The Bears About Town in Orange County

Teaching our children about the history and culture of Orange County while instilling an appreciation for the arts doesn’t always present itself in a hands on experience for the entire family. Over the past year, a Public Participation Art project, The Bears About Town, has created an opportunity for the community to pay tribute to the magnificent brown bear that once roamed the county. Mission Viejo’s Oso (Bear) Creek Trail was one of the last places in the county where the brown bear was sighted.

Designed to celebrate the bond between the original and various ethnic groups comprising our community, the nine-bear collection represents a family knitting together the unique and rich cultural heritage and legacy upon which the City of Mission Viejo was founded.

“This is the most amazing tribute to the cultures of life. To bring people as one is the first step to peace and harmony,” says participant Deneen Templet.

The Bears About Town Designers, Aileen May & Joy Aldrich have an extended background in fine art. Aileen in design and mosaics, and Joy in art education. They commented on the project saying, “the Bears About Town project generates opportunities for youth and adults from all walks of life to participate and enjoy working toward a common goal.”

This Saturday, the City of Mission Viejo and Friends of the Arts invite the community to join them in celebrating the progress of “The Bears About Town” as they make their final journey to their new home at Oso (Bear) Creek Trail.


Family Art Day, at Kaleidoscope Mall, will be held from 12-5pm and will give the community an opportunity to browse the bears, listen to live music, enjoy free face painting and participate in a chalk art competition. Keepsake bear mementos will also be available for children to paint and take home for a small fee. All proceeds raised will benefit the World Wildlife Foundation.

Megan is an Orange County implant from Las Vegas who currently resides in Rancho Santa Margarita. She is the loving wife to her college sweetheart & mother to her very active 2 year old son, Declan. Most recently she has added “unpredictable pregnant lady” to her list of titles as she is expecting a little one later this year. Besides being mother, housewife & pregnant woman extraordinaire, she is also the VP of Sales & Marketing for www.spitfiresocialmedia.com. When she’s not busy helping businesses take the viral world by storm, you can usually find her strolling around RSM Lake, biking through O’Neill Park or frolicking through the happiest place on earth.