So this is what all the construction is about!

Lane closures on tap while work on Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project continues
Journey at Aliso Creek Road is closed for about 10 days and some lanes will continue to be closed on Pacific Park Drive at Aliso Creek Road while workers install street pavers as part of the Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement project.The Town Center Loop Trail, which essentially loops around Aliso Viejo Town Center, provides the community with another recreational component that promotes health and well being along with supporting the City's goals for a sustainable and "walkable" community. The trail is designed to provide pedestrians with a safer walking path and amenities to encourage pedestrians to complete the roughly 3-mile/5K walk.The first phase of the project was finished in 2009 and included new signage, crosswalks and more. This second phase, which began earlier this month, will complete all enhanced corner hardscape, distance markers, monuments and crosswalks for the trail. The project extends from the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Pacific Park Drive south along Aliso Viejo Parkway to the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road and then north along Aliso Creek Road to the intersection of Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park Drive. In future phases, the City plans to add amenities such as seating, trash receptacles, public art, lighting and landscape enhancements.All construction is expected to be completed at the end of September. Concrete paver crosswalks will be installed across Pacific Park Drive at both Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road. Current lane closures on Pacific Park Drive at Aliso Viejo Parkway will be lifted by Monday. However, lane closures on Pacific Park Drive at Aliso Creek Road will continue for the next couple of weeks. Traffic delays through the construction area are expected and alternate routes are recommended.For more information, call the Public Works Department at 949-425-2530. A map of the project is available by clicking here.

Soka is seeking usher volunteers for the Performing Arts Center

Volunteers, ushers sought for Soka Performing Arts Center
Soka University is seeking volunteer ushers and patron assistants for its new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center. The center's premiere season opens Sept. 17 with a black tie-optional concert starting at 8 p.m. featuring Carl St. Clair and the Pacific Symphony, with pianist Horacio Gutierrez as soloist. A champagne reception will follow the grand opening performance in the 1,000-seat facility.Volunteers are sought to usher and assist patrons throughout the season. The concert hall is recruiting Soka students, faculty, staff and residents from Aliso Viejo and surrounding communities. Volunteers should be at least high school age, friendly and outgoing. They should be able to work 3 to 4-hour shifts several times a month and be willing to stay active as a concert hall volunteer for at least a year.Interested volunteers should complete the online "volunteer interest form" at www.performingarts.soka.edu/volunteer or e-mail their name, address and telephone number to volunteer@soka.edu.Orientation meetings for new volunteers are at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive. All volunteers must attend at least one of these meetings.

Weekend of August 20 and 21

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a couple of great events here in AV. I saw Grease the movie at Grand Park which was really a great experience. Lots of people attended and the screen is huge and easy to see from anywhere. Bring a picnic or buy candy and snacks from the local school kids.. a fun summer evening.

Then there was the Beatles concert in the park on Sunday which started at 530 and went to 730. What an enormous crowd! It was fun and jam packed all the way to about half of the park.. We sat towards the back with the dogs and enjoyed the music. Ran into lots of neighbors and friends and saw so many beautiful face painting creations on the children running about. The band was terrific and the weather couldn't have been better... WE have one more left on the 28th .. which is the tribute to Motown.. Going to have to make a point of getting there!

Aquatic Center to have new Fall hours!

Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center will have extended fall hours, swim program
The Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center will extend its operations through October 2 and feature a new fall swim program that kicks off on September 5.The facility is a resort-style swimming complex at 29 Santa Barbara, near Glenwood and Golf Drive. The center boasts a junior Olympic 5-lane lap pool, recreational pool, children's wading pool, toddler splash pad, adult whirl pool, Oasis Cafe, locker facilities, restrooms, and a patio with an outdoor patio fireplace.The pool is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends through Labor Day, Sept. 5. After that, it will be open for after-school and lap swimming from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends through October 2.Admission for Aliso Viejo residents is $5 adults; $3 youth (ages 2-13) and $3 seniors (ages 60+). Non-residents pay $7 for adults; $5 youth and seniors.The new fall swim program, hosted by Blueray Management, includes Mommy & Me (ages 6-24 months); Pre-School (ages 2-4); Learn to Swim (ages 3-8); and private swim lessons (all ages) that run through September 28.The Aquatic Center is conveniently located near Aliso Creek Road and Glenwood Drive, next to the Aliso Viejo Conference Center.For more information about the fall swim programs, call 949-500-8646 or e-mail dstack@blueraymanagement.com. Information about the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center is available at www.alisoviejoaquaticscenter.com or by calling 949-425-2559. The City of Aliso Viejo, which incorporated July 1, 2001, encompasses approximately 7 square miles with over 46,123 residents. The City's annual budget is approximately $21 million. The budget is available on the City's website at www.cityofalisoviejo.com. The City supports a thriving business community with companies such as Pacific Life Insurance Co.; United Parcel Service (UPS); Clarient; Valeant Pharmaceuticals; Q-Logic; Lennar Homes; Buy.Com; Fluor Daniel; Pepsi Bottling, Inc.; Shea Homes; the Renaissance ClubSport Hotel; and Bausch and Lomb. Aliso Viejo has 23 parks, vast open space and top-notch amenities including the Aliso Viejo Ranch and the City's new Conference Center and Aquatic Center. The City of Aliso Viejo, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2011, welcomes you to "Experience It All." For more information, visit www.cityofalisoviejo.com.

