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Several Mission Viejo schools on Friday will join in a celebration that includes painting the town purple and rallying at the library in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the June Relay for Life.
Bathgate, Cordillera, De Portola, Linda Vista, Montevideo, O’Neill, and Philip J. Reilly elementary schools along with Carden Academy and Mission Viejo Christian schools are expected to adorn their campuses in purple in honor of the American Cancer Society’s Paint Our Town Purple Day. The day, which encourages the public to decorate, dress and plant purple, is designed to inspire others to support Relay for Life events throughout the country.
Purple power will fill the air during the Relay Rally, which takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. in the community room at the Mission Viejo Library, 100 Civic Center. Purple smoothies will be available as a fundraiser for the Mission Viejo Relay for Life. The public is encouraged to come decked out in purple to support the cause.
The May 1 celebration comes as organizers gear up for the June 6-7 Relay for Life event at Saddleback College.
Relay for Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs. During the event, teams will take turns walking or running laps. At nightfall, hundreds of luminaries will be lit in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost their battle to the disease.
For more information about Friday’s Relay Rally or the June Relay for Life, call 949-567-0625 or visit www.relayforlife.org/missionviejoca.
The City of Mission Viejo will take the lead in proposing a new regional food waste diversion program, under a proposal the City Council will consider Monday.
Under the plan, Mission Viejo – partnering with Laguna Beach, Irvine and waste hauler Waste Management – will seek $400,000 in grant funding from the County of Orange, OC Waste & Recycling Department. The grant doesn’t require matching funds and is based on AB 939 Self-Haul Surcharge funds, which are designed to help with waste reduction and landfill diversion programs.
The regional proposal would divert food waste from landfill disposal. Food waste is a large part of the waste stream that’s not currently being diverted.
The county, which is seeking regional proposals, encouraged cities to submit joint proposals. The proposal also includes the unincorporated areas of Las Flores and Ladera Ranch. The county is expected to notify cities about the grant funding by May 14.
The proposed food waste diversion program would be another notch on Mission Viejo’s environmental belt. The City has long been a leader on the environmental front by implementing and expanding recycling and waste diversion programs in an effort to preserve and protect the environment and exceed the state’s mandated 50 percent diversion rate. Throughout the years, a construction and demolition waste recycling ordinance and waste-to-energy program were implemented and school, multi-family and business recycling was expanded, resulting in the City diverting 59 percent of its waste in 2006 up by 17 percent from 2003.
Council members on Monday, May 4 will consider giving the City the green light to apply for the grant and act as the lead agency.
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
Mission Viejo is expected to receive more than $2 million in Prop 42 funding over the next two years for transportation projects.
The City is expected to receive roughly $932,000 in 2009 and about $1 million next year in Prop 42 funds directly from the state along with an additional $230,000 through the County of Orange City Aid Program (CAP).
Prop 42, the Transportation Congestion Improvement Act, dedicates roughly 5 percent of state sales tax on gasoline to transportation projects. The City receives funding, which is allocated on a population-based formula, from the state each year. Every two years, the county through its CAP also distributes a portion of its state Prop 42 funding to cities for roadway-maintenance programs.
The City typically uses Prop 42 funds for its annual residential resurfacing program.
The City Council on Monday will consider entering an agreement with the county in order to receive CAP funding.
The council meets at 6 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
The 2010 Census operation is underway with address canvassers hitting identified streets and roads throughout the country.
On Monday, the City Council will receive an update about Census activities and the City’s support of and participation in the Census process, which will put to work roughly 140,000 people across the country.
The address canvassers will identify every living quarter where people live or could possibly live and verify more than 145 million addresses. The 2010 Census marks the first time census workers will confirm, add and delete addresses using a Global Positioning System (GPS)-equipped hand-held computer. Each building and structure will receive GPS coordinates, and workers will update maps with new roads in an effort to ensure that everyone is counted in the 2010 Census.
The Census, which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, is a nationwide count every 10 years. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, make decisions about what community services to provide and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
For more information about the 2010 Census, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/. Be sure to sign up for the City’s eNewsletter and visit its Mission Viejo Life Blog at http://cityofmissionviejo.org to stay apprised of Census news and information.
View creative Chalk Walk art May 4
The public is invited on May 4 to view the creative chalk art creations from the May 2-3 Street Painting festival with docents from the Senior Citizen Activities Committee.
From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., docents will describe the details of the colorful and imaginative works created by street painters from around the globe.
The viewing takes place at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
For more information, call 949-470-3062.
‘Keep Your Driver’s License’ workshop May 7
Residents at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 are invited to learn driving tips and other useful information to keep driving safely during a presentation designed to help seniors take charge.
