The days of our unseasonably cool summer are over, and the heat is turned up, at least in the short term. If you need a cool place to recharge, community facilities such as the Village Library, Village Greens, Performing Arts Center, Clubhouse 1 drop-in lounge and Clubhouses 4 and 5 provide comfortable spaces during posted hours. Contact the clubhouse office for details, as some facilities may offer extended hours when events are scheduled. Or click here for a list of cooling centers throughout Orange County.

During hot summer spells, take steps to stay comfortable and 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.

The barrier arm in the resident lane at Gate 7 struck an emergency vehicle, causing damage to both the arm and vehicle. The resident lane is currently out of service.

The guest lane remains fully operational. The vendor has been notified, and a technician has assessed the damage. We will provide an update once the repair schedule is confirmed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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

The PC Club and Mac Club are offering instructional classes to help you navigate the updated resident portal and other useful technology tools.

PC Club: Village Website & Technology Tools Class

The PC Club’s next Village Website & Technology Tools class is Tuesday, August 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Bob Sellards PC Club Learning Center adjacent to the PC Club workshop on the third floor of the Community Center. This class covers the Village website and other technology tools used by the Village, including DwellingLIVE, the Performing Arts Center ticket portal, the resident portal and more.

Please ensure your email address is registered with Resident Services (residentservices@vmsinc.org or 949-597-4600) and that you can access your email on a phone or computer during class. This will allow the instructor to assist you with logging in and registering for the portals and systems covered in the session.

Registration is required prior to each class. Click here to register on the PC Club website or register at the PC Club workshop on the third floor of the Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

PC Club classes are free but donations are welcome at the door.

Mac Club Workshops

The Mac Club will also host a workshop on Thursday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for residents to learn about the enhanced resident portal. All Mac classes are drop-in unless otherwise noted and limited to the first 30 students. Donations are requested each class to support the lab. Workshops take place on the third floor of the Community Center.

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

Village residents can schedule household hazardous waste pickups at no charge through the City of Laguna Woods’ contract service provider. Call 800-449-7587 to schedule a pickup with WM Curbside, which picks up items such as household cleaners, vehicle batteries, automotive products, flammable materials, garden chemicals, paint products, items containing mercury and fluorescent tubes and lamps.

Items not accepted include but are not limited to ammunition, appliances, asbestos, medication and biological waste. Certain local pharmacies accept personal medication for disposal. For more information, please visit med-project.org.

Laguna Woods City Hall accepts drop-offs of household batteries (not including vehicle batteries) and home-generated sharps waste (in a rigid, needle puncture-resistant container).

For a complete list of accepted/not accepted materials, click here. Information is available in Chinese, Korean and Spanish. For more information about the city’s waste programs, click here.

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