4th of July Festivities in Aliso Viejo

Enjoy family fun, fireworks July 4th Mark your calendars for a spectacular Independence Day celebration the whole family will enjoy! The Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) July 4th bash is from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Grand Park in Aliso Viejo Town Center. It will feature live entertainment, bounce houses, face painting, carnival games, an apple pie contest, food for purchase and a spectacular fireworks show at dusk. Grand Avenue will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. from City Lights Drive to Vantis. Bring chairs and blankets but no pets. For more information, call 949-243-7747

Get your walking shoes on!

2 Community members are invited to lace up their tennis shoes, grab some bottled water and join City representatives on Monday, July 2 for a 2.8-mile walk around Aliso Viejo's Town Center Loop Trail. The City's Summer Walking Program embraces Aliso Viejo as a "walkable" community and takes participants on the Town Center Loop Trail, which essentially loops around Aliso Viejo Town Center. The program will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. July 2, 9, 16 and July 23. The goal is to give people an opportunity to explore and enjoy the trail, get a healthy dose of exercise and make new friends. Walgreens will provide T-shirts and pedometers. Participants are encouraged to park and meet at 5:50 p.m. at Walgreens located at 26531 Aliso Creek Road. Walgreens is partnering with the City to host this program. For more information, call the City's Community Services Department at 949-425-2519 or e-mail gduran@cityofalisoviejo.com.

Dog Lovers in Aliso May Want to Attend the DAWG WALK

This is a fun event for any animal lover and their dogs 18th Annual DAWG Walk & Pet Faire Saturday, June 23 Aliso Viejo residents are invited to attend the 18th Annual DAWG Walk & Pet Faire on Saturday, June 23 in Mission Viejo. The event benefits animals at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, which has served the City of Aliso Viejo since 2009. The fun-filled family event, hosted by the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center and Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), includes an impressive display of K9 Athletes in Action, pet contests and pet and wildlife exhibits. The fun takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Norman P. Murray Community Center and Oso Viejo Park at 24932 Veterans Way. The DAWG Walk includes a stroll along the Oso Creek Trail, and the Pet Faire boasts local businesses, animal rescues, booths, entertainment, music, raffle prizes, refreshments and much more. Dogs needing loving, new homes will be available for adoption. For more information, call 949-470-3045 or visit www.dawg.org.

Relay for Life Registration taking place

Register for Relay For Life Individuals, businesses, groups, organizations and others are sought to take part in the 11th annual Aliso Viejo Relay For Life at Grand Park July 28-29. The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs. During the event, teams take turns walking or running laps. At nightfall, hundreds of luminaries are lit in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost their battle to the disease. To register and for more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/alisoviejoca. Information is also available by e-mailing Ted Norman at tmnorman@hotmail.com.

Pizzelle Day at Canyon View Elementary

We had a lot of fun making Pizzelle with Angie Kilroys class one day last month. The children all enjoyed making their own cookies and eating them!

Canyonview Park

Summer fun at the AV Library June 23rd

Celebrate Summer at the Aliso Viejo Library June 23 The Aliso Viejo Library will celebrate summer with a special event on Saturday, June 23. The celebration is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1 Journey and will feature nature, music and a host of activities. Learn about worm casting, apartment gardening, composting and wild animal classes and enjoy live performances from local talent like the Laguna Wood Symphony Orchestra, the Kool Kats, Aliso Niguel High School Jazz band and more. Activities include chalk drawing, storytelling and more. The Neighborhood Cup will feature food and drink specials. For more information, contact publicity@friendsavlibrary.com.