website header
RSM Messenger
November 2011
In This Issue
City Manager's Message
State of the City
Follow RSM on Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr!
Spread Holiday Cheer to Local Military Families
Coyote Awareness
The Perfect Venue for Your Next Celebration
Children's Art Contest
Recreation Highlights
Holiday Closures
City Hall and the Bell Tower Regional Community Center will be closed on Friday, November 11, in recognition of Veterans Day.

City offices will also be closed on November 24-25, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

There will be no Council meeting on Wednesday, November 23.
Quick Links
Community Living  
2011 Fall CLM Cover
Register now to ensure your spot in your favorite class or try something new!
RSM City Council
Mayor
L. Anthony Beall

Council Members
Steven Baric
Carol Gamble

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

Please note: There will be no Council meeting on Wednesday, November 23.

For more information, call
949.635.1806.
 
Join Our Mailing List

City Manager's Message

Steve Hayman

RSM Tops the FBI's List of Safest Cities    

I am proud to announce that the City of Rancho Santa Margarita has been listed as the safest city in California for cities with a population greater than 20,000 residents according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) 2010 Uniform Crime Report. This is the tenth consecutive year that RSM has been identified as one of the safest communities in Orange County and California.  I suspect that as residents, you are equally as proud and you should be!  Each and every one of you has a part in making, and keeping, Rancho Santa Margarita a safe place to live, work and play.

 

Numerous categories in the crime report showed a decrease in frequency including robbery, larceny-theft, and aggravated assault. Other categories remained among the lowest numbers for cities similar in size. Subsequently, in 2010, Rancho Santa Margarita experienced its lowest crime rate since becoming a city.

 

This is great news for the residents of Rancho Santa Margarita. The combination of high standards for our Police Services Department and the efforts of the community in our neighborhoods and schools are working. Congratulations are due everyone in the community.

 

If you would like more information about the FBI's Uniform Crime Report or crime prevention programs, visit the City's website at www.cityofrsm.org.

 

Sincerely,

Steven E. Hayman

City Seal
RSM Business Alliance Announces
State of the City Breakfast
Thursday, December 1, 2011
7:15 - 9:15 a.m. 
The Rancho Santa Margarita Business Alliance has announced the date of their upcoming State of the City Breakfast featuring Mayor Tony Beall. Join elected and appointed officials, community business leaders, non-profit organizations and community partners for this annual breakfast. A special recognition to retiring City Manager Steve Hayman will be included as well.

For more information, contact RSMBA at [email protected] or visit www.rsmba.com. Click here to view flyer. 
Follow RSM on Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr!Flickr LogoYouTube Logotwitter logo
In its continuing efforts to expand public outreach, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita has implemented Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr accounts. Through Twitter, the City will notify its followers of upcoming events, new business openings, recreation class openings, and urgent messages such as unplanned road closures. You can also enjoy city event photos and videos from our channels on YouTube and Flickr. Be sure to see the heart-warming montage video of  the Patriot Day and 9/11 Remembrance event on the City's YouTube channel.

Click on the icons above or on the City's website at www.cityofrsm.org to go directly to the Rancho Santa Margarita pages.
OHH Christmas LogoOperation Christmas Spirit
Spread Holiday Cheer to Our Local Military Families 
Please join the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and Operation Help a Hero in assisting local military families this holiday season.

There are many ways to help:
 - Donate toys for children ages 2-12.
 - Donate a gift card, allowing Marine families to purchase holiday gifts of their own choosing ($20 - $25 suggested).
 - Contribute homemade items for holiday baskets such as blankets, craft kits, ornaments, etc.
 - Adopt a family. Ten families from the City's adopted 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment have been identified as ones that could use some extra help this season.

Donation bins will be located in the Bell Tower Regional Community Center beginning Monday, November 14, through Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

For more information, contact collection coordinator Mimi Walters at [email protected]. For information about adopting a family, contact Kristen Lanham at [email protected].

