The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning through 8 p.m. on Monday, September 9, for Orange County areas, with forecast temperatures ranging from the mid-90s to 106 degrees.

Where and How to Cool Down

If you need a break from the heat, visit a Village facility to enjoy cooler temps. Click here to view/download facility hours and telephone numbers. Contact each clubhouse office for extended hours, as facilities may be open later due to scheduled events, with the exception of the Clubhouse 4 lounge. 

Click here for a list of cooling centers throughout Orange County. Scroll to Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest.

Avoid Heat-Related Illness

• Remain hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even when not thirsty; drink sports drinks (in moderation with water) to help replace electrolytes lost during exercise. Avoid sugary, alcoholic, and very cold drinks. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Keep outdoor activity short. Try to stay covered and cool in a shaded area if you can.
• Avoid using your oven or stovetop. Eat cold dishes, salads, sandwiches, fruit, etc.
• Check the forecast. Always know what to expect from the weather so you can dress appropriately and plan your day accordingly. Plans should allow for an easy escape from the outdoors when heat becomes extreme.
• Wear loose-fitting, light clothing.
• Don’t forget pet care. Provide plentiful water at home and on the go during drives and walks Never leave pets in your car.
• Do not rely exclusively on indoor fans. If you do not have air conditioning, seek activities inside air-conditioned buildings or at cooling centers.
• Call 9-1-1 if you experience throbbing headache, dizziness and light-headedness; lack of sweating; red, hot and dry skin; muscle weakness or cramps; nausea and vomiting; rapid heartbeat; rapid or shallow breathing; confusion, disorientation or staggering; or seizures.
• For more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about avoiding heat-related illness, visit cdc.gov/extreme-heat/prevention.

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

At Laguna Woods Village, VMS Inc. is constantly seeking ways to improve our services and support sustainability. With the recent surge in clippings pickup requests, Landscaping Services Department staff have been exploring new methods to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The department’s latest initiative focuses on transitioning to eco-friendly solutions for clippings pickup collection, aligning with California SB 1383, which mandates comprehensive organic waste services for all communities.

The Challenge

Since the implementation of SB 1383, the Village has seen a significant increase in clippings pickup requests. In 2023 alone, Landscaping Services processed nearly 2,000 requests from 661 units. This high volume of service requests, particularly during the growing season, has led to increased operational costs and logistical challenges. Our current system, which involves manually collecting and disposing of clippings piles, has become increasingly costly and time-consuming.

Exploring New Options

To address these challenges, the Landscaping Department has proposed a pilot program to test an innovative solution: 25-gallon non-woven buckets. These eco-friendly buckets are an alternative to traditional plastic bins and offer several advantages:

• Enhanced efficiency: Reducing pickup time and costs, and allows staff to allocate resources more effectively.
• Environmental impact: By using non-woven buckets, the Village contributes to reducing plastic waste and supports eco-friendly practices.
• Resident satisfaction: Providing residents with a convenient and functional solution for clippings aligns with VMS Inc.’s commitment to service excellence.

Pilot Program Details

The pilot program will focus on 300 units that request clippings pickups most frequently. Each of these units will receive a non-woven bucket to use for their clippings. Staff will monitor effectiveness of this new approach, evaluating improvements in efficiency and cost savings. Prior to receiving the bucket, each unit selected for the pilot will receive a letter outlining the program.

Benefits of the Pilot Program

The pilot program is set to roll out soon, and we’ll keep you updated on its progress and results. VMS believes this initiative not only addresses current challenges but also sets a precedent for sustainable practices within our community.

Stay tuned for updates and be part of our green waste revolution!

For more Village news, click on the tag “Landscape” below.

To help ensure community safety, maintain availability of resident parking spaces and prevent overcrowding, residents must register all vehicles by bringing a current registration to Resident Services.

Residents who wish to purchase an RFID for $25 must drive their vehicle to the Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road. Click here for more information about RFID decals and how they simplify Village gate entry.

For those residents who plan to be away for more than one week, they must contact the Security Services Department at 949-580-1400 to add their vehicles to the “Safelist” or “Do not cite” list. 

Please note that non-resident vehicles are ineligible for extended parking privileges. Unregistered vehicles may be cited. 

For questions or assistance with vehicle registration, call Resident Services at 949-597-4600. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community secure.

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

Many retailers offer survival tools and ready-made disaster kits. Although earthquake kits are no longer for sale from the Department of Security Services, this list, which is neither exhaustive nor an endorsement, can help you prepare for an emergency.

Online Retailers

• Amazon.com: Survival tools, emergency supplies, portable charger power banks
• BlueCanSales.com: Emergency drinking water with a 50-year shelf life
• EmergencyKits.com: Emergency supplies and kits
• Kidde.com: Home safety, fire extinguishers, escape ladders
• MaydaySupplies.com: Emergency supplies and kits
• MorePrepared.com: Survival kits and emergency supplies
• 4Patriots.com: Survival food and products (foods may need a cooking source), solar panels and generators
• PreparedHero.com: Emergency fire protection and safety products

Local Retailers

• Big 5 Sporting Goods: 24314 Swartz Drive, Lake Forest, 949-951-6311, big5sportinggoods.com
• The Home Depot: 24332 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills, 949-598-9171; 23651 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, 949-206-0113; homedepot.com
• REI: 24271 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, 949-741-7838, rei.com
• Turner’s Outdoorsman: 23762 Mercury Road, Lake Forest, 949-523- 6370, turners.com

For more Village news, click on the tag “Disaster Preparedness” below.

For many, safeguarding mental health is an ongoing challenge; others may experience sudden-onset feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression.  

No one is immune; for older adults, the issue is especially significant.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates are rising particularly among those age 65 and older for reasons ranging from depression to grief over the passing of loved ones to chronic illness.

