Hello, Mission Viejo.
My son has moved back in and will be attending Saddleback College this fall. It’s great to have him around again, except for the mess he makes and doesn’t clean up. And eating all the good food. And borrowing the car without asking. And always leaving the lights on.
Did I mention how excited I am to have him back?
IN TODAY'S BUZZ
TeamNL Begins Training in Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo is becoming a training home for TeamNL as Dutch Olympic and Paralympic athletes prepare for the LA28 Games. Several Dutch teams have already completed high-performance training camps here, with more visits planned in 2027 and 2028.
AROUND TOWN
Councilmember Vasquez Wants Your District 3 Vote
District 3 City Councilmember Cynthia Vasquez kicked off her re-election campaign Saturday morning at Napoli Park. The district is home to about 18,000 residents in the southernmost part of Mission Viejo.
Vasquez has represented the area since 2022. During her first term, she advocated for the protective fence around Napoli Park and the employment of crossing guards at La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive during the La Paz Bridge reconstruction project.
Fiscal responsibility and how the city spends taxpayer money are key parts of her platform. “A lot of people are struggling, whether it’s to pay their rent or their mortgage, or to put food on the table,” she said at the kickoff. “That’s why it’s so important that the city spends money thoughtfully and makes wise investments.”
Vasquez supports projects such as renovating the Sierra Recreation Center and city parks, as well as more free family events like last weekend’s “Symphony in the Cities” concert at Oso Viejo Community Park. “Those are the types of things we should be doing for this community,” she said.
Dan Mudra’s 1925 Depot Hack
Dan Mudra spent a year and a half converting his 1925 Ford Depot Hack—originally designed to transport passengers to and from train stations—into a far-out woodie surf wagon.
The Mission Viejo resident and former firefighter says his ride tops out at 70 mph—until you put a surfboard on top, which drops the speed to 55 mph. Not bad for a set of wheels built on a 100-year-old chassis and powered by a 2.0-liter Pinto engine.
“I’ve only lost a board once, so I learned the hard way to slow down,” says Dan.
Reggae for a Cause
Concert for a Cure was held July 31 at Oso Viejo Park. A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life campaign, the event attracted cancer survivors, caregivers, donors, and folks simply there to enjoy the reggae vibes of the band Common Sense.
Among the attendees were Mission Viejo’s Carolyn Aday (pictured, left), an eight-and-a-half-year cancer survivor and current caregiver for her husband, who is battling cancer, and Marylin Treece, a 10-year survivor.
PEOPLE & PLACES
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Remembering Alice O’Neill Avery
Alice O’Neill Avery’s family once owned 230,000 acres stretching from Mission Viejo to Oceanside. So who was the woman behind Alicia Parkway’s name?
Getting to the Heart of Mission Viejo
The 13-foot-high metal sculpture traveled a winding road until reaching its final resting place outside the Norman P. Murray Center.
OPEN HOUSE
27414 Iris Ave.
$749,000
3 beds, 3 baths, 1,249 sq. ft.
Listing agent: Spencer Weinberg, (562) 373-0000, Home Offer Real Estate
Affordability and privacy in Mission Viejo!
Postioned toward the rear of the Emerald Pointe Community, this condo features dramatic two-story ceilings and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Fresh interior paint, updated fixtures, upgraded bathrooms and modern finishes create a clean, move-in-ready feel throughout.
The spacious primary suite offers high ceilings and two closets, while the secondary bedrooms are ideal for family, guests or a home office. The downstairs layout includes a walk-in pantry, half bathroom, private laundry room and direct access to the finished two-car garage.
Outside, enjoy a private, low-maintenance patio that’s perfect for relaxing or entertaining.
CRITTER CORNER
Cool Them Off with Frozen Dog Treats
Summer is the season to treat your hot dog to a healthy frozen treat. They’ll thank you for it!
Adopt Me: Roxy
Roxy is a spayed female, black and white Domestic Shorthair cat, about 10 months old. See her at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.
Show Us Your Pets
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, and we'll take it from there.
OUT & ABOUT
Happenings
8/12, Rotary Club of Mission Viejo Meeting, 7:10 AM
Weekly meeting to discuss club business. More info.📍 Fidelity Investments Bldg, 27101 Puerto Real, Ste. 100.8/15, Mission Viejo Farmers Market, 9 AM–1 PM
Shop a variety of locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cooked items, handmade crafts and more. More info.📍 North Paseo at Los Osos, 25282 Marguerite Pkwy.8/15, Night Market—Pet-a-Palooza, 5-9 PM
This month’s Night Market has a star-spangled country theme and includes live entertainment by DJ Coral and line dancing. Enjoy beer and wine, food, handmade crafts, a scavenger hunt, and more. More info.📍 North Paseo at Los Osos, 25282 Marguerite Pkwy.8/18, Chamber of Commerce DayBreakers Networking Group, 7:45–9:30 AM
Come to meet, greet and get to know local business owners. $12 for members, $14 for non-members. More info.📍 Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.8/19, Rotary Club Social Event, 5–7 PM
Learn about the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo in a fun setting while eating great food. All members and people interested in knowing more about the club are welcome. More info. 📍 Piccolino Ristorante, 28719 Los Alisos Blvd.
Live Music & Entertainment
8/12 & 14, Movies in the Moonlight: GOAT, Dusk
Bring the family to enjoy the 2026 hit animated movie about a small goat who dreams of playing in the NBA. Features the voices of Stephen Curry, Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Hudson and Jelly Roll. More info. 📍 Lake Mission Viejo, 22555 Olympiad Rd.Kaleidoscope, More info.📍 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy
8/14, TBA, 6–9 PM
8/15, TBA, 6–9 PM
Mac’s Tavern, More info.📍 27567 Puerta Real
8/14, Vintage Vinyl, 8 PM
8/15, Bel-Airs, 8 PM
Patsy’s Irish Pub, More info.📍 25571 Jeronimo Rd.
8/11, Trivia Night, 7 PM
8/13, Bingo Thursday, 7 PM
8/16, Sunday Soundcheck, 6 PM
Pub Thirty-Two, More info.📍 23962 Alicia Pkwy, #2.
8/12, Trivia Night, 6:30–8:30 PM
8/14, Joe Hickey, 7–10 PM
8/15, Carmela, 7–10 PM
8/16: Michael Kelly, 2–5 PM
Have an event you want to list? Simply send your info, including contact details, to [email protected].
THIS WEEK’S WEATHER
Expect cooler temps this week. Perfect for a chilled sauvignon blanc in the backyard.
Tuesday
🌤️ 85°/65° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph WSW
Wednesday
🌤️ 81°/66° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SSW
Thursday
☁️ 78°/65° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SSW
Friday
🌤️ 79°/63° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph W
Saturday
🌤️ 81°/63° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph W
Sunday
🌤️ 82°/64° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph W
Monday
🌤️ 82°/64° | 💧 0% | 💨 10 mph SW
City Council Election Season Is Here
The General Election is November 2, and several Mission Viejo City Council seats will be contested. I encourage all residents to research the candidates in their district and learn about their platforms. Look beyond party lines, consider the issues that matter to you, and make an informed decision about who you believe will best serve Mission Viejo.
Keith Lissak
