Local December fundraiser will benefit food bank

November 25, 2009 in Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The public can help support the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County by donating two canned food items while enjoying a Mexican buffet.

Bring the canned food items to Tortilla Flats from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 9 during the eatery’s “Give a Little, Get a Lot” event and receive a buffet for $10.

Second Harvest is working to eliminate hunger in Orange County and provides over 1 million pounds of food each month for more than 220,000 people in need.

The restaurant is at 27792 Vista Del Lago. For reservations and more information, call 949-830-9980.

Gift Wrap fundraiser to benefit local Boy Scout troop

November 25, 2009 in News | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Boy Scout Troop 787 of Mission Viejo will host its annual Holiday Gift Wrap fundraiser after Thanksgiving.

The fundraiser takes place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the parking lot of the former Linens ‘N Things store next to Toys “R” Us on El Paseo in the Mission Viejo Freeway Center.

Troops will gift wrap gifts (even while you shop) for a suggested $2 donation.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will help the troop to purchase equipment and offset the cost of outings.

The fundraiser will continue on Dec. 12,13, 19,20, 21, 22, 23 and Dec. 24.

Kick off December with beneficial programs at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center

November 25, 2009 in Events, Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Community Caring program underway
 
Residents can help benefit isolated seniors during the holidays through the Senior Santa program sponsored by Orange County Adult Protective Services.  Through the program, a display of Angel Tags are available at the Norman P. Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. Residents can select a tag, purchase a gift and return it to the Community Center Information Desk.   Gifts will be delivered during the holidays to seniors who are alone. 

For more information, call 470-3062.
 
Conflict resolution for seniors Dec. 1
 
Seniors who attend this program, which starts at 10 a.m., will learn how to resolve disputes through alternative means outside of litigation.  William Wise, a supervising attorney of the Senior Citizen Legal Advocacy Program, will host the free presentation.

Reservations are required and available by calling 470-3062.
 
Brown Bag Medication Check Dec. 3
 
The public is invited to have a free medication review through a program designed to help residents avoid medication mistakes.  The Brown Bag Medication Check is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.  Bring all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and nutritional supplements to be reviewed by a local pharmacist and nurse. 

Registration is required and available by calling 470-3062.
 
HMO Benefits 2010
 
Join the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) from the Orange County Council on Aging on Thursday, Dec. 3 for an overview of Medicare changes for 2010.  A panel of local HMO representatives will share their 2010 plan changes.

The free presentation is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center at 24932 Veterans Way.

Bond Sale Delayed to Save City Money

November 25, 2009 in Budget, Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

With a high number of public agencies expected to issue bonds the first week of December, the interest rates are expected to be higher than what the City wants to pay on the refinancing of roughly $17 million in City Lease Revenue Bonds.  The sale of the bonds will therefore be delayed at least a week.

The bonds, which were authorized by the City Council on Nov. 16, are being issued to generate savings to the City over the next three fiscal years by refunding two prior bond issues, the 1996 Certificates of Participation and 2001 Lease Revenue Bonds.  Those bonds were originally issued to finance the acquisition and construction of the public library and City Hall.  The City will give residents first priority to purchase bonds.

“The delay intended to save the City money and achieve the interest savings we want to achieve by issuing these bonds,” said Assistant City Manager/Director of Administration Services, Irwin Bornstein.  “We expect that if we tried to sell the bonds next week, the savings would be significantly less than $700,000 we are hoping for.”

The City will monitor the bond market on a day-by-day basis from now through the end of the year so it can be ready to sell the bonds as soon as the target savings level can be achieved.  Residents who are interested in purchasing the bonds can obtain additional information from the bond underwriter, de la Rosa and Company, at 866-361-3300.

Bus service reductions take effect March

November 24, 2009 in Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Facing state transit funding shortages, the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors on Monday voted to reduce the number of bus trips rather than eliminate routes.

The board approved a service reduction strategy, which results in the reduction of 150,000 annual revenue vehicle hours effective in March. The plan will create longer waits between bus arrivals but will maintain routes along most existing transit corridors.

The board’s move was based on public input.  Board members acknowledged the City Council’s letter, which outlined the importance of bus routes in Mission Viejo.  Council Member Trish Kelley attended the board’s October meeting and urged board members to reduce trips rather than eliminate bus routes, especially in south Orange County where transit service is already limited. 

The local impact did include the loss of Sunday service bus routes 82 and 85, which service high schools, Saddleback College and several large apartment complexes.  The 82 route is the Mission Viejo-Rancho Santa Margarita bus service route while route 85 is the Mission Viejo-Dana Point route.

