ON: December 1, 2020 Edition by Oakmont Village

Oakmont’s Semimonthly Newspaper

www.oakmontvillage.com/news

Fall Colors

December 1, 2020 • Volume 59, Number 23

Kendrick Elected to Succeed Spanier as OVA President

nAl Haggerty

Bright fall colors on Oakmont trees stand out against the burned hills to the north. (Photo by Maureen McGettigan)

nHarriet Palk

Employee Appreciation Time

The holidays are here and this year looks very different than any other. Navigating a pandemic has been tough on staff and our Oakmont community alike. Through it all, OVA employees have continued to work behind the scenes maintaining the grounds while office staff has transitioned to working from home. We’ve been able to make the necessary accommodations to continue to serve the community as best we can—from a distance. If you are wondering how you can recognize the efforts of the OVA employees, you may contribute to

the Annual Employee Appreciation Fund. This gives OVA’s non-management team a little extra pat on the back through a holiday bonus gift. Donations will be distributed at yearend. This fund allows residents a way to shine a spotlight on the dedication of our amazing 15 non-management employees with a special “Well done!” Participation is, of course, voluntary. Members who wish to make a donation—however large or small—may contribute via check by Dec. See employee appreciation on page 4

Juniper Removal Approved Despite Strong Opposition

nAl Haggerty

A Firewise Landscape Policy requiring the removal of all Junipers “from the entire property” by Aug. 31, 2021, was adopted by the OVA Board of Directors at its Nov. 17 virtual meeting despite strong opposition from two directors. Tom Kendrick, who was elected president at the meeting to succeed Steve Spanier, called the Juniper removal requirement “over broad, too aggressive” and said he is not convinced if challenged that OVA

nJim Brewer

“could make it stick.” “I would be delighted to have all Junipers removed. This isn’t the way to do it.” Director Noel Lyons showed photos of Junipers which he said would not endanger the homes involved and suggested that the requirement be delayed for two years. He said voluntary removal “would go a long way,” but added that he’s told that replacing See board on page 4

Oakmont’s Dog Park—At Last

With an obvious lack of appreciation for the significance of the moment, Emma the mostly white cattle dog trotted down the entrance ramp on a sunny Nov. 20 afternoon to become the first to enter Oakmont’s newly dedicated dog park. Yet it really was a significant moment—one that crowned a nearly three-year effort to relocate Oakmont’s canine community after many years exercising on the Polo Field to occupying an official place to run. And run they can—the .96-acre finger-shaped spot behind the Community Garden on Stone Bridge Road isn’t exactly a park, but it could be a candidate for the longest enclosed dog run in Sonoma County. Oakmont’s Dog Park committee “worked tirelessly to make this happen,” said Paula Lewis, at a dedication ceremony that featured a ribbon cutting by Steve Spanier in his final official act as OVA Board See dog park on page 4

Tom Kendrick, vice president of the OVA board since April 2018, was unanimously elected president at the board’s Nov. 17 virtual meeting. He succeeds Steve Spanier, who resigned effective Nov. 20, saying “changing family priorities making it impossible for me to perform the job of OVA Board member to my expectations.” Heidi Klyn was elected vice president to succeed Kendrick and Noel Lyon was chosen to succeed her as secretary. Elke Strunka, who is not on the board, continues as treasurer. Kendrick has held leadership positions with companies, universities, volunteer organizations and professional societies. He spent 20 years with Hewlett Packard and has more than 40 years of management experience with HP, Visa, DuPont and other companies. He is retired as a program director for UC Berkeley Extension. He has written many business books, including Results without Authority and How to Manage Complex Problems. He has an MBA in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and engineering degrees from Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania.

Publication Dates Changing for Oakmont News nStaff Report

Starting with the New Year, your Oakmont News will arrive on a new schedule. The twice-monthly issues will be mailed to arrive on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, rather than on the first and 15th of each month as in the past.

OVA Board Approves 2021 Budget

nJackie Ryan

The OVA Board of Directors has approved a $5.7 million budget that includes a 4.1% increase in dues.

Sue Aiken’s dog Emma, the first dog out of the gate to explore the new dog park. (Photo by Julie Kiil) PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANTA ROSA, CA PERMIT NO. 323

At a Nov. 10 special meeting, OVA Vice President Tom Kendrick and Treasurer Elke Strunka presented the budget summary and details that reflect a $4 monthly increase in dues to $102 per member. See budget on page 5

The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

President’s Message nSteve Spanier

Thank You

I have wonderful news! Today’s President’s Message—my final one— will be short. Also, even better, independent counsel has certified this message to be free of all philosophizing, preaching and existential musing. That’s why it’s so short. Instead, today, I simply want to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my term. I’ve learned so much from so many of you that, now that I’m on my way out, I’m finally beginning to feel qualified for this role. To those whose emails, texts, cards, phone messages, in-person thank-yous, champagne and amazingly tasty freshly baked bread and asparagus soup crossed my path since I announced my plans to leave the board, your kindness has been overwhelming and

incredibly humbling. I am not worthy (but more bread and soup will nonetheless be gratefully accepted). To our committee members—volunteers all— thanks for your willingness to take time away from your family, friends and hobbies to improve our community. Your continual, critically important work keeps our dues low and our spirits high. To the staff, you are the glue that holds this community together. I doubt I’ve ever had—or will have again—the privilege of witnessing such dedicated customer service. You make everyone you encounter feel special. I can’t think of a better legacy for any of us. And finally, to my fellow board members—past and present—it’s been a privilege and a lot of fun to serve with you. With your continuing care and thoughtful policy, Oakmont is in great hands. I’ve heard speculation I’m leaving Oakmont, but that’s not true. I’ll be around. In addition to being

lucky enough that my beloved life partner Elaine still seems to enjoy my company, we have two sons and two grandsons in the area. To better navigate this curious world of ours, the grandkids need to learn to cope with frustration, so I plan to teach them to play golf. Happy holidays, everyone. May 2021 bring you peace, joy and vaccines—while helping us forget 2020 as quickly as possible.

Directory Submission/ Changes Deadline Extended to December 15 December 15 is the Oakmont Directory submission deadline. If you have any changes or would like to be added, please submit your Directory Fact Sheet to the OVA Admin. Office by December 15. If there are no changes desired for you in the Oakmont Directory, then no action required. The form may be found online under the Forms section of oakmontvillage. com/docs.

