TEMECULA - Members of the De Luz Women's Club will gets out their boots and cowboy hats and play some cards to benefit Rancho Damacitas Home for Battered and Abused Children.

The club will host its 2007 Western Extravaganza from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Tucalota Creek Ranch.

Publicity director Rosalyne Hall said the club switched to the western theme after last year's roaring '20s event.

"It's easy for people to relate to, easy to find western clothes and dress up," Hall said. "Everyone likes the relaxed environment."

The event will include casino games and live and silent auctions. The hope is to raise at least $60,000, Hall said.

Auction and prize items include trips, golf and laser eye surgery, Hall said.

There will be an exhibition by horseman Bob Avila and food has been provided by 30 vendors, Hall added.

Tickets are $75.

The ranch is at 39560 E. Benton Road. For information, or tickets, call Hall at 538-2733 or Belinda Rodriguez at 693-4740.

Deadline nears for Gardner writing contest

TEMECULA - Friday is the deadline to enter the Erle Stanley Gardner Mystery Writing contest.

Held in conjunction with the sixth annual Erle Stanley Gardner Mystery Weekend, Nov. 2-4 in Old Town, amateur writers are encouraged to submit stories of the mystery genre that include references to historical buildings and/or people, living or dead, of the Temecula Valley. Stories should not exceed 1,000 words for middle school entries, 1,500 words for high school entries and 2,500 words for adult amateur writers.

Winning adult entries will receive $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third. Winning high school and middle categories will receive a $100 gift certificate with a $75 certificate for second place and $50 certificate for third.

A mystery film competition is also open to all ages. Entrants will use a short scene from the Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Drowning Duck" and may produce either an animated or performed version of the scene. Entries will be judged on their final production, special effects and direction. The deadline to enter the film competition is Oct. 19.

There will also be free writing workshops and seminars will be offered Nov. 3 as part of the Mystery Weekend.

The seminars will include "How to Write a Killer Novel," at 10 a.m., "Write to Win" at 12:30 p.m. and "Forensically Speaking" at 1:30 p.m.

There will also be a story line workshop for screenwriters.

The Erle Stanley Gardner Mystery Weekend will be Nov. 2 to 4 and include a mystery solving contest, museum exhibit and cowboy poetry and western music concert.

The writing workshops will be at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth St. Reservations are recommended.

For contest rules or other information, call 678-1456 or visit www.esgmysteryweekend.org.

CLUB NEWS

Irish research topic for society

WILDOMAR - Penny Feike will speak about Irish research when the Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society meets from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

The society also hosts beginning genealogy research workshops at 1 p.m. and autobiography writing workshops at 2:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month. There is no cost for members and it's $5 for others.

The group meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Mission Trail Library, 34303 Mission Trail Drive. For information, call Candy Peterson at 244-8715.

Veterans group helps with benefit forms

TEMECULA - Veterans of Foreign Wars members help veterans and their families by assisting in filling out forms and filing for programs including disability, rehabilitation, education, pension, death benefits and employment.

The assistance is offered from 10 a.m to 2:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the Temecula Valley VFW Post 4089, 28075 Diaz Road.

For information, call 676-1541.

Aggression in teens topic of meeting

MURRIETA - Teen girls and "indirect aggression" will be the topic when the American Association of University Women of Temecula Valley meets at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Doctoral candidate Maria Keller will discuss social aggression among teen girls, which she calls a growing trend.

The cost, including lunch, is $20. The meeting is at Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. For information, call 245-7919 or e-mail at barnard@fmhco.com.

GOP group plans barbecue

TEMECULA - The Temecula Valley Republican Women's Club will host a Western barbecue from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at a Morgan Hills home.

The event will include dinner at 4:30 p.m., live and silent auctions and a patriotic sing-along. Tickets are $25.

For information and reservations, call 677-1693.

Sons of Norway hosting salmon dinner

TEMECULA - Sons of Norway's Temecula Lodge, will host a salmon dinner at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children ages 6 and younger.

For information, location and reservations, call Tom Stanley at 699-8853 or Jack Andersen at 654-6950.

Genealogical society to gather

TEMECULA - Temecula Valley Genealogical Society will meet Monday at the Temecula Public Library.

A genealogy class for beginners/brick wall will be offered at 5:30 p.m. before the general meeting. Anne Miller will talk about the use of probate records and obituaries to find ancestors

At the general meeting at 6:45 p.m., Suzanne Watkins will speak about how to deal with discrepancies in records.

The meeting is at 30600 Pauba Road. For information, call Carol at 302-6055.

Tickets deadline nears for dance

WILDOMAR - Cornerstone Church's singles group is hosting an annual Christmas Dinner Dance on Dec. 8 at Temeku Hills Golf and Country Club.

