TEMECULA - The Free & Accepted Masons of Sun City, Perris Lodge No. 411, took their child-identification program to Temecula on Aug. 2.

The Masons took thumbprints and pictures of 65 children at Tumble Jungle, a children's gymnastics program.

The thumbprints and pictures were then given to parents or guardians along with a biographical sketch template for them to complete.

If a child ever is missing, the parents can provide the information to law enforcement as an aid in finding the child.

Members of the child-ID team were Randy Freeman and Bill Miller, both with Perris Lodge No. 411, as well as Kristin Morrison, Jessica Cain and Vanessa Cain, all members of the International Order of Job's Daughters, Bethel No. 165 of Sun City.

Advisory panel members needed

FRENCH VALLEY - Jim Venable, the Third District supervisor, seeks residents to serve on an advisory committee for County Service Area 149, Wine Country.

The volunteer committee studies problems and issues of the service area and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

The committee will consist of 10 people - five members and five alternates. Members should meet at least quarterly.

One primary member for Zone 4 is needed, as well as alternates for Zones 2, 3 and 4. Applicants should be resident voters, property owners or property developers within the boundaries of County Service Area 149.

For information, call Ginny Bollinger at 461-3258, or call (800) 237-1286 and ask the operator to transfer the call to Bollinger in the French Valley office.

Driver volunteers sought

INLAND EMPIRE - The American Cancer Society needs volunteers for its Road to Recovery Program, in which volunteers drive cancer patients to and from their medical appointments.

The organization reports that many cancer patients are too ill to drive during treatment and do not have family members who can transport them. Patients who are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments can make 20 to 30 trips to the clinic within six weeks.

The program trains drivers, who typically volunteer for one or two mornings or afternoons a month. Call the patient services department at 683-6415, Ext. 3.

UCR offers courses in plant care

TEMECULA - The "Selection and Care of Flowering Plants" is the topic of a UC Riverside Extension Course offered in Temecula.

The class will meet from

6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 and 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at 27919 Jefferson Ave.

The cost is $49 for the class, or $39 each with enrollment in three or more gardening courses.

Other courses offered include:

• "Water Gardens - Basics and Beyond," from 6 to

  9 p.m. Sept. 19 and 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at the UC Riverside Extension office at 1200 University Ave. in Riverside.

• "Exotic and Tropical Ornamentals in the Garden,"

  6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 and 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 at the Riverside address.

• "Plant Propagation Workshop," 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 and 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 8 at the Riverside address.

For information, call 787-5804, Ext. 11618, or e-mail sciences@ucx.ucr.edu.

Phone cards to be sent to U.S. troops

WILDOMAR - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1508 is collecting phone cards to send to the U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Kuwait.

The troops can use the cards to call their families back home.

To donate, drop off a card at the post at 21180 Waite St., or mail it to PO Box 737, Wildomar, CA 92595.

In addition, the organization meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Monday of a month. New members are welcome and should bring a copy of their DD214. For information, call 674-4735, or e-mail

VFWPost1508@yahoo.com.

Macy's shopping tickets on sale

TEMECULA - The Friends of the Murrieta Library is selling discount tickets to the Macy's shopping event that raises funds for local nonprofit groups.

This year, Macy's will hold Community Shopping Day on Oct. 30, and the money that the group raises from ticket sales will benefit the public library.

To enjoy 10 percent to 20 percent savings at the event and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree, stop by the Friends Bookstore, 39525 Los Alamos Road, Suite C. Call 677-5350 for information.

Guest speaker is new police chief

MURRIETA - The Police Department's new chief, Mark Wright, will be the guest speaker at the Murrieta Citizens for a Senior Center meeting Aug. 22.

The group will meet at 2 p.m. in the community room of the Police Department, 24701 Jefferson Avenue. For information, call Chairwoman Shirley Walton at 695-5914.

Weight-loss group to meet 12 weeks

LAKE ELSINORE - "No More Excuses," a women's health and weight loss support group, will start next Wednesday.

The 12-week program has two start times - 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. For information, call Jeanne at 674-0403.

Meeting to cover writing life stories

LAKE ELSINORE - "How to Begin Your Autobiography" is the topic of the Lake Elsinore Genealogy Society meeting today.

Shirley Brooks is the presenter, and the society will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mission Trail Library, 3403 Mission Trail Blvd. The group also will hold a workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at the library.

Call Dorothy Pentz for details at 246-3546.

American Legion elects officers

TEMECULA - American Legion Post 852 has elected Nick Carter commander for the 2003-04 year.

Pete Ramos was elected first vice commander, Jerald Jacobs is second vice commander, and Robert Reiss was named third vice commander. Other officers elected were Ken Patric, adjutant; Mervin Layton, finance officer; Sonny Peach, chaplain; Cliff Larson, historian; Robert Ingertson, judge advocate; Oscar Miller, sergeant at arms; and Amy Crain, service officer.

Speaker to teach organization skills

MURRIETA - Professional organizer Evelyn Gray will be the guest speaker at the Tuesday meeting of the For You Network.

Gray helps people and groups get organized and has worked with special-needs clients such as those with attention deficit disorder.

The nonprofit women's network will meet at Carrows Restaurant, 24640 Madison Ave. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m., and dinner starts at 6 p.m. The cost with reservations is $16 for members and $18 for nonmembers. The cost is $20 without reservations. Call Joannie Lenz, membership director, at 301-6226, or e-mail foryou@rainbowflair.com.

Poker run benefits local nonprofits

TEMECULA - An "Early Harvest Poker Run" on Sunday will benefit Animal Friends of the Valleys, Operation School Bell and Reins Therapeutic Horsemanship.

The poker run is part of the open-house celebration of Quaid Temecula Harley Davidson, 28964 Old Town Front St., and is hosted by Temecula Valley H.O.G. and Ladies of Harley.

Registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. High hand wins $200, low hand gets $100, and the winner of the Chapter Challenge Award receives $100. The $15 entry fee includes food and drawings, such as a 50/50 drawing. Pins will be handed out to the first 500 who sign up.

For information, call Cori at 694-1196, or e-mail cori@pe.net.

Soroptimists to meet in Murrieta

TEMECULA - Soroptimist International of Tri-Valley is a service organization for professional businesswomen.

Members provide assistance and donations to the area's at-risk women, children and needy. Projects focus on homelessness, substance abuse and domestic violence.

The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month at Carrows Restaurant, 24640 Madison Ave., Murrieta. For information, call Nancy Azevedo at 695-0601.

Symphony to play for Rotary benefit

TEMECULA - The Riverside Symphony Orchestra will perform at a fund-raiser Aug. 24 at Ponte Winery.

The event is sponsored by the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club and benefits local Rotary charities and scholarships.

The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a jazz band performing. Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served, and guests may bid at a silent and live auction. The winner of a bid to be honorary conductor will conduct the symphony for the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Tickets cost $75 per person. Call 296-1547 to buy tickets or for information on sponsorships.

High Hopes to host field trip on Friday

TEMECULA - High Hopes, a social recreation club for people will disabilities, will hold a "Beach Blanket Bingo" field trip to Sam Hicks Park on Friday.

The field trip runs from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring games, a potluck and the movie "The Apple Dumpling Gang."

Admission is $1 for Temecula residents and $2 for nonresidents. The cost for parent volunteers is $1. For information, call 694-6469.

Quilters gather at recreation center

TEMECULA - Valley of the Mist Quilt Guild meets the second Thursday of every month.

Quilters get together from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. For information, call 676-1588 or 677-3907.