WHAT'S HAPPENING

Local history on tap for meeting

TEMECULA -- Descendants of the founder of a Murrieta Hot Springs resort will speak at noon Friday, Jan. 9, when the Temecula Valley Historical Society meets.

The program will feature Judy, Fred and Karl Guenther, great-grandchildren of Fritz Guenther, who founded The Guenther Murrieta Hot Springs. They will speak about life growing up at the resort.

The program will begin at noon at Historic Pujol Schoolhouse on Santiago Road in Temecula. Everyone is invited to attend.

For information, call Carol at 694-6384.

Display to feature the Model T

TEMECULA -- The Model T Ford will be the subject of both an exhibit and a talk this month at Temecula Valley Museum.

The exhibit, titled "The Model 'T' Ford: 100th Anniversary," will be available for viewing from Saturday through Feb. 22. It will feature a 1915 Model T Roadster and a 1922 Model T Center Door, photographs, original footage of the car's production and antique signs from gas stations and dealerships of the era.

Also, Chuck West, a historian and a member of the San Diego Model T Club, will give a talk at 6 p.m. Thursday at the museum.

The museum is at 28314 Mercedes St. in Old Town Temecula. For information, call 694-6450.

Seniors group plans brunch

The Country Club Crowd Bowling League will host a Sunday brunch at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at Mexico Chiquito, 41841 Moreno Road in Temecula.

In addition, the league will host a Super Bowl event at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 at 26298 Desert Rose Lane in Sun City.

Tickets for the Super Bowl event are $20 per person and include food and drinks.

To reserve your seat for the Super Bowl party, or for information on joining the league call 246-7539.

Knitter to teach new techniques

MURRIETA -- Knitters of all experience levels are invited to a free knitting class on Monday at the Murrieta Public Library.

Peggy Hagberg from the Daily Fiber Yarn store in Murrieta will demonstrate knitting techniques at the class. Participants will learn the basics of knitting as well as new techniques to move current knitting projects to the next level.

Members of a knitting club meet the second Monday of every month. The club is open to adults and teens 14 and older. Participants must provide their own needles and yarn.

The library is on the corner of Adams Avenue and Kalmia Street. For information, call 461-6138.

City resurrects walking program

TEMECULA -- The FIT walking program is being kicked off for this year on Monday at a park in Temecula.

The free program is offered by the city of Temecula and helps residents keep in shape by walking or running around a track. Information about health topics is also offered. Tracking cards are available for people who want to track their progress, and prizes are offered to participants.

The kickoff will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Harveston Community Park in Temecula, 28582 Harveston Drive.

For information, call 694-6410.

Garden club to meet Tuesday

TEMECULA -- How to grow vegetables and flowers without being affected by weather, water or soil conditions will be the subject for Tuesday's meeting of the Temecula Garden Club.

Alex and Larry Kallas will be the speakers at the 9:30 a.m. meeting at the Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road in Temecula.

For information, call Sandra at 677-6390.

Workshop planned for job seekers

LAKE ELSINORE -- A resume workshop with tips on job-seeking skills is planned for Wednesday at the Lake Elsinore Library.

The library and Lake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce are hosting the workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. at the library, 600 W. Graham Ave. in Lake Elsinore.

Participants will receive help on writing an effective resume and penetrating a hidden job market, and will be able to practice interviewing skills. Additionally, the owner of a business development company will lead a discussion on five steps to find and keep a job.

For more information call 674-4517.

Sew-in set for Jan. 17

MURRIETA -- Sewers and quilters from throughout Southwest County are invited to participate in a sew-in to help make quilts for victims of violence.

The sew-in, hosted by Safe Alternatives for Everyone and the city of Murrieta, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 in the community room of the Murrieta Public Library, 24700 Adams Ave.

Patterns and material will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their own sewing machine and basic sewing supplies.

The quilts will be donated to local police departments, which will give them to children and victims for comfort during emergency situations.

For information, call 587-3900.

Pianist to perform at the Merc

TEMECULA -- Pianist Steve Gray will be the featured performer Jan. 18 for Sunday Classics at the Merc.

The program will include Haydn's Sonata in E Flat Major and a selection of Debussy's picturesque Preludes and Bela Bartok's Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs.

Gray is an accomplished pianist who has performed a wide range of music with a particular emphasis on classic composers such as Hadyn, Mozart and Beethoven. He is a member of the faculties of both Point Loma Nazarene University and Palomar College and has performed for musical theater productions for Broadway San Diego, La Jolla Playhouse and The Old Globe.

The performance begins at 3 p.m. at the Merc, 42051 Main St. in Old Town Temecula. Only 48 seats are available.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for student with ID. Call (866) 653-8696 or visit www.temeculapresents.com.

Gourd painting class planned

MURRIETA -- Local artist Barbara McDermott will host a beginning gourd painting class from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 26 at her Murrieta home.

Participants will learn basic principles of painting and how to prepare a gourd as a canvass for art. There is room to accommodate 12 people in the free class.

To RSVP, call McDermott at 894-1817.

Craft show features holiday gifts

RAINBOW -- Each Saturday and Sunday there will be a craft show at Rainbow Oaks Market in Rainbow.

Vendors interested in participating are asked to call Shirley at (951) 471-2612 or Oscar at (951) 225-2889.

The market is at the corner of Highway 395 and Fifth Street in Rainbow.

Old Time Melodrama auditions

WILDOMAR -- Auditions are under way for the Valentine production of the Performing Arts Center of Wildomar Cultural Five Centers Park.

Local talent for roles and variety acts is being sought for the Old Time Melodrama production, set to take place Feb. 14, 15, 21 and 22.

