Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available and are filing up fast for the 2nd annual Headquarters Battalion benefit golf tournament “Tee It Up Fore Marines” on March 23.
The event, which is sponsored by the Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee, City and Mission Viejo Community Foundation, will benefit the Marines and Sailors and families of the City’s adopted Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Marine Division.

The tournament includes 18 rounds of golf with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. at the pristine Marine Memorial Golf Course in Camp Pendleton. 

Community members, businesses and organizations are invited to support Mission Viejo’s adopted troops by participating in or sponsoring the event. Sponsorships range from $200 to $5,000 but donations in any amount are welcome and appreciated. Items that will be auctioned or raffled off are also sought. The fee for an individual golfer is $200. A foursome, which includes a Marine, is $800. The deadline for sponsorship opportunities is March 9.

Along with the honor of golfing with Mission Viejo’s Marines, the fun-filled worthy event will include lunch, a barbecue dinner, an awards ceremony and much more.

To support the event, make checks payable to the Mission Viejo Community Foundation and mail them to the Marine Golf Tournament c/o Mission Viejo Community Foundation, 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.

For more information, visit www.teeitupforemarines.com or call 949-470-3061.

The Mission Viejo Activities Committee is seeking sponsors for the second annual “Up in the Air” event on March 3 at Oso Viejo Community Park.

This fun-filled event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrates everything that goes up in the air including bubbles, kites, and planes. 

Exhibitor space is $50 and includes a raffle item.  For more information about this event and how to get involved, visit www.mvactivities.com or call 949-830-7066.

Registration is now available for people with a passion for tennis and a penchant for giving back to take part in the City’s fourth annual “Rally For Life Tennis Tournament” Feb. 26 to help raise money to fight cancer. The event is designed to kick-start fund-raising activities for the American Cancer Society’s June Relay For Life event at Saddleback College.

From the novice to the experienced tennis player, participants will enjoy a great Round-Robin style tournament that will include a catered lunch, silent auction and games. More than $1,000 in prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. All players will receive a gift.

The Rally For Life Tennis Tournament starts at 10 a.m. at the Marguerite Tennis Center, 23840 Marguerite Parkway.

Cost is $25 per person and $50 for doubles. Registration forms are available now at Montanoso and Sierra Recreations Centers and Marguerite and Felipe Tennis Centers.

For more information, call 949-859-4FIT (4348). Information about Relay For Life Mission Viejo is available at www.mvrelay.org.

Groups, businesses, organizations and individuals interested in forming teams for the 2012 Mission Viejo Relay For Life are invited to the January 19 Kick-Off Team meeting at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

The meeting, which takes place at 6 p.m., includes door prizes and is designed to prompt awareness, participation and educate individuals about ways to help fight the disease.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs. The event offers something for everyone – from the newly diagnosed and caregivers to friends and long-term cancer survivors. The goal is to fight cancer together so people can enjoy more birthdays.

Team captains are sought to recruit groups, families, friends, neighbors or co-workers to raise money and attend the 24-hour event that will be held June 2-3 at Saddleback College.

Information about Relay is available at mvrelay.org.

Through December 31, you can purchase General Admission tickets at a special price of just $40 for the KSBR Birthday Bash in May. The regular pre-sale price for these tickets is $45 – and they’ll be $50 on the day of the show. You can order up to 10 tickets at this special price, so don’t delay.

The 2012 KSBR Birthday Bash will be held Sunday, May 27 on the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park and will also include the inaugural “Taste of the Bash.” The Taste of the Bash will showcase some of Orange County’s favorite restaurants, celebrate OC’s best chefs, and show the world why the KSBR Birthday Bash is the crown jewel of jazz concerts.

The “Taste of the Bash” is included with your General Admission ticket.  While you will still be able to bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages (beer and wine will also be for sale), this will be a chance to enjoy delectable samples of what our local eateries have to offer.  This will also be a way for you to introduce your “foodie friends” to this one-of-a-kind jazz event.

To avoid confusion, this will be our only Early Bird sale for the 2012 Bash. To take advantage of it, you must purchase your tickets online at www.KSBR.org by December 31.

A charity benefit for the nationally renowned Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team in January will feature a former Angels pitcher, food, music and much more.

The event, hosted by residents Victor and Eileen Gonzalez and the City, will benefit the softball team made up of veterans who lost a limb serving our nation in the military, Iraq and Afghanistan wars and are now showing they can compete with anyone. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team was founded by David Van Sleet, an Army veteran and 30-year Department of Veterans Affairs employee who now works in prosthetics for the VA.

“What I noticed was that coming back from this new generation of veterans from the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, there was quite a few who looked athletic,” Van Sleet said. “There was one thing they were concerned about. Their point of view was, ‘God, I want to know if I’ll ever play a team sport at a high level again.’ ”

The team will compete against the Orange County Veterans & First Responders Softball team, which includes US military veterans and members of OC Fire & Rescue, the Sheriff’s Department and CHP.

The fun-filled event will feature a barbecue picnic, music, silent auction, patriotic speeches and softball at Alicia Park to raise awareness of what some veterans have faced and are overcoming with hard work and spirit. Former Angels pitcher Justin Speier will be on hand for the fun along with other special guests.