Coyote Awareness
Protect Your Family and Pets
Take precautions
to protect you, your pets, and property from coyotes and other wildlife.
- Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
- Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
- Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
- Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
- Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.

Stash Your Food and Trash
Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food, but will take advantage of whatever is available, including garbage, pet food, and domestic animals.
- Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
- Remove sources of water
- Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food outside.
- Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
- Ask your neighbors to follow these tips. 

For more information, contact County of Orange Animal Care Services at www.ocpetinfo.com or 714.935.6848.
 
Click here for brochure from California Department of Fish and Game
BallroomThe Bell Tower Regional Community Center
The Perfect Venue For Your Next Celebration

The holiday season is fast approaching and whether you are planning a formal holiday gala or an employee luncheon, the Grand Ballroom at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center is an exceptional room complete with hardwood floors and chandeliers.  The room may be sub-divided to accommodate smaller functions as well.   

 

To enhance your event, the room has an integrated sound system with full audiovisual capabilities and multiple electronic projection screens.  Immediately adjacent to the Ballroom is a full service caterer's kitchen with state of the art appliances. The kitchen can be added to any ballroom rental for an additional fee.

 

For more information, visit the City's website at www.cityofrsm.org.

NeNew Year's Eve Logow Year's Eve Children's Art Contest
Entries Due December 9, 2011

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is proud to announce the annual Children's Art Contest in conjunction with 11th Annual New Year's Eve event on Saturday, December 31, 2011. Art contest participants are invited to submit artwork, no larger than 3'x3', in the following categories: drawings (i.e. pencil, charcoal, chalk, ink, crayons, pastels), collages (i.e. paper, fabric, string, noodles, beads, tissue) or fiber work (i.e. needlework, sewn designs, leather).  

 

All entries must be submitted with an entry form and received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2011 at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita. Entry forms are available online or at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. Entries will be judged using the following age categories:  K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th grades.

Entries will be displayed in the community center and winners will be announced at the "Celebrating Family and Friends"  event in the Civic Plaza on December 31, 2011.

For more information contact Community Services at 949.216.9700.
Recreation Highlights  2011 Fall CLM Cover
Register for Fall fun now!  

 

Gymnastics Tumble and Routine  

Learn quality tumbling techniques and improve the basic skills of gymnastics. Each child will have fun creating an original floor routine to use to "compete" at the end of the class and earn a ribbon. No class November 24.    

Thursdays, November 3 - December 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 

Ages 5-11 years, $63 / 6 classes

 

Youth Running Club   

This club promotes the sport of running by providing high quality coaching for kids. Each runner develops proper running skills through consistent practice and instruction. Meet in the Bell Tower Community Center Atrium on the first day of class. No class November 25. 

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, November 2 -30, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Ages 8-14 years, $78 / 12 classes

 

Microsoft Excel     

This course combines beginning and intermediate features of Microsoft Excel. Learn how to create new worksheets, workbooks, and templates. Learn editing, basic data input, formulas, and functions. Bring $16 cash materials fee to first class.  

Tuesdays, November 8 - December 6, 6:30-8:45 p.m. 

Ages 18+ years, $69 / 5 classes

 

Healthy Fit

Designed for women who want to develop and maintain flexibility, cardio, endurance, and strong bones with gentle stretching, low impact aerobics, plyometrics, and strength training. Resistance bands, balance balls, and light weights will be used to incorporate yoga, Pilates, low impact aerobics, and strength training techniques. No class on December 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 and January 3, 5. 

Tuesdays, Thursdays, November 29 - February 21, 8:30-9:45 a.m.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, November 29 - February 21, 5:45-7 p.m. 

Ages 40-60 years, $180 / 20 classes    

 

Free! Hearing Aid Clean and Check 

Free clean and check services for your hearing aid. Your device will be cleaned of buildup that could cause poor hearing aid performance.  

Tuesdays, November 1, 15, 29, 12-2 p.m.

All ages. Free.  

 

Free! Blood Pressure Check

Do you know your blood pressure? Stop by and have it check at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center Quiet Lounge.

Every Tuesday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. 

 

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