Friends of the Village

Notes from the President

by Bob Hatch

January-February 2012

My wife, Sue, and I moved to Laguna Woods Village (LWV) in November 2003. Three years prior, we began a search for a community with services that would fit our needs. There were a number of prerequisites, but the controlling ones were proximity to our family and an internal transportation system.

There was only one choice. All the ingredients for a happy life were in LWV. Shortly after we moved in, I became involved in community governance on the Third Mutual board. Following my term on the Third Mutual board, I served a term on the Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) board, ending last year. I decided to retire from combat and enjoy life in the Village as we had envisioned it.

Upon returning from the front lines, I diagnosed myself as suffering from Post Traumatic Shock. I was clearly in need of rehab. When offered the opportunity to join the board of FOV, I jumped on it.

Now I’m surrounded by talented, energetic, cheerful and supportive folks, all of whom work harder than I do. And for yearly dues of $15, I get refreshments at our membership meetings, a newsletter, a web page, and most importantly, a cheerful support group.

I learned a lot from my combat service. I worked hard and was pretty good at gathering factual information. And that information determined the direction I took on an issue.

But I was lousy at convincing others of my views. For that reason, I have given up the argumentative part of governance in favor of collection and dissemination of factual material on issues. A famous statesman once said that we were all entitled to make up our own minds but we are not entitled to make up our own facts.

This is exactly the mission of FOV -- gather and disseminate factual information to the members of FOV and the community at large to aid in their choosing their direction. FOV is an educational club, not a political club.

The most important thing I learned from combat is that while there are always some serious issues to resolve, there are hardly any where the “ship will sink” as a result of the course steered. If we run aground there is almost always time to free the ship, repair the damage and carry on - even change direction.

What would sink the ship would be an inability to replenish the members we inevitably lose with new members who want to share our pleasant and affordable life style. If we fail in that regard, the LWV ship will sink. Fighting over issues and the bad publicity which results could result in irreparable damage and must be avoided.

My involvement with FOV will not change the course. The course will be stayed. We will continue to hold bimonthly meetings that all residents of LWV are encouraged to attend. Topics of current issues will be addressed with factual information provided along with advocates, pro and con. We are considering joining with other clubs on presentation of some subjects, but there will be no direction given by FOV as to which direction to take.

I appreciate your membership in FOV and encourage you to recruit your friends and neighbors. And I look forward to seeing you at our February 2nd meeting.

by Maxine McIntosh

November-December 2011

This year I have really enjoyed writing about some of the many positive features of life in Laguna Woods Village. For my last contribution as president, I will spotlight what I, personally, feel is a gift to prospective members.

I am referring to the two distinct choices of ownership – own a deed or own a share in a stock cooperative. So far, I’ve heard of very few other retirement communities that invite the prospective member to join a condominium mutual or a cooperative mutual with both available in the same retirement community. The attributes of both are, sometimes, different and I like to call them “Different Perks.” Here’s a list of the Different Perks that my husband and I found attractive in condominium-style living as well as cooperative-style living.

CONDOMINIUMS: Third Mutual

COOPERATIVES: United Mutual

October 2011

A number of times friends here in the Village have told me about the pleasant experience they always have upon returning from a trip.  Whether they have been gone for a week or for months, they have a true “feel good” moment as they drive through our gates.  My husband and I have also experienced something similar as the gate guard waves to us – a feeling of “Ah, we’re safely home again.”

You know, just taking a drive through the Village can be a warm and very entertaining experience.  United Mutual has a little more than 7 miles of streets while Third Mutual has almost 14 miles.  On a Village drive, residents can discover the many beautiful green belts along all those streets.  Ambling along, it is entertaining to notice the different colors and varieties of flowers and shrubs with which some residents have filled their planter areas.

One can park at the Towers and walk into that beautiful lobby.  At this time, reservations could be made for the Sunday Brunch held twice each month.  While there, it can be quite a nice experience to stroll through the Asian garden laid out at the rear of the buildings.

When I was a child my grandmother lived with my family.  I remember how very much she enjoyed being taken out for a Sunday Drive.  If you miss doing that and you don’t want to go too far – drive around our pretty Village.

Oh!  Don’t forget to stop by the stables as well.  Just pull up a chair in the breezeway and watch the activity.  Horses are being groomed, exercised in the turn outs or ridden toward the trails. It is so relaxing and peaceful to be there.

Before too long, the new golf-starter building will be finished, providing some pretty views toward the mountains.  Yet the Club House II views will still be very nice as well.  Residents will be able to include stops at these amenities while out for a drive.

If you find that you are choosing to drive less often these days, you can especially appreciate the 25 mph speed limit in our Village and the absence of traffic jams.

August 2011

Recently I dropped in at the Clubhouse I Fitness Center. It was good to see so many people availing themselves of the fitness programs there. I happened to notice a lot of names written on a bulletin board along one wall. I was told to note the numbers written beside each name. Those numbers indicated the age of each person represented on that board.

