October 14, 2025

Hi, . If suntanning were an Olympic sport, I’d take the bronze. Speaking of the Olympics, countries are gearing up for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and our community is a big part of their plans, as you can read in this week's Buzz:

Mission Viejo is gearing up for an extraordinary opportunity as the primary pre-games training site for the Netherlands Olympic Team (TeamNL) ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. The City officially signed a four-year cooperative agreement with TeamNL that promises significant economic benefits for local hotels, restaurants and businesses. “Every time we visit Mission Viejo, it just reconfirms why they are the perfect training partner for us,” said TeamNL’s Director of Elite Sport Andre Cats. “Their sporting resources are exactly what we need, and the enthusiasm throughout the community is just amazing.” TeamNL athletes will train at world-class facilities including the Marguerite Aquatics Complex, local high schools and Saddleback College. Along with TeamNL, divers from the Australian, French and USA teams will also train at the Marguerite Aquatics Complex, making Mission Viejo a home away from home for some of the world’s top athletes ahead of the 2028 Games. More info.

The final Symphony on the Go concert of the year was held at Melinda Park on Friday night, and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet delivered a stirring performance. In a diverse program that celebrated the Fall season, the musicians played crowd-pleasers from composers including Camille Saint-Saëns, Danny Elfman and W.A. Mozart. The night was particularly poignant for group leader and viola player Phillip Triggs (pictured, second from right). “It’s especially meaningful for me to play here because I grew up in Mission Viejo and still live here,” he said. “It’s also really nice to play in a less-formal setting than a concert hall, and to try to find new audiences.”

Amazon will shutter its Amazon Fresh location on Crown Valley Pkwy by mid-November as part of a performance evaluation that affects four Southern California stores. The closures mirror Amazon's global grocery strategy shift—the company recently announced plans to close 14 Fresh stores in the U.K. and convert five others to its Whole Foods Market brand. As of September 24, Amazon Fresh had 64 locations in nine states across the U.S., including 27 in California. Amazon has not revealed what will happen with the Mission Viejo Fresh location, but there’s a chance it may reopen under Amazon’s smaller Whole Foods Daily Shop format. More info.

Fox Sports analyst and former Mission Viejo High School quarterback Mark Sanchez has been charged with felony battery charges following a physical altercation on October 4. In Indianapolis to cover a game between the Colts and Las Vegas Raiders, Sanchez allegedly instigated a fight with 69-year-old truck driver Perry Tole, who was parked at the loading dock of the Westin Indianapolis hotel. Tole pepper-sprayed Sanchez and then pulled a knife during the scuffle, with Sanchez suffering stab wounds to his torso, and Tole suffering a severe laceration to the side of his face, according to court documents. If found guilty, Sanchez could face between one and six years in prison.

When Mission Viejo shifted from “at-large” to district-based elections in 2022, Cynthia Vasquez saw an opportunity to bring renewed focus on young families to city leadership. Three years into her term as District 3 city councilmember, the mother of two daughters has worked tirelessly to reflect Mission Viejo’s diversity through programs supporting veterans, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Her latest priorities include improving traffic flow on city streets and the continued development of programs that promote equity, sustainability, and access to resources for underrepresented populations. “I look at our city’s issues holistically and then do my best to make the right decisions for all residents,” she says.

You don’t have to tell this gathering of ghouls on Monforte in South Galicia that Halloween is coming—they’re clearly dressed up for the occasion! Do you have what it takes to win Mission Viejo’s Halloween and Fall Home Decorating Contest? Enter for free by October 17 at 5 PM. Winners will be announced October 23, with the addresses of winning homes posted on the Mission Viejo Activities Committee website on October 24. More info.

$1,390,000, 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,089 sq. ft.

Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Califia neighborhood, this two-story home features a gourmet island kitchen with granite countertops, white cabinetry and a gas range. Enjoy vaulted ceilings in the sunny living room, an adjacent formal dining room and a separate family room with a romantic fireplace. The primary suite has lots of closet space, an elegant ensuite bath and a convenient nook, perfect for a nursery or home office. Step outside to a private, park-like backyard with a patio and sweeping views. More info.

Listing agent: Pamela Pedego, Regency Real Estate Brokers, 949-422-8981

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I went for a bike ride on Sunday morning and what a glorious day it was here in SoCal! Just another reminder about how lucky we are to be living in a region with the best weather on Earth (even with today’s rain). I hope you had a chance to enjoy it too.

Keith Lissak

Publisher/Editor

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