Town Center Trail Loop improvements underway

Construction is underway on the Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project, which is meant to improve the pedestrian experience around Town Center.

The work includes installing enhanced pavement, trail maps, signage and monuments at 13 locations on Aliso Creek Road and Aliso Viejo Parkway between Enterprise and Pacific Park Drive.

Construction in each location is expected to take about two weeks, with the entire project expected to be completed by the end of April. The Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project is being funded by federal funds under the Transportation Enhancement Activity.

Officials say the enhancement project will complement the area and provide residents, professionals and visitors alike with another amenity for exercise and leisure strolls to enjoy for years to come.

The 2009 Elks National Foundation’s Scholarship Program

Submitted by Gerry Schiphorst,

Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Scholarship Chairman

Students compete for over three million dollars in Elks scholarships.

Local high school students compete for thousands of scholarships ranging from $800 to $4000 and for as much as $20, 000, $40, 000 and $60,000.

During the month of November, Elks Scholarships application forms and posters were delivered to the ten High Schools in the Saddleback Valley, as well as to 3 private Academies. By the deadline of January 9th, the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge had received twenty-one applications. On the 14th, Elks scholarship judges met and the first phase of the judging process started. Each of the ten Orange County Lodges was allowed to send the six highest scores among the girls and the six highest among the boys on to the next level of judging.

In February and March, judging continued. The ten scholarship chairpeople from the Orange Coast District gathered at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge and repeated the judging process, this time to select the 12 girls and 12 boys from all of Orange County whose applications would be forwarded to the Fresno office of the California/Hawaii Elks Association. In Fresno, groups of well qualified judges repeated the process. Each group judging one of the many facets of each application: SAT/ACT-scores, Academic Achievement, Leadership, Honors & Awards, Essays, Extracurricular Activities and the financial ability of the parents. One of the students selected to go on for national judging in Chicago was Jenny Le of El Toro high, which means a guaranteed $4000 and the chance for one of the $20,000, $40,000 or $60,000 scholarships. There were 14 other scholarship winners selected from Orange County schools with four being from the Saddleback Valley: Dylan Moore of Aliso Niguel high school, Gabriella Hoffman of Tessoro high, and Ryne Contreras and Daniel Yi of Trabuco high. Each won State scholarships of $800.

RESERVATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EXPO

Laguna Niguel, CA – According to a joint statement by committee members, Derek Quinn and Debbie Newman, reservations are now being accepted for the 2009 Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo.

Rain or shine, the annual event is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from noon to 6 p.m. at El Lazo Road between Dorine Road and Alicia Parkway. In addition to being exposed to more than 50 local vendors and businesses, attendees will also receive free admission and parking at the event.

“We’re looking forward to another successful Expo this year and encourage all local business owners and entrepreneurs to reserve their 10’ x 10’ booth space today. Participation is limited and starts as low as $125 per booth space for our chamber members. members.

Potential chamber members are also being presented with the opportunity to participate in the Expo at a discounted rate of $325, which automatically
-grants their company membership in the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce,” explains Derek Quinn, Chairman of the 2009 Business Expo.

This year’s theme, aptly centering around environmental awareness, is Earth Day.

Throughout the event, attendees will be treated to live entertainment, savory food and refreshing beverages from local eateries, plus fun bounce houses for the kids.

From 3 to 6 p.m., Martin Gerschwitz & friends will appear on the Expo’s main stage to perform rock-and-roll favorites. Martin Gerschwitz of legendary rock band, Iron Butterfly, will be accompanied by Gina Kessler of Kidder; Blake Hunter of Springsteen – A Tribute Band; Bryan Rosen, contributing band member of CIRRUS, Kool & The Gang, The Coasters and The Drifters; and Anthony Terrezza, contributing band member of Tower of Power.

“The Business and Community Expo offers participants targeted exposure among South Orange County decision makers, while giving businesses an opportunity to support the communities in which they live and work. In today’s economy, the Business and Community Expo is a sensible and affordable option for small business owners to stay in front of current customers, while also generating new interest in their products or services. We’re thrilled at the early response and look forward to a sold-out event,” adds Debbie Newman, CEO of the Laguna Niguel Chamber.

Chamber Member and Business Expo PR Committee Representative, Leslie Bonifay of C&M Communiqué explains, “We’re proud to offer our marketing expertise to promote the 2009 Business and Community Expo. We encourage all fellow business and community members to participate in this timely event to gain exposure, while many of their competitors sit it out.”

Also joining forces with the Chamber to support this year’s theme of environmental awareness is CR&R Waste Services.

At the event, CR&R will have designated bins for plastic bottle recycling. For every bottle recycled, CR&R will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce’s general scholarship fund.

The Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and economic progress of its community.

This year’s 2009 Business Expo Committee includes: Derek Quinn of OC Interior Fashions, JoBeth Prud’homme of JB Publishing, Julie Wright of Help-U-Sell Wright Real Estate, Bill Klamfoth of South County Printing, Ron Perella of Direct Advertising and Marketing, Bruce Nielsen of B&V Productions, Sheldon Pines of The Toll Roads, Mohammed Noorzay of High Tech Communications, Inc., and Leslie Bonifay of C&M Communiqué.

For more information on how to purchase your booth space in the 2009 Laguna Niguel Business and Community Expo, contact Debbie Newman at (949) 363-0136 or info@lagunaniguelchamber.net. Volunteers are also needed for various shifts throughout the Expo. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Sheldon Pines at (949) 754-3400 or pines@thetollroads.com.