OVA Board Opening The Oakmont Board of Directors is seeking candidates to fill a position on the board. President Steve Spanier resigned effective Nov. 20, and qualified members who have lived in Oakmont at least one year and are in good standing should send letters of interest to Dawn McFarland at dawn@ oakmontvillage.com. Spanier was elected to the board in 2018. The candidate selected by the board to fill the vacancy would be subject to election at the next Annual Meeting in April.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

At-a-Glance Summary of November OVA Board Actions

nHarriet Palk

Oakmont Emergency Preparedness Committee (Pat Barclay): Board has been asked what its expectations are of the OEPC, and committee will restructure in order to align goals. Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) has been adopted by several sub-HOAs, and it is hoped this tool will be used by all Dog Park Committee (Paula Lewis): The project came in $4,000 under budget. Los Guilicos Committee (Susan Chauncy): The camp was evacuated safely Oct. 27. Residents are back and can only leave for essential services via bus or shuttle. There have been no positive COVID tests among residents or staff, and no credible reports of issues involving Oakmont. Bylaws Committee (Tom Kendrick): A six-week vote will start in mid-December on lowering the threshold for changing OVA bylaws. A point-counterpoint article in the Oakmont News will be sent with the ballot. Central Complex: Nearing completion of draft proposal to American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) that will work with Oakmont to help frame future policies or design solutions, including a roadmap for implementation. Because SDAT relies heavily on community participation, it has been suspended until COVID restrictions are lifted or eased. The committee is not now planning or preparing for any major construction projects at the Berger Center or elsewhere. Amended Firewise Landscape Policy: Approved 5-2 a policy requiring removal of Junipers by Aug. 31, 2021. Management will post the new policy by posting on the Berger Center bulletin board. Voting no: Lyons, Kendrick. Auditor Contract: Contracted with William S. Erlanger, CPA, of Levy, Erlanger & Company for the OVA annual audit for a fee not to exceed $10,000. Election of New Officers: With resignation of President Steve Spanier, effective Nov. 21, OVA officers will be: President—Tom Kendrick, Vice President—Heidi Klyn, Secretary—Noel Lyons. Established Golf Course Advisory Committee: Members Susan Chauncy, Gary Smith, Elke Strunka, Bill Hainke and Alan McLintock and Dieter Myer. Members to name a chair at the first meeting. New Election Rules: Approved proposed rules for 2021 with no significant changes from prior year. There will not be a nominating committee because state law does not require one. The rules will be posted on the Berger bulletin board for 30 days for comment and will be voted on at the December board meeting. City Bus Contract: Approved the contract for 18 months of service starting in February 2021 for $6,979 per month with an extension for 12 more months at a similar rate adjusted for fuel costs. Spa Repairs at Central: Approved an expenditure not to exceed $80,000 to repair both spas in the Central Activities Center.

flflflflflfl

board

Continued from page 1

wooden fences which abut homes with metal fences would save more homes than Juniper removal. Supporting the policy in the 5-2 vote were Spanier and directors Carolyn Bettencourt, Heidi Klyn, Jess Marzak and Marianne Neufeld. Spanier described Junipers as “a bunch of firebombs” which “burn hot.” “We need to take a stance,” Bettencourt said “we can encourage all we want. It doesn’t get the job done.” Marzak called Junipers “the most dangerous,” adding: “Let’s treat this seriously.” He added that some homes with junipers may have trouble getting insurance. Klyn noted that several cities in the Bay Area are moving aggressively to get rid of Junipers, including San Francisco, Mill Valley and Morgan Hill. She called Junipers “an accident waiting to happen; the whole village could go up in flames.” Iris Harrell, chair of the Building Construction Committee, said 90% of the homes destroyed in the recent Glass fire were the result of embers, in many cases produced by burning vegetation. “We all benefit from removing excess vegetation,” she added. She said that if the winds that drove the Glass fire had been as strong as those which drove the 2017 fire, “we would have been toast.” Resident Phil Herzog raised the possibility of homeowners removing Junipers gradually with gardeners who tend the property regularly removing one or two Junipers at a time. Another resident, Bern Lefson, said that while his neighbors were planning to remove the Junipers, “the only way is to make it mandatory.” The policy also requires homeowners to comply with the following guidelines by Aug. 31, 2021: • Remove plants on the OVA Flammable/Do Not Plant list within a 5-foot defensible space zone from the house. Any existing trees and shrubs not on the list may remain in the 5-foot space. Those shrubs should be healthy and maintained free of dead wood. • Remove all wood and rubber mulches in the 5-foot zone. • Remove dead branches from shrubs and trees, keeping the integrity of the trees, and remove all dead trees and shrubs. • Remove all finely shredded redwood and cedar bark such as gorilla hair and rubber mulch from the entire property. • Remove all leaves and needles from roof and rain gutters as needed.

• All wildland grasses must be cut or removed mechanically or by sheep annually to a maximum height of 4 inches. • Firewood and any combustible materials must be stored at least 30 feet from the home, garage, attached deck or other structures. The policy also provides that rock may be used as mulch between plants and is exempt from the 15% rock limit.

employee appreciation

Continued from page 1

11 by mail to: OVA at 6637 Oakmont Drive, Suite A. Please make checks payable to OVA and in the lower left corner of the check memo line, write “EMP APP Fund” (OVA Employee Appreciation Fund.). If you’d prefer to drop off your check at the office, there will be a clipboard outside of the Architectural Office with envelopes. Please make sure any contributions are placed in an envelope and marked “EMP APP Fund” and deposited into the mail slot of the Architectural Office. We can’t shout our thanks loud enough. Our staff deeply misses the daily interactions with residents and cannot wait to be able to return. We hope this fund puts a little extra cheer into the season for a very deserving group of employees!

dog park

Continued from page 1 president, dog park committee members, guests and at least a half dozen dogs of assorted sizes—including Sue Aiken and her Emma. The Happy Trails Dog Park actually came in under its approved $177,000 budget. And as Oakmont board member Heidi Klyn noted, it came about after several other possible sites were eliminated, and had to endure “rains, a pandemic and fires” before its completion by Mitchell Landscapes of Petaluma. The park is reached by a handicap accessible path beside the community garden and a hillside platform and ramp that slopes gradually into the long enclosure. A gravel strip runs up the center to allow residents to easily traverse the length of the park and still maintain contact with their dogs. It all makes for a unique canine experience. So how did 6-year-old Emma get to be Happy Trails’ first dog? “No reason,” Aiken said. “It just worked out that way.”

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

budget

Continued from page 1

OVA dues fund operations, asset replacement and capital costs. Operations for 2021 are projected to account for two-thirds of the budget. The Asset Replacement Fund (ARF), which is linked to the reserve study, and the Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) each make up approximately one-sixth of the budget total. CIF has historically been funded by developer fees, but that ended in 2017 with the final new home construction in Oakmont. CIF, which Kendrick said functions like a savings account, pays for new and upgraded facilities, loan service on investments (golf asset purchase), replacement of assets lasting over 30 years, and other soft costs including code, permit and compliance costs. Kendrick said 2020 operating and asset replacement costs were below projections, related largely to the pandemic and facility closures, and some 2021 initiatives reflect those changes. Surplus from reduced operations will be rolled into the CIF, and some reserve study costs that recur annually are being shifted more appropriately to the 2021 operations budget. “Our 2020 expenses from the asset replacement fund are significantly below the projections planned last year,” he said. “With shutdowns to facilities came unavoidable delays in asset replacement and maintenance.” The budget shows a 9.5% increase in personnel to increase staffing in Information Technology (IT) staff and maintenance. “We are putting a lot of emphasis on IT because with the shutdown OVA is doing many things electronically that we haven’t done before. We want to be appropriately staffed. We have also found opportunities to save money by having our permanent maintenance staff do things like painting rather than hiring contractors, and we want to expand that,” Kendrick said. The operations budget also shows increased costs in insurance and fire prevention maintenance to mitigate risk and “harden the community,” he said. OVA’s current assets that make up our reserve study are valued at $11 million, with an average economic life of 10 years and an annual average cost of $1.1 million. Strunka said the reserve fund had included some recurring annual costs for custodial, maintenance and fire prevention work. Shifting those line items to the operations budget from the reserve fund provides more appropriate tracking of expenses.

