- 1 -
At the Towers, old traditions continue and
new traditions are made! See pages 12-13
to join the fun.
October 2016
Share the BreezeDo you know someone who would like to
receive the Breeze? Forward this email to a
friend and tell them to click here to sign up
to receive the Village Breeze by email, or
visit www.lagunawoodsvillage.com, and
click the sign up link at the top right of any
page.
A Joint Publication of the Laguna Woods Village Corporations
In This Edit ion...The Golden Rain Foundat ion is on a roll!
This month in GRF, it's all about getting
around. Check out the movement being
made by the Mobility and Vehicles
Committee, and mark your calendars for
Transportation Awareness Day. Cruise over
to pages 2-4 to get the scoop.
United has a reason to celebrate: there
will be no increase in monthly assessments
for 2017! Read more in President Ross' and
Treasurer English's reports. Plus, meet First
Vice President Jan LaBarge. Join the
celebration on pages 4-8.
In Third, champagne all around! Monthly
assessments will go down by 57 cents in
2017. See Third Treasurer Tao?s report for
all the happy details. See pages 8-12 for all
the happy details.
Photo by Pat Wilkinson
- 2 -
Mark your Calendars: Transportat ion Awareness Day is November 3!Get the scoop on transportation options available to you at the
Laguna Woods Village Transportation Awareness Day. The new
and improved Village bus system will be showcased, and there
will be snacks, raffle prizes, and informative exhibitor booths.
Transportation Awareness Day takes place Thursday, November
3, 2016 at Clubhouse 5. Drop by anytime from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. The event is free to Laguna Woods Village residents and
their guests.
The RFID Rollout is on a Roll!Over 8,500 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags have been applied to
date. In just one day, over 1,100 decals were applied! The RFID rollout
continues through Thursday, October 20. Click here for the schedule orpick
one up at the Community Center or any clubhouse. If you missed your date,
or can?t make it on one of your scheduled dates, you are welcome to go to any
of t dates/times on the schedule. RFID tags will be applied to Golf Carts
Wednesday, October 19 and Thursday October 20 at Clubhouse 7.
October 2016
Mobility and Vehicles Committee RoundupThe GRF Mobility and Vehicles Committee is developing a route alternative to deliver riders directly to the
Braille Institute located at the northwest corner of Ridge Route and Moulton. Currently, riders wishing to visit
the Braille Institute must exit the bus at the southwest corner (near the Florence Sylvester Senior Center) and
walk across the street. The committee feels the amended route will be a great advantage to our visually
impaired riders. Visit the Braille Institute: Laguna Hills Neighborhood Center online at www.brailleinstitute.org.
The DMV Senior Guide for safe driving is available online and will soon be available at the Clubhouses. This
guidebook contains valuable information for the senior driver, including common senior driving challenges, a
self-assessment questionnaire, tips for making adjustments to your vehicle, the DMV reexamination process,
and advice on when you should turn your keys in and let Laguna Woods Village Transit do the driving for you!
- 3 -
The Transportat ion Work Improvement PlanA new, five-point transportation work improvement plan is underway:
1. Consolidate: Merge the existing 11 Fixed Routes on weekdays into eight fixed routes, as currently
provided on the weekends, and adjust the routes to result in identical weekday and weekend
schedules for all routes, with no changes to the Lift Bus service.
2. Convert : Change existing Fixed Routes currently used from 4 to 5 p.m. daily to Plan-A-Ride service
daily.
3. Educate: Launch a Transportation Education/Promotion/Marketing Campaign to increase utilization
of all transportation services provided to the community and to fully inform residents prior to any
service changes.
4. Downsize and Upgrade: Begin partial replacement of the
Transportation fleet with smaller, more efficient, alternative-fuel units.
5. Partner: Partner with outside organizations to supplement and
enhance transportation services to the community, and to reduce
operational costs.
Bus riders can expect to see route improvements implemented in November of this year. Interested
residents are encouraged to attend a Mobility and Vehicles Committee Meeting, which takes place the third
Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Center Board Room.
