On Monday, December 15, at approximately 10 p.m., a small fire occurred in the metal shop area within the woodshop at Clubhouse 4. The fire sprinkler system activated as designed, and Orange County Fire Authority responded and confirmed the fire was contained.
No injuries were reported.
As a result of sprinkler activation, water impacted the woodshop and jewelry room. Restoration and safety assessments are underway, and those two rooms are temporarily closed. All other Clubhouse 4 amenities remain open and are operating as usual.
VMS has engaged the appropriate fire, electrical, restoration, insurance and safety professionals. Additional updates will be shared once reopening timelines for the affected rooms are available.
If you’re unsure what belongs where, click 这里 for a simple guide to recycling, organics, landfill items and special disposal options.
有机物回收
下载该城市的 传单 for a quick look at what is and isn’t allowed in the organics recycling bins. Use compostable bags when possible; paper bags and newspaper also work well.
Place items next to your shared enclosure or curbside by your usual cart location between 7 p.m. the night before and 8 a.m. on collection day. No need to call—CR&R will take care of it by day’s end.
Avoid blocking enclosures or containers. Do not set out car parts, hazardous waste or oversized items requiring more than two people to lift.
Want to attend more events or simply stay in the loop? The Village offers an incredible range of activities, but it’s easy to miss something if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, you can find nearly everything in one place through the Activities Calendar on the Village website, powered by 团队合作.
TeamUp is a cloud-based calendar system that VMS uses to keep residents and staff informed about upcoming events, classes, club activities and meetings. From lagunawoodsvillage.com， 点击 日历 on the main menu and click 活动日历, or go directly to bit.ly/3KJ0Vl6.
Use the filter feature to view Club Events, Recreation Classes, Recreation Events or all three at once. You can also switch among daily, weekly or monthly views to see as much or as little as you like.
Under the 日历 menu, you’ll also find board and committee meeting schedules, as well as maintenance and landscaping calendars.
If you prefer using your phone, download the TeamUp app. New to TeamUp?
Clubhouse 4 is one of the Village’s most vibrant hubs for arts, creativity and recreation. Open daily, it offers fully equipped studios for painting, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry making, photography, sewing, quilting and woodworking. Whether you’re trying something new or refining lifelong skills, there’s space here for every level of interest and experience.
The clubhouse also partners with Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute to bring structured lifelong learning courses directly to residents. And beyond the arts, Clubhouse 4 offers leisure and wellness amenities, including one of the Village’s most popular pools, complete with accessible features.
Volunteer supervisors maintain a safe, welcoming environment, making Clubhouse 4 a true center of creativity, learning and community connection.
Learn more about Clubhouse 4 and many ways it brings residents together in the PDF below.
The United and Third board of directors recently updated the community’s Fruit Tree and Vegetable Policies (Resolutions 01-25-108 and 03-25-176). Here’s a quick overview of what’s changed:
Fruit Trees at Resale
When a home is sold, any existing fruit trees must be removed.
New homeowners may not keep fruit trees planted by previous owners.
The mutuals will remove these trees at no cost to residents.
Common Use Areas
Planting fruit trees or vegetables in common-use areas remains strictly prohibited.
Vegetable Removal
The updated resolutions reiterate that any vegetables found in these areas must be removed.
Enforcement begins January 1, 2026.
Why the Policy Change
Fruit trees and vegetables attract rodents such as rats and mice, and even coyotes, which are drawn to fallen fruit and other food sources. Reducing fruit trees and keeping common areas free of edible plantings helps limit pest activity and supports a cleaner, safer environment for all residents. These policy updates are designed to protect the community’s health and safety.
Tips to Deter Rodents and Coyotes
Keep outdoor areas clean by promptly removing fallen fruit, seeds and food scraps.
Make sure trash is fully secured inside dumpsters and pick up any debris that falls on the ground.
Store birdseed, pet food and similar attractants in sealed, rodent-proof containers.
Never feed wildlife. This is prohibited under Laguna Woods Municipal Code Section 5.20.070.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our community healthy and secure.
Great news! The City of Irvine and OC Waste & Recycling extended the license agreement for the Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center for up to one additional year while a new permanent location is identified. The center will continue operating at its current site until further notice.
Ting Internet and Laguna Woods Village is making steady progress in bringing fiber connectivity to every manor. This upgrade will improve reliability, increase speed and support the services residents rely on today and in the future. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as construction continues.
To help keep everyone informed, below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
TV Transition and Why Cable Is Going Away
Why is cable programming going away in the first place?