Capistrano Valley High School’s Black and Gold Brigade Marching Band Are the New State Champs!

November 24, 2009 in News | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 comment

After a hard-fought battle against some of the most talented marching bands in the state, Capistrano Valley High School on Nov. 21 was named state champion in its division at the California State Band Championships in San Bernardino.

Competing schools are ranked in divisions according to band size. The band was one of 33 that competed in five divisions during the nearly 13-hour state championships.

The 65-member Capistrano Valley High School band added to its impressive win by taking the top three sweepstakes trophies, which were won in the categories of High Music, High Effect and High Visual.

Senior Jeremy Burciaga was named outstanding soloist for his trumpet performance.
This year’s theme was “The Music of Carmen,” which featured a spirited and visually stunning presentation of Bizet’s operatic masterpiece.

The victory marks the second time in four years that Instrumental Music Director Andy Waldukat has delivered the school a state championship.

“I will never forget the look of pride on each of the students’ faces on the return trip home,” Waldukat said. “I have personally witnessed firsthand the struggles these students go through each season, overcoming fatigue at practice, learning difficult music and having to integrate the music and movement with 65 other people on the field at the same time. These students have learned that hard work pays off and that they can work through challenges and find support in a team environment. Life skills are certainly a wonderful component to music education.”

For more information about the CVHS music program, visit www.capomusic.org.

 

Holiday children’s book sale will benefit library

November 23, 2009 in Events, Library, Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Friends of the Mission Viejo Library on Tuesday, Dec. 8 will host a children’s book sale, just in time for holiday shopping.
 
The sale is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Friends Community Room at the library, 100 Civic Center. 
 
Children’s books, in “gently used” condition will be on sale with prices starting at 50 cents.  Many holiday books will also be available.  Special recycle book bags will also be on sale for $2 each. 
 
Proceeds  from this special holiday sale will be used to purchase new children’s books for the library’s collection.
This year, the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library is contributing $125,000 toward new library materials and has signed on to be the key sponsor of the 2010 Mission Viejo Readers’ Festival.
 
“You can also buy children’s books year-round in the Friends Bookstore, so give the gift of reading this year while supporting the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library,” said Director of Library Services Valerie Maginnis.

Mission Viejo once again named safest city in California, 3rd safest in nation

November 23, 2009 in Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mission Viejo was ranked as the safest city in the state and third safest in the nation, according to CQ Press, which published the reports on Sunday. The City’s ranking was listed in the annual “City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America,” using FBI statistics.

Mission Viejo is regularly named one of the safest cities in California and in the country and was recognized in 2007 as America’s safest city compared to cities of similar size. The City was named second safest in 2008 by CQ Press. 

The crime rankings are based on per-capita rates for murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. The rankings include all cities of at least 75,000 residents that reported crime data to the FBI.

Public safety has long been a hallmark of Mission Viejo’s agenda. Proactive City leaders, Police Services and an active citizenry help to keep the community safe. With a population of roughly 100,000, Mission Viejo boasts attractive residential areas, outstanding public and private schools and a solid business base.

The City is distinguished by its many amenities, including 50 parks and Lake Mission Viejo.

Santa’s Food Drive, Marine Toy Drive Nov. 29

November 20, 2009 in Events, Mission Viejo, News | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The public is invited to embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season by bringing a canned food item or new toy to Santa’s Celebration and Arrival event on Nov. 29.

The festivities take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Mission Viejo Civic Center at 200 Civic Center.

Bring a canned-food item to benefit the Orange County Community Outreach or a new unwrapped toy that will be donated to Mission Viejo’s adopted Marines before the holidays.

During the festivities, children will be invited onstage to place their donations in the food barrel or toy box.

Donations can also be made on Dec. 2,5,6,9,12,13,16,19 and Dec. 20.   

For more information, call 949-830-7066 or visit the Mission Viejo Activities Committee’s Web site at www.mvactivities.com.

Registration available for Holiday Night Out for Parents

November 20, 2009 in Events, Mission Viejo | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Registration is now available for the Dec. 18 Holiday Night Out for Parents – a fun-filled event that will feature games, crafts and tons of holiday cheer.

The Friday-night bash, hosted by the City’s Student Advisory Committee, is from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Saddleback Room at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.

The festive event includes snacks, crafts, children’s movies for kids 3 years of age and older and a host of fun games and activities.

Cost is $15 per child and registration is recommended, as space is limited.

Registration is available online at econnect@cityofmissionviejo.org (course #1890) or by calling 949-470-3061.

 

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