Mission Viejo

Vivid holiday displays from the Chabad Jewish Center of Mission Viejo, Orange County Islamic Foundation, Mission Viejo Christian Church and Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i of Mission Viejo are now decorating the southwest and northwest corners of the intersection of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive.

The displays are part of Mission Viejo's annual "Four Corners Holiday Display" program - designed to embrace our community's rich diversity and create a festive atmosphere. 

Drum roll please "¦ the countdown is underway for the return of jolly St. Nick to the Mission Viejo Civic Center on Sunday, November 27.

This fun-filled celebration begins at 3 p.m. with craft projects, games and holiday stories for children. Strolling Dickens Carolers will embrace the holiday spirit and delectable snacks and goodies will be available for purchase in Celebration Café area.

Three Boy Scouts joined forces last weekend on an extensive Eagle Scout project at El Dorado Park.

Joshua Wong of Troop # 918, Grant Stokes of Troop #718 and Kostas Soteropoulus of Troop #773 rallied about 125 volunteers to plant 1,750 drought-tolerant plants around the newly renovated playground area along with 16 24-inch box trees.

The project has helped to beautify the park off Carrillo Drive and put these young men in line for the rank of Eagle.

Scouts interested in similar projects should contact 949-470-3085.

Before you even think of gobbling up your Thanksgiving turkey, don’t forget about fire safety.

Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. In fact, the number of home fires doubles on Thanksgiving. So, let’s add a pinch of fire safety to the menu.

Keep these safety tips in mind as you prepare your meal.

Turkey:
If you're roasting your turkey, make sure you set a timer. This way you won’t forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football game.

If you're frying your turkey:

Young and old alike are joining the pickleball craze in Mission Viejo and now you can too. The Sierra Recreation Center is offering 5-week pickleball clinics every Friday through December 16. The Friday clinics then resume from December 30 through January 27.

The one-hour clinics are offered in the morning at 9 a.m. and at night at 5 p.m.

Pickleball is considered America's fastest-growing sport. Created for all ages and skill levels, the game combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.

If you are looking to have fun and burn some calories for a great cause, then make plans for the 2nd Annual Capistrano Valley High School Foundation Turkey Chase Thanksgiving morning near the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Update 12/15/2016: This event has been canceled.

Calling all parents: If you're ready for a night on the town, then make plans for the next Parents' Night Out Friday, December 16.

Simply drop off your kids at the Montanoso Recreation Center from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and they'll enjoy games, arts and crafts, pizza and a movie while you savor date night with your significant other. Just before the Christmas holiday, this Parents' Night Out is also a great way to get your holiday shopping done.

Three Silverado High School students were recognized Tuesday for their achievements by the Kiwanis Club of Mission Viejo.  Principal David Gordon attended the club's breakfast meeting to highlight each student's accomplishments.

Students are nominated by their teachers with final selection decided by the school's administration staff.  With so many students nominated this year, it was the students' grade-point achievement that sealed the deal.   All three students are seniors graduating next year.

The Saddleback College Big Band will delight folks of all ages when it performs a special concert on Saturday, December 10.

Under the direction of Joey Sellers, this outstanding ensemble performs its Holiday Jazz Concert at 6:30 p.m. in the McKinney Theatre at 28000 Marguerite Parkway.

The public is invited to a screening of the delightful feature film "Pollyanna" on Sunday, November 20 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 November's character trait of "thankfulness."