I met a lovely woman by the name of Elaine Portnoy at a recent Mission Viejo event.  She and I both come from the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles and had lots to talk about.  I learned she started a program through the City of Mission Viejo, hosting a series of monthly movies, the theme of which having to do with the Mission Viejo ‘characteristic’ of the month.

In May, the characteristic is ‘moral courage’, and so the movie will be High Noon starring Gary Cooper in his Academy Award-winning role.  This character building film highlights moral courage and is appropriate for ages 11 and above.

The plot centers around a lawman who stands alone to defend a town of cowardly citizens against a gang of revenge-seeking criminals.  The marshal risks losing not only the town, but his new wife, Grace Kelly, as well.

Elaine, who has designed and taught character development classes at UCLA Extension and Pierce College, will be leading the discussion after the movie about the impact of moral courage.

This free event takes place on Sunday, May 16th from 2:00 pm-4:50 pm in theatre-style seating, with theatre-size screen and surround sound in the Council Chamber of Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center (across the parking lot from the Mission Viejo Library).

For more information, call 949-470-3094.