Discounted tickets must be purchased by Monday.

Tickets bought by the deadline are $45, otherwise they are $55. The evening will include dinner, with rotating seating and dancing.

For tickets and information, call 698-8801 or 833-8900, or e-mail zapjulie@yahoo.com or socalpacificmstein@yahoo.com.

Life coach to address group

TEMECULA - Finding, creating and living the life you want will be discussed by life coach Mary Beth King when the Temecula Valley Christian Women's Connection meets at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 at Pat & Oscar's restaurant.

The lunch meeting will include the group's annual holiday auction. The cost is $15 and reservations are necessary for lunch and childcare.

The restaurant is at 29375 Rancho California Road. For information, call 677-8187 or e-mail to cw4cwc@verizon.net.

Society to hear about new roses

TEMECULA - Tom Carruth, research director for Weeks Roses, will discuss new roses for 2008 at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Temecula Valley Rose Society.

New and prospective members are welcome, and a light lunch will be available. The meeting begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road.

For information, call Kathy at 677-0028 or visit www.temeculavalleyrosesociety.org.

Women's club plans fashion show

SUN CITY - The Menifee Valley Woman's Club will hold its annual fashion show and luncheon at 11 a.m. Oct 18.

Tickets are $15 and proceeds will benefit the club's scholarship fund.

The show will be at Sun City United Methodist Church, 30220 Carmel Road, Sun City. For information, call 246-4213.

Police issues to be discussed

LAKE ELSINORE - Public safety will be discussed when the Lake Elsinore Citizen's Committee meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 18.

Lake Elsinore Police Chief Louis Fetherolf will discuss police issues in the city. Committee members will discuss restoration of the Lake Elsinore Princess and other community projects.

The committee is a nonpolitical group that aims to keep residents informed about progress coming to the area.

The meeting will be at Tuscany Hills Recreation Center, 75 Summerhill Drive. For information, call 674-1989 or 674-2159.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Students work to fill food pantry

MURRIETA - Students at Calvary Murrieta Christian School are collecting food this week for St. Martha's Community Food Pantry.

Their goal is to fill the shelves at St. Martha's and Calvary Chapel's food pantries.

Food can be brought to the school, 24225 Monroe Ave. For information, call 834-9190.

Poker tournament to benefit Easter Seals

TEMECULA - A Texas Hold 'Em, no-limit poker tournament tonight at Pechanga Resort & Casino will benefit Easter Seals.

The $100 buy-in includes a $25 Pechanga fee, $45 winner's table fee and a $30 donation to Easter Seals. Play begins at 7 p.m.

For information, call Shelly Chudzicki at sponsoring Century 21 Gold at 479-4580.

Cityhood discussion to be held Friday

MENIFEE - The Menifee Valley Incorporation Committee is holding a presentation and discussion of cityhood at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The benefits of cityhood, ways to get involved and how it might affect the quality of life and public safety will be on the agenda.

The discussion will be at the rural center on Hahn and Garbani roads. For information, call 237-5084.

Crafts fair to benefit ministries

TEMECULA - A crafts and food fair to benefit ministry and outreach programs will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Temecula United Methodist Church.

It will include more than 60 vendors featuring crafts, books and baked goods. Breakfast and lunch foods will also be available. Admission is free.

The church is at 42690 Margarita Road. For information, call Donnie Weaver at 676-6269 or the fair hotline at 676-1800, Ext. 18.

Plateau docent training begins Saturday

MURRIETA - A 10-week training course teaching the history and natural and cultural resources of the Santa Rosa Plateau begins Saturday.

The training will prepare volunteers to share the information with school groups, work in the visitor center and conduct trail patrols.

Sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. at the reserve's Visitor's Center on Clinton Keith Road, four miles west of Interstate 15.

For information, call 677-6951, Ext. 222, or e-mail rhicks@co.riverside.ca.us.

Ballroom dance is Saturday

TEMECULA - A ballroom dance with a Halloween theme will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Temecula Community Center.

Costumes are optional. Dancing will be to waltz, foxtrot swing and Latin music by disc jockey John Irwin. Lessons and door prizes will be offered during intermission, and refreshments and snacks will be provided. Admission is $6.

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

CORRECTION

Details on curriculum incorrect

An article about Susan Weaver joining the board of Friends of Ronald Reagan SP on the Oct. 3 Community News page contained some incorrect information.

Board member Adele Harrison created a lesson plan for third-graders that teaches them how local volunteers built a sports park before cityhood, without government funds, earning praise of then President Ronald Reagan.

Weaver will work with Harrison.