Community Corner

Briefing RSM Thru Jan. 12: 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. 

• The Christmas break is over and children return to school in most districts on Monday. Students in Capistrano Unified School District return to school on Tuesday.

• After a weekend of dramatic NFL playoff games, the 2014 Vizio BCS National Championship is being played today in Pasadena. No. 1 ranked Florida State University takes on second-ranked Auburn University.

• An evening networking mixer of local business leaders is Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., at UFC Gym. The Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce event is free to members and $15 for non-members. It should run until about 8 p.m.

• The City Council meets on Wednesday, 7 p.m., at City Hall, and among the items it will hear is discussion on whether to rezone the Nissan site. The land owner says he can't find an auto dealer for the site and would like to put in a retail center anchored by a 24 Hour Fitness; the City must weigh those advantages with the prospect of losing the huge sales tax a dealership could bring in at the point it is ever filled. 

• Wonder what it takes to have your child attend Santa Margarita Catholic High? The SMCHS Open House is Thursday, 7 p.m.

• The first three Fridays of each month (excluding holidays) are Friday Night JAM sessions. JAM stands for Jesus And Me, and is for kids kindergarten through sixth grade at Community Lutheran Church from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. It's open to all kids. 

• Sammi Woods of Rancho Santa Margarita will compete on Sunday during the Chargers-Denver playoff game. The 9-year-old from Robinson Ranch is in the Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

• Musical entertainment options this week at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano include Albert Lee ($20) on Friday, Los Lobos on Saturday, and Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson ($20) on Sunday. 

• The 23rd Southern California Half-Marathon takes place Saturday in Irvine and benefits Woodbridge High athletics. More details at the event website

• Saturday is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. An estimated 20 million men, women and children around the world are victims of human trafficking. You can take a free awareness-training course online.

• Need help making and keeping your new year’s resolutions for 2014? Here’s a link to a government website that lists popular resolutions and the government agencies that can help. Not surprisingly losing weight is first on the list, and the National Institutes of Health have a plan for you.


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