Come join the Mission Viejo Chamber and get ready for a free Concert on the Green on Friday, August 23rd, featuring one of the area's most popular bands – The Kelly Rae Band.

The six-piece, high-energy country band takes the stage from 6 to 8 pm at Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way. The Kelly Rae Band has been delivering crowd-pleasing music to audiences throughout Southern California for more than two decades. The band plays a wide range of country music from Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash to the current artists like Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town.

The concert features bounce houses and games for kids along with tasty fare from gourmet food trucks and beer and wine for purchase. Concertgoers can bring low-back chairs and blankets to enjoy the show but should leave their pets at home.

The City is grateful to title sponsors (and Chamber members) Waste Management and SDCCU for helping to make this concert possible. For more information, call 949-470-3062. 

​Remember to stop by our Chamber booth too!

The back-to-school season can be hectic for many parents and students, especially getting to and from school.  Since so many parents and kids arrive at school simultaneously, school zones often present a serious safety hazard for children. 

With kids heading back to school this month, here are some school-zone safety tips from the Automobile Club of Southern California to help reduce traffic hazards in and around school zones: 

• Don’t text and use cell phones while driving or walking.
• Use the existing school drop-off/pick-up system and discuss drop-off/pick up rules with your children.
• Use a crosswalk when available. Don’t assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you.
• Look all ways before crossing – and listen for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Follow instructions provided by school crossing guards.

Every year from August 1 to October 31, the Auto Club launches an educational campaign to help reduce the number of traffic crashes near schools. The "School’s Open—Drive Carefully" campaign raises awareness of pedestrian fatalities, with a focus on safety before and after school hours. With increased risks and dangers related to cell phone use while behind the wheel, this year’s campaign also provides tips on how to prevent texting and driving.

​To obtain a free copy of the Auto Club’s "School’s Open—Drive Carefully" campaign materials, which include posters, bookmarks and safety tip cards, visit AAA.com/school safety.

On Thursday, August 15th, Chamber members, their families, The Gerrity Group (The Gateway Center Management), and Mayor Greg Raths and his wife Luci attended the Monthly Mixer hosted by The Gerrity Group at Oggi's Pizza & Restaurant.

Please enjoy some of the pictures taken by Chamber photographer, Takata Photo & Design. 

​During the sales process, always remember that people do not buy “things.” They buy what things can do for them. For example, people who buy food allergy cookbooks aren’t just buying recipes. They’re buying a way to feed delicious food to their entire family, including a family member who is on a restricted diet. Likewise, people who order “printed brochures” are not just buying brochures – they are making an investment in the increased sales that they believe these brochures will bring. 

Contributed by Linda Coss, owner of Plumtree Marketing, Inc. To learn more about her services, please visit www.PlumtreeMarketingInc.com. 

The above FREE event is hosted by Mission Viejo Chamber members, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Saddleback College.

All veterans, including Saddleback College student vets, active duty personnel, and military family members, are invite to attend and connect with resources that will assist them in achieving their goals!

More details are found on the embedded flyer.

The Marching Home: A Strategy to End Veteran Homelessness in Orange County is an effort by local, regional and federal partners to prevent and end homelessness among veterans in Orange County by December 2020. The initiative builds on the momentum of the 2019 Point In Time and the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ efforts to address homelessness through the implementation of regional resources, collaboration and coordination.

With the leadership and support from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the Marching Home: A Strategy to End Veteran Homelessness in Orange County is an initiative to develop systematic, intentional and sustainable multi-sector response to veterans in need of assistance and promote coordination and collaboration to meet the needs of the veteran population experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

​We thank Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett's office for providing this helpful update. To read more about the strategies and community involvement, please visit http://www.ocgov.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=98441.

The Chamber is pleased to welcome two new members to the Ambassador Committee: Kateryna Karasyk (Elephant Signage & Display US) and Jim Boada (Good Circle Insurance). 

We truly appreciate their extra volunteer efforts on behalf of the Chamber and our members!

There are now 25 Ambassador Committee members. To see the full list of names, please click here www.missionviejochamber.com/committees.html.

Please enjoy these two simple home safety tips from our resident Chamber locksmith and home safety expert, Randy Johnson, owner of Lock-Tech.

1) "Nightlock Patio Door Lock for Sliding Doors
​2) "Door Barricade Nightlock , Home Security Door Brace"

​To contact Randy for more information, please call 949-770-4885.