COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Through Dec. 20 TEMECULA CHIPS for Kids

California Highway Patrol officers in Temecula will be collecting toys for needy families and children as part of their annual “CHIPS for Kids” toy drive. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off to any CHP office or Walgreens store. The toy drive runs through Dec. 20. Uniformed CHP officers will distribute the donated toys the week leading up to Christmas and on Christmas Day.

Dec. 21-30 TEMECULA Winter break camps

The city of Temecula is offering outdoor camps and workshops for youths during winter break, Dec. 21-30. Activities including holiday crafts and carols at the Grizzly Cubs Holiday Workshop on Dec. 21, the Glitz Cheer Winter Recess Camp from Dec. 28-30, a Hip Hop Dance Camp Dec. 28-30, Holiday Art Camps Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30, and Holiday Baking/cooking Camps Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30. For more information or to register, visit temeculaca.gov/tcsd.

Through Dec. 25 LAKE ELSINORE Community tree decorating

The city of Lake Elsinore invites residents and businesses to hang an ornament on the Community Holiday Tree in Gediman Square in downtown Lake Elsinore. Make or buy an ornament and stop by anytime between now and Dec. 25 to hang your ornament on the bottom 5 feet of the tree. Ornaments must have their own hooks. The city will attempt to keep and store all ornaments for use again next year.

Dec. 31 TEMECULA New Year’s Eve Grape Drop

Ring in the new year at home with a concert and a virtual grape drop countdown on Dec. 31. Watch the concert on the city’s Facebook page at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Watch the countdown at 9 p.m. and midnight. The city’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/cityoftemecula.

Jan. 5 TEMECULA Tedxtemecula Watch Party

Tedxtemecula has moved its ninth annual speaker series online with a series of Watch Parties highlighting the theme “Against the Grain.” Speakers were chosen from hundreds of applicants. Upcoming events are:

Jan. 5: Dan Pettus, retired professional photographer. Pettus weathered a market disruption in his own business and now sees this kind of major change as our new norm.

Jan. 12: Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, an internist, cardiologist, and heart transplant cardiologist. Schwarz is leading an investigation for stemcell-based clinical trial studies.

To register for a Watch Party, visit https:// tinyurl.com/tedxtemecula2020. For more information about the series, visit https:// tinyurl.com/temeculatedx.

Jan. 12 WILDOMAR Coffee talks

The monthly Coffee with the City of Wildomar series continues at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 12. The free events hosted by the city and the Murrieta/ Wildomar Chamber of Commerce provide an opportunity for residents to connect with city officials. Email Rhonda Warner at rwarner@mwcoc.org for more information.

Jan. 26 MURRIETA Coffee talks

The Coffee with the City of Murrieta series continues at 8:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information, visit https:// tinyurl.com/jancoffeetalk.

Ongoing TEMECULA Second Saturday at Home

The Temecula Valley Museum moved its monthly Second Saturday program online during the pandemic, offering activities exploring other cultures. Programs have explored Mexico, Germany, Scotland, Hawaii, Australia, Jamaica, Cuba, Vietnam and India. To check out the program and the activities, visit https://tinyurl.com/tvm-second-saturday.

MURRIETA Senior games

The Murrieta Senior Center staff has compiled a list of free online games to help seniors keep busy while the center is closed. Visit www.murrietaca.gov/facilities/facility/details/seniorcenter-7 for links to games.

TEMECULA Virtual recreation for seniors

The city of Temecula has compiled a list of virtual activities, classes, games and more for seniors at temeculaca.gov/1346/senior-specialneeds-resources. The webpage also has information about meal programs for seniors.

VALLEYWIDE Library programs

Libraries across the region are offering virtual programming, e-book and audiobook checkouts, and more for residents of all ages. Visit their websites for more information:

Temecula Public Library: https://tinyurl.com/yadbrp9y

Lake Elsinore Public Library: https://tinyurl.com/y9vhelbp

Perris Public Library: https://tinyurl.com/y9sdswa8

VALLEYWIDE Blood donations

Lifestream continues to host mobile blood drives at various locations as well as collections at its regular locations. Face coverings are required of all donors, regardless of location, and all potential donors are subject to a temperature check and COVID-19 symptom review before admission to the donor waiting area. All donations are tested for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies. The Murrieta donation center is a 40365 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, and is open seven days a week; hours vary. Information: www.lstream.org.

Email community event information at least three weeks in advance to temecula@sduniontribune.com.