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RSM Messenger
August 2012
In This Issue
City Manager's Message
Free Summer Concerts
Community Emergency Preparedness Academy
Summer Concerts Continue
Save the Date for Patriot Day
Important Election Information
Vehicle Parking Reminder
Fall 2012 Community Living Magazine
Recreation Highlights
Join Our Mailing List
Holiday Closure
City Hall and the Bell Tower Regional Community Center will be closed on Monday, September 3, in recognition of Labor Day.
Quick Links
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

Please note: There will be no Council meeting on Wednesday, August 22. 

For more information, call
949.635.1806.
 

City Manager's Message

Rancho Santa Margarita is an outstanding community, and I am delighted to serve the residents as City Manager. I have a passion for public service, and while there are many questions about finances in other jurisdictions, I believe RSM is an example of good government through transparency, integrity and excellent stewardship of the City's finances. 

 

Communication and civic engagement are very important in this partnership between residents and their government. This eNewsletter is just one way that the City provides information on upcoming events, current issues and future projects. Families are busy - I know because I am also raising two school-aged daughters - so the City strives to make it easy to obtain information electronically. The City website has many resources available for residents, including meeting agendas, audio streams of the council meetings, links to other agencies, an online request system (Community Connection), and a way to "Ask the Mayor". Residents can also contact the City by using email or phone numbers found on the "Contact Us" page of the website.

 

I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that the future holds, and of course, to the dialog and communication with residents and business owners.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

Summer Concert logo Join Your Neighbors and Enjoy the Final Two Free Summer Concerts
Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in Central Park
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita and SAMLARC present five free concerts of fantastic musical performances this summer and there's only two left. Bring your family, friends, blankets, and chairs and join the fun.

August 5 - Superfreaks (70s & 80s hits)
August 12 - Hollywood U2 (U2 tribute)

Click here for flyer or call Community Services at 949.216.9700 for more information.
Sheriff Star and City Seal Free Community Emergency Preparedness Academy

Registration Now Available

In the event of a major disaster or even a more common emergency, are you prepared to care for yourself and family until help arrives?

 

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita will host a free seven week Community Emergency Preparedness Academy (CEPA) to provide residents with critical information and skills needed to care for themselves and their families when emergency responders may not be able to respond.

 

The course begins on Wednesday, September 12, and continues Wednesday evenings for seven weeks, with the last class being held on October 24. Space is limited, so register today. In place of the October 3 class, there will be CPR and First Aid training on Saturday, October 6. 

 

Space is limited, so register today!

For more information, contact Steve Rhyner at  [email protected].

2/5 Crest Operation Rack Pack  

Helps Returning Marines  

From 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5) 

Operation Help a Hero, The Bell Tower Foundation, and the City of RSM are collecting donations for Operation Rack Pack (ORP). 

The men of 2/5 are expected to return from their deployment to Afghanistan in September. To show appreciation, gifts of gratitude for over 600 Marines will be placed in their barracks to greet them. The goal of ORP is to provide each Marine with a clean room, a fridge full of refreshments, welcome home signs and more. Ideally, every Marine will be able to come home and have the necessary items to take a shower, put on clean clothes, grab dinner and enjoy some pampering without having to go to storage or to the store.

 

A flyer and wish list are on the City's website. Donations can be dropped off the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. Collection bins are also available each Sunday during the free summer concerts in Central Park. Donation deadline is Wednesday, September 5, 2012.

 

For more information regarding donations, contact Christine Groves at [email protected]. To volunteer or involve your business, visit www.operationhelpahero.org. 

Save the Date for

Patriot Day Festivities:

9/11 Remembrance and

Celebration of Patriots

September 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Civic Plaza, 22112 El Paseo  

For the third year, Rancho Santa Margarita will be commemorating Patriot Day in memory of 9/11 and in celebration of local patriots. This year will feature a static display of, and tribute to, first responders including the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority. At 11 a.m., a special flag ceremony by local boy and girl scouts, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs, and the American Legion will commence. The commemorative ceremony will feature the lowering of the flags and a 21-gun salute in honor of the lives lost on 9/11 and the men and women who serve to protect our lives and freedom. Special recognition will also be given to the City's adopted 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines who will be returning from Afghanistan in September.

 

Save the date for this wonderful family event.

 

For more information, contact Christine Groves at [email protected] or call 949.635.1825.

