‘Making the Invisible, Visible’

Join Community Bridge Builders for the premiere of “Making the Invisible, Visible” on Monday, February 24, at 4 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 23822 Avenida Sevilla.

What is the most pervasive yet least acknowledged social prejudice—one that influences our lives, beliefs, culture, and attitudes? Ageism. And why should we care? Because its consequences can be profound.

The film sheds light on the realities of ageism through four compelling vignettes. Following the screening, interactive workshops will provide an opportunity to discuss these scenarios and explore ways to challenge age-related biases.

Have you ever experienced subtle but unmistakable ageism?

  • A nurse calls you “sweetie” at a doctor’s visit—even though you’re 82.
  • A salesperson ignores you in favor of a younger customer.
  • You’re passed over for a part-time job because the company prefers a “youthful” image.
  • More alarmingly, ageism can influence medical decisions, potentially leading to the denial of necessary treatments based on assumptions about lifespan or frailty.

Created by Village residents, “Making the Invisible, Visible” empowers older adults to recognize and address the impact of ageism. Join us on February 24 to be part of this important conversation. Together, we can raise awareness, advocate for change and build a movement toward a more inclusive society.

Admission is free. A cash bar and refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact Community Bridge Builders at lwcommunitybridgebuilders@gmail.com.

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Contractor Town Hall

Please join us for a contractor town hall on Thursday, February 27, from 9 a.m. to noon in Clubhouse 5 at 24262 Punta Alta. The Laguna Woods Village Manor Alterations Division and the City of Laguna Woods are cohosting this informative event to help members and contractors navigate the mutual consent and variance processes.

The VMS team will share helpful information about—and listen to your experiences with—both processes; City of Laguna Woods representatives will share information about city permit requirements.

Members may email manoralterationsfeedback@vmsinc.org to suggest topics to cover or share feedback regarding the town hall.

For more information, call Josh Monroy at 949-597-4366 or download the flyer by clicking the Download PDF button below.

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Better Service at Modest Cost

The Laguna Woods Village Security Services monthly assessment per manor is approximately 24% higher than Rossmoor Walnut Creek and Leisure World Seal Beach’s ($37 vs. $30), but that difference provides markedly higher service levels.

Village security personnel responded to 3.8 service calls and 0.6 medical aid calls per manor per year compared to 0.9 service calls and 0.2 medical aid calls for Rossmoor Walnut Creek. Leisure World Seal Beach did not provide comparable data.

VMS also staffs 13 gates, one for every 980 manors, compared to one for every 6,676 manors at Rossmoor Walnut Creek and one for every 2,200 manors at Leisure World Seal Beach, providing more convenient access. VMS Security also provides traffic enforcement within our boundaries.

Find detailed information on Security Services benchmarking comparisons on pages 42 through 45 of the full VMS Benchmarking Report, available online.

Note: VMS Benchmarking Report data is from 2024.

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Blue Zone Celebration

When: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 10 a.m. (monthly)
Where: Clubhouse 7
Price: $5 at the door, $10 for lunch

Join the Wellness in the Woods for their premier blue zone event, where you’ll discover the most important health number you need to know. Learn why maintaining a balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is crucial for reducing cellular inflammation. Dive into test-based nutrition, a game-changing approach in the supplement industry, and get to know the company behind it. This is essential information you won’t want to miss if you’re looking to enhance your quality of life.

More info: Call Leslie Carretti at 949-209-8846 or email lesliecarretti@yahoo.com

Now Is the Time

The fires are contained. The rains have arrived. Now is the perfect time to prepare—before the next emergency strikes. Do you have your “go bag” ready? If not, this is your chance to get organized while the pressure is off.

What Is a Go Bag?

A go bag is an emergency kit packed with essential items you’ll need if you must evacuate quickly. It should be easily accessible—perhaps by the door or in your vehicle—and light enough to carry. A backpack or a wheeled bag works best.

What Should Be in Your Go Bag?

