Events

In Pamplona, they run with the bulls, but here in Rancho Murieta, tradition takes a more whimsical form. For 20 years, a maypole celebration has marked the first day of May, thanks to the efforts of Pamela Haines. On Wednesday, Haines guided a covey of children through the intricacies of weaving eight peach, green and white ribbons around the pole to make a braided garland. First-timer Akshay Gaylor, 3, was the winner of the drawing for the garland, seen here with his sister, Priyanka, 7, and father, Wyatt Gaylor. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

The Kiwanis and Optimist clubs once again join forces to host Casino Corral, a night of Western-themed Monte Carlo-style gaming that takes place May 18 from 5 to 11 p.m. at Murieta Equestrian Center. This year the community fundraiser features a prime rib and gourmet chicken dinner catered by Red Oak BBQ, live music by Darin Sexton & Highway 49, a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, raffles and auctions with great prizes, blackjack, roulette and craps, wine toss, putting contest and beer pong. Read more »

Entertainment, Theater & Culture will hold its annual season kick-off 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Country Club. This free event is open to Rancho Murieta residents, real property owners and their guests. There will be wines to taste, appetizers to savor and raffles for ETC memberships and tickets for a summer of music at Lake Clementia Amphitheater. There's more about ETC and the coming season here.

The annual Casino Corral Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament is coming up Saturday, May 18, at the Murieta Equestrian Center. Casino Corral is one of the Kiwanis and Optimist clubs' major community fundraising events, with all proceeds going to support youth activities and programs in the greater Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse and Wilton communities. Read more »

TV and club comic Jack Gallagher returned to the Country Club Friday night for a show staged by the club and Entertainment, Theatre & Culture. Gallagher got big laughs from the crowd of 250 with stories about yard sales, having a teenage son, sports, family, aging and other topics that found the mark. Opening the show was Laura Rosenberg, a Sloughhouse native who won special approval from the crowd with references to Murieta's July 4 and buying a wedding dress at Costco.

Celebrating Wine  & Horses, an event sponsored by the Arabian Horse Association of Northern California, takes place at the Murieta Equestrian Center April 18 to 23. Everyone is invited to enjoy the show, and a tasting event will be held April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets for the tasting are $10. There will be a free event with pizza and bounce houses for the kids. Information is available at the association's web site, www.ahanc.com

Photo gallery: 64 photos of Easter Egg Hunt fun

Saturday was a big day for the little ones as the Kiwanis Club staged Rancho Murieta’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Stonehouse Park.  There were enough activities to wear anyone out -- a sheriff’s Canine Unit show, a petting zoo, face painting, cookie decorating, quality time with the Easter Bunny and, of course, all those eggs to scoop up and put in the basket.  Hundreds of kids, parents and grandparents were there.

If you need a taste of ice hockey before winter is done, the Rancho Murieta Association is planning a bus trip to see the Stockton Thunder Saturday, March 9.  They're playing the Las Vegas Wranglers.  The bus leaves at 5:30 p.m. from the North Gazebo.  Ticket cost of $35 includes game ticket, bus and a sandwich. Call RMA at 354-3500 to reserve your seat.

The 2013 season of ETC entertainment runs from Motown to hard rock to classic rock.

Entertainment, Theatre & Culture, which has been staging summertime shows in Rancho Murieta since 2002, is back with a schedule of tributes to music legends this summer at Lake Clementia Amphitheater.  And ETC has announced a springtime show for April 12, when comic Jack Gallagher returns to the Country Club. Read more »

The first Murieta Winterfest, a poker tournament to benefit Summerfest, will be held Feb. 9 at the Rancho Murieta Association Building.  Organizers say the $100 entry fee includes great food, drinks and prizes.  For information or to register, call (916) 206-9327 or email eric_ygr@yahoo.com.