2017 december

Accent De c e m b e r 20 1 7

ACC Kids 2017 y t r Pa

11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Saturday, December 9 Price: Children NT$660 (3-10 years); Adults NT$450 Non-Member Children NT$770 (3-10 years); Non-Member Adults NT$550 Above prices do not include the 10% service charge Calling all boys and girls, Santa Claus is coming to ACC! We will have a new and fun Xmas Program for you this year: . Christmas candy canes, chocolate treats and cotton candy . Christmas Cooking DIY . Christmas Story Telling . Live Entertainment and a Show . Light up the Xmas Tree and Candles together . Christmas Music and Kids Karaoke . Gift Exchange

Dress up for your best look and have your picture taken with Santa!

Every “good” girl and boy will get a personal gift from Santa!!!

<Special Gift Program >

Parents! We would like to have a “Gift Program” this year, so please prepare one gift for each of your children - that way, each child will receive “TWO gifts from Santa”!

Sign up deadline is 5 days before the event day.

Cancel before 11:30 am, December 6 to avoid charges.

For more information or sign up, please see the ACC website event page

BOOKING

Accent

OUR MISSION Your Home Away From Home

Contents | December 2017

The American Club creates a sense of belonging for our Members, their

President's Message

2

General Manager's Message

3

Treasurer's Report

6

Do You Know

7

Food & Beverage News

10

Sports News

14

Hair Spa & Library

19

Article - Christmas Memories

20

Photo Gallery

24

ACC Classic Recipe

29

ACC Xmas Turkey Take-Out

30

families and their associates by consistently delivering quality dining, enjoyable activities and memorable experiences in a friendly and vibrant American environment.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Ellen Yin President

Stephen Tan

Vice President; HR Committee

Douglas Pierce

Treasurer; Finance Committee

Philip Chiang

Secretary; MIS Committee

Faye Angevine Mike Brennand Sports Committee

Ken Chen

House Committee

Louis J Christen III Rules Committee

William Hsu Jr. F&B Committee

Giuseppe Izzo Social Committee

Brian Li

Membership Committee

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Godwin Chang Sampson Mar Richard Yin

Security Ad Hoc Committee

MANAGEMENT TEAM Todd Bretzlaff General Manager

Tommy Chan

Sports & Recreation Director

Sabrina Chen

Marketing & Communications Manager

Gerry Gibb IT Director

Stella Hou

Financial Controller

Peter Hu

Purchasing Manager

Steven Hung

Human Resource Director

Chi-Wen Lin

Engineering Director

Freeman Lin F&B Director

Fanny Tung

Senior Membership Manager

Emily Wang

Hair & Spa Manager

DAILY OPERATION HOURS Cashier & Member Services

Daily

8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Library

Daily

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Terrace Terrace Salad Bar

Rendezvous

Daily Lunch Daily Dinner Daily Daily Lunch Daily Dinner Daily Daily

ACC Market Banquet Office Game Room TV Room

Daily Mon - Fri Daily Daily

Nursery Outdoor Playground Fitness Center

Daily Daily Mon - Fri Sat & Sun & Holiday

9:00 am 7:00 am 6:00 am 7:00 am

1F Squash & Multi-Sports Courts

Monday - Sunday & Holiday

6:00 am - 10:00 pm

2F Functional Training Center

Monday - Friday Sat & Sun & Holiday Mon - Fri Sat & Sun

6:30 am 7:30 am 7:30 am 8:00 am

Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi

Mon - Fri Sat & Sun & Holiday

6:00 am - 8:00 pm 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Hair & Spa

Mon - Sat Sun & Holiday

Sigis Gyoson

Pro Shop & Reservations

7:00 am - 10:00 pm 11:00 am - 2:30 pm 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm 11:30 am - 10:00 pm 11:30 am - 2:00 pm 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm 11:30 am - 11:30 pm 10:00 pm last order for foods 10:00 am - 9:00 pm 10:00 am - 6:30 pm 9:00 am - 9:00 pm 9:00 am - 9:00 pm - 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm - 9:30 pm - 8:00 pm -

9:00 pm 7:30 pm 9:00 pm 6:00 pm

10:00 am - 7:00 pm 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

To advertise in ACCENT, please contact 02 2885-8260 ext 488 Sabrina Chen For membership information, please contact 02 2885-8260 ext 888 Fanny Tung Email ACC : member.services@americanclub.org.tw Website: www.americanclub.org.tw

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear ACC Members,

Ellen Yin

Newly Elected ACC Governors and Supervisor

Congratulations to all the newly elected Board of Governors and Supervisor. I am happy to announce our new elected board members serving a two-year term: Mr. Frank Chen, Mr. Louis Christen III, Ms. Siew Kang, Ms. Helen Liu, Mr. Dennis Yung, and Dr. Ming Chi Yung. First, Second and Third Alternates are Mr. Douglas Pierce, Mr. Stephen Tan, and Mr. William Hsu. Elected Supervisor serving a two year term is: Mr. Giuseppe Izzo and First Alternate is Ms. Winifred Dente Degli Scrovegni. Election results for all other items are posted on the Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bulletin board. Thank you for taking the time to vote. This is a very important responsibility and a duty we must perform to meet the requirement as an association under the Social Bureau.

