An American Red Cross blood drive to benefit Mission Hospital will take place at St. Kilian’s Church on Friday, January 29.
The blood drive is from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the church’s Hughes Hall at 26872 Estanciero Drive.
The need for blood is always constant, and the public’s contribution will benefit South County’s only regional trauma center.
Community members are encouraged to sign up online atwww.RedCrossBlood.org and reference sponsor code SKCC.
With a new year underway, new leaders have been appointed to the City’s commissions, which act as advisory panels to the Mission Viejo City Council.
For 2016, David Mansdoerfer will serve as chair of the Planning and Transportation Commission and Dave Leckness as vice chair.
Ellen Addonizio will head up the Investment Advisory Commission as chair with Scot Shier serving as vice chair.
The Community Services Commission’s chair and vice chair for 2016 are Ron Ruef and Grant Voss, respectively.
For detailed information about the duties of each commission, clickhere.
If you are interested in joining an incredible and fun effort designed to stamp out cancer, then make plans to attend the Relay For Life of Mission Viejo “Kick-off Celebration” on Thursday, January 28.
The celebration is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
For new and returning participants, the meeting is meant to prompt awareness, participation and educate folks about ways to help fight the disease.
Held every June, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Mission Viejo is a fun-filled overnight event that celebrates survivorship and raises money for research and programs. The event offers something for everyone – from the newly diagnosed and caregivers to friends and long-term cancer survivors.
For more information, visit http://www.relayforlife.org/missionviejoca and to RSVP for the January 28 celebration, contact Denise Matson at 949-470-3010 or dmatson@cityofmissionviejo.org.
The next time you traverse Country Club Drive near Bodega Lane, check out the beautiful foliage blanketing the slope.
The picturesque slope is thanks to the work of Boy Scout Michael Finley and his band of 30 volunteers. Michael of Troop 1273 spent a recent Saturday leading his dedicated volunteers in planting more than 800 drought-tolerant plants. The project not only benefits the environment but it puts Michael in line for the prestigious rank of Eagle.
The City of Mission Viejo appreciates this young man’s efforts. For information about conducting similar projects, call 949-470-3085.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn softball from some of the best players on the planet, now’s your chance. Jennie Finch, a two-time Olympic medalist in softball, is once again bringing her talent and professional softball teammates to William S. Craycraft Park for two full days of personal instruction January 30-31.
Finch won the 2001 Women’s College World Series and helped lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Time magazine described her as the most famous softball player in history.
The camp includes a question-and-answer session for campers, coaches and parents; demonstrations by Finch and professional coaches; and drawings for prizes. Campers will receive lunch; an official camp T-shirt; autographed photo of Jennie; certificate of participation; and a photo taken with Jennie and her medals.
The softball camp is open to third grade girls and up. William S. Craycraft Park (formerly Alicia Park) is located at 23650 Via Linda.
Cost is $195 per camper. Advanced registration is required. For more information, click here.
In an effort to provide the community with a valuable service, the City is offering low-to-moderate income taxpayers free help with filing their federal and state income tax returns.
Appointments are now available for the AARP Tax-Aide program that takes place each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. February 2 through April 14 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
AARP tax aide volunteers have been trained and certified by the IRS to prepare both federal and California state tax returns. All returns will be E-filed.
To schedule an appointment, call 949-470-3062.
Saddleback College to host intriguing dance, musical performances Feb. 10-11
The public is invited to enjoy a fascinating and educational evening of dance and music February 10-11 at Saddleback College.
The college will host “Sequences and Spirals: Exploring Fibonacci Numbers through Music, Dance, Math and the Visual Arts” at 7:30 p.m. in the McKinney Theatre at 28000 Marguerite Parkway.
The evening will include music and dance performances from Norman Weston and Deidre Cavazzi as well as interesting mini-lectures from the college’s math, architecture and horticulture departments.
The performances are inspired by Fibonacci numbers and the intriguing ratios, spirals and sequences that resonate through art and nature. If you’ve ever seen a curling fern frond, a nautilus’ shell, an X-ray of a human hand or the face of the Mona Lisa, you have seen the impact of Fibonacci. This event is appropriate for all ages and celebrates the relationship between the arts and sciences.
Parking in the college’s Fine Arts lots will be free for the performance. Admission is $10 general/ $7 students and seniors (presale only). To order tickets, visit http://www.saddleback.edu/arts/.
An author who has made a name for not revealing his name will delight kids ages 8-12 and their families when he visits Mission Viejo on Friday, Feb. 19.
Pseudonymous Bosch is the pen name of the author of the New York Times bestselling “The Secret Series” fictional children’s books. This quirky and fun author will appear in the City’s Writers Present program at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Saddleback Room to discuss his newest book, “Bad Luck.”
The plot thickens in this brilliant sequel to “Bad Magic!” At Earth Ranch, things can get a little magical or strange. Intrepid readers will discover a runaway boy, fishy cruise ship, strange cave paintings, dragon-like footprints and other mysteries that Clay and his friends need to solve. Danger, adventure, mischief, mystery, llamas and a delightfully irreverent and hilarious narrator make Pseudonymous Bosch’s anticipated new novel irresistible.
Books will be sold onsite by A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe. Buying books at the event is a great way to support the author programs and keep them free.
To RSVP for this free event please register online, via email at libreference@cityofmissionviejo.org, or by phone at 949-830-7100, ext. 5107. If registering by email or phone, include your name, email address and number in your party.
The Friends of the Mission Viejo Library and A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe are joining forces to bring an amazing and popular author to the City just before Valentine’s Day.
Jory John, a New York Times bestselling author of books for children and adults, will appear in the City’s Writers Present program at 4 p.m. on Monday, February 8 in the Friends Room at the Mission Viejo Library.
Jory will read his picture books “I Love You Already” and “Goodnight Already.” Following the successful book “Goodnight Already!” with Benji Davies, “I Love You Already” is another standout fun and endearing picture book about Bear and Duck. These stories cater to ages 4-8. Mission Viejo Television will film the program.
Jory is a two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient. His impressive work includes the New York Times bestselling novel “The Terrible Two.” He has received the 2013 ALA Reluctant Young Readers Award.
Jory, who is also an editor and journalist, has written for the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, BuzzFeed, the Believer and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, among other publications.
Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author during the event. Kids will receive a Valentine’s treat after the book signing. To make a reservation for this fun free event, call 949-830-7100 ext. 5107 with your name and the number of people attending.
Kelly Tokarski
Public Information Specialist
City of Mission Viejo
