Mission Viejo Buzz - 10/09/10

The Buzz

Is it true Niyaz Pirani is no longer assigned to Mission Viejo as an employee of the OC Register and Saddleback Valley News? A Buzz reader says Oct. 8 was Pirani’s last day on the job. Niyaz replaced Lindsay Baguio, who did a commendable job for Saddleback Valley News by covering the Easelgate story. For her unbiased reporting, Baguio was called into city hall and told by city administrators to publish only positive news. An exchange of emails (discovered through activists’ requests for public documents) showed City Manager Dennis Wilberg applied pressure to Baguio and her supervisors. Baguio’s investigative work was replaced with puff pieces favorable to city hall. Wilberg supplied Baguio with a hand-picked list of Mission Viejo residents she should call for interviews or comments about city issues.

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Pirani’s tenure with the OC Register began with his columns about food. From the beginning of his Mission Viejo city beat, he didn’t make waves. This blog challenged him by asking if he put his name on press releases written by city staffers. Readers complained that they could find no difference between the material released by city hall and the articles appearing under Pirani’s byline in OCR / SVN articles.

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Reminder: ACT for America hosts State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore on Mon., Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., at the Murray Community Center, Sycamore B room, 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo. DeVore’s topic will be “Protecting America from Islamic Sharia Law.”
The meeting will start promptly at 7:30 p.m., ending at 9:30. A $5 donation will be appreciated by the organization to help cover meeting room costs.

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Another reminder: Capo Valley High School Foundation is sponsoring a “Taste of Capo,” a community-wide event filled with food, fun and music. The organizers are inviting families and friends to come out and enjoy the evening while supporting Capo Valley High School. The event will be held on Thurs., Oct. 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the CVHS Mall. Taste of Capo is an event where approximately 20 local restaurants will provide samples of their best recipes. Will-Call tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Each ticket will allow attendees to try each restaurant's sample one time.

For additional information, contact the Foundation at CapoFoundation@gmail.com.

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Fun With Chalk organizers are inviting community members to support this worthwhile endeavor, which annually provides a fabulous street painting festival and enjoyment for people of all ages. Two popular restaurants will donate a portion of food sales toward Fun With Chalk when patrons bring in a flyer advertising the promo. Click here to print the flyer for California Pizza Kitchen for Tuesday, Oct. 12. Click here to print the flyer for Cafe Maiz for Friday, Oct. 15. Both restaurants are in Mission Viejo. Additional information, including addresses and phone numbers, can be found on the flyers.