SMWD Water Festival Saturday Features Free Tours of Local Facilities
To celebrate California’s Water Awareness Month in May, Santa Margarita Water District’s 60th anniversary Water Festival will take place this Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., a family-friendly event featuring activities (face-painting, reptiles, puppets, games) for kids and tours of local water system infrastructure facilities. Attendees will learn about drinking water, recycled water and wastewater through a variety of hands-on demonstrations and tours.
Two-hour bus tours are available to visit Trampas Canyon, Orange County’s largest recycled water reservoir (9:30 a.m.), the Chiquita water reclamation plant (10 a.m.), the San Juan Capistrano treatment plant (10:30 a.m.), the emergency drinking water storage reservoir at Upper Chiquita (11:45 a.m.), and the Gobernadora Multi-Purpose Basin (12:30 p.m.). Seats will be available the day of the event; registration and boarding are located at the front of the main lobby at SMWD headquarters, 26111 Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita.
There will also be a build-your-own worm composting box demonstration (10:30-11:45 a.m.); a chance to meet members of the SMWD Board of Directors, as well as city, state and federal officials (11:30 a.m.); and a birds-of-prey demonstration featuring an up-close visit with an owl.
Parking is available at SMWD headquarters, with overflow parking available across the street at Church of Latter-Day Saints, 26176 Antonio Parkway.
SMWD’s service areas include Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, a portion of San Clemente, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch and the remaining undeveloped portion of Rancho Mission Viejo.
Mermade Market Returns to Ocean Institute This Weekend
The spring edition of Mermade Market, a hand-curated outdoor marketplace described as “a festival that feels like a pop-up shop meets craft fair, meets farmers market, meets family reunion“ returns to the Ocean Institute from Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Shop unique gifts and local makers from dozens of vendors. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit mermademarket.com.
Adventure Van Expo This Weekend in San Juan
The San Juan Capistrano Rotary presents the Adventure Van Expo this Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 La Pata in San Juan Capistrano.
The event features more than 100 upfitters and vendors, adventure vans on display, accessories, camping classes, food trucks and live music.
Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
Ticket information at adventure-van-expo.ticketleap.com.
E-Waste Disposal and Shredding Event in San Juan
The spirit of Earth Day continues in San Juan Capistrano this Saturday, May 4, with a free e-waste disposal and shredding event, from 8-11 a.m., at the city’s community center parking lot.
Bring your electronic waste such as old cell phones, computers, perinters, microwaves and other small appliances for free disposal. The event will also provide an opportunity to shred and destroy sensitive records securely, at no cost.
The San Juan Capistrano Community Center is located at 25925 Camino del Avion. The entrance to the event will be at the intersection of Camino Del Avion and Via Positiva.
For questions, send an email to environment@sanjuancapistrano.org or call 949.487.4307.
College honors
Emma Roberts of Dana Point has been named to St. Lawrence University’s 2023 Fall Dean’s List. Reynolds, a Dana Hills High graduate, is a member of the Class of 2024 who is majoring in government, Francophone studies and environmental studies. St. Francis is located in Canton, N.Y.