Awning Company in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

City Council approved a new street sweeping schedule to account for debris on the streets caused by wind and winter weather.

Miranda Ceja, Patch Staff

Press release from the City of Rancho Santa Margarita:

On January 8, 2025, the City Council approved a new street sweeping schedule to account for the seasonal variance of debris accumulation on the City’s residential streets. To ensure consistent and effective street sweeping services in residential areas, the frequency of residential street sweeping will increase from monthly to twice monthly from October through April. This schedule change will go into effect on February 1, 2025.

Residents are encouraged to visit cityofrsm.org to check their scheduled street sweeping services. Calendars with the corresponding route by day will also be available for convenience and will include any holiday rescheduling and how those days will affect that week’s route. The holiday schedule changes will be coordinated with the observed trash pickup holidays to ensure no conflict between these two City services.

More information on the City’s Street sweeping services, along with an updated No Parking Street Sweeping Calendar, can be found on the City’s website here or at the following link:

https://www.cityofrsm.org/536/Street-Sweeping

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Residential street sweeping services will resume monthly sweeping from May through September, with the higher frequency sweeping resumed in October.

All arterial posted and non-posted street sweeping locations will remain unchanged in their frequency and service times which is once per week. The posted residential street sweeping locations will also remain unchanged in their frequency and service times, which is twice per month.

The City asks that residents move their parked vehicles and any other obstructions when street sweeping is scheduled to ensure an effective and consistent street-sweeping operation. For every parked vehicle, the street sweepers must maneuver the length of 2-3 cars, potentially leaving over 30 feet of street unswept. Together, we can ensure the street sweeping services are effective, which in turn helps to beautify our City and keep the streets, storm drains, and ocean clean.

This press release was produced by the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

Looking for some cool things to do this New Year's Eve in Orange County? Patch has you covered.

Miranda Ceja, Patch Staff

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — To keep your holiday fun and lively, Patch has rounded up some entertaining events going on throughout Orange County for the New Year.

Some are free. Some have a fee.

Whether you opt for an activity close to home or a mini day trip, see what's slated this weekend from Monday, Dec. 30 to Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Countdown to 2025 @ Gardenwalk

Everything that Glitters Party

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First Night in Fullerton

In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have their own versions of this celebration, such as the Peeps Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho.

The transition from one year to the next is often marked by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who made promises to return borrowed items and repay debts at the beginning of the new year, which was in mid-March when they planted their crops.

According to legend, if people kept their word, the pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. However, if they broke their promises, they would lose favor with the gods.

Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves.

The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are many reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude or a plan for coping with the stress and discomfort that comes with changing a habit or condition.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Look out, Rancho Santa Margarita: high surf and poor air quality are forecasted for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the NWS, Rancho Santa Margarita residents can expect large breaking waves of five to eight feet in Orange County, with local sets to 12 feet on west-facing beaches.

As a result of the surf conditions, the National Weather Service issued a High Surf Advisory until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Residents were urged to be aware of potentially hazardous surfing and swimming conditions.

In addition, residents can expect localized beach erosion and overflow.

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"Despite relatively low astronomical tides, high surf may produce minor flooding of low-lying areas along the beach, such as beach parking lot," the NWS said.

Inexperienced swimmers were urged to keep away from the surf while the advisory is in effect.

"It is extremely dangerous to fish or observe waves from exposed coastal structures or rocks during high surf conditions," weather officials said. "Swimming or surfing in these waves may be dangerous for anyone due to the powerful waves and strong rip currents."

In addition, poor air quality prompted South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a No Burn Order across Orange County, including in Rancho Santa Margarita.

The No-Burn Order starts Monday and ends Tuesday evening, according to the SCAQMD.

The order prohibits indoor and outdoor wood burning due to a forecast of high pollution in the area.

The wood-burning ban will be in effect through 11:59 p.m. Saturday for all those in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and all of Orange County.

However, the order does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet, the Coachella Valley or the high desert. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and households without natural gas service are also not included in the order.

The no-burn rule prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs made from wax or paper.

Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted, the SCAQMD said.Fine particles in wood smoke, also known as particulate matter or PM2.5, can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

Residents can receive no-burn day notifications by signing up for Air Alerts via email or text at www.AirAlerts.org.

California is known for its grandiosity. From Hollywood to redwoods, California can't do anything without it being attention-grabbing. One great holiday tradition that takes place in California is Candy Cane Lanes. These festive streets, transformed into winter wonderland adorned with a spectacle of lights, offer a magical experience for all types of visitors. It's a way to unite a community and showcase the talents of our neighbors. Here's our quick guide tot he best Candy Cane Lanes in the Golden State.