Grease is playing at Grand Park this Friday!!!

Movie night in the park. Don't miss out on this fun movie outside with friends and neighbors. Should be a really nice evening!

Fall Swim Team Starts Monday at our Aquatic Center

Fall swim team starts Monday
Registration is now available for the fall swim team at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center.

The swim team, offered through Blueray Management, takes place on Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for kids 8 and under and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for children 9 and over.

The team will focus on stroke technique and will give members the chance to improve their individual swimming skills.

Cost is $150. Registration is available at the Aquatic Center, 29 Santa Barbara. The City facility is conveniently located at Aliso Creek Road and Glenwood Drive, next to the Aliso Viejo Conference Center.



For more information, e-mail avaquatics@kempersports.com or call 949-425-2559. Information about the facility is available www.alisoviejoaquaticscenter.com.

What are they doing to the street now? Aliso Creek and Pacific Park?

What is most amazing is how busy the street is. When I moved here in 1991 I could count the cars go by on Aliso Creek Road. I lived right below it in the Applause Tract.

Please watch out for your pets!!! Coyotes are out there.

Pet owners should beware of coyotes


After recent coyote attacks in surrounding cities, Mission Viejo Animal Services, which serves Aliso Viejo, is warning pet owners to beware of coyotes. Call 949-470-3045 immediately if any of the following occurs:

· Your pet is attacked or killed.

· Coyote is on your property or living close to your property.

· Coyote is acting unusually aggressive towards someone.

· You have been bitten by a coyote.

· Coyote is injured or appears sick.



Animal Services takes these situations seriously. Each report will be evaluated to determine if the coyote is behaving in an unusual manner or is a threat to human safety. Further action - including removing the animal - may be required.



People should always be aware of the presence of coyotes living within the community. Pet owners are encouraged to follow these safety practices and precautions:



· Be aware coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.

· If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal's direction.

· Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.

· Do not allow cats outdoors to roam (day or night).

· Do not use a retractable leash - a leash should be no more than 6 feet. This allows you to be in control of your pet and ensures it's close to you at all times.

· Trim ground-level shrubbery and clear brush near your home to reduce places where coyotes live and hide.

· Keep pet rabbits in suitable cages.

· Keep tight covers on all trash containers, and put trash out on collection day at the latest opportunity.

· Never leave water or pet food outside.

· Never feed coyotes.

· Never attempt to touch, pet or capture wildlife. These animals will bite to protect themselves.



Remember, coyotes are hunters seeking a food source. By nature, they are fearful of humans, but if coyotes have access to human food and garbage, their behavior changes and they can lose caution and fear.



For more information or to report coyote incidents, call Mission Viejo Animal Services at 949-470-3045.


There was one on my lawn the other night.. 10:45 at night. If I had walked out the front door with the dogs, not sure what would have happened.

National Night Out Tuesday, Aug 9 at Target Center

Don't miss National Night Out Tuesday


The public is invited to attend a National Night Out event, "Celebrate National Night Out for Safety," on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the Aliso Viejo Target Center.


The family event - hosted by Aliso Viejo Police Services, Laguna Hills Police Services and Target - is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the shopping center at 26932 La Paz Road.


National Night Out will feature free child fingerprint kits; child safety games; Sheriff's Department Search & Rescue Bloodhounds and a patrol vehicle; an Orange County Fire Authority Station 57 fire truck; and Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center referral services. It will also boast family safety, crime prevention and emergency preparedness booths, along with free raffles and prizes. Child face-painting and free food will be available during the event.
National Night Out is a nationwide community-building campaign designed to generate participation in local safety and anti-crime programs and to strengthen police-community partnerships.

For more information, contact Aliso Viejo Crime Prevention Specialist Margo Beauchamp at 949-425-2563.

It's Movie Night this FRIDAY! Toy Story 3 and concert in the park this Sunday!

Public invited to enjoy movie and concert in the park


Bring your blankets and low-back chairs and enjoy a movie in Grand Park on Friday and a concert in the park on Sunday.

The events, hosted by the Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA), kick off with a Movie in the Park from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5. Visitors will enjoy the PG-rated "Toy Story 3," which starts at dusk. The film welcomes Woody, Buzz and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in daycare.



Then on Sunday Aug. 7, AVCA will host a live concert featuring "Elton in the Early Years" at the Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater. The Elton John tribute band will perform from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.



The Aliso Viejo Town Center is off Aliso Creek Road.



For more information, visit www.avca.net.