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).

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.

The 3rd annual Mission Viejo’s Got Talent Semi-Finals competition kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 18 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There is a $2 entry fee, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. 

Sam Konugres, a professional magician and member of the Academy of Magical Arts, will emcee the fun-filled event that’s also dubbed “Performance with a Purpose.” Refreshments will be available for purchase and raffle tickets will be sold. Coffee will be provided by It’s a Grind.

Youth members of the City’s Community of Character Committee launched the talent competition in April seeking local talent of all ages interested in auditioning for a chance to perform at this year’s Relay For Life at Saddleback College. The American Cancer Society event raises awareness and funding for cancer research.

Finalists will perform on June 2 at Relay and winners will be announced during the event’s closing ceremony on June 3. For more information, call 949-470-3094.

Considered one of the best movies ever made about the American Civil War, the film relates the true story of the War’s first black combat unit.  The moral courage of the 54th Regiment and of its leader, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, is powerfully displayed by a superb cast.  The film won three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor by Denzel Washington.

Character educators Elaine Portnoy and Bob Hayes will lead a brief discussion following the film which will be shown on a theater-size screen with theater-style seating and surround-sound at 200 Civic Center, just across from the Mission Viejo Library.

For more information about this free event, call 949-470-3094.

Along with smooth jazz keyboard artist Frank Camara, on Friday, the following vendors will be on hand selling arts, crafts and books:

Pam Wagoner of GreenLife Gallery, which is a collaboration of artists deeply rooted in sustainability. The gallery selectively promotes the creators of functional and fine art that’s environmentally and socially responsible. Their featured works of eco-art are handmade in the USA using recycled, salvaged, reclaimed, organic and otherwise renewable resources.

Author Dr. Donna Bevans has published several short stories and poems, “Whatever It Takes,” a suspense/mystery, and “So You Want To Write a Book,” an instructional manual for the beginning writer. She has also published three children’s books, “Don’t do that, Harry! The Balloon Story,”; “Don’t do that, Harry! The Puppy Story”; and “Sally & Sadie.”

A painter, muralist, and ceramics specialist, Gabriela Peredo is a fine arts instructor who owned an art studio and shop specializing in oils, watercolors and throw-wheel ceramics. She currently works as a muralist and chalk sign artist for Trader Joes and as a freelance designer specializing in floor murals, antique furniture and such.

Keith Bassett of “Bassett Handcrafts” followed in his father’s footsteps and learned how to use a lathe and wood turn while growing up and has been wood turning ever since. Specializing in both wood and acrylic mediums, Keith designs one-of-a-kind pens and other wood products of the utmost quality and uniqueness.

Ben DeSoto is a cartoonist, author, Illustrator and painter who won a scholarship to Chouinards Art Institute in Los Angeles while in high school in 1957. The scholarship was sponsored by Walt Disney Studios and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Ben continued his education at schools such as Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut and the Famous Artist School in Westport, Connecticut. He is a member of the National Cartoonist Society.

Author Paula Rose Michelson is the founder of LAMB Ministries, which helps women recover from trauma and abuse through the effective use of scripture and prayer. She leads a monthly writers group at the Congregation Ben David in Orange and serves with her husband, Ron, with Chosen People Ministries. Her new novel is called “Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing.”

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

The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Viejo Civic Center parking lot, 200 Civic Center.

Folks will have the chance to buy T-shirts, caps, military coins, dog tags and license plate frames. They can also enjoy a pancake/bacon breakfast or hotdog served up by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee while their cars are washed by the City’s adopted Marines and Sailors.  All proceeds will support members of the Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Marine Division.

For more information, call 949-470-3061 or visit www.cityofmissionviejo.org.

New commercial construction

The new service station complete with an AM PM mini-mart that was built after the ARCO AM PM gas station was demolished at 27682 Crown Valley Parkway is now open.  The newly constructed service station, which now offers eight fueling pumps, opened May 9 across the street from Kaleidoscope near the I-5 freeway.

Construction to rebuild the former Carl’s Jr. building at 27092 La Paz Road that was demolished earlier this year is underway.  The project includes a new and redesigned interior with additional exterior architectural features and landscaping improvements.  The new Carl’s Jr. restaurant with a drive-thru is scheduled to re-open this fall.

Construction of a new Chase Bank is progressing quickly at 25112 La Paz Road.  The new 4,200-square-foot bank is planning to open mid-summer.

Play N Trade is coming soon to the La Paz Shopping Center (La Paz Road at Marguerite Parkway).  Play N Trade will sell new and gently used electronic games and movies at 25106 Marguerite Parkway. The store will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

RV Storage Depot recently signed a lease for the property at 25725 Jeronimo Road (near Obrero).  RV Storage offers on-site and indoor storage of motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, boats, commercial vehicles, limousines, high-performance vehicles and classic cars.

Projects get approval from Planning & Transportation Commission

The Planning and Transportation Commission on Monday gave the green light to a fine arts academy and preschool and kindergarten program in town.

Maureen Umaña Boatman of Umaña Academy of Fine Arts plans to build an academic and arts facility in an existing 5,040-square-foot space at 27525 Puerta Real in the Puerta Real Center.  The facility will cater to children ages 3-13 and will offer Tiny Tot, Kindergarten, Homeschool, and Fine Art programs.

