On Friday, March 18, the Transportation Division held a second informational meeting to outline the details of a proposal for Age Well to operate the Village bus system. 

Click the download button below to view a Q&A document from this meeting. 

To read the Q&A document from the first January 21 meeting, click here. 

Call 949-597-4242 for more information.

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

If your closed captioning service is not working, grab your remote and follow these steps

• Press your TiVo button.
• Select MENU using your left arrow.
• Select SETTINGS.
• Select ACCESSIBILITY using your down arrow.
• Go to CLOSED CAPTION PREFERENCES.
• Set Standard Captions to NONE.
• Set Digital Captions to DTVCC1.

For questions, email programming@vmsinc.org.

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

Social Work Month every March is a time to celebrate the great profession of social work. The theme for Social Work Month this year, “The Time is Right for Social Work,” highlights how social workers have enriched our society for more than a century and how their services continue to be needed today.

Social workers are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living and work to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities. In short, social workers help people get the care they need.

During Social Work Month, take time to learn more about the many positive contributions of the profession. The National Association of Social Workers offers this 60-second video that illustrates why social workers have always been essential. “Essential Workers on the Front Lines” highlights what social workers have been doing throughout the pandemic.

Laguna Woods Village Social Services has served residents since 1972. Social work counselors are available for short-term counseling, long-term care planning and resource referrals. Contact Social Services if you are:

• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Caring for an ill or aging relative
• Coping with a life changing diagnosis
• Making long-term care arrangements
• Feeling overwhelmed and stressed
• In need of assistance in your home

To learn more about the Village’s own Social Services Division, click here. To speak to someone about short-term counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, educational programs, long-term care planning and resource referrals, call 949-597-4267. 

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

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers advice to keep your smart devices safe from cyberattacks. Also known as internet of things (IOT) devices, smart devices include automated thermostats, garage door openers, cloud data storage devices, video doorbells, smart appliances like televisions and refrigerators, security systems and security cameras. The increased number of IOT devices can increase the risk of cyberattacks.

Look for slower than usual internet speed, devices listed on your network that you do not recognize and devices sending and receiving data more than usual. Protect your network by creating your own user names and passwords, turning on your computer’s and router’s firewall, and updating the software and firmware on all your devices and router regularly. Contact law enforcement if someone accessed your devices or network without your permission. Click here for more tips and information.

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

Notice is hereby given, that in accordance with Civil Code §5115(b), “An association shall provide general notice of all of the following at least 30 days before the ballots are distributed: (1) The date and time by which, and the physical address where, ballots are to be returned by mail or handed to the inspector or inspectors of elections. (2) The date, time, and location of the meeting at which ballots will be counted. (3) The list of all candidates’ names that will appear on the ballot … ”

At the close of the nomination period, the following candidates were nominated and will appear on the ballot to fill two seats on the Third Laguna Hills Mutual Board of Directors, if the recall is approved:

• Scott Levitta
• Robert Mutchnick
• N. Cris Prince
• Karen Shore
• Jules Zalon

The new board directors will be seated immediately after the ballot count if the recall is approved on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the principal offices of the corporation, Community Center at 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.

Ballots will be mailed on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, and must be returned to UniLect by 11 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022. Residents can deposit their ballot in the ballot box located in the Community Center lobby (24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637) until 5 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022. Ballots will be counted at a special Third Board of Directors tabulation meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022.

If you do not receive your ballot by Tuesday, May 3, 2022, or your ballot is lost or damaged, please contact the UniLect duplicate request call center at 1-866-466-6455, available 24/7 throughout the balloting period.

For any other questions regarding the recall election, please contact Inspector of Elections Catherine Burkhart at 1-888-864-5328 (1-888-UniLect). Please note that according to state HOA election regulations, only one ballot may be mailed per household/manor. Voting instructions will be included in the ballot package you will be receiving via mail.

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

The “Jungle Cruise,” which had originally been scheduled for Monday, March 21, in Clubhouse 7 has been rescheduled and changed locations. The movie now will screen Tuesday, March 29, at 2 p.m. in Clubhouse 5.

In this 2021 adventure/comedy, Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) enlists the aid of wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) to take her down the Amazon in his ramshackle boat. Together, they search for an ancient tree that holds the power to heal—a discovery that will change the future of medicine.

Doors open 1:45 p.m. and the movie begins at 2 p.m. The movie is free and no ticket is required for entry. Per the current California mandate, although masks are no longer required for unvaccinated individuals, they are strongly recommended for everyone while indoors.

“Respect,” starring Jennifer Hudson, will screen Monday, April 18.

Call 949-597-4288 or email recreation@vmsinc.org for more information.

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