It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Crescent Bay Castle gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Laguna Beach, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I had a very good experience with Phong and her workers. Mostly all of them were”
“The team at ABC Senior services has been a godsend for me and my family.”
“We have used Phuong and her caregivers for over a year. She and her team”
“ABC came in and really helped stabilize my mom’s living situation as her dementia worsened.”
“I had a great experience with Always Best Care. My husband needed 8 hours 7”
“Thank you for being there, and working around my hectic schedule…you made my time and”
“After being in the assisted-living for nearly 3 weeks due to it, horrible accident, I”
“An amazing company doing amazing things through home care. Phuong does an awesome job managing”
“Writing a review for service received is never an easy task especially where it involves”
“I appreciated the friendly & professional care Karla provided for me after my extended hospital”
“Oh my gosh, the VA came to my rescue in providing my husband with a”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management”
“Always Best Care provided reliable quality care to my family member in my home. They”
“After months of struggling with trying to find a reliable caregiver for a disabled loved”
“The first month of assistance with Best care was a little rough for my 89”
“The VA had brought in caregivers for my father from Always Best Care Newport Beach.”
“Always Best was always professional and went out of their way to make my dad”
“Had a good experience with this care provider, my father needed home care doing daily”
“My sister and I feel so fortunate to have found Phuong at ABC Care when”
“The caregivers were a Godsend for me. Allowed me to breath and get away. Caregivers”
“My uncle received care through Always Best Care and I always knew he was in”
“My sister and I feel so fortunate to have found Phuong at ABC Care when”
“I had a very good experience with Phong and her workers. Mostly all of them were so great and helpful in their own way. If I requested one,,as I did many a time, she would do her best to honor my request. I highly reccommend her and Best Care.”
“The team at ABC Senior services has been a godsend for me and my family. The caretakers and this company came highly recommended from a friend and now I understand why. This business has been very accommodating and understanding and has tremendous experience. Every individual has unique needs and this company does its best to harmonize with the customers needs. We worked with Karla,Ronny,Michelle and Betsy. Dementia and Alzheimer's are very cruel ailments and ABC came through for us to help take care of my father's needs and to take pressure off of my mother by helping with daily tasks.”
“We have used Phuong and her caregivers for over a year. She and her team are the best. Phuong knew what my mother needed even before we did, as she knows the business front and back. She also has a compassionate heart. The only reason we stopped was because my mother could never return home and needed to be placed in a home. My mother loved her home and was grateful she could live there with the help of Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“ABC came in and really helped stabilize my mom’s living situation as her dementia worsened. Phuong was adaptable and worked with us regarding scheduling, doctor appointments and any other needs we had with our in-home care. I would definitely recommend Phuong and her team with any home healthcare needs.”
“I had a great experience with Always Best Care. My husband needed 8 hours 7 days a week care so the caregivers became part of our family! Not every caregiver was a good fit but Phoung was flexible and worked to insure our days went as smoothly as possible. I have recommended Always Best Care to friends and they have been thrilled with the care the are receiving.”
“Thank you for being there, and working around my hectic schedule…you made my time and my husbands time positive.”
“After being in the assisted-living for nearly 3 weeks due to it, horrible accident, I arrived home, not being able to do much. I was completely frustrated, then, Always Best Care of came to my rescue! The ladies that came out were extremely helpful, kind, considerate, and understanding. Each week, they would jump in and do things that were absolutely impossible for me to do. I’m very independent, but they helpe me to relax, take it easy and let them handle anything I needed. I am so very grateful for this wonderful service.”
“An amazing company doing amazing things through home care. Phuong does an awesome job managing the staff and clients to assure the experience on both ends exceeds their expectations. It's a great place to work and give back to your community.”
“Writing a review for service received is never an easy task especially where it involves service provided to a loved one. But where service received becomes an overwhelmingly pleasant experience, the task becomes an easier one. Such is the feeling I have as I look back at the almost three years of care my late husband received from the caregivers provided by the Veterans Administration through the Always Best Care Agency. Of special mention was a very nice lady by the name of Claudette LaCaille, a pre-school teacher by profession who was one of the caregivers that unselfishly cared for him. Not only did she patiently attend to his needs---she provided a genuine companionship to him and great comfort and understanding to me. It made this painful period of my life bearable and easier to accept and cope with. I am also very grateful to the agency’s owner, Nguyen Phuong, for granting my request to send caregivers who could come consistently on a regular schedule. It made him feel like familiar friends were visiting him on a regular basis. I highly recommend the Always Best Care Senior Services and wish their caregiving heroes and heroines the best of health and good fortune now and always.”
