Head's Up Thru Dec. 1: Worthwhile Events This Week

By Martin Henderson

A look at what's going down and coming up for Lake Forest 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. 

• 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.

• When shopping for Thanksgiving this week, keep in mind the number of good will type of efforts taking place to make sure local people don't go hungry. Jon Paulo Salon is among those businesses collecting cans of food for donation; the salon is doing so through Dec. 31. 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. 

• 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.

• The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday has been canceled because of Thanksgiving.