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RSM Messenger
March 2013
In This Issue
City Manager's Message
SCE Road Work Continues
Robinson Ranch Street Resurfacing
Change Your Clock, Check Your Batteries
Spring Class Registration
Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic
Free Tax Preparation Service
Recreation Highlights
Join Our Mailing List
RSM City Council
Mayor
L. Anthony Beall

Mayor Pro Tempore
Carol Gamble

Council Members
Steve Baric
Brad McGirr

Jesse Petrilla

Quick Links
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  
Community Living Magazine   

Spring registration now available!

City Manager's Message

Spring is nearly upon us with blue skies, warmer weather, and some general freshening in the community. As residents and visitors travel through Rancho Santa Margarita, many have experienced infrastructure improvements. Robinson Ranch Road is currently under construction to improve the sidewalks and travel lanes, and several residential streets in the Robinson Ranch neighborhood will be resurfaced between March and May. Southern California Edison is upgrading its infrastructure by installing new underground facilities in the City's core area. While we recognize that there are some inconveniences during this work, our City and utility infrastructure will be in outstanding condition with safe reliable service as a result. We appreciate the community's cooperation and patience in making Rancho Santa Margarita look and operate at its best.

As always, resident feedback is important to us, and our website has easy-to-use tools available for that purpose. If you have a request or feedback to share, the RSM Community Connection can be used to send your correspondence directly to staff members who can help.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

Electrical Work in City Streets May Impact Traffic 

Work continues on Southern California Edison's (SCE) Consejo 12kV Circuit Installation Project, a major utility project within the City. SCE is installing new underground conduit and underground structures in the streets of Santa Margarita Parkway, El Paseo, El Portal, La Promesa, Coto de Caza, Alma Aldea, Plano Trabuco and Via Pajaro. SCE determined that the current distribution circuits in this area simply cannot handle the projected loads and that a new distribution circuit is necessary. Most of the work will be performed at night (9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) to minimize traffic disruption for residents and nearby businesses. Click here for construction map

 

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the Public Works Department at 949.635.1800, extension 6505.

Robinson Ranch Street Resurfacing
Several residential streets in the Robinson Ranch neighborhood will be resurfaced between March and May. Residents on the affected streets will be notified by the City's contractor, KAD Paving, Inc., in advance of each local street closure. Click here for a map of specific streets to be resurfaced.


A successful street maintenance program depends on your cooperation. Please remove all cars from the affected street when notified by the City's contractor. Thank you for your patience as we strive to improve your streets!

 
For more information about the project please contact the Public Works Department at 949.635.1800, extension 6505.

Change Your Clock,
Check Your Batteries
Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, March 10
The Orange County Fire Authority reminds us to check our smoke alarms when we change our clocks. A smoke alarm cannot alert you to the dangers of smoke and fire if its batteries are dead, disconnected, or missing. So, when you change your clocks forward this weekend, check your smoke alarms and if necessary, change the batteries.

For more information about OCFA's smoke alarm program, visit www.ocfa.org.

Announcing Summer Camp Adventures at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center

Early Summer Camp Registration Begins April 1, 2013

Check out the great lineup of summer camps at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center that is sure to entertain your child! Children have the opportunity to explore from over 35 fun-filled camps. Dance, cheer, art, music, engineering, photography, film making, science, cooking, sewing, basketball, skateboarding and more!  There is something for every child aged 1 ½ through 14 years old.

 

Summer camps are popular and fill up fast. Check out the Summer Camp preview and plan ahead. 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, call Community Services at 949.216.9700.

Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic

Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

Cats only from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Bell Tower Regional Community Center  

On the first Wednesday of every month, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita hosts a low cost pet vaccination clinic at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Beginning March 6, the vaccination clinic will open early for cats only at 6:30 p.m. This is to alleviate stress on our feline friends. No appointment is needed; pets are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

Services include:
Dogs: Rabies vaccination $7, DHPP $17, Bordetella $14, Lyme $22
Cats: Rabies $7, FELV $19, FVRCP $17, Purevax $20
AVID micro chip $28
Cash only. Pets must be secured on leashes or in pet carriers.

For more information, please visit the City's website or call the Community Services Department at 949.216.9700.

IRS forms

Free Tax Preparation Service

Appointments Now Available 

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita and the AARP Tax Aide group is conducting the "Tax Preparation Assistance" program through April 10, 2013 by appointment only. Appointments are scheduled for Wednesdays only between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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 251. Click here to view flyer.
Recreation Highlights

Spring class registration has begun and the City is pleased to be offering 17 new classes for participants of all ages.  

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


NEW! Tunes & Tales           

Let's get the wiggles out! Sing-a-longs and finger play songs start off this fun-filled class followed by music activities using bean bags, rhythm sticks, instruments, a parachute and more. Children have a great time while developing their listening and social skills. Parent participation required. 

Wednesdays, March 6 - March 27, 9:30 a.m.-10:10 a.m.  

Ages 1.5-2.5 years, $35 / 4 classes

Wednesdays, March 6 - March 27, 10:15 a.m.-11:10 a.m. 
Ages 2.5-4 years, $40 / 4 classes    

 

NEW! The Three Piggy Opera                 

Children will have fun being in a darling production of the classic tale "The Three Piggy Opera." Students will learn improvisation skills, how to create a story on stage, and music, movement, and drama exercises. All actors will receive a Tom Thumb Players t-shirt and a rehearsal CD. No class April 2. 

Tuesdays, March 12 - May 7, 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m.      

Ages 3-7 years, $114 / 8 classes

 

Gymnastics              

Learn quality tumbling techniques and improve the basic skills of gymnastics. You will have fun learning an original floor routine to "compete" at the end of the class and earn a ribbon.
Mondays, March 4 - April 15, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Ages 6-11 years, $63 / 6 classes

 

Karate              

Karate training is challenging, stimulating, and purposeful. The training is framed in the context of a formal class with specific etiquette and expected behavior. Classes will cover basic blocking and self-defense.
Wednesdays, March 6 - March 27, 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m. 

Ages 6-12 years, $53 / 4 classes

 

NEW! Youth Basketball             

This class promotes the sport of basketball by providing quality coaching and develops each player through consistent practice and instruction. Players will learn fundamental skills including ball handling, shooting, and offensive footwork. Class is geared toward preparing kids for competitive play. Class meets at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center Atrium and training locations vary within RSM. Training schedules available at first meeting.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 5 - March 28, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Ages 9-14 years, $179 / 8 class

  

NEW! Strong Women, Powerful Financial Strategies

This class focuses on the unique financial challenges facing women today. You will learn how to gain control over your financial situation, protect the people and things you love the most, and make informed financial decisions. We will also address estate planning strategies. 

Tuesdays, March 12 - March 26, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $38 / 3 classes

 

NEW! Art Pendants             

Design and create your own jewelry. Students will make several unique pendants and learn the fundamentals of polymer clay. Using the Mokume-game technique, students will create one-of-a-kind pieces embellished with crystals, watch gears, or wire. Bring $15 cash materials fee.         

Tuesdays, March 5 - March 12, 6:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $65 / 2 classes