There were 35 residents posted as active participants in regular exercise classes or as ones who routinely work out independently. The ages ranged from 90 up to 102 years! I was so impressed. These active seniors don’t allow age to stop them. A member of staff told me that there are others (especially women) who didn’t want their names or ages posted.

Then, while dropping in at the third-floor Fitness Center in the Community Center building, I discovered a similar bulletin board filled with more names of many of our very-senior residents who obviously plan to work out until age 100 or older!

This is an incredible message for all of us...we can stay fit for most of our years. If you are healthy now, I salute you. If not, maybe this information will help you to make the decision to get started.

In this Village there is a huge selection of activities that can make us healthier and keep us healthier. You may have noticed a walking club that meets weekly in one of the clubhouse parking lots before setting off together for good weight-bearing exercise. With six swimming pools scattered around the Village there is plenty of room for lap swimmers, walkers in the water and, of course, people who just want to have fun. All of this can increase muscle tone and good circulation. Clubhouse 6 is open only in the summer. It feels more like a large backyard pool with its circulinear design. This can be especially nice for socializing with friends. while moving through the water.

Many Villagers, especially new “move-ins,” have told me that it feels like they are walking in a park wherever they go. But we do have a well-maintained park (with restrooms) along Aliso Creek. Serpentine Walk takes you from Gate 11 all the way over to Gate 3 - crossing only two streets. Friendship Walk near Gate 1 is undergoing a face-lift right now. But soon, I presume, it will once again entice walkers to enjoy the views up there.

I recently discovered a short but very pretty walking path at the very back of Gate 11. Also, GRF is planning a new park close to Third Mutual. I understand that picnic tables may be ordered for this park (a request made on the survey of The Recreation Needs Assessment).

Tennis, lawn bowling, basketball and many other activities offered to all of us who live here, could add better quality to the years we still have ahead of us. Who knows...one day more golfers may make the decision to start walking the course instead of always using a golf cart. I was told about one woman in her mid-90’s who never uses a golf cart!

Whatever you choose to enhance the quality of a healthy life, start moving now. If it seems too challenging, start small – walk to the corner and back. Walk across the pool in chest-deep water. Go with friends. Enjoy the experience.

Everything out there is always ready. Everything is maintained by staff, and staff is always available to assist you. Here’s to your health – your improved health.

July 2011

With Board elections approaching, I asked a few residents to consider running. They stated that they didn’t want to take the punishment that they felt loomed large on the horizon for all board members.

I decided that I would call some Board Members and ex- Board Members relative to all four Boards of Directors serving in this community. I asked each of them, ”Why would a Village resident want to run for a position on a board of directors?” Here are their candid responses:

“If, as a responsible member of the community, you want to give back, you can enjoy entering into governance. Helping resolve issues is personally satisfying.” Carol Skydell

“A board member has the opportunity to set policies-to make the rules that can improve the quality of life for fellow residents. There is real joy in serving your community.” Ron Beldner

“It’s a terrific opportunity to serve your community. Service is what it’s all about – serving your fellow man.” Lloyd Foster

“It is an opportunity to contribute time and talent to benefit yourself and your neighbors. You will meet some of the most engaging and interesting people in the community. Many of them will become your friends.” Marty Rubin

“Serving on a board is a chance to preserve what is best about our Village. This is an opportunity to play an active role in seeing that it continues to be well- maintained. If you’ve been active in other organizations in the Village. you’re possibly equipped with broader perspectives and knowledge that lead to good decisions for all.” Denise Welch

“Complaining at home does no good. If you feel something is wrong – join a board. You can make a difference in problem solving. It’s very satisfying.” Cynthia Chyba

“You can enjoy the experience of democracy in action. It works nearly all the time, allowing you to contribute your best towards protecting the rights of all members. If I had better health I’d like to run again.” Richard Wurzel

“For most of us this is a considerable investment. Joining a board is an opportunity to protect our investment. Every board member can contribute in working toward the goal of a constantly well-maintained community.” Kathryn Freshley

“Consider the personal satisfaction of sharing your leadership skills. If we don’t have good leadership, poor decisions will be made. This is an opportunity to help make positive changes. It’s an opportunity to serve the best interests of the members. There is joy in this experience.” Mary Stone

“You will be accepting the responsibility for addressing challenges. You will be able to protect the rights and the integrity of the community. You will want to make sure people are treated correctly. You will enjoy it.” Ray Gros

“I’d been absent from various board commitments for five years and felt it was time to give back again. You can give back for some of the goodness in your life. Your background may bring a useful perspective to a board’s decisions. Your lifetime of experiences may assist you in assisting others.” Dick Palmer

“You will receive deep, deep satisfaction from proving that you can listen with an open mind, that you are dedicated to keeping all costs at a reasonable level, and that you can truly enjoy the total experience.” Maxine McIntosh

NOW! Why don’t you call the Community Center at 597-4369 and submit your name as a board candidate?

May/June 2011

Many of us are well aware of most of the amenities available for our personal enjoyment in the Village. There is a rich mix of club, sport and organized entertainment available to all 18,000 of us residents.