Recycled Water in Laguna Woods Village: What?s NextEl Toro Water District (ETWD) Assistant General Manager, Dennis Cafferty, happily reports that completion of
the construction of a $34 million recycled water project that allows the
conversion to recycled water of 200 dedicated irrigation meters. The
majority of those meters are in Third. The next phase is expected to begin
early next year, will cost $10 million, and convert 50 dedicated irrigation
meters near Gate 9 to recycled water.
Any future expansion of recycled water is constrained by available supply.
Recycled water supply is limited by the amount of raw wastewater flowing
into the Water Recycling Plant. The average influent at the ETWD Plant is
between 3.0 and 3.5 million gallons per day of raw wastewater. Recently,
the demand for one day was nearly 3 million gallons. Once the Phase II
Project is complete, the demand will be close to the maximum supply
capability, especially in the summer. ETWD regularly monitors the supply
and demand.
October 2016
Bus riders can expect to see
route improvements
implemented in November of
this year.
- 4 -
Kick your Bulky Trash to the Curb!
There has been an excessive amount of bulk items
left in or near the trash areas. Bulky items are those
items too large or heavy to place in a trash or
recycling bin, and include furniture-couches, beds,
clean mattresses, television consoles, appliances
and all forms of Electronic Waste (E-Waste), outdoor
equipment and machinery, and other large items.
These items are causing inconvenience, safety
concerns, and a negative aesthetic for the Village.
Waste Management, Inc. (WM) offers free monthly
bulky item collection the third Saturday of each
United Roundupby United President Lenny Ross
On August 30, 2016, United Board members and the
Community had the opportunity to meet seven
impressive candidates running for the open seats
being vacated by Eva Lydick, Barbara Copley and
Ming Lee Chang. Special thanks to Eva, Barbara, and
Ming Lee for their great service to the Board and the
Community. Congratulations to new Directors
Maggie Blackwell, Robert Morrison, and Andre
Torng!
During the monthly Board meeting, Steve Leonard
was selected to replace Tom Sirkel, who has been
elected to GRF. Thanks to Tom for his great service
month. Place your bulky items near your trash
enclosure or in the same location that you place
your trash carts. Bulky items may be set out the
night prior and no later than 7 a.m. on the day of
collection. For more information, please call
Resident Services at 949-597-4600. Click here or
visit www.lagunawoodsvillage.com for the Bulky
Items Pickup dates and details for 2016.
The City through WM also offers free in-home bulky
item collection on an on-call basis. Residents may
schedule up to two in-home bulky item collections
per calendar year, with a maximum of five bulky
items per collection. To schedule an in-home bulky
item collection, simply call Resident Services at
949-597-4600.
to the community while on the United Board. We
wish him well while on GRF.
With the addition of three new members, our Board
no longer has any vacancies, and has five new
members out of its
11-member team.
United has
initiated a new
Solar Program with
Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI). JCI received all of the
required permits and is preparing to begin placing
solar panels on some of our carports. As part of the
program, the push-button electrical boxes and the
water heaters in our laundry rooms will be replaced,
October 2016
"As a result of changes made,
there are no increases in our
assessments for 2017!"
-United President Lenny Ross
- 5 -
October 2016
increasing efficiency and lowering utility costs. A
Town Hall Meeting occurred on September 26, in
the Community Center Board Room at 4 p.m., to
explained the program in more detail.
The 2017 Budget is now complete. United is taking
on many larger projects including solar, electric
panels and water heater replacements. Through
the reorganizing efforts of CEO, Brad Hudson, the
new senior management team has been able to
lay the groundwork to improve and automate
many provided services. As a result of changes
made, there are no increases in our assessments
for 2017! If you do see an increase in your
assessments, it is because of an increase in your
property taxes.
United Finance Reportby United Treasurer Pat English
Home Resales for August 2016
- The monthly average for the total sales
volume through August 2016 was
$10,053,184 compared to August 2015 when
the total sales volume monthly average was
$9,636,022. This represents a 4.3 percent
increase in sales volume.
- The monthly Average Resale Price through
August 2016 was $222,898, compared to the
monthly average through August 2015,
which was $215,940. This represents an
overall 3.2 percent increase in monthly
average resale price.