1. Thompson Avenue, Alameda

Often referred to as "Christmas Tree Lane," Thompson Avenue in Alameda is a holiday spectacle. Each year, residents deck their homes with spectacular light displays, inflatable characters, and themed decorations. Walking down this lane feels like stepping into a Christmas fairy tale. The street usually lights up from early December until New Year's Eve, making it a perfect destination for holiday enthusiasts.

2. Sleepy Hollow, Torrance

Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza in Torrance is a must-visit for those in Southern California. The neighborhood, starting from Robert Road off the Pacific Coast Highway, dazzles with its elaborate light displays and decorations. Visitors often prefer walking through this area to fully immerse in the experience. The displays usually run from early December through the end of the year.

3. El Corzo Lane, Rancho Santa Margarita

El Corzo Lane in Rancho Santa Margarita is another gem. Known for its synchronized light displays set to music, this lane offers a unique audio-visual experience. The effort and creativity of the homeowners are evident, with themes ranging from traditional Christmas scenes to more contemporary setups. The lights are typically on from early December to January 1st.

4. Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills

In the San Fernando Valley, Woodland Hills' Candy Cane Lane is an eight-square-block area bordered by Oxnard Street on the north to Martha Street on the south. Starting in mid-December, this neighborhood becomes a holiday haven, attracting visitors from all over Los Angeles. With its longstanding tradition since 1952, the decorations here are truly a sight to behold.

5. Jeter Street, Santa Clarita

Jeter Street, part of the larger "Wakefield Winter Wonderland" in Santa Clarita, is a lesser-known but equally enchanting destination. The residents take great pride in decorating their homes, with some displays featuring interactive elements for children. The festive spirit is contagious, and the community vibe adds to the charm of this location.

6. Eucalyptus Avenue, San Carlos

Eucalyptus Avenue in San Carlos, also known as "Christmas Tree Lane," is another Northern California favorite. This street offers a dazzling array of lights and decorations, with some houses even providing hot chocolate and cookies to visitors. The warm and welcoming atmosphere makes it a perfect outing for families.

7. Pebble Beach, Sacramento

Last but not least, Pebble Beach in the Sacramento area offers a stunning display of holiday lights. This neighborhood goes all out with their decorations, creating a festive environment that delights both children and adults. The community's enthusiasm for the holiday season is evident in every intricately decorated lawn and rooftop.

Visiting a Candy Cane Lane in California is a unique way to experience the holiday season's joy and wonder. Each lane offers a distinct flavor of festivity, showcasing the creativity and community spirit of the residents. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these dazzling displays are sure to fill your holiday with cheer.

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Sacramento Valley

Do you have the best Christmas decorations in town? Send us photos and a description for Patch's 2024 holiday tour o' lights.

Miranda Ceja, Patch Staff

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Can the holiday lights on your home be seen from space? Does it look like the Las Vegas strip?

If you've spent days or weeks painstakingly hanging strands of lights on your house, palm trees and shrubs, or hauling multiple figurines out to your lawn — Patch wants to hear from you.

Soon, we're compiling a Patch California tour o' lights, where readers can explore the best holiday light displays in the Orange County area.

We aim to have the list up as soon as possible — so email photos and a description of your winter wonderland to Kat Schuster at kat.schuster@patch.com.

For many of us, taking in our neighbors’ outdoor holiday lighting displays and other decorative touches is as much a part of the season as exchanging gifts and singing Christmas carols.

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There’s a good reason twinkling holiday lights and colorful displays make us feel good, according to mental health experts.

“It does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness,” Psychologist Deborah Serani, a senior professor at New York’s Adelphi University, told NBC’s “Today” show. “I think anything that takes us out of our normal habituation, the normal day in, day out ... signals our senses, and then our senses measure if it’s pleasing or not.”

Decorating for the holidays “will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone,” she said. “For a lot of us, Christmas is a magical time, it’s a time of innocence. It’s a time of joy.”

That’s why Patch and T-Mobile are partnering to find the lighted homes around Rancho Santa Margarita to visit.

A few details:

If you’re including a video, please upload it to YouTube and send us the link so we can embed it (make sure it's marked “public”). We also request that the homeowner submit their own yard or a close relative.

We’ll keep updating the list for Orange County throughout December.

Once you've provided the information — and submitted a photo or two or a video (after you uploaded it to YouTube) — you will be entered and included in our roundup.

Pro-tip: If you haven't photographed your light display before, a good time to take photos is at dusk.

IMPORTANT: By submitting a photo, you're giving Patch permission to publish it for this feature and future stories. Photos should be original and taken by the person submitting the photo.

So, be sure to check back for updates and sign up for your local Patch.com newsletters as well!

Please copy and paste the following information into an email, along with photos or videos, and follow these guidelines:

We’re looking forward to hearing from you. Remember, email Kat Schuster (kat.schuster@patch.com) to submit photos of your holiday lights.