Annual 4th of July celebration expected to be a blast

July 2, 2009 in Events, News | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mission Viejo Activities Committee is gearing up for its annual 4th of July Street Faire and Firework Spectacular on Olympiad  Road between Marguerite Parkway and Melinda Road.

The July 4 extravaganza takes place from noon to 9 p.m. and features an impressive fireworks display, music, entertainment and a host of games, rides, food and exhibits.

Visitors will enjoy live entertainment, contests, performances and more. Entertainment on the main stage kicks off at noon, with performances on the freedom stage starting at 12:30 p.m.

A spectacular fireworks display starts around 9 p.m.

Admission is free, with tickets being sold for games and rides. A free shuttle will operate from 1 to 8 p.m. Shuttle stops are located at 12 clearly marked stops around Lake Mission Viejo. Pets, skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles and barbecues are prohibited.

To ensure that holiday celebrations throughout the community remain safe and sane, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department “Avoid the 10” DUI Task Force will canvass the City this weekend with an aggressive DUI-enforcement policy.

The task force and Mission Viejo Police Services will conduct a DUI checkpoint in town from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, July 3. DUI Saturation Patrols will also be conducted during the 3-day holiday weekend in the department’s contract cities.

For more information, visit http://www.mvactivities.com or call 949-830-7066.

Pet owners urged to follow July 4th safety tips

July 2, 2009 in News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

With Independence Day on Saturday, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is reminding pet owners to be diligent about pet safety over the holiday weekend – and in general.

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family – including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:

  • Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases. 
  • Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
  • Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing – or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin. If ingested, it can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.
  • Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions; chocolate; coffee; avocado; grapes and raisins; salt; and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
  • Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.
  • Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.
  • Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.
  • Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is at 28095 Hillcrest. For more information, visit www.cmvas.org or call 949-470-3045.

Applications available for Community Services Funding Program

July 1, 2009 in News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The City is accepting applications for its Community Services Funding Program.  Funds are available for nonprofit organizations serving Mission Viejo residents.

Organizations must submit an application by 5 p.m. Sept. 1 to the Recreation and Community Services Department at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA  92691.

Applications are available by calling the Recreation and Community Services Department at 949-470-3061 or by downloading a form from the City’s Web site at www.cityofmissionviejo.org (Forms/Recreation and Community Services/Community Services Funding Request Application).

An orientation meeting for new and returning applicants will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

Application packets, funding policies and opportunities for community partnerships with City programs will be discussed.

Police will crackdown on drunk drivers during July 4th holiday weekend

July 1, 2009 in News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department “Avoid the 10” DUI Task Force will canvass the community this holiday weekend with an aggressive DUI-enforcement policy.
 
The task force and Mission Viejo Police Services will conduct a DUI checkpoint in town from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, July 3. DUI Saturation Patrols will also be conducted during the 3-day holiday weekend in the department’s contract cities.
 
 “Driving drunk isn’t worth the tremendous risk. If you’ve had too much to drink, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high,” said Sgt. Jerry Brittain, of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “Too many people still fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime.”
 
During last year’s Independence Day holiday weekend, nearly 400 people were killed or injured in alcohol-related traffic collisions.  In 2007, 200 people died as a result of drunk driving. 
 
The consequences are serious and real: Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses.
 
Brittain urges drivers to follow these simple steps:

  • Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin. 
  • Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys. 
  • If you drink, call a taxi, a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely. 
  • If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate: Report drunk drivers, call 9-1-1!

Frozen yogurt shop with a twist coming to Mission Viejo

July 1, 2009 in Business, News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It won’t be your typical frozen yogurt shop, says owner Luis Garcia. Instead, when FROZ! Yogurt opens later this summer at 24001 Via Fabricante, it will offer more flavors, space, ambiance and local talent.

“It will be a frozen yogurt shop with a twist,” he said. “The space will be 1,700 square-feet, which will allow me to serve 22 flavors and include a lounge area with free Wi-Fi, HDTVs and local entertainment.”

