Hello, Mission Viejo.
It's no secret I'm a classic rock guy who thinks there hasn't been a decent new record in more than a decade—until the Rolling Stones' new album, Foreign Tongues, came out in July. I can't stop listening to it, and I couldn't recommend it more to fellow rock fans. If you like it, you're welcome. If you don't, forget I said anything.
IN TODAY'S BUZZ
One Death Too Many at La Sierra and Marguerite
More than two decades after Orange County Sheriff’s Department motorcycle officer Sgt. Matthew Davis died in a crash at La Sierra Drive and Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo is finally moving ahead with a safety improvement at the intersection.
Davis was riding southbound on Marguerite in September 2002 when a driver turning left from La Sierra pulled into his path. He was thrown from his motorcycle and died two days later.
The City began studying traffic-control options at the intersection in January 2025. The Planning and Transportation Commission subsequently recommended a left-turn acceleration lane in April 2025, and the City Council approved the project in May 2026. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall.
AROUND TOWN
A Day of Backflips & Bernstein
Before the soothing sounds of the symphony, there was the roar of freestyle motocross riders.
On August 8, the world-renowned Next Gen FMX Freestyle motocross team soared through the sky at Oso Viejo Community Park. The crowd thrilled to their jaw-dropping backflips, Supermans, Hart Attacks and other stunts, performed by riders as young as 13.
The show was part of the annual Symphony in the Cities and Prelude in the Park event. Thousands gathered on the Village Green on a hot afternoon to play cornhole, ride a mechanical bull, try their luck at carnival games and rock to the band Vintage Vinyl. The Mission Viejo Rotary Club sold cold beer and wine to help beat the heat, while food trucks offered a variety of sweet and savory grub.
The Pacific Symphony closed the day in style. Under the direction of conductor Michael Repper, the orchestra played a potpourri of popular classics, show tunes and patriotic music. From the opening strains of John Williams’ main theme from Star Wars to selections from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story to “America the Beautiful” accompanied by fireworks, the concert gave the crowd plenty more to cheer about.
Not a bad way to spend a Saturday in Mission Viejo.
A Monument to Freedom
Patriotism has a new place of pride along the Oso Creek Trail.
The America 250 obelisk was unveiled on July 4. Located at the center of the hedge maze, the colorful artwork commemorates the men and women who participated in the American Revolutionary War.
The 10-foot-high monument features four patriotic scenes, one on each side of an obelisk modeled after the Washington Monument. The scenes were painted in water color by artist Maryann Rudolf Herrera and then fabricated on site as a tile mosaic.
The monument was commissioned by the City and the Mission Viejo chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mission Viejo Woman Killed While Crossing Street
A 60-year-old Mission Viejo woman was struck and killed by a vehicle on August 8 while crossing the street near Pacific Crest Drive and Glenwood Drive.
Orange County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene around 9:19 PM. Duo Ying Liang had suffered severe injuries and was taken to a hospital, where she died the following day.
The driver, 18-year-old Caleb Thomas Baeza, also of Mission Viejo, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked into the Orange County Jail.
It was the second fatal traffic crash in Mission Viejo in less than two weeks. On July 23, a driver was killed in a crash on the Oso Parkway offramp from southbound I-5.
PEOPLE & PLACES
Meet Laura Lacko, District 4 City Council Candidate
Laura Lacko didn't plan on becoming a politician, but after years of volunteering in the community, she decided the time was right to run for Mission Viejo City Council.
Artisana Pinsa Romana
Pinsa Romana wants to change pizza night at home. Its healthy, 72-hour fermented, crisp-crusted pizza is now available at the Mission Viejo Farmers Market most Saturdays.
OPEN HOUSE
25842 Majorca Way
$1,399,000
4 beds, 3 baths, 1,862 sq. ft.
Listing agent: Miguel Gurza, Kaminsky Real Estate Group
The Califia neighborhood is calling. This appealing home offers curb appeal, an inviting interior and a backyard built for lingering.
Extra-high ceilings give the family room an airy, open feel, while the separate dining area flows effortlessly into the kitchen. Warm cabinetry, granite countertops, a spacious island with storage, and stainless steel appliances make this kitchen as beautiful as it is functional.