There is even another layer of entertainment activities for all of us based on the excellent location of Laguna Woods Village in Orange County. When the first phases were constructed in the 60s, this site was considered by many to be out on the fringe of civilization.

Because of the excellent location of Laguna Woods Village, we have many choices of day trips within easy reach. In less than 90 minutes, residents can drive to Balboa Park in San Diego or the world-famous Museum of Natural History in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. A trip from here to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood involves few turns. Take the 5 Freeway onto the Hollywood Freeway. Exit Hollywood Blvd. Turn left and drive about one mile. You’re there!

Twenty- to thirty-minute drives from here include Los Rios Historical District near the mission in San Juan Capistrano. Tucked out of sight is a very new, large, and beautiful park devoid of any grass. My little granddaughters love to play there. There is also a very nice Victorian Tea House on Los Rios Street.

In the other direction, we can drive to the historical center of the city of Orange where the blocks near the Plaza (no, it’s not a “circle”) are protected by the Historical Society. For walkers, the first block or two fanning out from the Plaza in all directions hold many delights.

There is an excellent Parisian Tea Room just a few steps from the plaza.

The charming, Victorian McCharles Tea House is located in the older section of Tustin across the street from the school district offices. There are some interesting and historical shops nearby.

I wonder if any of you readers have driven east on El Toro Road for 30 minutes or more. It's a nice drive and you can turn into Modjeska Canyon to visit the Bird Sanctuary. Small but well-managed, it's a hidden treat for all ages. Someday perhaps the community will be able to reopen Madame Modjeska's home to the public.

You don't want to drive outside the community? I met a Village resident some years ago, who managed to have many happy experiences outside our gates despite her necessity to follow a strict budget. She was a walker and told me she had given up driving to be certain that she could afford to live here. On rainy days she began taking the Village bus to the mall. There she met other budget-minded residents who walked with her. When they sat down for some coffee, they began making plans for nice weather outings. Four to six of them would meet at the OCTA stop by Gate Five. Receiving senior discounts, they would carry their lunches onto the bus which took them to the main beach in Laguna. They had many happy adventures there, always returning by 4 p.m.

Last year, five of my high school friends wanted to meet at the San Diego Train Station in order to browse a historical section of the city and have lunch with an old classmate who lived there. One friend boarded the AMTRAK in Anaheim, two got on in Orange, I met them at the Irvine station, and we picked up the last friend in San Juan. What a wonderful visit we had along the way.

I feel that our Village location in Orange County is an intangible perk for all of us.

April 2011

Reading through the Letters page of the Globe, we discover that some subjects are often repeatedly addressed through the years. One of these is about member complaints regarding traffic violations. Recently, the complaint has been focused on a number of drivers who choose to roll through the boulevard stop signs in our Village. Our Security officers are constantly addressing this problem - citing many of the drivers who fail to stop. Yet, much of the year, it is the main reason for writing traffic citations.

I served on the United Mutual Traffic committee for three years and was Chairman during my third year. During our monthly closed-session hearings, anyone could attend and contest their citation. Most members chose to accept the accuracy of the citations, paid their fines or attended traffic school. However, about five to ten members would request a hearing in order to present their opinions and evidence in their own defense.

One at a time, we would invite them to sit at the table. I would introduce the committee members and the citing officer. The officer would read the citation and then we usually watched the video taken at the Stop Line in the street. Next, I would invite the resident to share his or her information. Sometimes residents defended their actions as soon as they sat down, saying, "I know that I made a complete stop;" or, “This is my first citation in 40 years! I make legal stops!" Usually, by the time the video had stopped, these members would say, "And I was certain that I had stopped!,” or "I could have sworn that I made a full stop.” A few were incredulous and asked for a replay of the video before being convinced of the violation.

This is where my greatest concern lies. Most of these residents truly believed that they had made a complete stop. Occasionally we'd hear, "I thought that a ‘California Stop’ was a legal stop!" It is impossible to get all the information out to all the people all the time. We need to remember that most of these people believed that the wheels had stopped! So, I hope that the readers of this article will share this following information with as many other residents as possible:

The best way to be absolutely certain that the wheels have truly stopped at the stop sign is to feel your back push against the back of the seat. A kindly officer told me about this many years ago when I "thought" I'd stopped. (I told him that I would share the information with all my friends and he decided not to cite me.) He told me to test myself by slowing down to even five miles per hour before I stopped. The officer explained that even at very slow speeds the body cannot stop as fast as the car and that it will press back against the seat immediately after the car completely stops. Faster speeds equaled a stronger thrust against the seat.

As long as many drivers truly believe that they came to a complete stop when they didn't, roll-throughs at stop signs will continue. While serving on the committee (and Third faces much the same situation), we seldom ever had repeat offenders for failure to stop. But that’s a tough method to rely on for getting out the message. I hope that all readers will share this test with as many people as possible.

The challenge to reach most of the community is complicated by the fact that the Village has about an 18 percent turnover every five years. New residents have a lot of information to absorb. Outside of my Traffic Committee experience, I've not met anyone who had ever learned this technique. Try it and, please, pass it along.

