TEMECULA - The Temecula Rocket Group will meet Friday and see video presentations and displays of model and high-powered rockets after the meeting.

The meeting is from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. at Temecula Middle School. All students and their parents are welcome. The group is an official section of the National Association of Rocketry and was started about one year ago.

Members conduct monthly rocket launches at the middle school. The next launch is from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 23.

CLUB NEWS

The school is at 42075 Meadows Parkway. For information, call Richard Dierking at 757-2045 or visit www.temecularocket.org.

Christmas house tour benefits women's group

SUN CITY - The Sun City PEO chapter will continue its tours of an elaborately decorated home from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Proceeds help the group assist women to enhance their lives through learning.

The open house, which is for adults is at 38653 Carmel Road.

The house has 25 decorated trees and is filled with music and motion. Donations of $5 are requested.

For information, call Margaret Hepworth at 679-4842.

Authors discuss Murrieta history

MURRIETA - Local authors who collaborated on the book, "Images of America - Murrieta," will discuss local history at the Murrieta Public Library on Saturday.

Rebecca Farnbach, Loretta Barnett and Marvin Curran will sign copies of their book after the presentation, and will be on hand from noon to 4 p.m. Additionally, at 1 and 3 p.m., Curran will talk about his experiences growing up in Murrieta, recalling the Fountain House Hotel, the local train depot and formation of the fire department.

The library is at 8 Town Square, near the corner of Adams Avenue and Kalmia Street. For information, call 265-8701.

Historical Society plans home tour

LAKE ELSINORE - The Lake Elsinore Historical Society will host a Holiday Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, featuring five homes and two local museums.

Tickets cost $20 each. For information, call 674-1202.

Car club plans toy drive

MURRIETA - The Temecula Valley Car Club's monthly cruise night from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday will include its annual Toys for Tots drive.

Members are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the gathering at Siggy's restaurant, 26820 Jefferson Ave.

The club meets the second Saturday of the month. For information on the club or the toy drive, call Mike Keinitz at 660-7168.

Social Club plans monthly lunch

TEMECULA - The Encore Social Club will hold its monthly luncheon Monday at Marie Callender's restaurant.

The Meadowlarks will provide entertainment. Check-in is 10:30 a.m., and the cost is $20.

The club will also hold a Christmas dinner and dance Friday.

Marie Callender's is at 29363 Rancho California Road. For information, call Nancy Waligorsky at 301-8098.

Garden Club plans Christmas lunch

MURRIETA - The Murrieta Garden Club will hold a Christmas luncheon at 10 a.m. Tuesday, featuring a cookie exchange, collection of toys and decorations for needy families and a talk on the proper care of poinsettias.

The group meets at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. For information, call Lorraine at 698-7583.

Garden Club plans holiday program

TEMECULA - The Temecula Valley Garden Club will meet at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday for its annual holiday luncheon and program.

The James Day Middle School performers, Soundwave, will be the featured entertainment.

The event will be at Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauma Road. For information, call 303-1420 or 926-8186.

Veterans of Foreign Wars meets monthly

TEMECULA - The Temecula Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2089 meets the second Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are open to members and the women's and men's auxiliaries.

The post is at 28075 Diaz Road. For information, call 676-1541.

Women's Connection reservations due

CANYON LAKE - The Canyon Lake Women's Connection will hold a Christmas luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 12, featuring Professor Sauni Rienhart and her story, "The Greatest Gift," as well as a sing along.

Reservations are due by Thursday, and childcare is available.

The event will be at the Canyon Lake Lodge, 22200 Canyon Club Drive. For reservations or information, call LaRue McNamara at 244-6470 or Gerry at 678-1407.

Blue Thong Society celebrates holidays

MURRIETA - The Blue Thong Society's holiday coffee/tea will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12.

Guests should bring a favorite holiday treat. The party is just for women.

The event will be at a member's home. Reservations are due Friday by contacting Caroline by phone at 514-7734 or e-mail at cmm@ca.rr.com.

Women's Connection to hear about 'gift'

TEMECULA - Former international banker, real estate investor, business owner and world traveler David Hughes will discuss how he found "An Unexpected Gift" at the Dec. 12 meeting of the Temecula Valley Christian Women's Connection.

"The Singing Sisters" will provide music. Women are encouraged to bring a male relative or friend. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at Pat and Oscar's, 29375 Rancho California Road. The cost is $15. Reservations are necessary for lunch and childcare.

For information or reservations, call 677-8187 or email cw4cwc@verizon.net.