The adjacent living room turns up the cozy with built-ins and a brick fireplace, creating the perfect backdrop for movie nights, morning coffee, and good conversations that run a little too long. A convenient downstairs guest bathroom adds ease, while the wrought-iron staircase leads upstairs to all four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The primary suite features a large closet and ensuite bathroom with dual granite-topped vanities and a soaking tub.
Step through the living room’s sliding glass doors and discover a backyard made for entertaining and unwinding. Dine beneath the pergola, fire up the built-in BBQ and bar, gather around the outdoor fireplace, or simply relax beside the gorgeous stone water feature.
CRITTER CORNER
Pooch Party at Pet-a-Palooza
The Mission Viejo Night Market went to the dogs on Saturday. Dogs of every shape, size and color brought their humans to Pet-a-Palooza for a night of tail-wagging fun.
Adopt Me: Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer is a neutered Jack Russell mix. He’s been at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center since May 14, and the staff thinks he’s about 1 year and 4 months old.
OUT & ABOUT
Happenings
8/18, Community Services Commission Meeting, 6 PM
More info. 📍 City Hall Council Chamber, 200 Civic Center.8/21 & 22, Second Time Around Jewelry and Accessories Sale
Items for sale include necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, broaches, watches, scarves, gloves, hats, belts, wallets, purses, ties, men's accessories and more. 8/21: 1–5 PM, 8/22: 9 AM–2 PM, More info.📍 Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.8/22, Mission Viejo Farmers Market, 9 AM–1 PM
Shop a variety of locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cooked items, handmade crafts and more. More info.📍 North Paseo at Los Osos, 25282 Marguerite Pkwy.8/22, Paddle for the Battle Charity Pickleball Tournament, 10 AM–9 PM
4th Annual American Cancer Society pickleball tournament. Round-robin doubles team format. More info.📍 North Paseo at Los Osos, 25282 Marguerite Pkwy.8/25, Chamber of Commerce DayBreakers Networking Group, 7:45–9:30 AM
Come to meet, greet and get to know local business owners. $12 for members, $14 for non-members. More info.📍 Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
Live Music & Entertainment
8/21, Live Music Night: 5150’s, 6–8 PM
Live music in the Atrium at Oso Creek Golf Course, featuring the 5150’s playing hits of the ’80s. More info. 📍 27601 Casta Del Sol.822, Summer Concert at the Lake: The Band Perry, 7–10 PM
Hailing from Greeneville, Tennessee, the Band Perry plays a crowd-pleasing blend of country and pop. More info. 📍 Lake Mission Viejo, 22555 Olympiad Rd.822, Lord of the Strings: Brooks Robertson, 7–9 PM
The talented finger-style guitarist employs his exceptional technical skills to simultaneously produce bass, rhythm and melody, transcending traditional genre boundaries. More info. 📍 City Hall Council Chamber, 200 Civic Center.Kaleidoscope, More info.📍 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy
8/20, Line Dancing with Carrie Wojo, 6–9 PM
8/21, TBA, 6–9 PM
8/22, TBA, 6–9 PM
Mac’s Tavern, More info.📍 27567 Puerta Real
8/21, Movin’ People, 8 PM
8/22, Burden of Grove, 8 PM
Patsy’s Irish Pub, More info.📍 25571 Jeronimo Rd.
8/18, Trivia Night, 7 PM
8/20, Bingo Thursday, 7 PM
8/23, Radio Riot, 6–9 PM
Pub Thirty-Two, More info.📍 23962 Alicia Pkwy, #2.
8/19, Trivia Night, 6:30–8:30 PM
8/21, Michael Kelly, 7–10 PM
8/22, Dan Forster, 7–10 PM
8/23: Bren Holmes, 1–3 PM
Have an event you want to list? Simply send your info, including contact details, to [email protected].
THIS WEEK’S WEATHER
Summer rears its head again as temps go up this week. The beach beckons…
Tuesday
🌤️ 89°/64° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SSW
Wednesday
🌤️ 90°/67° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph S
Thursday
🌤️ 88°/68° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SSW
Friday
🌤️ 88°/68° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SW
Saturday
☀️ 88°/68° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SW
Sunday
☀️ 88°/67° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph W
Monday
🌤️ 88°/67° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph WNW
Back to School
Could this summer be going any faster? For many of our local students, school starts this week, which signals the return of the Buzz’s Local School Lowdown column. Stories about our neighborhood schools will replace the Critter Corner section. To see it off, check out the video review of last weekend’s Pet-a-Palooza Night Market.
Keith Lissak