Fire Damage Repairs to Los Guilicos as it Assumes Permanence nMarty Thompson

It will take three to six months to finish repairing Glass Fire damage to the Los Guilicos Shelter across Highway 12 from Oakmont, according to a report to the OVA Board from its Shelter Committee chair, Susan Chauncy. Residents who were evacuated Oct. 27 began returning Nov. 9 following cleanup of the village and replacement of six burned or damaged small homes. The village is expected to be there long-term as the homeless shelter for Board of Supervisors District 1, part of a plan to have a permanent shelter in each of the county’s three districts. “It seems that LGV is ours,” Chauncy said. “We are extremely disappointed that we were misled by the BOS from the outset, but are relieved that under the management of St. Vincent de Paul there have been no credible reports of issues within Oakmont.” Jack Tibbetts, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul told the committee it had received an extension of its contract with the county to manage Los Guilicos “with some financial changes that he believes will be manageable.” Chauncy told the committee the village would return to a quarantined atmosphere with only trips out for essential services and shopping. She said Tibbetts had asked that new residents be older people. “There is a great need for housing of the most vulnerable in the community at large and he feels that older folks generally exhibit fewer behavioral issues.” They would be eligible for more permanent housing vouchers and would be moved out as more housing options become available, she said. Tibbetts said he would continue to have a security company monitor the bus stop inside Oakmont on Pythian Road. Questions or concerns about Los Guilicos can be sent to LGinfo@oakmontvillage.com.

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Valley of the Moon Rotary Club

nJohn Brodey

Can We Handle the Truth?

Honesty is as American as apple pie. But, I’m not sure how we got from Superman’s mission statement to defend “truth, justice and the American way” to Jack Nicholson’s famous response when the court martial attorney in A Few Good Men presses him to tell the truth and he replies: “You can’t handle the truth.” We’ve had a difficult relationship with the truth in every facet of human endeavor since we began walking upright. We have made it easier to swallow by sugar coating it, we have undermined its importance by calling it a “white lie” or a little lie (really, some lying is okay if it is a color or smaller)? As it turns out, lying has become an art form in both in business and private life. And for some people it is their natural state. At one company I worked for, the CEO had so much trouble with being honest, we used to say “he lies even when he doesn’t have to.” Truth is often the first casualty in any human interaction and since trust is a byproduct of truth, we are in trouble almost immediately. Much of what is happening now has certainly been amplified by the internet, more specifically social media. A surprising number of people get their news from an unknown source. You can pretty much come up with any farfetched notion and find an audience. I like to vet my sources. Time honored newspaper institutions and online news agencies are generally reliable, at least, according to my son who is the Capitol Hill reporter for one of them. He is the most honest and credible person I have ever known as well as one of the smartest. He has integrity. What is true and factual, shouldn’t be open to interpretation. But it is ultimately up to us to make that decision and technology has only made this process more confusing. When I joined Rotary almost 10 years ago, I became familiar with its history. How Paul Harris organized a group of Chicago businessmen to form the Rotary Club in 1905. Initially, the idea was to attract people who had the same values and would in turn be the kind of people with whom you would want to do business and in whom you could trust. It seems like a quaint idea to have a simple code of conduct, a standard upon which everyone could agree to abide by and use as a moral compass. Impossible? No, they managed to do it with a simple test. Called the Four-Way test, it is simple and direct, no sugar coating. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It is a recipe for integrity. If only the world worked this way. You can see it in action at every Rotary Club. It inhabits every personal relationship and guides us in determining what causes we will support. We recite the test at the end of every meeting. It is our reminder of what is important in the way we interact with one another and it influences all the decisions I make every day. Join our Zoom calls anytime and you’ll see it in action. That said though, I still miss Walter Cronkite.

The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Hikers

nTony Lachowicz

Please keep checking website for updates: www. oakmonthikingclub.com.

DECEMBER 3 SHORT HIKE BARTHOLOMEW PARK—SONOMA

We’ll parade our cars to Buena Vista Winery’s parking lot in Sonoma for a walk through Bartholomew Park, the birthplace of California’s wine industry. Historic sites along the way as we explore the property and stroll the vineyards on about a three-mile roundtrip trek. Paved paths and dirt trails, a bit of easy ups and downs. Hike leader is Yvonne Horn, 322-9248. Leave Berger at 9 a.m.

DECEMBER 3 LONG HIKE MT. ST. HELENA

Jenner Headlands Long Hike. (Photo by Gary Anderson)

Join me on this 9.5-mile hike to the summit of Mt. St. Helena on the Stevenson Memorial trail. It is an out and back to the 4,342’ summit. We will have an elevation gain of 2,000’. Parking is on the left side of Highway 29. Sonoma Volcanics are the rocks that formed Mt. St. Helena millions of years ago. We will have great views if the weather cooperates. Rain cancels. Meet at the Berger center at 8:30 a.m. Prepare for cooler weather at the summit. Hike leader is Mary Lou Hicks, 303-7113.

DECEMBER 10 INTERMEDIATE HIKE FOOTHILL REGIONAL PARK IN WINDSOR

This hike is five miles which includes three out and backs on three loop trails to lakes. There are good trails that meander through woodlands with ups and downs and approximately 400’ in elevation gain. Parking is $7 per car, if you don’t have a Regional Park Pass. Leave Berger at 9 a.m. Bring water and snacks/and or lunch. Hike leaders are Greg and Jan Conklin, 539-4099.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

New OVA Website Offers Enhanced Functions—and It’s (Mostly) Password-Free nColin Hannigan, Information Technology and Communications Coordinator

Have you visited www.Oakmontvillage.com lately? It’s not your same old website anymore. We have ushered in a new, fresh design. But the makeover goes deeper than cosmetics. New user-friendly features now allow OVA members and visitors to access the Oakmont News, news alerts and posts and eblasts without logging into the site with a password. The website goals, developed with the Communications Committee, are aimed at increasing the community’s interaction with OVA online. Oakmont club and organization leaders will likely see the most significant changes, because they now can upload articles and photos directly to the site. The same is true for submissions to the eblast and the letters to the editor section of the Oakmont News. The new forms are easy to fill out and automatically count word limits for the user. For clubs and committees that have been using Zoom during the months-long pandemic, reservations and requests for time slots of the OVA Zoom subscription can now be made from the site under the Activities tab. The Activities page is one of the most dynamic site

