The Chamber of Commerce is putting on the Community Christmas Tree Lighting! Join us Friday, December 9th 4:30pm – 8:00pm at the picnic area of the Red Barn, on the corner of Los Osos Valley Road and Palisades Avenue! We’ll have a cut Christmas tree, carols and light snacks! Bring the whole family, and an ornament if you would like to help decorate the tree!

The Annual Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 10, starting at 10 a.m! The theme this year is Happy To Be Here! This will be the 34th year the parade has been held!

The Bay Osos Kiwanis will have a pre-parade Pancake Breakfast at the Bay Auto & Tire on Los Osos Valley Road.

Following the Parade, at the South Bay Community Center until 6pm, will be the annual Needs and Wishes Fundraiser, with silent autions, food, entertainment and more.

The Los Osos Community Services District wants to remind you that this is the time of year we recommend you turn off your irrigation system. 

As you know Los Osos is built on sandy soil.  With this type of soil, water percolates into the ground.  It doesn’t necessarily flow to the surface.  Many times, the source of a high usage investigation is an irrigation system leak. So, it is important to maintain irrigation systems regularly.

There are not many lawns in our water service area.  Many homeowners have chosen drought tolerant plants or native plants in their gardens. Below is a link to watering guides for your use taken from the following website:  https://www.slowaterwiselandscaping.com/Watering-Guide/CoastalAreas.php

Watering Established Plants

If you are growing California native plants in their natural geographic range and they are properly sited, your drought tolerant plants should be able to thrive entirely on rainfall.

They might look a little brown and drought stressed in the summer and early fall, but that’s natural.  Water conservation is one of the key benefits of gardening with native plants.

However, most drought tolerant natives (and all riparian natives) can handle occasional light irrigation in the hot summer and early fall, and if you are careful, they’ll probably look a little greener and prettier with just a little bit of water.  But again, be careful.  Improper irrigation is probably the biggest reason – after poor plant selection – why some California native gardens fail. Read more about this subject here:  https://www.cnps.org/gardening/prepping-and-planting/watering

We are now entering the winter season. There may be chances of rain in the future.  This is the time to remind the public that only rain should go down the storm drain.

The LOCSD Utilities Department maintains four drainage pump stations throughout Los Osos.  They are located at the corners of Don Avenue and Mitchell Drive; 8th Street and El Moro Avenue; 16th Street and Paso Robles Avenue; and, 6th Street and El Moro Avenue.  

In addition to the drainage pump stations, LOCSD crews maintain five drainage retention basins in Los Osos. The drainage retention basins are Bay Oaks, East Tierra, and Tierra retention basins in the Bayridge Estates subdivision; Madera retention basin in Cabrillo Estates; and, Los Arboles retention basin in Vista de Oro.

Some areas in Los Osos have a history of flooding, especially during heavy rains.  The LOCSD is committed to addressing these flooding problems, working to provide information and solutions, and to promote assistance for residents impacted by storm water flows.

Sandbags are available for purchase at the LOCSD office 2122 9th Street Suite 110 during Lobby Hours only. The sandbags are sold in bundles of 10 for $5.50. Cash or a local check only.  Limit of 2 bundles per resident. 

The LOCSD provides free sand on a self-service basis for sandbags at the LOCSD Utilities Water Yard at 8th Street and El Moro Avenue.  Remember to only fill sandbags half-way to 2/3.  Do not fill to the top. 

Waste Connections: Mission Country Disposal - Accepts Christmas trees for recycling after December 25. Trees must be cut into 4 foot or shorter lengths, with no tree parts greater than 6 inches in diameter. Place tree parts in your green waste cart. Tinsel, ribbons, light strands, tree stands, and all other decorations must be removed. Flocked trees are not accepted and must go to the landfill or cut and fit into the trash cart. 

If you do not have a green waste collection, contact your service provider for pick up. Christmas trees not in a cart and placed on the curb are subject to additional fees. If you would like further information, please call your service provider at (805) 543-0875.

*Christmas lights are trash.

On Monday, January 16th, 2023, from 5:00pm-7:30pm South Bay Community Center will be hosting a free adult CPR/AED training course for anyone interested in attending.  Topics will include:

• Concepts of 'Chain of Survival' and 'Heirarchy of Medical Care'
• Signs/Symptoms and proper care for cardiovascular emergencies (inluding Cardiac distress and Cardiac arrest
• Risks and benefits of an AED
• CA laws regarding Good Samaritan, DNRs, and patient consent. 

 The Offices will be closed December 23rd - December 26th, and January 2nd. If you have a water emergency on any of those days, please call our office at 805-528-9370 and the afterhours answering service will get in touch with our stand-by Water Crew team member to help.