Garcia said he wants to reach “every palate” with his self-serve yogurt that will feature an array of flavors and two certified-organic yogurts. He said he is creating a lounge – adorned with warm colors such as espresso brown and mustard – with comfortable seating to entice patrons to spend more time at the shop. Local artists, guitarists or even comedians could be invited to make regular appearances.

Along with yogurt, Garcia plans to offer prepackaged foods, pastries, drinks, coffees, teas and smoothies.  He said he plans to open in August and is excited to be located in Mission Viejo.

“I was looking all over and chose Mission Viejo because it is very business friendly and that was high up there on my list,” he said.

Residents can follow the shop’s construction progress by visiting FROZ! Yogurt on Facebook.

Balloon art and Wii on Wednesdays

July 1, 2009 in Events, News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

balloonIf you are looking for some midweek fun with balloons or an interactive class, you’re in luck.

Simply drop by the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center at noon and learn how to create balloon art of animals and whimsy sculpture followed by the chance to experience Wii, the revolutionary home-video console released by Nintendo, at 3 p.m.

The fun-filled activities take place every Wednesday at the center, which is located at 24932 Veterans Way.

For more information, call 949-470-3062.

Wii Experience 005

Burger diner sales will help Mission Viejo’s adopted Marines & Sailors

July 1, 2009 in News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Drop by Ruby’s Diner in Laguna Hills for a burger, shake and fries, and a portion of the proceeds from your meal will help benefit Mission Viejo’s adopted Marines & Sailors.

Bring the attached flier to the Laguna Hills Mall-based Ruby’s Diner from July 6-12 and the eatery will donate 20 percent of all food and non-alcoholic beverage sales toward the Marines & Sailors Adoption Committee’s fundraising efforts to benefit the City’s adopted troops.

Proceeds will help offset the cost of entry-level Marines and Sailors to attend their annual formal ball in October.
 
Ruby’s is at 24155 Laguna Hills Mall. For more information, call 949-470-3061.

Marines and Sailors fundraiser flyer

Girl Scout’s service project benefits thousands in summer reading program

June 30, 2009 in Library, News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SummerREADMore than 1,000 children who’ve registered for the Mission Viejo Library’s SummerREAD program are enjoying creating their own books to read thanks to an 8th-grade student.
 
Courtney Ruef designed her Girl Scout Silver Project to benefit the kids in the popular SummerREAD program with a creative take-home activity. The library’s free summer reading program runs from June 22 through Aug. 3.
 
Ruef, who attends Newhart Middle School, got the idea for her project after reading a copy of “The Library Mouse” by Daniel Kirk.  She thought children would enjoy making their own books and that others might enjoy reading the youngsters’ creative works. She devoted 40 hours of service to her project, which also included creating publicity, blank books and instructions. 
 
“So far, the craft activity has been very popular, and it tied in well with our SummerREAD theme of ‘Be Creative at Your Library,’” said Director of Library Services Valerie Maginnis.

“It’s a wonderful project for children, who are encouraged to return their completed books to the library where they will be put on display.” 
 
For more information, visit the library’s Web site at www.cmvl.org or call 949-470-3076.

More than $5,400 raised in June for City’s adopted Marines and Sailors

June 29, 2009 in News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

More than $5,400 was raised during two car wash events in June to benefit the City’s adopted Marines and Sailors.

On Saturday, 50 Marines washed about 110 vehicles and helped to raise more than $2,500. The event followed the June 13 car wash that raised roughly $2,950 to benefit members of the City’s adopted Marines and Sailors.
 
The public also showed its heartfelt support for its troops by purchasing T-shirts, hats, military coins and raffle tickets for a round of golf at Tijeras Creek Golf Club.

“Residents brought food and gave donations without wanting anything in return and expressed appreciation for the service of their Marines and Sailors to our country,” said the City’s David Cendejas.

