According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD), Village residents have been targeted by fraudulent telephone calls from individuals impersonating bank representatives. It is essential to remember that legitimate banks will never request personal information such as your Social Security number, bank PIN or driver’s license number, nor will they ask you to withdraw funds from your account. Scammers may even use the name and telephone number of your actual bank branch to enhance their deception.

• Follow these tips to protect yourself:
• Hang up immediately.
• Call the customer service number on your ATM card to verify their call.
• If you can’t reach your bank, call the OCSD nonemergency number at 714-288-6742.
• If you’ve shared personal information, please call OCSD to report it.

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As fall arrives, the changing weather brings cooler temperatures, shorter days and a gradual transformation of the landscape. Residents will start to see vibrant displays of color from some of the many beautiful trees in the Village. Turf and gardens will also start to prepare for winter dormancy. Here’s what you need to know about seasonal turf and landscaping shifts and how VMS Landscaping Services will care for your outdoor spaces during this transitional time.

Trees and Leaf Drop

One of the most iconic fall sights is the dramatic change in tree foliage. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves annually, begin to go dormant as they prepare for the colder months. Tree species in the Village such as liquid amber, Chinese Pistache, golden rain tree and Japanese maple, as well as a few others, all change colors as they prepare to shed their leaves. This change occurs as trees stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for photosynthesis. Without chlorophyll, other pigments—such as carotenoids (yellow and orange) and anthocyanins (red and purple)—become visible, leading to the beautiful fall colors we enjoy.

As temperatures continue to drop, the trees gradually seal off the areas where the leaves connect to branches, eventually causing the leaves to fall. Staff will compost or mulch the leaves, which will provide valuable nutrients for the soil.

Grass Goes Dormant

As the fall season progresses, your lawn will also change. As temperatures drop, grass growth slows and eventually stops as it enters dormancy. Dormancy doesn’t mean the grass is dead—it’s a survival mechanism to conserve energy during the colder months. While dormant, the grass will turn brown or pale but will green up again when warmer weather returns in the spring.

Wildlife and Fall Landscaping

As your yard settles into fall, you might also notice increased wildlife activity. Squirrels and other animals are preparing for winter by gathering food, while birds begin migrating to warmer climates. 

Fall is a time of transformation in the landscape as nature prepares for the colder months ahead. By understanding the changes in your turf and trees, we can ensure your outdoor space is healthy and ready for the next growing season. Embrace the beauty of fall and enjoy the season’s colorful display—nature’s way of preparing for a fresh start come spring!

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When disasters strike, collective efforts of people coming together inspire hope for those affected. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread devastation, and the road to recovery will be lengthy, challenging and expensive. Rebuilding communities requires contributions from various groups—from government agencies and nonprofits to caring private individuals.

If you have items to donate, time to volunteer in support of a nonprofit, or cash to give and have questions, email the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Donations Unit. To find a list of trusted organizations, additional information on donations and other resources, visit National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Be cautious of scams or calls from non-reputable organizations claiming to collect donations. Always verify the legitimacy of any organization before making contributions. Click here for more disaster relief guidance from FEMA.

Make a Cash Donation

Donating money to reputable disaster relief organizations is the quickest and most efficient way to provide assistance. Financial contributions enable these organizations to address immediate and evolving needs effectively. Moreover, cash donations circulate within the local economy, as supplies are purchased from local businesses and residents are paid to aid in rebuilding efforts. This helps the affected area’s economy recover faster.

While other forms of donations may be well-intentioned, unsolicited goods often don’t match the needs of disaster survivors and can overwhelm relief workers, who then must manage these donations rather than focus on recovery efforts. Before sending supplies, check to see what is needed and where.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering with a trusted organization is another powerful way to contribute if you are interested and able. Established organizations in disaster-affected regions are well-positioned to identify where volunteer efforts are most needed, and can align your skills and training with their needs in a safe and effective manner. When volunteers work under the guidance of these organizations, they become a crucial part of helping survivors rebuild their lives.

If you’re interested in volunteering in areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, visit these state-specific sites:

• For Florida, visit Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
• For North Carolina, visit North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Focus on Long-Term Support

Volunteer and donation needs will persist for months, and even years, after these disasters. Consider visiting the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to explore ways you can continue to help in the long term.

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On Saturday, November 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Performing Arts Center/Clubhouse 3 parking lot will house a 2024 presidential election pop-up vote center, where Village residents can register to vote, cast their ballot, drop off their Vote-by-Mail ballot, use an accessible ballot marking device and receive language assistance.

The pop-up vote center will be available to Laguna Woods Village residents only.

Performing Arts Center/Clubhouse 3 is located at 23822 Avenida Sevilla. 

More Voting Options for the November 5 Election

Drop box: From October 7 through November 5 at 8 p.m., voters will be able to place their completed ballots in a drop box located outside Laguna Woods City Hall (24246 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637). The drop box will be open 24 hours a day until the conclusion of in-person voting. Ballots will be regularly collected by the Orange County Registrar of Voters and can be tracked at www.ocvote.gov/vlt. The drop box weighs 1,000 pounds and is anchored to the ground.

Vote center: From November 2 through November 5, voters will be able to vote in person at Laguna Woods City Hall. Orange County Registrar of Voters staff will be able to solve voter registration issues, register new voters, provide replacement ballots and assist with other voting-related matters. Bilingual assistance will also be available.

      Laguna Woods City Hall Vote Center
      24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
      November 2 – November 4, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
      November 5, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Other ballot drop boxes and vote centers will be located throughout Orange County. Lists of all locations and days/hours of operation are available at www.ocvote.gov/voting.

For more information, please visit the Orange County Registrar of Voters’ website at www.ocvote.gov or call 714-567-7600. 

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Be sure to read the latest news and updates from the El Toro Water District’s (ETWD) fall 2024 newsletter. This edition tackles keeping pace with rising water costs, proposed potable water usage charge increases, the 2024 water quality report and more.

Click the orange Download PDF button below to download and/or read the latest ETWD newsletter.

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The California DMV has announced that drivers 70 years of age and older whose licenses expire in 2024 and beyond will no longer be required to take a written knowledge test. Some renewal notices of customers with licenses that expire in 2024 may indicate a required knowledge test, which will be waived during the in-office visit. 

This policy change comes with exceptions. License renewal customers whose driving records meet any of the following conditions must still take the knowledge test:

• Two or more accidents during the two years immediately preceding the expiration of the license 
• Three or more accidents during the three years immediately preceding the expiration of the license 
• A DUI suspension during the two years immediately preceding the expiration date of the license
• A violation point count greater than one within the two years immediately preceding the expiration date of the license (drivers with points on their record will be eligible for the eLearning course, available in English, Spanish and Chinese)

An office visit is still required for the vision exam and an updated photo. The DMV encourages customers to start their renewal application online at dmv.ca.gov to minimize the time it takes to complete the process in an office. Further, the DMV is processing the following transactions online or via a kiosk, a phone or a mail/business partner:

• Simple vehicle registration renewals that are not past the due date or require an address change
• Driver’s license renewals that do not require an in-person visit
• Requests for copies of vehicle registration records, which show a vehicle’s ownership history
• Requests for copies of driver’s license records, which show a driver’s history
• Replacing a lost or stolen driver’s license card

Customers may also use the website’s service advisor feature to learn their options to complete DMV tasks. 

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