Author Archives: Bill Booth

Pickleball Club Reopening

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Good afternoon Sun City Pickleball Club Members!!!!!

YES, indeed, our Pickleball Club will be back “in full swing” starting May 17!! The “green light” to get things going has arrived . , . and, even, earlier than anticipated by many! Great news!!

Admittedly, the Club is entering that part of the year when not too many activities/events take place within Club Time, however, it is great to know we will be “operational” as this 2021 year goes forward starting on May 17! Looks like the Round Up Tournament will take place in October after all! A Christmas Party, Round Robins, Ladders, Clinics, Special Weekly Events, Intro Lessons, Reciprocals, Luncheons, etc, etc, etc!!!! So much to look forward too!!! As I said to Myrna DeBruyne, our Chartered Club Supervisor, this morning . . . Wahoo!!

Plans have already begun to develop as we approach May 17 and the “grand reopening” of our Sun City Pickleball Club presents itself . . . be sure there will be much more information to follow in the near future.

Thank you to all who “weathered” this last year with “patience” and “understanding” . . . what a year! A reminder here would be to make sure you have your Club Membership up to date so your transition back into your favorite Club Activities/Events can take place easily and quickly!

More reminders:
Please pick up the pickleballs and keep them in the coolers as we get more and more into the “heat”!
Paddle Holders will be coming back into “play” soon with information as to which court those paddles/members are “in line” to play on next . . . there will be an additional paddle holder for courts 13 and 14 near the New Gates just for those 2 courts.
Court courtesy is always “in play” – using the paddle holders will help with the flow of which members play on the court next after the current group has finished their game and leaves the court.
Get more involved in our Club . . . are you interested in being on our Club Executive Board or Volunteering in one (or more) of our Club Activities/Events?! Please read the last Club email . . . speak to someone mentioned in that email about how to get more involved . . . BRAVO to all those who do . . . and . . .THANK YOU!!

For now,
Dave B

Nominating Committee — Guests — April Notes

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Welcome to April Sun City Pickleball Club Members,

So it is that we have arrived in April, 2021 . . . and, we hope, with better times ahead!! Still plenty of great weather for playing pickleball as this “winter” season departs . . . sure, there is some wind and some heat . . . tough to beat, though, this time in Arizona!! Play on!

One of the agenda items that we would be discussing this time of year (in “normal” times” at a Club Membership meeting) would be in looking forward to putting together another successful Club Executive Board for 2022. Maybe some of you have been thinking, or, perhaps, maybe, you have already decided, about getting more involved and putting your expertise “in motion” as a Club Board Member. It seems a long way away . . . 2022 . . . however, these months pass by fast when so many members depart for other locations or venture around during the summer time . . . and then it will be October!! No, I hope not to rush time (no way) but, rather, just to get some progress made toward keeping our Club strong, again, for 2022! Let me introduce our Nominating Committee Members – Sue Bryant, Coleen Hoeschen and Kevin Pates. Please let any of them know of your interest in serving on our 2022 Club Executive Board. They can be found most days around the pickleball courts or their contact information can be found in our Club Roster . . . suncitypickleballclub.org. If you ask any of current Board Members (RED tag wearers), I am sure they will help point them out. For those new Members, our current Board consists of Dan Haberman – Member At Large, Lynda Skaggs – Publicity, Evelyn Larsen – Membership, Ann Clark – Secretary, Jan Booth – Treasurer, Tom Jeffers – Vice President, Dave Breault – President. Thank you for getting more involved – keep Sun City Pickleball going forward!! Bravo!!

Guests situations will be allowed again beginning this Monday, April 5 . . . for complete information on how to sign up guests, go to our Club Website Homepage and read the outline there – dated March 26 – thank you Bill Booth for posting all that information! Although we are still not functioning as a club officially, please keep in mind good court etiquette as always! Steps toward “normal” times, steps toward our Club opening again?! Always hopeful!

