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RSM Messenger
April 2013
In This Issue
City Manager's Message
Chiquita Rdge Update
Housing Element Public Hearing
Meet the Mayor
Free Local Taxi Vouchers for Seniors
Spring Class Registration
Meet the RSM's Adopted Battalion
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

The City Council and City staff are proud of Rancho Santa Margarita's strong financial situation. Our 2012-13 fiscal year budget is anticipated to end the year with a surplus of between $1 million and $1.5 million, thanks in part to some one-time revenues, but also to a local economy that is improving every day. This will be the third year in a row that the City has been able to set aside funds in the reserves, and we have approximately $20 million, the equivalent of an entire year's operating budget. As we look forward, there are a number of significant public improvement projects on the horizon. In this issue of the RSM Messenger, an update on the Chiquita Ridge development is provided, which will have a 23+ acre sports park. Also, the Planning Division is working on the Housing Element Update. Both of these projects will involve opportunities for the public to provide valuable input that will shape our community for years to come.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

Chiquita Ridge Update

The City Council was pleased to receive outstanding news from its consultant, Developers Research, who provided key financial analysis on the viability of developing the Chiquita Ridge property. The report to the City Council included development options, financial scenarios and a recommendation to proceed with the evaluation of development options. "Next steps" in the process will include an analysis of five development alternatives, with each containing the required 23-acre sports park. This next report will be presented to the City Council in late summer.

Housing Element Public Meeting  

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. 

The Planning Commission will be discussing the update of the General Plan Housing Element and would like your input! The Housing Element is a guide for housing within Rancho Santa Margarita and provides an indication of the need for housing in the community in terms of affordability, availability, adequacy and accessibility. The Element also provides a strategy to address housing needs and identifies a series of specific housing programs to meet existing and future housing needs in the community. The Planning Commission will be discussing the update of the General Plan Housing Element on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers.  

 

Click here to view flyer. For further information, you may contact the Development Services Department at (949) 635-1800.

RSM Chamber Logo Meet the Mayor!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
The RSM Chamber of Commerce invites you to Meet the Mayor at the Tijeras Creek Golf Club, 29082 Tijeras Creek, RSM. Join the RSM Chamber for a presentation by Mayor Tony Beall, dinner, and networking.

Register before April 29 at www.rsmchamber.com. For more information email Suzanne Singh at [email protected] or call 949.709.7595.
Free Local Taxi Vouchers for RSM Seniors
Getting Around Town Just Got Easier

Beginning April 1, 2013, the price of a taxi voucher through the City's Senior Mobility Program for transportation within the limits of Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, and Lake Forest is FREE!

 

The Senior Mobility Program allows older adults who are unable to drive the opportunity to get discounted taxi vouchers to assist in getting them around town. The vouchers are used in lieu of cash toward rides from California Yellow Cab Company. Currently, transportation is provided within Rancho Santa Margarita to John Wayne Airport and within the city limits of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel for a nominal fee.

 

Taxi vouchers are only available to Rancho Santa Margarita residents ages 60 and older. Proof of age and residency are required in order to qualify. Vouchers expire on June 30, 2013 and are quantities are limited. 

 

For more information regarding the Senior Mobility Program, please visit our website at www.cityofrsm.org or call 949.216.9700. Vouchers can be picked up at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Register Now for Fun-Filled Summer Camps!

Check out the great lineup of summer camps at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. Children have the opportunity to explore 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 � through 14 years old.

 

Register now! 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.
2/5 Crest

Meet the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines

Thursday, April 18, 2013, 6:30 - 8:15 p.m.

Bell Tower Regional Community Center

Bring your family and friends and get acquainted with the City's adopted 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Bairstow, Battalion Sergeant SgtMaj Lonnie Travis, and Family Readiness Officer Mrs. Jaime Farrell will be in attendance to provide information about the Marine Corps, some brief history on the City's adopted Marine battalion, rank and structure, basic information of their next deployment, upcoming volunteer opportunities and other ways to assist the Marines and their families.  

 

Come join us at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo on Thursday, April 18 from 6:30 - 8:15 p.m. and become a "Friend of 2/5." 

 

For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Amber Martin at [email protected] or Community Services Supervisor Wendi Redington at 949.635.1834. 

Recreation Highlights

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


Do, Re, Mi Piano / Music Class             

This class encourages the development of the whole child through music. Children will experience the sounds and rhythms of music through piano playing, learning piano fingering, playing simple tunes, singing and playing do, re, mi music notation and songs. Rhythm, melodic patterns, instrument play, props, puppets, and creative movement included. Keyboards provided. Parent participation required. Bring $20 cash materials fee. 

Tuesdays, April 16 - May 21, 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.  

Ages 2-4 years, $128 / 6 classes

 

Zoo Phonics                  

Zoo Phonics is a unique program that involves your whole child: eyes, ears, mouth, mind and body. Parents are amazed by it; teachers swear by it; and children love it! Combining an adorable cast of animal characters with sounds, songs, body movements and games, Zoo Phonics is designed to put kids on a fast-track to literacy. Parent participation required. Bring $5 cash materials fee. 

Thursdays, April 4 - May 23, 9:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m.      

Ages 2-5 years, $118 / 8 classes

 

Cartooning             

We will draw anime characters with dynamic figures and action-filled scenes. Your funny bone will be tickled when you see the floral-inspired personas in our flower characters lesson plays. We will draw cartoon animals of all shapes and sizes.
Tuesdays, April 16 - May 14, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Ages 6-12 years, $69 / 5 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, April 3 - April 24, 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m. 

Ages 6-12 years, $53 / 4 classes

 

Growing Your Own Food              

Learn about organic versus commercial food, GMOs and hybrids, soil, fertilizer, and composting. Growing food in small spaces will be discussed with information on how to grow on decks and patios.
Thursdays, April 11 - May 2, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $40 / 4 classes

  

Investment Strategies for the Future 

Are you worried about your nest egg? Learn how the fixed income market works and how to make money in it. Learn about mutual funds, buying and selling individual stocks, and all types of retirement accounts. This class also covers annuities, long term care, and estate planning. Participants will not be solicited for business.   

Tuesdays, April 9 - April 23, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $38 / 3 classes

 

Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts for Excel, Word, and PowerPoint 

Learn intermediate and advanced techniques in the most popular Microsoft Office products. In this interactive class, learn about lookup tables and pivot tables in Excel; table of contents and form creation in Word; and embedding YouTube videos and utilizing master slides in PowerPoint as well as other helpful concepts to maximize your Office products. Bring $15 cash materials fee.         

Tuesdays, April 23 - May 21, 6:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $69 / 5 classes

 

Social Media for the Professional         

In this introductory hands-on class, we give you the foundations of social media, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter. We also discuss the who, what, when, where, why, and how of social media as well as the potential future of social media. Bring $15 cash materials fee. 

Wednesdays, April 10 - May 8, 6:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m.

Ages 18+ years, $69 / 5 classes