Despite Village residents championing a letter-writing campaign and staging protests, as well as seven state assemblymembers and four state senators sending a signed a letter to California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Director Steve Gordon asking him to prioritize the constituents of South Orange County and reconsider the closure of the Laguna Hills office, the agency remains firm in its plans to permanently close its Laguna Hills branch, located at 23535 Moulton Parkway, at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 18. 

According to the state agency, “the Laguna Hills office … does not meet the current needs of the DMV.”

This closure will pose a significant challenge to older adults in South Orange County. While many transactions are available online, some still require in-person appointments. Both are critical for seniors and, after October 18, these transactions will require trips to Santa Ana, San Clemente or Costa Mesa.

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The Third Laguna Hills Mutual and United Laguna Woods Mutual 2024 election ballot counts are complete. 

Third Mutual

Below are the results of the Third Mutual board elections in order of number of votes received. The top three candidates with the most votes will be seated on the Third Mutual board. The new Third Mutual board members are Craig Wayne, Robert Mutchnick and Ruth Johnson.

• Craig Wayne – 1,122 total votes
• Robert Mutchnick – 1,072 total votes
• Ruth Johnson – 1,025 total votes
• Egon Garthoffner – 997 total votes
• Donald Hauptman – 632 total votes

New Third board directors will be seated at the annual meeting on Thursday, October 3, at 9:30 a.m. at the principal offices of the corporation at the Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road.

United Mutual

Below are the results of the United Mutual board elections in order of number of votes received. The top four candidates with the most votes will be seated on the United Mutual board. The new United Mutual board members are Jeanne Costello, Charles Prater, Maggie Blackwell and Marie Collins.

• Jeanne Costello – 1,296 total votes
• Charles Prater – 1,113 total votes
• Maggie Blackwell – 997 total votes
• Marie Collins – 851 total votes
• Anthony Liberatore – 632 total votes
• Pardiss Broomand – 616 total votes
• Alan Dickinson – 608 total votes
• Abbas Mohammedi – 482 total votes

New United board directors will be seated at the annual meeting on Tuesday, October 8, at 9:30 a.m. at the principal offices of the corporation at the Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road.

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Since January, approximately 372 falls have been reported in the community. If you are at risk of falling or live alone, an emergency response device (ERD) can provide a sense of security and perhaps even save your life.

The Laguna Woods Village Social Services Division partners with The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village to provide temporary emergency financial assistance for an ERD to residents experiencing financial hardship. Access to such assistance is available through Social Services. The process involves meeting with a social worker to complete a financial assessment to determine eligibility and to discuss additional resources. In keeping with confidentiality, the foundation does not know the identities of residents receiving financial assistance.

Visit the Social Services office, located on the first floor of the Laguna Woods Village Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, or call the division at 949-597-4267.

How the Key File Program Ties In

Resident Services maintains a voluntary key file program; members are encouraged to file manor keys or keyless manor entry codes with the department if authorized personnel must gain access in the event of a medical emergency (such as a fall), a repair emergency or if a resident has lost their keys.

The code for keyless entry assistance is kept in a designated cabinet with physical keys. For security, the code is never written or entered into any computer system. In the event a resident needs assistance gaining entry to their manor, Security Services secures the code, aids personnel or the resident in gaining access and returns the code to Resident Services.

To submit keys or keyless manor entry codes to the key file program, please visit Resident Services in the Laguna Woods Village Community Center (24351 El Toro Road) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information, email residentservices@vmsinc.orgor call 949-597-4600. 

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Be sure to visit the Village YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/VillageTelevision to browse thousands of videos featuring Laguna Woods Village clubs, entertainment events, board meetings, “This Day” broadcasts and much more. More videos are added each day!

To subscribe (subscribing is free) to any YouTube channel and receive notifications every time new content is added, follow these simple steps:

