Laguna Woods Village is a diverse community that relies on the good neighbor philosophy, which extends to our laundry rooms. As you go about your laundry task, please remember these dos and don’ts:

• Keep the laundry room clean. Don’t throw any food items into communal trash cans. Trash cans in the laundry rooms may not be emptied as frequently, and you’ll increase the chances of attracting pests and bugs.
• Don’t deposit any discarded or for-donation personal items in any laundry space. If your waste isn’t appropriate for trash or recycling, set it out for a bulky-item pickup, or donate it to a proper facility.
• Be mindful of your detergent, softener and bleach use. Using too much detergent or other products can leave unwanted residues in washing machines and push certain parts to degrade faster.
• Time your laundry effectively, maximizing your and others’ time. Monitor your wash and dry cycles, taking care to not leave clothes in the machines so that others may use them. Set a timer on your phone or watch and change out your clothes when they’re done.
• Don’t reserve machines by setting your hamper or belongings on a washer or dryer not in use. If you’re not actively using a machine, let another resident who’s ready to start their laundry take it. Wait until your clothes are finished washing to claim a dryer as well. Allow every resident an opportunity to get their laundry done.
• Be prepared before using the laundry room. Be sure all the clothes you wish to wash are ready to go in a hamper, basket or laundry bag. Bring any detergents, softeners, dryer sheets, etc., with you to avoid multiple trips. Don’t forget coins. Bring your detergent and other items back to your unit after you’ve started washing your clothes. If you leave them in the laundry room, another resident may use them. Keep a separate bag with your soaps, coins and any other items you need for laundry so you can simply grab it on the way out.
• Be kind when it comes to others’ laundry. Waiting for another resident to clear their laundry out of a machine will most likely be the most persistent problem you face in a shared laundry room. Never move anyone’s stuff if you can help it. If you can tell for certain whose clothes are sitting there, and you know those neighbors well enough, it’s OK to knock on their door and let them know you need the machine. In most cases, just wait a few minutes to see if the resident is coming back for their laundry.

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The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in partnership with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is studying potential alternatives to improve the Interstate 5 (I-5)/El Toro Road Interchange. OCTA and Caltrans are working closely with the cities of Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods.

Residents are encouraged to share any concerns they may have regarding the potential future improvements to the I-5/El Toro Road interchange under consideration by OCTA and Caltrans. Concerns might include noise, traffic, aesthetics, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on businesses and adjacent properties, and other environmental issues, during and after construction.

The deadline for the public to submit any comments regarding this project has been extended. Please submit comments no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023. All written comments submitted until the end of the scoping period will be recorded.

Comments may be submitted in any of the following formats:

• Mail Gabriela Duran, Caltrans District 12, Division of Environmental Analysis
  1750 East Fourth Street, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92705
• Email D12.ELToro@dot.ca.gov with the subject line “I-5 El Toro Road Interchange Project”
• Fill out the comment form at the Caltrans website

Village Management Services (VMS) will work with the City of Laguna Woods to review the comments VMS submitted in 2019, update them as needed and resubmit them ahead of the August 25 deadline.

Click here to find more information on the project and the scoping meetings.

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Some of us might move to the other side of the street, avert our eyes or brush it off. Either way, panhandling, the asking of money in public spaces, makes most of us uncomfortable.

Most panhandlers (although not all) are experiencing homelessness. In many cities, panhandling is considered free speech and is protected by the first amendment. Some may encounter those who are panhandling on a daily basis or during a trip to most larger cities. In the areas adjacent to Laguna Woods Village, such as in retail parking lots or outside of gas stations, we might encounter folks asking for spare change or offering to perform a task in exchange for money.

Under Penal Code 647c, aggressive panhandling in California is illegal. However, passive panhandling, or the act of sitting in a public area holding a sign asking for money, is not.

Here are some tips for responding responsibly, directly and compassionately to passive or aggressive panhandlers.

1. Recognize a panhandler’s humanity while remaining alert. Give a quick nod or good-day wishes. Whether or not you give money is your call.
2. If you wish to give money, have it out and ready to give. Never go into wallets, pockets or purses in front of panhandlers.
3. If you do not want to give money, walk purposefully and confidently toward your intended destination. Give the appearance that you are aware of your surroundings. Acknowledge the panhandler and answer their request for money with a firm “No, thank you.” Then continue on your way. Do not feel angry or guilty.
4. If you feel threatened or intimidated by an aggressive panhandler, call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at its nonemergency dispatch number, 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011. Be prepared to describe the panhandler as well as share the location of the event, the time it occurred and the panhandler’s direction of travel. 
5. If you witness a crime in progress, dial 9-1-1.

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On Tuesday, November 14, at Clubhouse 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., join “Vascular Health 101: Common Conditions and Treatments,” during which MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center vascular surgeons will share common conditions, treatments and prevention tips for vascular health. Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a Q&A will follow the panel presentation. There will also be a raffle drawing for two $25 Trader Joe’s gift cards.

To register, call Jessica Sanders at 949-452-3791 or visit memorialcare.org/LWVascular.  

Clubhouse 5 is located at 24262 Punta Alta.

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Alison Bok, the newly appointed United Laguna Woods Mutual board president, is continuing the tradition of sending regular digital newsletters to United members as a way to address issues, share updates and more. 

United members who wish to register to receive digital newsletters from President Bok may do so by emailing unitedmutual@lagunawoodsvillage.com with “Enroll me in the United newsletter” in the subject line. Please be sure to include your full name, manor number and preferred email address.

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If you have been annoyed by mosquitoes this year, you are not alone. Mosquito populations have grown in Orange County due to wet weather over the past year. Village Television interviewed Lora Young, district manager for Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, who discussed mosquito trends, the pesky ankle-biting Aedes mosquitoes, typical reactions to their bites and how you can protect yourself and prevent them from breeding in your home and neighborhood. Click here to watch the November 2 video. 

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