“We’ll stop during the holidays and then resume after winter break,” Activities Director Jennifer Garcia said. “We have a variety of activities to offer. Some like sports and everyone is into being crafty right now.”

This current interest in arts and crafts convinced the staff to offer a unique art activity for its first Youth Night of the school year, held Sept. 7. Participants were encouraged to come by anytime during the scheduled two-hour event that started at 5 p.m.

Offered an array of pre-printed pictures on black velvet backgrounds, ranging from nature and animals to space and fantasy figures, artists were given brightly colored markers to personalize their creations.

Several young people were joined by Parks and Recreation staff members to dialogue and create during the event. Light snacks and drinks were also provided.

“We wanted the kids to have something to do after tutoring or after school,” Garcia said.

Recreation Aide Michael Durrett said he enjoys overseeing some of the sports activities with the youths. “This gives them a reason to get out of the house and be with friends,” he said.

Nephreteri Salinas, 17, was using her own artist’s sketchbook to freehand some artwork. Sports Coordinator Steve Lopez said she has been one of the regulars since the program was launched last spring.

“I do enjoy being here,” she said. A senior at San Jacinto High School, she developed a strong interest in art during the summer and is enrolled in a draw and paint class at school this year.

The Youth Night also helps out families who can use the time to work on their own projects at home or run errands and more, knowing their children are in a safe and secure environment.

“I’m really enjoying myself,” Akwaalimay Resvaloso, 13, said, as she continued to color a jungle scene with a baby leopard.

Wayne Walker Calderon, 14, is a freshman at San Jacinto High and said he thinks the program is “kind of rad” and allows for interaction with others while doing fun activities.

“We really like that we can offer students a place to go after school instead of having nothing to do,” Parks and Recreation Director Andy Silvas said. “This gives them an outlet where they can meet, relax and have some fun.”

Collaborating with Soboba Tribal TANF for a few upcoming events, as well as other Soboba departments, there is a huge selection for participants to choose from in the coming months. Youth Nights in September will offer a bingo night, pool days, sports such as volleyball and basketball and gourd decorating with TANF.

Scheduled for October is a board game night, canvas painting and pumpkin carving with TANF. There will be no Youth Night on Monday, Oct. 31 due to the Halloween holiday but staff will be handing out candy so kids are being encouraged to stop by.

Garcia said there is a movie night planned for November where they will utilize their popcorn machine, which is always a favorite with the kids. Fall harvest arts and crafts with TANF will be offered toward the end of the current session.

“We always get at least a handful of kids, but we’ve had up to 18 to 20 before so we know it can grow,” Garcia said.

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Effective today, more businesses in Riverside County are now required to move their activities outdoors as part of statewide actions to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The governor’s announcement today impacts 30 counties, including Riverside County, that are on the state’s monitoring list. Newsom said the order to move activities outdoors was necessary to reduce the spread of coronavirus and curb the recent increase in hospitalizations. Riverside County has experienced a steady rise in confirmed cases, hospitalizations and patients requiring intensive care
dating back to Memorial Day.

Those businesses that cannot move activities outside must close.
The new restrictions include:
— Fitness centers and gyms
— Worship services
— Offices for non-critical sectors
— Personal care services
— Hair salons and barbershops
— Malls

These businesses may still do curb-side retail, so long as there are no indoor operations. “As we struggle with national laboratory issues artificially depressing new case counts, people need to realize we’re far from being out of the woods,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “Summer heat isn’t stopping COVID-19, but for some of these sectors, the heat means there may be no good way to do them outdoors.

We need to reduce the impact on our hospitals by reducing transmission, and as long as the numbers keep rising, the state’s need to reimpose restrictions will keep rising too.”

Riverside County health officials remind all residents that in addition to these new restrictions, there is still a statewide stay at home order in effect and residents should not gather with family and friends who live in different households, attend parties or join social gatherings. These are known places where the disease is spread.

Riverside County officials also remind residents to get screened at one of the many coronavirus testing sites located throughout the region. More than 270,000 tests have been conducted in Riverside County so far. For more information on testing, click www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus/testing.

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As a retired senior citizen, you have to be aware of the need to stay active both physically and mentally in order to maintain good health. Fortunately, Hemet and San Jacinto provide multiple options for seniors to exercise their bodies and minds so age does not become a burden but rather a period in your life to enjoy.

If you are into the intellectual pursuits, the Hemet Senior Computer Club is for you. This organization meets every third Monday of the month at Valley Wide Recreation Center, 43935 E. Acacia Ave., 10 am to noon.

The Hemet Historic Theatre has a Classic Films showings scheduled for every Monday and Tuesday. Next Monday look for the l960 film “Little Shop of Horrors” and for Tuesday the l961 movie “Night Tide”

Every Tuesday the American Legion Post 53, located at 124 N. Ramona St. in Hemet offers Early Bird Bingo starts at 5:30 pm. If your preference is dancing, every Wednesday the Senior Dance Group opens its doors from 6:30 to 9:30 at Hemet West Clubhouse with a variety of musical groups.

Or if you are a widowed person the Widowed Persons Activities Club at 305 E. Devonshire Ave. meets every second Friday of the month at 1:30 pm. Call 951-658-8657 for information.

In addition to the above activities, our community is lucky to have multiple museums like the Hemet Museum housed in one of the oldest structures in downtown Hemet with extensive exhibits of local memorabilia; The San Jacinto Museum and Estudillo Mansion with a vast collection of local photographs and artifacts; Western Science Center housing fossils and artifacts and a 270 degree movie screen that immerses viewers in the history of the valley; Estudillo Heritage Park Water Conservation Education Garden whose slogan is “Keep it Water- Wise, Keep it Beautiful” will please your eyes and nose with countless colors and aromas.

These venues and activities will keep your body and mind occupied with something that you will remember and want to share with your family and loved ones. For a full up to date calendar of Things to do in Hemet and San Jacinto, check out the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle’s D section for a running ten-day schedule.

The post Activities for Senior’s in Hemet & San Jacinto appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.