If you are interested in a new 30-minute yoga class that will leave you rejuvenated in less time than traditional yoga programs, then sign up today for the May 29 Quick Flow Yoga class.

Even 20-30 minutes of yoga can have a profound impact on relieving stress and increasing flexibility. This quick 30-minute sequence will leave you rejuvenated and ready to seize your evening after a busy day. The class is from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Cost is $7 per student.

In addition to revitalizing with Quick Flow Yoga, you can burn calories while learning to connect your mind, body and spirit with the “Yoga with Vidya” program.

Expert instructor Vidya leads the Relaxing Flow Yoga class from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and the Energizing Flow Yoga class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from June 5 through August 7.

Over the past several years, yoga has experienced an upsurge in popularity in the western world among medical professionals and celebrities alike. While many associate yoga with new age mysticism or the latest fad at the gym, yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. According to reports, the practice of yoga has many health benefits associated with it, and close to 11 million Americans are using yoga to develop their flexibility, strength, and balance.

Students will learn basic and intermediate poses connected through a flow sequence to build strength and increase fitness. The classes cater to all levels and are especially great for people new to yoga. Bring a yoga mat and blanket to the classes, which cater to people age 16 and over. Each class is $14 or students can buy punch cards – 5 classes for $60 or 10 classes for $100.

Registration for any of the yoga courses is available online at https://econnect.cityofmissionviejo.org. Information about the classes is also available by calling 949-470-3062.

If you love Rainier cherries or white peaches now is the time to visit the Mission Viejo Farmers Market, says Shaun Rosendahl of Farmer Shaun Company, which supplies fresh fruit to the market each week.

The Rainier cherry has a short season – May to July – so be sure to pick up the fruit quick. The white peaches seem to be extra heavenly this year.  Their light and sweet subtle flavor is like no other stone fruit. The cherries and peaches make great snacks, sauces – and even sangria that pairs well with barbecue, spicy foods and uncomplicated preparations.

Along with fresh fruit and produce, the market boasts weekly lunch options like decadent lobster rolls or tasty tamales to savor while perusing the rows of friendly vendors. This Friday, also be sure to view the American Heroes Tribute banner display at the Civic Center. The tribute pays homage to 60 fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The banners will be on display through May 30.

The Mission Viejo Farmers Market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday in the Civic Center courtyard at 200 Civic Center. For more information, visit cityofmissionviejo.org/farmersmarket/.

If you shop at Pet Supply Warehouse in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 13, the store will donate a portion of its proceeds to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center and Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG).

Simply mention this fundraiser anytime between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and 30 percent of your total bill will be donated to the animal shelter on Hillcrest and DAWG, which provides medical care for the animals at the center.

Pet Supply Warehouse is located at 23854 Via Fabricante, Ste. E1. For more information, call the store at 949-951-1284. For more information about the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, visit www.cmvas.org or call 949-470-3045.

With the summer season on its way, the City is making it easy for residents to get in shape, have fun and embrace May as “National Physical Fitness” month by offering a non-refundable 3-month pass to its Recreation, Fitness and Tennis Centers beginning Friday.

Community members can opt for the 3-month Recreation Center summer pass, which is valid for the Montanoso and Sierra Recreation and Fitness Centers, and the 3-month Tennis Center summer pass that will give them access to the Marguerite and Felipe Tennis Centers.

The summer pass comes sans an initiation fee and automatically expires three months from the date the person signs up. Simply show proof of residency by way of a current utility bill, property tax bill, or Lake Mission Viejo Association bill.

Residents can also take advantage of a combined 3-month summer pass valid at all four facilities. Extending the membership beyond three months will include a $50 initiation fee.

The passes range from $75 and $135 for a single 3-month pass to the Recreation and Tennis centers, respectively, to $150 and $210 for family passes to the facilities. People over 55 years old receive a 10 percent discount.

The summer passes are only available for purchase through June 30.

For more information including pass fees and facility locations, call 949-859-4348 or visit the City’s website at www.cityofmissionviejo.org.

The City of Mission Viejo will host two public workshops on Thursday, June 7 regarding its Housing Element Update for the 2014-2021 planning period.

In an effort to accommodate schedules, the workshops will take place at 10 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center.

The Housing Element is one of seven mandated elements of a city’s General Plan.  State law requires that cities update their General Plan Housing Element for the 2014-2021 planning period.  The Housing Element Update will set forth the City’s strategy to preserve and enhance the community’s character, expand housing opportunities for the City’s various economic segments, and provide policy guidance for local decision-making related to housing.  The Housing Workshops provide an opportunity for the community and housing stakeholders to learn more about the Housing Element Update process and to provide public input that will be included in the Housing Element.

