Author, illustrator of popular ‘Fancy Nancy’ series to visit Mission Viejo March 1
Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, author and illustrator of the “Fancy Nancy”
series, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their award-winning series in Mission Viejo on Sunday, March 1.
Jane and Robin will roll into City Hall inside a special “Fancy Nancy” anniversary RV. The charismatic author and illustrator will delight audience members of all ages when they discuss their beloved series at 4:30 p.m.
“Fancy Nancy” is a 2005 children’s picture book that spent nearly 100 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, launching a series that now numbers more than 60 books, selling 28 million volumes. “Fancy Nancy” has been on Publishers Weekly’s bestseller list for picture books, was a Children’s Book-of-the-Month Club selection and a Junior Library Guild Selection. It also won a “Borders 2006 Original Voices” award and has been translated into 18 languages, including Hungarian and Hebrew. In April 2012, Nancy was featured in her first chapter book, “Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth.” Books in the series have now spent 330 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, and in the fall of 2012, “Fancy Nancy the Musical” was produced by Vital Theatre Company in New York City.
This is the first time Jane and Robin will appear in Mission Viejo together to discuss their series, which centers on the little girl with curls as wild as her imagination, who looks at a perfectly average world and sees nothing but glamour.
To reserve your seat for this anniversary celebration, call 949-830-7100 ext. 5107 and provide your name, e-mail address and number of people attending.
Take part in Rally For Life Tennis Tournament March 1
If you want to play tennis for a great cause, then register today for the “Rally For Life Tennis Tournament” on Sunday, March 1.
This is the sixth year the City will host the event that jumpstarts fund-raising activities for the American Cancer Society’s June Relay For Life event at Saddleback College.
From the novice to the experienced tennis player, participants will enjoy an action-packed Round-Robin doubles style tournament that includes a catered lunch and silent auction. More than $1,000 in prizes will be awarded for first and second place, and all players will receive a special gift. The tournament is a great way to have fun while supporting a worthy and important cause.
The Rally For Life Tennis Tournament starts at 9 a.m. at the Marguerite Tennis Pavilion, 23840 Marguerite Parkway.
Cost is $35 per person and $60 for doubles. Registration forms are available now at Montanoso and Sierra Recreations Centers and Marguerite and Felipe Tennis Centers. The form is also available by clicking here.
MVTV Storytime Theater presents Kelly Light March 11
Children’s book author and illustrator Kelly Light will delight folks of all ages when she presents her new book “Louise Loves Art” during a televised storytime theater in Mission Viejo.
Mission Viejo Television Storytime Theater is at 4 p.m. on March 11 in the Mission Viejo Library’s Storytime Room at 100 Civic Center.
Kelly is a talented writer and illustrator who has captured the hearts of young and old with her picture book “Louise Loves Art” geared to children ages 4-8. The book centers on the character who loves art more than anything. She also loves Art, her little brother. “Louise Loves Art” is a celebration of the brilliant artist who resides in us all.
Audience members will have the chance to be a part of the televised storytime, meet the author, buy her book and have it signed.
This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library and A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe.
To make a reservation, call 949-830-7100, ext. 5107.
Save the date for Arts Alive Festival this spring
The City will host its fun-filled weekend Arts Alive Festival May 2-3.
The spectacular annual spring event takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at the Oso Viejo Community Park on the Village Green and neighboring Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center at 24932 Veterans Way.
The dynamic event boasts chalk street painting; community collaborative projects; arts and craft vendors; interactive art workshops for all ages; live entertainment; and delectable fare.
This year’s festival celebrates the arts and culture of the 1980s. Festival-goers will enjoy a cornucopia of entertainment including the Flash Pants Band; Mariachis of San Juan Capistrano; Jim Curry’s tribute to John Denver; a special 80s fashion show from Saddleback College students; The Wonder Project with artist Joe Brubaker; and special garden displays from the Mission Viejo Garden Club.
Shuttle service will run throughout the day from City Hall.
Volunteer opportunities are available for community patrons.
For more information, call 949-470-8440 or visit http://cityofmis
Award-winning ambassador for kids’ literature to visit Mission Viejo
Middle-graders are encouraged to sport their best “mad scientist” costume and join
entertaining author Jon Scieszka for a fun-filled presentation about his two most recent
books in the Frank Einstein series – “Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor” and
“Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger.”
Scieszka will take part in the popular Writers Present program at 6 p.m. on
Wednesday, March 18 at Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
Best known for his picture books, Scieczka has sold more than 11 million books
including “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales”; “The True Story
of the 3 Little Pigs”; and most recently “Battle Bunny” with Mac Barnett. Over the
course of six books in his Frank Einstein series, Scieczka, a former teacher, takes
middle-graders “from matter to energy to humans to life to earth and on through
the universe from the smallest to the largest objects.” The character of Frank Einstein
– kid genius, scientist and inventor – loves figuring out how the world works by
creating household contraptions that are part science, part imagination and
definitely unusual.
Scieczka is also a nationally recognized reading advocate and the founder of
“Guys Read” – a web-based literacy program for boys. In 2008, he was named
the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Librarian of Congress.
His Time Warp Trio series, which teaches kids history, has been adapted into a television show.
Kids can take part in the mad scientist costume contest for the chance to win a prize and have fun.
This free author event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library and A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe.
Books purchased onsite will receive priority book signing.
To reserve a seat, call 949-830-7100, ext. 5107.
Teams sought to finish the fight against cancer
Individuals, businesses, groups and organizations are invited to attend the first
Relay For Life of Mission Viejo team meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The public meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
So far, 21 teams have signed up for the American Cancer Society event
designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs.
The event offers something for everyone – from the newly diagnosed and caregivers
to friends and long-term cancer survivors. This year’s goal is to form 51 teams
with more than 500 participants.
Team captains are sought to recruit groups, families, friends, neighbors or co-workers to raise money and attend the 24-hour
summer event at Saddleback College. Relay For Life takes place from 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 7.
There is no fee this year to register for the event.
Thursday’s meeting will give the public the chance to learn more about Relay and its importance for finishing the fight against cancer.
For more information or to register for the event, visit http://www.mvrelay.org. Information about Thursday’s meeting is
available by contacting Denise Matson at 949-933-0732 or denisematson17@gmail.com.
