In the Overview of Podcast #289, it was written that a one-time attendance is allowed for Tutta Bella Vino without paying the annual membership fee. Please note this applies to residents who have not previously attended an event; returning members are required to pay their annual membership when they sign up for their first event.
Due to the uptick in cases of COVID-19 in the Coachella Valley, as well as reportedly here in our community, the board of Let's Meet & Eat Club has unanimously voted to cancel our August 15 event.
Out of an abundance of caution for our club members, and because we have been receiving cancellations daily from concerned members, we think that it would be irresponsible for us to hold a large indoor gathering at this time, when social distancing would obviously be impossible. We ask that you reach out to your friends and neighbors who had reservations for this event, and who might not see this post, and please let them know about the cancellation. We will shred your checks for the August event. If you paid cash, please let us know and we'll get that back to you.
We will provide information in the next couple of weeks regarding how and when club members will be able to sign up for the September events. We have our normal club event scheduled for September 12, with a fantastic new dance band called the HoDads, and we have a second event, with The Killer Dueling Pianos, scheduled for September 2. We will most likely have a sign up table closer to the first of September, in the Montecito lobby, like we did for the July event. More details to come.
Please email us at scshmeetandeat@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Tami, Cherie, Chris, & Debbie
Please be aware of your landscape irrigation. Be cognizant of broken sprinklers, broken sprinkler heads, and be conservative and avoid excessive watering.
Tip: Fasten shelves and tall floor furniture securely to walls. Avoid hanging pictures or wall decorations over your bed. In an earthquake, they could fall off a strike you in the head. Secure cupboards with children safety latches to keep dishes and glassware secure.
Friendly reminder: all members and guests of Sun City Shadow Hills must check-in at the front desk before using the fitness center or pools. This pertains to both Montecito Fitness Center and Santa Rosa Clubhouse.
For questions or concerns, please contact the Fitness Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2111 or 2201.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Sun City Shadow Hills Fitness Department
Tip: Stock up on two weeks supply of food and water. Rotate the water you have because it does not have an infinite shelf life.
Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast290
Below is a synopsis of this episode.
1. Traffic rules for service providers: When you request delivery services from companies like Grubhub, Uber Eats and also services like Uber Rides and Lift Rides, please remember to remind them to obey the speed and traffic laws we have here at Sun City Shadow Hills. Yesterday I was coming around a corner and a guy with an Uber Eats sticker on his car went right through a stop sign and made a right hand turn. I was flabbergasted. So, I'm reminded by our wonderful General Manager that we need to send a message out to you to let those service people know that we really want to protect our community. We don't want to hit a bicyclist or a duck or anything that. So ask them to just pay attention to our laws when they're in our community and that will make this a safer place.
2. New mask policy for Association employees - Tyler Ingle, General Manager: John: Today we have a wonderful guest. He is taking time out of his very busy schedule to explain a couple of things that the state of California has put out and our good friend Jose at the Riverside Public Health Office who works very closely with the CDC and the public address system for Riverside County has put out some notices and we have Tyler Ingle who will explain a little about what we have going on here. We're just talking about basic public safety for our community.
Tyler Ingle: Out of an abundance of caution, Desert Resource Management has decided that all of our employees will wear masks indoors. This includes employees who are vaccinated or non- vaccinated. They'll also wear masks outdoors when they're not able to socially distance. We've spoken with our other service providers and management companies, Troon, Allied Universal and Vintage Landscape, and they've all agreed to follow the same policy.
John: So this recommendation comes from the State and then onto the county. So we're not doing this to be aggressive but to be safe. If you don't feel comfortable as a resident and you choose to wear your mask indoors or when you're not socially distancing and that is your preference, please feel free to do so.
Tyler: We're not enforcing anything on the residents. There's no county mandate that requires masks for anyone including our employees. But in our case, Desert Resource Management and our senior management CEO agree that out of an abundance of caution that we would go back to mask wearing at this time and that will be effective Sunday, August 1st.
John: If the state guidelines change and it becomes more restrictive for the residents, we'll get together with the Board and the management team here and we'll evaluate what we need to do and we'll make an informed decision to send out to the community.
Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast289
Below is a synopsis of this episode.
1. Holes on the side of your backyard walls: the holes are there to allow water to run out during heavy rain falls. The drains in your yards can handle normal rain but heavier rain levels need a way to leave your yard to avoid flooding. Some residents plug those holes to keep rabbits and other small creatures out, but the holes should be unblocked when heavier rain is predicted.
2. Committee members still needed: There are various positions available. Interest forms can be downloaded from the HOA website or are also available at the HOA office. Just complete the interest form and submit it to Vanessa Ayon, our Assistant General Manager. She will refer the forms to the right committees, depending on your interests. This is a great way to get more involved in your community. Also, don't forget our clubs. We have over 60 of them now and they will be resuming in the coming weeks.
3. Special Guest, Mary Lou Phillips, Tutta Bella Vino Club: The club has returned after working out a deal with the Shadows Restaurant and we are happy to have them back and filling the ballroom. Now over to Mary Lou.
Thank you, John, for encouraging the clubs to use these podcasts to let others know about our clubs. We meet every third Saturday and taste six or seven wines -- two whites and four reds, plus some bubbly to start the evening as you come into the ballroom. The wines are available for purchase by the case at the end of the evening and can be picked up at the Shadows the following Thursday afternoon. We are an educational and wine tasting club with wines available at restaurant pricing. We have three wine distributors and depending on which one is being featured, the distributor will be present to give about a 5-minute overview of each wine we taste. Our monthly event is $25 per person which covers the wines featured plus a small plate of cheese and crackers, fresh fruit and chocolates provided by the Shadows Restaurant.
We usually meet the third Saturday of the month from September to June. Our annual membership is $15 per person. A one-time attendance is allowed without paying the membership fee (returning members are required to pay their membership when they sign up for their first event). Membership forms are available on the Shadow Hills website. Our next event will be on Saturday, September 18th, at 6:30 pm and will feature Dry Creek Wines from Northern California. We normally start our events at 7:00 pm but since we haven't met for over a year and a half, we thought it would be fun to have a 30-minute social time to allow everyone to get reacquainted. Registration forms for our September event will be available on our website on Friday, July 30th, and hard copies will be available that morning at the Montecito Clubhouse across from the Lifestyles desk. Checks for the event, along with the registration form, as well as returning members' annual membership fees, can be dropped off at the Tutta Bella mailbox outside the Montecito Clubhouse billiards room. You may reserve a table for up to 10 people and all names and checks must be submitted along with your registration forms. If you have fewer than ten people, we will assign you to a table with others. It's a great way to meet people. We will receive registration forms until September 11th or until we are sold out. If you have any questions you may email us at TuttaBellaVino@gmail.com. We're looking forward to seeing all of our returning members, as well as lots of new members.
New residents are especially encouraged to get involved with our clubs. Information on all our clubs and how to join is available online but also at the HOA office or at the Lifestyle Desk at the Montecito Clubhouse.
Starting August 2021, Shadows Restaurant will only accept reservations for each specialty night two weeks prior to each event.
For instance, Cajun Night on August 4, reservations open up on July 21. This change will allow different residents to partake in our specialty nights and give everyone a fair chance at getting a reservation.
Thank you for understanding and we will see you inside Shadows.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Photos by Marylynn Kintner
Downpour next morning.
To see more videos, visit our Videos page by clicking here.
Tip: Keep a portable radio, flashlight, and batteries on hand!
By Mike Nilsson, Member
and Bill Wethe, Chair
Finance Advisory Committee
Through December 2020 our Replacement Fund, per the existing Policy, was invested in cash based and fixed income assets. As we all know these investments are earning very low rates, far below construction cost inflation. In December 2020 the Board approved a change in the Investment Policy whereby up to 35% of the Replacement Fund could be invested in a professionally managed basket of low-cost equity investments. In April 2021 the Board approved moving $3 million (about 25% of the Fund) into equities. Almost $1 million was invested prior to July and the balance is to be invested over the remainder of this year. The “basket” is being managed by Comerica Securities and closely monitored by the FAC. The investments are in index funds, mutual funds and exchange traded funds.