For many years Laguna Woods Village has offered traditional cable service as part of the community’s amenities. While cable has served residents well, the cost of providing it has increased significantly. Much of this growth comes from fees cable companies must pay to major broadcast networks. These agreements have risen far faster than inflation, and these costs are passed directly to subscribers.
For a community of this size, these rising fees would require either significant assessment increases or reductions in other services. After careful review the boards determined that maintaining a custom cable system is no longer sustainable.
In response the community is transitioning to DirecTV Stream. It offers a familiar live TV experience but delivers programming through the internet rather than aging cable infrastructure. DirecTV Stream provides cleaner picture quality, fewer interruptions and a more resilient system that can grow with future technology. Streaming also protects the community from continued increases tied to broadcast network contracts.
As fiber installation moves across the Village, DirecTV Stream will become the community’s exclusive TV option beginning in the third quarter of 2026.
Costs
What will this cost me?
Residents will pay $40 per month for internet service that delivers up to 2,000 Mbps upload and download speeds, and $25 per month for DirecTV Stream, which includes more than 100 channels and local networks. Residents may subscribe to additional DirecTV packages if they choose.
The combined $65 per month will first appear in the January 2027 assessment fee.
With Ting Internet and DirecTV Stream, residents will no longer pay West Coast Internet, set-top box rental fees or programming fees currently included in assessments. On average, residents will pay a similar amount in 2027 compared with 2026.
Timeline and Activation
When will my fiber internet be activated?
Your activation date depends on construction progress in your neighborhood. Once your area is prepared with mainline fiber, Ting will email and call you within 60 days that crews will prewire your building and soon after schedule your installation date. Until then, simply monitor your inbox and voicemail for updates.
When should residents stop paying West Coast Internet?
Residents should continue paying West Coast Internet until Ting officially activates service in the home. The full transition to Ting Internet is expected to begin in late summer 2026. Ting will notify residents when it is time to cancel West Coast Internet. Ting Internet will be provided at no cost until 2027, when it will be included in the monthly assessment.
Installation, Routing and Resident Preferences
Do I have any say in installation?
To ensure safe and consistent installation in every building, fiber is being placed according to Laguna Woods Village standards. While some residents may prefer customized routing or alternate placement locations, all installation teams must follow HOA-approved guidelines. These practices protect community buildings, infrastructure and long-term service quality.
Please confirm that Resident Services (residentservices@vmsinc.org, 949-597-4600) has your current phone number and email address. Ting will rely on this information to schedule your appointment. Ting will contact you directly when it is time to install service.
Internet Equipment and Wi-Fi Coverage
What is an Eero unit?
The Eero 7 router creates a strong and reliable home Wi-Fi network. It can operate as a single unit or with additional units as a mesh system to reduce dead zones. It connects to your internet equipment, plugs into a power outlet and provides stable Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
Will I need to pay for any extra equipment?
No. Eero units can service homes up to 2,000 square feet. Per the Village contract with Ting, units greater than 1,500 square feet will receive two units.
Internet and TV Choices
Can I keep my current internet provider?
Residents may continue using West Coast Internet only until the fiber network is fully installed and verified across the Village. After that point West Coast Internet will no longer operate in the community. All manors will use Ting Internet once the system is complete.
Can I keep my current internet or TV service?
Residents will not be able to keep their current cable TV service once the community-wide transition is complete. DirecTV Stream will become the Village’s exclusive TV option in December 2026.
Residents who prefer a different TV experience may still use other internet-based streaming apps over the new fiber network.
DirecTV Stream and Gemini Devices
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream delivers live TV and on-demand programming over the internet. It offers a cable-like experience without a dish. It uses Gemini devices and also works on most smart TVs.
A Gemini device is a small streaming box that connects to your TV and home Wi-Fi. It provides the familiar channel guide, remote functions and DVR options associated with DirecTV. It replaces traditional cable boxes and does not require a satellite dish.
EMF Concerns and Router Placement
Should I be concerned about electromagnetic fields?
Some residents have raised concerns about electromagnetic fields from Wi-Fi routers. Federal guidelines classify standard home Wi-Fi devices as safe for residential use, including in senior living settings. Installation standards list the living room as the preferred router location. If that is not practical, Ting will work with the resident to determine the best placement within routing standards.
How is router placement determined for better Wi-Fi coverage?
Wi-Fi works best when the router is placed near where most devices are used. Every home is different, so placement may vary. Ting installers follow HOA-approved standards for fiber entry and equipment placement. Homes up to 1,500 square feet will receive one Eero 7 router; homes over 1,500 square feet will receive two units to reduce dead zones.
Roles of Ting, VMS and Residents
How do Ting, VMS and residents each play a role in the fiber installation process?
