The Village Equestrian Center welcomes two new horses to the herd, Lexi and O’Hara. 

Lexi, our beautiful new “red” mare, is a seasoned lesson horse from Orange, California. She is 16 hands and 18 years old, with a beautiful chestnut coat. She is a seasoned professional who is always looking to please. Previously she was a dressage horse and a school horse for children. We are very excited to have her in the program.

O’Hara, our wonderful second “redhead” mare, is as beautiful as her namesake, Scarlett. She is another well-versed lesson horse from Lincoln, California. This 18-year-old, sweet-as-can-be gentle giant is our tallest lesson horse at 16.3 hands. From packing around children over jumps to going down trail she does it all. Previously she was a competitive jumper. We are very lucky to have her.

The Equestrian Center, located at 24312 El Toro Road, offers tours on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 and 2 p.m.

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

The Laguna Woods library, located at city hall at 24264 El Toro Road, is open for regular hours during construction: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. 

The entrance and book drop have been moved temporarily to the left side of the building closest to the street.

To view upcoming events, visit ocpl.org/libraries/laguna-woods. For more information about the library, email ocpl.lagunawoods@occr.ocgov.com or call 949-476-4600. 

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

Don’t miss an opportunity to honor our veterans this Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Clubhouse 2 front patio. Light refreshments will be served.

Event Program

• Welcome 
• Presentation of Colors: American Legion Post 257 Color Guard
• Invocation 
• Pledge of Allegiance 
• National Anthem
• City Welcome
• Keynote Speakers: U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant (retd) Sam DeBaca and American Legion Post 257 Chaplain Alan Clark
• Benediction 
• God Bless America

Call 949-597-4285 for more information.

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

Village Management Services Inc. (VMS), the self-owned professional management company for Laguna Woods Village, seeks part-time employees to fill various positions throughout the community, including recreation leaders, community center attendants, bus drivers, gate ambassadors and more.

To view open positions, visit lagunawoodsvillage.com and click Careers at the bottom of the home page. From there, under Search Our Current Job Openings, click Residents. Click on the job(s) of interest for details and to apply. Be sure to check back periodically for updates. 

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

On Monday, November 14, at 1 p.m. in the Community Center board room (24351 El Toro Road), the United Investment Ad Hoc Committee and two outside professional advisors will present to the board and members in attendance:

• A description of United’s current investment portfolio
• Reasons for the decline in the portfolio’s value
• Recommendations for preserving existing investment balances and future alternatives

The meeting will also feature a Q&A opportunity for both board members and community members to query the advisors.

Following the presentation and Q&A session, the board will vote to either keep the existing portfolio or make a change. 

Members who are unable to attend in person may participate in the meeting virtually via the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95563492734.

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

The Village community is immediately adjacent to coyote country, making Canis latrans sightings quite common. Coyotes have little to no fear of humans and, while not normally a danger to humans, some residents are concerned for themselves and their pets. 

One of the best ways to combat fear is through education. To help residents understand their coyote cohabitants, in her most recent episode of “Discovering Laguna Woods Village,” host Cyndee Whitney interviews Laguna Beach animal services officer David Pietarila to help increase awareness. Officer Pietarila shares great information about coyotes in and around the Village, tips for walking with or without a dog, insight into coyote behavior and much more. 

Click here to watch this important “Discovering Laguna Woods Village” episode on the Village Television YouTube channel (youtube.com/c/VillageTelevision).

For More Information and Resources

The Laguna Beach Police Department’s Animal Services Division responds to wildlife situations in the Village. To report encounters, call 949-497-0701 or email coyotes@lagunabeachcity.net. 

Take the following steps to protect your pets: 

• Leave a comfortable distance between you and coyotes; they will display defensive behaviors if threatened or cornered 
• Increase the distance between you and a coyote if you do encounter one that behaves aggressively (you’re probably too close to its prey or family)
• Don’t ever feed coyotes (or any wild animal—it’s illegal in California and prohibited in the Village)
• Eliminate potential food and water sources, such as fallen fruit and standing water
• Feed pets indoors
• Keep cats and small dogs indoors or supervise closely when outdoors
• Do not use retractable leashes for walking dogs
• Store trash in covered heavy-duty containers
• Keep yard areas and patios free from becoming potential shelter, such as thick brush and/or weeds 

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