Mission Viejo

Don't miss a free screening of the holiday classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on Sunday, December 18 at Mission Viejo City Hall.

The event, which begins at 2 p.m., is sponsored by the City's Community of Character Committee and coincides with December's character trait of "caring."

Directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch, the movie is highly entertaining while teaching valuable lessons about caring and the spirit of the holidays.

Flags at City of Mission Viejo buildings will be flying at half-staff for the next few days in memory of John Glenn, the pioneering astronaut and long-serving senator who died Thursday at the age of 95.

The traditional order was given today in a proclamation from President Barack Obama. The half-staff order applies until sunset on the day of Glenn's interment, the timing of which has not yet been announced.

Several spectacularly decorated homes have been crowned winners of the annual Holiday Home Lighting Contest by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee.

Homes were judged on use of creativity in categories such as "How did they do that?" and "Reason for the season." 

See the festive spirit on display in Mission Viejo by downloading a map to the vibrant homes here. 

If you want to enjoy an enchanting evening of Sinatra and other musical greats, then make plans to attend the January 14 piano concert featuring Louis Landon.

The 7 p.m. concert takes place at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. 

Pick up some eclectic holiday gifts this Saturday at the Artisan Faire.  Local artisans will showcase their unique handcrafted items from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mission Viejo Village Shopping Center at 25402 Marguerite Parkway.

The faire will feature arts and crafts vendors selling sterling silver and fashion jewelry, handbags, fine art, glass art, handmade soaps and beauty products and holiday food items.

Saddleback College's art degree program has been ranked among the top associate degree programs in the country. 

The program was just listed in the annual rankings for the 2016-2017 Best Two-Year Art Degree Programs in the Nation by the Community for Accredited Online Schools, a leading resource for online learning and college accreditation information. The impressive ranking for Saddleback's Art Department includes 1st in Orange County, 5th in California and 20th in the nation.

Stratford School is opening a new SoCal campus at the current site of Carden Academy on Chrisanta Drive in Mission Viejo starting with the 2017-2018 academic year.

The City's Planning and Transportation Commission early next year will consider a developer's proposal to revamp the aging Los Alisos Village commercial center on Los Alisos Boulevard at Trabuco Road.
 
The proposed plan calls for renovating and expanding the existing center by 1,312 square feet. The commercial center, which was built in 1978, currently houses Taco Mesa, Baskin Robbins, All Star Pizza and Auto Zone. 
 

With rain in Friday's forecast, the City is moving the Middle School Teen Scene to the Marguerite Tennis Pavilion clubhouse.

Middle School Teen Scene is a fun night for Mission Viejo students in grades 6-8 that features activities, music, games, snacks, comradery and more.

The December 16 event, which was originally planned for the Felipe Tennis Center, takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 27474 Casta Del Sol.

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is asking residents to remember the impact of cold weather on their pets, too.

When temperatures begin to drop below 45 degrees, your pet can become at risk for hypothermia. That’s why it’s essential to keep cats and dogs inside during the evening and early morning hours when temperatures are 45 degrees and below.