My Vote

Important Election Dates 

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita will be having both a Special and General Municipal Election on November 6, 2012. Important upcoming dates include:

  • Last day to file papers for City Council Member Seats - August 10, 2012 (unless an incumbent decides not to run, then it is extended to August 15, 2012). There is one two-year seat (Special Municipal Election) and two 4-year seats open.
  • Last day to Register to vote - October 22, 2012
  • Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot - October 30, 2012

Don't delay registering to vote for the upcoming election. Your vote counts!

 

Contact City Clerk Molly McLaughlin at 949.635.1806 for additional information.

Be a Courteous Neighbor  

Community Parking Reminders 

Summer is the time of year when families are using their recreational vehicles or hosting family members visiting from out of town. The City asks that you be a courteous neighbor and remember a few parking regulations.

  • Vehicles are not allowed to be parked on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours.
  • Oversized vehicles (in excess of 25 feet, or over 10,000 pounds, or over 90 inches wide) are not allowed to be parked on a public street except under certain temporary circumstances such as active loading/unloading or when performing emergency repairs.
  • Unattached trailers are not allowed to be parked on a public street for more than 2 hours for active loading/unloading.
  • Camping is not allowed in a recreational vehicle (motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, camping trailer) when parked on a public street.
  • Vehicles parked in your driveway must not obstruct any part of the sidewalk.
For more information or questions related to vehicle parking in Rancho Santa Margarita, please call Police Services at 949.635.1819.
Fall/Winter 2012 Community Living Magazine
Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You   

Summer is winding down and fall is around the corner. The Fall/Winter Catalog will be mailed the week of August 20. Be sure to check out the new classes that will be offered at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. From dance to guitar to computer classes there is sure to be something fun for everyone!  

 

Fall/Winter registration begins on Monday, August 27, and can be completed online, in-person or through the mail, for more information please contact the Community Services Department at 949.216.9700

Recreation Highlights 

NEW! Little Scientists Preschool Lab     

Experience fun, touchy-feely, experiments in this week-long lab. Meet Mr. Bones, dig for dinosaurs, explore rainbows of light, and play with the power of magnets. Take a journey through taste buds and smell, become an astronaut in training, play with ooey-gooey polymers, and much more! Children must be potty trained and have pre-school experience. Bring $35 cash materials fee. 

Monday - Friday, August 27-31, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ages 3.5-5.5 years, $147 / 5 classes   

 

Tumbling Camp          

All the fun of a camp with tons of gymnastics, floor routines, and games. Your daughter will learn all of the basics in this camp to become a great gymnast. 

Monday-Wednesday, August 6-8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.     

Ages 5.5 -11.5 years, $98 / 3 classes

 

NEW! Photography Camp      

This camp is an introduction to photography using digital cameras. Participants will learn about shading, lighting, composition, balance, focus, and will use their skills in a photo scavenger hunt to keep the learning fun. Everyone will create a variety of picture frames and present an art exhibit at the end of the week. Cameras will be provided, but bring an SD card to get your photos instantly or your photos will be sent to you on a CD at the end of summer.     

Monday - Friday, August 13 - 17, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Ages 6-12 years / $128 / 5 classes

 

Radio Controlled Airplanes        

Learn to build and fly a remote controlled (RC) plane. This class is an introduction to the sport and hobby of RC aircraft. The first day of class meets in a classroom at the Community Center (BTRCC). The second day of class is held at the Trabuco Flyers Airfield where participants will fly a RC plane with the aid of a buddy box.
Thursday, August 9, 7-9 p.m. and
Saturday, August 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ages 12+ years, $28 / 2 classes

 

College Admissions Essay Writing        

High school juniors should not miss this comprehensive, fun, and informative college admissions essay writing class. Come learn tricks, tips, and techniques to finish an admissions essay well before filling out applications. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to write an impressive essay, how to pick a topic, and tips on what not to do. Students will leave with a draft essay as well as valuable exposure to what makes the best admissions essays work. If you have a laptop, please bring it to class.
Saturday, August 18, 2-5 p.m. 

Ages 15-18 years, $45 / 1 class

 

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, August 16-23, 6-8 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $45 / 2 classes

 

Floral Design          

Learn how to create a remarkable low cost floral arrangement. You can use these skills for a lifetime of making gifts or your own decorations. Bring small garden trimmers. Bring $20 cash materials fee.    

Wednesday, August 15, 6-8 p.m.  

Ages 18+ years, $38 / 1 class

 

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