Niner’s News

By Jan Tanaka, President

After the hustle bustle of the Holidays, it was so wonderful to begin the new year in beautiful Palm Desert. We had sunshine, blue skies and the occasional car swept down the wash in flash floods. (It does keep things interesting!) Despite the chilly mornings, the Niners were back on the course in full force. Even the frost delays could not keep us from our appointed rounds. And the ladies who lunch were packing the lounge on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Once again, we capped off last year with our annual Couples Tournament Fundraiser for the Desert Hot Springs ROTC. We raised more than $5000 and collected 100 plus coats, jackets and sweaters for their families.

Our season opener in November was a wonderful tribute to Shirley Spork, LPGA founder and longtime MCC 9er. Shirley passed away last spring, but not before she knew the opener would honor her with all of us dressing in green and yellow, her favorite colors, and sporting a diverse assortment of ducks, her favorite animal. Kathi

Rocovitz, Shirley’s assistant,

traveling companion and very close friend, secured donations from Shirley’s family and the LPGA which made it a splendid tournament indeed.

Following a two-year interruption due to Covid apprehensions, we Niners were overjoyed to have started up our off-campus explorations again. We have long awaited the resumption of our field trips where we get to enjoy new experiences and camaraderie off the golf course. Our first trip this year was a foray to the Palm Desert Historical Society with lunch at the Back Street Bistro. The response was so positive, we filled up one docentled tour and had to add a second.

Next up was an expedition to a “taste of Palm Springs” in February. We enjoyed a guided tour of downtown Palm Springs with historical anecdotes and stopped at several local spots for food, wine and cocktail tasting. Many thanks go out to Linda Lovig and Carol Maloney for all their efforts putting these trips together. We are looking forward to several more before summer starts.

The theme of our member/member tournament in January was “Where in the World…”. People saw quite a few Waldos out on the links on January 17 and 20 which was a two-day eclectic. Regrettably, we had to cancel the planned Horserace due to the constant flooding of the wash. Three days of it ultimately buried the aforementioned car and washed out or compromised bridges on the west and south courses. Limited course availability meant the cancellation of several groups, and the LGA and some of the men’s skins games were very accommodating and gave us the chance to play our first round.

We were delighted to be able to finally have our Member/Guest tournament again this February after two years of suspension because of Covid protocols. The format was a scramble on February 3. We invited our favorite non-niners, primarily our 18er friends, as our guests, but were again able to have some friends from outside of MCC alongside us in our carts as well.

Despite all the disruption Covid has caused over the past two years, we hope it is mostly behind us, and we remain a very close and convivial group of women looking forward to a wonderful Spring here at Monterey.

Homeowner’s Gate Access Reminder

During this and the upcoming months, our community will welcome many visitors and renters. Homeowners are reminded to list your guests with the gates by using the Dwelling Live app on your phone or computer, or by calling a gate. Doing this will provide your guests with faster access when they arrive. If you are still using Gate Key, it has been deactivated and Dwelling Live has taken its place.

Please remember! All homeowners are required to advise the HOA of all renters, short or long term. Any guest staying for more than one night is given a flyer with some of our basic rules and regulations.

With the arrival of Spring, the 14thAnnual Pink Week festivities return to Monterey Country Club March 19efitforDesertCancerFoundation(DCF),alocalnon-profitorganizationdedicatedtohelpingpayforcancerc of financial assistance. In 2022, the Monterey community raised $65,000, and over the past 14 years, MCC residents charity, which translates to over $2 million of services to those in need. Fundraising events will be held over

BOCCE ON THE FAIRWAY, Sunday, March 19th, kicks off 2023 Pink Week. Teams of four will compete on the fairway adjacent to the Clubhouse. Close to 130 residents participated last year; don’t be left out!

YAPPY HOUR Monday, March 20, residents and their pets are invited to participate in the inaugural Yappy Hour from 4-6 PM at the Gazebo. Wine, beer, puppatizers and dog cookies will be served.

TENNIS and PICKLEBALL players will challenge their skills in two tournaments tennis on Monday, March 21, and pickleball on Tuesday, March 22.Combined, the two events raised over $9,000, with over 95 participants last year.

GOLF AND LUNCH takes place on Wednesday, March 22, with 9-hole and 18hole tee times available to all golfers, including tier and non-golf members. Included with golf is a complementary lunch from 11 AM-1:30 PM.

CLOSING CELEBRATION PARTY wraps up the festivities for Pink Week 2023 on Wednesday March 22. The party includes food, drinks, fun activities, and dancing, with the highlights of the evening being the announcement of the Raffle and Silent Auction winners and the announcement of the total amount raised for the Desert Cancer Foundation in 2023.

Beginning March 15, you can buy a seat at an event or party with one of the Pink Week PARTY BOARDS. In 2022, Party Board events included: wine tasting, cooking classes, pickleball and golf lessons, steak and salmon dinners, wine and flower arranging, and glow bocce. Each Party Board has a set number of spaces, with a fixed price per seat.

March 15 is also the starting date to place a bid on AUCTION items. Golf for four at various local country clubs, local flight in a private plane, a hotel stay at a luxury beach resort, and a case of wine, are among the marvelous auction items previously offered.

Everyone can purchase tickets to win one of the RAFFLE BASKETS loaded with golf items, jewelry, clothing and dinner gift certificates.

Announcement of the winners of the Party Boards, Auction and Raffle will take place during the Closing Celebration Party on Wednesday March 22.