For more information, contact the Community Development Department at 949-470-3053.

Tickets are available for a special Lord of the Strings performance Saturday that will feature a world-renowned guitarist and legendary drummer.

Lord of the Strings presents Peppino D’Agostino and Jeff Campitelli is at 7 p.m. May 26 in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.

Peppino D’Agostino has been hailed as “a guitarist’s guitarist” by Acoustic Guitar magazine as well as “a giant of the acoustic guitar” (San Diego Reader), and holds many top guitar awards, but the San Francisco Chronicle encapsulated the essential difference that distinguishes D’Agostino’s music when it dubbed him “a poet.”

Jeff Campitelli is the drummer for Joe Satriani’s band and has credits on all of his albums, including the legendary Surfing with the Alien, Super Colossal and Satriani’s latest release, “Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock.” He is also the drummer that powers the G3 Tour – keeping time for Joe and fellow guitar gods Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Sheppard and others.

Tickets are $25 and are available online at econnect.cityofmissionviejo.org by referencing course #2702 or by calling 949-842-2227.

A teenage mentoring program that teaches kids about avoiding bullying and other social trends will take place Wednesday, May 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

High school students from the Mission Viejo Community of Character Committee created and presented the first successful “Teen Survival Guide” event in March. They designed the 3-hour program to equip participants with knowledge and tools for surviving high school and also overcoming life’s challenges. The program is led by teen committee members armed with 30 hours of life-skills training.  

Wednesday’s program will feature professional fighter Manny “BamBam” Lara who has a passion for working with youth fighting against bullying and promoting tolerance. Lara was 12 years old when he moved from East Los Angeles to Orange County and went through an adjustment period to fit in.

The event includes ice-breakers, speakers, videos and panels combined with small-group discussions of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, substance abuse, bullying, and tolerance of human differences.  Free pizza and goodies will be served during the program.

“The program is unique and effective because it was developed by older teens for younger teens addressing issues they recognize as important to them,” said Tammy Descoteaux, Crime Prevention Specialist and Committee Youth Advisor.  “They are best able to communicate these important messages with their young peers.”

To see the TV coverage of this program, visit cityofmissionviejo.org and click on Teen Survival Guide. For more information, contact Tammy Descoteaux at tdescoteaux@cityofmissionviejo.org.

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center has several adorable animals – like Poptart – ready for adoption.

Rescued from the Downey Animal Shelter, little Poptart is as sweet as they come.  When she first showed up at Downey, she was matted and dirty, probably wandering the streets of LA for a long time.  Luckily for her, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center cleaned Poptart up and gave her a second chance. 

Slightly shy at first, Poptart warms up nicely as soon as she realizes that she is safe. She is a 3-year-old, spayed terrier/spaniel mix who would fit nicely into a quiet, loving home.  She likes other calm dogs and would probably do well with cats and older children.  Poptart is truly a diamond in the rough who deserves to know the stability of a forever home.  Come and meet this little cutie and see if your home could be hers, too!

You can see this wonderful dog and the other adorable animals ready for adoption at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center at 28095 Hillcrest or online at www.cmvas.org. For more information, call 949-470-3045.

The Montanoso Recreation Center will host a fun-filled Pickleball Demo Day on Sunday, May 20, offering the public the chance to participate in one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports.

The fun takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 25800 Montanoso Drive.

Pickleball is a fun game that is similar to tennis but uses a much smaller court. It is played with a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a whiffle ball) and wood or composite paddles. It is easy for beginners to learn but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. The game is great for all ages and provides a fabulous cardio workout to boot.

All paddles and balls will be provided. Participants should wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing.

For more information, call 859-4FIT (4348).

Mission Viejo deputies arrested suspects involved in a theft and home-invasion robbery this week.

On Monday, deputies were called to The Shops at Mission Viejo to help college police and mall security find a possible suspect in a theft reported earlier in the day.  A victim had reported activity on his stolen credit card that was being used by the suspect at the mall.

The suspect was found in one of the stores and was arrested for commercial burglary and possession of stolen property without incident.  Investigators later found other stolen items in the suspect’s vehicle.

Police also arrested a suspect in a home-invasion robbery Tuesday.  Deputies went to the Promenade Apartments at 9 a.m. in response to a report of a home-invasion robbery that happened at 1 a.m. The victims were tied up, pistol whipped and robbed of money, cell phones and tennis shoes.  The known suspect threatened their lives if they reported the incident, so they delayed in calling police.

Sheriff’s Investigators and CSI personnel collected information and evidence from the scene. The suspect, who is considered the “main suspect,” was arrested at 6 p.m. in Mission Viejo while attempting to flee the area with his mother.  Investigators are pursuing leads regarding the two remaining suspects.