There are a few things still “on the books” as our Club Members continue to work on our club Bylaws and possible improvements to the pickleball court areas . . . more info will follow soon.

For now,
Dave B

Thank-you note from Jane Powell

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Although delayed, I would like to pass along my heartfelt appreciation to all of my pickleball friends for their ongoing care, concern, and many acts of kindness since my husband’s passing. As we sometimes struggle to face our new reality without him, it is the love and support of our friends, including our pickleball community, that is helping to give me strength and to move forward, however slowly that might seem sometimes. Once again, sending my many sincere thanks and hugs to you all.

Warmest Regards, Jane Powell

The Lobster is Back — Covid Updates — Tournament results — March Notes

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Hello Sun City Pickleball Club Members this Sunday Afternoon,

March brings in Daylight Savings Time (but not here), reminds us of those IDES of historical note and, sends us the many, many days of perfect weather for pickleball play . . . it does, too, bring about that time when many of our Club Snowbirds ponder their “leaving” calendars! For us Desert People, it has been great to visit and play again with all those who meander here for “winter” . . . so much can be said for the wonderful friendships and camaraderie experienced during these last few months . . . however, the “rivalry” for the “crown” determined by the Frogs/Birds Tournament must wait a year for the “tie breaker” . . . you know, just saying, bragging rights and all!!! Something to look forward to in 2022! Keep those paddles “well tuned”!

On to the LOBSTER: Yes, the Lobster is back . . . cleaned, repaired and adjusted! Special thanks to Tom Jeffers and Steve McClean (with guidance from Diana Graham, Alice Ritzman and Ros Condrashoff) for all their work and expertise in getting our Lobster in “prime” working condition . . . let’s keep it that way! Please! For those of us who use the Lobster or those who may be new to using it, please take a look at the video put together by Lis Smoot (with help from Nancy Sonnenburg) on how to set up the Lobster and the correct procedure for using it! This video can be found on our Club Website suncitypickleballclub.org under the heading of player development and, then, click the link – Lobster machine – how to! The Machine thanks you!! Continue reading →

Changes Affecting the Fitness Centers/Locker Rooms and Walking Pools

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Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2021-05 on Friday, March 5, 2021 which removed capacity restrictions placed on indoor fitness centers. While this Executive Order removes the 25% capacity restrictions for indoor fitness centers and locker rooms, Arizona Department of Health Services’ (ADHS) requirements for face masks, physical distancing, and enhanced sanitization efforts remain in effect. 
 
In response to the latest Executive Order, RCSC has taken steps to open pool and fitness locker rooms, including changing stalls and lockers. Sanitizer is available in each locker room for Cardholder use to sanitize changing benches and lockers. RCSC staff will sanitize lockers each night.  Face masks are required in locker rooms except when showering. While all lockers will be available, Cardholders must adhere to the 6 feet physical distancing requirements when accessing lockers when others are in the area.
 
Please note, Sundial lockers will remain closed as we work to reconfigure the lock system at this location.  The current system requires an exchange of keys between Cardholders and RCSC staff which will be eliminated.  Additional communication will be provided when this change has been made and lockers are available at this center.
 
It is important to note that while there is not an imposed capacity limit within the fitness centers, some equipment is not available due to physical distancing restrictions.  Most notably, some cardio equipment continues to be made unavailable due to the close proximity of the equipment and limited ability for reconfiguration. 
 
Walking Pool Mask Change
Effective March 10, 2021 (today) face masks will no longer be required in the walking pools at Bell Center and Fairway Center. These walking pools are outdoors and this change makes the face mask rule the same for all pools and spas.

Sun City COVID Vaccination Event – March 9-15

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UPDATE 3/5/21 – Event Entrance Correction/Clarification. Please note that the Entrance for this event has been changed. Vehicles will be entering the Sundial parking lot from the south entrance from Boswell Blvd. (NOT 103rd Ave as originally indicated). Please refer to the map for details.