(Photo by Julie Kiil)

features. It is updated with new content several times a week. Just as emailed news alerts let members know of news that happens between newspaper editions, the Activities page now also allows members to check for new items in-between the twice-monthly newspaper editions. Users who like the “paper” version of the Oakmont News can also flip through the pages on the site. A web-based reader allows for content searches and downloads of the editions of the Oakmont News. Content on the Members tab contains OVA board minutes, agendas, videos, documents and policies, as well as archived content. Those pages still require a password to access, because they contain proprietary OVA documents that are available to members only. A separate Facilities tab provides items such as

hours of operations and new maintenance updates. Those will be posted daily when applicable. A daily, hour-by-hour calendar has been replaced by a new events page and the Activities page, which lists classes and other events. More enhancements are coming soon, including the addition of a virtual assistant. This will be a Chat Bot, where members will be able to pose questions 24/7. Staff will aggregate questions the bot can’t answer and provide the best responses in a timely manner. We want to see as many people as possible using the website. Since day one, my goal has been to work with the community and get people comfortable with the changes we’re making for efficiency. I’ve learned some changes didn’t work, such as having an overall password for the site, and I use feedback to refine my approach. I hope members find this latest update more user friendly. Anita Roraus, activities coordinator, and I are also holding webinars on how to use site features and how to become more comfortable with technology. The sessions are open to all members.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Start with Warmups

Hidden Gem

nJohn Phillips, trainer at the Oakmont Fitness Center

Barbara and Joe Milan of 417 Hillsdale Drive encouraged Oakmont residents to drive by to enjoy this hidden gem of a red maple awaiting as you start up the hill. (Photo by Julie Kiil)

Passages Armin Lietze, a 12-year Oakmont resident, passed away October 29.

Janet Frances Cusick passed away on October 31 at her home in Oakmont, after a long life that allowed her to travel the world. She is survived by her three daughters and their families. The family is asking the Oakmont community to share their stories of her at https://jancusick.muchloved.com. Please contact OVA resident Bev Schilpp by phone, 538-4293 or E-mail wallyschilpp1@peoplepc.com, to publish the name and date of death of your loved one in the Oakmont News.

Continuing with how workouts should be performed, I would like to cover the warmup. Of course, I have done none of this in the order that it should be. I believe I started with the meat of the workout, the exercises intermixed with cardiovascular and then I did the stretches, which make a great cool down, and finally the warmup— which should actually have been at the beginning. The purpose of warming up is to get the muscles and joints ready to be stressed, and getting your blood to flow through the body to replenish nourishment and oxygen into those muscles. You don’t want to simply start working out, especially with weights. The stress on the muscle could cause a cold muscle to pull or tear. If the muscles have been warmed up then they are ready for the stressors of weight. The best way to warm up is by using what we call dynamic exercise. Here are some of my favorite warmup exercises: Large arm circles: Standing with your feet shoulder width apart, swing your arms in big circles one way for a few revolutions and then switch to the other direction. Keep the circles nice and smooth, no jerking. Chest flies with leg curls: Standing with feet shoulder width apart, fly your arms out and in across the chest, focusing on opening the chest muscles up, at the same time lift your feet up behind you to curl the

leg, using the hamstring to move the foot up and towards your rear-end. Perform 10 to 15 cycles. (This one uses a little balance.) Standing toe touches: These really warm up the core. Standing firmly on your feet, kick one leg in front and reach out with the opposite arm, trying to touch the toe. Step back down and switch to the other foot and arm. Perform 10 to 15 cycles. (This uses quite a bit of balance.) Squats: Yes, they’re back! You can use squats as warm up, no weights and keep it controlled. Perform 10 to 15 squats. Side shuffles/steps: This is also a balance exercise. To perform this exercise, you side step quickly and then back the other way. Perform 5 to 10 runs. A warmup only needs to be 510 minutes long. You simply want to make sure that the joints and muscles are ready to be stressed by whatever exercises you are going to be performing for the workout. We are getting to the end of the year and hopefully we all will be back at the Fitness Center soon. I can’t wait to see everyone there when it re-opens. If you need help with a workout or want to work out with me, I’m available for training and my Interval Training Class is available on Zoom, just text me and I will give you all the information. My phone number is 494-9086, email: wkuout2@aol.com. I hope to hear from you soon.

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SIR Branch #92

nBern Lefson

Our November members meeting had 31% participants all of whom found our speaker, Keith Woods, with incredible factual information regarding the 2017 wildfire destruction and rebuild costs. We will change gears in our December zoom meeting with the life story in pictures by our own Will Chubb, photographer extraordinaire. Our branch delivered thank-yous to the Oakmont fire station and to Kenwood’s Cal Fire for the fantastic job done by all firefighters in saving our community. Our next golf outing will be on the Sugarloaf course at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 3. This time our golf will be First On and First in the Cup with each foursome or less competing within itself. We invite non-members to join our members’ meeting and golf outings. Contact me at blefson@gmail.com.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Kiwanis Club of Oakmont

nCharlene Bunas

WHAT: Free Zoom classes by JoRene WHEN: Mondays, Wednesdays from 9–10 a.m., 967 9942 2442, passcode 573596

Ugly Sweaters—December 16

When winter weather calls for sweaters, holiday exercise classes call for ugly sweaters. That leads to a contest: The Annual Ugly Sweater Contest. Ribbons and prizes are awarded—were awarded. This year we will still wear our Ugly Sweaters, and will still parade them via the December 16 Zoom class (see number above.) Instead of prizes awarded, each sweater wearer

will receive envying admiration and massive applause. Most sweaters are removed before or shortly after beginning the exercises; JoRene knows no mercy! Following her twice-weekly sessions is to create your own body heat. The twice-weekly sessions also create energy and a zestfulness otherwise difficult to achieve during these winter days of cold weather and indoor surroundings. From personal experience, a word of caution: cold weather means bodies take longer to warm up and make it easier to pull a muscle. Go easy, go gradual, go with common sense.

nBev Singer

The lively Oakmont Kiwanis Club is actively recruiting you to be a member if you like to volunteer and help our community and local schools. Last week we were at the Redwood Empire Food Bank with the Montgomery and Maria Carrillo High Schools Kiwanis sponsored Key Clubs. We will be there every time the Key Clubs set the dates. Do all our Kiwanis members go? No. There are other activities members are volunteering for. Twice a year we sponsor the huge Oakmont Shred-A-Thon. Some of us are singing Salvation Army bell ringers. Most of you enjoyed the yearly pancake breakfasts. Last year we changed to tacos and margaritas—a big hit. We will do that as soon as COVID lets us. In years past Kiwanis was a men’s only club, but not anymore. Times are changing. Kiwanis Clubs are located in over 80 nations. Each club has different activities which change as there is a community or school need. Oakmont Kiwanis Club meets every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. zoom time. Come join us by contacting Tricia Shindledecker at 775-1597 or 755-3756. Now I want you to read what our active treasurer has to say and why she joined Kiwanis. nPat Veuve, Treasurer

Last year’s participants huddle on the Berger stage to display creative choices.

nTina Lewis

Current Events Discussion Group

The Current Events group consists of lively discussions of current events, from local to international, every Friday from 1–2:30 p.m. Informed comments are welcomed from across the political spectrum, from liberals to conservatives. We try very hard to limit the discussion of politics. There are many other issues to discuss.