DMV Ombudsman Richard Kohr will also discuss options people have for getting around when they can’t drive.
The informative presentation takes place at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
For more information, call 949-470-3062.
Take an ‘Emeritus Art Walk’ May 8
Awe-inspiring art work displays transcend age and time … The public is invited on May 8 to view impressive work of Emeritus artists who developed talent through classes at the City’s Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.
The creative works will be on display from noon to 8 p.m. at 24932 Veterans Way, with many pieces available for sale. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy the “Meet the Artist” reception from 7 to 8 p.m. before the South Coast Symphony Chamber concert begins at 8 p.m.
For more information, call 949-470-3062.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a State of Emergency that will support and facilitate the state health departments’ response to the swine flu outbreak.
While state officials say there’s no need for alarm, the governor’s move is meant to limit the swine flu’s spread as quickly as possible and strengthen California’s response capabilities.
The proclamation cuts government red tape and essentially orders all state agencies and departments to utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities as necessary to assist the State Department of Public Health and the Emergency Medical Services Authority in immediately performing any and all activities designed to prevent or alleviate illness and death due to the emergency.
For detailed information about affected areas and the swine flu, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001.
The City is gearing up for 2009 Building Safety Week May 3-9 with its Green Building Expo on May 5 and educational booths set up at City Hall and Home Depot during the week. The City’s goal is to expand awareness of the importance of a safe and sustainable built environment and critical role of building and fire codes.
The City’s Green Building Expo, which will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. May 5 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, is designed to help the public save natural resources and protect the environment.
The free expo will include a host of exhibitors displaying their products and services that incorporate green building principles along with Chandra Krout, an environmental leader and lecturer, who will share her expertise and knowledge of green building techniques. The exhibits will feature information about energy; building/remodeling; lawn and tree care; water conservation; pollution prevention; and much more.
Residents can learn how to save energy and receive rebates, while contractors will have the opportunity to network with green building resources to educate their customers about the City’s Green Building Program.
The City’s Building and Safety Division will offer useful information and free snacks to the public from May 4-8 in the lobby at Civic Center. On May 7, staff members will host an informational booth at Home Depot located at 27952 Hillcrest.
In observance of Building Safety Week, residents are encouraged to consider projects to improve building safety and sustainability at home and in the community and to acknowledge the essential service provided by local and state building departments and federal agencies in protecting lives and property.
For more information about the Green Building Expo, contact Cathy Tuper at 949-470-3054 or ctuper@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Roughly $3,600 was raised to benefit local animals Sunday during the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center’s “Enchanted Gardens” self-guided tour in town.
The garden tour, which benefited the animal shelter at 28095 Hillcrest, attracted more than 180 participants who toured five pristine private gardens that serve as living museums, outdoor classrooms and tranquil settings. The tour featured a special butterfly garden boasting attractive birdbaths, a gazebo and accessible paths, and participants enjoyed the beauty of the Mission Viejo Civic Center Rose Garden.
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center services Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel residents.
For more information about the center, call 949-470-3045 or visit the City’s Web site at http://cityofmissionviejo.org or http://cmvas.org.
The Mission Viejo Relay for Life 2009 Committee is inviting cancer survivors and a guest to attend its 2nd annual Cancer Survivors Dinner May 7. The dinner will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming June 6-7 Relay For Life event at Saddleback College.
The dinner, which starts at 6 p.m., is at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veteran’s Way. Mission Viejo-based El Pollo Loco will cater the event that is designed to prompt awareness, participation and educate individuals about ways to help fight the disease. Singer/guitarist Alan Levin will entertain guests.
The Mission Viejo event – having raised more than $1.5 million – is one of the oldest and most successful Relays in Orange County.
Relay for Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs. During the event, teams participate at schools, fairgrounds or parks and take turns walking or running laps. At nightfall, participants light hundreds of luminaries in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost their battle to the disease. Relay For Life offers something for everyone – from the newly diagnosed and caregivers to friends and long-term cancer survivors.
Team captains are sought to recruit groups, families, friends, neighbors or co-workers to raise money and attend the 24-hour event. Cancer survivors are sought to participate in the “Survivor’s Lap.” All cancer survivors will be honored with a special T-shirt, medal and recognition.
To RSVP for the May 7 event or for more information about registering a team, contact Erin Plumb at 949-707-1881 or ekplumb@cox.net.
County officials said this morning that there are no reported cases of the swine flu in Orange County, but they continue to monitor the situation and watch for signs of the flu strain.
The Orange County Health Care Agency is following the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which offers detailed information about affected areas and the swine flu at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001.