While personal needs vary, some essentials belong in every go bag:

  • Portable phone charger
  • Medications – Pack at least a few days’ supply.
  • Food and water – Think nonperishables: protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, instant oatmeal and as much water as you can carry or transport.
  • Personal hygiene items – Toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, deodorant and any other essentials.
  • Important documents – Passport, driver’s license, insurance cards and other key paperwork.
  • Whistle – To signal for help if needed.
  • First aid kit – Be ready for minor injuries.
  • Flashlight and extra batteries – Power outages are common in emergencies.
  • Battery-powered radio – Stay informed with emergency updates (don’t forget extra batteries).
  • Cash in small bills – ATMs may be unavailable.
  • Change of clothes – Comfortable and weather-appropriate.
  • Emergency shelter items – A poncho, tarp or space blanket to stay dry.

Smart Additions

Consider packing extra prescription glasses, pet supplies or any other items specific to your household’s needs. Check and refresh your go bag regularly.

For more tips on emergency preparedness, visit sce.com and sce.com/safety/family/emergency-tips, and check out SCE’s “Emergency Preparedness Guide.”

Be prepared. Stay safe. Now is the time to build your go bag!

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Wildfire Events

Wildfires are unpredictable, and wildfire season is growing longer. Despite recent rains, drought conditions have returned to Southern California. This means residents must stay prepared. Strong winds can rapidly intensify and shift a fire’s path, sometimes preventing law enforcement from issuing evacuation orders in person. Whether you evacuate early or wait for a mandatory order, having and following a wildfire action plan is critical.
Watch a video on wildfire evacuation protocols from the Orange County Fire Authority here or down below. Or read more about it here. Read more on how to stay informed during wildfire events.

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B.I.G. and DW3 at the PAC

When: Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 7-9 p.m.
Where: Performing Arts Center
Price: Reserved seating tickets $20/$30/$40

The African American Heritage Club presents two bands in one night on April 19! Get out for an evening of R&B, smooth jazz and old school funk.

More info: Call 310-877-2819 or email AAHC.lagunawoods@gmail.com.

This event is for Laguna Woods Village residents, AAHC club members and their guests. View the event flyer here.

Village Stop Signs Are Not Optional

Stop signs exist for a reason: to protect everyone in our community. While Laguna Woods Village may experience less traffic than public roads, the risks of ignoring stop signs remain significant.

Many residents enjoy walking, biking and driving golf carts throughout the Village. Rolling through or failing to stop completely at stop signs increases the risk of accidents. Observing stop signs isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about showing care and respect for your fellow residents. Everyone deserves to feel safe as they navigate our community.

Even within a private community, traffic laws and mutual regulations are enforceable. Failure to comply with stop signs can result in financial penalties, as outlined in the governing documents. Please do your part to keep Laguna Woods Village safe by stopping fully—every time.

For a schedule of traffic monetary penalties, click here.

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Senior Scam Stopper Event

On Tuesday, February 4, in the Clubhouse 2 Sequoia Ballroom from 10 to 11:30 a.m., learn key considerations before hiring a contractor, tips for selecting a trustworthy professional, warning signs of home improvement scams and resources available to help senior consumers make informed decisions.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to gain information that can empower and help you avoid home improvement scams.

Cohosted by VMS Social Services and Manor Alterations, this seminar will feature Kyra Hall, outreach coordinator for the Contractors State License Board, who brings extensive experience speaking at Senior Scam Stopper seminars across California.

No registration is necessary. Clubhouse 2 is located at 24112 Moulton Parkway.

Call Social Services at 949-597-4267 for more information.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below. 

Dog Licensing and Vaccination Day

Give your best friend a paw up at the 2025 Dog Licensing and Vaccination Day on Thursday, February 6, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 1 main lounge.

Vaccination services will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; call Vet Services at 800-988-8387 for pricing. The rabies vaccine fee is $15.

Dog licensing services will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; call the City of Laguna Woods at 949-639-0500 for pricing.

By law, all Laguna Woods Village residents are required to have a current dog license and rabies vaccination for January 1 through December 31, 2025. A late-license fee applies after March 1.

This event is sponsored by the Laguna Woods Dog Club; call 908-723-7337 for more information.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

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