The event kicks off at noon with the barbecue, live music and silent auction. The softball game follows at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults; $5 for children 15 and under. Entry includes a barbecue meal ticket. Tickets will be available at the gate. Alicia Park is located at 23650 Via Linda.

For more information about the team, visit www.woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org.  Information about the event is available by contacting Victor Gonzalez at 949-212-3942 or eilvic@cox.net  or Stephanie Raes at 949-470-8493 or sraes@cityofmissionviejo.org.

La Paz Intermediate School will host an International Holiday Festival from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 9 at 25151 Pradera Drive.

The fun-filled family festival will include live international music and dance groups, ethnic food, a holiday boutique, and an opportunity drawing to benefit the school. Families will host booths sharing cultural information on more than 15 countries. Folks will enjoy tasty fare from Villa Roma; Taste of Greece; Bahar; Kogi; LuLu’s; and Repicci’s Italian Ice.

Mayor Dave Leckness will welcome guests at 5 p.m. to the event that will feature a host of entertainment scheduled as follows:

4:30 p.m.: La Paz Jazz Band
5:00: Opening Greetings: Principal Jean Carroll
5:10: La Paz Jazz Band
5:25: Pacific School of Ballet: Sugar Plum Fairy
6:05: La Paz Drama Class performs short drama: Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters (African Tale)
6:25: Greek: Syrtaki Folk Dance
6:45: Capistrano Community Mariachi Program
7:00  John Sakuda Speaking about  the Justine Ketukei nonprofit organization
7:10: Japanese Tea Ceremony by Takako Scott
7:35: Persian and Salsa dancers from Prodance Center
7:55: Scandia Dancers of Southern California
8:25: Flamenco: Susana Elena
8:50: Japanese Taiko Drum by Jodaiko UC Irvine
9:00: Closing: Principal Carroll

Admission is $1 at the door; children 5 years and under are free.  For more information, call 830-1720.
 

Santa Claus left his sleigh up north and arrived atop a bright red fire truck Sunday delighting the thousands of people who gathered at the Mission Viejo Civic Center.

Folks of all ages enjoyed the holiday merriment on an unseasonably warm afternoon and evening. Before St. Nick’s grand appearance, the Capistrano Valley High School Choir, NorthStar Carolers and Saddleback Master Chorale entertained the masses. They were joined by talented young dancers – decked out in festive, glittery holiday garb – from Suzanne’s Dance Factory.

Once Santa arrived, the switch was flipped and the holiday lights lit up the Mission Viejo sky, signifying a start to the holiday season. The annual event is sponsored by the nonprofit Mission Viejo Activities Committee.

Santa will be in his workshop at 200 Civic Center each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from November 30 through December 21.

For more information, visit www.mvactivities.com. 

The Southern California Army Advisory Council will host a benefit on Saturday, December 3 to raise funds for the Soldier Support Fund.

The benefit will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Oso Viejo Community Park next to the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

The event will feature food from Two Guys Grilling and other regional vendors; music by Martin Gerschwitz (Iron Butterfly); games for kids and adults including a photo booth with Army gear; and silent and live auctions.

The silent auction will include “Rent a Cadet,” featuring ROTC cadets from California State University Fullerton offering up their services such as fence painting, car detailing, tutoring, house sitting, yard and home maintenance and other services.

All donations are tax deductible for the charity event and funds will be used to help soldiers and their families in the footprint of the Southern California Army Advisory Council based in Orange County. The council supports the US Army Recruiting Battalion in Orange, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Auction items can be donated to the event by calling 714-879-8924.

Our country was founded on the principle of freedom, justice and liberty for all. Our nation’s soldiers serve every day to protect this land and its ideals. On Friday, the City of Mission Viejo paid homage to local veterans for their service and sacrifice in a special Veterans Day ceremony at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Hundreds of people took part in the poignant afternoon observance that venerated these great men and women with words of appreciation. Some have served during times of war and been on the battlefield. Others have served during times of peace. One thing all veterans have in common is they all have a heart of service.

Mayor Dave Leckness began the ceremony by welcoming veterans and residents and reflecting on the day’s meaning.

In perfectly-pressed uniforms and boots polished to a mirror shine, members of the Headquarters Battalion First Marine Division posted the colors before Colonel Rudy Janiczek, commanding officer of the battalion, spoke about the contributions of all veterans and those who continue to serve our country today.

During the ceremony, one of Mission Viejo’s fallen heroes – Corporal Jared C. Verbeek – was honored for paying the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The 22-year-old was killed in action against enemy forces in Sangin, Afghanistan on June 21. He was a military policeman deployed with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. His service awards include the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Jared’s wife, Vanessa, and their young son, Jacob, along with his father, mother, sisters and his extended family attended today’s ceremony as Mission Viejo honored their beloved husband, son, father, brother and friend.

Benny and the Brass along with the Southern California Children’s Advanced Chorus performed patriotic songs; the Veterans of Foreign War Post 6204 gave the rifle salute; and Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Michael Crouch performed taps.

The ceremony reflected on the importance of honoring those who risk life and limb – military personnel and police and fire – daily to make our country a better place. The program was summed up in the following quote by John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”