To view a copy of the current Investment Policy use the following link on the HOA website:
https://www.scshca.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Signed-Investment-Policy-Approved-12-21-20.pdf
We are excited to welcome Pamela Smith as the new Fitness Director at Sun City Shadow Hills.
Four years ago, Pamela came to the Coachella Valley from the LA/Ventura Counties as a full-time RV’er and loved it so much, she purchased a home and made the desert her new residence.
With a professional background in the fitness industry since 1998, her certifications have included NASM Certified Personal Trainer, SPIN Instructor (Johnny G), Certified Pilates Instructor (Mat and Apparatus) through Physical Mind Institute, Wellness Coach and Private Gym Owner. Pam is currently working towards her National Board Certification as a Wellness Coach (complete by September 2021) and loves helping people discover and design a Wellness Vision for their lives. She developed a 12-week wellness program that was accepted by Pepperdine University for staff and faculty back in 2006.
Some fun things Pam has done during her fitness career is ghost-write two Fitness Books and host a weekday talk radio show for women. During her gym ownership, in Ventura County she was awarded Best Pilates Studio, one of the best gyms, best personal trainer, and best newspaper columnist (Fitness Column).
Aside from pursuing a healthy lifestyle, Pam is an animal lover (has three rescue dogs), loves to write and is working on a book or two. She also enjoys cooking and entertaining.
Favorite phrase: “Keep Moving!”
Printed copies should be expected in your mailbox the first week of August.
Check out the archive of past issues at: www.scshca.com/view
As published in The View, August 2021:
Hello, Sun City Shadow Hills, I want to start by wishing everyone safe travels in these summer months as you, your friends, or others in our community vacation and escape the heat for the time being. We are looking forward to your return before the holiday season, and until then we are still here keeping our community running better than ever.
We are fortunate to have a great staff and Board that continue working alongside many of our Volunteer Advisory Committee members. We also have our contracted service providers who remain on duty to watch over our common interests and operations and to maintain our wonderful community.
We can all agree that the heat seems a bit harsher at times this year than in the past, which causes a natural slowdown of outdoor activities around the community. But we are definitely remaining open for business. The Board is looking at all opportunities for us to enjoy the reopening of our facilities, and we are very excited to share them once again.
This summer has already become one to remember with some of the events that have taken place. The Montecito pool party along with the Fourth of July parade saw a record number of attendees, most of whom have given positive feedback about their experiences.
While we have generally returned to normal, we are still working diligently on our budget and the financial impact from the unanticipated events that occurred just over a year ago. We will continue to do so as we maintain our facilities and plan for our common goal of making each new day better than the previous one. As I say, “the beat goes on.” We hope all of you are staying informed via our website, whether here or away. We wish you safe travels.
The fall season is right around the corner. With most of us looking forward to cooler weather, I am confident that we will be able to hit the ground running as we bring back many beloved events plus some new ones to our community. The new events include the Halloween Spooktacular and the Presidents Cup Golf Tournament, and the Holiday Parade returns to help send us off to another new year here in wonderful Sun City Shadow Hills community.
Here are a few highlights from our Fourth of July Parade:
Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.
By Bill Wethe
Finance Advisory Committee Chair
As published in The View, August 2021:
FAC members
On June 28, 2021, the Board approved the addition of two new FAC members: Mike Nilsson and Todd Murphy. Welcome, Mike and Todd! We appreciate your interest in serving our community. FAC has eight members, and we have Board approval for a total of nine members. We are looking for owners who have a background including accounting and financial reporting, and an interest in serving on the FAC or on its Subcommittee on the Reserve Study. Please contact the author if you would like to discuss completing an Advisory Committee Interest Form.
Work Completed
During the month of July 2021, the FAC and its Subcommittee continued its work with the Board as well as with DRM and Troon management on behalf of the Association including:
Upcoming Work
Further information
Additional FAC Members: Larry Anderson, Bob Jester, Jerry Cavoretto, Mike Whelan, Bruce Marley, Mike Nilsson, and Todd Murphy. FAC Subcommittee Members on the Replacement Fund and Reserve Study: Chris Stevens, Don Salvatore, Bruce Marley, Bob Jester, and Bill Wethe, Chair.
