Conservation talk set for Thursday

MURRIETA -- The Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza Resource Conservation District will hold its January meeting on Thursday.

Among other matters, there will be a discussion of conservation efforts.

The meeting is set for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve's Visitors Center, 39400 Clinton Keith Road.

For information, call Pam at 767-2324 or e-mail pam.emarcd@yahoo.com.

VFW officers help prepare claims

TEMECULA -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4089 provides officers on the second and fourth Thursday of each month to help veterans and their families file Veterans Administration claims for disability, rehabilitation, education, pension, death benefits and employment.

Assistance is available from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the post, 28075 Diaz Road.

For information, call 676-1541.

Women's drum circle meets Friday

MURRIETA -- A drumming circle for women will gather Friday to sing, chant, drum, dance and make friends.

Participants are asked to bring a healthy food, a drum, a song and a rattle if you have one.

At the meeting, there will be a discussion on herbs, natural remedies and food for a healthy body and strong bones.

To sign up and get directions, call Atma Khalsa at 696-9063, Ext. 105.

Cruise night set for Saturday

MURRIETA -- The Temecula Valley Car Club will hold its December cruise night on Saturday.

The event will be at 3 p.m. at Siggy's restaurant, 26820 Jefferson Ave. in Murrieta.

There will be trophies for many classes, raffle prizes and family fun, organizers say.

For information, call Mark at 652-1155 or Jim at 677-8106.

Judge to speak at club meeting

MURRIETA -- A Superior Court judge will be the featured speaker when the American Association of University Women meet Saturday.

Judge Carol D. Codrington will talk about her journey to the bench. The daughter of parents who immigrated from Belize, she earned a law degree from Loyola Law School, where she later taught.

The group will meet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Anthony's Ristorante, 24630 Washington Ave. in Murrieta. Lunch costs $20.

For information to make a reservation, call Lynne at 506-6645.

Food Not Bombs hosts picnics

TEMECULA -- Temecula Food Not Bombs holds community potlucks the second and fourth Sunday of the month at Long Canyon Creek Park.

The next event starts at 12:30 p.m. Sunday and includes music, meat-free food, workshops and discussion.

The park is at 40356 N. General Kearny Road in Temecula. For information, e-mail sxeken@riseup.net.

Organization tips on tap for meeting

TEMECULA -- Tips on keeping a sewing room organized are on the agenda for the Valley of the Mist Quilters' Guild meeting Tuesday.

Linda Griffith, owner of The Organized Option, a business that specializes in sewing/craft room organization will be the featured speaker.

The guild meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road in Temecula.

Social time starts at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome for a $5 fee and annual memberships cost $30.

For information, call Judy at 679-5978.

Nicaraguans to speak at Rotary

TEMECULA -- Three educators from Nicaragua will talk about their partnership with a local church during the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday.

The group is working with United Church of the Valley to bring clean water to Chacraseca, Nicaragua, as well as participating in a cultural exchange.

The meeting will run from 6:45 to 8 a.m. Tuesday at Marie Callendar's, 29363 Rancho California Road in Temecula.

For reservations or information, call 600-7673.

Speaker may inspire at meeting

CANYON LAKE -- An inspirational speaker will talk at the Jan. 14 meeting of Canyon Lake Women's Connection.

Carolyn Standerfer, a writer and speaker, will talk about her "Longing to Be Loved" and how her best friend helped her overcome her fears. Vocalist Susan Andersen will provide music.

The luncheon meeting will start at noon in the Holiday Bay Room of the Canyon Lake Lodge. Also on the agenda are tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through food choices and exercise programs.

Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food for the club's community project.

The luncheon of beef stroganoff costs $12. To RSVP, call Gerry at 678-1407.

Genealogical society to meet

WILDOMAR -- Gena Philbert Ortega will talk about tracing female ancestors when the Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 14 at Mission Trail Library.

The society also will host an autobiography writing workshop at 1 p.m. Jan. 28.

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

Piano Guild to meet

Pianists who love classical music are invited to attend a meeting of The Piano Guild at 7 p.m. Jan. 14.