- In addition, the leasing rate dropped from
eight percent in July 2016 down to 7.8
percent in August 2016.
Delinquency Report for August 2016
- United Delinquency Report for August 2016,
showed our delinquencies at $72,507 which
is down from the July 2016 figure of $87,111.
In addition, the total number of delinquent
units for August was just 26, compared to 41
in July. United can probably boast the lowest
HOA delinquency rate in the country!
Finance Committee Report for July 2016:
Revenues & Expenses
- Total Revenues through July 2016 are
$22,703,000.
- Total Expenses through July 2016 are
$22,144,000.
- Excess Revenues over Expenses through July
2016 are $559,000.
- Operating Expenses for July 2016 includes
Outside Services of $1,591,000 of which
$1,328,107 represents 35 percent of the solar
contract of $3,794,591.
On September 13, 2016, United approved the 2017
Business Plan (Budget) of nearly $38 million with an
additional $15 million for GRF. The good news is
that, in spite of the solar contract, a surplus from
prior years will offset expenses resulting in no
assessment increase for 2017. Practicing prudent
financing requires a plan to reimburse the
Contingency Fund for the amount taken out for the
solar.
"United can probably boast the lowest
HOA delinquency rate in the country!"
-United Treasurer Pat English
- 6 -
October 2016
Avoid a Fine: Don?t Miss Your Electrical Panel Installat ion Appointment!by United Second VP Don Tibbets
Staff is in the process of changing out old ?Pushmatic? electrical panels to newer and safer panels. To
arrange for the installation, Staff calls residents and sets up an appointment two weeks ahead of the
scheduled visit. On occasion, when the vendor arrives to do the scheduled work, the resident is not at
home. This results in a $250 charge by the vendor, to United. This charge will be passed on to the resident
who breaks the initial appointment. To avoid this penalty, if you are not going to be at home for the
scheduled visit, call Resident Services at 949-597-4600 at least one week ahead of the originally
scheduled appointment and have the date rescheduled.
Hours for contractors have been changed to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
Saturdays, and no work on Sundays. Quiet work only may be done from 7 to 8 a.m. on weekdays. These
hours will now be the same as the work hours for Third, GRF, and staff.
Solar Project Underwayby United Director Eva Lydick
Letters have been sent to the residents of four United cul-de-sacs (where solar panels will be placed
on the carports) to alert the residents that they will need to temporarily remove their vehicles from
these structures. Click here or visit www.lagunawoodsvillage.com for a schedule of work.
Meet United First VP Jan LaBargeMichigan native, mother of two sons, and former
military spouse, Director Jan LaBarge claims to have
mastered three things; flexibility, adaptability and
packing ability. These skills have allowed her to
move about the country making an unusual,
multinational group of friends and experiencing a
variety of occupational opportunities.
Jan spent the majority of her professional career in
education teaching upper division math. Her most
treasured position though was that of overseeing
Student Government; there she guided students to
develop governing documents, a line of clothing
and athletic wear for
student use, create
and manage a store,
established an events
restaurant, proms,
dances, festivals, and
car and fashion
shows. Students also
provided a yearly
election complete
with caucuses, election paraphernalia, speeches,
debates, etc. She believes Trump and Clinton have
nothing on these aspiring politicians.
Additionally, Jan was in charge of public relations
and advertising for a craft co-op store. She planned,
- 7 -
October 2016
organized a team, and they did a complete remodel
in one day. She?s worked as a consultant for, ?Think
Tank,? Rand Corp, doing field work for teen drug use
research and operated her own business designing
and manufacturing a leaded-glass-look window
treatment, used in commercial and residential
remodeling. Prior to moving to Orange County, Jan
was the Greater Los Angeles, California Retired
Teachers Association?s, District Elections Director
and Communications and PR Director.