Contact the author at finance@scshca.com.
Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast288
Below is a synopsis of this episode.
First, I want to say thank you to all those who stop to give me feedback out in the community. I really appreciate it, especially the positive ones, but I also want to hear the negative ones and we'll try to fix those issues as we go along.
1. Shadows Restaurant - Applications for the Ad Hoc Sub Committee: This has been very important to this community for a very long time. We will be accepting applications from anyone who would like to have a say in the renovation of the restaurant this Wednesday, July 21st, in the Capistrano Room, Montecito Clubhouse, at 1:00 pm We're not saying the renovation is going through. We need to stop losing money, need to make it better, and market it better to the outside community. Interviews will be held the next day, July 22nd, starting at 9:30 am in the La Jolla Room, Santa Rosa Clubhouse. You will receive more information at the 1:00 pm meeting on Wednesday.
Applications will be available online at the SCSH website (scshca.com/committeeinterest). You can fill it out and either give it to our Assistant GM Vanessa prior to the meeting or bring it with you to the meeting and give it to the Food and Beverage Committee Chairperson, Kathy Lindstrom. Kathy and other members of the Food and Beverage Committee will be present for both days.
Kathy has provided a Mission Statement to help define the purpose of the sub committee which reads:
The mission of the Ad Hoc Sub Committee to the SCSH Food and Beverage Committee is to:
The Ad Hoc Committee will be comprised of seven members: one from Food and Beverage, one from Facilities, one from Finance and four additional members. The level of qualifications will be high.
Personally, I'd like to see a lounge with a bar that faces out over the golf course , lake and driving range; an outdoor patio that overlooks all that as well and where we could have dinner with music out on the driving range and maybe some fire pits. We could expand the restaurant and maybe include a pizza oven. There are a lot of things we could do but it will all come down through the Ad Hoc Sub Committee.
2. Dog Parks: You all know I have two dogs and appreciate how important they are in our lives. The dog parks will continue to open at 7 am (not earlier) and close at dusk which according to our Security Director is now about 7:30 or 8:00 pm So when Security shows up, please remember they're doing their job.
I'm amazed that I still see people walking their dogs on the asphalt. If you wouldn't walk barefoot on it, don't have your dog do it either. Please keep the dogs on the grass with this heat.
3. Fourth of July Celebration: It was so inspiring and a great feeling to see everybody out there having a good time. For those of you who missed it, I have to tell you it was really something to see all of those golf carts going down the boulevard in two lanes, with everybody honking and waving to their grandkids on the sidelines. And then to get back and have Pete Anderson handle the flag raising. Pete, you're a rock and an inspiration in this community and we really appreciate what you and the other veterans do for us. Hats off to you, my friend.
4. Upcoming Lifestyles Events: Connie and the Lifestyles Desk have been working so hard to prepare for this year. It usually takes a year of planning to make sure everything comes off just right so this year is a real challenge. We have a Halloween Spooktacular and Parade coming up and a Presidents Cup Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Shadow Hills High School golf team. We'd love to raise $10,000 for that team. They practice their golf here at Sun City Shadow Hills.
This is a good time to look into some of the many clubs we have here at Shadow Hills. Even though many are dark over the summer, it's a good time to consider which ones might fit into your lifestyle. Check the View Magazine to see what clubs we have here. My wife and I went to Let's Meet and Eat last week and there wasn't a square inch empty on the dance floor. We had a great time!
5. Board Meeting on Monday, July 26th, at 2:00 pm We hope you can make it. Comment cards will be available to fill out if you wish to let us know who you are and what you would like to have addressed. We look forward to seeing you there. I'm excited that our new Fitness Director is going to be announced that day, too. I'm looking forward to what she's going to do for us.
6. Advisory Committee Members Needed: if you have some time and expertise in any of the advisory committee areas, they really need your help. This is a great way to get involved and give back to your community.