• Open the YouTube app via your home screen, in the app list or by typing youtube.com in your internet browser’s search bar.
• Sign in to your Google account. You have to be signed in to a Google account to subscribe to YouTube channels. If you’re using an Android, you’ll automatically be logged in to the Google account linked to your smartphone or tablet. To sign in with a different account, click your profile photo at the top, select Switch Account, and either choose an account from the list or tap + to add another account. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, tap the profile icon at the top-right corner of YouTube—if you’re signed in, you’ll see your own account info. If not, you’ll see a blue SIGN IN button—tap it to sign in.
• Locate the Village YouTube channel. To search, tap the magnifying glass at the top of YouTube, enter Laguna Woods Village Television, and then tap the search key. Click a video to open it, or click the channel name to view its homepage. If you’re watching a video and want to subscribe to its channel, tap the down arrow at the top-left corner of the video to minimize it, and then scroll down until you see the SUBSCRIBE link.
• Tap SUBSCRIBE. If subscribing from a video, it will be a red link below the video player. If you’re on the channel’s home page, the red link will be near the top-right corner of the screen. When you subscribe to a channel, the text on the SUBSCRIBE button will change to SUBSCRIBED. You can unsubscribe at any time by tapping this button on any of the channel’s videos or on its home page.
• Tap the SUBSCRIPTIONS tab to manage your channel subscriptions. It’s located at the bottom of YouTube. The channels you’re subscribed to appear in the left column or along the top, depending on your phone or tablet. You can scroll down to see all of the latest updates from your subscriptions. Tap a channel icon to view recent videos; tap a video to start watching.

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

Americans can again receive free COVID-19 test kits via mail.

U.S. households may order as many as four nasal swab tests at COVIDTests.gov, which will begin shipping Monday.

A spokesperson from U.S. Health and Human Services said the tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season, a time when family and friends typically gather together and share close quarters. 

Last month, U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine designed to combat the recent virus strains and hopefully winter ones, as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already has recommended this fall’s shot for everyone age 6 months and older. 

While most Americans have some degree of immunity from prior infections or vaccinations or both, protection wanes. Last fall’s shots targeted a strain that is no longer circulating, according to the CDC.

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

Ballots for the upcoming 2024 election cycle for both Third and United mutuals are due Thursday, September 26, by 11 a.m. to the inspector of elections’ post office box or by 5 p.m. to the ballot box at the Community Center (24351 El Toro Road). 

Below are the lists of candidates for Third and United mutuals, as well as Village YouTube links to previously broadcast and rerun “Meet the Candidates” events as well as candidate statement videos for each mutual.

Third Mutual Candidates

• Egon Garthoffner
• Donald Hauptman
• Ruth Johnson
• Robert Mutchnick
• Craig Wayne

Click here to watch the Third “Meet the Candidates” event and click here to watch Third candidates give their personal statements. 

United Mutual Candidates

• Maggie Blackwell
• Pardiss Broomand
• Marie Collins
• Jeanne Costello
• Alan Dickinson
• Anthony Liberatore
• Abbas Mohammadi
• Charles Prater

Click here to watch the United “Meet the Candidates” event and click here to watch United candidates give their personal statements. 

If You Experience Ballot Issues

If your ballot is lost or damaged, call the UniLect inspector of elections duplicate request center at 1-866-466-6455, which is available 24/7 throughout the balloting period. For any other questions regarding the election, contact Inspector of Elections, UniLect Corporation at 1-888-864-5328. According to state HOA election regulations, only one ballot is mailed per household/manor.

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As part of continuous enhancement of the Village community, VMS crews will be at the Clubhouse 2/Village Greens parking lot Monday, September 23, through Friday, September 27, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Scheduled concrete repair work includes removing and replacing the v-gutter and sidewalk area. Please see the affected area, highlighted in green in the photo below.

Traffic flow and some parking availability will be impacted; however, residents may take the route closest to Village Greens to find a parking spot. Additionally, there may be some noise during the initial demolition phase.

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The Recreation and Special Events Department is pleased to welcome residents back to Clubhouse 1. While the facility is usable, there is still much in-progress work to be completed. 

What’s Open Now 

• Pool 1 is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays). Hours change frequently, so please check the pool schedule posted at lagunawoodsvillage.com or at the pool. 
• The Clubhouse 1 Fitness Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that the Community Center Fitness Center hours have shifted to Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• The drop-in lounge and the game room are open.  
• The transportation hub has returned to its normal location in front of Clubhouse 1. 
• Gymnasium and shuffleboard are open.

Please note all amenities are subject to intermittent closures and delays as projects are completed and staff works through new schedules, technology and equipment. Due to the number of groups returning, it is recommended that you make an appointment in the Clubhouse 1 office if necessary to discuss details regarding your rental or facility use. 

We sincerely appreciate your continued patience throughout this process.

For more information, please call 949-597-4273 or email recreation@vmsinc.org.   

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