July 21, 2026

Hi, . Outdoor summer concerts are one of the best ways to enjoy Mission Viejo’s spectacular summer evenings. Where else can you see a fun band while toddlers dance in the grass and seniors shake their moneymakers? In this week’s Buzz:

Neighbors have complained for years about the accumulation of refuse and non-working mechanical items in the front yard and driveway of the home at 22931 Via Santa Maria—to no avail. Frustrated residents eventually appealed to the Mission Viejo City Council, describing the property—which faces Oxford Preparatory Academy—as an eyesore and expressing concerns about potential fire and safety hazards. Following its review, the City issued a notice directing the occupant to correct several code violations by June 26, 2026. That deadline passed without the violations being remedied. A hearing is now scheduled for 2 PM on August 5 at Mission Viejo City Hall. If the hearing officer determines the property constitutes a public nuisance, the occupant has five days to correct violations before the City can proceed with abatement.

The Tijuana Dogs never fail to deliver. Their show last Friday on the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park cemented their reputation as one of South Orange County’s favorite party bands. Led by Matt Mauser on lead vocals, the Dogs raced through their huge repertoire of hits from ‘70s classic rock, ‘80s pop anthems, ‘90s hip hop and early 2000s alt favorites to an appreciative crowd that was happy to dance their way into the weekend. Prior to the show, the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Expo on the Green. More than 30 local companies showcased their services and products, including the Buzz.

Kathy Shahabi of the Crucero Park neighborhood spotted this apparently well-fed coyote at the corner of Esquina and Mirador on Sunday around 4 PM. Just another reminder that urban coyotes are a fact of life in Mission Viejo. For information on keeping your pets safe and what to do if you encounter wild animals in your neighborhood, including canis latrans, the latin name for coyotes which translates to “barking dog,” check out these documents from Mission Viejo Animal Services.

Photo by Kathy Shahabi

The coming of Wholesome Choice market was announced in May 2025. It’s taken longer than expected, but the specialty food store is now targeting a mid-September grand opening. Located at the former site of Orchard Supply Hardware at 24011 Marguerite Pkwy, Wholesome Choice offers a large selection of international groceries, fresh produce and meat, and a large food court featuring cuisines from around the world. For now, hungry residents will just have to wait a bit longer.

Lifelong Mission Viejo resident and first-time mom Janine Farah was looking to build something meaningful for her growing family, so she took a leap of faith and turned her passion for crafting into Pretty Little Keepsakes. PLK creates handcrafted, customizable party favors and keepsakes for life’s special celebrations, including baby and bridal showers, birthdays, graduations and weddings. Each keepsake is designed and personalized to match the client’s theme, colors and vision. “Our goal is to create favors that not only delight guests, but also become a lasting reminder of a special day,” said Janine. Contact PLK.

A bowl of steaming hot noodles on a warm summer day? No thanks, we’ll take ours cold. Nathan Zhang of Laolijia Cold Noodle is now bringing his family recipe from the city of Xi’an in northwest China to the Mission Viejo Farmers Market. His vegan to-go bowls are prepared fresh daily and include homemade wheat noodles, sesame sauce, garlic, vinegar, and spicy or mild chili sauce. The traditional flavors blend into a mouth-watering, exotic treat that’s goes perfectly with iced tea—or a cold Tsingtao beer. More info.

There’s never been a better time to add a furry little feline to your family. Through the end of July, all cats and kittens at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center are only $20 for approved adopters. If adding a cat to a home with another feline, Dr. Kay Park, DVM, of Oso Pet Care Center offers the following advice:

Willow Jinx is one of the many cats available for adoption at the Mission Viejo Animal Center. She’s a spayed female, blue domestic longhair that arrived at the shelter on June 17. About eight months old, she loves attention from humans, but she can be a little shy at first. With the right owner, shelter personnel think she’ll make a loving and loyal cat, and may do well with another feline in the home with a slow introduction. Meet Willow Jinx.

We want to meet your pets! Furry, feathery, scaly or anything in between—all creatures great and small that call Mission Viejo home are invited to appear in our Critter Corner section. Send a photo or video, along with a few words about what makes your companion one of a kind, to [email protected] and we'll take it from there.

$1,300,000, 3 beds, 3 baths, 1,803 sq. ft.

Cape Cod-inspired luxury on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Evergreen Lakeview neighborhood. This home’s open floor plan features a great room adjacent to a renovated kitchen with white shaker cabinetry, quartz counters, subway tile backsplash and stainless appliances, plus a coffee bar. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite includes vaulted ceilings, a ceiling fan and a generous closet. The en-suite bath has a quartz vanity and a walk-in shower with oversized subway tile and a corner bench. In the backyard, a covered vinyl patio with ceiling fans provides shade, while landscaping, accent lighting, bistro lights and fruit trees create a comfortable place to unwind. More info.

Listing agent: Lane Stone, (714) 488-9029, Seven Gables Real Estate

Have an event you want to list? Simply send your info, including contact details, to [email protected].

Don’t Tell Comedy is a unique way to experience live comedy right here in Mission Viejo. You purchase tickets not knowing who you’ll see or where the show will be. One thing we do know: it will be at a local restaurant this Saturday night, July 25. More info in the Live Music & Entertainment section.

Keith Lissak

Publisher/Editor

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