Jan has been Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice
President for United Mutual and, before politics,
enjoyed the PC Club, Art Club, Emeritus classes in
art, physical fitness, and writing; played a mean
game of basketball, and hit long, but crooked,
drives in golf. She also played Bridge, and still loves
shopping, travel, theater and concerts. She is
currently serving on United?s Maintenance and
Construction Committee, as well as GRF?s
Community Activities and Media and
Communications Committees. Jan has also served
on United?s Parking and Finance Committees, as
well as GRF?s Mobility and Vehicles, and
Landscaping as well as, ad hoc committees for
United Appliance Review and United Paint
Selection. She is currently United?s editor for The
Village Breeze and originated the now defunct,
Village Christmas Dinner.
Snow and Sunbirds: Maintaining your Manor During your AbsenceThe Southern California climate causes many
people to flock to Laguna Woods Village for a
portion of the year when the climate at their
primary place of residence is less than ideal.
Nicknamed snow and sunbirds, seasonal residents
are commonplace at Laguna Woods Village. If you
happen to be one of them, read on for important
tips on how to protect and maintain your manor in
your absence.
1. Turn off the water supply lines: To prevent
a plumbing emergency, it is crucial that you
turn off the water supply lines to sinks,
toilets, water heater, and other fixtures, and
turn off the electrical breaker for the water
heater. Not sure how to turn them off? Call
Resident Services at 949-597-4600.
2. Schedule an unoccupied manor
inspect ion: Call Resident Services at
949-597-4600 to schedule an inspection of
your home when you are away for an
extended period of time.
3. Keep your contact informat ion current : It
is crucial that your housing mutual is able to
contact you in your absence. In addition to
your Laguna Woods Village phone number,
you can and should provide an alternate
number such as a cell phone or second home
phone number and an email address. Call
Resident Services at 949-597-4600 to
double-check or update your contact
information.
4. Have an emergency key on file: Laguna
Woods Village has a voluntary key program
in which Members may place a key on file in
the Community Center at no cost, to be used
in case of emergencies. Emergencies would
include access by the Member in the event
they misplace their copy of the entry key,
checking the welfare of a Member by
Security, or checking for property damage
by Maintenance personnel. Click here for
- 8 -
October 2016
more information on the key file program or talk to Resident Services at 949-597-4600.
5. Purchase and maintain insurance: Having Homeowners Insurance is one of the most important
things you can do to protect yourself and your home in case of a maintenance issue or emergency.
Homeowners in Laguna Woods Village should obtain Liability and Fire Insurance, and if you are
renting your unit, Landlord Insurance. Click here for information about the importance of obtaining
insurance for your manor, or call 949-597-4202.
6. Keep in touch: Sign up for the Village Breeze and check your emails from Laguna Woods Village.
Hot FlashesBy Third Secretary Burt Baum
Board Bulletins
The Third Board made some weighty decisions at the September meeting
(the 200 page agenda was probably enough to make the Guinness Book of
Records). Here are some of the key updates and actions taken:
- Finance?2017 Business Plan was adopted. Assessments next year will go down 57 cents/month.
Spending this year on operations through July 31, 2016 was $600,000 under budget. Champagne all
around!
- Solar?Getting sunnier and sunnier. Final solar contract signed. Installation of solar panels on the
roofs of 12 of the three-story buildings will occur when the program starts in October. The goal of
flipping the ?on? switch for the whole operation by year?s end looks attainable. Read Director Walsh?s
article for more ?shocking? disclosures.
- Landscape?Activities to save water are being intensified this fall. Ground cover greens programs in
the Gate 11 and 14 areas will start in October. Tired of bare spots around your manor? Call Resident
Services to enroll in the ground cover greens transition program, and see Director Tung?s write up for
more information.
- Maintenance?Think the paint on your manor is looking shabby? Help is on the way. The Board voted
to go back to the shorter 10-year cycle and eliminate the separate prior-to-paint program. Also,
residents in one and two-story buildings will have an easier path to installing solar panels on their
roofs.
- Purchasing?The Board has approved streamlined Purchasing Policies and Procedures, put together
- 9 -
October 2016
by a joint task force, that will make it easier for the Boards, Management and Vendors to work
together to get the best results for the community. See Director Moldow?s write up.
- Personnel Notes?Treasurer Tao is retiring after serving her initial three year term and Director Gros is
termed out (served two terms). They have worked hard and deserve recognition for their efforts.
