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This Thursday, April 22, Mission Viejo is hosting its South O.C. Boutique featuring talented local vendors while supporting the efforts of inspiring charity organizations in the community.

The South O.C. Boutique will be held at the Mission Viejo Elks Lodge from 12 to 3 p.m. Personal representatives from major jewelry and cosmetics lines will be present to showcase seasonal items and provide shoppers with an inside look to fashion and beauty trends. Cookie Lee Jewelry, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Tupperware and Scentsy Candles will all have space at the event.

Local artists and crafters will also bring their treasures to share with shoppers. These fine creations make the perfect gift for mom this upcoming Mother’s Day to say “Thank You” and celebrate her love. The neighboring vendors providing their talents to the community include Sassy Susies Crafts, Mrs. Flatleys Shortbread, Celebrating Home, Blissful Pleasures, Xocai Healthy Chocolate, Apriori Beauty and more.

The South O.C. Boutique will benefit three non-profit organizations: The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Engineers without Borders and High Hopes. Several items will be raffled off during the event with proceeds from ticket purchases donated to support the efforts of these programs in the community.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a public event for communities across the globe the chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. Look out for local Relays in the next few months.

Dubbed the “Blueprint Brigade,” by Time Magazine, Engineers Without Borders helps create a more stable and prosperous world by addressing people’s basic human needs. The service of over 12,000 members today helps bring clean water, power, sanitation and education to families around the world.

High Hopes is a non-profit charitable organization that is dedicated to aiding individuals and families that have been affected by traumatic brain injury. Their programs help to provide rehabilitation and training while supporting scholarship assistance for families who are in great need.

This is truly a wonderful opportunity to shop for a cause.

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“Criança…bambino…kind…enfant.” These words all have the exact same meaning – Child. Although the expressed language may vary, the love of a child surpasses all nations and boundaries. This Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m., O.C. Public Libraries and the city of RSM present a free screening of the acclaimed international film Children of Heaven.

Written and directed by Magid Magidi, the film tells the story of a young, Iranian brother and sister and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. The audience is drawn into the world of Ali and his family as they struggle to reach for some of the most basic of human needs. It is a story of living in simplicity, protecting loved ones and the bond that is shared between young siblings.

Magid Magidi was born in the same city where his film takes place. He has found praise as a film director, producer and screenwriter. His first film in 1981 was a short documentary entitled Explosion (Enfejar). Since then he has made seventeen films including Children of Heaven. He continues to bring his artistic visions to life and is currently in production of his next film, Kashmir Afloat.

Children of Heaven was shot in Tehran, Iran, where the producers attempted to keep the filming a secret in order to capture a more realistic portrait of the city. The film premiered in February 1997 at the country’s Fajr Film Festival where it was honored several national film awards.

The motion picture hit U.S. theaters in January 1999 and enjoyed a box office total of $930,000. With international praise just beginning, Children of Heaven soon became a notable title worldwide due to an Oscar nomination and high profile film reviews. Roger Ebert’s review in the Chicago Sun Times called it “very nearly a perfect movie for children…and glows with a kind of good-hearted purity.”

Don’t miss this incredible film. The Show Begins at RSM Library located at 30902 La Promesa. Children of Heaven is rated PG-13 and viewing is absolutely free. For more information call 949-459-6094.

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“Let It Be, Speaking Words of Wisdom, Let It Be…” Millions recognize these lyrics as they were sung long ago by the international band sensation known as The Beatles. But does the adoring public know the truth that reveals itself behind the scenes? This Saturday April 24 at 5 p.m., the former manager of the famed musical group, Ken Mansfield, will visit Mission Viejo to speak about his personal experiences at Mount of Olives Church.

Ken Mansfield is a Grammy Award-winning record producer, former U.S. Manager of Apple Records, an influential executive for several record labels, songwriter and author of three books. His credentials are vast, but his inspirations are even larger. This event shares the spiritual side of one of the most influential leaders in the music industry.

Mansfield will share with the Mission Viejo community how God used his successes and failures in the music industry in order to bring him into a relationship with himself. The presentation at Mount of Olives Church includes a short film describing his time as the U.S. Manager of The Beatles’ Apple Records.

Apple Records is a record label that was founded by The Beatles in 1968 and was initially intended as a creative outlet for the band. It was meant to release the art of the group, its individual musicians and a handful of other artists including Mary Hopkin, James Taylor and Billy Preston. Ken Mansfield was the U.S. Manager of Apple Records since its creation. He would grow to find out that his involvement with the label was just the beginning of his prosperous and challenging life in the music industry. This is a great opportunity for people to hear how God brought him out of a life of decadence and ultimately despair, into a new life filled with love, joy and hope.

