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RSM Messenger
April 2011
In This Issue
City Manager's Message
Even More Ideas
Free Compost Giveaway
Commercial Food Scrap Composting
Household Battery Recycling
Free Tax Preparation Service
Summer Camp Registration
Recreation Highlights
RSM Businesses

Save the Date

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita Economic Development Committee will be hosting a special business event on May 18, 2011, at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. The event is free of charge and will highlight "How to Survive and Grow Your Business in RSM." Three sessions will be repeated throughout the day for your convenience.

 

Look for details to be posted soon on the City's website.

Community Living  
Sprimg 2011 CLM cover
Summer camp registration begins April 1!
Quick Links
RSM City Council
Mayor
L. Anthony Beall

Mayor Pro Tempore
vacant

Council Members
Steven Baric

Jerry Holloway

Jesse Petrilla

City Council Meetings
Held on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

22112 El Paseo
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

For more information, call
949.635.1806.

Join Our Mailing List
City Manager's Message
Important Emergency Preparedness Information
Steve Hayman

Natural disasters can change lives significantly.  The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan once again reminds us of the importance of being prepared. In the event of a large disaster, residents should be able to care for themselves and their families for at least 72 hours. Learn ways to prepare for such a situation by visiting the Emergency Preparedness page on the City's website. Additionally, the City uses AlertOC to keep residents informed during emergencies by sending messages via phone, email, or text messages.  Register for AlertOC to ensure that your family or business receives important updates in the event of an emergency.

 

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita partners with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the Orange County Fire Authority, the American Red Cross and other agencies to prepare for disasters big and small. We recently finished a continuity plan which will help City staff continue doing business in the event of a disaster. City staff also regularly attends state and federal emergency management training and practices scenarios in the Emergency Operations Center.

 

If you would like more information, please contact the City's Emergency Management Coordinator, Steve Rhyner at [email protected].

 

Sincerely,

Steven E Hayman

Earth Day and Arbor Day sunny tree

Spring Cleaning is in the Air 

This month we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 29, 2011. It is a month which reminds us to be good stewards of our  environment. This issue of the RSM Messenger contains information on ways to recycle, reduce, and reuse.  

 

While you are spring cleaning remember these ideas:  

 

Donate gently used items that you no longer need to Goodwill, South County Outreach, Laura's House, or other favorite charity.

 

Donate magazines that you have finished reading to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5). The City is collecting magazines for single marines of 2/5 who are expected to return home in June. Contact Christine Groves at [email protected] for more information.

 

Dispose of e-waste at the e-waste collection event coming to RSM City Hall in late spring. Watch the City's website for upcoming information.

 

Place your unusable items curbside during CR&R Spring Clean-Up during the week of May 9-13. Check your billing statement and the City's website for more information. 

 

When you are finished with your spring cleaning, visit one of our local county wilderness parks and enjoy the trees. You can also check out the Arbor Day tree planting ceremony on April 29, 2011 at 10 a.m. on Camino de Montana near the corner of Las Flores.  

Free Compost Giveaway Event 

Saturday, April 23, 7-10 a.m.  

To cGardeningelebrate Earth Day 2011, CR&R together with the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano will be distributing two free 30 lb. bags of compost (processed green waste) to residents living within the area.  

 

This event will be held at Soka University in the City of Aliso Viejo on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 7-10 a.m. or while supplies last. Residents from the seven cities will be required to bring the event coupon which will be distributed as part of the CR&R Environmental News flyer as an insert in the April CR&R bill. Residents from multi-family homes can obtain the coupons by contacting CR&R or their respective HOAs.

 

For more information, please contact CR&R at 1.877.728.0446. 

Commercial Food Scrap Composting  

A Creative Use For Organic Waste in Rancho Santa Margarita 

Food scraps represent approximately 40 to 50% of restaurant waste, and the average restaurant throws away more than 50 tons of organic waste in a year. Throughout California, that is about 5 million tons, a large segment of the waste stream going into the local landfills. 

 

Last year, CR&R Waste and Recycling Services, in partnership with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita with funding from the County of Orange, began a food scrap composting pilot program at several food establishments in Rancho Santa Margarita. Restaurants separate their old food scraps and transfer this mainly organic material to large outdoor carts. A CR&R truck collects the material and delivers it to a facility where it is turned into high quality compost.

