September 2, 2025
Good morning, . Hope your Labor Day was as good as mine. I had three full days to do absolutely nothing instead of two! In this week’s Buzz:
James Castillo wins inaugural MV photo contest
Post office renamed to honor local hero
LMVA Board of Directors election
Diotima Bakehouse
Mission Viejo Property Showcase
Out and about
Weekly weather forecast
Picture perfect! MV crowns its photo contest champ
Photo by James Castillo
The competition was fierce, but Mayor Bob Ruesch announced the winner of Mission Viejo's inaugural photo contest at the August 26 City Council meeting. James Castillo’s stunning shot of a magnificent sunset over Lake Mission Viejo took top honors. Mayor Ruesch selected the image for perfectly capturing the magical spirit of our community and its people. Congratulations, James!
NEWS BITS
Hometown hero honored
On July 3, the U.S. Post Office at 28081 Marguerite Pkwy was officially renamed the Major Megan McClung Post Office Building to honor the brave Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice. A Mission Viejo native who attended De Portola Elementary, La Paz Intermediate and Mission Viejo High School, Major McClung graduated from the Naval Academy in 1995. She was killed in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province on December 6, 2006, at age 34—the first female Marine officer killed in the Iraq War. Her distinguished service earned numerous honors, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The renamed facility stands as a lasting tribute to Major McClung’s heroism.
Oops! We forgot Trabuco Hills High
In last week’s issue of the Buzz, we wrote about U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the best high schools in the country. In listing Mission Viejo’s public high schools, we mistakenly left out Trabuco Hills High. Yes, there are three public high schools in our community (thanks to Buzz subscriber Jill Christian for setting us straight)! For the record, Trabuco Hills High School is ranked No. 2,103 nationally. It graduates 95% of its students and has a college-readiness score of 44.6.
Have a say in Lake Mission Viejo’s future
Interested in being part of Lake Mission Viejo’s future direction? Now is the time to step up! Two Lake Mission Viejo Association Board of Directors positions are up for reelection, with voting scheduled for the annual delegates meeting on October 21. Board members serve two-year terms as fiduciaries, participating in meetings, making key decisions, providing direction to management staff and enforcing the association’s governing documents. Candidate declaration forms are available at LMVA administrative offices and must be submitted by September 19. More info.
Too hot to trot
There’s another hot week ahead, which can be dangerous for our four-legged friends. According to the American Kennel Club, walking your pooch in temperatures above 85° F, even for a short stroll, can be hazardous. “To find out if the ground is too hot for your dog to walk on, place your hand comfortably on the pavement for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, chief veterinary officer for the AKC. Hot days can also lead to heat stress and heat stroke, even for the healthiest pooches, so it’s best to keep them indoors except for the few minutes it takes for them to do their business. More info.
PEOPLE & PLACES
The delights of Diotima Bakehouse
A good croissant is hard to find—that is, until Kian Moltaji opened Diotima Bakehouse in 2023. Moltaji, who studied philosophy at UCLA before attending the prestigious École Ferrandi culinary school in Paris, creates his impossibly light and buttery croissants in the traditional French style. His fluffy kouign-amanns—served with or without a rich cream center—are transcendent. And then there’s his chocolate chip cookie, arguably the best we’ve ever tasted (and we’ve sampled plenty). Perhaps this level of excellence should come as no surprise from an internet sensation known as @kianthechef; after all, his hundreds of thousands of Instagram and TikTok followers can’t all be wrong. More info. 📍 25542 Jeronimo Rd.
MISSION VIEJO PROPERTY SHOWCASE
28955 Paseo Sabatini
$785,000, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,278 sq. ft.
Single-story condo in the guard-gated 55+ Palmia community. Kitchen overlooks large living/dining area with fireplace and TV nook. Primary bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with no-step shower and double-sink vanity, and a slider to spacious back patio area. Secondary bedroom features a tub/shower combo. Two single-car garages. Palmia amenities include large clubhouse, resort-style pool, tennis/paddleball courts, 18-hole putting green and more. More info.
