🌱 Patch AM: Community Rallies Around Young Father Critically Injured In Lake Forest Crash

Hello again Lake Forest! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Lake Forest family seeks help after devastating hit-and-run injuries
• What stalled Saddleback Valley talks mean for Lake Forest classrooms now

Also on today's calendar: 30th Original Lobster Festival - Sept. 11-13, 2026 - Free Parking! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 101 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 94, low: 71.
• Friday: Sun and clouds, with a high of 88 and low of 69 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Community Rallies Around Young Father Critically Injured In Lake Forest Crash (patch.com) — Lake Forest residents are rallying to support 26-year-old father Javier Mejia, who was critically injured in a hit-and-run while walking home from work near Lake Forest Boulevard and Rockfield. His family describes devastating injuries and an induced coma, and a GoFundMe has been launched to help cover mounting medical and living expenses as they remain hopeful for his recovery.
   

• Saddleback Valley teachers demand lower class sizes, special education support amid stalled contract talks (ocregister.com) — Teachers in Saddleback Valley Unified, including those at Lake Forest schools, are locked in stalled contract talks over class sizes and special education caseloads after more than a year of negotiations. While pay and benefits are settled, educators say the district's refusal to reduce overcrowded classes and heavy special education loads threatens student safety and learning, prompting rallies and a formal fact-finding process.
   

📸 Around Lake Forest

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lake Forest

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 12
• 30th Original Lobster Festival - Sept. 11-13, 2026 - Free Parking! →
  Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley
  12:00 pm
Sunday September 13
• RSM Cares "A Night in Monte Carlo" Help us feed our neighbors in need →
  Celinda's, 29870 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita
  9:00 am
• The Coast Vintage Market →
  Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday September 10
• Flag Football Intramurals
  Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
  7:31 pm
Friday September 11
• Ribbon Cutting : NEPHRO WARRIORS
  Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce NEPHRO WARRIORS LAKE FOREST SPORTS PARK 28000 VISTA TERRACE LAKE FOREST, CA 92630
  1:00 am
• ASB Fun-O-Rama
  Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
  7:31 pm
• Flag Football Intramurals
  Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
  7:31 pm
Saturday September 12
• Board Game Demo - French Toast →
  Comic Quest, 23811 Bridger Rd, Lake Forest
  12:00 pm
• Comic Book Club - Martian Manhunter →
  Comic Quest, 23811 Bridger Rd, Lake Forest
  12:00 pm
• Last Train to Juarez at The Rush Bar and Grill Lake Forest, CA →
  The Rush Bar and Grill, 23532 El Toro Rd #24, Lake Forest
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 15
• 🍕 Pizza and Board Games @ Lamppost Pizza LAKE FOREST →
  Lamppost Pizza & Brewery, 22421 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest
  6:30 pm
Wednesday September 23
• Got Medicare Questions? →
  Mother's Market & Kitchen, 24165 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Woods
  4:30 pm

📣 Lake Forest Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lake Forest PatchAM possible:

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties — (949) 230-2220
• Capstone Federal Credit Union — (949) 716-5746
• 3D Pet Care & House Sitting — (949) 329-3733

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Come Sing with Us
  The Festival Singers of Orange County, a premier community SATB chorus invites singers who are passionate about making beautiful music to join us... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Recommending Costco for all out of pocket prescriptions meds, especially pet meds!
  I was commenting on a different post and thought I'd try to spread the word. I just went to Costco this weekend for my cat Leo's antibiotics and, it… (Nextdoor Serrano Park)
• Everyone!
  We are hosting a FREE Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Lake Forest on Sunday Sep 27. There will be live Kung Fu performances music, dancing,… (Nextdoor Lake Forest II)

• Corner Bakery Cafe posted a job opening for Front of House Team Members in Lake Forest. Apply here.
• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Mover Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$47/Hr in Mission Viejo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lake Forest here.

🗞 Nearby News

Mission Viejo

• Sandwiched between L.A. and San Diego, California's largest master-planned community is a safe oasis with 55 parks, scenic trails, and a 124-acre lake (secretlosangeles.com)
• Status Update: Outlets at Orange getting multimillion-dollar makeover (ocregister.com)

Rancho Santa Margarita

• BF Classified: D-Code 1957 Ford Thunderbird (barnfinds.com)

Ok Lake Forest! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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