Controlled Access Going LIVE

Yes, it is finally happening. The photo Club Card is now a necessary tool for ACC members to access the facility.

We will ease in the controlled access in two stages.

1. Tuesday, December 5th: two gates will be activated. Members will be able to enter/exit using their Club Photo ID. One of the gates will remain open during this time so if you did not remember to bring your card, you will still be able to enter/exit through that opened gate.

2. Wednesday, December 13th: all gates will be activated. If you come to the Club without your card, you will have to register and get a Day Pass card at the reception counter to enter. The Day Pass card needs to be inserted in the slot on the gate upon exit. . Guest Registration: All guests must be registered as it has been in the past. Instead of writing memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests names in the ledger, members now have two options: advanced online registration where guests cards will be prepared and ready to be picked up upon arrival. The alternative is live registration in the lobby. There is screen set up at the reception area for guest registration. Upon completion of the guest registration, a guest card will be issued to the registered guest. Guests can then use that card to enter through the security gate. Guest cards must be inserted in the return slot to exit. There will be a nominal charge for misplaced and/or lost guest cards to the host member.

Some of the procedures may take a few tries to get used to. But in 6 months, we will all look back and see the benefit of a safer Club and an improved perceived prestige of the Club.

I would like to thank Mr. Richard Yin, the Security Committee Chair, and Mr. Philip Chiang, the MIS Committee Chair, for their leadership in this project. Mr. Gerry Gibb and Mr. Tim Chang have worked tirelessly testing the programs, sensors and the gates. Without their dedication and hardwork, we may not have been able to complete this project.

Swimming Pool Closure Dates

The swimming pool will be closed on the week of December 11th ~ 15th for its semi-annual deep cleaning.

It is scheduled earlier this year so the pool will be ready for the members and visiting friends and family over the Christmas break.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ellen Yin President

2

GENERAL MANAGER'S MESSAGE

Dear Members,

Todd Bretzlaff

We sincerely appreciate all the Members who participated in the ACC’s 2017 Annual General Meeting. We now have six newly elected Governors, one newly elected Supervisor and all items approved under “Other Business” passed. I would like to congratulate all the candidates who were willing to contribute their time and expertise by running for the Board. The delegation of committee portfolio’s will be decided in the January Board Meeting. Most Members would be surprised at the contribution of time and involvement that it takes to be on the Board and we sincerely appreciate their willingness to govern the Club and actively shape the future for our continued success.

And now that we no longer need to focus all our efforts towards reaching quorum, it is time to prepare for next 2018. The Club has just started the ”tender process” for renovations of the Member Services Area (Nursery, Games Room and Miami Room) and the Sigis Dining Outlet. The new joining fee rates went into immediate effect and the new monthly dues will be reflected in your billing statement for the January monthly dues billed on either your 15 January or 31 January billing statement, depending on your billing cycle.

The Club just completed the consolidation of the 2017 Member Survey Results and we would like to thank all the Members who participated. There was a slight drop in scores for some areas of the Club but still generally strong. For “Overall Pleased with the Club”, Members scored the Club at 3.95 (based on a 5 point scale) which was down slightly by 2% compared to prior year, “Providing Good Value for the Money” was at 3.85 (down 2.5%) with “Likelihood to Refer Someone to Join” was at 4.33 (down 2.7 %).

F&B received mixed scores with Terrace overall receiving a 3.81 score (down 1%), Sigis was at 3.90 (down .5%), Gyoson was at 3.78 (up 2.7%), Rendezvous was at 3.81 (up .7%), Pool Bar was at 3.43 (down .3%), ACC Market was at 3.80 (up .6%), Banquets was at 3.82 (up of 0.2%). For Sports & Recreation, Swimming was at 4.07 (up 0.4%), Fitness Center was at 3.99 (up .7%), Tennis was at 3.90 (down 1.1%), Multi-Sports Complex was at 3.73 (down 6.6%) and Proshop was at 3.56 (up 1.7%). The Hair Salon was at 3.89 (down .3%), the Library was at 3.62 (down 4.0%), Nursery was at 3.85 (up 0.2%), Social Events Overall were at 3.82 (up .5%), General Housekeeping was at 3.67 (down .9%), Security was at 3.98 (up 1.3%), Front Desk was at 4.06 (up 0.7%), Children’s Play Areas was at 3.39 (down 2.7%), and Communication was at 3.79 (down 2.7%). Club management is now working with the Board and the respective committees to address the feedback provided from this Survey and preparing action plans for the team.