The guild's purpose is to promote the education of piano literature. Members also will explore musical style, a little theory, interpretation and performance of major classical composers.

The guild meets the second Wednesday of the month. For information, call Victor at 201-9383.

Hadassah group to meet

SUN CITY -- Janice Alper will speak about Judaism in India when Shoshannah Hadassah meets Jan. 15.

The organization is a women's support group for the Hadassah Medical Organization.

The meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 29101 Del Monte Drive in Sun City. A dairy lasagna luncheon will be served.

RSVP to Judy at 461-0065 or Ellie at 698-5193.

Community to hold potluck

MEADOWBROOK -- Meadowbrook community members will hold a potluck at noon Jan. 15 at Palm View RV Park, 22200 River Road.

Those attending should bring a dish or drink to share as well as a plate and cup.

Meadowbrook is between Perris and Lake Elsinore. For information, call 657-9319.

Group to view fashions

TEMECULA -- A fashion show featuring casual to chic boutique clothing is planned for the Temecula Valley Women's Connection luncheon on Jan. 21.

Special music will be performed by Stephanie Crupzmacher, and author and popular motivational speaker Daisy Catchings will share her secret to "Serenity in Spite of the Storms of Life."

The meeting, which is open to everyone, will be at 11:30 a.m. at Pat & Oscar's, 29375 Rancho California Road in Temecula. The cost is $15.

To RSVP, call Debra at 676-8192.

Elks name drug awareness essay contest winners

TEMECULA -- Six students whose essays on drug awareness rose to the top were recently awarded by the Temecula Valley Elks.

The contest, which had a theme of "Get Smart … Don't Start," was open to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students at Temecula and Murrieta middle schools.

Judges selected the top three essays from girls and the top three from the boys from among 476 that were submitted to the club.

The winning students were invited to a dinner and award presentation program at the lodge on Dec. 9. Each of the essay winners were presented with a framed certificate and a U.S. savings bond. The winning essays were then sent to the Elks' district-level competition for additional judging.

The female winners were: first place, Kelly Trammell, Linfield Christian School; second place, Aaitui Poti, Bella Vista Middle School; third place, Milia Gibbel, Linfield Christian.

The male winners were: first place, Rhett Johnson, Linfield Christian, second place, Jordan Ramirez, Bella Vista Middle; third place, Brandon Cahill, Linfield Christian.

Support Groups

Food addicts

MURRIETA -- Food Addicts Anonymous meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at 41640 Corning Place, No. 104, Murrieta. For information, call Molly at 301-0448.

Grief

MURRIETA -- A grief support group facilitated by the Rev. Ron Card meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at the Church of Religious Science, 26871 Hobie Circle in Murrieta.

For information, call (760) 224-1686 or 304-0268.

Loss of spouse

TEMECULA -- A grief recovery group for people whose loved ones have died meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of the month at Rancho Community Church.

Meetings are at 31300 Rancho Community Way, Room C101. For information, contact Carl or Carol Heimple at 677-7455.

Lupus

TEMECULA -- The Lupus International Support Group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in Temecula. It is free.

For information and meeting location, call Danielle at (888) 532-2322, Ext. 4.

Multiple myeloma

RIVERSIDE -- The Inland Empire multiple myeloma cancer support group meets the third Tuesday of each month.

The group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Riverside Community Hospital Cancer Center at 14th Street and Brockton Avenue.

For information, call (800) 452-2873.

Overeaters Anonymous

TEMECULA -- Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Catherine's Catholic Church. The meeting is for anyone who wants to stop eating compulsively.

Meetings will be in room L1 at the church, 41875 C St. For information, call Linda or Dorothy at 461-1013.

Overeaters Anonymous

SUN CITY -- Overeaters Anonymous meets at 10 a.m. Mondays at the Center for Spiritual Living, 26805 Murrieta Road.

Information, call Nancy Neidel at 246-9154.

Parkinsons

SUN CITY -- Parkinson patients and their caregivers meet from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Menifee Valley Medical Center.

The support group includes programs on medication, exercise, supplies and other helpful information.

The hospital is at 28400 McCall Blvd. For information, call 696-7130 or 698-8107.