Dear Residents,
I hope you are all enjoying your summer and taking the opportunity to get out and explore before the season comes to an end. August is always a wonderful month here in the City, especially over at Aliso Viejo Ranch! This month on August 20, Gold Coast Farm at Aliso Viejo Ranch will be hosting a fun Summer BBQ complete with delicious food, family-friendly games, and music to enjoy. Registration is required on the City’s website. When you visit Aliso Viejo Ranch, don’t forget to check out our new historical panels that will teach you interesting and unique facts about our local history!
Summer is also the perfect season to enjoy our highly anticipated Movie Night, which we’re bringing back on August 25 to Aliso Viejo Middle School. This month, we’ll be screening Toy Story for the whole family to enjoy as the perfect end-of-summer activity. As always, the event is free and there will be food available to purchase.
Many of you are aware that wildfire season is upon us, which means there’s no better time than now to make sure your family’s emergency preparedness plan is in place. To aid in your efforts of putting together a plan, the City has recently created a new Emergency Preparedness Guide filled with important information that will help you navigate how to get ready for wildfires, earthquakes, power outages, and more. This information includes a list of emergency supplies to keep in your home, where to find your evacuation zone, a template to create your family’s emergency plans, how to sign up for emergency alerts, and how to mitigate hazards within and around your home. I encourage you to download and print a copy today on avcity.org/disasterpreparedness. There will also be an opportunity for you to learn how wildfire preparedness can help with your insurance coverage. The Wildfire Town Hall will be held on August 10 at Crown Valley Community Center and is hosted by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Senator Catherine Blakespear, so be sure to register and don’t miss out!
If you’re looking for ways to give back, mark your calendars because we’ve planned another blood drive with the American Red Cross on September 13 at Aliso Viejo Ranch. We are still looking for donors to sign up, and I am always proud of the outcome we achieve as a community after each blood drive. The blood drive is an incredible way to ensure local hospital patients receive the lifesaving blood they need, and we can’t do it without your help. During next month’s blood drive, donors will receive a free Red Cross t-shirt as a token of gratitude. Those who are interested may sign up at redcrossblood.org with sponsor code Aliso Viejo.
Another way to give back is during our annual Aliso Viejo Trails and Creek Clean-Up Event. This event is always a fun opportunity to get outside with your friends, family, neighbors, and other residents to volunteer and hike our City’s trails to help clean up the environment. Start gathering your group and meet us at Aliso Viejo Ranch on September 16 from 8 to 11 a.m.!
With plenty of summer sun still on the horizon, you’ll have many opportunities to give back, relax, and enjoy Aliso Viejo. I’m looking forward to seeing you around the City this month.
Mayor Richard Hurt
Any views or opinions expressed in this message belong solely to the Mayor.