The commission also granted a Conditional Use Permit to Lisa Oliver of Lakeside Academy for an academic and developmental preschool and kindergarten program at 27772 Vista Del Lago in the Plaza Del Lago Shopping Center.  The proposed facility caters to children ages 2-6 and includes a 6,700-square-foot interior space with a 12,000-square-foot playground.  The facility will focus on child development, including education and physical and social development.

In addition, the Planning and Transportation Commission approved a new 30-foot high freeway identification sign for The Shops at Mission Viejo.  The sign will be located on mall property next to the I-5 Freeway.

Chamber of Commerce news, information

In just six months, the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce has grown to more than 150 members.  The next mixer is set for Thursday, May 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Kaleidoscope retail center, 27741 Crown Valley Parkway.  The event includes refreshments and behind-the-scenes access to see the digital projection facility at the Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 Theatre.  The mixer is free for chamber members and $10 general admission.

Information: www.missionviejochamber.org.

The chamber recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SlimGenics in the Portola Plaza at  27754 Santa Margarita Parkway. SlimGenics offers comprehensive weight-loss services, support and a wide array of nutritious, healthy and tasty snacks.  Information: www.slimgenics.com/ca-slimgenics or call 454-2300.

City to host Small Business Workshops

Mission Viejo partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE, the Employment Development Department, the Internal Revenue Service, the OC Small Business Development Center, and the State Board of Equalization to offer and host small business workshops at Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center.  SCORE is now accepting reservations for the “Computer Maintenance for Small Business:  Keeping Your Computer Fast & Healthy” on Tuesday, May 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Saddleback Room at City Hall. The cost is $30 with online pre-registration at www.score114.org or $40 at the door. On Wednesday, May 23, the Internal Revenue Service/State Board of Equalization will offer a free “Small Business Resources” workshop from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  Visit  www.irs.gov/businesses/small/topic/index.html or call 389-4902 for more information.

The event is Orange County’s only Olympic distance triathlon. The race kicks off at 7 a.m. and ends by 10:30 a.m. The race consists of a 1-mile swim in Lake Mission Viejo and a 25-mile bike ride beginning on Marguerite Parkway, north to El Toro Road and out through Santiago Canyon. The race ends with a 10K run that starts on the Aliso Creek Bike Trail and follows various trail systems leading back to the lake.

The triathlon, which challenges participants’ endurance, includes a mini “Aquathlon” and an open-water swim.

To find out more about the OC International Triathlon or to register, visit www.octriseries.com and click on OC Triathlon. Information is also available by calling 949-701-5590. Detailed information about road closures is available at http://www.octriseries.com/octriathlon/octriroadclosures.html.

The “Taste of the Bash” will showcase more than 25 top restaurants throughout Orange County like California Pizza Kitchen and Delizie; celebrate OC’s best chefs; and demonstrate why the KSBR Birthday Bash is the crown jewel of jazz concerts.

Saddleback College radio station KSBR (88.5 FM) is partnering with the City of Mission Viejo to host the 2012 Birthday Bash celebration on Sunday, May 27 on the Village Green at Oso Viejo Community Park, 24932 Veterans Way.

The festival, a signature fundraising event for KSBR-FM, is a 4-hour concert featuring talented contemporary jazz artists in a freewheeling jam session. This year’s bash will feature jazz greats Hiroshima; Greg Adams (Tower of Power founder); Paul Brown; Jackiem Joyner; Tony Guerrero and others.

Doors open at 3 p.m., and the Taste of the Bash runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The concert begins promptly at 5 p.m. Tickets for the Bash, which includes the Taste of the Bash, are $45 in advance and $50 at the door.  To purchase tickets and for more information, visit wwwksbr.net or call 949-582-4714. Tickets are also available at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, during normal business hours.

“I got on the airplane on Sept. 17 1969 at Travis Air Force Base a boy … a year later, I got off that plane a man,” Forster said.

Forster, who served as a tanker in A Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor more than 40 years ago, shares his harrowing war experiences in the film “Dreadnaughts at War, Their Stories …” He is one of three other Vietnam veterans who vividly recount their stories in the documentary by Paul Higgins.

A special screening of the film will take place at 7 p.m. on May 31 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. An onstage question-and-answer session with Higgins and Forster will follow.

The film is a candid and unscripted interview and features incredible Super 8 MM film footage of the war shot by Forster. “Dreadnaughts at War, Their Stories …” is an enlightening conversation with war heroes and men that received military honors, had a job to do, and did it well.

“These stories are stories that need to be told as we (Americans) need to constantly remember why we enjoy the freedom that we do,” said Higgins. “I am honored to be able to talk to our veterans and have them openly express their experiences of war in a fashion that all of us can learn from and appreciate their sacrifices made for us all.”

For folks who are unable to attend the May 31 screening, the film will air on MVTV Channel 30 for two weeks beginning on June 1. Click here to see the video preview. Stay tuned to the MVTV Programming Guide for more information. The free presentation is sponsored by MVTV.