While Independence Day celebrations are a summer highlight for many folks, the loud noises from firework displays can cause your pet to become anxious, frantic and try to run away in order to find a safe haven.  

​A great increase in lost pets is seen each July at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, with July 5 being one of the busiest days of the year here and at shelters across the country. Fittingly, July is designated as National Lost Pet Prevention Month.

Here are 5 helpful tips to hopefully save you and your family from the heartbreak of losing a pet over the holiday:

• Stay Inside - Try to keep your pet indoors at all times during holiday celebrations. Ideally, someone should stay at home with the animal.  If you must leave and take your dog, be sure to keep your pet leashed and wearing I.D. tags
• Make then feel safe -  Comfort your pet and stay nearby if possible, and ensure that that the animal has access to a favorite toy and a familiar crate or "safe place."  If necessary, ask your veterinarian or local pet retailer about anxiety wraps or other similar products
• Avoid the noise -  Keep windows closed and create “white noise” with a television, fan, or soothing music to help mask the loud noises outside
• Act normal! -  Your pet takes cues from you and your family, so go about your standard routine as much as possible
• Protect your pet before the fireworks begin - Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with current tags at all times, even if your dog is always indoors – and a microchip is a wonderful addition.  This microchip is an integrated circuit roughly the size of a grain of rice that is implanted just under the skin of the animal and contains vital contact information which can be read by a scanner.  It’s a great backup plan in case your pet manages to escape without a collar and tags

For more information, visit the Animal Service Center’s website or call 949-470-3045. #protectyourfamily #protectyourfurrycritters #mvchamber #missionviejo #missionviejochamber #weloveourgreatCity

Mission Viejo become a city and who was the first Mayor? Hint: the beautiful facility in the picture was named after the Mayor.

Enjoy this article from the Mission Viejo Reporter, published by Dave Leckness, owner of Kwik Kopy Printing. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #mvreporter

https://missionviejoreporter.com/2018/03/who-was-norman-p-murray-mission-viejos-first-mayor/

2019 Mission Viejo Restaurant Week planning is already in progress. The Restaurant Week (RW) committee worked with Sol Agave Restaurant to produce our first demo video so that other restaurants can see one of the major benefits of participating with us this year. 

More restaurants will be contacted shortly with participation details.

Huge kudos to Jonathan Morgan Jenkins, CEO/Director at Performance Production Services, for offering his services pro-bono ($750-$1000 value) for participating Mission Viejo restaurants. 

RW will take place September 9-15, 2019. Please visit our Chamber RW website periodically for updates. https://www.missionviejochamber.com/rw-home.html

Please click here to watch the Sol Agave demo video.
#mvchamber #missionviejochamber #2019restaurantweek

Please enjoy reading the 2019 Economic Report that was presented on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Laguna Hills Community Center.

www.economiccoalition.com/resources/2019%20SOCEC%20Presentation%20Final.pdf

Please enjoy this interview of Mission Viejo Mayor, Greg Raths, as he describes the benefits of what fellow Chamber member, Soul Scale, has provided for him. 

To learn more about how Soul Scale can help you look and feel your best, please contact Jay Djavid at 949-354-4282 or visit their website at https://mysoulscale.com.

youtu.be/M0Ap16aTQmU

Will you be there?  Mark your calendars for March 28th from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm, at the Mission Viejo City Hall.

Don’t miss this golden opportunity to visit with Mission Viejo City Officials as we enjoy the Reception & Tour of City Hall and various departments. 

This is a great occasion to get to know (on a more personal level) your elected officials and their staff. These are the hard-working folks that have the City’s best interests at heart and your businesses! 

The City will also be serving delicious food and beverages provided by Mission Viejo Chamber member, Sol Agave Restaurant. Come enjoy the Mahi Fish and Carnitas tacos and more!

Here are a few other items of interest to learn more about:

• What is “Business Watch"? Are you registered?
• Are you taking advantage of MVTV advertising reaching over 27,000 households? 
• Do you want to find $Millions$?
• Ever wondered where the City Governing Body meets to make important decisions about the future of Mission Viejo? Enjoy the tour.
• Did you know that Mission Viejo is a leader in recreation and leisure living for seniors and all ages?

To help us better prepare for this event, please RSVP/Register for this event by clicking on the following link: http://mvcc.chamberofcommerce.me/Calendar/moreinfo.php?eventid=319587

We look forward to seeing all of you there for an evening of fun and mingling with our City Officials and their staff - and remember to invite a guest!
​

Learn about Naloxone, also known as Narcan, the drug-reversing agent for opioid overdoses during the next City of Mission Viejo Drug Prevention Coalition meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Pharmacist Elaine Nguyen, chair of the Orange County Pharmacists Association and assistant professor at American University of Health Services, will discuss when and how to use this drug to save a life along with what drugs are classified as opioids and the signs and symptoms to look for if your teenager is overdosing. 

People who attend this presentation and training will receive a Naloxone kit. 

Coalition meetings are open to folks interested in learning about area drug trends, community resources addressing drug use and prevention, and understanding best practices to support a drug-free Mission Viejo.

With the goal of preventing drug addiction and dependency in Mission Viejo, the City has partnered with local support groups including Solace of Orange County and the Orange County Health Care Agency. 

For more information, contact Leslie McDonald at lmcdonald@cityofmissionviejo.org. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #fightagainstdrugs #protectouryouths

Senator Pat Bates and Assemblyman Bill Brough are gearing up to host the 2019 South Orange County Senior Day on Friday, April 5 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

The free event begins at 8:00 a.m. and features a program on senior scams with tools to protect seniors against fraud. Breakout sessions, presented by Doctors from MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center and UCI Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse/Neglect, will cover quality continuity of care and aging with dignity. There will be a host of free medical screenings sponsored by UCI School of Nursing and a variety of informative resource booths.

All are welcome but space is limited so guests are asked to register in advance at http://seniordayoc.com or by calling 949-598-5850 or 949-347-7301. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #seniorsrock

Want an easygoing furry friend to add to your home? Drop by the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center to meet one of our senior cats.  Often overlooked, these sweet cats are hidden gems and make great pets. 

Their personalities are already developed, so the cat you fall in love here will be the same at home. They’re done growing, have outgrown their adolescent behaviors and are ready to be in forever homes. 

A few senior cats are available for adoption and will go home spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated to approved applicants for $20.00. So, don’t delay in meeting these lovable felines today. 

This promotion is sponsored by DAWG.

​The center is located at 28095 Hillcrest. For more information, visit http://cmvas.org. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #rescueyourkitty

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District will host four community meetings next week regarding its new Facilities Master Plan (FMP). 

​The school district has completed various steps over the past 16 months to prepare the FMP, with a vision “to create successful students for a world yet to be imagined.”  
“Having a master plan for our facilities assures that our investments are able to support our students’ Next Generation Learning,” said Stella Escario-Doiron, Chief of Facilities, Maintenance, Operations, Construction & Transportation. “The district invites you to the next round of FMP community meetings for an update, to review school site needs and for the opportunity to provide input.”

The following meetings all begin at 6 pm:

March 18 - Mission Viejo High School
March 19 - El Toro High School
March 20 - Trabuco Hills High School
March 21 - Laguna Hills High School

For more information, visit the district website at https://www.svusd.org/departments/business-services/facilities-maintenance-operations-construction/facilities-master-plan-2019?fbclid=IwAR0xWDpTS9sZW772iSO1IQqtawekts_HbbXtYPPGbgNUZnn5Ryo8mADd1a4. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #svusd