Mount of Olives Church is of Lutheran Denomination and is currently led by Pastor John Steward. The congregation believes that all living things grow through their personal relationship with God. The direction of the church is focused on offering the experience of faith through the works of small group ministry. The church provides special groups for women, men, teens and children. It also lives and strengthens its community through extra-curricular activity groups including golfing and exercise.

Mount of Olives Church is located at 24772 Chrisanta Drive in Mission Viejo. There will be childcare services offered during the presentation. The church offers worship services Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. with the option of a Saturday service at 5 p.m. Ken Mansfield will be speaking at all services this weekend only. To learn more about the church and its beliefs please visit its website at http://www.moochurch.org.

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The décor of a house is often what makes it a home. For those who have dreamed about remodeling but simply do not know where to start, the upcoming Bathroom Design & Remodeling Workshop will help to kick-start creativity.

The event will be held at the charming Ayres Hotel & Spa in Mission Viejo on Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Attendees will learn valuable information and gain beneficial insights about the remodeling process. Inspiration is easy to find when innovation and tradition give new meaning to decorating.

The Bathroom Design & Remodeling Workshop is one of a series of award winning workshops specifically for those interested in remodeling their home. Insights are delivered directly by industry experts as they share design tips, finish trends, new bath products, aging in place and more! The skills and techniques learned at this session will allow a simple idea to be transformed into a masterpiece.

Do not hesitate to sign up now. This special event is reserved for adults above the age of 21. Early registration is highly recommended. Early-bird registration is $20 per household, or $25 per household at the door. Starbucks coffees, juices, fruit salad, yogurt, fresh bagels and pastries will set for a sweet experience for attendees upon arrival.

To learn more or to register for the Bathroom Design & Remodeling Workshop please call 949-861-3400 or visit the website at http://seapointe.com/designworkshops.htm. It is more than redecorating. It is a lifestyle makeover for a home.

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“Put PLAY in your Day!” These are the words that are singing from the lips of all of the staff members at Mission Viejo’s local Saddleback Valley YMCA this week. The upcoming 19th Annual Healthy Kids Day Festival happening this Saturday, April 17, is what inspires this energizing little phrase. Now it is your turn to sing along.

This special family friendly event is held at YMCA’s across the nation, and now it is O.C.’s turn to shine. Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. and will run until mid afternoon at 2 p.m. and the best part is, the day is absolutely FREE!

“We will have local businesses and wellness vendors as well as several activities for families and kids that promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Elizabeth Bishop, Membership and Marketing for the Mission Viejo YMCA.

This is a great chance for kids, and kids-at-heart, to explore new and stimulating experiences. Dive into the fun and bring a swimsuit for the open swim or lace up the sneakers for indoor soccer games. Get creative with the face-painting artists, or build up at the interactive Lego exhibit. The Healthy Kids Day will also spark competition with an inflatable obstacle course and a fitness challenge with the U.S. Army.

The party does not stop there! Some curious creatures will be joining in on the excitement at the Lizard Wizard Reptile Show. Learning and living are at top priorities as the Fire and Police Departments will be there to encourage safety tips for the youngsters. Local vendors will also be there with free giveaways, and parents can spark their interests by browsing through the Mother’s Day Boutique featuring the charms of local artistry.

The first 500 kids will receive a free goodie bag to compliment their sparkling smiles. All of the activities offered at the event are sure to work up an appetite and Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill will be on site with for-purchase grub. Do not miss this chance to share memories and a healthy lifestyle with your children and loved ones.

Saddleback Valley YMCA is located at 27341 Trabuco Circle in Mission Viejo. For more information, please visit the venue’s website at www.ymcaoc.org or call Elizabeth Bishop at 949.380.3503. Those who mention of visiting the chapter’s website will receive five free raffle tickets!

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Dance is more than an outlet for personal expression. It is an art form. This weekend, Shen Wei Dance Arts returns to the Orange County Performing Arts Center and celebrates its 10th anniversary with the West Coast premiere of Re – (I, II, III) April 16 through 18. Billions of people experienced Shen Wei’s work during the first seven minutes of the 2008 Beijing Olympics’ Opening Ceremonies, and now it is O.C.’s turn to become part of the show.

