Hi
The dog days of summer are here and the heat and humidity continue. Sure, we are lucky to not be baking in the
Phoenix sun or sweltering in the humidity of the South and Northeast. Still this is sticky for us here in Southern California. Seems like at least another week of this..stay tuned.
Tonight is the last Concert & Movie in the Park. These very cool events are held at Rush Park starting at about 6:00 p.m. Come as
you are, bring a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy your evening listening to the sounds of The Emperors and then watch Cars 3. Bring the entire family. See you there.
As we mentioned last item, there will be no guest presentation at our August RHA Board meeting. If there is some agency or representative that you would like to hear from in an upcoming RHA Board meeting, please reply to this email or let us know
who and why you want to hear from them, and we will work to schedule them in for you.
In September we will have the I-405 Project team presenting an update on the current I-405 widening project and taking questions from the audience. If you have any questions related to the I-405 project or are looking for an update
on how the project will impact your drive on the 405 in the coming months, please plan to join us.
Before we get on to the other updates, we would like to invite you to National Night Out this Tuesday (August 7th) at the Old Ranch/Target Center. Many of your neighbors
will be there along with law enforcement agencies and some fantastic vendors. It will be a fun evening that kicks off about 5:00 p.m. and should end by about 8:00 p.m.
Let's get on to the news and updates:
School is
Back!
Earlier than in the past, all Lost Alamitos Unified School District schools will be in session
starting on Wednesday August 8th. Weaver has already started classes.
The start of school means new routines for parents, school staff, teachers, and of course the students. Expect increased traffic and congestion in the usual places and allow yourself more time to get from
here to wherever you are going.
Along with the need to be on the look out for kids doing the crazy things they do on the way to and from school, expect increased enforcement activities from both the OCSD and CHP for the next few weeks.
Both agencies want to keep our kids safe and prevent accidents. They will specifically targeting distracted driving. Remember, using your phone while driving (hands free or not) can be considered a distraction if your are not driving safely (think full stops, 25 mph speed limit, safe curb departures, etc.) and our understanding is that distracted driving is now
considered a moving violation (points on your record, potential insurance rate increase).
Be safe. Be alert.
CHP
Smart Driving Program
The CHP is holding their START SMART DRIVING EDUCATION program for teens and their parents on Tuesday, August 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Westminster CHP Office (13200
Goldenwest Street, Westminster).
The class is an effort to prepare young drivers to drive responsibly, the CHP offers this new driver education class for drivers and their parents. START SMART addresses such topics as the safe
driving practices, the rules of the road, and new driver license requirements.
Please contact Officer Duane Graham (714.892.4426) to reserve your seat.
Neighborhood
Watch Video
Rossmoor resident Herb Halling has created another video for Rossmoor. This one is on the origins of Neighborhood Watch and how we have implemented it here in Rossmoor. It's short (less than 5 minutes) and does a good job of discussing hoe our Neighborhood Watch program helps to keep Rossmoor safe. Check it out here.
I-405 Noise Abatement Petition Many of our residents are gravely concerned about the freeway noise and pollution levels being generated by the 405 freeway and the carpool lane fly over. Since the carpool lane project was completed, there have been no noise or pollution tests done in Rossmoor by the County (OCTA) or CalTrans.
Based on teacher
comments, the children at Hopkinson School are also being effected by the increased noise levels; especially when they are playing on the school grounds.
Until we know what the current sound and pollution levels are, we can't determine what if any mitigation is required by both state and federal law.If you are interested in
getting CalTrans and or the OCTA to do their job and measure the sound and pollution levels so it can be determine if the existing conditions meet both State and Federal standards, please get involved by:1. Signing the petition here
2. Contacting Supervisor
Steel's office (714.834.3220) to request that she bring the lack of current noise and pollution measurements/testing to the attention of the full Orange County Board of Supervisors so they can force the OCTA/CalTrans to do the required testing. 3.
Telling your neighbors about this noise issue and encourage them to take action as well.
It is important that each of us get involved to protect our neighbors and the children that attend the schools in Rossmoor. This is a community concern and will take community intervention.
