Briefing RSM Thru Dec. 1: 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.

• First off, if you didn't get all your Christmas shopping done at the countless boutiques in the last month to raise funds for various organizations, you still have plenty of time. There's a little thing called Black Friday at the end of the week that's supposed to be pretty good for Christmas deals, if you're into that sort of thing.

• Tuesday is the final day of the food drive collection by UFC Gym in Rancho Santa Margarita. You can drop off food items during the fitness studio's business hours. It benefits Second Harvest Food Bank in Orange County, and with every can/item donated through Nov. 26, get a raffle ticket for UFC Gym gear. Click here for more details.

• It began as a deal for veterans and military personnel in honor of Veterans Day, but ARS, a provider of residential heating and air conditioning, has extended its offer through the end of the month. Furnace tune-ups, regularly $129, are $11 for vets and military. Click here for details.

• Although Black Friday begins at midnight Friday, many places will actually be open Thanksgiving evening to accommodate shoppers. At The Shops in Mission Viejo, the mall will have extended holiday hours beginning Thursday beginning at 8 p.m.

• Local football teams were beaten over the weekend, but anyone interested in watching playoff football still has a local option: Second-seeded St. Margaret's will play host to Big Bear in the East Valley Division semifinals. The  Tartans are trying to win their first title since 2009 in Harry Welch's final season as coach before moving over to Santa Margarita Catholic.

• Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Among the deals available is O.C. Tan 2 U spray tanning in Plaza Antonio. Click here for details.

• Like to run? GrassRoots Athletics is accepting registration for track and field through the Saddleback Valley Recreation Department. Click here for details.

• Music fans interested in going to The Coach House can see Ryan Cabrera and Keaton Simons on Saturday, and Crystal Bowersox on Sunday. Tickets are $15 on Saturday, $20 on Sunday.

• Children's art contest entries are due next week, so make sure your budding artist gets his/her masterpiece done this week. Entries are due by Dec. 6. Click here for details.