 

If you visit one of these local restaurants, please thank them for participating in this pilot program and supporting our mission to reduce waste: Wood Ranch BBQ, Ball Park Pizza, and Park Terrace Senior Living Community.

 

For more information about this program, contact CR&R at 1.877.728.0446.  

Household Battery Recycling

Did you know that batteries are considered household hazardous waste? It is prohibited by state law to dispose of batteries in the garbage. In Rancho Santa Margarita, you can properly dispose of batteries in one of the following ways:

  • Drop off at one of Orange County's Household Hazardous Waste Facilities which are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., located at 32250 La Pata Ave in San Juan Capistrano and 6411 Oak Canyon in Irvine.
  • Drop off at Town Center Car Wash located at 30832 Santa Margarita Parkway in RSM. Collection bin is located inside the store.
  • Residents may call Curbside, Inc. at 1.800.449.7587 to schedule a pickup of household batteries.
  • Visit www.earth911.org for more locations.
IRS formsFree Tax Preparation Service

Call Now to Make Your Appointment.
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita and the AARP Tax Aide group is conducting the "Tax Preparation Assistance" program from February 9 through April 13, 2011 by appointment only. The Tax Assistance Program provides free assistance in filing federal and state income tax returns for low and moderate-income taxpayers of all ages. This service is free to eligible residents of Rancho Santa Margarita.   

Appointments can be scheduled by calling RSM Community Services at 949.216.9700, extension 1259.

Summer Camp Registrationkids  

Begins April 1, 2011 

Camps Fill Up Fast. Register Today.

This summer the City is offering 28 different camps for children ages 3 and up.  Back by popular demand are Lego and Top Chef Camps along with many other favorites. 

 

Registration can be done online through the City's online class registration system, in person at the Community Center, or by mail. For more information, visit the City's Website or call Community Services at 949.216.9700.  

Sprimg 2011 CLM coverRecreation Highlights 

Piano/Keyboard for Children 

Experience this revolutionary new approach to learning the piano. Children will learn simple melodies of popular songs. Musical experience not required. Students must bring their own keyboard and AC adapter to class. 

Wednesdays, May 4 - June 1, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Ages 6-11 years, $88 / 5 classes

 

Beginning Guitar  

Learn to play guitar in just five weeks! This class is designed to build a strong foundation for people with no experience playing the guitar. Students will learn several chords, strum styles, and three classic rock songs. Students must bring their own guitar to class. Class is repeatable. 

Wednesdays, May 4 - June 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Ages 10+ years, $88 / 5 classes

 

Build and Fly Model Airplanes 

Learn to build and fly a remote control (RC) airplane. This class is an introduction to the sport and hobby of radio controlled aircraft. You will learn how to buy, build, and fly a RC airplane. The first class meets at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. The second class meets at an airfield where you will fly a RC plane with the use of a buddy box. Visit www.trabucorcflyers.com for directions to the field. 

Thursday, April 21, 7-9 p.m. and 

Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Ages 12+ years, $28 / 2 classes


Heartsaver CPR  

Learn how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for an adult, child, and infant. Participants will receive American Heart Association CPR and AED certification that is good for two years. 

Monday, April 4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Monday, April 4, 6-9 p.m.

Ages 12+ years, $50 / 1 classes

 

Taste of Digital Movie Making 

This class guides students through the process of creating a movie using their pictures, videos, music, and dictation recordings. You will create your own movie and edit it with your newly acquired skills. This class is for Windows users.  

Wednesdays, April 13 - April 27, 7-8:30 p.m. 

Ages 16+ years, $33 / 3 classes

 

Zumba with Tania 

Zumba Fitness is a fusion of Latin and International music and dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness program. Appropriate for any fitness level. Try the first class of a session before you register. 

Mondays, April 4 - May 9, 7-8 p.m.

Thursdays, April 7 - May 12, 7-8 p.m. 

Mondays and Thursdays, April 4 - May 12, 7-8 p.m. 

Ages 18+ years, $60 / 6 classes or $115 / 12 classes 

 

To register for these and other classes, visit Community Services on the city's website at www.cityofrsm.org