October 30, 2007

Radio Drama and Lord of the Strings event planned for this weekend.
Mission Viejo briefs and newsy tidbits
By AMANDA GLOWISH
STAFF WRITER

SIX SCHOOLS MAKE HONOR ROLL

Saddleback Valley Unified School District officials recently announced that Valencia, Portola Hills, Foothill Ranch, de Portola, Robinson and Melinda Heights Elementary Schools have been selected by the California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE) Foundation and Just for the Kids California as six of 570 public schools in California recognized as a 2007 Honor Roll School.

Schools receiving this distinction from California's business community have demonstrated consistent high student academic achievement and have made significant progress toward closing achievement gaps among all their students. The schools will be formally recognized at an awards dinner on Nov. 6 in Century City.

GARDEN PROGRAM EARNS GRANTS

Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, announced on Oct. 10 that six Saddleback Valley Unified schools will share in a $10.8 million California Instructional School Garden Program grant, with each school receiving $2,500.. The elementary schools eligible to receive this funding are de Portola, Del Cerro, Foothill Ranch, Montevideo, O'Neill and Trabuco. The grant is designed to provide seed money for new garden programs or enhance existing gardens.

School Garden Programs provide students with hands-on experience about growing food in a real-life setting, providing the student with a lifelong knowledge and appreciation of agriculture and nutrition. Students will engage in the love of learning about the origins of food and the natural and scientific processes involved in growing our food.

RADIO DRAMA PERFORMED TONIGHT

Radio Drama with Dr. Allen Zeltzer and the Palmia Players will be in Mission Viejo at 6:30 tonight. Dr. Zeltzer, a drama professor emeritus at California State University, Fullerton, will share his theatrical talents and the genius of Norman Corwin. The Palmia Players are veteran stage, radio, and television performers as well as community theater actors. This program is free and will be held in the Council Chamber at Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center. For more information regarding this program call 949-470-3061.

LORD OF THE STRINGS CONCERT SATURDAY

The Lord of the Strings concert series presents finger-style guitarist Peppino D'Agostino and Broadway vocalist Janene Lovullo at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center. The Italian native and longtime California resident's latest project is "Bayshore Road," a collaboration with his friend and studio partner, electric guitarist Stef Burns.

The project showcases D'Agostino's style, which incorporates both standard and unconventional tunings as well as unique fingering and percussive effects. D'Agostino's performance brings added value with vocalist Janene Lovullo who is known for her talents with a 3 ½ octave range and classical jazz.

Lovullo's credits include Los Angeles, National Tours and Broadway leading roles including CATS, Les Miserables and Pirates of Penzance.

The program is $20 and tickets may be purchased on line at http://econnect.cityofmissionviejo.org and reference course1312 or you may purchase tickets at the door. For more information, call 949-470-3061.

ANIMAL SERVICES CENTER TOUR OFFERED

The Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center is offering a free tour of Mission Viejo's state of the art Animal Services Center at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.7. Treats and surprises will; be given to all pet owners. To register, call 949-470-3062.

HOUSING WORKSHOPS PLANNED THIS MONTH

The city is holding two public workshops on the city's 2008 Housing Element Update at City Hall, 200 Civic Center. The workshops are set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8 and at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 13. The Housing Element is one of seven mandated elements of a city's General Plan.

State law requires that cities update their General Plan Housing Element at least every five years. The 2008 Housing Element update will cover years 2006 to 2014 and will be submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development for review by the June 30, 2008 deadline.

For more information, call 949-470-3053.

NUTRITION FOR CHRONIC CONDITIONS

The Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, is offering a free lecture on "Nutrition for Chronic Conditions" at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov.8.

Archana McEligot, Ph.D. from Cal State University, Fullerton, will discuss how nutrition can impact chronic health conditions and still allow the enjoyment of good holiday eating. For more information and to register, call 949-470-3062.

EVERYBODY DANCE RESCHEDULED

Poor air quality from the recent fires caused the cancellation of the Oct. 28 performance of Everybody Dance at Saddleback College. It has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov, 18.

Under the direction of Conductor Scott Farthing, the Saddleback College Concert Choir performs choral music based on dance rhythms in Fine Arts 101 at Saddleback College. Included on the program will be Johannes Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. The college is at 28000 Marguerite Parkway. For more information call the Saddleback College Ticket office at 949-582-4656.