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July 2012
In This Issue
Council Passes Balanced Budget
Summer Concerts Announced Seal
Free Pet Vaccination Clinic Rescheduled
Important Election Information
Tips to Reduce Home Energy Use
Drowning Prevention
Recreation Highlights
Join Our Mailing List
Holiday Closure
City Hall and the Bell Tower Regional Community Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, in recognition of Independence Day.
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Community Living  

Registration for summer classes is now available.
RSM City Council
Mayor
L. Anthony Beall

Mayor Pro Tempore
Steven Baric

Council Members
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

For more information, call
949.635.1806.
 

Financial Future is Bright for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita

City Council Passes Balanced Budget 

The tough decisions made over the last couple of years of economic uncertainty have paid off. Through leadership and dedication, the City Council and staff have ensured a bright financial position for Rancho Santa Margarita.

 

City Council and staff have worked diligently to develop a fiscally sound, responsible, and balanced budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2012-2013. At its June 13, 2012 meeting, the Council approved a budget that is all those things and more. The Council used responsible fiscal stewardship to create a budget that:

  • Funds all current city services.
  • Restores a public safety deputy position through the creation of a unique Child Safety Deputy to focus on youth safety in the community.
  • Increases general fund reserves to 99% of annual expenditures.
  • Funds all priority capital improvement projects in the upcoming year for infrastructure, the city's most valuable asset.

At a time when other cities are still struggling, we are proud to announce that the City of Rancho Santa Margarita continues to thrive.

Summer Concert logo

Summer Concerts Announced! 

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita and SAMLARC present five free concerts of fantastic musical performances. 

According to one resident, "Last summer was our first time attending the concerts in the park. Some of our best memories from last summer were packing up blankets, the kids, and being under the summer sky dancing with our family and friends to live music."  This year will be even better as a fifth concert has been added to the schedule!  

 

Concerts are on Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in Central Park. Bring your family, friends, blankets, and chairs.

July 15 - World Tour Legends of Rock
July 22 - Rodeo Drive (Country rock)
July 29 - Paperback Writer (Beatles tribute)
August 5 - Superfreaks (70s & 80s hits)
August 12 - Hollywood U2 (U2 tribute)

For more information, click here or call Community Services at 949.216.9700.
Free Pet Vaccination Clinic Rescheduled
Due to the Independence Day Holiday, the vaccination clinic will be held on Monday, July 9, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center   

Services include:
Dogs: Rabies vaccination $7, DHPP $16, Bordatella $13, Lyme $22
Cats: Rabies $7, FVRCP $16, Purevax $20
AVID micro chip $28
Cash only. Pets must be secured on leashes or in pet carriers.
For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at 949.216.9700.

My Vote

Special and General Municipal Election

November 6, 2012 

The City Council adopted three resolutions at their June 27, 2012 meeting that formally began the 2012 City Council Election season. 

 

Important dates to remember:

July 16-August 10, 2012 - Filing period for candidates

October 8, 2012 - First day of mailing Vote by Mail ballots

October 22, 2012 - Last day to register to vote

 

The Special Election ballot will include a "vote for one" seat for a two-year short term. The Regular Election ballot will include for a "vote for two" seats for four-year terms.

 

Contact City Clerk Molly McLaughlin at 949.635.1806 for additional information.

Summer Without San Onofre: 

Tips to Reduce Home Energy Use 

Southern California Edison (SCE) is asking customers to be diligent with their power use this summer to minimize the risk of outages due to the shut down of San Onofre through the summer months.
- Set thermostat no lower than 78 degrees
- Use electric fams instead of air conditioning when practical
- Turn off unused appliances and equipment
- Shut off lights when leaving a room
- Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators
For more information, click here

Drowning Prevention and Water Safety  

Learn the ABC's of Pool Safety 

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, California leads the nation in drownings. The ABC's of Pool Safety are design to help you and your child learn how to prevent needless and tragic drownings.

   

A - Adult Supervision - Assign an adult "water watcher" who can swim. Never leave children in or around a pool unattended, not even for one second.

B - Barriers - Maintain proper fencing around the pool. Make sure gates are self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from pool. Inspect fencing and gates monthly.

C - Classes - Learn CPR, first aid, and rescue techniques. Take swimming classes with your children.

For more information about drowning prevention and water safety, visit the Orange County Fire Authority's website at www.ocfa.org.
Recreation Highlights 

Circle Time with Miss Wendy     

This parent/child program is designed to encourage your child to participate in a wide range of youth development activities with an emphasis on transitions through the use of finger plays and song. Children will have the opportunity to socialize with a variety of activities including beanbags, prompted dance, scarves, and more.

Wednesdays, July 11 - August 8, 10-11 a.m.

Ages 1.5-3 years, $68 / 5 classes   

 

Fun with Farm Animals         

Discover the world of farm animals.  Each week a different farm animal is introduced through brushing, feeding, and handling. A special farm craft is made each week along with puppets and singing. Unregistered siblings may not attend due to one-on-one parent/guardian participation needed for this class. Please wear closed-toe shoes. Bring $20 cash materials fee. 

Saturdays, July 14 - August 4, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.     

Ages 1.5-6 years, $63 / 4 classes

 

NEW! RC Cars and Hobbies Camp      

Join the fun and get in motion with remote controlled cars, slot cars, snap circuit cars, and rock crawler. Explore on the ground and in the air. Race your cars on different race tracks each day with challenging terrain and jumps.Create rock crawling and slalom courses to test your vehicle's precision and control. Test your flying skills on the flight simulator and then master the RC helicopter.    

Monday - Friday, July 23 - 27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Ages 8-12 years / $75 / 8 classes

 

NEW! High School Trumpet Ensemble        

This class is designed for high school trumpet players looking to experience a different atmosphere outside their high school band or orchestra. Students will play a repertoire written solely for a trumpet ensemble and learn the fundamentals of playing the trumpet. Friends and family are invited to attend a concert on Tuesday, August 28.
Thursdays, July12 - August 28, 6-8 p.m.

Ages 14-17 years, $163 / 8 classes

 

NEW! iCan-iPad-iPhone-iTouch for Beginners          

Do you have an iPad, iPhone, or iTouch? This class will teach you the basics of using, managing, and getting the most out of your electronic device. Students will learn how to access popular apps and customize their device for different needs and interests. Bring your own iPad, iPhone, or iTouch device.    

Thursdays, July 12 - 19, 6-8 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $45 / 2 classes

 

Weathering Job Loss - Preserving Your Future           

This class will help answer questions about how unemployment could affect your future. Learn how to manage expenses, continue to pay bills, and how to provide for you family with medical care without employee insurance coverage. Participants will also learn about the long term consequences of tapping into your retirement savings.   

Tuesday, July 10, 6-7:45 p.m.  

Ages 18+ years, $20 / 1 class

 

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