Week Ahead Thru Aug. 4: Buster Balloon, UFC Party

Taking a look at what's going down and coming up for residents in the Rancho Santa Margarita area.

• Looking for wholesome fun for the kiddies? Buster Balloon should have your children rolling in the aisles with laughter with comedy, magic and twisted balloon creatures on Thursday, 7 p.m., at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. 

• Today is Lasagna Day, but it's also Chicken Wing Day, which seems like a good reason to order wings this afternoon—and lasagna for dinner! Where do you turn for the best lasagna and wings? Tell us in the comments. Tomorrow, Cheesecake Day. Also this week, Vegetarian Day on Thursday (not as fun as Lasagna Day), followed in order by Ice Cream Sandwich Day, Watermelon Day and Chocolate Chip Day. Hmm, do we detect a theme and a caloric addiction?

• Signups for the Wild West Elite basketball tryouts are Wednesday. Signups are ongoing for Tijeras Creek Little League, which begins practices on Aug. 18.

• Rick Warren made a grand return to preaching at Saddleback Church after a 16-week absence, the longest stint he has gone without delivering a sermon in more than three decades. His series on "How to Get Through What You're Going Through" continues over the next six Saturdays and Sundays as he and wife Kay share what they learned following the suicide of their son, Matthew. This weekend, the subject is Shock: When Your World Falls Apart.

• The Orange County Fair continues Wednesday through Sunday with its annual collection of pig races, freaky fried food, carnival rides, exhibits and more. Click here for schedules, directions and other information. Drop by City Hall for special $2 off full-price tickets while they last.

• Contemporary country music is featured as the Summer Concert Series continues at Central Park. The Silverados perform Sunday, 6 p.m., and comes on the heels of an Eagles band, classic rock band, and a Neil Diamond tribute artist. Crowds have been big and lively for the free events.

• After the summer concert wraps about 8 p.m., head to Rancho Mission Viejo for Astronomy Night on Sunday, but you have to be registered by Saturday, 4 p.m.

• A free fibromyalgia and chronic pain workshop is Thursday in Lake Forest. If you're starting to feel a little long in the tooth, this one might be worth checking out.

• Having gone to the L.A. Boxing ribbon cutting, we can vouch that the UFC Gym rebranding party on Saturday is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

• Like soccer? Like scoring lots of goals? The Adult Arena Soccer League begins its Summer League Season next Monday at Central Park, so be sure to register this week. There are pickup games Monday, Wednesday and Friday for $5.

• Writing masterful essays takes time, so nudge your kids to get started on the Patriot Day Essay Contest for students K-12. Deadline is Aug. 23. Check out the (very specific) rules on the City website. 

• Ravens will be the topic of discussion at the Caspers Park Foundation Nature Talk on Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Click here for more information.

Got an event coming up in Rancho Santa Margarita, Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza or Las Flores? Post it here.