Dakota Club plans Christmas luncheon

MENIFEE - The Dakota Club will host a Christmas luncheon at 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Valley-Wide Recreation Center.

Guests are asked to bring a canned good for donation to the Community Cupboard. A collection will also be taken for a local father of five who is suffering from cancer. The cost for the luncheon is $7.

The club is open to people who have lived in either of the Dakotas, with the purpose of promoting friendship and goodwill among Dakotans.

The center is at 30627 Menifee Road. For information, call Merle at 672-1786.

Marine Vets plan Christmas party

HEMET -- The Old Salts chapter of the Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II will hold a Christmas party at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Hometown Buffet in Hemet. All Merchant Marine veterans and their guests are invited.

The club will resume its regularly scheduled meeting at noon on the first Thursday in January at Boston Billie's restaurant in Sun City.

For information, call 924-4188.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Fundraiser for Darfur is today

LAKE ELSINORE - Temescal Canyon High School students are raising funds today for the crisis in Darfur by participating in Darfur Fast, a worldwide event that asks participants to fast from one luxury item for one day and donate the money to efforts to protect civilians in Darfur, Sudan.

Students will have a table at the lunch area of the school and will be collecting donations until 3 p.m. The school is at 28755 El Toro Road.

The event is sponsored by the school's STAND club, A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, comprised of more than 700 high school and college chapters.

For information, visit www.standnow.org/events or call the club's advisor, teacher Lisa Ogden, at 253-7250.

Pizza proceeds to go to charity

Pizza Factory will donate 20 percent of its proceeds today to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Guests need to mention Make-A-Wish when ordering. Pizza Factory has restaurants in Winchester, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee and Lake Elsinore.

For information, call 926-3100 or e-mail pizzafactoryda@gmail.com.

Tango classes begin this week

TEMECULA - Ballroom Latin dance classes will be offered on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, beginning this week.

Classes will be held from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. for three weeks at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road.

For information, call John Irwin Dancing at 676-1471. To register, call 694-6480.

Local singer presents free concert

MURRIETA - Local teen Brooke Pernice will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Martha's Catholic Church, highlighting songs from her new CD, "Help From Above," as well as some Christmas songs.

Pernice, 14, of Bear Creek, has been blind since birth and writes inspirational, country-tinged songs with her mother, Sydney Pernice.

The concert is at 37200 Whitewood Road. For information, call 698-8180 or visit www.brookepernice.com.

Workshop set on potpourri gifts

TEMECULA - A workshop on creating potpourri gifts will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Temecula Valley Museum.

The workshop costs $2 and reservations are required. Participants will make at least one gift to take home.

The museum is at 28314 Mercedes St. For information and reservations, call 694-6450.

Master Chorale performs this weekend

TEMECULA - Songs of the Season, the Temecula Valley Master Chorale's annual holiday concert, will be held Saturday and Sunday at Grace Presbyterian Church.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $15, or $12 for seniors and students. They are available at www.temeculavalleymasterchorale.org or by calling 302-1652.

The church is at 31143 Nicolas Road.

Poster contest deadline Saturday

TEMECULA - The deadline to enter the annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival poster contest is Saturday.

Artists are encouraged to design artwork for the silver anniversary edition of the festival, scheduled for June 6 to 8 at Lake Skinner.

The winner's work will be used to promote the festival.

For information or a 2008 Poster Contest Prospectus, call 676-4713, visit the festival office, 27498 Enterprise Circle West, Unit 1 or log on to www.tvbwf.com.

Artist to discuss work in free event

TEMECULA - Israeli artist Ellen Miller Braun, who creates micro-calligraphy images using Hebrew scripture, will speak at 8 p.m. Saturday at Svetlana's Dance Academy.

Braun will discuss her background and how she creates her work at the free event.

The academy is at 41760 Rider Way. For information, call 813-2050 or visit www.nishmati.co.il.

Women's chorus plans winter concert

TEMECULA - The Southwest Women's Chorus will present its winter concert, "Christmas in the Air," at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

The chorus will present traditional carols and classical pieces as well as a little musical comedy. A special feature of the concert will be a children's chorus, who will perform several songs.

The cost is $16 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, students and military personnel and $8 for children. Tickets are available at the theater, 42051 Main St, by calling (866) 653-8696 or at www.temeculatheater.org.

CORRECTION

Headline incorrect

A headline above a brief on Monday's School News page contained incorrect information.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Post 4089, is sponsoring a patriotic art program for high school students.

We apologize.