“I appreciated the friendly & professional care Karla provided for me after my extended hospital & rehab stay. Thank you for sending Karla for my care.”
“Oh my gosh, the VA came to my rescue in providing my husband with a caregiving service after 3 years of doing it myself. Alway Best Care of Fountain Valley is the company that was designated to us. Phuong does a spectacular job in finding the best people possible to fit into a caregiving roll. What impressed me most is the fact that when a caregiver cannot make the scheduled appointment, Phuong does not allow us to be without caregiving service, if she cannot find a replacement she steps up and performs the duties herself. She is most helpful in assisting with regular caregiving service and does not feel it below her to chip in with light housekeeping chores. BRAVO Ms Phuong, your company’s service is the best.”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management "flexibility in schedule" helped us all in our household and gave us more relief in taking our short breaks and not to worry about our fiend's care, safety and his assistance at home. Consistency of caregivers assigned made it easier for my friend’s personality and to myself to handle his care. Caregivers provided the standard of professionalism, punctuality and respect in all aspects of care to my friend and to all household members as well. Always Best Care patiently worked and delivered my request for my friend's care in matching his personality with caregivers. I was not also easy to deal with being the person in charge to my friend. Thank you Always Best Care with gratitude. Penny Byram Westminster”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management "flexibility in schedule" helped us all in our household and gave us more relief in taking our short breaks and not to worry about our fiend's care, safety and his assistance at home. Consistency of caregivers assigned made it easier for my friend's personality as well as to myself. Caregivers provided the standard of professionalism, punctuality and respect in all aspects of care to my friend and to all household members as well. Always Best Care patiently worked and delivered my request for my friend's care in matching his personality with caregivers. Thank you Always Best Care with gratitude.”
“Always Best Care provided reliable quality care to my family member in my home. They were professional, courteous and kind in their provision of personal care. Many thanks to their staff.”
“After months of struggling with trying to find a reliable caregiver for a disabled loved one, I reached out to Always Best Care. From our first phone conversation, Phuong was incredibly helpful, highly professional, informative, and kind. She assisted us with getting care for my family member at home and recently helped us with transitioning her into a senior board and care facility. Phuong understood our needs and made the process super smooth and stress free. She always responds to emails and phone calls promptly and is a true gem. I highly recommend Always Best Care and could not be more pleased with the outstanding level of service Phuong provided.”
“The first month of assistance with Best care was a little rough for my 89 y.o.father, with a different care giver each visit. However as time progressed, the caregivers became more regular and his very favorite became Lauren! He is loving his in-home-care with the kindness and concern each of the caregivers show him.”
“The VA had brought in caregivers for my father from Always Best Care Newport Beach. All team members working with my father 2 days per week were wonderful. My father especially liked Karla and gave her high compliments. The entire team of caregivers from ABC were a blessing to my father and his wife. Thank you for your service. ????”
“Always Best was always professional and went out of their way to make my dad who was 88 feel special and took great care of him. They would accommodate our schedule and came to work on time. They cleaned the house and took great care of Werner. He was not always easy to work with but the staff had patients for him and for me. Always following up with my texts and phone calls. It was such a relief to know I could leave for work in the morning and they would be there to get dad up and started for the day. We were grateful for all they did for him. Debbie Stroman”
“Had a good experience with this care provider, my father needed home care doing daily living activities. The company is great and the help is better.”
“My sister and I feel so fortunate to have found Phuong at ABC Care when we were looking for care for my mother. Over many years of her helping us, Phuong never let us down and her team was professional, responsible and caring. If you are looking for someone to care for your loved one with compassion and consistency I would highly recommend Phuong. She is very hard working, was always accessible to us and takes personal responsibility for her team. We were so grateful to have her helping us with our mom.”
“The caregivers were a Godsend for me. Allowed me to breath and get away. Caregivers we're friendly, helpful around house, great conversation with my dad, really made his day!!! Caregivers helped with my dads quality of life”
“My uncle received care through Always Best Care and I always knew he was in good hands. When the need for care increased, they were able to answer that need immediately . It felt like having extended family looking after my uncle.”