7. John's Original Board Candidate Statement: When I ran as a candidate, I wrote a statement that I got grief for from some and also some praise from others for being specific. I wrote, "I want to be a Board member for the good of the people of this community, not for myself. Plain and simple." I live that every day. I'm here for you. I give you my time and my expertise whenever I can. What I don't know I will find out. We have a great team here at Sun City Shadow Hills and I need you all to support them. They do everything in their power to make this a better place to live.
Thank you all for your time. I appreciate it and I'll see you out in the field.
Tip: Set up an out-of-area phone number for relatives and friends to to call to find out about you in the event of a disaster. This will minimize cell phone circuit overloads.
By Bill Wethe
Finance Advisory Committee Chair
The Board recently approved the recommendations from the members of the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC or the Committee) to have Mike Nilsson (Mike) and Todd Murphy (Todd) become members of the Committee.
Mike and Todd prepared the following brief summaries introducing themselves to the community residents for those of you who have not yet met them.
Mike Nilsson
Those of you who have been here a bit longer may remember Mike as President of the SCSH Computer Club from about 2008 to 2011. He and his wife, Sue, moved to Sun City Shadow Hills from Beverly Hills in November 2004, when there were only about two hundred homes completed.
Mike is a retired sailor, ski instructor, pilot, off-road racer and swimmer. To fund all those endeavors, he was Executive VP of Sinclair Paint Company. Prior to Sinclair he was Corporate Director of Lear Siegler’s Internal Consulting Group and Manager of Financial Control at Mattel Toy Company.
In the nonprofit area, he has over 20 years on other HOA Boards, has been a director of Caltech’s Entrepreneurs’ Forum for 30 years and was Exec VP of the Bob Hope Hollywood USO for 3 years, among others. He has both BS and MS degrees in Engineering/Operations Research from Northwestern and USC respectively.
Todd Murphy
Todd and his wife, Kathy, purchased their first home in Sun City Shadow Hills in 2007 as a second home while living in Fawnskin on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. After living in the mountains and skiing for 20 years (ended by bad knees), they wondered why they were shoveling snow all winter. So they sold their first home here and bought a second as their full time residence. Both were very involved in their mountain community with Kathy serving as Fawnskin Mayor and President of the North Shore Improvement Association and Todd as President/Director of the Big Bear Municipal Water District and President/Director of the Mountain Area Transit Agency, while also volunteering for the Big Bear Discovery Center, the Chamber of Commerce and various other community organizations.
They originally moved to the mountains from Orange County to purchase a Bed and Breakfast – the Inn at Fawnskin – which Kathy operated while Todd continued to manage the Orange County transit system – OCTA. Both were active in Yorba Linda with Kathy volunteering at the Nixon Library and Todd serving as Mayor/Councilman for the city. They were also very involved in youth sports where they met.
After moving from the mountains, they were ready to take a break from intense civic involvement and decided to spend more time with family and friends. That didn’t last long. Both are volunteers at the Living Desert serving as Conservation Ambassadors and are also active physically with many hours of working out in the pool’s year round, playing bocce ball and other sports. Todd also enjoys the North Golf Course as he chases the white ball around. He has always been actively involved in his community and is looking forward to being as helpful as possible serving on the FAC and to bring his varied professional experiences to help the Committee make the right recommendations to our board.
Please join me and the other six members serving on the FAC in welcoming Mike and Todd and thanking them for their participation with FAC in service to our community. FAC now has eight of nine positions filled. We are continuously looking for owners who have a background including accounting and financial reporting and an interest in serving on the FAC or on its Subcommittee on the Reserve Study. Please contact the FAC Chair if you would like to discuss completing an Advisory Committee Interest Form.
For all updates related to this project, please visit www.scshca.com/cvwd
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Montecito Outdoor Pool
Featuring entertainment by Johnny Goodrum!
Direct Link to the Waiver ☞ www.scshca.com/waiver
For all updates related to this project, please visit www.scshca.com/cvwd
Tip: Keep a couple of hundred dollars in $1s and $5s in a secure location. If power goes out, ATMs won't work and markets won't be able to process credit cards.
