Hey -

What a great 
Thanksgiving Weekend!

The weather was great. There were plenty of sales both on line and in person to make sure nearly everyone "got a deal" on something. School was out all week allowing some families to travel and others have time together. There were more college and pro football and basketball games than any person should watch - though some of you tried to watch them all (we know who you are 😜). 

It was a great way to kick off the holiday season. And, now we go full tilt into December with the Seal Beach Christmas Parade on Friday (12/6) on Main Street, Los Al's Winter Wonderland on Saturday (12/7) and then the Rossmoor Winter Festival the following Saturday (12/14) at Rush Park.

.We have the Rossmoor Toy Drive for The Youth Center that's going on through Sunday December 8th - where you can drop an unwrapped gift off in the boxes at the Rossmoor CSD offices, The Meat Company, or Ganahl's during business hours, just make a donation for toys here, or pick from The Youth Center gift list 24 hours a day. 

Week's Weather - Cooler 

As we head into the work week, the temperatures will cool slightly into the upper 60s before rising again next weekend. Great weather for walking and enjoying our community.

Sweepers Are Coming Monday & Tuesday

The sweepers will be in Rossmoor on Monday and Tuesday to clean up the thousands of leaves that have dropped in the past week. 

It's important to have our streets 100% clear so the sweepers can have a chance to do their job. 

And yes, we have heard from our neighbors that the sweeping is not always a job well done. And if that is the unfortunate case on your street, please report your observations to the Rossmoor CSD who manage the contract for all of Rossmoor. 

Pictures are a nice visual to show what you are seeing. The very best way to let the District know about any issues with the sweepers is to click this link and share them.  

Our General Manager need to be aware of the issues so they can work with the sweeping company to correct any deficiencies. 

The Youth Center Adopt-A-Family Deadline

The Youth Center's Adopt-A-Family registration closes today at midnight! 🕛 

The Youth Center is incredibly thankful to all the families and organizations who have stepped up to support this program. The community generosity brings so much love, joy, and holiday cheer to those who need it most. 

Together with The Youth Center, we’re making this season brighter, one family at a time. ❤️ Let’s continue spreading kindness and showing the true spirit of the holidays. Find out how you can help here

Rossmoor Lights Celebration

As tradition has it (at least for the past 18 years), our Rossmoor Christmas Lights Celebration kicks off this weekend. That's right for all of you who don't know, every year for nearly two decades, Rossmoor has celebrated the holiday season by recognizing the homes that are lit up and decorated. We don't "place them" as in first, second and third, or even rank them. 

Why? Well because like beauty, what's most creative or festive is in the eye of the person who is setting it up and seeing it. So, our celebration is designed to highlight the nicest, brightest, cheeriest, funniest and even one for the new-comers to decorating. The categories change each year based on what the judges see. It's all in good fun. Once the awardees are names, the Light Team creates a Google Map so you can walk, bike, or drive by these terrific homes in the week before Christmas and experience the lights with your family.

Make your nominations here

And then, our local BikeRossmoor.org group plans a Bike Lights Tour to cruise by the homes that received the awards. It's a whole "thing" that has evolved over the past 7 years now and keeps getting better every year. Click here for the details and get busy with your decorating!

It's THAT Time of the Year......

It’s time to support the Rossmoor Toy Drive that benefits The Youth Center!

Collection boxes are in place all around town from the Rossmoor CSD offices in Rush Park and The Meat Market in Rossmoor to Ganahl’s and Garage Pilates in Los Al and Bogart’s in Seal Beach there’s a nearby place you can drop off that new, unwrapped toy or gift card for the families The Youth Center will serve this holiday season. 

And of course, you can always stop by The Youth Center during the day to drop off your gifts!

The Toy Drive runs from November 8th through December 7th. 

Want to shop from their gift list on Amazon? Click Here

If you’d rather have the wonderful Youth Center Staff do the shopping for you, you can simply make a donation right from your phone or computer by clicking here Any time of day or night.

2024 Rossmoor Winter Festival

The 2024 Rossmoor Winter Festival is coming on Saturday, December 14th to Rush Park. There will be snacks, snow, Santa and all sorts of fun. Come join us to welcome in the holiday Season at Rossmoor's Winter Festival from 4 to 9:00 p.m. Stop by the RHA Booth (the white top) to see what goodies we have in store for you. Happy Holidays!!

December's Community Conversation

THURSDAY 12/19!