“My sister and I feel so fortunate to have found Phuong at ABC Care when we were looking for care for my mother. Over many years of her helping us, Phuong never let us down and her team was professional, responsible and caring. If you are looking for someone to care for your loved one with compassion and consistency I would highly recommend Phuong. She is very hard working, was always accessible to us and takes personal responsibility for her team. We were so grateful to have her helping us with our mom.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Top of the World with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Cliff Restaurant or visit Pirate Tower, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Laguna Beach, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Laguna Beach, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Laguna Beach, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Large parts of Laguna Beach have been forced to close after a sewer main broke near Laguna Niguel Regional Park, spilling 465,000 gallons of sewage.Newsweek has reached out to the Orange County Health Care Agency outside of normal working hours via email for comment.Why It MattersThis is one of the largest sewage spills in California in recent months. Sewage spills pose serious public health risks because they contain harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause diseases such as gastrointestinal infe...
Large parts of Laguna Beach have been forced to close after a sewer main broke near Laguna Niguel Regional Park, spilling 465,000 gallons of sewage.
Newsweek has reached out to the Orange County Health Care Agency outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
This is one of the largest sewage spills in California in recent months. Sewage spills pose serious public health risks because they contain harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause diseases such as gastrointestinal infections, hepatitis A and cholera.
Laguna Beach, which has a population of 23,000, is a popular tourist destination and welcomes around six million visitors every year.
The coastal waters off Laguna Beach have been closed between Treasure Island and Table Rock at Aliso Beach following the break in the main sewer line, which caused an undetermined portion of sewage to sweep into nearby beaches.
The sewage line has since been patched but beaches will remain closed to activities including swimming, surfing and diving, and waters will remain closed until conditions improve, Orange County officials have said.
On December 3, a section of Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point was closed after a spill of 3,375 gallons of sewage into the sea.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there are at least 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows in U.S. every year. This number does not include sewage backups into buildings.
Sewage spills can introduce toxic chemicals, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals into the environment, contaminating soil and water sources. People exposed to sewage-contaminated water or surfaces may experience acute health problems and prolonged exposure can lead to chronic conditions or environmental damage.
Spills can also exacerbate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can further complicate public health efforts.
The latest incident comes as the state of California also battles wildfires. Los Angeles County has been ravaged by blazes across multiple neighborhoods, with the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires—in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, and Pasadena and Altaden respectively—the most destructive. Laguna Beach is around 40 miles south of Los Angeles.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley wrote in a post on X: "I urge OC residents, visitors, and tourists to heed public health experts' warnings and avoid the closed beaches in Laguna while the @ochealth tests water quality."
The affected areas will remain closed until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected]
Local officials highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure Laguna Beach has enough water getting to hydrants so firefighters can do their jobs during a news conference Monday, after returning from a visit to fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades.Mayor Alex Rounaghi and City Manager Dave Kiff checked in with firefighters stationed in the Huntington Palisades neighborhood over the weekend before hosting a Zoom session with reporters. They were joined by Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King and Laguna Beach County Water District General Manager Keith V...
Local officials highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure Laguna Beach has enough water getting to hydrants so firefighters can do their jobs during a news conference Monday, after returning from a visit to fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades.
Mayor Alex Rounaghi and City Manager Dave Kiff checked in with firefighters stationed in the Huntington Palisades neighborhood over the weekend before hosting a Zoom session with reporters. They were joined by Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King and Laguna Beach County Water District General Manager Keith Van Der Maaten.
“I was just struck by how much it looks like Laguna Beach,” Kiff said of the community on the edge of the Palisades fire’s reach. “Parts of it, especially areas where we drove through, you could picture it being Skyline [Drive in Laguna Beach]. I mean, just the structure of the road, how narrow it is, how much vegetation is around.”
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Laguna officials addressed a variety of concerns raised in the wake of multiple fires that consumed large swaths of Los Angeles County. Among these were reports that fire hydrants went dry as crews battled flames.
Los Angeles’ fire hydrants are supplied by three water tanks that each hold about one million gallons. Amid the fires, local water infrastructure faced four times its normal demand for 15 hours straight.