Because we cannot meet in person, our meetings are now on Zoom. We hope you will join us. If you are interested, send an email to me at tinalewis31@comcast. net, and your request will be forwarded to Jim Duport, who hosts the meetings. If you have any questions, call 758-9739.

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I grew up in a service-oriented family. My father was a long-time member of Lions Club and my mother was a dedicated Rotarian. But it wasn’t until one day when I was walking past the East Rec. Center and my friend Al Thomas, who happened to be standing on the balcony, saw me and invited me to join Kiwanis. I considered joining a formal service club myself. When I discovered that the focus of Kiwanis is children, both locally and globally, I knew that this was the club for me. Within a few months of joining, I was appointed treasurer and I’ve held that office ever since. I lived in Santa Rosa from the age of 11 until I finished college at 22, and then returned in 2008. My children both live in San Francisco, with my twin grandchildren age 5 and my newest granddaughter age 8 months. I get to see them occasionally for outdoor lunches and during the last evacuation, I quarantined for seven days and passed a COVID test so that I could spend a few days visiting. Some of my favorite activities in the Oakmont Kiwanis Club are doing things with our sponsored high school Key Club members, such as the assembly line at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and being reading buddies with the Kenwood School first graders. Another favorite is the twice-a-year Shredathon and I’m looking forward to the day hopefully in a few months when we can join again for our weekly breakfast meetings. Until then, the zoom meetings are fun, and we still manage to get a lot accomplished.

The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Men’s Niners

Curious Visitor nStan Augustine

The Sugarloaf (formerly East) Course is beginning to shape up thanks to the grounds crew of CourseCo. Greens have never looked better, new grass seed has been spread in barren areas and the new mowing equipment has been making a difference in the grooming of the fairways. On Monday, November 2, three tied for the lowest 9-hole net score: first tie, Ron Bassolino, John Derby and Bill Dickinson, 31; fourth tie, Tony D’Agosta and Ernie Pricco, 33; sixth tie, Roger Goeller, Peter Haggerty and Bob Wilkinson. Anita Easland took this photo of a grey squirrel visiting her Hood Mountain Circle deck.

Fifteen players turned out on November 9 Low Net game: first, John Derby, 31; second, Wayne Mickaelian, 32; third, Tom Massip, 33; fourth tie, Bob Wilkinson, Phil Sapp and Tom McHugh, 34. Twenty-four participated in the 2-Man Chapman game on November 16; first, Tom McHugh and Bob Stephens, 27; second tie, Tony D’Agosta/Gary Stone and Wayne Mickaelian/ Roger Goeller, 29.5; fourth, Jack Robinson and Charlie Perotti, 30.5; fifth, Bob Hancock and Ernie Pricco, 31.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Pétanque Club

nDon McPherson

CURRENT RULES FOR PLAY

Pétanque play via player-arranged pickup games continues on the Oakmont courts between Berger and the OVA offices/Umpqua Bank. Using the two side courts and leaving the middle court vacant to promote social distancing, the maximum number of players currently permitted is 12. Those using the courts are reminded to keep a minimum of 6 feet social distance at all times and to bring and use their own equipment, face covering and hand sanitizer. Masks covering mouth and nose should be worn at all times. Scoreboards, throwing circles, extra boules, chairs, and benches may not be used. Gatherings before and

after games are prohibited. No one feeling ill may come to the courts and individuals play at their own risk. During play, no one may touch anyone else’s boules. Each team must use one designated player to throw out and pick up her or his own cochonnet. The club will announce when it will officially resume sponsorship of open, random team selection Club Play on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the regularly scheduled 9:45 a.m.–noon time slot.

Australia. At the fashionable, laid back cafe along the Yarra Riverwalk, restaurant precinct guests can play pétanque while overlooking the river with a grand view of the city. There is a full-service bar with bar snacks and guests can also order such treats as oysters and frites from bordering Bistro Guillaume, hand pies and tacos from Nobu, and iced treats from the Gradi Gelato trolley.

URBAN PÉTANQUE CAFES TREND

The accelerating world-wide trend toward hip, urban pétanque-themed bars and cafes has a spectacular new entry, Pétanque Social in Melbourne,

New Pétanque Bar/Café, Pétanque Social, along the Yarra Riverwalk in Melbourne, Australia. (Photos by Crown Melbourne)

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The Karukun Pétanque Championships are underway in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with 478 athletes and coaches from 55 clubs nationwide competing in the Olympic Stadium. The Cambodian government permitted sports activities to resume in June after a several-months halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. Brought to Cambodia by the French, pétanque has become virtually the national sport in the Kingdom. Cambodia hosted its first international competition, the 17th World Women and Junior Championships, at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium in 2019. International pétanque star and promoter Ke Leng, a Cambodian national sports hero and four-time Women’s World Gold Medalist, retired after winning the 2019 Championships.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Oakmont Sunday Symposium www.oakmontsundaysymposium.org nMarilyn Pahr

December 6, 11 AM: Kayleen Asbo, PhD Beethoven: A Life of Resilience

We all love Beethoven for his majestic and exquisite music. But there’s a lot more to his story. He was a child prodigy and his father brutally forced him to develop his talent so that the little boy could support the family. Beethoven was flogged, locked in the cellar and deprived of sleep for extra hours of practice. Kayleen will tell us how Beethoven’s life was a model of courageous creativity, and an example for all of us on how to transform tragedy and heartbreak into beauty and hope. Dr. Asbo is well-known and much beloved by the Oakmont community who have attended her many presentations via the Oakmont Lifelong Learning program. Thank you for your support and participation as we continue to bring informative, exciting and thoughtprovoking speakers to you online. Please consider a donation to the Oakmont Community Foundation, http://www.oakmontcommunityfoundation.com/ earmarked for The Oakmont Sunday Symposium. We’ll be back on January 10, 2021! Stay tuned via our website, the OVA E-blast and Nextdoor postings or join our email list for current info: http://oakmontsundaysymposium.org/ contact-us.html.

nGeorge McKinney

Wednesday, December 2, 4 PM Understanding mRNA Vaccines Futures and Sunday Symposium

The Symposium Broadcast Series has scheduled a talk on mRNA vaccines for Wednesday, December 2. at 4 p.m. The news from Pfizer about their outstanding initial results for a COVID-19 vaccine makes it important to understand this type of vaccine, which is very different from conventional vaccines. It is based on messenger RNA (mRNA) and will be the first time any vaccine has been commercialized using this new technology. Another company, Moderna, also has an mRNA vaccine. Professor Joseph Lin of Sonoma State, who teaches both Immunology and Virology, will lecture about what an mRNA vaccine is, why it is different, and why it represents a major advance in vaccine technology. There will be an opportunity for extensive Q&A after his lecture. If you’d like to participate in the Zoom meeting, email futureoakmont@gmail.com and we’ll add you to the list.

