Fun with Chalk

Fun with Chalk marks 14 years of success and support for art scholarships, art education, art therapy, and art programs for those who have suffered from domestic abuse and/or violence. The 14th annual Street Painting Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th, 2013, featuring re-creations of the Old Masters and original works, all by noted artists from all over the world at FWC’s new permanent home at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. The surface at Soka provides a beautiful canvas in a lovely area surrounded by trees and grass. The event will be held in conjunction with the Soka University Annual International Festival.

For all ages all day both days; and world-famous one-of-a-kind art workshops make this Festival an event not to be missed. Fun with Chalk has been honored by the United States House of Representatives twice! July 8, 2003 and May 17, 2008.

• Hours: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM., both days.
• Location: Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
• From I-5 exit Oso/Pacific Park Drive west to Wood Canyon Drive. Turn left and go 1 mile.

Browse the Website for more information, http://funwithchalk.com/

If you have any questions or would like to speak with a Fun with Chalk representative, please e-mail fdlphd@gmail.com or call at 877-932-4255 (Toll Free in California).

Council Meets Apr. 15

View the agenda for the Apr. 15 Mission Viejo City Council meeting at
http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=1995&doctype=agenda

A city watchdog forwarded the following information about the meeting.

Under the Consent Calendar, please review the check registers (Item No. 3, Check Register Dated March 22 for $846,660.40, and Item No. 4, Check Register Dated Mar. 29 for $1,012,436.53) and various monthly treasurer’s reports.

Under New Business, Item No. 18 is a proposal to modify Lennar’s affordable housing and eligibility programs.

The recommended action under the City Attorney’s Report is to approve amendments to the League of Cities’ bylaws.

SRA Meets on Apr. 18

Saddleback Republican Assembly will hold a meeting on Thurs., Apr. 18, at 7:00 p.m. SRA members and guests are invited to enjoy refreshments and meet other conservatives.

The April 18 meeting will be a social event where attendees can discuss issues, upcoming activities and other topics of interest. Long-time and new members will welcome guests from South County communities to join in the conversation.

SRA meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. The event is free of charge. For additional information, call SRA President Dale Tyler, (949) 360-1717.

Ury’s Record

Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury is not a conservative Republican, and his council votes prove it.

• Ury on 5-7-2007 voted against the public’s right to pull agenda items from the consent calendar.
• Ury on 4-7-08 voted to fund a Rose Parade float and in October 2008 voted to move it forward (the expense exceeded $300K) during the same month the city required liquidating two bonds to meet payroll.
• Ury on 7-7-08 (Agenda Item 39) voted for a social host ordinance, an infringement on constitutional rights of due process and probable cause.
• Ury on 11-17-08 (Agenda Item 21, during the meeting immediately after his reelection) and 6-21-10 (Agenda Item 24) voted to bestow lifetime medical benefits on part-time council members who serve three four-year terms, and he rescinded benefits twice (on 5-19-08, Agenda Item No. 30, and 7-6-10, Agenda Item No. 36) to assist campaigns for like-minded majority council members seeking to save their seats. In the final vote eliminating the benefits, Ury cast the sole vote trying to keep lifetime healthcare for himself.
• Ury on 6-22-09 voted to bust the budget after approving it at the same meeting on 6-22-09, taking $4M from reserves to upgrade a tennis club, following three years of deficit spending.
• Ury on 1-3-2010 supported taking $1M from reserves to spend on a dog park. On 3-19-12, he voted to proceed with a land swap as a site for the $1M park, in which the city would get only 2.71 acres in return for giving the county 7.18 acres.
• Ury on 2-1-2010 voted to remove from the city manager’s contract a misconduct clause, whereby the city manager cannot be fired, even if convicted of certain felonies.
• Ury’s endorsement of a Democrat occurred in the 2-2-10 and 11-8-10 city elections.
• Ury voted for pension reform while simultaneously voting for pay raises (5-17-2011, Agenda Item 21).
• Ury on 1-3-2011 voted against reappointing Mark Dobrilovic (GOP Central Committee alternate) as a city financial advisory board member, saying “Dobrilovic needs to focus on other things.”
• Ury on 1-3-2011 voted to stop audio taping closed sessions.
• Ury on 2-21-2011 authored and voted to approve establishing the city’s Housing Authority, following his seven years of consistent support for the Redevelopment Agency.
• Ury on 8-15-11 presented a PowerPoint presentation attacking all residents who commented against a high-density apartment project, falsely claiming they had caused a lawsuit against the city over affordable housing. Since residents have no vote on such projects, they could not have caused a lawsuit. Ury’s action of dismantling the city’s AH plan by turning affordable housing over to an ad hoc committee on 1-3-2006 triggered the state’s decertification of the city’s housing element, which was the basis for the 4-26-2006 lawsuit against the city costing taxpayers approximately $1million.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise and non-profit groups.