For information, call Nancy Noble at (951) 674-4285, Edy Rodarme at (951) 678-0141 or Kathe Sabetzadeh at (951) 674-1472, or e-mail eaglewoman2@peoplepc.com.

Community performance on tap

TEMECULA -- Ranch Rockers will headline this year's Temecula Live! performance, a country music review.

Local residents will showcase their talent in the music hall tradition at the third annual show, which is being put on Jan. 23 and 24 at Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Tickets cost $22 and are available at www.temeculalive.org.

Proceeds from the show will benefit Oak Grove Center for Education, Treatment and the Arts, a facility that benefits at-risk and special needs children.

HEALTH

Free yoga class offered Monday

WILDOMAR -- A fee-free yoga class offered by Wendy Hammarstrom, a licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor, is set for Monday.

The class will run from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at A Balanced Body Center, 34859 Frederick St. in Wildomar

The class includes mat work and basic yoga poses, along with coordinated breathing for increased strength, flexibility and energy.

Hammarstrom has been practicing and teaching yoga since 1973.

For information, call Hammarstrom at 677-5962 or 609-9080.

Children's support group to meet

MURRIETA -- Michelle's Place, the Women's Breast Cancer Resource Center, will host Kids Konnected, a monthly support group for children 5 to 18 who have a parent with cancer.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Michelle's Place, 41785 Elm St., No. 305, Murrieta. For information, call 304-1280 or visit www.kidskonnected.org.

Bone density screening offered

LAKE ELSINORE -- A free bone density screening will be offered on Jan. 16 at the Lake Elsinore Senior Center.

The screening is a simple, non-invasive test that can indicate if a person is at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Prime Care / Your Health Options is offering the service at noon at the center, 420 E. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Elsinore. To RSVP, call 674-2526.

Three blood drives set

The San Diego Blood Bank is planning three blood drives in Southwest County in the next week.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood. A good meal is recommended before donation.

Donations will be accepted at the Bloodmobiles at the following dates and locations:

- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at CVS pharmacy, 33205 Highway 79 South in Temecula.

- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Canyon Hills Marketplace, 29991 Canyon Hills Drive in Lake Elsinore.

- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 16, San Diego National Bank, 31900 Temecula Parkway in Temecula.

SENIORS

Social Security help available

LAKE ELSINORE -- A representative from the Social Security Administration will visit the Lake Elsinore Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Visitors can get assistance without an appointment the second Tuesday of each month. The center is at 420 E. Lakeshore Drive. For information, call 674-2526.

Senior driving classes offered

The AARP offers an ongoing driver safety program for mature drivers. The eight-hour course is offered for drivers 50 and older at various locations throughout Southwest County.

The course, which costs $12 for AARP members or $15 for non-members, can help participants save money on auto insurance.

Upcoming classes are:

- 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and 14, Heritage Christian Center, 27851 Bradley Road, Sun City. Registration, 245-8675.

- 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22, Murrieta Senior Center, 41717 Juniper St. Registration, 304-7275, Ext. 6652.

- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Sun City Civic Association West Room, 26850 Sun City Blvd. Registration, 672-9673.

- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5, Lake Elsinore Senior Center, 420 E. Lakeshore Drive. Registration, 674-2526.

- 12:15 to 4:15 p.m. Feb. 18 and 19, Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41865 Sixth St., Temecula. Registration, 506-0444.

- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 25, Sun City Civic Association West Room, 26850 Sun City Blvd. Registration, 672-9673.

- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 25, Sun City Civic Association West Room, 26850 Sun City Blvd. Registration, 672-9673.

Also, a four-hour renewal course is offered for those who have completed the full eight-hour course in the last four years. Those class dates are:

- 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 10, Kay Ceniceros Community Center, 29995 Evans Road, Sun City. Registration, 672-9673.

- 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 18, Murrieta Senior Center, 41717 Juniper St. Registration, 304-7275, Ext. 6652.

- 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 2, Lake Elsinore Senior Center, 420 E. Lakeshore Drive. Registration, 674-2526.

Line dancing class scheduled

LAKE ELSINORE -- A line dancing class is being offered each week beginning Thursday at the Lake Elsinore Senior Center.

The class will be taught by instructor Marilyn Curtiss, who says line dancing is simple and fun to do.

New students are welcome each week and no partner is required.

The classes will be held at 12:15 p.m. each Thursday at the center, 420 E. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Elsinore. For information, call 674-2526.

Walking program planned for seniors

LAKE ELSINORE -- A new senior walking program is being developed at the Lake Elsinore Senior Center.

The "Smart Walkers" program will begin with a series of educational programs to help participants get started and develop a good walking habit that is tailored to meet their needs.

Senior Services Coordinator Arline Gulbransen said the goal is to have the club enter a team in the Unity 5K walk in Lake Elsinore in April.

To join the group or find out more, call 674-2526.

PETS OF THE WEEK

Charger is a 3-year-old tan jindo. He has been neutered, is very nice and would make a good pet for a senior citizen. His intake number is 37497. Champ is a 4-year-old white domestic long-haired cat who has a sweet disposition. He has been neutered. His intake number is 37500. Lil Girl is a 3-year-old domestic short-haired cat who has been spayed. Her intake number is 36667. They and other pets are available for adoption from Animal Friends of the Valleys in Lake Elsinore, 674-0618, or www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com.

Stimpy is a min-pin mix who is about 1 years old. He is a great little dog. For information on him and other dogs available through Sun City K9 Adoptions visit www.sck9adoptions.org or call 679-6444.