In addition to the AGM and the Extravaganza, November is always an exceptionally busy month with the Melbourne Cup, St. Lucy’s Bazaar, Beaujolais Nouveau, the Fall Tennis Tournament Awards, Thanksgiving, and we finished off the month preparing for Christmas with “Pictures with Santa”. The Club was fortunate to have strong patronage in all the events which we expect will generate good results for November and allowing us to make up some of the shortfall that we experienced with a slightly slower summer.

We plan to commence the Controlled Access System at the front entrance in early December. This will be an important step to protect the safety and integrity of our private club, verify that all non-members are properly registered and to ensure “Members Only” as well as ensuring children are properly supervised by their parents or an adult Member. Once the system goes live, it is important that Members keep their card with them at all times, otherwise, they will need to register for a day-pass to gain access to the Club. And considering that the carpark lot is tight, we ask Members to make sure to carefully park between the lines to leave enough space for other drivers.

With December upon us, we find ourselves busier than normal as we get ready for the festive season and the many parties, which that will entail. We sincerely hope that all of you are able to enjoy this festive season together among family and friends and we look forward to seeing you at the Club to make good cheer during the holidays. It is the strong support, the active involvement and the loyal patronage from all of you that strengthens our ACC community.

Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!

Todd Bretzlaff General Manager

3

2016 Treasurer’s Report for American Club in China Dear Fellow Members, It is a pleasure to report that for the fiscal year as of December 31, 2016, the related statements of revenues, expenses and changes in accumulated deficit, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 that the ACC Management has achieved the financial targets that the ACC Board of Governors and Management agreed upon as we moved to change the fiscal year. The ACC management and Board of Governors took action to change the American Club’s fiscal year to match a standard calendar year staring January 1st, 2016. 2016 is the first complete “calendar year” financial report for ACC. Firstly, 2016’s audited net income for calendar year ending December 31, 2016, was NT$ 6,432,000 on revenues of NT$ 313,652,961. This is after depreciation of NT$ 21,944,961, Net membership revenues were NT$ 22.228 million. Joining fees increased of 22% as resignations increased slightly and fewer Non-Resident Life Members returning in 2016 allowing more term and full paying memberships. Total dining revenue was NT$ 126.8M, a decrease of 3% to prior year which was primarily due decreased revenues during the kitchen renovation which lasted an additional month due to structural problems uncovered during the demolition. This is evident in the 12% decreased in annual F&B covers from 302,225 down to 267,164 although it should be noted that the Club was able to increase annual covers in Rendezvous by 1.8% and Sigis by 14%. The overall decrease in revenues was minimized by a 10% increase in checks averages. Overall food cost remained at 38.5%, a large accomplishment given the expected challenges during the kitchen renovation.

Overall Payroll increased from prior year by NT$ 5.347 million or 3.6%. Approximately NT$ 2 million or 1.5% was due to the annual increase necessary to keep staff compensation competitive with industry standards. Currently, ACC is paying in the mid-range of 5-star hotels but less than restaurants. Despite the sluggish economy, labor supply continues to diminish in the hospitality sector due to increasing demand and lack of interest in jobs that require weekend and holiday work schedules. The remaining variance was due to less turnover and changes to the labor law and regulatory changes increasing casual, overtime holiday wages.

Overall operating expenses increased by NT$966,757 or 2.1%. This was due to a write fixed assets of NT$1.453 million and expenses related to temporary kitchen operations during the renovation, which was offset, by controlled expenses and savings on utilities due in part to re-negotiation of utilities rates based on committed quantities.

At year-end the Club was holding cash in the amount of NT$ 214,609,363 in its accounts. This expected decrease from NT$ 242,930,623 the prior year result from the payment for the kitchen renovation, however, the Club still in a strong position to invest in the planned capital renovation projects that are being proposed in the Club’s strategic plan.