Good luck to both of them. Congratulations to new directors Joseph Camera, Steve Parsons and
incumbents Bert Moldow and Rosemarie diLorenzo-Dickens.
Finance ReportBy Third Financial Advisor Wei-Ming Tao
Total Revenue through July 31: The assessments
residents pay go into two accounts: one for reserves
that cover longer range projects and serve as ?rainy
day funds,? the other for operating costs that cover
day to day expenses such as utilities and salaries.
We are pleased to report that as of July 31 we had a
total surplus of $2.3 million ($1.8 million in reserves
and $600 thousand in operating expenses), both
better than the budgeted amount. We expect to
spend the $1.8 million reserve surplus by the end of
the year.
2017 Budget : The 2017 Business Plan was
approved at the September board meeting, and the
good news is that monthly assessments will be
reduced slightly and come in at somewhat less than
$620. Moreover, both the laundry and the Garden
Villa Rec Room and Elevator surcharges will be
reduced by more than a $1 a month. Assessments
were stabilized by decreases in our electricity costs
through energy reduction projects; decreases in our
water costs through conservation; and the
elimination of our management fee as a result of the
formation of VMS.
Overall, the monthly assessments will be affected by
the following major factors:
- A reduction in Total Non-assessment
Revenue (money that the Mutual gets in fees,
etc.)
- A decrease in Total Expenses as discussed
above.
- An increase in Total Reserve Contributions.
- A decrease in Total Assessments to GRF
(money from your assessments that goes to
cover recreation and other services).
Monthly Resales: People are always moving in!
Through August 2016, Third averaged the same
number of resales per month as in the previous
year. Furthermore, total sales volume and the
average price of a manor, year to date, rose 10
percent.
Monthly Leasing: Through July 2016, about 27
percent of Third?s manors were leased per month,
slightly less than in the previous year.
Solar UpdateBy Third Second VP Bill Walsh
Third Mutual has just signed the final contract with Solar Optimum Co. to install SunPower Corporation
solar panels on 12 Garden Villa buildings. The installation will begin in early October. Staff will provide all
- 10 -
residents in the affected Garden Villa buildings with details on the process and a schedule for the work.
The current plan calls for the installation of solar panels on two Garden Villa buildings per week. Solar
Optimum will have two teams of installers working concurrently, one team per building. Solar Optimum will
provide ground support for safety, security and traffic control around the building sites.
Letner Roofing, Third Mutual?s roofing contractor, will be working closely
with the installers to properly seal any roof penetrations required for
electrical conduits or solar panel anchors.
All the electricity generated by these panels will be put on the grid and
offset costs for electricity for the common areas by about 80 percent. This
will reduce that portion of the assessments for electricity.
None of the electricity generated by these solar panels will benefit
individual manors. Third Mutual members will, however, be reaping the benefits of this 841kWh solar
installation for 25 years and more. The Mutual will save millions of dollars in electricity costs during this
period, especially if electricity costs rise at their historical rates of four to five percent per year. These
savings will help mitigate some of the costs to repair Third Mutual?s leaking plumbing lines, failing sewer
lines and manors with dry rot.
October 2016
"Third Mutual will save
millions of dollars in electricity
costs from the electricity
generated by these panels."
-Third Director Bill Walsh
Convert to Ground Cover Greens and save some Green!By Third First VP James Tung
Recently, the Landscape Department, in response to
the drought and the ongoing water shortage, has
intensified efforts to convert grass to ground cover
greens and improve landscape appearance:
Work has already started on repairing sparse grass
found under shade trees and bare areas caused by
sprinkler problems. The thin grass around trees is
being replaced with ground cover greens and areas
near faulty sprinklers are being reseeded.
Special attention is being given to parts of Third
where there is no recycled water near Gates 11 and
14. In the Gate 11 area, staff is visiting residents
individually to get their permission to replace the
strips of grass with fine gravel to save water.
In the Gate 14 area, Director Tung and staff
members met with Lynn Jarret, President of the
Garden Villa Association, along with the Captains of
Buildings 4025 and 4026 to get their permission to
convert a test area to ground cover greens. The idea
was well received by everyone. This test gives
residents a chance to observe the results. If these
results are good, more areas will be converted.