March 2011

Opinions regarding Third Mutual’s lawsuit have been heard around some parts of the Village for many months now. Recently, news about Milt Johns’ countersuit became available. Many, many questions have been raised. All of us who are not a party to either suit or involved in the legal meetings must wait and learn.

This Village is the size (or larger) of, perhaps thousands of cities in America. Most of them deal with lawsuits (in general) from time to time. In our lovely Village it has happened before; it is happening now; and it will probably happen, again. These dramatic clashes of law and opinion, integrity and opportunism, and facts as well as emotion are very stressful for just about everyone involved in the suits. It is my hope that we can adopt a sympathetic attitude for what all parties are experiencing- at least until we know what is determined by the courts. Eventually, the governing boards will inform us of final actions leading to the resolution of all conflicts. The wonderful news I can share today is that no one has told me they plan to move out of the Village due to a lawsuit.

I learned something very interesting about the various organizations called Professional Community Management (PCM). I am sharing the information I acquired after speaking with members of PCM Staff and various current or past members of Boards of Directors for the Four Village corporations. I do believe that the Company responsible for the day-to-day work performed in the Village is titled "PCM Incorporated."

The next level up is "PCM Incorporated of California" which is the company that hires or replaces a general Manager. Donny Disbro is the CEO. The Village Financial Officer is listed as a new CFO (as appeared in the Globe recently) and the general manager is listed as the General Manager of Laguna Woods Village. This organization lists other vice presidents and officers associated with other lines of business which are not a part of PCM Incorporated.

Up one more level is "PCM Incorporated International." I believe that anyone more curious than I can learn names of those entities on the Internet.

Reach again and we discover the company "Associa," which is the holding company for all the others.

In summary, here’s what it looks like:

Milt Johns has filed his cross-complaint against Professional Community Management Incorporated of California, not PCM Incorporated which manages our Village. Yet, it can be confusing as, following page one, the legal document uses only the letters "PCM." No, the hundreds and hundreds of employees who work so hard to provide all services here in Laguna Woods Village are not being sued.

I hope to see all of you and your friends at the next meeting with a spotlight on the wonderful Department of Social Services which serves our Village.

February 2011

I am honored to have been elected as the third president of Friends of the Village. When first asked to run, I thought I would have to decline as I had declined several requests to run again for the United Mutual Board of Directors. But the nominating committee members assured me that with their dynamic Board of Directors I would have few responsibilities beyond leading the membership and board meetings.

They are absolutely correct. The FOV Board is comprised of very bright and wise members dedicated to promoting the best that is to be found in our Village. During the first Board meeting led by me, three different suggestions were made regarding an agenda item. I liked the first one very much. Then the second idea was suggested and I said, "Hey, that's a good one too." But when the third proposal was made, I realized that I valued all three of them and asked for a show of hands. There was no way I could be disappointed with the outcome. This is a delightful experience for a chairman.

I completely support the Friends' Bylaws and objectives. I am proud to have joined a board that wants to promote a positive image of our community, both within our gates and without. Wow! That is truly significant.

I constantly hear the Board members state that they want to communicate correct information to the residents while also reaching out to new residents.

The objective to help residents understand the governance of our community is very near and dear to my heart. I recall, two years ago, the PCM general manager informing United that this Village has about an 18 percent turnover every five years. Thus, correct information is an ongoing need.

I truly believe that we can handle even controversial issues by being very accurate as to our facts and by presenting all sides of an issue as much as possible. Integrity, balance and responsibility can provide excellent programs that benefit everyone reaching for truth as well as enjoyment for a pleasant hour or two.

I hope to see many more of you at the February meeting.

by Lynn Hamm

January 2011

My term as President of Friends of the Village is coming to an end; therefore, this is my last “President’s Message"  It’s not really possible to convey in words how much I admire the FOV Board and committee members that I’ve worked with this year, and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished.

Newsletter:  Our Newsletter is an excellent snapshot of Village life and concerns.  In fact, retiring Globe editor Peggy Blizzard recommended to new editor Barbara Potter that she read the back editions of our Newsletter to get caught up on life in our Village.

Website:  We are also extremely proud of our website.  It’s the go-to site for residents who want in-depth information on the current issues facing our Village.  The goal of our website is to promote and maintain a positive atmosphere in our Village by providing correct information, where topics can range from messages from mutual presidents to the comparison of assessments to the Emeritus Program and even to Village humor.

General Meetings:  We held many informative meetings this year.  To name a few of them, our Meet-the-Candidates and Land Use meetings were very well attended.  In addition, we were honored to have Jerry Storage and Rob Merritt as guest speakers.

It’s been soooo much fun writing my monthly “President’s Message” as I’ve shared my life in our Village, which I truly love.  In 2011, as a United Mutual member, I’ll occasionally be reporting on various United Mutual meetings.

