Do you need to retire an American Flag?

Tattered American flags are sought for flag retiring ceremony June 14 Old, unserviceable American flags are sought for a ceremony Boy Scout Troop 700 of Aliso Viejo will host for retiring tattered American flags on Flag Day - Thursday, June 14. The public ceremony is at 7 p.m. at Orange County Fire Authority Fire Station 57, on the corner of Pacific Park and Journey. The flag retiring ceremony is held to properly destroy - by burning - worn, damaged or otherwise unserviceable American flags in a dignified manner. The flag retiring ceremony will include proper homage and the disposition of the flags by the Boy Scout Troop 700 color guard and Veterans honor guard. "This ceremony means a lot to our members and we feel it's a good opportunity for the community to not only turn in their worn-out flags, but to see the proper and honorable way to dispose of them," said Scoutmaster Chip Souza. A free reception will follow the ceremony. The public is invited. Old, unserviceable American flags can be dropped off to Gracie Duran at Aliso Viejo City Hall during business hours. City Hall is located at 12 Journey. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Chris Souza at 949-584-5584 or e-mail committee@alisoviejo700.mytroop.us for flag removal arrangements. I see so many flags around the neighborhoods that should be retired. I hope people take advantage of this great opportunity.

Celebrate Arbor Day this Friday at Creekside Park 4pm.

Arbor Day at Creekside Park Friday Families are invited to celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 26 by planting trees at Creekside Park. The Aliso Viejo Community Association will host its annual Arbor Day celebration at 4 p.m. at the park located near Cedarbrook and Aliso Viejo Parkway. Folks should come dressed in comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes. For more information, call 949-243-7750.

Local Music at AV Conferance Center!

The Aliso Viejo Conference Center is launching a new spring "Music Matters" concert series that kicks off April 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 31 Santa Barbara Drive. The series will showcase talented "original" artists each month at this pristine facility that overlooks the golf course. The first concert features two of Southern California's fastest rising stars - The Wheeland Brothers. They will be followed by Denny White on May 27. Cost is $15 per person with advance online registration or $20 cash at the door. The fee includes two tacos and a house special margarita or beer. To register online, visit https://www.cgmarketingsystems.com/onlineshop/index.asp?id=7125&courseid=2595

Annual Shredding Event Coming Up!

Save the date for Shredding/Identity Theft Protection and e-waste event in May In an effort to protect residents from identity theft and provide a free public service, the City will host a Document Shredding/Identity Theft Protection and e-waste event on Saturday, May 18. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon in Soka University parking lot A at 1 University Drive. Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation, and shredding documents with personal or financial information can be an effective measure of prevention. Residents and businesses can bring standard-file boxes of paper records - canceled checks, pay stubs, credit card statements and more - that will be shredded onsite for free. The boxes of pages can contain staples and paper clips but must be free of notebooks or other bindings. Staff will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information about identity theft. There is a limit of 10 boxes per household or business. Along with having their documents shred, residents can recycle electronic waste such as old cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, scanners, VCR/DVD players, TVs, microwaves and other small appliances free of charge in the Soka parking lot with e-Recycling of California. Large appliances, oils, solvents, tires and other household hazardous waste will not be accepted. For more information about the May 18 event, contact Aliso Viejo City Clerk Susan Ramos at 949-425-2506 or sramos@cityofalisoviejo.com.

Want to Volunteer in Aliso Viejo?

Check out the city's new website which matches volunteer needs to people who want to volunteer or need volunteers. Should be really nice once people find out about it. Log on at http://alisoviejoexchange.com/index

Document Shredding May 18th at Soka University. FREE

Save the date for Shredding/Identity Theft Protection and e-waste event in May In an effort to protect residents from identity theft and provide a free public service, the City will host a Document Shredding/Identity Theft Protection and e-waste event on Saturday, May 18. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon in Soka University parking lot A at 1 University Drive. Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation, and shredding documents with personal or financial information can be an effective measure of prevention. Residents and businesses can bring standard-file boxes of paper records - canceled checks, pay stubs, credit card statements and more - that will be shredded onsite for free. The boxes of pages can contain staples and paper clips but must be free of notebooks or other bindings. Staff will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information about identity theft. There is a limit of 10 boxes per household or business. Along with having their documents shred, residents can recycle electronic waste such as old cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, scanners, VCR/DVD players, TVs, microwaves and other small appliances free of charge in the Soka parking lot with e-Recycling of California. Large appliances, oils, solvents, tires and other household hazardous waste will not be accepted. For more information about the May 18 event, contact Aliso Viejo City Clerk Susan Ramos at 949-425-2506 or sramos@cityofalisoviejo.com.

Aquatic Center News!

Save the date for Aquatic Center Open House March 7 The Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center will host a special Open House on Thursday, March 7 to give the public a sneak peek at the exciting spring/summer season on tap. The facility will be open to the public for another fabulous season May 4 through September 30 with programs starting April 1. The Open House will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the City facility located at 29 Santa Barbara next to the Aliso Viejo Conference Center off Golf Drive and Glenwood. Folks will have the chance to meet new and returning coaches and instructors, obtain information about several new and established programs and take advantage of early-bird discounts. Programs at the Aquatic Center are provided by Premier Recreation Services, which will begin offering an array of swim programs in April. Those programs include a "Learn to Swim" group lesson; private swim lessons; "Parent and Me" swim classes; Aqua Zumba; spring, summer, and fall swim teams; and the new Aqua Mania Summer Camp. For recreational swimming and activities, the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center opens to the public May 4. This year, people will be able to access programs even easier thanks to new online registration that will allow them to purchase lessons and book programs around the clock, as well as book private lessons with specific instructors through Premier's new live scheduling program. The Aquatic Center will also offer a new "Family Pass," so families can enjoy recreational swimming and activities May through September at a reduced rate. In addition to new swim programs, the facility will also offer a host of CPR/AED, First Aid, Lifeguard and other health and safety courses. For more information about health and safety programs, contact Ryan Larson at ryan@premierrecservices.com. Information about the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center programming is available at www.alisoviejoaquaticscenter.com and www.avflyingfish.com or by e-mailing av@premierrecservices.com. For general inquiries, contact avaquatics@kempersports.com.