Vintage aircraft coming to French Valley

FRENCH VALLEY -- The Wings of Freedom Tour will bring rare bomber aircraft to French Valley Airport from April 28 to May 1.

The tour includes the World War II Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, North American B-25 Mitchel and North American P-51 Mustang.

The Wings of Freedom Tour travels the nation as a tribute to the flight crews flew the planes, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve.

The display will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. April 28; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29 and 30; and 10 a.m. to noon May 1. Visitors can explore the planes, in and out, and learn about them. Admission is a $10 donation for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.

Visitors may also take a 30-minute flight aboard the aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. Flights on the B-25 are $400 for the front fuselage and $325 for the waist gun section. P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,000 for an hour. The flights are normally scheduled before and after the ground tours.

For reservations and information on flight experiences, call (800) 568-8924. French Valley Airport is at 37552 Winchester Road.

For information, visit www.collingsfoundation.org.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Food drive under way at college

MENIFEE -- A food drive to help the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard fill its shelves is under way at the Mt. San Jacinto College Menifee Valley campus.

The drive will take place through May 15. Collection bins are located in the counseling office, cafeteria and the Learning Resource Center.

Soup, cake mixes, peanut butter, canned vegetables, pasta, beans and boxed cereal are among the items needed. The food drive will not accept any perishable items.

The college is at 28237 La Piedra Road. For information, call Bret Zaccaglin at 760-2942 or e-mail Eugene Furnace at efurnace@msjc.edu.

UCR plans Earth Week activities

RIVERSIDE -- Speakers, exhibits, films and a place to dump unused electronic items will mark Earth Week Monday through Friday at UC Riverside.

Electronic waste will be collected from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in Lot 30, which is at Canyon Crest Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

E-waste includes computers, printers, telephones, televisions, cameras, cell phones, microwave ovens and batteries.

Also, electric car pioneer Wally Rippel will speak on at 3 p.m. Wednesday as part of the Bourns College of Engineering Distinguished Lecture Series. The talk will be in Engineering Building II, rooms 205 and 206. Rippel, who has been awarded 24 patents, was featured in the 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" The film will be shown at the Barn on at 6 p.m. Thursday.

For information, call 827-4248 or visit www.ucr.edu.

Garden to celebrate Earth Day at Night

RIVERSIDE -- Earth Day 2008 will be celebrated from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Western Municipal Water District's Landscape Southern California Style garden.

The event will include music by teenage flutist Evren Ozan, hands-on water education and conservation activities for children, a "Bugs" presentation by the UCR Entomology Graduate Student Association, stories about water conservation, energy and solar powered autos and related exhibits and free organic treats.

The garden is located on the corner of Mission Grove Parkway and Alessandro Boulevard. For information, call 789-5061 or visit www.wmwd.com.

Living will workshop scheduled

MURRIETA -- A free workshop on Five Wishes, a living will that talks about personal, emotional and spiritual needs in addition to medical wishes, will be offered at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Murrieta Senior Center.

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

Computer course to be offered

TEMECULA -- A class in AutoCAD, a software application for design and drafting, will be offered by Murrieta Valley Adult Education beginning Wednesday.

The class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays for seven weeks. The cost is $100.

Registration and classes are at 24150 Hayes Ave. For information, call 696-3805.

Mystery party to aid relay

SUN CITY -- A murder mystery party will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Participants will serve as a winery and vineyard owners, wine makers, growers, journalists and wine critics as they try to solve a mystery. The cost is $20 and includes wine tasting and food.

The event will be at 27230 El Pico Lane. Tickets are available by calling the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce at 672-1991 or Century 21 Executive Properties, 246-7001.

Week of the Young Child celebration slated

MENIFEE -- Families can receive useful information about area resources during Mt. San Jacinto College's Week of the Young Child celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Freedom Crest Elementary School.

Children can participate in a variety of free activities, including face painting, animals, jumpers and arts and crafts. Parents will have access to information about resources in the community.

Freedom Crest Elementary School is at 29282 Menifee Road.

Young Marines plan breakfast

WILDOMAR -- Wildomar Young Marines will host a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at VFW Post 1508.

The cost is $5 for pancakes, eggs and bacon or sausage. Funds will help send the Young Marines to encampments this summer.

The post is at 21180 Waite St. For information, call Shani Sandler at 306-4763 or visit www.wildomaryoungmarines.com.

Concert to benefit Maryann Mighell

TEMECULA -- A concert has been scheduled for Saturday to benefit Denny and Maryann Mighell.

The Mighells are the driving forces behind Temecula Valley People Helping People. Now, they need assistance.

Maryann was diagnosed last year with Schamberg's Disease and cellulitis and other complications have followed, bringing large medical bills.