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Lawn Bowling nMary Blake nPastor Brinda

Hello Beloved Community, At the time of this writing, we are preparing to cook a huge Thanksgiving Dinner for our annual Thanksgiving feast. By time you read this article, Thanksgiving will be over and God willing, the Christmas lights will be going up around the community. But that is jumping the gun, let us tell you about our Thanksgiving plans. Every year, we hold a Thanksgiving Dinner for our members who otherwise would not have one. It is a joy to host such a large gathering. This year with the Covid-19 virus, we are going to bypass the gathering, but that is not stopping the dinner. We decided to go ahead and make the dinner for delivery. Years ago, Lee and I went to a restaurant for Thanksgiving, and later that night we longed for leftovers, but alas we had none. Ever since then, not only do we host the dinner, but we make sure everyone has a to-go plate for them to enjoy later. We are thankful there are ways to still share a Thanksgiving meal even in the midst of this crazy world. It is difficult to make plans. We want to do as much as we can online for the safety of our people, at the same time, we have many members who do not have the technology to stay connected. Therefore, it is important for us to try and figure out ways to offer opportunities to gather safely. As Christmas approaches, we are tossing around the idea of a Christmas Eve candle-lit service when the county drops into the red tier. We are not sure if that will happen. So, we are also considering an outdoor service. But will people show up in the cold of the evening to worship with us? There is the possibility, weather permitting, to do a morning or mid-day type service. But in that case, we couldn’t call it a candle-lit service, because seriously, who lights candles in the daylight. Hopefully, we will come up with a plan on how to honor this Holy Season for all our people, those with technology and those without. We are also in the process of learning how to upload more church information on the OVA server. We are excited about having a better outreach in our community. Okay, that’s all the news… Continue to pray for one another and keep an eye on one another, especially as the winter weather approaches. Every so often, go knock on your neighbor’s door to make sure they are alright. God bless you all. Join us for our online worship every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. via YouTube under “Oakmont Community Church” or visit our web page to find the link. Subscribe to our channel for weekly reminders every time we go live. Follow us on Facebook. Oakmont Community Church is a nondenomination Bible based church. Pastor Brinda Peterson, 595-0166. Church Office is at the Manse: 6687 Oakmont Dr. Website: occsantarosa.org.

We have a new board!

First of all, thank you so very, very much to Marilyn and Jeana! They’ve both been amazing assets for the club the last two years. I don’t have room to list everything they’ve done but here are a few things of note: Marilyn has brought to the club integrity and clearheadedness and a concern for both the club and the people in it. She’s overseen our shift to online communications and helped us adapt to a changing world. And she’s kept us bowling during a global pandemic. Most of her work has been behind the scenes and often underappreciated. But it hasn’t always been easy! Until we had to cancel gatherings, Jeana kept us connected with creative social events and inspired us to do good deeds with the holiday gifts for needy children. She also coordinated lawn bowling clothing (I wear my fleece jacket almost everywhere now that it’s cooled off) and used her incredible graphic design skills to craft our flyers and handouts.

Our new board

Please welcome and thank Bob Stephens and Steve Pickell. Bob is the new president and Steve is the vice president. Marilyn replaces Jerry as the emeritus member of the board, continuing to bring her experience to Bob Stephens, President. our meetings. The rest of the board remains the same: Treasurer—Tony Lachowicz; Secretary—Mary Blake; Directors—Bonnie Johnston, Jim Krause and Janet Johnson.

Holiday party and gifts for children in need

Thanks to all who’ve chosen names Steve Pickell, of children to give gifts to! The name Vice President. tags disappeared in no time. As I keep on saying, you’re an amazing group of people! If you are buying a gift, wrap it and leave it at Jim Krause’s by December 11. If you are asking someone else to shop for you, contact Jim or Jeana. Send an email to oakmontlawnbowling@gmail. com. Contact us at www.oakmontlawnbowling.com or oakmontlawnbowling@gmail.com.

The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Pickleball Corner nDoc Savarese

Featured Couple: Anita Easland and Diane Naylor

The interview began in Anita and Diane’s backyard in order to maintain appropriate social distancing. They had just recently celebrated their 30th anniversary. Both Anita and Diane stated that their relationship was that of “evolvement.” They met in a home health program where they worked together, with Anita as the District Coordinator and Diane as a Physical Therapist. Diane stated that she had been a “jock” all of her life (tournament tennis player) where she sought physical activities as a means of fulfilment. She was seeking selfidentity and found an immediate social/ Anita and Diane. emotional attraction towards Anita. She felt comfortable, accepted and nonjudged. Anita (who was not a jock) was searching for self-understanding and acceptance, reciprocated her feelings toward Diane. The relationship began with both of them desiring “mutual satisfaction” as an important ingredient. Both Anita and Diane wanted to help each other to fulfill their unrealized dreams which had been stagnated throughout most of their lives. They moved into a country setting around Sea Ranch where they

developed mutually satisfying interests such as Diane’s interest in horses and Anita’s interest in the arts. Their relationship evolved from having fearful feelings based upon past experiences into those of self-acceptance and confidence. They learned how to overlook many social pressures, believe in themselves by satisfying each other’s emotional needs, making it a point to appreciate and respect one another, and achieve balance in their personality differences. I found it intriguing while listening to them to see how far they have evolved Drawing by Peter Copen. in appreciating their individuality and viewing it as complimentary. Anita and Diane moved to Oakmont approximately 11 years ago needing to change their life-style due to Anita’s toxic reaction to tick bites. This transformation included Anita’s introduction to pickleball in 2013 when it was an emerging sport in Oakmont. Diane soon followed, and both of them became highly skilled players, winning a Silver Medal in the Women’s Senior Doubles Division at the Wine Country Tournament in Santa Rosa. Anita continues to play one-on-one (skinny singles) during the pandemic while Diane is on hold, waiting for surgery on her hip.

In searching to characterize their relationship, I find myself using the word “grit.” They have a positive approach to their marriage, to get better, to forgive, to innovate and an indomitable attitude to move on despite social pressures and problems. They are truly a couple who have weathered life’s predictable and unpredictable storms together and evolved as true and inseparable partners. I came away from the interview inspired and enriched. New Player Orientation: Arrangements can be made by contacting Pauly Uhr at 984-4186 or Nancy Lande at 978-2998 to schedule a session which are conducted on Tuesday mornings. Demo paddles: Demo paddles are available for check-out by seeing me at the courts or calling 349-9065.

Online Games at Oakmont nGeorge McKinney

There are still a lot of opportunities for you to play games with your neighbors and friends. We have game groups for contract bridge, duplicate bridge, scrabble, Mah Jongg, and other games. Online can be a lot of fun and a chance to stay in touch. Email us at gamesatoakmont@gmail.com.

