Briefing RSM, Thru Aug. 25: Patch Lives, Care for Kids and Parents

Taking a look at what's going down and coming up for residents in the Rancho Santa Margarita area.

• Maybe you heard about Patch in the news, about the layoffs last Friday and the potential closing of various Patch sites around the country. Don't worry, Rancho Santa Margarita Patch is intact, and will continue to operate under the umbrella of AOL as it has since Dec. 21, 2010, providing news, content and a forum for the the community. Patches in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente are similarly unaffected by the corporate restructuring.

• Today is the early bird deadline for fall participation in Caught in the Limelight Productions for kids. Upcoming projects include Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Most rehearsals and performances take place at The Bridge Church in RSM. Click here for more details.

• Are you a business owner or manager in Rancho Santa Margarita? If so, consider joining the Chamber of Commerce, which will have a lunch mixer on Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cinépolis. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Evening mixers—the next is Sept. 3 at Hanna's—are free to members.

• Friday is the deadline for a Patriot Day Essay Contest sponsored by the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. There are three different categories, for grades K-5 (300 words or less), 6-8 (400 words or less) and 9-12 (600 words or less). This is the theme: "Patriot Day & National Day of Service and Remembrance – Why it is important to honor and observe Patriot Day." Follow this link and click on the rules and information.

• Have a loved one who's starting to show signs of dementia? Take time out to sign up for and attend this class presented by Park Terrace in Rancho Santa Margarita on Thursday. It's free and includes lunch, but you have to RSVP today.

• Kids got you down, or keeping you from getting the upper hand? Consider the Common Sense Parenting class Saturday at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library, which helps parents of kids 13-18. Click here for information to RSVP for the remaining classes, which take place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

• If you have your young kids under control and want to do something fun, there's an event at The Shops in Mission Viejo on Saturday, 10 a.m., that features a number of interactive events that include crafts, games and entertainment by Radio Disney.

• Calling all cowboys, cowgirls and city slickers. San Juan Capistrano Rodeo Week 2013 rides into the sunset Aug. 25.

• Could you get back at Southern California Edison? Maybe, if you're one of the residences that takes part in a solar program being offered by Sullivan Solar Power. 

• The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano will feature performers Steve Tyrell on Friday, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Saturday.

• Beatles tribute act Britishmania is performing at the Laguna Playhouse through Aug. 25. The theater is at 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

• WWE Raw wrestling slams into town today, 4:30 p.m. at the Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. Body slam, anyone?