I’m looking forward to another great year in 2011, as Maxine McIntosh has been nominated to be our 2011 president.  Once I got settled here in United, I watched the United Board meetings before I started attending those meetings.  Maxine was a Board member at that time. I was always impressed by how she would research an issue before speaking about it or voting.  I’m grateful that my FOV family will be in such capable hands.  It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as president of our wonderful club.

Thank You, Lynn

November

While writing this “message” in November, my thoughts, of course, turn to being thankful.

I’ve previously mentioned that I’m very lucky to have my mother, brother and sister-in-law living here in the Village. We all took a “leap of faith” when we sold our respective homes and moved here. I believe I can speak for all of us when I say we are very thankful that we took that “leap of fait.h” I was the first to decide to move here; my move was the shortest at just 75 miles from the San Fernando Valley. My mother moved from Tigard, Oregon and my brother from Reston, Virginia.

We all had various reasons for moving here, but the most important was being close to family. In addition, what drew me here was the Equestrian Center, the tennis courts, the proximity to Laguna Beach and the transportation system. On Saturday, November 6, my friend and I did the following: 9 a.m. we watched a horse show at the stables. Our senior and junior riders put on a fun show. Then, the Norco Cowgirls put on a thrilling breakneck display of Indians chasing cowgirls. At 10:45 a.m. we were at the tennis courts watching the finals of the “in-house” Men’s Doubles Championship. Later that afternoon, we found ourselves bumming around Laguna Beach. Where else could I have indulged these various interests in a single day?

The transportation system was also very important to my mother. I’ve previously mentioned that she has macular degeneration. Riding our buses has kept my mother happy and independent. She volunteers at the library, attends events for those with impaired vision and hearing, and is currently taking a Beginning Water Color class. We are all thankful that we can continue to be independent and grow as individuals as we age.

Speaking of continuing to learn as we grow older, a darling girl named Malvina has taught 26-year-old Silver (pictured above) to bow!!! I’ll say it again: my entire family loves living in our beautiful paradise.

 

 

October

Recent Elections

On Tuesday, October 12, I attended the United Mutual Annual Meeting. During the meeting, it was announced that approximately one-third of the United residents voted in our recent election. I know I shouldn't be shocked by this statistic, but I am, just as I'm equally shocked by the voting statistics usually reflected in our state and national elections. However, as far as United Mutual is concerned, I think the election statistics reflect that our members are quite happy with how our Mutual is being run by the Board. In the Third Mutual election, 47.8 percent of the members voted, with the "Take Back Our Village" slate winning. I believe this much larger percentage of voters is a referendum against the direction the Third Mutual Board has been taking.

By being a member of Friends of the Village and reading this Newsletter you are displaying your proactive interest in the well-being of our community. I urge you to continue to attend or watch your board and Golden Rain Foundation meetings. And, remember, the groundwork is basically all performed in the committee meetings. We all need to stay on top of the issues that are important in keeping our Village one of the premier over-55 communities in the United States. Turf Reduction In United

In the August 19, 2010, edition of the Orange County Register, there was an article about water conservation. In this article, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the El Toro Water District stated lawns are a poor way to conserve water, as they are “thirsty.” United has just completed another sustainable garden at Avenida Sevilla and Ronda Sevilla. Under-utilized “thirsty” grass was removed in order to comply with the El Toro Water District’s water restrictions, and sustainable plants and trees have been planted. It is a lovely destination point for people who live nearby, or even if they don’t, it’s well worth visiting and taking some time to relax and walk the paths. I’m lucky enough to be able to walk there with my dog, as I live by Gate 3. Now residents have the creek and this new garden where we can gather and enjoy the fresh air while being in a beautiful setting. The United Board and Landscape Committee are to be commended for their forward thinking.

Brunch At The Towers

Have you had the pleasure of attending a Sunday Brunch at the Towers? My family and I consider the Brunch one of the treasures of our Village. I didn’t know about the Brunch until a resident wrote about it in a letter to our Globe. We decided to check it out and have been going there every couple of months. We’d go more often, but our waistlines couldn’t handle it. When we first started going, the brunches were held on the first and third Sundays of each month. Now, due to the popularity of the brunches, they’ve added the second Sunday as well. Seatings are from 11:00 to 1:00, at a cost of $15 per person!!! They have a bagel, lox, white fish and shrimp station, a salad station, and the main station which always has a selection of eggs benedict, prime rib, design-your-own omelets and Belgian waffles, etc. Of course, there is a dessert table with a changing variety of desserts; however, they always seem to have a delicious bread pudding and blintzes as part of the mix. We’ve already attended brunch this month, and before we left, we booked for next month. You can take your own champagne, or if you forget, you can purchase splits at the reception desk. I really recommend that you check out this “Village treasure.”

August

I recently celebrated my third anniversary of living here in our beautiful Village. I love my manor and its location even more than when I first moved in. The three years have flown by, and I'll soon be voting for a third time, because I intend to have a say in who I think should fill the about-to-be-vacated United Mutual director seats.

To date, eleven candidates have filed for the four about- to-be-vacated Third Mutual seats; and four people have filed for the three United Mutual seats. As you can see, Third is going to have a hotly contested election, which I believe is certainly due in part to the lawsuit filed against PCM on June 10, 2010.