Ting installs fiber according to Village-approved guidelines. VMS is responsible for delivering the long-term infrastructure determined by the GRF board. Residents want consistent, reliable service. Installation standards are designed to meet these goals and protect community buildings.
If residents have concerns about installation quality, they should contact lagunawoodsvillageconstruction@ting.com. VMS and Ting will review concerns together.
Keep an Eye Out for Ting in Your Neighborhood Ting will host pop-up events throughout the Village now through January 2027. These informal gatherings offer chances to meet the team, ask questions and learn more about the coming transition. Construction-Related Questions Website: tinginternet.com/lagunawoodsvillage 电子邮件： lagunawoodsvillageconstruction@ting.com
Written by Ting Internet and Village Management Services on behalf of the GRF board of directors.
AlertOC is Orange County’s official emergency alert system, designed to reach residents quickly when important information needs to be shared. During events that may affect community safety, public health or daily life, authorized officials use AlertOC to send messages by phone, email or text. The goal is to make sure people receive timely and reliable updates when they matter most.
Most traditional landline numbers are already included through the county’s 911 database, but many residents rely on mobile phones or internet-based phone services that are not part of that system. This is why registering is important. Emergencies do not always happen when you are at home, so adding your cell number helps ensure you receive alerts wherever you are. Contact information is kept secure and is never shared or used for anything other than official notifications.
The service does not replace other emergency communication methods, but it adds an essential layer of protection by delivering information directly to you. If a call is missed, the system will try again or leave a message, which helps ensure important updates get through.
Signing up is simple. Visit the AlertOC website and enter your contact details. If you have questions, call 714-628-7054 或发送电子邮件 alertoc@ocsheriff.gov.
Laguna Woods Village uses its own Everbridge system to send Village-specific updates to residents. This includes information about gate access, utility interruptions, facility closures, traffic impacts and other notices that apply only to our community. When Orange County issues a major emergency update through AlertOC, Village staff relay the same information through our Everbridge system so residents receive it quickly in a familiar format. We may also add instructions that apply specifically to Village properties.
Although the two systems use the same technology, they complement each other:
AlertOC is the official countywide source for wildfire, flood, earthquake, evacuation and public safety updates.
Laguna Woods Village Everbridge provides community-focused messages and passes along county emergency information.
Enrolling in both systems gives you the broadest protection. AlertOC ensures you receive county-level information directly from public safety officials. The Village Everbridge system adds timely local updates and practical details that help residents understand what an emergency means inside the gates.
Together, they offer an important layer of reassurance for you and your household.
Follow these tips to know what belongs in each bin to help reduce waste and contamination.
Recyclables
Cardboard boxes (flatten before placing in the bin)
Shopping catalogs
Plain holiday cards and paper envelopes (no glitter or foil)
Plastic bottles, cans and glass containers
Organics
Small amounts of green waste (natural wreaths, garlands with no ribbons or wire)
Uneaten holiday foods
Small amounts of cooking grease (soak with paper towels before placing in the organics container)
Trash
Envelopes with plastic padding
Bubble wrap
Wrapping paper with glitter or foil
Bows and ribbons
Polystyrene foam
Never dispose of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, etc.) or electronic materials (e.g., old holiday lights) in trash or recycling containers. Place electronic waste in your designated bulky item collection location and call WM Curbside at 800-499-7587 for free hazardous waste collection.
Prevent Organic Waste Generation
Plan portions carefully to avoid over-preparing food.
Donate excess edible food to local pantries or shelters.
Use leftovers creatively—soups, casseroles, and sandwiches make great next-day meals.
Freeze leftovers before they spoil.
Share or exchange extra baked goods with neighbors and friends.
Greener Holiday Tips
Reuse gift bags, bows, and ribbons next year.
Avoid metallic or glittery wrapping paper.
Donate gently used decorations.
When in doubt, keep it out—help prevent contamination!
As the holiday season approaches and festive meals are prepared, many households generate extra fats, oils and grease (FOG), all common byproducts of cooking. While it may seem harmless to pour these substances down the drain, doing so can lead to serious plumbing issues. When FOG cools, it solidifies, creating blockages in pipes that can result in costly repairs and even sewage backups, affecting homes and neighborhoods alike.
保持排水管道畅通和社区供水系统顺畅运行的技巧
Let FOG cool; dispose properly. After cooking, allow FOG to cool, then pour it into a container (such as an empty can or jar) and place it in your green waste container.
Wipe before washing. Use a paper towel to wipe pans and dishes to remove residual grease before washing them.
Do not use wipes in pipes. Keep wipes out of drains, even those marked “disposable,” as they are not safe for our sewer system.
