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The Oakmont News / August 15, 2015
nTom Kendrick
The Pickleball Corner
Oakmont Deer Keep Aliens in Check!
Remember the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Duplicate beings crawl out of alien seed pods? Well, it’s real this time! Aliens, disguised as old people are everywhere—particularly in retirement communities. That person you thought you knew? He was your best friend? You’d sit around and watch TV together? But all of a sudden he wants to put on a pair of shorts and tennis shoes and hobble around on a pint-sized tennis court and make a fool of himself? Well guess what—that’s not your friend, it’s a copy of your friend, and you better be careful ‘cause you might be next. You think I’m kidding? You want proof? Well, just go to any retirement community—you know, the ones who advertise themselves as being “Active Adult Communities.” You’ll see them. They’re everywhere! They walk around with paddles and have funny looking balls. And although no actual seed pods have been located, there are a Duplicate being lot of tomato plants, and scientists believe they are where the aged athletic aliens are coming from. And now, sadly, it’s begun to be a problem here in our own community—over a 100 duplicate beings are suspected to be roaming about. They’re the young ones—aged 65 to 80. And although their numbers are growing, there is one bright spot. We have deer! And what do deer do? Why, they eat tomato plants! Therefore, thanks to our famished four-leggedfriends, the numbers of Alien-Eater alien duplicate beings are growing at a slower rate than in other communities— only about five per month at last count. WHO: All Oakmont residents welcome. WHERE: East Rec. Tennis Court #4 WHEN: Open Play, 10 a.m.–12 noon (when you can always get a game); 9–10 a.m. and 12–5 p.m., key required, games need to be arranged; 8–9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (quiet balls only). Courts available seven days a week WHY: Come join the fun, exercise and meet nice people ATTIRE: Proper court attire requested. Please wear approved court shoes with non-marking soles. We have loaner paddles available. WEBSITE: https://oakmontpickleball.shutterfly. com NEW PLAYER ORIENTATION: Mondays 9–10 a.m. NEW PLAYER CONTACT: PJ Savage, 843-7266; E-mail: pjsavage24@att.net
nNoel Lyons, Tom Kendrick and Andie Altman
Draft Pickleball facility use policy— East Rec. Center, tennis court #4
It is recognized and intended that Oakmont Village Association have a good neighbor facility use policy for the two temporary Pickleball courts installed at East Rec. Center, Tennis Court #4. The conditions below were developed by surrounding neighbors, Oakmont Pickleball Club leadership and facilitators to foster a good neighbor relationship between all. 1. Tennis Court #4 shall remain striped and equipped for at most two temporary Pickleball courts only. The remaining three tennis courts shall remain tennis play only (Courts 1, 2, and 3). 2. The two Pickleball courts may be used between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 3. Play is allowed with quiet balls only, on Tuesday and Thursday from 8–9 a.m. 4. Play is not allowed after 5 p.m. 5. Players should be respectful of their environment and neighbors and at all times be mindful of their voices. 6. Oakmont Village Association will be responsible for installing appropriate signage at the courts regarding this policy and the items above. 7. Oakmont Pickleball Club will publish this policy on the website and include in club’s announcements.
Cal Alumni Club
nMark Randol
SADDLE CLUB DINNER THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
The next Saddle Club Dinner will be held on Thursday, August 20 with cocktails starting at 5 p.m. and buffet dinner at 6 p.m. The menu will be Chicken Parmesan and Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Green Salad. There will be lemon bars with whipped cream for dessert. The price of the dinner is $29.50 for Saddle Club members and $32 for non-members and includes cocktails before dinner, tax, and gratuity. Reservations in advance a must and are due by Monday, August 17. Please contact Ed Low at 538-7785. The Saddle Club is located at 550 White Oak Drive.
Lawn Bowling
nGreg Goodwin
I don’t know about you, but I have no idea what an instagram is or how it works. I’m not sure about hash tag, tweet or texts. So, when someone is a “friend” on one of those things—forget about it. To me a friend is a real person who shares common interests and cares about you. Mutual respect and admiration exists between friends. Additionally, friends make an effort to see and talk to each other. Which brings us to Lawn Bowling. Through Lawn Bowling, I’ve met and become friends with five people. Perhaps I would have met them someplace else, but then again maybe not. Surveys report that a majority of people report having two friends, down from three a generation ago. Relationships are very important to seniors. Friends are indeed golden gems. Come try Lawn Bowling and make new friends like I did.
CONDITION OF THE GREEN
Signs have been posted that the green is to be used for Lawn Bowling exclusively. The grass is a specially seeded blend that can’t thrive under harsh conditions such as heavy foot traffic, polo matches or monster truck shows. Our Lawn Bowling green is a rare piece of property that is the envy of lawn bowlers from all over Northern California. The OLBC wants to thank the OVA for their continuing support and our good neighbors for complying with regulations to keep our green pristine.
OH NO! IT WON’T GO
Leisure Town Lawn Bowling Club President, Charlie Thorpe, has been calling and wants a rematch for the bowling trophy. As you recall, last year OLBC reclaimed the title and trophy. The trophy is proudly on display in our club house. So we must unite, fight and bowl with all our might to keep it where it belongs, here in Oakmont. Let’s get ready to rumble.
LABOR DAY PICNIC MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
All alumni, family, and friends of Cal are invited to the Oakmont Club’s annual Labor Day picnic featuring the Straw Hat Band, a raffle, silent auction to support the club’s scholarship fund, and a tasty BBQ. WHEN: Labor Day Monday, September 7 WHERE: Wine Country Polo Field in Oakmont TIME: 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. MENU: BBQ Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Garden Burgers, with salads and all the fixings and ice cream cups. Wine, beer, water, and soft drinks are included. COST: $22 for adults, $10 for children. Advance tickets will be required. The reservation deadline is Thursday, August 20. Please make check payable to Cal Alumni Club of Oakmont and mail to Cal Alumni Club of Oakmont, c/o Helen Young, 362 Singing Brook Circle, Santa Rosa, CA 95409. For additional information about the Cal Alumni Club, please contact Membership Chair, Bonnie Lukes, at 537-9631, or go to the club’s website: www. oakmontcalalums.org.
I’ll shake, but the trophy stay’s here.
A SHORT TIME—MAY TO SEPTEMBER
It is amazing that more than half of the 2015 Lawn Bowling Season is over. There are still several club tournaments to be won. To win them, you have to be in them, so check the green book and the bulletin board for information and sign-ups. The next two tournaments scheduled are the August 17 Open Singles and the September 2 Mixed Triples.
OPEN PLAY
All Oakmont residents are welcome to try their hand at lawn bowling. Stop by the green any Tuesday during July and August from 9:30–11:00 a.m. Club members will show you the basics and you can try rolling a few bowls. Club bowls will be provided. Please wear flat-soled shoes. Questions? Can’t make Tuesdays? Call Tony Lackowicz at 888-1430 or Bill Livingston at 327-8180 to set up a separate time to play.