reservoir; documents outlining the operation of the ranch and its financial agreements; a look into the private life of the well known Mahlon Vail and his famous friends; and panoramic views of the Temecula Valley before there were any developers in site.

The exhibit will be on display from Saturday until Oct. 26, with related events throughout this time period. On opening day, there will be local "old timers" telling stories about Old Temecula.

The museum is in Sam Hicks Monument Park at 28314 Mercedes St. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. A donation of $2 per person is requested.

For information, call Wendell Ott, museum services manager, at 694-6452.

Related activities

Tales of Old Temecula, 10 a.m. Saturday -- The exhibit opening and local "old timers" telling stories about Old Temecula A chance to learn about the city's past and the colorful characters who inhabited Temecula during bygone days.

Gallery talk: Anne Miller, Mapping the Southern Emigrant Trail, 6 p.m. Sept. 4 -- Miller conducted the first scientific study to discover the actual location of the Southern Emigrant Trail based on current maps and mapping equipment. The talk will offer a look at how Miller conducted the study, including details of mapmaker's notes from the 1800's and key points of township markers. This lecture is a must see for anyone interested in local history.

Museum Workshop: Where's the Beef, 10 a.m. Sept. 6 -- A look at how cowboys adapted to their harsh environment by creating a portable beef snack -- beef jerky. Learn how jerky is made today and discover the many products this simple western snack has spawned.

Family Day: A walking tour of Old Town, 10 a.m. Sept. 20 -- A guided tour that begins at the Temecula Valley Museum and goes through the heart of Old Town.

Gallery talk: Cattle ranching in Southern Californian, 6 p.m. Oct. 2 -- A look at how cattle ranching drove the local economy and flavored the lifestyle in Southern California. See the colorful history of the cowboys and how they made Temecula unique.

Museum workshop: Leather, 10 a.m. Oct. 4 -- Learn the basics of working with leather and leather making tools. See how the trade has changed over the years working with new technology.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Concerts continue at mall

TEMECULA -- Next Generation will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Promenade as part of a free summer concert series.

The schedule also features: Saturday, Nightshift, playing classic rock; Sunday, Fellguard; July 25, Cornerstone Alternative; July 26, Superfreaks, a disco group; and Aug. 9, Cetas Apire.

Free face painting will be available for children 3 to 10.

For information, call 296-0979 or visit www.promenadeintemecula.com.

Hot Summer Nights offers music

TEMECULA -- Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz and Nitro Express will headline Old Town Temecula's Hot Summer Nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz, known for its rockin' blues licks, will appear at Temecula Valley Cheese Company. Nitro Express, which plays electrified, high energy country rock and country, will perform at Baily's Courtyard.

Older than Dirt will play in the alcove next to Rosa's Cantina. The country music band is comprised of musicians with an average age above 70.

Other activities include a magician at the Trick Shop, musical performances at Stellar Cellars and the Temecula Wine and Beer Garden and games and dance at Fourth Street Antiques. This week's prize contest is the twist and shout competition.

For information, call 693-3952. or visit www.temeculacalifornia.com.

Memorial dedication scheduled

LAKELAND VILLAGE -- The Lakeland Village Neighborhood Association will hold a formal dedication ceremony of a memorial monument at 9 a.m. Saturday in Perret Park.

The monument, along the Butterfield Multi-use trail, honors Paul Baillie, founder of the Lakeland Village Neighborhood Association, as well as Grace Sturgill and Verne and Les Cameron.

The park is at 32938 Perret Blvd. For information, call 955-1010.

Azusa Pacific to host 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 Salvant or Maria Buffington at 304-3400 or murrieta@apu.edu.

Conference offers open house

MURRIETA -- A free community open house will be offered July 30 as part of the Writing Educator's Symposium at Calvary Chapel Conference Center.

The 7:30 p.m. open house will feature teachers, authors and curriculum developers as well as book signings.

The center is at 39405 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. For information on the conference or open house, call (800) 856-5815 or visit excellenceinwriting.com/?q=wes.

Polynesian dance classes planned

LAKE ELSINORE -- Polynesian dance classes for all ages and levels will be offered next month at the Lake Elsinore Community Center.

Classes will meet Tuesdays from Aug. 5 to 26. Ages 5 to 8 meet at 4:30 p.m.; 9 to 13 at 5:30 p.m. for beginners. An intermediate classes, for ages 14 to adult, meets at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $45 for four classes and advanced registration is recommended.

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

Gospel festival auditions planned

TEMECULA -- Auditions to perform in the Temecula Gospel Music and Arts Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16, at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

The Sept. 26-27 festival features Christian contemporary and gospel shows, workshops and arts events.

Auditions are open to Christian musical acts of all sizes and genres. Producers are also building a choir and a praise and worship youth show choir to perform throughout the weekend.

To audition, register at www.gospelfest08.org.

The Temecula Gospel Festival will benefit Oak Grove Center for Treatment Education and the Arts' performing and literary arts program, offering opportunities in the in the arts for the at-risk and special needs children at the school.

City offers trip to ball game

TEMECULA -- The Community Services Department is offering a trip to see the Padres play the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 25 at Petco Park.