Third Mutual will be mailing out ballots on September 1; those ballots are due by October 1. United will be mailing out its ballots on September 3; those ballots are due on October 6 by 9 a.m. All ballots will be counted on October 6.

It’s really important that all residents take an interest in learning the views and opinions of their respective candidates. The people who are elected to the Boards will be very instrumental in shaping the future of our Village for the next three years!! Third will be holding its "Meet the Candidates" meeting at 10 a.m. on September 1. United's meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on September 8. Websites have even been developed in order to help reach out to residents, and we should all check them out.

This past Monday, August 23, Friends of the Village held its “Meet the Candidates” meeting. Almost every candidate was able to participate. It was an action- packed, very informative and well-attended meeting. We all got to know our respective candidates better. I want to thank all of the candidates for their participation and willingness to give of themselves for the good of the Village; they are to be commended.

I also want to thank all of the residents who came to the meeting and the FOV club members who are always so instrumental in making our meetings so successful.

In conclusion, I’m always shocked to learn how few people vote in our national, state and local elections, and thus have a HUGE say in our future. Lets ALL get out and vote and make our voices heard this September. Last but certainly not least, thank you Sheila Bialka, for being a terrific moderator.

 

 

June/July 2010

On Thursday, June 3rd, we held our last meeting till we meet again in September. The United Mutual Board appeared and shared a lot of valuable information thoughout their presentations and as they answered numerous questions from the United residents. We also celebrated our First Anniversary. We really appreciated so many people coming out to help us celebrate our first year.

As this First Anniversary approached, I reviewed the history of FOV, and was reminded that there was a core group of directors and ex-directors who recognized the need for a club that would promote Laguna Woods Village. One of their goals was to insure that correct information would be disseminated in order to maintain a positive atmosphere both inside and outside our community. OUR NEWSLETTER IS A REFLECTION OF THEIR GOAL. That core group was: Cynthia Connors, Kathryn Freshley, Bob Hatch, Noel Hatch, Barbara Marsh, Isabel Muennichow, Mary Robertson, Larry Souza and Denise Welch. They are to be commended for their dedication to our beautiful Village.

Our celebration this June got me thinking about the first FOV meeting held on May 12, 2009. My Mother and I were excited to attend this meeting because we were anxious to meet more people who loved the Village as we did. Actually, it was puzzling to us that all we seemed to read in the Globe and OC Register were complaints, while we were so glad that we had taken our leap of faith in buying into this community.

Noel Hatch was the moderator of the first meeting, and this was the first time I was exposed to his charm. During Noel’s presentation, he showed a very interesting PowerPoint presentation of pictures taken back in the 1960's when the Village was first open to residents. Sheep were grazing outside our walls where CVS now stands! At one point, Noel mentioned that his wife noticed that all the residents in these pictures were smiling, and indeed they were. Mrs. Hatch's comment has stayed with me. My hope for the Village is that we can come to a place where all of our residents get back to that feeling of joy in living in our beautiful Village.

 

 

May 2010

I’ve previously mentioned that I lived in the San Fernando Valley when the BIG earthquake hit in January 1994. I can't begin to convey to you how awful it was for my family to be standing in our respective doorways in the dark at 4:00 a.m., hearing everything crashing and breaking, while the house was shaking so much it felt like it would literally fall down on us. What compounded our distress was realizing that we had never thought about disaster preparedness, and to make it even worse, we didn't have earthquake insurance. I vowed then and there that if I survived, I would never again be without earthquake insurance. I’ve kept that promise to myself. We did get some FEMA funds which was enough to help us rebuild our block walls, as we had a pool; but it took along time to complete the rest of the repairs on our own. Unfortunately, we never did move forward on preparing for another disaster.

After 2 1/2 years of living here, the fire in Third Mutual this past January was motivation to attend the Community Civic Association's (CCA) Insurance Awareness meeting. Ironically, this meeting was scheduled prior to the January fire. Scott Dunham, PCM’s Risk Manager, and insurance agent Mary Beth Barbera were the speakers. They explained what PCM’s responsibilites are to condo and co-op owners. They also explained what kind of homeowners insurance we should all have and what levels of coverage are appropriate for condo and co-op owners. My mother and I had our insurance documents with us, so we could follow along and compare our coverage with Scott and Mary Beth’s recommendations. I was happy to discover that my insurance agent made sure that I have appropriate coverage as a co-op owner. My mother wasn’t so lucky; her coverage was grossly inadequate. We took care of this problem the following week. The CCA has a booklet titled, "Laguna Woods Village Insurance Needs for 2010." I highly recommend that residents pick up this booklet, review your homeowners coverage and document your personal property.

As this year progressed, we learned of MAJOR earthquakes around the world; and we even experienced a nice little jolt on Easter Sunday. These facts sent me to the April 15th Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting and the April 19th Disaster Preparedness Good Neighbor/Building Captain meeting. These meetings were very informative. At the Committee meeting I learned about the plans in place and dedicated neighbors who are set to go into action if we are ever hit by a major disaster. For example, we have 30 ham radio operators here in the Village. They are poised to coordinate with the City and County in the event of a disaster.

