When the Pacific Symphony returns to Mission Viejo’s Oso Viejo Park on Saturday, July 18, patrons will have a chance to enjoy phenomenal music under the stars while noshing on their favorite fare at a special reserved table.
This year, the City is selling a limited number of reserved tables seating up to 10 people for $100. The tables come with a tablecloth, candle and cheese tray. Guests can bring a picnic dinner to savor or purchase food onsite. Proceeds from the reserved tables will support the Mission Viejo Host Town Program, which will welcome nearly 200 Spanish and Indonesian Special Olympics athletes to the community next month before they compete in Los Angeles.
The tables will enhance the offerings of this Symphony in the Cities, Prelude in the Park event now in its 11th year. The free event will boast a carnival theme and fun family entertainment. Starting at 4 p.m., guests will enjoy a musical playground for kids, live entertainment and food for purchase. At 7 p.m., the Pacific Symphony, led by the talented Carl St.Clair, will take center stage performing classical favorites and pop tunes
Reserved table reservations are available online at econnect.cityofmissionviejo.org by referencing course #3921 or by calling 949-470-3062.
Oso Viejo Community Park is located at 24932 Veterans Way. For more information, visit the Discover Mission Viejo website at http://discovermissionviejo.com/.
Hundreds of dogs and dog lovers flocked to the 21st annual DAWG Walk and Pet Faire Saturday, helping to raise $17,000 for homeless animals in the area.
200 people and their pooches participated in a scenic walk along the picturesque Oso Creek Trail, while another 400 attendees perused booths featuring rescues, pet-related gifts, products and services, and veterinary and training advice.
The event at Oso Viejo Park is the largest fundraiser of the year for Dedicated Animal Welfare Group, the nonprofit fundraising arm for the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. Many walkers brought in hundreds of dollars in pledges, and Russ Mandel and his dogs Abbey and Chuck took the Grand Prize by bringing in over $2,000 in walk pledges. All proceeds benefit the homeless pets at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.
In addition to raising money for a great cause, the event featured a demonstration by the high-flying DASH Dogs, who delighted the crowd by displaying their amazing skills on an agility course.
A number of dogs found new homes during the event, with many more expected to be adopted in the coming days.
The City and DAWG are grateful for the community’s support over the last two decades. For more information, visit http://www.dawg.org or http://cmvas.org, and click here to see video coverage of the recent “Yappy Hour” event at La Paws Dog Park.
Artist Brian Kesinger has spent nearly two decades with Walt Disney Feature Animation, and he will be discussing his exciting career at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26 in the Mission Viejo Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
In a presentation called “From Tarzan to Groot: An Afternoon with Disney Story Artist Brian Kesinger,” folks will hear about Kesinger’s work as a layout artist on feature films such as “Atlantis” and “Bolt,” and as a story artist on “Winnie the Pooh,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” and “Big Hero 6.”
Kesinger’s career has also included a popular steampunk-inspired artwork series called “Brian Kesinger’s Tea Girls,” as well as acclaimed books about the charming adventures of Victoria and her pet octopus – “Walking Your Octopus: A Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod” and “Travelling with Your Octopus” – and he is currently at work illustrating the six-issue “Groot” series for Marvel Comics.
This free event is geared for teens, but is open to all ages. Copies of Kesinger’s books, artwork and comics will be available for purchase, and after the presentation he will be signing the work and fielding questions.
To RSVP for the event, register at libreference@cityofmissionviejo.org with your name and email address or call 949-830-7100 ext. 5105.
Community members are invited to learn about the wonderful things that a special group of people are doing and how to get involved, at the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library’s annual meeting on Thursday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in the Friends Storytime Room at the Library at 100 Civic Center.
The Friends of the Mission Viejo Library supports the library through donations to buy new materials and host programs for all ages, operates the Friends Bookstore and Amazon book sales, and promotes public awareness about the library and its many services. During the meeting, the tremendous contributions of volunteer time and financial support will be celebrated, and folks will learn about different volunteer opportunities at the Mission Viejo Library and find out about how they can also be a Friend.
During the meeting, new officers will be elected to the Friends’ board of directors. For more information, call 949-470-3076.
If you are looking for a fun family event with a carnival theme, then make plans for the City’s Prelude in the Park and Symphony in the Cities event Saturday, July 18 at Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way.
The excitement begins at 4 p.m. with games, prizes, live entertainment and a carousel ride. Patrons will savor performances by the popular Laguna Swing Society, Jeff Price and the Brass Ensemble, roving entertainers, a CirqueMirage aerialist as well as fun with balloon artists and a tight-rope booth.
Kids will enjoy the time-honored Musical Playground and conducting clinic with famed Pacific Symphony musical director Carl St.Clair before he leads the symphony in a fabulous concert at 7 p.m. A beer-and-wine garden along with some delectable fare will be available for purchase including tacos, lobster rolls, kettle corn, ice cream and more.
A limited number of reserved tables are still available seating up to 10 people for $100. Proceeds from the reserved tables will support the Mission Viejo Host Town Program of the Special Olympics.
Volunteers are still sought to assist during this cherished family event. For information about volunteering, contact mveventvolunteer@cityofmissionviejo.org. More information about the Prelude in the Park and Symphony in the Cities event is available at http://cityofmissionviejo.org/DiscoverMV/EventsHome.aspx.
Kelly Tokarski
Public Information Specialist
City of Mission Viejo
