February 3, 2026

Hi, . Here in Mission Viejo we have the Big Chopsticks and Little Chopsticks Chinese restaurants. Could Medium Chopsticks be next? In this week’s Buzz:

When City Councilmember Trish Kelley floated the idea of making Mission Viejo a “City of Character” in 2003, it wasn’t meant as a catchy slogan. As a parent and longtime community advocate, Trish believed character should be actively taught and modeled across the city. With no budget to build the program, Trish rolled up her sleeves and recruited volunteers, secured private funding, and invited residents to help shape it. The result was 12 core values—from Perseverance to Moral Courage to Caring—chosen by the community itself. Volunteers still hand-deliver monthly resource guides on each value to every classroom in all 25 Mission Viejo schools. Today, a 65-student committee runs booths at city events and screens character-focused films. In Mission Viejo, being a “City of Character” isn't aspirational—it’s a way of life.

Mission Viejo officially recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. Mayor Wendy Bucknum presented a proclamation to Chabad Rabbi Zalman Marcus and Holocaust survivor Ann Jenner at the City Council meeting, alongside other members of Mission Viejo’s Jewish community. Rabbi Marcus remarked that amid rising antisemitism worldwide, the city's recognition reminds residents that Mission Viejo “stands for justice, for peace, for goodness in the world, and we do that by remembering the horrors that have been done in the past.” The United Nations established this day of remembrance on the anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation.

Preparing to file your taxes can be stressful—and costly. The Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center is offering help. The Center is partnering with Orange County United Way to provide free tax preparation services for qualified individuals for tax year 2025. If your household income is less than $69,000, you’re over 50, you have limited English proficiency, you’re a veteran or have a disability, this program can save you stress and money. Priority registration for Mission Viejo residents is now underway. To schedule an appointment, you’ll need physical copies of your tax documents, a picture ID, Social Security card and more. More info.

Ever want to see a chicken play a piano? A pig race down a slide? How about a rabbit riding a cable car? You could catch all those barnyard shenanigans and more at Mission Viejo’s Old MacDonald’s Farm, located at the current site of the Kaleidoscope on Crown Valley Pkwy near Interstate 5. The attraction originally operated at Knott’s Berry Farm but was moved here in 1969 by operators Fulton and Kay Shaw. In addition to performing animals, the farm featured a tractor-pulled hayride from the parking lot to the entrance and a petting zoo where kids could play with and feed farm animals. It closed in the late 1970s due to ongoing development in Mission Viejo. Since then, folks have had to look elsewhere to see a chicken peck out a tune.

Professional chefs know that high-quality extra virgin olive oil can transform a dish. Now chefs of all levels can get their hands on premium organic EVOO. Single Source Harvest imports Greek EVOO from small, family-owned farms that  cold-press their olives the same day they’re harvested. The resulting product delivers a delicious peppery kick and unique health benefits. “Our goal is to offer extra virgin olive oil you can’t otherwise find in the U.S.,” says company founder Niki Coleman. “We know where it comes from, how the farmers feed their trees, and how they press their olives to ensure that it’s truly exceptional.” Single Source Harvest EVOO is available online and at the Mission Viejo Farmers Market. More info.

A global purveyor of fine teas is opening its doors this weekend at the Shops at Mission Viejo. Chagee Modern Tea House is located on Level 1, near Brighton Collectibles. Founded in Yunnan, China, in 2017, Chagee seeks to reintroduce Chinese tea culture to the world with a modern twist. The Mission Viejo grand opening—this Friday through Sunday, February 6-8—features two limited-time drink bundles and an Early Bird Tote Bag Giveaway for the first 200 guests who purchase any two or more large drinks. Visit Chagee during regular mall hours. More info.📍 555 The Shops at Mission Viejo.

The Trabuco Hills High School Varsity Competition Cheer Team just made school history—bringing home its first CIF Southern Section Division 3A Championship on January 24. The 25 student athletes prevailed with their precision routine and jaw-dropping stunts, outshining eight other Southern California schools. The victory was no fluke: the Mustangs dominated the competition season with three first-place finishes in four regional meets. You could say that six hours of weekly practice, relentless dedication, and a team that refused to settle for second best paid golden dividends. Way to go, Mustangs!

Come out for a night of laughs at ComedySportz! On Friday, February 6 at 7 PM, Mission Viejo High School faces off against Laguna Hills High School in a battle of wits and humor at a no-holds-barred Valentine’s Day-themed ComedySportz match. If you haven’t been to a match before, ComedySportz is competitive high school improv comedy that’s fully interactive with the audience. Bring your best (and funniest) suggestions, your friends and your family, and be part of the show! Tickets are available in person at the MVHS Performing Arts Theater or online through GoFan for $8.— Myrra Uppuluri

ATTENTION STUDENT WRITERS!

If you’re a middle or high school student in Mission Viejo and want to report on the activities, events and people at your school for the Buzz, we’d love to hear from you. It’s a great way to earn a byline, build experience and have your voice heard. Reach out to [email protected].

$1,299,000, 4 beds, 2 baths, 1,430 sq. ft.

With no HOA or Mello-Roos, this single-story home in the El Dorado neighborhood is a great find. Features include dual-pane windows throughout, a recently replaced HVAC system, and a comfortable floor plan that suits a variety of lifestyles. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and flows naturally into the main living areas. Step outside to a generously sized backyard with a pool and mountain and city views. The home is complete with a direct-access two-car garage featuring epoxy flooring. More info.

Listing agent: Sean Nicholson, 949-232-4044, BayBrook Realty

Refer five friends, family members or neighbors to our growing swarm of Buzz subscribers and we’ll hook you up with one of our brand-new, limited-edition Mission Viejo Buzz caps. They’re seriously cool and you can’t get them anywhere else!

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Starting with this issue, you’ll notice some new advertisers joining us each week. I’m excited to welcome them to the Buzz family! When you visit their businesses, please let them know you saw them here—it means a lot to our local companies and helps keep the Buzz going strong.

Keith Lissak

Publisher/Editor

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