At the Good Neighbor meeting, we learned the importance of making preparations to "shelter in place." We should all have at LEAST a week’s supply of water, canned and prepared food, flashlights with extra batteries and pet food. It was pointed out that we moved here to live independent lives. Therefore, we must be prepared to take care of ourselves and our neighbors in the event of a major disaster. It's also important to have a "go bag" by our front doors in the event we have to exit our manors in a hurry. This bag should contain medications, cash in small bills, a good basic first aid kit, extra eye glasses, and a copy of important documents. The Third Mutual residents who lived in the building that burned had to run out without a chance to gather any personal belongings. The disaster Preparedness Office at our Community Center sells a "Three Day Survival Bag" full of too many supplies for me to list here. I ordered one of these bags for my mother for Mother's Day. I highly recommend that you go to these meetings and check out the equipment and supplies that are on sale at their office.

The last meeting I attended on my quest for knowledge was the April 22nd CCA's Fire Safety meeting. I learned so much. One thing I learned, is that it's much harder to use a fire extinguisher than I thought it would be; it took more pressure than I imagined. I do want to share some important advice in the event of fire called ACE: Alarm-call 911; Confine-close the door of the room that has the fire; Evacuate-by staying low.

The bottom line is that there is no way I could share all of the information I learned at these four meetings. I strongly urge everyone to seek out these meetings. You won't regret it, in fact I'd hate to have you regret your lack of preparedness. Since attending these meetings I now have seven gallons of water, extra canned goods and pet food stored in my manor and parking storage. I also have a "go bag" by my front door. I must say that it's VERY comforting and empowering to have taken these "preparedness" steps. I never again want to feel as helpless and unprepared as I did that dark morning in January 1994.

We are so fortunate to live in our Village, where so many people are willing to help us live safe and independent lives. Kudos to the Community Civic Association and the Disaster Task Force volunteers for devoting so much of your time to your fellow Village residents.

 

April 2010

My Mother is a very smart woman. But, let me digress for a moment. When she moved here a little over three years ago, she came from a small over-55 community in Oregon. This community had a small clubhouse and no organized transportation system. Unfortunately, she had previously been diagnosed with macular degeneration and the disease was progressing. After touring the Village, she realized our transportation system would enable her to continue to live a fulfilled and independent life.

As her macular degeneration progressed, she started to investigate our bus system. Mom would arbitrarily hop on a bus with pen and pad in hand, and take note of where that particular bus went and at what times. After about a year of living here, she was no longer able to drive her car. She immediately sold her car and bought a golf cart and started taking the buses. Mom volunteers at our library, attends impaired vision club meetings and activities, shops and keeps her doctor appointments by either driving her golf cart or taking a bus.

I thought it was time that I explore our transportation system especially since the GRF Bus Services Committee has been implementing service-oriented and cost-saving measures. And what better way to do so than by tagging along with my Mother, the experienced bus rider! Our first trip was on bus #4, driven by Lou.

When Lou learned I was taking my first "ride,” he explained the bus transfer system at various locations and how the routes were planned to work on an hourly schedule. We went by CVS, the medical towers and the mall where we got off. I wanted to buy a tee shirt and socks. Since we had an hour to kill, I ended up spending $140. We went home on bus #12. Our second excursion was to Moulton Plaza. This time we took bus #4 to gate 5 and transferred to bus #5 which was a new bus with comfortable seats.

I spent $80 on this trip. By this time I was ready to take a trip on my own to the Trader Joe's area. Since I didn't have a Daily Boarding Time Schedule, I called 597-4659. I explained where I lived and that I wanted to take a bus to Trader Joe's. A very nice gentleman told me to be at my bus stop at 5 minutes after the hour, and that I'd be transferring to bus #2 at clubhouse 1. I arrived at my bus bench a few minutes ahead of schedule, read my book, heard a bus coming in the opposite direction and by the time I saw that it was bus #1, it was too late to flag him down. So, at that point I drove to our community center, picked up a schedule, drove to clubhouse 1, reviewed the posted routes and realized the bus #1 route on Avenida Majorca only went in one direction. I'd always have to pick it up on the opposite side of my street. A few days later I did make it to Trader Joe’s; I spent $60. All the drivers were very friendly and accommodating and the buses all arrived right on schedule.

I highly recommend that all residents check out our wonderful transportation system. Pick up a bus route schedule, review the various route paths displayed at Clubhouse 1 and become familiar with this service. It's one of the reasons that a lot of us chose to live here in the Village. It's very comforting to know that we can continue to live active independent lives when we are no longer able to drive. Monday through Saturday we can take the 11 fixed route buses or the 8 fixed route buses on Sundays, with "Plan-A-Ride" service between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. also available on Sundays. For more informaton on "Plan-A-Ride" you can call (949) 268-2590 or visit www.lagunawoodsvillage.com.

