One of my favorite contemporary authors by far is John Green. He has inspired me to become an author myself.  He primarily writes young adult fiction.

He is also well known on YouTube for his channels “Vlogbrothers” and “CrashCourse,” both of which are shared with his brother Hank Green. His works include but are not limited to “The Fault In Our Stars” (which is set to become a major motion picture); “Looking For Alaska”; and “Paper Towns.”

“The Fault In Our Stars” is John Green’s most recent novel. It was published in 2012 and was ranked #1 on The New York Times bestsellers list. The title is an allusion to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. It is centered on the romance of two cancer-afflicted teenagers, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters.

“Looking For Alaska” is John Green’s first novel. It was published in 2005 and won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature in 2006. It is a novel of firsts. It documents Miles “Pudge” Halter’s junior year of high school. Miles is obsessed with famous last words. He transferred to a boarding school in Alabama from Florida upon Francois Rabelais’ last words: “I go to seek a great perhaps.” The greatest “perhaps” is, in my opinion, Alaska Young. She is an emotionally unstable girl with whom Pudge thinks he is in love. He never fully comprehends who she is until it is too late. She asks Pudge how will you ever get out of the labyrinth of suffering, which were the last words of Simon Bolivar. At the end of the novel, Pudge concludes that the only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.

“Paper Towns” is John Green’s third novel, published in 2008. It won the 2009 Edgar Award for the best Young Adult novel. It tells the story of Quentin “Q” Jacobsen, a high school senior in Florida. Q has been in love with his neighbor Margo Roth Speigelman since they were kids. They have since grown apart, but it is not until one night Margo asks for his help that they reunite for an adventure of a lifetime. Q unknowingly helps Margo bid farewell to her life in Florida. The very next day Margo runs away from her “paper town.” Q follows the clues she didn’t intend to leave in order to find her. Q comes to understand Margo through her clues but it is not until he finds her that he truly understands that she is not a mystery after all. There are many parallels between “Looking For Alaska” and “Paper Towns.” Alaska very well could have been the mold for Margo.

John Green is one my favorite authors not because of the stories he tells but rather because of the messages he conveys. His simple yet profound statements have continued to capture my curiosity and admiration. As they say in John Green’s hometown, don’t forget to be awesome!

-Sarah B., 11th grade

Designed to save lives and protect property, OCFA’s smoke alarm program teaches residents how to inspect and install smoke alarms in their homes.  On Saturday, May 18, OCFA will visit 70 homes in the Casta Del Sol community that registered for the program.  Fire personnel will canvass the neighborhood from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. educating folks about smoke alarm safety and installation.

The need for such a program is great.  The US Fire Administration statistics show that more than 75% of all residential fires happen in homes that have non-functioning smoke alarms.  OCFA’s smoke alarm program allows residents to call the fire authority and request a free in-home inspection. During the inspection, fire personnel will check the batteries and placement of smoke alarms and offer instruction on correct installation.  In some cases, OCFA will even provide and install the smoke alarms. The City is grateful to the Orange County Fire Authority for offering this great public safety program to residents.

For more information about the program, visit http://cityofmissionviejo.org/smokealarm/ or http://www.ocfa.org/ and click on smoke alarm.

Drop by the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center at 28095 Hillcrest to meet Leprechaun today.

For more information, call 949-470-3045 or visit cityofmissionviejo.org.

This “Wild West showdown against cancer dinner” is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 24932 Veterans Way. Cancer survivors, caregivers and a guest are invited and encouraged to sport their cowboy boots and hats to enjoy a free barbecue dinner and line dancing.

Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A and Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour are sponsoring the event.

The dinner, designed to prompt awareness, participation and educate individuals about ways to help fight the disease, takes place as organizers are gearing up for the June 1-2 Relay For Life event at Saddleback College.

The Mission Viejo event – having raised more than $2 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, team members 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.

For more information and to register for the May 23 dinner, e-mail PatriceWilson@cox.net or call at 949-395-7966.

Information about Relay For Life is at www.mvrelay.org.

The blood drive is from noon to 6 p.m. in City Hall’s Saddleback Room at 200 Civic Center.   Participants will receive a coupon for Wahoo’s and two tickets for the LA Galaxy.

The need for blood is constant and the public’s contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply, according to the Red Cross.

To  schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: COMV. Information is also available by calling Trish Kelley at 949-470-3000.

The fundraiser will take place at 6:30 p.m. at a local home. Guests will enjoy fine music outdoors while dining on a delectable dinner and dessert.

Cost is $15. Proceeds will benefit the jazz band.

To purchase a ticket and for more information, contact Tracy Ross at rosst@svusd.org.

Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with the Taste of the Bash taking place until 5 p.m. Military appreciation festivities start at 4:30 p.m. before the concert kicks off at 5 p.m.

The unique event features more than 30 contemporary jazz artists in a freewheeling jam session. Tony Guerrero; Keiko Matsui; Spencer Day; Jackiem Joyner; Jeff Kashiwa; Paul Brown; Chris Standring; Brian Simpson; Brian Bromberg; Greg Adams; and Greg Vail are part of an impressive lineup that also includes eight “surprise” star guests who will be unveiled during the concert.

Advance sale ticket prices begin at $55 and $60 at the door. General admission tickets are available at www.KSBR.org and at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, during normal business hours. They are also available by calling 949-582-4656.  Veterans and active military personnel can purchase general admission tickets for $30 by calling 949-582-4501.

The roughly two-acre project site consists of two buildings that are used by Lexus as a pre-owned automotive dealer showroom and an auto repair shop. The plan calls for adding 2,103 square feet to the car showroom for a total of 9,214 square feet. The shell and interior of that building will be upgraded with new glass storefronts, sectional doors and other features. To minimize the building’s mass and enhance the site, landscaping will be added and paving to create a courtyard effect. The architectural style of the remodeled dealership will be modern and classy to reflect the high-end cars sold on the site.

Construction is expected to begin in August, and the dealerships could open by Christmas.

Led by experienced and professional coaches, the camps will focus on the fundamentals and mechanics of the game necessary for moving on to the next level of play. Instructors will work on infield and outfield drills, hitting instruction, pitching and catching clinics and teaching baseball strategy. Players will be grouped by age and skill level.

The camp is limited to 25 players per week. To register and for more information, visit www.MISSIONVIEJOPONY.org.

The City of Mission Viejo Animal Services Center and Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) are hosting the fun-filled family event that includes an impressive display of K9 Athletes in Action, pet contests and pet and wildlife exhibits.

The event includes a pristine walk along the Oso Creek Trail and the Pet Faire, features local businesses, animal rescues, booths, entertainment, music, raffle prizes, refreshments and much more. Dogs needing loving, new homes will be available for adoption. Registration for the walk begins at 7 a.m.; the opening ceremony is at 8 a.m. and the walk takes place around 8:15 a.m. The Pet Faire is free and runs until noon. The DAWG Walk is $30 to participate.

Online registration begins Wednesday at www.DAWG.org.