The cost is $40, which includes field level tickets, transportation and a snack.

The excursion will depart from the Temecula Community Center at 5 p.m. The game starts at 7:05 p.m.

For information or registration, call 694-6469 or visit www.cityoftemecula.org.

Golf tournament promotes water safety

TEMECULA -- The second Sara's Way Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 29 to raise awareness of the importance of boating safety

The event is dedicated to Sara Michelle Margiotta, who died Aug. 4, 2007, at age 10, in a boating crash.

The $125 entry will include green fees, range balls, putting contest, tee package, boxed lunch and a hors d'ourves award reception following the tournament. The tournament tees off at 9:30 a.m. at Temecula Creek Inn with a modified Ryder Cup triple six format.

For information, call 757-5966 or visit www.sarasway.org.

Funds available to community groups

TEMECULA -- Applications for the city of Temecula's Community Service Funding Program are available.

Applications will be accepted from community-based, nonprofit organizations and evaluated for funding based on program criteria. Grants funds and other forms of financial assistance may also be available to organizations that serve the needs and improve the well-being of the residents of Temecula.

Organizations can get applications at City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, or online at www.cityoftemecula.org. Applications are due by Sept. 15 and applicants will be notified in November.

For information, call 694-6430.

Boys, Girls Clubs get grant

TEMECULA -- The Starbucks Foundation has awarded $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County to support teen leadership programs in Murrieta and Lake Elsinore.

The funds will be used to toward youths participating in Keystone Club, Torch Club & Youth of the Year programs.

Keystone and Torch are the club's leadership and service clubs, in which officers are elected to implement activities to benefit the clubs and their community, promote character, leadership and free enterprise. The Youth of the Year program recognizes outstanding club members and their contributions to their family, school, community and clubhouse as well as personal challenges and obstacles they have overcome.

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

HEALTH

CPR class Saturday

MURRIETA -- Pediatric first aid and CPR courses will be offered by the Murrieta Valley Unified School District Parent Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The class meets Department of Public Social Services licensing requirements. The cost is $75 and registration is required before the day of the class.

Participants must register Friday at the Parent Center, which is at Avaxat Elementary School, 24300 Las Brisas Road. For information, call 304-1623.

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.

Yoga class offered

MURRIETA -- Bring-a-friend-for-free yoga classes will be offered next week at Yoga Healing.

Sessions are at 6 p.m. Wednesday and 9:15 a.m. July 25. The cost is $12 for the first participant. There will be yogi tea and vegetarian food after the Wednesday class.

For information, call 696-9063.

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.

Naturopathic doctor to speak

MURRIETA -- Dr. Maria Cartwright, a naturopathic doctor, will speak at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 at Michelle's Place.

Cartwright will demonstrate the Wellness Wheel for Balanced Living, showing how physical health, spiritual health and emotional healthare all connected.

Michelle's Place is at 41785 Elm St., No. 305. For information or to RSVP, call 304-1280.

Storm plan annual blood drive

LAKE ELSINORE -- The Lake Elsinore Storm baseball team will hold the fourth annual Tailgate Blood Drive with Valley Blood Services from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Diamond Club at its stadium.

The first 200 donors will be given a commemorative Storm Tailgate Blood Drive jersey, tickets to a Storm game and a Padres seat cushion. Donors also may enter a drawing for free Padres tickets.

The drive precedes the Storm's game against the San Jose Giants.

For information call (800) 469-7322. To make an appointment, visit www.ValleyBloodServices.org.

Other blood drives

Valley Blood Services

-- 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.

-- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22, Walz Group, Foremost Business Park, 43234 Business Park Drive, Suite 107, 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 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.

-- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28, Mulligan Family Fun Center, 24950 Madison Ave., Murrieta.

-- noon to 5:30 p.m. July 30, Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, 26790 Ynez Court, Temecula. Donors will receive a KLOS blood drive T-Shirt.

-- 1 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 1, It's a Grind Coffee House, 24520 Village Walk Place, Suite F, Murrieta. Donors will receive a KLOS blood drive T-Shirt.

-- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8, Temeku Theater, 26463 Ynez Road, Temecula. Donors will receive a two free movie passes.

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

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

SENIORS

Group offers services, bingo

SUN CITY -- Sun City Concern Inc., a community-supported service for Sun City and surrounding areas, offers services such as information and assistance, referrals to community services, outreach programs, telephone reassurance and gatekeeper programs, trips and bingo.

Bingo is held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road. Registration begins at 12:45 p.m. and the pot is $100.

Sun City Concern is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays at 29995 Evans Road. For information, call 679-2374.

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.

PETS

Animal Friends open new dog shelter

LAKE ELSINORE -- Animal Friends of the Valleys will host a grand opening of its new puppy and small dog modular July 25 and 26. The facility replaces the one destroyed in the February fire.

A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. July 25.

Celebrations will include half price adoptions during the week of July 21 and tours of the facility and refreshments July 24 and 26.

AFV has partnered with 1st District County Supervisor Bob Buster to provide spay and neuter vouchers, saving $100 per dog and $50 per cat.

The shelter is at 29001 Bastron St. For information, call 471-8344.