The conversion of regular grass to ground cover
greens is not a process that is being forced upon
residents. To show the desirability of such a move,
Directors Jim Matson, James Tung, Burt Baum and
Bert Moldow have all agreed to have ground cover
greens installed on their lawns. Converting areas to
ground cover greens will save labor, water and
reduce the noise of mowing.
- 11 -
October 2016
New Community Purchasing Policies and ProceduresBy Third Director Bert Moldow
In 2013, GRF contracted with the consulting firm of KPMG to study the planning and purchasing functions.
Their report found a total lack of consistent policies and procedures which led to significant inefficiencies. In
2015, with the approval of CEO Brad Hudson, a Task Force made up of members of VMS, GRF, United and
Third was formed with Director Bunny Carpenter as Chair. She was ideally suited for the role given her many
years of experience in government purchasing.
Dan Hoxie, Purchasing and Supply Manager, and Ernesto Munoz, General Services Director, developed
purchasing policies and procedures that were distributed to members of the Task Force. These policies
standardize how purchasing practices will be performed, speed up the purchasing process, provide better
protection for the community, and avoid conflicts and wasteful lawsuits. It is expected that our vendors will
welcome this more professional approach to procurement. The Third Board just approved the new
document, and the other Boards are expected to approve it as well.
We welcome anyone who is willing to try this conversion. To participate, contact our Landscape
Department through Resident Services at 949-597-4600 or [email protected].
Did you Know?By Third President Rosemarie diLorenzo Dickins
If there is a strange smell coming from your faucet, it?s probably not the water. According to El Toro Water
District, the water is safe to drink. The aesthetic quality of water, including issues like taste and odor, are
often driven by ranging personal perceptions. Water that has taste, odor or even color that is different in one
portion of the home than others is likely attributable to the interior plumbing of the home. Odors often
originate from nearby drains or traps. Call the El Toro Water District Customer Service Department at
949-837-0660 with any questions.
While we are on the subject of interior plumbing, did you know that there are many things you should not
pour down your drains, including: starchy or stringy peels, such as potatoes or bananas; citrus peels;
grease; Metamucil; animal fats from cooking; coffee grounds; eggshells; oils; hair; cat litter; paper towels;
cotton balls; baby wipes/make up wipes; paints and especially not medications. If you have a clog, please
never use chemical de-cloggers. These are harmful to the environment, and will corrode the pipes. Instead,
use vinegar or a plunger, or call Resident Services at 949-597-4600 to schedule a plumber. Unfortunately,
there are many ways that plumbing can malfunction or leak. Click here for a list of telltale signs to look for,
or pick up a copy at the Community Center Concierge.
- 12 -
October 2016
The Third Water Conservat ion Committee is (You Guessed It !) Saving Water By Third Advisor Carol St. Hilaire
The number one goal of the Third Water Conservation Committee (TWCC) is to conserve water usage. Third
First VP, James Tung, is chair of the committee. After researching high water bills, it was determined that
high water usage results in significant monetary penalties as a result of the tiered system El Toro Water
District (ETWD) uses. Tier I is internal usage; Tier II is outside usage; Tier III rates are twice as much as Tier I;
Tier IV three times more. The goal is to reduce the amount used and not be penalized.
After meeting with residents, the committee determined that most people are conscientious about water
usage with the exception of the amount of water used to irrigate plants. Main causes of the high bills are:
leaking toilets or under-slab and in-wall leaking. Residents should be on the lookout for leaks and call
Resident Services at 949-594-5600 or use other means to get them fixed as soon as possible. ETWD
distributes blue tablets that can be dropped in the toilet to find leaks in toilets. Additionally, plumbing staff
used the high tier water bills as a guide and set up inspections to check for leaks. The good news is that
there are no tier charges for recycled water. The committee plans to approach ETWD about installing
recycled water at Gates 9, 11, and 14. Finally, turf areas are being converted to ground cover greens to save
water. If you are interested in transferring your front yard to ground cover greens, call Resident Services at
949-597-4600.
