Letter from the COO

It’s 108 degrees as I write. I have to make a conscious effort to treat days like this they way I used to treat horizontal rain days in the Pacific Northwest—with a good book and a comfy nest (under a fan instead of front of a fire). I also keep in mind that our reward for enduring these temps is the monsoon that brings dramatic sunsets, thrilling storms, and a desert bursting with life.

At GVR, the monsoon can frankly be a pain. Like just about every organization or local government that manages public or semi-public pools, GVR evacuates the pool decks when lightning approaches. Using the guidelines provided by the National Lightning Safety Institute, staff close all pools when lightning strikes five miles or closer to any pool. Please be prepared to leave the pool deck (don’t stop to shower) at any time during this season, but especially when swimming or soaking in the afternoons or evenings. Generally, pools reopen when lightning has been absent from the area for 30 minutes. However, if another thunderhead is approaching quickly, staff may keep the pools closed.

At GVR we use the WeatherBug app to monitor storm activity. Staff can monitor wind speed and direction while watching doppler images of incoming storms. Each lightning strike is documented and the app provides alerts as lightning approaches. Find this free app on Google Play or in the iPhone App Store to see the same info staff is using as they determine when pools will close and reopen.

Aside from lightning, wildlife can have an impact on the member experience. Beetle populations ebb and flow and are heavily influenced by weather patterns. Some years, various darkling beetle populations boom. Other years, fig beetles arrive in big numbers. Toads may appear out of nowhere with a keen interest in the pools—they are no threat to you unless you try to eat them. When the acorns start dropping in August, javelina families will often gather under the parking lot trees. They can be tough to spot at night, so drive carefully and stick to lighted areas when walking a dog after dusk.

Generally, staff have little to no control over the weather and indigenous critters of the region. We don’t necessarily enjoy swatting fig beetles aside so we can get into the building and none of us love closing pools. We appreciate your patience and understanding and hope you enjoy the exciting season.

-Natalie (Nat) Whitman, Chief Operations Officer

What’s Happening in Leisure Education?

The term ‘leisure education’ might seem an oxymoron, like ‘working vacation.’ When we were younger, leisure occurred between periods of education: a relaxing weekend, or a summer vacation..

Now, in our Green Valley years, leisure time is an opportunity for us to become educated in those things we want to learn, rather than need to learn. It’s education, but at our leisure!

GVR’s goal is to provide leisure education opportunities for all members.

Some of us come to Green Valley exhausted from a long career and simply want to relax a while. Courses such as yoga, or desert gardening, are perfect for this purpose. While others wish to completely reinvent themselves as a pickleball ace, topnotch silversmith, or a champion bridge player. And GVR has sequences of classes that can take anyone from beginner to expert in these and many other areas.

Of course, many of us simply want to take a course here or there, depending on interest. It’s possible to keep yourself very occupied with GVR courses. In fact, multiple members enrolled in 20 or more classes this past fall and winter!

Providing opportunity for all our members means reaching out to see what classes we might add to our offerings. Don’t hesitate to contact Leisure Education Coordinator, Steve Kindred at stevek@gvrec. org, and let him know any ideas you might have. Better yet, if you think you’d like to teach a course yourself, let Steve know and he’ll walk you through the process.

Calling all GVR artists and photographers!

Monthly art exhibits are returning in September, we’re looking for original submissions to exhibit in If you wish to sell your pieces, you are welcome to contact and pricing information next to your art. Please email JodyC@gvrec.org to get started.

GVR addresses member safety in proactive ways.

All Recreation Services Staff are trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED use. Recently, the Fitness Coordinator got re-certified to teach these courses so new staff will have ready access to the training. When space is available in staff training, members will be offered the open seats. Watch for announcements in the Friday eblast starting in September.

This summer the Recreation Services Assistants (light blue polos) are completing a twelve-session training series with a number of safety and security topics covered including storm response, emergency communications protocols, and Blood Borne Pathogens precautions. On July 28, the Green Valley Fire Department will provide staff with a special training on responding to various common emergencies and how to safely evacuate a center. Do not be alarmed to see a bunch of emergency response vehicles and personnel at Las Campanas that day.