Crossline Church will offer classes on finance, beginning Tues., Apr. 16, 7:00 p.m., “Super Saving Common Sense for Your Dollars and Cents.” Other topics in a series of nine classes will include how to beat debt and save money. Location is 23331 Moulton Pkwy., Laguna Hills, (949) 916-0251, http://www.crosslinechurch.com

Big Bucks Bingo, Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. early bird and 6:45 p.m. regular games, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge, Marguerite and La Paz, Mission Viejo, (949) 830-3557. 
http://www.mvelks.com/

Orange County’s California Wine Festival, Fri., Apr. 19, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Beachside Wine &Food Fest, Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, and Sat., Apr. 20, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Laguna Cliffs Mariott Resort & Spa, Dana Point, (800) 797-7753, http://www.californiawinefestival.com

Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., Apr. 20, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, held on the third Saturday of each month. Organized by Knights of Columbus; acceptable items include aluminum, paper and plastic. No glass or cardboard. Lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 472-1249, http://www.stkilianchurch.org

Music Concert at Concordia University, Sat.-Sun, Apr. 20-21, 3:00 p.m., the Concordia Choir & Master Chorale will perform Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 854-8002, http://www.cui.edu/?gclid=CMyjsdWOt7YCFQ3qnAod9CoA4w

La Vida Drum Circle, Thurs., Apr. 25, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (May 24, June 23, July 22, etc.). Drummers should bring their own drums. Firewood is appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/full-moon-drum-circle

Laguna Playhouse presents “Steel Magnolias,” Apr. 30 – May 26, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Soka University’s 12th Annual International Festival on Sat., May 4, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fun With Chalk on Sat.-Sun., May 4-5, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

“Elegant & Enchanting Rose Garden Tours,” Sat., May 11, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., visit five rose gardens in Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Beach and San Clemente. Hosted by the Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain, (714) 731-9242, http://www.rosesrosesroses.org/gardentour2013.php

Political and Government Events Calendar

Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Apr. 16, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://ocgov.com/cals/?ViewBy=7&CalDate=1/15/2013&EventDateID=89649

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Tues., April 16 (third Tuesday due to spring recess), 6:30 p.m., and on Tues., Apr. 30 “if necessary,” 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Apr. 17, 9:00 a.m. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Meet Lanny Davis at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Wed., Apr. 17, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., author of Crisis Tales: Five Rules for Coping with Scandal in Business, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Apr. 18, 7:00 p.m. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in December, July and August) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 360-1717.

Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Finance Committee on Fri., Apr. 19, 7:30 a.m., and Board of Directors on Wed., Apr. 24, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

Political Memorabilia Collectors’ Fair, Sat., Apr. 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library, buy, sell, swap or browse. Expert collectors will buy, sell and appraise campaign materials and political memorabilia, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., Apr. 24, 7:00 p.m., district office, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. Agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/

California Republican Assembly Convention, Fri.-Sun., April 26-28, Doubletree San Francisco Airport, Burlingame. For information call (650) 697-1964.