The Shen Wei Dance Arts first visited the Center during 2008’s Fall for Dance festival and instantly became a raving favorite among attendees. Nearly two years later, the company returns to O.C. with its highly acclaimed Re – (I, II, III), which invokes concepts which “R” minds often run across including “renew,” “reconsider,” “rediscover,” “revisit” and “repair.”

Some say that all art is a reflection of the artist’s self. Whether it is in writing, imagery, dance or song, the idea of leaving a personal mark on a piece is of importance to the creator. In terms of this performance, it is absolutely true to this piece as it is in fact autobiographical to the choreographer. During the near two-hour spectacle, the audience will enter setting of an artist’s coming home.

Re – (I, II, III) is divided into three individual works and was inspired by lands such as Tibet, Angkor Wat and ancient and modern China. Shen Wei elegantly fuses elements of dance, theater, visual art and Chinese opera to share his journey through these beautifully complex cultures. The story will travel through scenes of reconciliation of the split between two distinct hemispheres and illustrate a coming to terms with seemingly incompatible societies. The dance is a deeply generous spiritual offering and a hopeful appeal for reconciliation and understanding.

The immensely talented Shen Wei, choreographer, director, dancer painter and designer, is internationally praised for his defining vision of an intercultural, interdisciplinary, and groundbreaking original mode of movement-based performance.
His ability to translate brilliant imaginative thoughts into pure physical art, Shen Wei created new works that were produced at venues such as the National Theater of Taiwan, Stockholm Dance House, Millennium Moves Festival in Germany, the American Dance Festival and more. Now it is Orange County’s turn to set the stage.

Another treat for fans will be presented this same weekend at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. On Saturday April 17 at 11 a.m., Cyrus Parker-Jeannette, chair of the Department of Dance for the California State University, Long Beach, will personally interview Shen Wei. There will be cross-ticketing promotions offered to audience members with special discounts related to the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Bowers Museum. For more information on these offers please visit www.bowers.org or call 714.567.3677.

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With great pride, Santa Margarita Catholic High School will be hosting a sneak peak of the upcoming soccer documentary entitled Pelada, following one of its own alumni as he and a friend travel the world for the love of the game. The screening is this Saturday, April 17, at 7 p.m. in the Mioso Pavilian on campus.

The story records the life of SMCHS graduate Luke as he ventures with his friend Gwendolyn while they travel through twenty-five countries in search of pick-up games. From the solid prison walls of Bolivia to the moonshine brewers of Kenya, the perspectives of the game are true. The creativity of freestyle players in China and the women in hijab in Iran grace the scenes of this film.

The streets and fields may vary, but the passion of the game remains. Pelada is more than a movie; it is the story of people who play. SMCHS graduate and star of the film, Luke Boughen, speaks to the RSM community saying, “I’m very excited to screen our film back at the school where my soccer days began.”

Up to this point in production, funding has been generated primarily from the team’s grassroots efforts and personal connections. Social networking has again triumphed in modern communication with over 3500 members of the film’s facebook group donating a simple $25 gift. Other sources have been generously provided by way of scholastic grants and anonymous paypal donations from kind strangers.

The final field length it will take to run and make the goal of complete funding to finish the film is extended to the Santa Margarita community. By coming to view the preview of the documentary, it will kick the finishing touches into high gear. The show begins at 7 p.m. at the SMCHS Moiso Pavilion on April 17. Tickets will be available at the door for a donation of $10 and is a small price to pay for the incredible cultural experience given by the film.

Grant Wahl from Sports Illustrated wrote about the film describing it to be “a marvelous new soccer documentary…what elevates Pelada from a cute highlight travelogue to something more resonant is the filmmakers’ ability to find compelling stories and earn the trust of their interview subjects…the result is a film that combines eye-popping cinematography with human stories.”

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Immanual Kant once said, “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” Pets hold a very special place in our lives. They are our companions, friends and often times, part of our family. This Sunday, April 11, the Irvine Animal Care Center will be hosting its Kitten and Puppy Shower to support the animals that need love the most.

The event will run at the center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will include cake and refreshments. Those who bring a donation will be entered to win a prize. Items needed for foster kittens and puppies include: Milk Replacement Formula, Kitten Nerser Bottles, Baby Blankets, Exercise Pens, Digital Postal Scales, Gift Certificates, Cardboard Scratchers and more. Donations will support the center’s Foster Care program.