August's Concert & Movie - Friday 8/3 - Rush
Park Tonight starting at 6:00 p.m The Emperors playing at 6:00 p.m. followed by Disney's Cars 3 at dusk. This is the last of three Summer Concert & Movie events at Rush this summer.
National Night Out - Tuesday 8/7 - Target Center Neighborhoods throughout Western Orange County, are invited to join over 38.5 million people in 16,500 thousand communities
from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian Provinces, and military bases worldwide. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, August 7st in Seal Beach’s Old Ranch Town Center in front of Target.
Upcoming Dates to Note
We have a number of events coming up that you will want to put on your calendar. Check them out: - Rossmoor Recycles - Saturday 7/28 - 8:00 a.m. to Noon -
Rush Park, please bring your newspapers, mixed paper, cans and plastic bottles.
- Street Sweeping - Monday August 6th, please remove your vehicles and trash cans from Rossmoor streets.
- RCSD Board Meeting - Tuesday 8/14 -
7:00 p.m. Rush Park Aud.
- RHA Board Meeting - Tuesday 8/21 - 7:00 p.m. Rossmoor Park
And of course, the weekly Rossmoor Walk & Talk each Tuesday morning, that it is not raining, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Rush Park. A second walking group meets on Thursday
afternoons at 4:00 p.m. also at Rush Park.
Thanks for reading the RHA eNews Blast
The RHA Comm Team
Neighborhood Watch Updates |
Rossmoor's Neighborhood Watch Program welcomes the opportunity to work together with residents through Neighborhood Watch and Nextdoor. We are always looking to expand our Neighborhood Watch program by adding block captains, registering homes and neighbors, or sharing
information.
Presently, more than half of the
streets in Rossmoor have block captains - Is your street one of them?
It's easy to participate either in Neighborhood
Watch or as a block captain by registering here. It is also very important for residents to share information about safety and security concerns with OC Sheriff's by calling and with residents via Nextdoor. And we ask you to register your home with our Program.
Sheriff's Department Vacation Checks
As many of you know the Ornage County Sheriff's Department will do vacation checks of your home while you are away if you make a request. The very best way ot make this request is to call the Sheriff's Department at 714.647.7000, and select option 9 for dispatch. Once you are connected with dispatch, say you'd like to request a Vacation Check of your
home. You will be asked a number of questions, including: - The time and date of your departure and return
- Any cars in the driveway and their description/license plate number
- Who could or should be at your home while you are away (think gardeners, housekeepers, pool maintenance, visitors, etc.)
- What lights are expected to be on and when (think timers)
- If you've stopped the mail and or
newspaper
- If you have let your neighbors know
- Who is the local emergency contact, if they have a key/access to your home and their contact information (phone number/address)
This is a free service the OCSD provides and when
possible your home will be checked (at least driven by) once a shift.
The worst case is your street may get an extra patrol or two while you're way for the weekend. And the downside is? Enjoy your travels!
If you see suspicious activity, call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714.647.7000 and report: • Who or what you
saw • When you saw it • Where it occurred • Why it’s suspicious As always if there is an emergency, call 9-1-1. Stay Safe Rossmoor……remember…..be connected, be smart and be observant. If something is not right, call the OC Sheriff's Department at 714.647.7000 and if you see a crime in progress, call 9-1-1. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! We are all in this together. It is up to all of us to be observant for the safety of our community. What is Rossmoor’s Neighborhood Watch Program?Rossmoor’s Neighborhood Watch Program is organized, funded and operated by the Rossmoor Homeowner’s Association (RHA) and has been since its beginning back in the late 1970's.
Rossmoor's Neighborhood Watch Committee distributes weekly crime reports to block captains and these reports are also posted on the RHA website and Nextdoor so residents are regularly notified about area incidents. Quarterly crime/activity reports are presented by the OC Sheriffs at Rossmoor Community Services District meetings (each Feb., May, Aug., and
Nov.).
|
|
More on Rossmoor Neighborhood Watch |
Rossmoor Recycles: Saturday 8/25 |
Our next monthly Rossmoor Recycles Drive is on Saturday, August 25th. Please bring your recyclable newspapers, mixed paper waste, recyclable cans, and plastic bottles to Rush Park.
You'll be helping the environment AND putting some much-needed funds back into the Rossmoor community!