Listing agent: Twilla King, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California properties, (949) 633-5786.
Become a Buzz ambassador
Get five friends, family members or neighbors to join 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!
Click below to share this issue and spread the word!
OUT AND ABOUT
Happenings
9/2, Fiesta Tuesday, Oso Creek Golf Course, 4-7 PMTuesday nights are for dinner in the Atrium. Enjoy $3 street tacos (chicken, filet and carnitas), $5 margaritas, complimentary chips and a salsa bar. Reservations not required. More info.📍 27601 Casta Del Sol.
9/4, Taste of Square Dancing, Norman P. Murray Community Center, 7-8 PMJoin the Ramblin’ Rogues Square Dance Club for a free beginner square dancing class. Basic calls, formations and rhythms are covered, all set in a lively, supportive environment. More info. 📍 24932 Veterans Way.
9/6, Mission Viejo Farmers Market, North Paseo at Los Osos, 9 AM-1 PMShop a variety of locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cooked items, handmade crafts and more. More info. 📍 25282 Marguerite Pkwy.
9/6, A Leash on Love, Potocki Center for the Arts, 2-5 PMJoin the Potocki Center and Mission Viejo Animal Services to make a personalized leash holder and meet lovable, adoptable pets. The $50 donation goes to DAWG (Dedicated Animal Welfare Group). More info. 📍27301 La Paz Rd.
9/9, Bowers Museum Excursion, 9 AM-4 PMTake a group trip to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana to see the “World of the Terra Cotta Warriors” exhibit. You’ll explore China’s captivating early history through recent archaeological finds from Shaanxi Province, followed by food and shopping at the Orange Circle in the Old Towne Orange Historic District. Attendees meet at Norman P. Murray Center. Cost: $30. More info.
Live Music
9/2, Tuesday on the Terrace, Norman P. Murray Community Center, 4:30-6:30 PMEnjoy this free monthly concert featuring the classic rock of Eddie Allen. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 3:30 PM. Snacks and beverages available for purchase. More info.📍 24932 Veterans Way.
9/4, Music at the Veranda, Piccolino Ristorante, 6:30-8:30 PMSip, savor and sway to soulful tunes paired with memorable Italian food. More info.📍28719 Los Aliso Blvd.
Pub Thirty-Two, 7-10 PM. More info.📍 23962 Alicia Pkwy, #2. 9/5: Identity Crisis9/6: Steven Shaw
Buy, Sell & Trade
16-foot Bayliner: $8,750Great boat, low hours. Comes with everything you need to hit the water. Four-stroke 20hp Tohatsu motor. Completely reupholstered, new steering and all new cables. Bluetooth stereo. Life jackets, fenders, new Bimini top. Set up for fishing or just cruising. Trailer and new cover included. 2025 registration and title in hand. Contact Jonathan.
Blaze Grill: $1,400Top-of-the-line BBQ with four burners plus sear zone and rear heat oven feature. Lighted dials and lights under the hood. Clean and in excellent condition. Contact Pete.
Bernardaud Gemme Gris bone china: $250Seven place settings: dinner plates, salad plates, bread plates, saucers and tea cups. Three soup bowls. Never used. Contact Michelle.
Olds Ambassador trumpet: $175. 1976 model. Good condition. Not used in many years. Contact Keith.
Adjustable weight bench: $75Foldable, adjustable weight bench for strength training. Features decline, flat, incline and military press positions, dual-action leg developer with pivot point, and more. Maximum load capacity of 440 lbs. Contact Vuong.
Having a yard or garage sale? Got stuff you want to sell or give away? List it here for free! Simply send your listing, including contact information and a photo to [email protected].
Your Weekly Forecast
THANKS FOR READING THE BUZZ!
You may have noticed a new feature in this issue: Mission Viejo Property Showcase. Each week, we’ll spotlight a spectacular Mission Viejo home currently on the market—giving you a great reason to share the Buzz with friends who are considering a move to our beautiful community!
Keith Lissak
Publisher/Editor
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