In conclusion, the American Club’s financial position continues to be very healthy and the Management and Board are working to continue to perpetuate that health of the club year on year while still executing on capital spending projects that bring added benefits and services to the membership. We thank all the membership for their strong and continued support of the Management, the Board and the Club as a whole. We look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely, Douglas M. Pierce - Treasurer American Club in China

6

DO YOU KNOW

A Warm Welcome to New Members Hsi-Hsin Chen & Wen-Hui Hsi / Leonardo Garcia & Camilla Cademartori / Yvonne Hsieh & David Schumacher Lisa Hsui / Dennis Huang & Hsiu-Ling Shen / Eric Lin & Leslie Hsiang / Stephane Roy & Maiko Ishimori Roy Jann-Hwa Shyu / Carl Tancaktiong & Maggie Kwei

Bon Voyage to Resigned Members Robert Chen & Jen Ching Hsiang / Mike Kunigonis & Laura Alvarado / Susan Lin & Tzong-Tsong Miau Hsiao-Ru Liu / Rahul & Sujata Rasal / Neil & Julie Waters

Friendly Notes - Steam Room •Please be aware that the temperature in the Steam Room is 90* •Members under 18 years of age are not allowed to use the Steam Room •If you have been exercising a recovery period of at least 10 to 15 minutes is recommended, before using the Steam Room •When using the Steam Room, limit your stay in the Steam Room to ten minutes at a time to avoid excessive dehydration •After using the Steam Room, allow your body temperature to gradually return to normal (37*C) before continuing to exercise.

•If you are Pregnant or have health issues such as Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Asthma, Respiratory or any form of communicable disease; use of the Steam Room is NOT recommended unless approved by your doctor or physician.

•Please shower before and after using the Steam Room. Wear a towel (or bathing suit) when entering the Steam Room to sit on for comfort and cleanliness.

•Please - for health and safety and out of respect for others; no personal grooming or use of cosmetic products are allowed while in the Steam Room •If you are feeling sick, please push the RED Emergency Button or call the Fitness Center at ext. 378 or the Lobby Front Desk at ext. "O"

Sauna Precautionary Rules Out of concern for everyone's health, safety and comfort, please: 1) Members under 18 years of age are not allowed to use the Sauna Room 2) Do not remain in the sauna longer than 30 minutes. Those feeling dizzy or faint should leave the sauna immediately 3) Do not exercise in the sauna.

4) When adding water to the heated stones please note : • At least two ladles should be present in the sauna.

• Never throw water on the stones if people are near the heater 5) If you are wearing any metal objects (rings, necklaces etc) or if your bathing suit has any metal fasteners - please be aware that metal heats up very quickly and can burn your skin

Employee of the Month Name:

Vonne Tai 戴良芳

Department:

October

Rendezvous

We are pleased to announce that Vonne Tai is this month’s ACC Employee of the Month. Vonne, the bartender at the Rendezvous has been with us for just over a year and has established herself as being very professional, serving members and their guests quickly and efficiently. Her cooperative manner with her colleagues also demonstrates her positive attitude and diligence.

Congratulations Vonne!

7

During December we will activate the Controlled Access System in the ACC Lobby Access Gates and Member Access Cards • You will need to bring your new ACC “RFID” Membership Card, and swipe this at the Lobby Barriers to both enter and exit the main body of the Club.

• If you wish you can also register your own EasyCard or iPass card. One additional card is permitted per Member and the card must display one of the logos shown here: • If you have an EasyCard/iPass Card registered you can choose to use either that card or your ACC Membership Card to pass through the Barriers.

• It is important that you always swipe your card each time you pass through the Barriers (both entering and exiting), as the system implements a “one-swipe-in / one-swipe-out” rule.

Registering and Access for Guests, and Personal Employees • Guests and Personal Employees accompanying you into the main body of the Club will be required to be registered on the new ACC “Guest/Employee Registration System”.

• The Guest /Employee Registration System can be accessed by two methods: 1/ The ACC Website - using the new Guest Registration buttons on the Member Account Dashboard page.

Remember that the ACC website works well on both standard computer monitors, and mobile devices.

2/ The two Guest Registration PCs at the ACC Front Desk. (Dependent Child Members with their own access cards will need to use this method).

• Guests/Employees can be registered on the visiting day, but for maximum convenience we recommend registering in advance (up to 2 weeks ahead is possible).

• Once registered you can simply approach the Front Desk Staff and request them to issue one card for each registered Guest /Employee. Each Guest /Employee can then use his/her own card to access the Club in the usual way by swiping the card at the Lobby Barrier.

• Guest /Employee cards are issued for one “entry and exit” only. On exit these cards must be returned to the allocated card-collection slot on the barriers instead of being swiped. When card is accepted in the slot the barrier doors will open.