The concert will be held from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Several bands will be donating their time: Sunset Drive, a classic contemporary dance rock band from the Temecula Valley; Salt Creek, a country rock band from Lake Elsinore; Halfway Decent, a local rock 'n' roll band; and tribute bands from Musicians Workshop. There will also be activities for children.

Admittance is free, but donations will be accepted.

The center is at 41845 Sixth St. For information, call 440-7895 or visit www.tvphp.com.

Race for Humanity will be Saturday

MENIFEE -- The Race for Humanity, a 5-kilometer run/walk, will take place Saturday at Mt. San Jacinto College.

Proceeds will benefit several local charities, including Michelle's Place, Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, Rotary International, The Center Against Sexual Assault, Riverside County Foundation on Autism, Third and Fifth District Homeless Campus and the Riverside County Professional Fire Fighter Benevolent Fund.

The Race for Humanity strives to raise awareness for various issues pertaining to women in Riverside County, such as domestic violence, substance abuse and breast healthcare.

Participants will receive a race T-shirt, commemorative pin and race bib. The first race is at 8:15 a.m. Costs start at $14 for seniors and youths and $25 for adults.

To register, visit www.race4humanity.org or sign up from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Mt. San Jacinto College, at Antelope and La Piedra roads.

Landscape photography focus of event

TEMECULA -- The Study of Landscape Through Photography will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Temecula valley Museum.

Participants must provide their own digital camera. The cost is $2.

The museum is at 28314 Mercedes St. For information, call 694-6450 or visit www.cityoftemecula.org/Temecula/Residents/Museum.

World Tai Chi Day to be celebrated

MENIFEE -- World Tai Chi and Qigong Day will be celebrated Saturday in Menifee.

The 10th annual event begins in New Zealand and continues in more than 60 countries around the world at 10 a.m. in their time zones.

The local event will take place in La Ladera Park. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. At 10, participants will begin 18 forms of Qigong, led by Louise Rogers.

The park is on La Ladera Road, north of Newport Road between Murrieta and Goetz roads. For information, call Rogers at 301-9241.

Railway festival next weekend

PERRIS -- The annual Railway Festival will be held Saturday and April 27 at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris.

In conjunction with the festival, the first Favorites Fun Festival, featuring popular cartoon characters sucha s Barney, Bob The Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Thomas the Tank Engine.

The Railway Festival offers visitors a chance to see the museum's collection of antique trains and trolleys. Children and adults can ride on the trains and trolleys and participate in arts and crafts. The museum also offers numerous displays and activities.

The event runs from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. both days. Tickets cost $18. Children 2 and younger are free. Tickets are available by calling (800) 965-4827 or online at www.ticketweb.com.

The Orange Empire Railway Museum is at 2201 S. A St. For information, call 657-2605, or visit www.orem.org.

SERVING THE FLAG

Marine Corps Pfc. Christopher A. White, a recently completed the Basic Food Service Course with Marine Corps Detachment, U.S. Army Quartermaster Center, Fort Lee, Va.

During the 11-week course, White received formal instruction and practical application in basic food preparation, management and food services. White also was promoted to his current rank.

White is a 2007 graduate of Great Oak High School. He joined the Marine Corps in July.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jorge M. Reza, Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Gilbert Gamboa, Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Jennie R. Lane and Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Jonathan P. Garcia have all 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.

Reza, who earned distinction as an honor graduate, is the son of Maria and Jorge Reza of Wildomar. He is a 2006 graduate of Temecula Valley High School.

Gamboa is the son of Roberto Gamboa of Wildomar. He is a 2007 graduate of Ortega High School in Lake Elsinore.

Lane is the daughter of Carmen and Paul Lane of Menifee. She graduated from Twentynine Palms High School in 1999 and received an associate degree from Mira Costa College in 2005.

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

Lake Elsinore City Council -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Cultural Center, 183 N. Main St.

Menifee

Menifee Union School District -- 4 p.m. Tuesday, District Headquarters, 30205 Menifee Road.

Murrieta

Planning Commission -- 6 p.m. Wednesday, City Hall, 24601 Jefferson Ave.

Community Services Commission -- 7 p.m. Thursday, City Hall, 24601 Jefferson Ave.

Murrieta Valley Unified School Board -- 1 p.m. Thursday, district support center, 41870 McAlby Court.

Riverside

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

Local Agency Formation Commission -- 9:30 a.m. Thursday, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St.

Temecula

City Council -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive.

Temecula Valley Unified School Board -- 6 p.m. Wednesday, district conference facility, 31350 Rancho Vista Road.

Public Traffic Safety Commission -- 6 p.m. Thursday, City Hall, 4320 Business Park Drive.