As water ran low, it became difficult to maintain enough pressure in lines to pump against gravity into communities in the canyons. Former Los Angeles Department of Water General Manager Martin Adams told the Los Angeles Times the system was made to douse individual house fires, not meant to handle kind of massive blazes that have become increasingly common in California.
By comparison, Laguna Beach’s current water infrastructure was designed with lessons of the 1993 Laguna Canyon Fire in mind, Van Der Maaten said. He noted that during that disaster, which scorched 16,684 acres and destroyed 366 homes, six of the reservoirs supplying the city at the time ran out of water.
Since then, the Laguna Beach County Water District has added two reservoirs, bringing its total number up to 21 with a combined storage capacity of 33.5 million gallons. In addition, numerous pumps with generators to power them have been incorporated into the system to ensure water gets to where it needs to be in an emergency. Two heli-hydrants, facilities set up in remote areas so water-dropping aircraft can resupply faster, have also been created near Laguna Canyon, Van Der Maaten said.
He and Rounaghi also highlighted progress on the Doheny desalination plant and plans to drill a new well in partnership with Newport Beach and Fountain Valley, further improving Laguna Beach’s water resiliency moving forward.
Van Der Maaten said “right now we have ample supply,” and “we can rely on our pumps, our generators, to function they way they’re supposed to.”
However he noted that no municipality’s water supply is limitless and “every water system at some point will run out of water.” Meanwhile in the face of climate change, devastating fires capable of pushing infrastructure to its limits are becoming part of what Rounaghi called a “new normal.”
“We plan based on modeling,” Van Der Maaten said. “We have modeling that shows our system’s in good shape. It’s based on certain criteria. But I think the question coming out of this is do we need to increase that planning to more extreme situations?”
Meanwhile, emergency response teams in Orange County are are closely monitoring conditions and responding immediately with as many resources as can be spared even on small hot spots. On Saturday, county and city firefighters stamped roughly 20 square feet of smoldering vegetation on the 31100 block of Coast Highway and responded to a patch of hot coals that may have been used as a warming fire near Soka University in Aliso Viejo. Crews stayed behind to make sure there were no lingering embers.
Disaster was averted in Laguna Beach Friday when a pair of potential wildfires were stopped before wind gusts could spread the embers.City News Service, News Partner|Updated Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 2:10 am PTLAGUNA BEACH, CA — Two potential wildfires near Aliso and Wood canyons in Laguna Beach were quickly extinguished Friday.A jogger noticed a 20-foot by 20-foot smoldering burn scar while running along a trai...
City News Service, News Partner
|Updated Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 2:10 am PT
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Two potential wildfires near Aliso and Wood canyons in Laguna Beach were quickly extinguished Friday.
A jogger noticed a 20-foot by 20-foot smoldering burn scar while running along a trail behind The Ranch in the 31100 block of Coast Highway, according to the Laguna Beach Fire Department.
An OC Parks ranger arrived at the location around 9:25 a.m. to assess the flames and contacted the Orange County Fire Authority moments later to conduct further investigation.
``The incident was handled swiftly, with Laguna Beach firefighters conducting a thorough investigation to ensure there was no risk of rekindling," the Laguna Beach Fire Department said in a statement.
A second burned area was discovered later Friday toward the rear of Soka University near a dirt road.
Investigators concluded that the site was used the night before as a warming fire. Although the fire had burned out, hot coals remained at the base.
OC Parks staff reported the smoldering coals to authorities, which prompted the response of firefighters from the Laguna Beach Fire Department, OCFA, Orange County Sheriff's Department, and other local first response agencies. The fire was located and quickly knocked down without further incident, according to fire officials.
``As we live in a high fire-risk area, every second counts in preventing wildfire," Laguna Beach Fire Department Chief Niko King said in a statement. ``If you see any fire activity, please call 911 immediately."
OC Parks rangers stayed at the scene to monitor open spaces, and the sheriff's department conducted aerial surveillance using infrared technology to ensure no additional hot spots were smoldering, officials said.
``This was a team effort that exemplifies how collaboration and quick action can prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating," King said. ``We are grateful for the proactive efforts of the jogger, OC Parks staff, and The Ranch employees, as well as the professionalism of all responding agencies."
