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November 2013
In This Issue
City Manager's Message
State of the City
Celebrating Family and Friends
Children's Art Contest!
The Perfect Venue for Your Next Event
Public Works Projects
Crime Prevention Tips
Great News for Small Businesses
Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic
November Recreation Highlights
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RSM City Council
Mayor
L. Anthony Beall

Mayor Pro Tempore
Carol Gamble

Council Members
Steve Baric
Brad McGirr

Jesse Petrilla

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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  
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City Manager's Message

 

The month of November is the start of a season of holidays, celebrations and reflection.  Veterans Day reminds us to thank and recognize those that have served our country in the military.  As our city continues to thrive, we have much to be thankful for this upcoming Thanksgiving.  The City's annual New Year's Eve celebration is just around the corner as we set our sights on commemorating the City's "birthday" and the beginning of a new year.  I cannot imagine a better family-friendly event anywhere than the one right here in Rancho Santa Margarita.  Participate in the art contest, volunteer at the event, or be a part of the entertainment.  All volunteers and entertainers are welcome!  I look forward to celebrating this very special season together.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

 

   

Mayor Tony Beall recently presented a community update at the Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce annual State of the City breakfast. Among the items highlighted are the City's strong and sustainable financial condition and FBI ranking as the safest city of its size
in the state of California.

 

If you missed event, please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/CityofRSM to watch the Mayor's presentation. For your convenience the presentation is divided into nine segments based on topics: budget, public safety, Child Safety Officer, Mello-Roos, SR-241 Toll Road, economic development, Chiquita Ridge, city events and strategic partnerships. Also, check out this collateral piece highlighting City's 2013 accomplishments .  

 

13th Annual Celebrating Family and Friends New Year's Eve

 

Tuesday, December 31, 2013, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Civic Plaza/Central Park, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688  

 

Bring your family to join friends, neighbors and community organizations to welcome in the New Year and celebrate the City's anniversary of incorporation. There will be entertainers, food, children's art exhibits, game booths, interactive art activities, game booths, and variety of inflatable rides. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!

 

For information on becoming a sponsor or volunteer, hosting a booth, or entering artwork, please contact Community Services at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center 949-216-9700 or visit www.cityofrsm.org.

boy-holding-drawing.jpg

Children's Art Contest!

Submit entries for the Celebrating Family and Friends Art Contest     

 

It is that time again and art contest participants are invited to submit artwork for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita's annual Children's Art Contest 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) or digital photography.

 

TO ENTER SUBMIT ARTWORK TO:  The City of Rancho Santa Margarita - Community Services Department, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita CA 92688

 

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to all local students. Entries will be judged by grade categories:  

K-2, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th

 

CRITERIA: Must be submitted with an entry form, no larger than 3'x3', Collages, Drawings, Fiberworks, Digital Photography

 

AWARDS: 1st Place winner in each category will receive a prize. The three schools with the most entries will receive an award toward their art program.

 

ENTRY DEADLINE: December 6, 2013 no later than 5:00 p.m.

 

For more information contact Community Services at 949-216-9700.

 

The Bell Tower Regional Community Center

The Perfect Venue For Your Next Celebration
The holiday season is fast approaching and whether youBallroom 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 ballroom may be sub-divided to accommodate smaller functions as well. To enhance your event, the ballroom has an integrated sound system with full audiovisual capabilities and multiple electronic projection screens.  Immediately adjacent to the Grand 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.

 

Public Works Projects 

 

City Hall and Bell Tower Regional Community Center Landscaping Renovation

The City will soon begin a landscaping renovation project at the City Hall and Bell Tower Regional Community Center Parking lots.  The project is scheduled to begin in early November with completion estimated by early December.  This project will replace various existing trees which shed sap and seedlings with new trees that will provide similar shade in the two parking lots. The project is phased to minimize impacts during business hours at the City Hall and Bell Tower Regional Community Center.  Pedestrian access points for both buildings will be maintained at all times so business will continue as usual.  Handicap accessible parking stalls will also be maintained in both parking lots at all times for the duration of the project.