The vision of the Irvine Animal Care Center is “To be a pioneering and progressive municipal animal care facility until animal population control, humane education, and increased public responsibility for companion animals eliminate the need for the sheltering of lost, stray and unwanted animals.” The core mission is to Provide, Place and Promote animal safety and care throughout the local community and beyond.

In 2007, the center became the proud recipient of the Shelter of the Year Award by Dogs in Review and Bow Tie Inc. It was recognized for its disaster relief efforts during the Southern California wildfires the previous fall. The Irvine Animal Care Center remains the largest pro-humane animal shelter in Orange County and receives approximately 4,000 animals each year.

The organization continues to be a saving force in the betterment of animals and bringing love into their lives. Donating basic supplies is just one way residents can help contribute to the center’s efforts. Members also welcome monetary donations and provide volunteer opportunities and of course adoption options.

April often gives us our many picture perfect springtime moments. The shelter is giving the community the opportunity to give a fur-ever home to one of the many pet residents. The Bunny of the Month is named Aires, an affectionate and softhearted companion. Although Easter recently passed, a special family can make their home Easter year-round with this special furry friend.

To find out more about the featured pets and to view a complete list of the Irvine Animal Care Center’s wish list for its Kitten and Puppy Shower, visit the organization’s website at www.IrvineShelter.org.

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Every entertainment enthusiast has heard of or seen the hit show Dancing With The Stars. This year, Orange County’s own Assistance League of Newport-Mesa brings their own version of the phenomenon to the stage with their Dancing for Tomorrow’s Stars 2010 Gala at the Marriott Hotel Irvine.

Assistance League is a national non-profit organization and network of volunteers that seeks to improve the lives of those in need through innovative and targeted philanthropic program. Through the passion of commitment and direct hands-on action, the organization has impacted over 1.4 million lives from children, seniors, families and others in the last year. Members have invested over 2 million service hours and returned an astounding $35 million to communities across the country.

Assistance League of Newport-Mesa began in 1940 and is the largest chapter of the organization. This year’s Dancing For Tomorrow’s Stars will celebrate the chapter’s 70th anniversary. The event will feature a cocktail reception, dinner and of course electrifying ballroom entertainment.

Dancers for this year’s gala include stars Vince Farragamo, Jill Ayres, Jeannie Lawrence and more. This year’s judges are Janet Curci, Tim Kashani and Pamela Roosin. The entertainment will come to a finale after the competition with encore performances by Julia Argyros and Steve Myers. It will truly be a stellar night filled with the glitzy cheer of charity.

The chic event is black tie optional and charitable audience members will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite performance while contributing to the incredible efforts of the organization. Votes are unlimited and will be $10 per cast. For simple perspective, the minor donation of $100 will help put a child in school clothes and give them a book bag of supplies to get them through the year.

Although registration for this event is closed, the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa continues its acceptance of donations through its website at http://assistanceleague.publishpath.com.

Keep updated with the organization’s news and find out how to become a volunteer. Donation programs include visiting or donating to the group’s thrift shop, Treasures on Consignment or participating in corporate outreach through grants and more.

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This weekend on Saturday, April 10, UCI campus will be hosting a walk benefiting those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. It is a chance for the Orange County community to come together, raise funds, and celebrate hope for the future!

Join the members and families of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, for this joyous festival-like event featuring food, drink, entertainment, and of course an energizing 2 to 3 mile walk. This year’s goal is to raise $2 million towards the organization and its contribution to the MS community.

Multiple Sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and ultimately prevents people from making basic physical movements. Symptoms may vary from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. Statistics estimate that every hour in the U.S. someone is newly diagnosed with MS. It is an unpredictable, and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Most people who are diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women than men developing the disease.

The National MS Society is a community of passionate people who are driven to move together toward a future free of multiple sclerosis. The organization helps each person address the challenges of living with the disease through over 50-state network chapters. The Society helps those affective by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs to uplift victims and their families to move forward.

On the so-cal local level, the Pacific South Coast Chapter provides programs and services designed to help the 18,000 people affected by MS in Orange County and the neighboring San Diego and Imperial counties. Nearly $4 million is spent on Multiple Sclerosis research in the area annually and over seventy-five percent of the funds the chapter raises come from special events like the Walk MS.

The Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and registration will be open an hour prior to the starting signal. Festivities will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at UCI and all friends and families of the community are welcome. The event is expected to gather over 3,000 walkers and supporters. Participants can start a walking team, join a team, walk as an individual, donate to a walker’s fundraising efforts and even volunteer for the event.