Thanks to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and Embry Health, there will be a COVID vaccination event in Sun City starting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 through Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Sundial Recreation Center parking lot located at 14801 N 103rd Ave, Sun City AZ 85351. Please enter from 103rd Avenue.

This will be a drive through event with accommodation for those without a vehicle or golf cart. Everyone MUST have an appointment! Make your appointment by calling 480-376-2170 or via this link: 
https://app.backstagemedical.co/widgets/#/schedule-appointment?
pId=9567&widgetType=allopen&typeId=1527&count=300.

Please pass the word to Sun City residents without computers to call 480-376-2170  to make their appointment for a COVID vaccination.

UPDATE: When calling 480-376- 2170, select OPTION 5 for ANY COVID 19 matters (not only testing). Hold until you get a live person who will ask if have gotten a link and whether you want help making an appointment online OR if you need help making your appointment during the call.

You can also text to this phone number as an alternative by giving your Name, Date of Birth, and description of the issue you need assistance with and they will respond back to you directly

Please note that RCSC is not able to assist with scheduling appointments. You MUST either use the link below or contact this agency via phone.

Scheduling your COVID-19 vaccination appointment

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The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is working hard to get all available doses of the vaccine to Arizonans at state sites, county sites, medical facilities, and long-term care facilities. 

Whether you’re just getting started, or gearing up for your second shot, here are a few things to help you navigate the process.
 
Schedule your appointment: Find locations and make an appointment at azdhs.gov/findvaccine, or you can call the ADHS vaccine hotline at 480-573-0332 TTY: 711; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Make sure you wait for a representative to help you schedule an appointment.

Download this guide for scheduling your vaccine appointment from ADHS for step-by-step instructions on how to create an account and schedule a vaccine appointment.
 
Cost: You will be able to get the vaccine for $0.

Appointments are required to be vaccinated at any POD (point of dispensing) site.

Connecting in February — Tournament results — Other Info

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Good Monday Afternoon Sun City Pickleball Club Members:

Yes, indeed, another beautiful day for playing this wonderful sport we so enjoy! Some sun, very little wind, and temps with lows in the 50’s and high in the 70″s . . . how good can it be!!!! All outside courts at Marinette were busy this morning and several inside courts as well! Play at the Mountain View courts also remain busy. This is such a great time of year with so many members coming in for our “winter season”!

Each month that passes in this year of 2021, there seems to be more and more optimism about getting to the other side of this pandemic . . . lots of vaccines are being administered . . . and many people have already (or soon will have) their second shots!

Although there are no SCPB events/activities, there are a few tournaments succeeding during this time – here are some of the results from those tournaments:
Up in Wickenburg – AAU Junior Olympic Games:
Bob Thacker/Bob Keeseker – Silver – Mens Doubles 3.5 70+
Jean Ward/Bob Thacker – Silver – Mixed Doubles 3.5 70+
In Phoenix – Grand Slam Qualifier:
Jan Hodgson – Gold – Mixed Doubles – 4.0 70+
Jan Hodgson/Karen Madison – Gold – Womens Doubles 4.0 70+
Grant Boulay – Gold – Mens Doubles – 4.0 50+
In Tucson – Tucson Winter Games:
Grant Boulay – Gold – Mens Doubles – 4.5 60+
As results come in, I may miss some so please let me know if I do. Congrats to all!!!

The new gates on courts 13 and 14 at Marinette are being used more frequently as we get used to entering from the south patio – it may take some time to coordinate and work out all the advantages of using those gates . . . still working, too, on getting a gate to go out from the pavilion to the north courts ( 1- 4).

A reminder . . . please take care of those pickleballs (still provided by our Club for everyday use) – we still need to remember to pick them up after play and put them in the Club coolers. Thank you . . . I heard a “rumor” – “the better a pickleball is kept, the better your game will be”! Truth!!? Certainly worth a try!!!?

So, for now, stay safe, have fun on the courts, enjoy all the wonderful social aspects of this sport, and all this great weather!

Dave B