The Chamber of Commerce is putting on the Community Christmas Tree Lighting! Join us Friday, December 8th 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 9, starting at 10 a.m! The theme this year is Holiday in Paradise! This will be the 35th year the parade has been held!

Following the Parade, at the South Bay Community Center until 7pm, will be the 18th annual Needs and Wishes Fundraiser. Visit with Santa. Enjoy free cookies, refreshments and entertainmet. Shop at Santa's Toy Store, Mrs. Claus's Bake Shop, or the huge Silent Auction. Eat at Rudolph's Kitchen and buy a Holiday/Children's Raffle Ticket.  Funds raised are going to benefit 40 Prado Homeless Services Center in SLO and the SLO Noor Clinic. 

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 want to remind you to prevent stormwater pollution by keeping things cleaned up around your property.  Used cups, cigarette butts, and plastics are just some of the things that are easy to throw away in trash cans.  Do your part to keep our community clean.  The water will eventually end up in the bay.  Be sure to clear rain gutters of leaves so stormwater can flow through them.  Use the downspouts to fill a rain barrel. 

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.

 The Offices will be closed December 25th - December 26th, and January 1st. 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.