Holidays

These Boundary Court decorations were a worthy winner for sure.

Lights map: Tour the 15 winning homes

The Rancho Murieta Association announced the 2015 winners of its holiday lights contest this week, honoring 10 repeat winners and a handful of first-timers. Read more » about Here are the brightest of our holiday lights

Elk Grove Unified School District staffers made their first pickup of gift and food items for the needy at the Rancho Murieta Association Building Monday morning. Penny Clemons, left, and Florence Oneto were among four people who emptied the two boxes in the lobby of the RMA Building. The donation boxes are still open if you have non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys to contribute. Read more » about Helping the needy at the holidays

The Rancho Murieta Women’s Club's holiday home tour delighted with four superbly decorated houses on the North and South Friday.  After a continental breakfast at the Country Club, the Spirit of Christmas in Rancho Murieta tour visited homes with a real flair for holiday decorating. The curving staircase at the Flores home, above, was one of many features that inspired oohs and ahhs by the holiday crowd. Follow the "Read more" link to learn more about each home and see 47 photos. Read more » about Homes overflowing with the holiday spirit

The annual Coat Dinner at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church Friday night provided warm clothing donations for Loaves and Fishes and a hearty chili dinner for the donors to enjoy with friends and neighbors. The dinner is hosted by Robert and Kathy Mehrten. Read more » about Warming the needy on a chilly night

Rancho Murieta Association Recreation Committee members are driving the streets of the community every evening in their quest to find the this year's holiday-lights winners.  So, have all your lights and decorations up and be sure the lights are on by 5 p.m. every evening through Monday. Prizes of a $50 VISA gift card and a yard sign declaring your house to be a winner this year will be awarded at the Dec 15 RMA board meeting. Read more » about Holiday lights judging is under way

This year’s Coat Dinner takes place 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, on Cantova Way. The cost of admission is one gently used, clean coat or sleeping bag. Mittens and gloves are also appreciated in exchange for a dinner of chili, salad, cornbread, dessert and coffee. The clothing will be donated to Loaves and Fishes. The dinner is hosted by Robert and Kathy Mehrten. Read more » about Coat Dinner to help the needy is Dec. 11

Photo gallery: 50 shots of the tree lighting participants

Winter and Santa arrived at about the same time this year as children wearing warm, colorful hats and jackets came to Stonehouse Park Friday evening for the tree-lighting event. The brightly decorated park went dark after Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by fire truck, and Santa led the crowd in the countdown to the tree-lighting. Hot chocolate, cookies and the excitement of a visit with Santa kept the kids warm and their parents busy taking photos. The annual event is sponsored by the Optimist Club. Read more » about Santa finds his way to Rancho Murieta

There was frost on lawns all over Murieta Thanksgiving morning as the Turkey Trot 5K got under way at Stonehouse Park. With the temperature at 32, it was the coldest run in the event's five-race history. Proceeds benefit the Fisher House Foundation. Read more » about Trotting in advance of the turkey

Thursday morning at 8 there's the Turkey Trot, and we have it on good authority that at 6 p.m. Friday Santa Claus is coming to town. Read more » about The Turkey Trot and visiting with Santa

Rancho Murieta Association workers were out in the rain Tuesday morning putting up holiday decorations, working here on Murieta Parkway. The RMA shared the news that holiday lights on the gates will go up the week of Dec. 7. Read more » about Getting ready for the holidays