• As domestic helpers are restricted from entry into the Club on weekends and public holidays, Personal Employee entry cards will not be issued for domestic helpers on those days.

• Guests invited to Rendezvous, California Room or San Francisco Room only (all of which are outside the current controlled zone) should be registered using the sign-in book located at the outlet.

8

PHOTO GALLERY

2017 Extravaganza Superheroes

We had so much fun at the ACC Extravaganza with SUPERHEROES!!

Extraordinary Cars from LEXUS

Thank you to LEXUS for sponsoring this big ACC event!

Kids loved “bubble” so much, tracing and playing!

These youngsters enjoy speed must choose a LEXUS!

Watching the great Club Med G.O Crazy Sign Dance, kids and adults were so EXCITED!!

Don’t we look cool?!

Continuing with the fun at the California room!

25

PHOTO GALLERY

2017 Family Halloween Party

Look at these ACC families dressed up for the Halloween party !!

Tic tac toe by spiders and â&#x20AC;Ś.?!

Thank you to Anita and the Girl Scout team they help every year with the ACC Halloween Party!

We had some many new games around poolside, such as Galaxy Bottle, Lava Lamp and the Shooting Game! Kids had so much fun here!!

After Trick or Treat and the Haunted House, Members came to the California Room and had a Horror Buffet!! A Special thank you to Pia for making this happen.

26

Everyone needs to know why...

We’ll help your whole family prepare for the big adventure.

Crown’s service offerings include: s )NTERNATIONAL $OMESTIC Shipments s 4RANSIT 0ROTECTION s 0ET #AR 4RANSFERS s )MMIGRATION ,EGALIZATION s (OME 3EARCH s 3CHOOL 3EARCH s 3ETTLING IN 3ERVICES

4EL taipei@crownrelo.com

Go knowing

www.crownrelo.com/taiwan

Accent Magazine - American Club - CR ad.indd 1

9/1/2017 11:22:55 AM

Do you want to promote your business to our Club Members?

HERE

is the space for you!!

We offer a quarter, half, and one page insertion choices for your advertisements / promotions.

For further details please contact Sabrina, %x$!@#

our Marketing & Communication Manager at 02 2885 8260 ext.488 or marcom@americanclub.org.tw

Take-out Order Form Member Name: _____________________Card No: ________________Tel: _________________________ (Pick-up / Delivery) Date & Time: ______________________________Fax No: ______________________ Address for Delivery: ______________________________________________________________________ Please Indicate: □ Pick-up □ Delivery (Taipei City Delivery Charge NT$900) Note: 1. Please allow us 72 hours to prepare your take-out items.

2. The deadline for ordering take-out items for Christmas Eve is 6:00 pm, Thursday, December 21

Turkey ABC

If you order one item of “Area A” + one item of “Area you can get Two Christmas Breads for free.

Area

B”,

A (Precooked Weight)

4~5 kg Roast Turkey

(Serves approximately 9~10 persons)

NT$820/kg

7~8 kg Roast Turkey

(Serves approximately 14~15 persons)

NT$820/kg

With 300g Sage Stuffing, 300ml Giblet Gravy and 300g Cranberry Relish With 500g Sage Stuffing, 500ml Giblet Gravy and 300g Cranberry Relish

3~4 kg Honey Mustard Glazed Smoked Ham

NT$880/kg

6~8kg Honey Mustard Glazed Smoked Ham

NT$880/kg

(Serves approximately 6~7 persons) With 300ml Gravy

(Serves approximately 15~18 persons) With 400ml Gravy

Area

B (Precooked Weight)

Crispy Pork Belly Roulade With Honey Mustard Sauerkraut

NT$750/kg

Sliced Smoked Salmon

NT$1,950/kg

Slow Roast Beef Prime Rib

NT$2,400/kg

With Traditional Condiments

(Minimum order 2 kg, serves approximately 10~12 persons)

With Horseradish, Dijon Mustard, Red Wine Glaze and Mashed Potatoes

Giblet Gravy Sage Stuffing Homemade Cranberry Relish Creamy Mashed Potatoes Corn Bread Cranberry and Banana Bread 8” Pumpkin Pie 8” Chocolate Pumpkin Cheese Cake Christmas Bread

NT$160/300ml NT$315/kg NT$1,000/kg NT$480/kg NT$295/each NT$380/each NT$750/each NT$880/each NT$560/2 pcs

Member’s Signature: __________________________ Date of Order: ________________________ This event does count toward your F&B Monthly Minimum Amount.

Please sign and fax return to: (02) 2885-4159 For more information or details, please contact Market Team at 02 2885-8260 ext. 238 or email to acc.market@americanclub.org.tw