Newsletter April 2024
NASA Role Model virtual visit – April 1
Youth aged 8-14 are invited to join NASA role model Rossina Miller for a virtual visit from 11 am to 1 pm Monday, April 1 in the library’s Storytime Room. As part of the library’s NIFTY programming, Rossina will share how she became a NASA scientist and what inspired her as a young person to pursue a STEM career. Her roughly 45-minute presentation will be followed by space-themed activities and snacks.
Then on April 2, space-themed activity bags and goodies will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the children’s area of the library. Supplies are limited.
These activities promote interest in science and encourage youth to learn more about the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8. Although it will only be partially visible from our location, it will be 20 years before the next total solar eclipse is visible from the contiguous United States.
This program is made possible through the support of NASA, SciGirls, PBS Twin Cities, and Starnet Libraries. The “NASA Inspires Futures of Tomorrow’s Youth” (NIFTY) project goal is to connect NASA STEM role models with youth-serving STEM programs for underrepresented youth (ages 9-14) with a critical focus on girls and other historically excluded genders in STEM, which includes cis girls, trans youth, gender non-conforming, and non-binary youth, youth of color, and their families.
For more information, email libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Family Arts Day – April 13
Don’t miss Family Arts Day from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, April 13 at the Potocki Center for the Arts. Families are invited to explore their creativity in this fun-filled day of hands-on art experiences.
Enjoy art demonstrations by local artists, hands-on art projects with the Chuck Jones Center for the Arts, and learn acting techniques in an improv workshop. You will also savor the rhythm of live music by acoustic guitar band “FIRE!” and performances by student ensembles from Capistrano Unified School District.
Family Arts Day patrons get a 20% discount on all single and multiple-day classes at the Potocki Center for the Arts if they register in person during the event. This offer applies to new registrations only and does not apply to summer camps or offsite classes.
This program is free and open to all ages. The Potocki Center for the Arts is located at 27301 La Paz Road. Parking is available in the lower parking lot, with overflow parking accessible at Newhart Middle School.
Email arts@cityofmissionviejo.org for more information.
History of Orange County and its ranching era
Local history lovers of all ages are invited to join Jared Mathis, great-grandson of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton as he discusses the development of Orange County. Jared, who is CEO of the Moulton Company and president of the Moulton Museum, will share his family’s story, starting with Lewis Moulton, his great-grandfather who purchased Rancho Niguel and developed it into a 22,000-acre operation called Moulton Ranch. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask Jared questions about the history of the area and museum operation.
This free event is at 2 pm on Sunday, April 28 in the City Hall Council Chamber located at 200 Civic Center. For more information, email libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Families are invited to get fancy with Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser
Join “Fancy Nancy” illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser at 11 am on April 20 for the Fancy Nancy Tea Party. Dress in your fanciest clothes or casually for a morning of refreshments, crafts, and lessons on how to be fancy. Following the activities, Robin will sign books available for purchase at the event through A Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe.
This event is free and open for all ages in the library Storytime Room and The Kershaw Garden located at 100 Civic Center.
Friends of the Library remind patrons to donate and recycle
It’s time for spring cleaning. Scour your refrigerator, closets, and garage for recycling materials to fill your cart every week in April. During this month, Waste Management will donate $5 for every ton of residential recyclables picked up curbside in Mission Viejo to the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library. In 2023, the Friends received a $3,600 donation from Waste Management that helped support a variety of library collections and programs.
The Friends the library is also seeking donations of new or gently used handbags of all types to prepare for its annual Purse Palooza handbag sale. Collection boxes for donations are located at the library, Norman P. Murray Community Center, Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center, Marguerite Tennis Pavilion, and St. Kilian’s Catholic Church. Handbag donations will be accepted through Friday, May 3. This year’s sale is from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 4 at the Norman P. Murray Community Center.
Succulent trimmings sought for free family program
The Mission Viejo Library’s Teen Advisory Board is seeking cuttings of small succulents for a special Earth Day/Arbor Day program on April 20.
You can help these hardworking teens by dropping off your bagged trimmings at the Mission Viejo Library (100 Civic Center) during operating hours to the “ask here” desk through April 18.
The succulents will be used at the Earth Day/Arbor Day Green Expo, which takes place from 8 am to noon in the open space beside Oso Creek Trail, north of Jeronimo Road. See this flyer for more information.
For more information about donating cuttings of succulents, contact libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Check out the Seed Library
Check out our new seed library featuring heirloom flower, herb, and fruit and vegetable seeds. These seeds have been graciously donated by Petaluma (CA) Seed Bank and the Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano.
There are rules and limits to borrowing seeds from the seed library as part of this wonderful free service. While it is not like checking out a book, a library card is still required to borrow from the seed library. This is necessary for the continued success of this program.
Library staff can answer your questions about borrowing seeds and lead you to our many resources to help you learn more. For more information, email libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Local artists sought for the Star Wars Day Community Art Showcase
The Mission Viejo Library is seeking artists to exhibit at our Star Wars Day event on May 4. Artwork will be highlighted at the event, which will feature other activities for all ages including crafts, games, trivia, and more!
This call for art is open to all local artists and art styles until April 13. However, it must be inspired by Star Wars and appropriate for all ages.
For more information, visit cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/library/star-wars-day.
Monthly Local History Display – 1984 Olympic Official Staff Uniform
The 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics is a big part of Mission Viejo’s local history. When you venture into the library, visit the display in the southeast corner. In the glass case, you will find an official staff uniform donated by a community member who worked in the Olympic Village at USC in the summer of 1984.
This display of vintage Olympic clothing will continue until mid-April, so be sure to check it out now.
‘The Why, Where, When, What and How of Lineage and Hereditary Societies’
Have you ever thought of joining a lineage or hereditary society? If so, this is the presentation for you. Find out what the purpose, how to find and join them in this presentation at 10 am on Saturday, April 20.
A long-time member and program director of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS), Christine Cohen will lead this informative discussion, which is hosted by the South Orange County California Genealogical Society. In addition to WAGS, she is also a member of the El Redondo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
The in-person meeting takes place at Mission Viejo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 27976 Marguerite Parkway. No registration is needed.
The SOCCGS Genealogy Research Center located at the Mission Viejo Library is open five days a week with docents available to help you with your research. Visit https://soccgs.org/library-hours for current hours.