 

Citywide Annual Concrete Repair Program

The Annual Concrete Repair Program will remove and reconstruct segments of sidewalk that are damaged and in need of repair as a result of tree uplifting, subgrade failure or other causes throughout various locations in the City.  The project is scheduled to start in November and will be completed by December.

 

For more information about these projects please contact the Public Works Department at 949-635-1800, extension 6505.

 

Police Services Provides Crime Prevention Tips

 

The Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services Department is conducting outreach in an effort to provide residents with information on recent crime trends and property and vehicle crime prevention.Commonly used property and crime prevention tips include:

 

Home Security:

  • Install and use good deadbolt locks in your doors.
  • Secure sliding glass doors with locks or a rigid wooden dowel wedged in the track.
  • Always lock doors and windows, including second story windows, while away from your home, even if it is for a short period of time.
  • Do not hide a spare key outside your home - instead give it to a neighbor you trust.

Vehicle Security:

  • LOCK your vehicle and take the keys.
  • CLOSE all windows.
  • PARK in your garage or well lit areas.
  • USE anti-theft devices.
  • CLEAN it out - do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
  • REMOVE the garage door opener.

 Additionally, talk with your neighbors and look out for each other which includes reporting suspicious activity to the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 949-770-6011 (RSM Police Dispatch).

 

Finally, for more information, please access the Police Department's webpage at http://www.cityofrsm.org/depts/police/frequently_asked_questions.asp or contact the Police Services Department at 949-635-1819.  

 

Economic Development

 

Great News for Small Businesses - No Charge Consulting Services

California SBDC of Orange County is an economic development program of Rancho Santiago Community College District partially supported by the U.S. Small Business Adminsitration, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and California State University Fullerton. Through this collaboration, free small business training is available. Whether you are expanding your business or launching a successful start-up, the Orange County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is availabe to help you advance to the next stage of success by providing small businesses and entrepreneurs with expert consulting, effective training and access to resources. Contact SBDC at www.ocsbdc.org or call 714-564-5200.

 

Business Openings

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is thriving and consequently, new businesses are joining the City's business family. Whether recognizing and celebrating new businesses or recognizing current businesses that have decided to remodel or expand, the City enjoys celebrating new and existing members of its business family. In October, Ribbon cuttings were held for New Life Framing Studio, located at 22312 El Paseo, and for the very popular McDonalds of Rancho Santa Margarita. Business openings scheduled in November include BevMo and Mizu Sushi.  

 

Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic

 

Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 p.m. to 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. 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 Microchip $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. 


November Recreation Highlights 

 

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

 

Youth Running Class

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.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, November 1 - November 29, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Ages: 8-14 years, $100 / 12 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 lightweights will be used to incorporate yoga, Pilates, low impact aerobics, and strength training techniques.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 5 - January 9, 5:45 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

No Class: November 26, November 28, December 24, December 26, December 31 and January 2.

Ages: 40-60 yrs, $171 / 14 Classes

 

Heartsaver CPR

Learn how to respond to breathing/cardiac emergencies for an adult, child and infant. Participants will receive an American Heart Association CPR & AED certification that is good for two years.

Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  

Ages 12+ years, $40 / 1 class

 

NEW! How to Hem Your Clothes

Would you like to know how to hem your skirt or pants? Join us and learn basic sewing skills using the sewing machine while you actually hem your own garments. No experience is needed and sewing machines will be provided 

Thursdays, November 7 - November 21, 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

 Ages 15+ years, $118 / 3 Classes

 

Photography Fundamentals

Interested in photography? If the automatic settings are not enough and you want to improve your photography skills, then sign up for this class. Participants will learn how to use their camera, understand all the different settings and improve picture taking skills. Please bring your camera to class.  

Thursdays, November 7 - December 12, 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Ages 16+ years, $63 / 6 Classes