In conclusion, I admire my Mother tremendously. She is such an inspiration. When circumstances dictated that she would have to make lifestyle changes, she didn't sit around and complain. Instead, she got moving with the help of our wonderful system!

 

 

March 2010.

Mr. Jerry Storage, the new PCM General Manager, spoke at our March 4th General Meeting. We already knew about the scope of Mr. Storage's prior responsibilities here in the Village; as Manager of Maintenance and Construction, Security and Transportation.

However, when our program Chairwoman, Barbara Marsh, read his resume, we learned of his VERY impressive education, technical training and work experience. Therefore, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position. Friends of the Village fully supports Mr. Storage and hopes that with his promotion to General Manager, the Boards can now concentrate on ensuring that our community continues to be the best over-55 community in the country.

In addition, I hope the residents can now come together and make living here the most positive experience possible. A wise man recently said to me that everyone should take "two steps" back, look around at our beautiful Village and realize how lucky we are to live here. So, let's take "two steps” back and then all move forward together as we usher in a new era of cooperation, trust and civility.

February 2010.

Within the space of five days, our Village experienced two disastrous events: a fire in Third Mutual on January 14th, and a flood in United Mutual on January 19th. We saw and experienced the meaning of “community.” The fire affected a 3-story building, and the flood affected cul de sac 67. Emergency personnel, PCM staff, City officials, Directors, CCA, the Red Cross and our community Disaster Preparedness Task Force all reacted immediately to come to the aid of stricken neighbors. Food, blankets, and shelter were provided. Temporary lodging was arranged, and arrangements were even made for temporary prescriptions for those who had to run out of their manors due to the fire.

The flood at cul de sac 67 occurred just four days after the PCM General Manager had the storm drains cleaned out. Unfortunately, the “perfect storm” hit us. A storm from the north and a storm from the south met, and as I watched the water rise in my atrium, I realized the rain water had nowhere to go. Our infrastructure could not cope with the amount of rain we received in such a short period of time. I live off of cul de sac 66 and thus saw the aftermath of the flooding. Risk Manager Scott Dunham and Security Manager Jerry Storage were on site, and PCM staff worked all night cleaning up and putting plastic and sandbags around the manors most at risk in case a second storm hit with such intensity. Temporary lodging was again arranged for people who lived in the manors surrounding the cul de sac. PCM staff kept the United Directors and affected residents updated throughout this crisis.

When each if us made the decision to move here, we were joining a community of people who shared our life experiences and interests. During these two crises, what really resonated with me was seeing neighbor helping neighbor. We are a true community, living, sharing and supporting each other. I lived in Los Angeles in 1994, when the “big” earthquake hit. Actually, I lived about four miles from the epicenter. My neighbors and family had to handle our own massive clean up and arrange for all our own repairs. We didn't have a PCM. Kudos to Milt Johns and PCM for their tireless around-the-clock efforts on our community’s behalf.

In closing, we really appreciate everyone who attended our February 4th meeting. Your attendance greatly contributed to the success of the meeting. I also want to Thank all of the FOV Publicity, Greeting, Membership, Refreshment, Telephone and Program committee members for their hard work. We had 200 chairs set out and had to add approximately 100 more to accommodate our guests.FOV wants to extend a special thanks to our moderator, the charming Noel Hatch (I think Mrs. Hatch is a lucky woman); and PCM General Manager Milt Johns for presenting a very interesting and informative program.

January 2010.

I want to begin by thanking Barbara Marsh and Friends of the Village for the privilege to serve as President in 2010. Our Club has been in existence for less than a year and has worked hard to provide correct information to our residents and promote a more positive image of our Village.

Now, I’d like to introduce myself. I worked for 23 years for the Screen Actors Guild-Producers Pension and Health Plans. I was Director of the Participant Services and Pension Departments at our main Burbank office and also Director of our New York office and a small satellite office in Miami. I really enjoyed working with the actors and staff. However, I was fortunate to qualify for early retirement in order to devote myself to the last year and a half of my brave and beautiful daughter’s life. Kelley faced her illness with such courage and grace. I also have a warm and kind son, Travis, who lives in Los Angeles. I’m very proud of my children.

Years passed and then, approximately three years ago, I called my mother and announced that I was selling my house and moving to Laguna Woods Village. I went on to list the Village’s numerous world-class amenities but said, most importantly, I knew the Village was a place where I could grow older with dignity and maintain my independence. To make a long story short, my mother moved here in March 2007 and I moved into the Village in July 2007; we are part of United. My brother and sister-in-law moved here in January 2008 and live in Third Mutual. In addition, just this week, a horse named Silver became part of my family. You can see that I have a major vested interest in our Village and its future, as my family is part of United, Third and the Equestrian Center!

Currently, I am an advisor on the United M&C Committee, on the Saddle Club Board and a member of the Tennis Club. If you live by Gate 3, you've probably seen me walking my Lab mix, Sampson.

I am looking forward to working with the wonderful Friends of the Village Board and committees. The Program Committee has developed a slate of very interesting topics to be presented throughout the year. We hope you will join us at our general meetings and visit our website.