Orange County Parks Commission will meet on Thurs., May 2, 7:00 p.m. The commission meets on the first Thursday of every month. Irvine Ranch Historic Park, 13042 Old Myford Rd., Irvine, (949) 923-3741, http://ocgov.com/cals/

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., May 13. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

OC Veterans Advisory Council Meeting, Wed., May 8, 6:00 p.m. The council meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Veterans Service Office, Conference Room A/B, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, https://cms.ocgov.com/gov/occr/occs/veterans/advisory/default.asp

The Buzz

Councilman Dave Leckness seems excited that the mayor appointed him to the Orange County Vector Control Board, where he can learn about bugs and rats. “It’s the most important thing in the county,” Dave said during the April 1 council meeting. He seemed to be presenting the same report he had given before, but isn’t the county’s most important thing worth repeating? He’s particularly interested in mosquitos breeding in swimming pools of vacant homes. He reported that Vector Control puts fish into the pools to control the mosquitos, but now he’s wondering how to control the fish that eat the mosquitos. Unless the fish are jumping out and biting people, it’s not the most important thing in the county.

***

The garish cover of city hall’s Spring-Summer Outlook magazine is giving most Mission Viejo residents their first and only look at a $500,000 room in the library. Few residents will see the actual room, even if they go to the library, because it is kept locked. No explanation is given on why decorating one relatively small room cost half a million dollars. The decor includes wooden crates for chairs, floor covering that looks like scraps of mismatched carpet and a plastic tree. It’s a very odd-looking, high-priced room.

***

Councilman Frank Ury seems particularly surly lately. During the April 1 council meeting, he ridiculed three residents who spoke at the public microphone. It’s amazing anyone would bother going to a council meeting, as Ury even attacks residents sitting in the audience. A city watchdog offered an explanation: “Ury is termed out, and he’s frustrated. He’s marking time on a council he can’t stand, listening to residents he can’t stand. Women are monopolizing higher office, playing musical chairs, and he’s stuck in Mission Viejo. By the way, no Mission Viejo council member has ever won higher office.”

***

Which Republicans voted against the Second Amendment last week? Mark Levin made passionate remarks about those who turned their backs on the Constitution and their states. Mark Levin The 13 Republicans Who Voted For Gun Control. Additionally, here are the 16 Republican senators who voted for cloture:

• Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
• Kelly Ayotte (N.H.)
• Richard Burr (N.C.)
• Saxby Chambliss (Ga.)
• Tom Coburn (Okla.)
• Susan Collins (Maine)
• Bob Corker (Tenn.)
• Jeff Flake (Ariz.)
• Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
• Dean Heller (Nev.)
• John Hoeven (N.D.)
• Johnny Isakson (Ga.)
• Mark Kirk (Ill.)
• John McCain (Ariz.)
• Patrick Toomey (Pa.)
• Roger Wicker (Miss.)

***

From Patriot Action Network: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama paid $112,214 in federal income taxes in 2012 on adjusted gross income of $608,611, an effective rate of 18.4%, the White House said last week. The first family's income declined from the $789,674 in adjusted gross income they reported in 2011. That year they paid total federal taxes of $162,074, an effective rate of 20.5%. Their 2012 income continues a steep decline from 2010 when they reported $1.7 million in adjusted gross income, the bulk of which was royalties from sales from books written by Mr. Obama. Read More:

Why are gov't benefits excluded from taxable income? Obama and Biden receive millions in benefits everybody else in the "real" world would have to claim as income. When the Obama daughters go skiing at Jackson Hole, is that legitimate gov't business? Barack sure likes the politics of spending other people's money as well as personally spending other people's money. What!!! The Obamas' rate was less than Warren Buffets Secretary! Sorry could not resist. Old Joe Biden needs the President’s tax firm as his rate was >20%.

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