Celebrate Good Times and Birthdays....An Old Tradit ion at
The TowersBy Towers Advisor Saretta Berlin
No one knows exactly when it began, but for many years The Towers has been having a monthly dinner to
celebrate the birthdays of residents born in that month. At the most recent event, held on September 7, four
tables of 10 each were gathered in Lortscher Hall for a very special meal. Ages of residents went from youths
of 70+ to several centenarians ranging in age from 102 to 105 years old! Each celebrant could bring a guest,
so there were a number of proud family members and good friends in attendance.
The tables were set with lovely flowers; red and white wines were served. The meal got underway with a
selection of savories, followed by a beautifully plated and a fresh vegetable salad. The main course was a
choice of filet mignon or the chef?s seafood special. After a brief pause for a special presentation, the meal
- 13 -
October 2016
Volunteer Appreciat ion Tea....A New Tradit ion at The TowersBy Towers Advisor Saretta Berlin
On September 1, 2016, a new tradition began. For the first time, the Volunteer
Appreciation Tea was held to recognize residents who give their time and
resources to the many programs offered to The Towers community. More than
40 people were seated at beautifully decorated tables in Lortscher Hall. Tea
began with a proper plate of scones served with clotted cream and preserves.
Wait-staff circulated with assorted teas with lemon, house-made cranberry tea
and coffee of several varieties. Since no tea is complete without little
sandwiches, the guests were served a variety ranging from smoked salmon
with cucumber to pesto almond and tomato. Salads and snacks included crab
deviled egg and a seasonal berry plate with Brie cheese. Mini pastries of
chocolate ganache and cream puffs concluded a sumptuous repast.
Towers General Manager, Katy Howe, welcomed the group and expressed
appreciation from the Board for their efforts: ?Volunteers and their support of our
many programs are the heart of our community. Without them we are just two big
buildings; with the participation of our volunteer residents, we are Home.?
Thank you to the following the volunteers: Saretta Berlin, Sylvia Belzer, Judy Caudill, John DalisHarriet
Fillmore, Susan GeibJane Gibson, Bea Gross, Charlotte Gulsby, Jack Hammen, Steve Handelman, Herb
Harris, Marge Harrison, Idell Holburt, Katie Holgate, Gloria Hollander, Nancy Hou, Tommy Hou, Edie Jaffe,
Ida Kaufman, Vicky Kasselheim, Norma Koskoff, Estelle Kravitz, Roz Kreeger, Rosella Leasure, Mark Licha,
Anita Margulis, Renee Merer, Phyllis Millovich, Henry Nahoum, Lilie Naness, Estelle Nitikman, Lou Parker,
Ryna Rothberg, Marilyn Ruekberg, Sally Schwartz, Lyn Sechrist, Audrey Small, Norm Stevens, Rema
Wasman, Claire Weisberg, and Sy Wellikson.
concluded with what everyone agreed was the best birthday cake ever, an airy confection of sugar and
cream served with coffee and other beverages.
The meal was wonderful, but the genuine highlight of the event was the showcasing of the personal
memories and photographs supplied by the guests. Each celebrant was invited to submit a photograph and
a brief description of something about them that they would like the world to know. Activities staff gathered
the material and presented a slide show that was often moving, but always fun and interesting. At the end of
the evening, each participant received a copy of his or her material, attesting to the fact that they had
celebrated still another birthday in a warm and meaningful way with the Towers family.
Towers President
Ryna Rothberg
- 14 -
Laguna Woods Village Community Center 24351 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637(949) 597-4200
October 2016
About Us This newsletter is put together by all of the housing Mutuals and GRF. If you have
comments about this newsletter, please contact Beth Perak, GRF 2nd VP at [email protected], Burt Baum, Third Secretary at [email protected], Jan LaBarge,
United 1st VP at [email protected], or Katy Howe, General Manager at the Towers at [email protected].
If you have problems or concerns about your manor, please contact VMS at the following email addresses:
[email protected] [email protected]
Or, go to lagunawoodsvillage.com and click on "Contact Us" on the left side of the page.
Download the "Emergency and Frequently Called Numbers" phone list here.