Don’t miss the college football national championship at Clubhouse 5 on Monday, January 9. Doors and the GRF no-host bar open at 4 p.m., with kickoff starting at 4:30 p.m.

The game at this free, ticketless event will be shown on the big screen. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to secure your seat. Outside food is permitted.
For more information, call 949-597-4382 or email recreation@vmsinc.org.

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

View 2023-2024 water consumption trends for United Laguna Woods Mutual and Third Laguna Hills Mutual below:

• 2023-2024 United and Third Water Usage Trends
• 2021-2024 United Water Use Trends

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 holiday, please call the Department of Security Services at 949-580-1400—staff will assign the right resources to address your issue. 

Find frequently called Laguna Woods Village phone numbers at lagunawoodsvillage.com/contact.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, dial 911. 

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

Every day, someone suffers catastrophic injuries in a dog attack. Dogs running loose or at large contribute to many severe and sometimes deadly incidents. In California, it is every pet owner’s legal responsibility to obey leash laws in public places. Otherwise, the dog owner could be responsible and held liable for what his or her dog does to another human or animal.

It is illegal to let your dog roam—referred to as running at large in most statutes—in most cities in California. 

In Orange County, according to regulation OCCO 4-1-45, “No person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog shall cause or permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such dog to be upon any public property unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain, or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, and is under the charge of a person competent to exercise care, custody, and control over such dog.”

Dogs Can Run Free at Designated Dog Parks 

Those who wish to give their dog an off-leash experience, designated dog parks throughout Orange County lawfully allow the absence of a leash. Laguna Woods’ dog park is located at 23190 Ridge Route Drive and is open from 7 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Laguna Beach’s dog park is located at 20672 Laguna Canyon Road and is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours may vary by season and on observed holidays. 

Dangers of Retractable Leashes

Retractable/extendable leashes are not your (or your dog’s) friend. There are myriad reasons to use a “flat lead,” a standard 6-foot dog leash typically made of nylon or leather, over a retractable leash, which is dangerous to humans and dogs. 

Retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allow dogs to get far enough away from their humans to quickly turn a walk into a dangerous situation. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people. It’s much easier to regain control of—or protect—a dog at the end of a 6-foot standard flat leash.

If a dog walker gets tangled up in a retractable leash cord, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts or worse. Many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going, resulting in bruises, “road rash” and broken bones. Dogs have also suffered terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated trachea and spine injuries.

Click here to review Orange County pet laws. 

Filing an Anonymous Compliance Violation in the Village

If you witness an off-leash/lead dog in the Village, call Security at 949-580-1400 to make an anonymous report.

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

Earlier this month, the County of Orange notified the City of Laguna Woods about a white film on the surface of ponded water at the outfall (location where stormwater exits the storm drain system) near Aliso Creek. The county believed the film to be paint but a final determination could not be made.

The county’s observation presents a good opportunity to remind residents to practice stormwater best management practices during routine household activities. By implementing best management practices, homeowners can keep common pollutants off the ground and out of storm drains. 

Water that flows into storm drains is not treated. Runoff from homes and businesses may contain pollutants that have harmful effects on downstream creeks, rivers, bays and the ocean. Unlike household sewage, this water is not treated and can negatively impact recreational use, wildlife habitat and even human health.

Many household hazardous materials and stormwater pollutants that may be used in and around residences during routine household activities include: 

• Oils 
• Paints 
• Cleaners 
• Bleaches 
• Pesticides 
• Glues 
• Solvents 

Adopt these best management practices to keep storm drains clear of polluted runoff during household activities: 

• Plan and complete household paint projects when rain is not predicted. 
• Rinse tools such as paint brushes, buckets and rags in a sink connected to the sanitary sewer. Never wash tools where washwater can drain into the street, gutter or storm drain.  
• Sweep up debris and dispose of it in the trash. 

• Do not hose down driveways or sidewalks into the street or gutter. 

• If safe, contain, clean up and properly dispose of all hazardous waste spills. If unsafe conditions exist, call 911 to activate a proper response team. 
• Household hazardous materials must be stored indoors or under cover, and in closed and labeled containers. 
• Dispose of household hazardous waste at a local household hazardous waste collection center. Laguna Woods residents may also call WM Curbside at 800-449-7587 for free door-to-door household hazardous waste collection.

• Only purchase the types and amounts of materials needed. 
• Share unused portions of products with neighbors or community programs. 

For information about preventing polluted runoff during home improvement projects, check out this brochure. 

How H2OC Helps Protect County Water Resources 

H2OC is a cooperative stormwater program that includes all 34 cities in Orange County, the County of Orange and the Orange County Flood Control District. Clean and healthy beaches, creeks, rivers, bays, wetlands, and ocean are important to Orange County. H2OC provides resources to residents and businesses to encourage personal action and prevent polluted runoff from entering our waterways.  

Visit h2oc.org to learn more about runoff, water pollution and how you can be the solution to runoff pollution and protect our water resources. If you witness a violation, reach out to the county’s 24-hour pollution reporting hotline: 877-89-SPILL (1-877-897-7455). 

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

This week, the Metropolitan Water District, which provides water to 26 agencies throughout Southern California, declared a regional drought emergency. 

The timing may seem odd given the recent rain and cold weather; however, it would take an entire winter of storms to make a dent in the drought. While the declaration has not changed existing water restrictions yet, it is a reminder that we collectively need to do all we can to reduce water consumption to avoid severe restrictions in the future.

VMS Landscaping Department staff has been working diligently with the landscape committees to reduce water usage throughout the Village. Grass is the biggest culprit in landscape water usage; United, Third and GRF have all completed projects this year to install drought tolerant plantings, with more to come in 2023.

Click here to watch a video in which El Toro Water District Board Director Vice President Kay Havens discusses, among other topics, how landscaping can be transformed from water-thirsty grass to a multicolored array of California-friendly plants that attract butterflies and beautify neighborhoods. Click here to view a presentation Director Havens delivered at the GRF Landscape Committee on Wednesday, December 14.

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

The Department of Recreation and Special Events is pleased to announce that beginning Monday, December 19, staff will take reservations for Clubhouses 2 and 7 for events starting in January 2023. January 3 is the earliest date for which rooms in either clubhouse can be reserved. 

For more information, please contact Recreation and Special Events at 949-597-4273 or recreation@vmsinc.org.   

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