Our December Community Conversation will be on the topic of minimizing the stress of dementia care during the holidays. The conversation will be led by members of the Alzheimer's Family Center in Huntington Beach and will touch on helpful ways to handle holiday stress while caring for someone with dementia. Learn practical tips to create a calm, enjoyable environment and maintain your well-being during the festive season. This session offers strategies to manage expectations, simplify celebrations, and ensure meaningful moments for everyone involved.

Plan to join us on Thursday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the friendly confines of Bethlehem Lutheran Church at the corner of Katella and Wallingsford here in Rossmoor.

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RWC Annual Holiday Home Tour 

Looking for holiday decorating ideas mixed 

with a little social holiday fun?

Join the Rossmoor Woman's Club for their annual Rossmoor Holiday Home Tour on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 am-4 p.m.

The Rossmoor Woman’s Club has hosted this tour for decades and this year’s tour features five homes decorated with traditional or modern, warm and nostalgic inviting rooms to explore.

One of the Rossmoor homeowners, Tom Gidden, will display a miniature Christmas village he designed with his 27 year collection of Department 56 Original Snow Village Christmas pieces while his wife, Connie, showcases two trees decorated with her 44 year collection of Hallmark ornaments, travel and grandchildren keepsakes.

Another homeowner... (click here to read the rest of the story)

Rossmoor CSD Board Election

It's time to congratulate to the returning Rossmoor CSD Directors Nathan Searles and Tony DeMarco along with Director-Elect Mary Ann Remnet who were selected by Rossmoor residents to represent the neighborhood for the next four years. They join current Directors Michael Maynard and Jo Shade as the five Directors who guide and direct the District's General Manager and the nearly $2 million tax dollar budget our special district is allocated enhance and maintain our parks and trees here in Rossmoor. We can't wait to see what the future brings for our parks and facilities. Congratulations!

Level Up! An Exciting New Youth Center Program

Level Up! will quickly empower students to gain social confidence by developing and honing their public speaking and social skills. Designed for students in Grades 5-8, during this 8 week program students will learn speaking and social skills, having a lasting impact for confidently interacting with teachers, future job interviews, and achieving the goals students have set for themselves! 

Up to a 90% scholarship for early registrants - Click here to learn more!
 

Griffin Gazette: Treats for the feast: Underrated foods to try this Thanksgiving

As cold breezes roll in, the scent of warm pumpkin pie, fluffy mashed potatoes and seasoned garlic toast fills the air. Thanksgiving is here, along with the excitement for foods that we all know and love. However, underrated options have been brought to the table and to people’s appetites. Besides, who really eats the turkey at Thanksgiving? 

Here is a list of five great underrated treats to try out this Thanksgiving feast.

Oyster dressing stuffing

With stuffing being an already established dish during Thanksgiving that has grown beloved with tradition, some people hope to make a fun twist on the already enjoyed dish. Oyster dressing stuffing can be gross at first thought — I mean, oysters? With stuffing? But oyster dressing stuffing can be a very easy plate to get obsessed with this season, from the crumble of soft, fresh-baked breadcrumbs and the smooth, silky taste of oyster dressing accompanied with the classically loved taste and feel of stuffing, this offering is a unique dish and is sure to start a conversation at the table... 

Read more here...
 

More HUGS

The Hopkinson Regal Movie Bundel is still available for your gift giving pleasure. We all have one (or two) of those "movie buffs" in our lives. Or maybe you just love the movies. Grab your tickets  from the HUGS page and you'll get a deal PLUS help Hopkinson at the same time. Another win-win-win. Get the details on the fundraiser here. Special is good through December 20th.

Did you see this....

The Youth Center Tree Lot Is OPEN!!

Hey! One of these might be your tree! It's a beautiful day in Oregon - Rossmoor trees don't get any fresher than this -- arriving in time for the 2024 The Youth Center Christmas Tree Lot Fundraiser opened SATURDAY 11/30 - There are no fresher trees and your purchase helps are youth. It's a win-win-win!  See you there. 

The Los Al Unified Wrap Up - 11/17/2024

(Note: Scholl is out this week so no new Wrap Up until Friday 12/6)

Most weeks that school is in session the District's awesome Communications Officer, Nichole Pichardo, puts together the Wrap-Up. It gives you an opportunity to see a quick glimpse of what's happening in our school district each week - in right around 3 minutes. Check it out!

Community Groups & Resources

Our community has a number of great ways for you to engage with your neighbors in hobbies and activities. While these are not RHA groups, they are great resources for you and your family members. Check them out.

• Jigsaw Puzzlers Unit - Peaceful Puzzle Library & Exchange
• Cycling Fun - Bike Rossmoor is the place to go