City News Service
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Orange County Coastal Zone, which includes Laguna Beach, from today, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. to Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m.A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either currently occurring or will occur soon. Strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.Additionally, a high wind warning is in effect. Winds are expected to be between 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts ranging from 3...
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Orange County Coastal Zone, which includes Laguna Beach, from today, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. to Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m.
A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either currently occurring or will occur soon. Strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Additionally, a high wind warning is in effect. Winds are expected to be between 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts ranging from 35 to 55 miles per hour, and locally up to 60 miles per hour, accompanied by relative humidity of 10 to 20 percent. The strongest winds are anticipated overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
Due to the wildfire risk, Southern California Edison (SCE) may initiate a public safety power shutoff today and tomorrow, which will affect parts of Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel.
When conditions create a wildfire risk, SCE may temporarily turn off power in the neighborhood to prevent the electric system from becoming a source of ignition.
In particular, SCE may de-energize the Laguna Beach Acres Circuit (see map below) depending on how the weather develops.
SCE will inform those who may be affected, including Critical Care and Medical Baseline customers.
For more information, contact SCE at 800-611-1911 or visit sce.com/psps.
Thursday, Dec. 26
Bench warrant. A 44-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested on suspicion of failing to appear on a misdemeanor charge. He was held without bail.
DUI. A 47-year-old Rancho Santa Margarita man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. His bail was set at $5,000.
Friday, Dec. 27
No arrests recorded.
Saturday, Dec. 28
Possessing a controlled substance. A 57-year-old Lakewood man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia. He was held without bail.
DUI. A 45-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. His bail was set at $2,500.
DUI. A 21-year-old Ontario woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. She was held without bail.
Sunday, Dec. 29
Battery. A 59-year-old Laguna Beach person was arrested on suspicion of battery on a person. His bail was set at $500.
Battery. A 42-year-old Santa Monica man was arrested on suspicion of battery on a person. His bail was set at $500.
Contempt of court, possessing a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia. A 48-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of disobeying a court order, possessing a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia. His bail was set at $18,000.
Monday, Dec. 30
Parole violation, possessing unlawful paraphernalia and alcohol in a public place. A 40-year-old Delano man was arrested on suspicion of possessing unlawful paraphernalia, parole violation and possessing alcohol in a public place. He was held without bail.
DUI. A 20-year-old Palo Alto man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. His bail was set at $5,000.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Bench warrant. A 40-year-old Sacramento man was arrested on suspicion of failing to appear on a misdemeanor charge. He was held without bail.
DUI. A 45-year-old Laguna Hills man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. His bail was set at $5,000.
DUI. A 21-year-old Ontario man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. His bail was set at $2,500.
DUI. An 18-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. His bail was set at $2,500.
DUI. A 59-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. His bail was set at $2,500.
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Disorderly conduct. A 57-year-old Lakewood man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. His bail was set at $500.
Disorderly conduct. A 73-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. His bail was set at $500.
DUI. A 33-year-old Ontario man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. His bail was set at $5,000. His bail was set at $2,500.
Obstruction, possessing a controlled narcotic. A 30-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer and possessing a controlled narcotic. Her bail was set at $3,000.
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — To keep your holiday fun and lively, Patch has rounded up some entertaining events going on throughout Orange County for the New Year.Some are free. Some have a fee.Whether you opt for an activity close to home or a mini day trip, see what's slated this weekend from Monday, Dec. 30 to Tuesday, Dec. 31.Countdown to 2025 @ GardenwalkEverything that Glitters PartyFind out what's happening in Laguna Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch....
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — To keep your holiday fun and lively, Patch has rounded up some entertaining events going on throughout Orange County for the New Year.
Some are free. Some have a fee.
Whether you opt for an activity close to home or a mini day trip, see what's slated this weekend from Monday, Dec. 30 to Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Countdown to 2025 @ Gardenwalk
Everything that Glitters Party
First Night in Fullerton
In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have their own versions of this celebration, such as the Peeps Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho.
The transition from one year to the next is often marked by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.
The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who made promises to return borrowed items and repay debts at the beginning of the new year, which was in mid-March when they planted their crops.
According to legend, if people kept their word, the pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. However, if they broke their promises, they would lose favor with the gods.
Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves.
The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are many reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude or a plan for coping with the stress and discomfort that comes with changing a habit or condition.
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