Kids and Adults Saying No to Drugs, Seniors Saying Yes to Cruising

Lots of school-related activities going on this week in San Juan Capistrano.

1. Red ribbon, red ribbon: Red Ribbon Week, encouraging children to say no to drugs, is the last week of October, with many schools participating. Here are some of the activities taking place this week at Marco Forster Middle School:

• Today:  “Turn your back on drugs!”  Wear T-shirt backwards.
• Tuesday:  “Sock it to drugs!”  Wear crazy, bright socks.
• Wednesday:  “Shade out drugs!”  Wear sunglasses.
• Thursday:  Wear Red!  We must be able to see your red.
• Friday:  “Put a cap on drugs!”  Wear a baseball cap.

Students at Ambuehl Elementary will wear red today and be given a chance to pledge to live  a drug-free live. At San Juan Elementary, students will find the school covered today in red ribbons and cap the week by drawing themselves doing something healthy and responsible.

2. Tickets on sale now: If you were interested in attending the TED experience at St. Margaret’s – nine innovators sharing their wisdom in 20-minute chunks – tickets go on sale here today. Only a limited number of general admission seats will be sold.

3. Not just for Lions: JSerra Catholic High School is hosting a college fair 5-8 p.m. Wednesday and the entire community is invited, not just JSerra students. A total of 130 colleges will be represented. There will be three break-out seminars, “How to Maximize the College Fair” with Southern Methodist University’s Rick Diaz; “Navigating the NCAA” with Aldee Winter, a UCI compliance officer; and, “Finding the Perfect College & How to Pay for It,” with Gary Bednorz of the University of New Mexico.

4. Spooooooky! Wednesday is Link Crew spooky movie night at San Juan Hills High. All freshmen are invited to our 2nd Annual Spooky Movie Night/LINKToberfest  from 5-8 p.m. in the gym. Come enjoy a Halloween movie, root beer and hot dogs, and other treats with your friends sponsored by Link Crew. This event is for freshmen only, so please bring ID and cash for food. See you there, Class of 2017. Anyone else kind of finding it spooky that we're talking about the Class of 2017? No, just me?

5. Edison comes to town: While our power provider is San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison is putting on a community forum Thursday to help nonprofits learn how to gain access to SCE grants, scholarships and computer donations. There will also be a discussion on emergency preparedness and public safety. 

The forum is 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. While the event is free, you do have to register to attend by Tuesday.

6. Cruisin’ on a weekday afternoon: Seniors who are Interested in cruising are invited to attend a travel presentation 11 a.m. Thursday also at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center (busy place!) by Ann Ronan of San Juan Capistrano Travel (and blogger on Patch!). The presentation will include a video, pictures, and refreshments. Ann will provide her expertise and will be available to answer your questions. Call (949) 493-5911 to acknowledge your attendance.

7. Adults can say no to drugs, too: Prescription drugs that is. San Juan Capistrano Police Services in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration will be hosting another “national prescription drug take-back day” from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at San Juan Capistrano City Hall’s parking lot, located at 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. Instructions:

• Remove any and all personal information
• Drive through and drop off at our take-back locations

These events are completely free, discrete and anonymous. Medical sharps such as syringes and lancets are NOT accepted at these events. For assistance with disposing of sharps please contact OC Pharmacy, 31654 Ranch Viejo Rd Ste. N.

For other happenings, check our events calendar.

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