CLASSIFIEDS BAY GRAB BAR

Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Safety and independence w/grab bars, handrails, ramps. Call Bill, 509-8222. Lic. #1062187. www.BayGrabBar.com.

HERITAGE ROOFING CO.

Specializing in residential re-roofing. Top quality workmanship. Honest and reliable. Oakmont references. Free estimates. Lic. #673839. 539-4498.

PAINTING AND FAUX FINISHES Reasonable rates, free estimates, Oakmont references. Lic. #573530. Gary Luurs, 528-8489.

BABE’S TRANSPORTATION

A personal transportation service for airports, cruises and vacations. Call for reservations. Plus Babe is on the road again for local doctor visits, shopping, etc. Call Stephany at 545-2850.

B&J CONSTRUCTION BRUCE JOHNSON, GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Remodeling, kitchens and baths. Reasonable rates. Small jobs OK. Free estimates. Lic. #428073. Call 996-1454.

REPAIRS PILING UP? CALL RAY

No job too big or too small. Heating, water heaters, plumbing, electrical, drywall, patching, painting, appliance repairs, honey do’s, etc. Quality and affordable. Ray, (707) 280-2699.

GOLF CARTS

Huge selection of value-priced, new, used and re-conditioned golf carts for sale. Professional repairs, service. Many years servicing our friends in Oakmont. 584-5488.

MARTHA L PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANING

Home, office, move-outs. Window, bed linens and much more. 19+ years of experience. References upon request. 548-9482 or marthal1041@att.net.

THERAPEUTIC & RELAXING MASSAGE

ERIC WILSON, GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Remodeling specialists. Kitchens, baths, roofing, plumbing and electrical. Fire and water damage repair. Quality service, reasonable rates. Proudly serving locally for over 25 years. Free estimates. Lic. #669482. Call today (707) 328-3555.

WC’S LOCKS AND KEYS

Professional, experienced locksmith for all your security needs. Senior discount. Call today! 539-6268. Wayne Carrington, LCO #2411.

GARAGE DOOR SERVICES

30+ years of experience doing and teaching massage. Sessions are structured to meet each client’s needs. Introductory rate $65. Call or text Charlotte for appt. CA Lic. #34755. (831) 238-6473.

Locally owned and operated Dependable Doors offers full servicing, repair, and replacement of garage doors and motors. Call Casey at (707) 775-8009 for all of your garage door needs. Lic. #1016951.

GARDEN TRIMMING

DECKS, FENCES, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

Trees, hedges, shrubs done with an emphasis upon a natural look. Since 2007. Richard, 833-1806. Oakmont.

GARAGE DOOR & OPENER SERVICE OVERHEAD DOOR CO. OF SANTA ROSA, INC. Locally owned and operated for over 50 years. Does your garage door opener have a battery backup? Call us for all your garage door needs. Annual service, broken springs, repair/replace your garage door or opener. Call us at 5424949. Lic. #281347.

Finish carpentry and general construction. Licensed, bonded and insured. CA Lic. #1044479. Call Rodrigo at (707) 975-6576, (707) 393-9748, or 843-9469.

YOUR PERSONAL CAREGIVER AND ADVOCATE QUALIFIED TO CARE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS

Available 24/7 (w/backup, if needed). 20+ yrs. of honest, reliable, competent experience. Native Californian, bonded, fingerprinted and DMV clear. Specialize in Alzheimer’s. A flat rate for 24-hr or overnight care. Starla, (925) 698-6312.

NOSE TO NOSE PET SITTING

The best care for your best friends. Dog and cat care. Daily home visits. Overnight companionship. Insured and bonded. Profile and referrals at petsit.com. Alix Moline, 637-6267.

RESIDENTIAL WINDOW AND PRESSURE CLEANING SERVICES SERVICO WINDOW CLEANING CO.

Decks, stucco, pavements, gutters. Free estimates. Call Dennis at (707) 249-3343.

FIREPLACE CLEANING AND SERVICE

Warming Trends has been cleaning, servicing and installing fireplaces, stoves and inserts for 30 years. Call 578-9276 for any fireplace needs.

ONE WAY PLUMBING, INC.

Dependable, experts serving you and your neighbors with excellence and integrity for over 20 years. Licensed, bonded and insured. Senior discounts available. CA Lic. #854537. Find us on the web at www. onewayplumb.net or call us at 537-1308 for all your plumbing needs.

COMPUTER OOPS??

Oakmont Onsite Personal Computer Services. Call Chuck for all things computer. VOM Rotary member, computer instructor. References available, many satisfied Oakmont customers. $50/hr. 293-8011.

To place an ad, contact: CJM Productions , 2105 Longhorn Circle, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 • (707) 206-1957 • cjmprod567@gmail.com

BODEN PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR

For all your plumbing and heating needs. Local plumbers in business since the late 20th century, licensed, bonded and insured. Same day service is often available. Money-saving coupons! CA Lic. #659920. Please call (707) 996-8683 or go to www.BodenPlumbing.com.

ENTRY DOORS

Local professional installation. Wood and Fiberglass Doors. Free estimates. Call Brad Chiaravalle, 539-3196. View photos at www.doorbeautiful.com. Lic #527924.

FOR ALL YOUR PAINTING NEEDS

Quality affordable work at reasonable rates. Interior painting including rooms, cabinets, railings, decks, fencing. Pressure washing and more. Call Michelle, (707) 378-3600.

PAINTER/HANDYMAN

Interior/Exterior. 30 yrs. experience. Single rooms or full interiors. Friendly and honest. Morse Painting, Lic. #656306. Call Dan, (707) 799-5823.

CAREGIVER AND ADVOCATE OR JUST SHOPPING IF NEEDED

Companionship, transportation, hygiene, basic meal prep, etc. 28 years of experience in Oakmont. References. Mary, 696-1287.

The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Tennis Club

nJoanne Phillips

Seen on the Courts

OTC members enjoy their Sunday game even during chilly mornings.

OTC Membership Form

Please complete this coupon and contact Jon Kline, (650) 279-0001, alsonjonny@gmail.com. Please note that providing your email address implies permission to include it in the printed roster, the only place where email addresses are listed. Please print clearly. Number of members at $20 each: ________ Check amount enclosed: $_____________ Member 1 Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________ Email: _____________________________________________ Member 2 Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________ Email: _____________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

New members: after providing your email address, you will receive an email invitation from our OTC members-only website that is hosted by Shutterfly.

Edilberto Loaiza enjoys some sunshine between sets.

Tony Agocs launches his signature killer serve.

JOIN THE OAKMONT TENNIS CLUB FOR 2021!

Dues are $20/person/year. Please complete this coupon and put it with your check made out to OTC in the Tennis Club folder in the OVA office or in the front porch drop box at 9272 Oak Trail Circle (in The Orchard). Membership questions? Contact Jon Kline, (650) 279-0001, alsonjonny@gmail.com. Important reminder: All paid 2020 memberships carry over to 2021 with no payment required. Use this form for changes only. New members who enroll by March 1 are included in the annually printed roster. Providing your email address implies permission to include it in the printed roster, the only place where email addresses are listed.

