December 16, 2025

Hi, . Santa’s reindeer soar through the sky the same way I handle December: barely holding it together but still somehow moving forward. In this week’s Buzz:

It started with a simple idea: to create a winter wonderland in their front yard using lights and model trains. Fifteen years later, Vic and Sue Thies’ home at 26166 Buscador has earned a place in the Mission Viejo Activity Committee’s Home Holiday Lighting Hall of Fame. This year, the Thies unveiled their grandest display yet. Covering nearly every square inch of their corner lot, the dazzling spectacle took two and a half months—and 520 hours—to assemble in time for Thanksgiving. Powering the thousands of lights adds between $1,000 and $1,200 to their annual electricity bill. What fuels this outpouring of holiday spirit? “Craziness,” Vic laughs. “But seriously, it’s really just a way for us to give something back to the community.”

Chanukah isn’t just a holiday for Jews. Mission Viejo families gathered at the Village Green on Sunday to commemorate the Jewish people’s fight for religious freedom more than 2,000 years ago. Chabad of Mission Viejo hosted the event, offering jelly donuts, latkes, pony rides, a snow machine, cookie decorating and other activities for anyone interested in Jewish culture. The Mission Viejo Fire Department also joined the festivities, showering kids with chocolate coins, called “gelt.” The gathering held special meaning following attacks against Chanukah celebrants at Australia’s Bondi Beach earlier that day. “In times of darkness, you can always find light in your community,” said Gabriel Davidoff, a member of International Chabad Teens (CTeen). — Jason Lissak

Overlooking the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, O’Neill’s Bar & Grill is always a picturesque spot for tasty libations and award-winning cuisine. This holiday, the restaurant is offering multiple ways to make the season bright. On Saturday, December 20, Kim Wilson & the All-Star Blues Band will take the stage for the Winter Blues Concert. Enjoy an inspired feast on Christmas Eve, with dinner seatings available at 5, 6, 8 and 8:30 PM. If Christmas brunch is your thing, O’Neill’s offers a festive holiday brunch buffet featuring a smoked prime rib and roasted pork carving station, fresh seafood, signature salads, omelets made to order, and seasonal desserts. There’s also something for New Years’ Eve revelers, with dinner seatings starting at 5 PM. Reservations are required for holiday meals, so call 949-305-5100 to book your table. More info.📍 26772 Avery Pkwy.

District 5 Councilmember Wendy Bucknum will serve as mayor of Mission Viejo in 2026, bringing a strong focus on economic development and leveraging the city’s involvement with the 2028 Summer Olympics. “The Olympics represent a huge financial opportunity for our businesses and residents,” she says. “From an economic standpoint, we have to make it easier for our retail centers to thrive by streamlining processes where possible and offering incentives, such as waivers on new permits.” Wendy’s overarching goal is to position the city for long-term success by working with property owners to revitalize underutilized retail centers. “We need to maintain the momentum already underway in several areas and explore opportunities like Los Osos, which has tremendous potential to benefit everyone in our city.” More info.

Some coaches count points. Brian Mulligan counts stops. The Capo Valley Boys Basketball head coach recently notched his 600th career win, cementing his place among California’s coaching elite—a club with fewer than 50 members. For Mulligan, the path to 600 has been paved with lockdown defense, strategic positioning, and a philosophy that champions preventing baskets over scoring them. “I’ve always enjoyed the positioning of players, the strategy of using different defenses, motivating the players to execute certain things and the desire to shut down another team,” Mulligan once told the LA Times. Way to go, coach!

While other students were hitting the books, the Trabuco Hills High School Competitive Cheer team was busy defying gravity—and the competition—at the University High USA Competition on December 6. The Mustangs proved they’re not just about school spirit; they can also bring home hardware, winning first place at the prestigious competition. With gravity-defying tumbles, sky-high stunts and sharp choreography, the Mustang squad reminded everyone that competitive cheer is a sport where winners literally rise to the occasion. Congrats to all!

Stratford School Mission Viejo partnered with Project Hope Alliance to brighten the holidays for children experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Through the “Stockings of Hope” campaign, students and families collected 150 stockings for kids in need. Each stocking includes a $25 gift card, small gifts and necessities. The initiative reflects the school’s mission to ensure every child feels seen, valued and remembered this holiday season. “We are incredibly proud of the impact our families continue to make and grateful for the opportunity to support Project Hope Alliance in bringing warmth, joy and hope to children who need it most,” said Schehera McKasson, Director of Upper School at Stratford School Mission Viejo.

$995,000, 2 beds, 3 baths, 1,300 sq. ft.

Perched on a hillside in the Mallorcas gated community, this condo offers spectacular lake views and a bright, light-filled interior. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with sleek countertops, contemporary cabinetry and stainless appliances. Floor-to-ceiling dual-pane windows and sliding glass doors blur the line between indoor comfort and outdoor beauty, allowing natural light to fill the living and dining areas. Both bathrooms have been thoughtfully upgraded with modern finishes and stylish touches. The primary suite offers serene retreat-like comfort with expansive vistas, while the secondary bedroom, equally bright and inviting, provides versatility for guests, home office use, or whatever lifestyle best suits your needs. More info.

Listing agents: Jason Holmes, 949-697-0776, Real Broker

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The hive is shutting down the last two weeks of the year, so I’d like to wish every reader a wonderful holiday season. Whichever holiday you observe—Festivus, anyone?—may it be filled with joy, peace, family and friends. We’ll be back on January 6.

Keith Lissak

Publisher/Editor

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