Briefing RSM Thru Nov. 17: Worthwhile Events This Week

By Martin Henderson

A look at what's going down and coming up for Rancho Santa Margarita and residents of the surrounding area.  

• Today is Veterans Day, and the second annual O.C. Supports Our Troops Charity Golf Tournament takes place at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club. It benefits the Semper Fi Fund, which assists injured and critically ill members of the U.S. armed forces and their families. Click here for more details.

• Another event tonight, 6:30 p.m., is a free evening seminar at Spa Gregorie's titled "Breaking Free From Emotional Toxins." Click here for more details.  

• Park Terrace in Rancho Santa Margarita is partnering with Saddleback Church to collect food Tuesday, 8 a.m., for those in need this Thanksgiving season. Click here for more details.

• Santa Margarita Catholic High Mothers Club will hold its annual boutique on Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. More than 50 vendors, including box lunches from Hanna's. Click here for more information.

• Security blankets will be donated to children in need, and the Soroptimist International of Lake Forest will be making the no-sew fleece blankets on Wednesday, 6 p.m. Bring $10 donation or a security blanket kit from Jo-Ann Fabrics. RSVP to Marion Duffy at 949-683-7874. Click here for more details. 

• Is your child going to sign a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, or later in the week, to attend college to play a sport? If so, let everyone know by posting it on the Boards in the Town Square section, which is the preferred method—you can even post a photo! You can also send the info to martin.henderson@patch.com, but include the name and school of the student, the sport, and the college of choice. The sports that can officially sign during the fall period are baseball, basketball, golf, hockey, lacrosse, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, volleyball, women's water polo and wrestling. 

• The public is invited to participate in the Elks Lodge community service blood drive on Thursday, 1 p.m., in Mission Viejo. Click here for details. 

• A holiday bazaar and craft faire is Thursday, 1 p.m., at Park Terrace. It's an opportunity to pick up some gifts for the holiday season, a piece of afternoon pie, a complimentary massage, and free gift-wrapping. Click here for more details. 

• The Rancho Santa Margarita Friends of the Library book sale is Friday and Saturday at the library. Doors open to members at 9 a.m., and the general public at 10 a.m. Come early for the best selection of gently used books. Click here for more details.

• If you've been thinking about going solar, Friday marks the end of the Rancho Santa Margarita Solar Program made available by Sullivan Solar Energy. It's available to residents of RSM, Coto de Caza and Dove Canyon. It's not affiliated with the city of RSM. Click here for more details. 

• Friday night begins the Southern Section football playoffs, and though Santa Margarita Catholic and Trabuco Hills won't be participating this season, two schools fed by Rancho Santa Margarita students are. Mission Viejo (10-0) is the second-seeded team in the marquee Pac-5 Division and will be playing host to Encino Crespi (4-6). Tesoro (8-2), which finished second to Mission in the South Coast League, will be playing a home game against Long Beach Cabrillo (4-6). If the Titans win, they'll probably line up against top-seeded St. John Bosco in the second round. SJB is ranked No. 4 in the nation using the computer-based Freeman Ratings, and No. 5 nationally in Maxpreps Xcellent 25. Mission Viejo is ranked 11th by the computer. Kickoffs are at 7 p.m.

• Las Flores Elementary's sixth annual boutique is Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the school. All profits benefit PTA-supported academic programs. Click here for more details.

• Community Lutheran Church will have its holiday boutique and craft faire on Saturday, 9 a.m., at the church. It offers "loads of unique items." Bring a canned good to receive a raffle ticket. Click here for more details. 

• Player evaluations for youth basketball, the Rancho Santa Margarita NJB takes place Sunday. Registration is under way. The season begins on Nov. 24. It's for boys and girls of all basketball skills up to eighth grade. Click here for more details. 

• UFC Gym is holding a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank in Orange County. Goods can be dropped off through Nov. 26 during normal business hours. Non-perishable dry goods also accepted. Click here for more details. 

• Not sure where Scooby Doo is on Wednesday, but the musical artist Shaggy will be performing at The Coach House. On Thursday, it's Gaelic Storm, and Friday is Dave Mason. Tickets, respectively, are $30, $17.50-$20, and $35.
 
• Comedian D.L. Hughley will be performing four shows over Friday and Saturday at the Improv in Irvine.