Shredding Event Coming up at Soka on JUNE 14

Shredding/Identity Theft Protection and e-waste event June 14 The City of Aliso Viejo will host its annual Document Shredding/Identity Theft Protection and E-waste event on Saturday, June 14. The free event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon in Soka University parking lot A at 1 University Drive. Folks 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. There is a limit of 10 boxes per household or business. Information about preventing identity theft will also be available. Along with having their documents shred, residents and businesses can recycle old cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, scanners, VCR/DVD players, TVs, microwaves and other small appliances for free. Large appliances, oils, solvents, tires and other household hazardous waste will not be accepted. For more information, contact Aliso Viejo City Clerk Susan Ramos at 949-425-2506 or sramos@cityofalisoviejo.com.

Aquatic Center Pool programs opening soon!

Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center spring swim programs begin March 31 The Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center is gearing up for its spring swim programs that begin on March 31. The facility, which is flanked by the Aliso Viejo Conference Center and golf course, will host Learn-to-Swim, Parent and Me, Private Lessons, Aqua Fitness, Health & Safety and a Swim Team. Led by Premier Recreation Services, the programs cater to kids as young as 5 months up to seniors who are looking to complement their active lifestyles. A new Senior Aqua Fitness program will feature strengthening, balance and coordination along with water walking, low aerobic and low-impact movements. Along with a bevy of swim programs, the center will host Health and Safety Training courses available in one-on-one sessions and group learning programs. People can learn more about all of the great swim programs and register for early bird discounts during the special Open House and Family Movie Night on Friday, March 14. The event is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Aliso Viejo Conference Center, located next to the Aquatic Center at 31 Santa Barbara. After registration, a free family movie will be aired at 6 p.m. on the lawn. Dinner and beverages will be available for purchase, and folks should dress warm and bring low-back beach chairs and blankets. For more information, contact Premier Recreation Services at 949-716-3333 or av@premierrecservices.com. Information is also available at www.premierrecservices.com.

Free Community Emergency Preparedness Class . .Register NOW

Registration available for free Community Emergency Preparedness Academy Registration for the City of Aliso Viejo's next Community Emergency Preparedness Academy is now available. The free eight-week program is designed to educate residents in emergency preparedness and provide them with the proper training to help themselves and those around them when emergency services are overwhelmed. Members of the academy will learn: * Family disaster preparedness and plans * Earthquake preparedness * Light search and rescue * Fire safety, fire extinguishers and wildfire preparedness * First Aid, CPR and defibrillators use * Sheriff's Department and Fire Authority operations The course also includes a tour of the county's Emergency Operations Center and 911 Dispatch and more. The City of Aliso Viejo is partnering with Doctor's Ambulance, the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority to present the academy. Space is limited. Adults and teenagers (accompanied by a parent) are encouraged to register soon. The course, which takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, begins April 1 and runs through May 13 at City Hall, 12 Journey. Dinner is provided before each class at 6 p.m. The CPR, AED and First Aid classes will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Aliso Viejo's Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Rhyner at 949-635-1809 or srhyner@ocsd.org to register for the class.

Farewell to Margo Beauchamp and thanks for all you did for us!

Longtime Crime Prevention Specialist set to retire Margo Beauchamp, a longtime Crime Prevention Specialist for the City of Aliso Viejo, will be honored by the City Council on Wednesday. Margo is retiring from her post after serving in the job since 2001, the year the City of Aliso Viejo incorporated. Margo has been an outstanding crime prevention specialist and member of this community. She has been instrumental in facilitating an array of successful programs like Walk to School Day; Bike helmet fitting; car-seat installation; National Night Out; National Take Back Day; Bicycle Rodeos; and a Sheriff's video unit called "A Helmet is Cooler than a Coma." She launched the successful "Remove It or Lose It"; "Caught Being Good"; and "Open Garage Notices" programs. She has taught more than 60 Neighborhood Watch Groups over the last 12 years and has poured her heart and soul into this community. It's no surprise that Margo was recognized as the Crime Prevention Specialist of the Year in 2006. "Margo has been instrumental in helping Police Services remain involved in this community," said Lt. John MacPherson, Chief of Police Services. "She has been an asset to this City and will be missed by members of Police Services, City staff and the community." The City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. February 19 in the Council Chambers at 12 Journey. The public is always welcome. To see the Council's agenda and for more information, visit http://cityofalisoviejo.com.

Recycle your electronics and old shoes!

Free electronics recycling event will benefit sports team When you recycle that old computer or TV during Aliso Niguel High School's free E-Waste event on Saturday, be sure to also bring your used and unwanted shoes. The free E-waste and shoe drive event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. January 25 at 28000 Wolverine Way. The event, which will benefit the Boys Lacrosse team, will give folks the opportunity to properly dispose of computers; laptops; monitors; keyboards; copiers; VCRs; fax machines; cell phones; printers; scanners; hard drives; MPS players, microwaves and other electronics. Used and unwanted shoes will be refurbished and sent to people in third-world countries. For more information, call 949-831-5590.