Note: Paper shredding is only available quarterly (Oct, Jan, Apr, and July)
We’ll see
you there!
8:00 AM to 12 N00N – Rush Park Parking Lot
on Blume Drive
Please separate
Newspaper materials from other paper waste, e.g. cardboard and magazines and other paper materials waste. Thanks for your help!
|
|
|
RHA Membership Because Rossmoor Matters
|
The Rossmoor Homeowners Association (RHA) is a membership funded, non-profit organization and as such
relies primarily on member dues and fund-raising to cover its annual costs.
What costs?
Great question, glad you asked. The Rossmoor Homeowners Association:
|
|
|
New cool Rossmoor T-Shirts available in adult sizes S-XXXL and youth sizes for just $20 each ($15 for youth sizes).
Get yours and wear it proudly!
For additional information or to order your shirts, please contact Cathy Larson
(562-243-7971 or TShirts@Rossmoor-RHA.org)
I-405 Improvement Project |
As most of you know the I-405 enhancement project has begin with the preliminary ground and soil work. The I-405 in both directions from the I-605 to SR 73 interchange will have CalTrans crews working intermittently on the shoulders and neighboring streets. Some lane and complete freeway closures will take
place as well.
The OCTA has also released a projected schedule for the bridge work along the 16 mile project path. You can see that here. Note that none of the projected work will directly impact Rossmoor or Seal Beach Blvd. However, if you plan to drive between here and SR 73 in Costa Mesa, especially in the late night and early morning hours, you may
want to check for closures on the OCTA
website.
We will provide updates here as they become available.
Once the project is completed in about 2023, there will be one additional traffic lane in each direction. The current HOV lane and an additional lane will be Toll Lanes for vehicles with less
than 3 riders.
|
|
|
| |
Rossmoor resident Herb Halling coordinates the two weekly Rossmoor Walk & Talk meet ups at Rush Park on
Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
AND
Thursday afternoons at 4:00 p.m.
Both meet at Rush Park - That is unless it's raining, then there's no
walk.
The idea is simple enough, whoever attends forms groups of 2-4 people and walk around Rush Park 1, 2, or 3 times, and they talk. How long they walk, how fast they walk, and what they talk about is up to them. There never seems to be a shortage of talking topics so join in the fun while you pump some blood around your body. It's a real Win-Win This great idea creates an informal way to meet your neighbors and get some exercise at the same time. It could save or at least extend your life, plus you'll get to meet some really great
people. And that is a huge win-win. The more the merrier - Invite your friends and please spread the word. Rossmoor Walk & Talk meets are held every Tuesday at 10:30 AM AND every Thursday at 4:00 PM both at Rush Park. |
|
|
Block members contribute by expanding the coverage of the Neighborhood Watch network.
The more residents who participate in the
program and are observant about their surroundings and neighborhood, the safer our community is.
All you need to do is complete the block member form and you will be added to the Neighborhood Watch network. There is no cost or obligation to you, but the benefits to you and your block could be life changing or saving.
|
|
|
Coyote sightings in Rossmoor have decreased to almost zero over the past couple of months. The coyote gates are down and that is a big help. Other easier food sources seem to be available to the local coyotes as well. Unfortunately, reduced sightings/reports does
not indicate the coyotes are not in Rossmoor. They are still here.
For those of you who have made reports, THANK YOU. You are helping us track coyote behavior which is critical to any future removal attempts.
Please continue to be careful with your pets (keep them indoors or within
your sight, and DO NOT leave pet food outside after feeding time).
Our Rossmoor Wildlife Watch program continues to collect reports and monitors
coyote behavior and movement based on these reports. Please continue to report any coyote activity you see on the Rossmoor Wildlife Watch website.
If you would like to find out more about our Rossmoor Wildlife Watch program and discover what we are doing, please sign up for more information.
The coyote challenge we face here in Rossmoor and throughout Southern California does not have a magical "fix it" solution. It will take a community effort (that's you and me, not "them") to keep our pets safe and reduce the risks in our neighborhood. Please learn what you can do at your home and for everyone in Rossmoor.
Rossmoor. A great place to live since 1957
Follow:
|
|
|
|
