Be sure to read the latest news and updates from the El Toro Water District’s (ETWD) winter 2024 newsletter. This edition features how to take advantage of California-friendly landscaping and rebates, information about the next community advisory group meeting, upcoming classes and workshops, and more.
Click the orange Download PDF button below to download and/or read the latest ETWD newsletter.
For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.
As work on Interstate 5 (I-5) in Orange County continues, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced the closure of the I-5 El Toro Road southbound off-ramp this weekend from 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5.
Click here to learn more about the project, view a list of closures as well as a detour map.
Caltrans will erect electronic message signs to notify drivers of the closure. Plan for additional travel time through the area. The work schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and materials, and construction-related issues.
For more information and updates, call or email the outreach team at 949-614-0202 or i5SouthCounty@octa.net.
For those with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please call Nathan Abler at 657-650-5146.
For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.
The number of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the Village has increased from 511 in 2022 to 670 in 2023. This trend is expected to continue and, with it, the impacts to our infrastructure.
The Village, built in the ’60s and ’70s, did not anticipate such a demand for electricity. Carports and underground garages were constructed with common-area outlets rated at 120 volts and 20-amp circuits mainly to charge golf carts. Electric vehicles can still charge at these outlets, but there are some limitations for this convenience as outlined in the electric vehicle letter (bit.ly/3uxaGFb) attached to every electric vehicle charging permit and available on the Laguna Woods Village website.
Staff works hard to ensure the electrical circuits and outlets are operating properly; however, when too many vehicles/golf carts plug into the same circuit, the breakers will trip. Should this occur, please contact Resident Services (949-597-4600; residentservices@vmsinc.org) to request a breaker reset. Staff will make every effort to respond to such calls as quickly as possible, but it may take up to two business days depending on workload and priorities.
Note that the electric vehicle charging stations (operated by ChargePoint) at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center (24351 El Toro Road) are open 24/7/365 for your convenience and offer reduced rates for members. The charging stations offer four Level 2 ports and three Level 3 (fast chargers) ports.
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The Department of Maintenance and Construction town hall meeting with the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) regarding asbestos and the manor remodeling process, originally scheduled for Thursday, February 22, has been postponed by AQMD.
Village Management Services, the City of Laguna Woods and AQMD are working to secure a new date, and the town hall will be rescheduled soon.
For any comments and questions, email manoralterationsfeedback@vmsinc.org.
VMS will continue to update the community with more information regarding this event.
The City of Laguna Woods and OC Public Libraries is hosting a grand opening of the expanded Laguna Woods OC Public Library tomorrow, Saturday, January 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. Located next to Laguna Woods City Hall (24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637), this new 1,734-square-foot building is the first dedicated home for the Laguna Woods branch of the County of Orange’s public library system.
During the grand opening, attendees can enjoy entertainment, refreshments and an opportunity to tour the library and meet library staff. A ceremony featuring state and local elected officials will take place at 9:30 a.m. A founders’ wall, recognizing donors who supported construction, will be unveiled during the ceremony.
For more information, please call Laguna Woods City Hall at 949-639-0500.
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The Moulton Museum and the Laguna Woods History Center partnered to kick off the Village’s 60th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, January 23, at the History Center. Mid-century artifacts were unveiled for the first time, offering a unique glimpse into the transformation of ranch land into the vibrant community residents cherish today. The event started with a talk by Jared Mathis, president of the Moulton Museum and great-grandson of Nellie Gail and Lewis Moulton, who spoke briefly on the history behind the generations of family who worked the ranchland the Village now occupies.
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There’s nothing more off-putting than encountering dog poop during a walk or finding it on your lawn. Besides simply being a good neighbor, there are many reasons why dog owners must always pick up after their pooches:
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On Monday, January 29, at Clubhouse 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., join the Informational Joint Replacement Expo, during which MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center joint replacement surgeons and the clinical team will shed light on common joint conditions and treatments for knees, hips, shoulders and ankles.
The event will also feature a live demonstration of MemorialCare’s latest joint replacement technology, the Mako® Robotic-Arm, keynote lectures from their physicians and information about at-home exercises designed to reduce fall risk and maintain strong muscles and joints.
Attendees will receive a co-branded MemorialCare-Angels baseball hat and have the opportunity to meet retired pitcher Chuck Finley. Also, enjoy healthy snacks and soft drinks before the event.
To register, visit memorialcare.org/jointexpo or call 949-424-9369.
Clubhouse 5 is located at 24262 Punta Alta.
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Amid lengthening nights and cooling temperatures, let’s revel in Southern California’s wildlife, beautifully illustrated on the cover of the January/February Village Breeze. Inside this issue you will:
The Village Breeze is delivered to every manor via the United States Postal Service’s Every Door Direct program. However, if delivery misses its mark at your door, you can find copies available throughout the Village:
For more Village news, click on the tag “The Village Breeze” below.
Resident Services staff, who continually seek ways to provide the best resident customer service possible to the community, are pleased to officially announce a new callback feature to help reduce hold times. Simply, residents who call during peak times may leave a callback telephone number as an alternative to waiting on hold and receive a return call according to their order in the telephone queue.
Launched in November, the feature not only enhances customer service but also reduces the number of callers on hold and customer frustration, and more effectively manages call traffic.
If you can, please consider calling during off-peak hours, which are from 1 to 4 p.m., and during mid-week versus Monday morning, when call volume is the highest.
In addition, you can always schedule an appointment with Resident Services or email your questions to residentservices@vmsinc.org.
Many services offered by Resident Services can be done from the convenience of your own home. Avoid lines, save gas and time, and go online for the following:
Click here to view a step-by-step tutorial on how to use the resident portal.
If you experience an issue at your manor (leak, backup, etc.) during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, call Resident Services at 949-597-4600. However, if you’re experiencing an issue after hours or on a weekend or a holiday, please call the Department of Security Services at 949-580-1400—staff will assign the appropriate resources to address your issue.
Find frequently called Laguna Woods Village phone numbers at lagunawoodsvillage.com/contact.
For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.
