Head's Up Thru Sept. 15: School Begins, Special Events

By Martin Henderson

What's coming up and going down this week in the Lake Forest and Foothill Ranch areas.

• In the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Tuesday is the first day of school. That means kids walking to school, people using sidewalks and crosswalks, and other drivers making moves they might not normally make once they get back into the swing of things. Be extra cautious and pay attention, on the road and in class.

• After dropping the kids off at school, it might be worthwhile to head to Saddleback Hospital where Dr. Dung Trinh will discuss the pros and cons of medical herbs and supplements.

• Wednesday night is Craft Night at Chick-Fil-A. The Foothill Ranch restaurant is celebrating back-to-school with special crafts for kids 12 and under. Click here for details.

• Wednesday is a day to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and in Orange County, that means paying special attention to the memory of its only casualty on 9/11, Lisa Frost of Rancho Santa Margarita. The 22-year-old was killed when the second airliner crashed into the World Trade Center. A memorial to her is at Lago Santa Margarita just south of the Beach Club. If you've never been, it's worthwhile. RSM's Patriot Day celebration is Sunday at Central Park, and includes the usual ceremony of remembrance and, for the first time, a concert. Activities begin at 2 p.m., with lots of military displays for the kids (and their parents) to climb aboard. There are lots of new things happening this year, including a crossfit challenge, so be sure to check the link.

• The South County Sound, a men's chorus, is putting the call out to men who are interested in singing. They meet Wednesday, 6:15, in Freedom Village and say it's not important to read music, but it is helpful if you can read. Singers with a sense of humor: We like it. Check the link for more details.

• Worry that something might happen and you need to know CPR but don't? The City is offering a CPR workshop on Wednesday, 7 p.m. Cost is $28 for residents and $33 for non-residents. The course meets the requirements for daycare providers. Click here for more info.

• Newly appointed planning commissioner Jolene Fuentes takes the oath and settles behind the dais at the Thursday meeting of the Planning Commission. The main item on the agenda is possibly adopting a recommendation to the city council for amending the zoning code to include provisions for medical marijuana dispensaries. After that, the group will reorganize under the gavel of vice chairman Jerry Verplancke and vote on who will replace the departed Tim Hughes as chairman.

• Local football fans of teams who played against San Clemente during the 2009-11 seasons probably remember No. 10 for the Tritons. Tragically, Nick Pasquale was killed Sunday morning after being struck by a vehicle. He currently is on the roster at UCLA.

• Saddleback Valley Toastmasters meet on Tuesday in Laguna Hills. Click the link to learn more.

• El Toro High's football team got into the win column over the weekend with a 40-12 victory over Capistrano Valley. Here's a gallery of photos from photographer Debbie Braasch. The Chargers (1-1) try to go above .500 on Friday when they play host to Corona del Mar (2-0)  at Trabuco Hills. CdM won a section championship last season and has outscored its two opponents this season, 70-14.