The funding from the car washes will help send entry-level service personnel to their annual formal ball in November. The event is an opportunity for military personnel to celebrate their service and commitment to our country just before the holiday season.

The community will be able to support its adopted Marines and Sailors at the 4th of July Street Faire, where the Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee will sell shirts, hats coins and raffle tickets. The July 4 extravaganza takes place from noon to 9 p.m. on Olympiad Road between Marguerite Parkway and Melinda Road.

Beneficial programs, classes flourish in July at Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center

June 29, 2009 in Events, News, mission viejo | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free workshop about awareness, insight July 14
The Braille Institute at 10 a.m. on July 14 will host a free workshop designed to help people with vision loss maintain independence and continue community involvement.

Participants who attend the workshop at the Norman P. Murray and Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, will learn valuable grooming and travel tips.

Pre-registration is required and available by calling 949-470-3062.

Grand gatherings in July
Picture 134Grandparents with their grandchildren can enjoy exciting Wednesday theme parties that include crafts, games, refreshments and costume contests in July and August.

Enjoy USA Days on July 8; Western Days/Line Dancing on July 15; Circus Days on July 22; and Fiesta Days on July 29.
 
The fun-filled parties take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. The parties are planned by the National Charity League (Canyon Chapter) moms and daughters. 
 
Reservations are required a week in advance to take part in these free, fun-filled activities.
 
For more information, call 949-470-3062.

Free 8-week course will help people prevent falls
If you are interested in learning tips for preventing falls and about balance solutions, then plan to attend a free 8-week course that begins July 8.
 
The free program, which takes place on Wednesdays through Aug. 26, will teach participants to view falls as controllable; set goals to increase activity; make changes to reduce fall risks at home; and exercise to increase strength and balance. 

The course takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday through Aug. 26 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

The program was created by Boston University and is sponsored by Monarch Healthcare.

Registration is required and available by calling 949-923-3437.

Varicose veins, cosmetic leg procedures presentation July 10
Lenore Sikorski, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, will discuss the cause of varicose veins and other conditions affecting the appearance of legs in a free presentation on July 10.

Participants will learn about available treatments and more during the informative presentation that takes place at 1 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

Registration is required and available by calling 949-364-1770.

Evening Line Dance Party July 17
line-danceGet ready to kick up your heels – or boots – and have a blast at the Adult Line Dance Party on July 17 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

The Friday-night bash takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. with professional line-dance instructor Mel Branham leading all levels of dancers in the art of line dance. Beginners are welcome and encouraged to join the fun and tear up the dance floor.

Cost is $5, which is payable at the door.  Refreshments are included.

For more information, call 949-470-3062.

Presentation teaches residents to beware of Medicare fraud
With the impact of an ailing economy putting a strain on your wallet, it’s essential to be vigilant about Medicare fraud.

Attend this free workshop at 10 a.m. on July 21 and learn about the red flags to watch for and how to report fraud.

Registration is required and available by calling 949-470-3062.

Mission Viejo Lake Cruise and Potluck
Enjoy the best that summer has to offer by taking a relaxing cruise at 5 p.m. July 24 around Lake Mission Viejo. 

Bring your favorite palate-pleasing potluck to enjoy after an early evening wine/appetizer cruise around the lake. 

Meet new people and savor pristine lake views.

Tickets are $5 for lake members; $7 general admission. Space is limited.

Tickets are available at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Tea at Three concert July 25
Twelve talented young cellists will treat visitors to a true tea party and enchant them with their classical accomplishments during a special concert on July 25

The concert is from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Tickets are $3 and must be purchased in advance. For more information, call 949-470-3062.

Fishing novices, enthusiasts invited to join Fishing Club
Fishing enthusiasts and novices alike are invited to learn about the sport of fishing.

Members of the free Fishing Club learn about the best fishing locations and times for catching fish along with the proper fishing gear necessary for success.

The club meets at 10 a.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Members enjoy monthly outings.

For more information, call 949-470-3062.