RM groups

The community blood drive sponsored by the Rancho Murieta Women's Club takes place Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Cantova Way. The new hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Participants will receive a coupon for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream.  Read more »

Prices for this year’s Summerfest will be increased because of declining support by sponsors, the event’s organizers say.  Prices this year will include a $25 two-day pass.  A one-day pass will be $15, up from $10 last year.   Read more »

The River Valley Garden Club ended its 2009-10 year with a picnic and a program on “Culinary Herbs for Summer” at Lake Clementia Tuesday evening. Speaker Rose Loveall of Morningsun Herb Farm brought an array of herbs for show-and-tell, awards were made, and new club officers were welcomed. The plants were for sale too.  The club resumes its monthly meetings in September at the Rancho Murieta Association Building. Information about the club is available here.

Singer Courtney Bowles congratulated Margaret Wonder on her 85th birthday and led more than 100 women at the Rancho Murieta Women's Club luncheon Wednesday in singing "Happy Birthday." The lyric soprano, accompanied by pianist Steven Johnson, performed over a dozen selections ranging from opera to a lullaby before concluding the concert at the Country Club with a medley from "The Phantom of the Opera."

Hundreds turned out to enjoy desserts and wine at Lake Clementia Sunday afternoon as Entertainment, Theatre and Culture for Rancho Murieta held its festive annual kick-off event and membership drive. The ETC summer concert series begins June 19 at Lake Clementia Amphitheater with the return of Grammy winner Craig Chaquico. Other concerts this summer will feature the Diamonds, the Little River Band, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason and YOSO, the group that merges the star-power and musicianship of Yes and Toto. More information is available here.  Read more »

Come join the Rancho Murieta Rotary on a guided hike of the Deer Creek Hills preserve with Roger and Joanne Brandt this Saturday.  The group will meet at 9 a.m. at the North Gazebo, and then caravan to Deer Creek Hills, which is right next door to Rancho Murieta.  Read more »

Monte Carlo-style gambling was a big crowd-pleaser at OKC Corral Saturday night at Murieta Equestrian Center. The fundraiser with the Wild West theme is put on annually by the Optimist Club, the Kiwanis Club and Cosumnes River Elementary School PTA to benefit local youth activities and CRES programs.  Read more »

Girl Scout Troop 1248 wanted to help one of its own, a teenager who's undergoing treatment for cancer, and came up with an event designed for lively fun. "My Girl Scout troop is putting on a Bunko fundraiser for Christina Rodness and her family," troop leader Nancy Darden explained in an e-mail to RanchoMurieta.com. "She was a member of our troop for years and is friends with all the girls."  Read more »

For 16 years, Murieta children have celebrated the start of May by weaving ribbons around a maypole to create a garland that one lucky participant gets to take home. This year's event takes place at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 1, on the grassy area across from the North Gate. The community is invited. The eight participants will be selected on a first-come basis. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and will be directed by Gwynessa Balvanz, who took part in the spring ritual while she was growing up.