Talking about or taking control of mental health can be tough, whether the difficulty is rooted in fear of stigma, lack of understanding behind unfamiliar feelings, worry over finding the right resources or something else entirely.

However, help is always near, and resources are there when and if you need them.

Confidential Social Services Right Here

The Village’s Social Services Division provides assessments, resources, referrals and much more to residents to help them maintain independence and enhance their quality of life. The team is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 949-597-4267.

Many Resources Can Help

• Friendship Line California: A 24/7 crisis intervention hotline and a warm line for nonemergency emotional support calls; 888-670-1360
• National Alliance of Mental Illness/NAMI Orange County: Provides peer mentor programs and online support groups via Zoom; namioc.org
• NAMI Orange County Warmline: This free, confidential telephone service provides emotional support and Orange County resources 24/7 at 714-991-6412 (call or text)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:  800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863 to receive free and confidential support 24/7
• OCLinks: Provides telephone and online support for anyone seeking information or linkage to any of the OC Health Care Agency’s behavioral health services; 855-625-4657; ochealthinfo.com/oclinks
• Call 211 from any phone in OC for help with anything from legal aid to mental health emergencies to housing and transportation. 
• Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Text the Crisis Text Line from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained crisis counselor. Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer crisis counselor.

Many therapists and counselors offer telehealth services. If you already have a counselor or therapist (even if you haven’t seen them in a while), call their office and ask about telehealth services or virtual counseling/therapy.

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

Driving a golf cart or golf car offers fun and convenience, especially on scenic Village grounds, but it’s important to know the rules before getting behind the wheel of either.

Golf Carts

A golf cart is a motor vehicle having all of the following attributes: 

• Having not less than three wheels in contact with the ground
• Having an unladen weight of less than 1,300 pounds
• Designed to be operated at no more than 20 mph
• Designed to carry golf equipment and passengers 
• Is exempt from California motor vehicle registration

Golf carts must obey all GRF vehicle, parking and traffic rules, including stop signs, speed limit, parking and GRF decals. The exceptions for golf carts include:

• A driver’s license is not required to operate a golf cart.
• No government vehicle registration is required.

A nonresident driving a golf cart must be age 16 years or older and accompanied by a resident. Golf cart operators must use head lamps and tail lamps from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Golf carts must only be driven on pavement. Driving off pavement is prohibited with one exception. Limited driving off pavement is allowed at the GRF 27-hole golf course, in accordance with golf course rules. 

Golf Cars

A golf car is a motor vehicle that has all the attributes of a low-speed vehicle (LSV) or neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV): 

• Having four wheels
• Having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds
• Designed to attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface
• May legally be driven on public streets with a maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour
• Requires government motor vehicle registration on a public street

The main difference between golf cart and golf car use as it relates to golf is that golf cars cannot be driven onto the golf courses; however, golf cars may be driven on paved golf cart paths within the Village. Outside the Village, golf cars are considered motor vehicles and are required to follow California driving laws.

Both Golf Carts and Golf Cars

Whether driving a golf cart or golf car, obey all GRF vehicle, parking and traffic rules, just as any other motor vehicle. Golf cars and golf carts may be driven on paved golf cart paths.

Golf carts and golf cars may be driven on paved cart paths. On a golf cart path all drivers must: 

• Travel at a slow speed that is reasonable and prudent. 
• Exercise due regard for the safety of all pedestrians. 
• Yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians. 

Parking on a cart path is prohibited, except in a marked parking stall. Driving or parking is not allowed on sidewalks, breezeways or patios. 

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

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is permanently closing its Laguna Hills branch, located at 23535 Moulton Parkway, at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 11. According to the state agency, “the Laguna Hills office, which opened in 1987, does not meet the current needs of the DMV.”

The DMV further states that more than 90% of transactions are available via smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. Most DMV business can be completed online or by mail, at DMV kiosks located throughout the state, over the phone or through DMV business partners.

Customers can complete the following out-of-office transactions options:

• 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 Service Advisor at dmv.ca.gov to learn their options for completing DMV tasks. To enroll in paperless vehicle registration and driver’s license renewal notices, customers must sign in or create a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov and then opt in.

Some transactions will still require an in-office visit, like finalizing a REAL ID application. However, the DMV encourages customers to start their application online to limit in-office time.

For in-office visits after October 11, please see the following DMV locations:

• Santa Ana: 1330 East 1st St.
• Costa Mesa: 650 West 19th St.
• San Clemente: 2727 Via Cascadita

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

The Clubhouse 1 project remains on budget and on schedule for completion at the end of August. Conference rooms have been upgraded with new kitchenettes, flooring, walls, LED lights and fresh paint. The new billiards room now features its own kitchenette. Restrooms have been retiled, refloored and fitted with new fixtures, stalls and mirrors. The ballroom floors have been refinished, new windows have been installed and a new soundboard is scheduled for installation.

Tentative Timeline

• September 3: Recreation staff begin the move-in process
• September 16: A soft reopening will support any troubleshooting while the move-in process continues
• Pool 1 may reopen earlier
• A grand reopening event will be held in October (date TBD)

Watch the August 10 “This Day” on the Village YouTube channel featuring Projects Manager Guy West, and stay tuned for future details.

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

On Saturday August 17, and Sunday August 18, the Clubhouse 1 and Village Library parking lots are scheduled for surface paving and striping work. The Village Library and Laguna Woods History Center will be open during this work. On-street parking will be available on Calle Aragon. Work will begin at 9 a.m. on August 17 and 18, and the parking lots are estimated to be reopen at the end of the day on Sunday, August 18. The bus transportation lot will not be affected during the surface paving work. 

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