Access the 2023 Pink Week website for more information, registration forms, party board sign-up and to bid on auctions items at https://mcc-pinkweek.golfgenius.com/

19-22, 2023.Pink Week is MCC’s annual benrcareforCoachellaValley residents in need residents have raised o ver $200,000 for the four days —will we top $65,000 this year?

Calendar of 2023 Pink Week Events

Wednesday, March 1

Registration Opens for Bocce, Tennis and Pickle Ball

Monday, March 15Silent Auction and Party Boards Open

Sunday, March 19 Bocce on the Fairway

Monday, March 20Tennis Tournament, Pet Yappy Hour

Tuesday, March 21Pickleball Tournament

Wednesday, March 22 Golf Event

Auction and Party Board sign-ups conclude Closing Celebration Party and Raffle Drawing

Pay Tribute to a Loved One Who Has Experienced Cancer by Buying a Tee Box Sign

In 2018, when Pink Day became a community-wide event, it was centered around golf, with 61 people donating to have a Tee Box sign made in honor of someone who had been affected by cancer.

In 2020, Bill and Lynne Ladd stepped up to enthusiastically take on the task of promoting, creating, and producing the Tee Box Signs. That was the first year of COVID and, after preparing all the tribute placards, the golf day had to be canceled. Not to be deterred, the Ladds marshalled a crew to place the signs along Gran Via and Avenida Del Sol. Many residents slowed their cars to view the long line of signs given in memory, support or honor of a relative or friend affected by cancer.

The popularity of Tee Box signs has grown exponentially since 2018. Last year, 115 signs were displayed on the MCC boulevards, on a chosen tee box or near the Pro Shop. Over the years, Tee Box signs have raised over $17,000 in support of DCF!

The goal this year is to sell 130 signs. Please consider who you know that has been affected by cancer and reserve a Tee Box sign in their honor. Pick up the Tee Box registration forms at the Golf Shop, at the Receptionist desk or download the form from the 2023 Pink Week website: https://mcc-pinkweek.golfgenius.com.

Want to Contribute?

If you would like to write an article, or suggest an article for future publications, please send an email to The Link at: communications@montereyhoaboard.com

Complete the form and, along with $25 cash or check payable to Desert Cancer Foundation, turn it in to the Golf Pro Shop, Receptionist or deliver to Bill and Lynne Ladd, 202 Castellana S, Phone: Bill: 310-9918354 Lynne: 760-636-6175.

Take a Hike!

Rising abruptly from the desert floor, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument reaches an elevation of 10,834 feet. Providing a picturesque backdrop to local communities, visitors can enjoy magnificent palm oases, snow-capped mountains, a national scenic trail, and wilderness areas. Its extensive backcountry can be accessed via trails from both the Coachella Valley and the alpine village of Idyllwild.

Jointly managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, the Monument’s boundary encompasses about 280,000 acres, including public lands within the BLM’s California Desert Conservation Area and the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. The Monument includes two Federal wilderness areas -- the Santa Rosa and the San Jacinto.

The Monument was established by an Act of Congress on October 24, 2000, “in order to preserve the nationally significant biological, cultural, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains” (Public Law 106-351). Establishment of the Monument reflects the vision of local citizens and national leaders to ensure this special landscape is protected for all time.

Details:

Starting on January 30, 2023 the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center is reopening to five days a week, Thursday through Monday. The visitor center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and hours of operation remain the same from 8:30 A.M. - 4 P.M.

BLM-managed public lands are currently open for dispersed recreation.

While there are no plans to restrict dispersed recreation activities in the area at this time, we strongly advise following the current recommendations of public health officials. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. To learn more about the do’s and don’ts for dispersed camping please visit: www.blm.gov/camping

Desert-Friendly Plants for the Coachella Valley

Use this information to help select landscape plants that grow successfully in California’s low desert region. In the Coachella Valley, up to 80 percent of residential water is used to irrigate landscapes, so growing water-conserving plants goes a long way in saving water.

Succulents

Succulents are among the best plants for providing a desert sense of place. Like cacti, because of their sharp thorns and spines, locate them with their mature size in mind. The sculptural qualities of succulents are unmatched, and the incredible variety of their shapes and sizes make them a designer’s dream.

Cacti

Cacti are the headsabove favorites as water misers. Use them to add an explanation point in a design; many also produce incredible flowers. Thorns of many cacti make them excellent security barriers, but these same thorns require that you locate cacti carefully, away from outdoor areas and walkways

There are many others.

Check the Coachella Valley Water District website: https://www. cvwd.org/ from which this has been extracted to share.

Holidays in Spring!

March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day

Originally, this Irish holiday commemorated the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. It has evolved to aworldwidecelebration of Irish culture, and the color green. In Chicago, the city celebrates by dyeing the entire river green!

April 1st - April Fools’ Day

This primarily Western tradition involves playing pranks throughout the day, although each country hasits own customs.

April 12th - Easter

Easter, for Christians, is a sacred holiday. However, it has become a popular secular holiday as well.

Easter gift baskets are generally filled with eggs, bunny-shaped treats, stuffed animals, chocolates, jelly beans, and other small gifts.

April 8-16th - Passover

This holiday is steeped in tradition and symbolism. While not a holiday for gift-giving, those planning to host a Seder meal with friends and family display new dishware, a tablecloth, or an intricate platter for a seder plate.

May 1st - May Day

In many countries, May Day symbolizes the beginning of Spring and warm weather, and it’s marked by gifting or decorating with flowers. Many cities host May Day festivals that include dancing, food, and bonfires.

Holidays

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