Caregiver Support Group nVickie Jackanich

Sister, Daughter, Husband, Friend…

If you are caring for someone who lives in Oakmont, or you live in Oakmont and are caring for someone who doesn’t, there’s a support group for you! Caring comes in many forms. Perhaps you are dealing with your loved one’s new memory problems, or helping him or her with a condition that affects mobility, or maybe you are managing their care in a facility. You will find others like you in the group. The Oakmont Caregiver Support Group meets twice a month. Meetings are facilitated by Dorothy Foster, LMFT, a caregiving and dementia-care specialist. Each meeting, participants have the opportunity to talk about what’s come up recently—challenging, perplexing, or good—in his or her life. Group members don’t tell each other what they should do; rather, they share experiences and resources, frustrations and humor. Recent topics have ranged from strategies for living with power outages, to dealing with getting on MediCal for long-term care, to handling agitation and odd beliefs in someone with dementia. The group ordinarily meets in person. Due to the pandemic, we are now meeting by conference call. Group members prefer this to Zoom because they don’t have to be tied to a computer and have the flexibility to be wherever they need to be to have privacy to talk. The Oakmont Caregiver Support Group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 10:30 a.m.–noon. For further information or to find out how to dial in to the next meeting, contact me at 595-3054 or Dorothy Foster, LMFT at 793-2152.

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The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

Bocce Club

nLinda and Don McPherson

Playreaders

OBSERVE POSTED RULES

at all times. All players are reminded that they are required Organized Bocce play is slowly returning around to observe the posted Rules of Play. Masks covering the country and the Bay Area under Covid-19 both nose and mouth and social distancing of six feet restrictions, but remains stifled in Oakmont and minimum are required on the court and in the court Sonoma County. Sonoma remains the only “Purple” area. (widespread virus) county in the Bay Area on the No club equipment may be used. Except within state’s risk level map. The Bocce Shed remains family units, personal equipment closed by OVA, and Santa may not be shared. Players must Rosa Mayor Tom Schwedhelm identify and touch only their issued a social media video individual balls marked via tape, on November 12 emphasizing stickers, etc. and pallinos can that gatherings of any size for only be touched by one person sports games or tournaments from each side during play. are not permitted. Under the Players are expected to County Health Order, members bring hand sanitizer and/or of the same household may sanitizing wipes. One person continue to play using their shall be designated to score and own equipment. that person will wipe down Determined players continue the scoreboard and pegs with to compete in self-arranged sanitizer or wipes at the end of games on the Oakmont Courts play. Individuals may not come under the club’s reopening to the courts if they have any restrictions. A maximum of 8 illness symptoms; individuals persons may play, a maximum play at their own risk. Persons of 4 persons on each side court wishing seating should bring Julie and Jack Linder recently enjoyed with the center court left vacant their own chairs. singles games and a beautiful fall day at the Oakmont Bocce Courts.

328 Mountain Vista Court Prepare to be impressed as you enter through the delightful courtyard of this beautifully updated and modern Oakmont home on a spectacular golf course lot. You’ll spend much of your time outside admiring views in every direction as you enjoy Sonoma County’s mild wine country climate. Morning sunshine floods the sleek eat-in kitchen updated with the home chef in mind. Other features include dual pane windows, air conditioning, updated lighting and window coverings, gas burning fireplace insert, updated bathrooms, inside laundry room with storage, and so much more! In the garden you’ll find a private and gated side yard with an outdoor art gallery (included), Trex deck, and colorful plantings. Such an enchanting spot to enjoy your morning cup of coffee! On the other side of the garden is your own little farmers market that includes lime, Meyer lemon, blood orange, cherry and Mexican orange trees. What a wonderful place to call home. $829,000

20 Meadowgreen Circle An attractive front door welcomes you into this warm and inviting Oakmont home that shows pride of ownership inside and out, and has the most stunning patio and backyard unlike any other triplex unit in the community. Some of the many features of this comfortable home include dual pane windows, laminate flooring, air conditioning, updated lighting, fixtures, ceiling fans and window coverings. The living room has a gas burning fireplace for cozy evenings, built-in cabinets, and opens to the window filled sunroom overlooking the spectacular garden. There is even a newly installed whole-house Kohler Generator. The private laundry room and carport are accessible from inside the home. Outside you’ll find a private oasis that bursts with color during spring, summer and fall. The meandering patio has covered seating, and plenty of room for gathering or enjoying a good book. This home can be yours just in time for the holidays. $499,500

Marie McBride

322-6843

Private Line 6520 Oakmont Drive marie@sonic.net CalBRE #01169355

Are you thinking of selling this fall, or just curious about your home’s value? Please call me for a confidential and complimentary COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS.

nNorma Doyle

In the past Playreaders met every Monday in the Berger Center from 2–3 p.m. to read plays, selected and read by members. We happily welcomed many visitors through the years, with a good number of them staying and deciding to read plays, as well. Others chose to simply observe and enjoy. Currently, the Playreaders gather via zoom on Mondays at 2 p.m. when a play is to be read. Regrettably, we are unable to open the meetings to visitors due to complications in managing zoom. On December 7 and 14 I will present seven different short comedic plays. On Dec. 7 the plays to be read are The Wedding by Lauren Wilson, Please Have a Seat and Someone Will be With You Shortly by Garth Wingfield, The Blueberry Hill Accord by Daryl Watson and Check, Please by Jonathan Rand. On Dec. 14 the plays to be read are Miss You by David Auburn, Outsourced by Laura Shaine Cunningham and The Way of All Fish by Elaine May. Norma Doyle. Playreaders are Kay Hardy, Jackie Kokemor, Stephen Litzenberger, Jeff Sheff, Ginnie Smith and I. Special thanks to the zoom manager Malcolm Wing, who had to prepare an extensive plan to have the right playreaders miked and on video for fast-moving Kay Hardy. plays that range from 3 to 40 minutes. Ernest Hemmingway once said, “A man’s got to take a lot of punishment to write a really funny book.” This apparently applies to plays too and suffice it to say, the playwrights have all apparently taken a lot of pain in life because their plays are very humorous. Jackie Kokemor. All of these plays in the planned readings were chosen from over 400 submitted scripts from top names in comedy such as Steve Martin, Christopher Durang, David LindsayAbaire and Shel Silverstein. Short, funny scripts with great roles for actors Stephen usually have minimal scene changes Litzenberger. and no complex costuming. Therefore, they are often produced with great success. This formula also works well for playreaders who get to try multiple roles with no memorization involved and are able to use someone else’s funny lines to make friends laugh. Jeff Sheff. We may all be entering the 10th month of shelter-in-place and be missing our friends and families and our familiar patterns of life that bring us so much pleasure, but let the laughter begin!

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Ginnie Smith.

The Oakmont News / December 1, 2020

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