UPDATE FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER

Dear Hills Members, 

2024!!!  For those that may have missed the State of The Hills letter I sent out in December, here is the link to view it: State of the Hills 2024 letter

This year I feel the club has already begun to show off its beauty amid the natural ambiance and wilderness that surrounds it. There have been some much-needed rain showers, yet as I write this, the air and skies are so clear that one can walk to the back of the club and easily spot the snow on top of the Sierras in the distance. 

January is a good time to revisit the policies in place here at The Hills. Please take a moment to refresh your memory as some of these policies have changed or new policies added within the past few years.
Click here to view

Wishing everyone nothing but the best in 2024 and beyond!

-Nick

TC & Her Band at The Hills!

On December 8, members enjoyed a night of music when Pilates Director Therese Brewitz performed with her band in The Hills clubhouse. Chef Andrea served up a delicious spread of hors d'oeuvres and it was a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Artist Spotlight: Ray Marshall 

Born in England, Ray has been a Montclair resident since 1994, and a Hills member for two decades. Ray's silk screen prints on exhibit in The Hills lobby are the latest in a series of artistic direction changes that Ray has made over the years. During the Covid lockdown Ray started exploring ways to produce limited edition art prints, something he had always wanted to do. "I'm really drawn to the bold flat shapes that I can create with silk screen printing. I also like the ability to overprint colors by adding a transparency medium to the inks, something I want to explore deeper."

While living in London, Ray worked as an art director in an advertising agency, then at Avon Cosmetics. He discovered pop-up books and teamed up with an illustrator to create a book together. They sold the book at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany and went on to design many more pop-up books. Ray has designed more than 24 interactive books for children. In 1986 he moved to San Francisco and specialized in pop-ups for advertising. In 2005 Ray designed The Castaway Pirates, followed by a three-book series called Paper Blossoms, along with several pop-up advent calendars.

Employee Spotlight: Evgenii Somov

Last month at the 2023 Huntington Beach Sectionals, our own Hills Masters Swim Coach Evgenii Somov won the men's 100 breaststroke in a 51.12. This was his second fastest time ever and just off his best time of a 51.03 which he swam in 2021 to win the ACC title. For those of you who don't know him, Evgenii is a Louisville graduate and five-time ACC Champion in the 100-yard breaststroke. Evgenii started coaching our masters swimmers in March 2023 and has received nothing but praise from members. If you happen to see him around the club, please take a moment to congratulate Evgenii on his very impressive accomplishments. 

Thank you to all who helped make our holiday food drive a success! 

2024 Summer Camp Registration Opens This Month

Camp Directory Anthony Lum is happy to announce that registration for 2024 Summer Camp will open on January 15. Non-members are welcome to register all but Weeks 1 & 10. 

Similar to last year we will be offering 11 weeks of FULL day summer camp, 8:30am-5:30pm. Campers will participate in a variety of activities each day including (but not limited to) swimming, other outdoor sports, hikes, games, arts and crafts and theater. All pool activities will be supervised by a certified lifeguard.

• Week 1: May 28 to May 31 (*no camp on Monday, May 27, Memorial Day*)
• Week 2: June 3 to June 7
• Week 3: June 10 to June 14
• Week 4: June 17 to June 21
• Week 5: June 24 to June 28
• Week 6: July 1 to July 5
• Week 7: July 8 to July 12
• Week 8: July 15 to July 19
• Week 9: July 22 to July 26
• Week 10: July 29 to August 2
• Week 11: August 5 to August 9

Cost: $510 per week* per camper
*$410 for Week 1 since it will only be a 4-day camp

Cost for non-members is an additional $100/week 

To register via your member portal, log onto your Club Automation account (cachstc.clubautomation.com)

1. Click on "Register for Programs" from list on left and it will bring you to "Programs" page
2. Click on either "Kids Camp" or "View"
3. Click "Sign Up" and you will be prompted to "add family member"
4. Click "Add to Cart"

To register via The Hills Swim & Tennis Club app:

1. Select "Programs"
2. Under Category select "Kids Camp"
3. Click on "Show Programs" and it is there where you will find the list of available weeks

Any questions related to Summer Camp 2023 or if you are having difficulty trying to register, please contact Summer Camp Director Anthony Lum, [email protected].

Special Group Ex Classes This Month

Happy 2024! We are starting the new year off with some really special limited classes.

First up we are offering a special one-day-only yoga workshop on Saturday, January 13, 11:30am-1pm. Amie Garcia, one of our yoga teachers who also serves as a leadership coach & facilitator, will be offering a one-day mini-workshop: New Year's (Yoga) Movement & Intention Setting. This unique class invites you to explore the fusion of mindful movement and purposeful intention-setting, through yoga asanas, guided visualization & journaling, as we transition into the new year. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just beginning your practice, Amie's guidance will lead you through a session designed to align your body, mind, and spirit. We'll tap into the power of setting conscious intentions, laying the groundwork for a mindful and intentional journey into the year ahead. Dress comfortably (bring layers!), bring your own journal and writing utensil. We will move & work on our yoga mats. Registration required as space is limited. 

And for our new parents, registration is open for Baby and Me Aqua class! We are excited to offer this class to our littlest members. This gentle introductory class will acclimate infants/toddlers 6-24 months to water safety. Participants explore the water while learning tips for the safe handling of their child in the pool. 

A few notes: Although this is a complimentary class for our members, pre-registration is mandatory. Space is limited to 10 members with their child. An adult guardian will be required to be in the pool at all times. Babies must wear a swim diaper with their swimsuit. A wetsuit is highly recommended. 

Baby and Me 
Wednesdays 12-12:50pm 
Feb 7-March 6 (5 sessions)
Members must register for each class. Click here Class Schedule to register, or contact the front desk. 

Happy New Year!
- Angelique Pine, Group Exercise Director, [email protected]

Kick off 2024 with Peak Fit Classes

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and active New Year! We're offering 4 classes this month.

Monday, 6:15am Rise and Grind with Jenn

Get fitter, faster and stronger with this weekly workout. We'll focus on agility, power and strength exercise intervals to get you moving more efficiently. 

Monday, 11am All About Strength with Sara

This beginner class focuses on strength building, using your body weight, the TRX and other equipment we have in the Peak Fit studio.

Wednesday, 9am Winter TRX conditioning with Tori

This class is great for beginners or experienced members on TRX who are looking to improve their muscle imbalances, mobility and overall endurance. 

** This class is sold as a program and must be purchased as a whole i.e. 4 classes for $80.  REGISTER HERE!
The program can be prorated if you know that you'll be missing some classes. Email me at [email protected].

Thursday, 12pm Strength and Stability with Jenn

This class integrates strength, balance and flexibility movements utilizing TRX straps, kettlebells and other fun pieces of equipment. Getting you stronger for whatever you're looking to achieve.

You must register for our classes in order to participate. We require a minimum of 3-4 participants per class. You can unregister online, up to 24 hours prior to the start of class. We're offering a 10 class package at $180 and your drop in fee is $20 per class. Please reach out to me with any questions. We hope to see you there.

We're looking forward to seeing you in our classes!

-Jenn Sanchez, Hills Fitness Coordinator, [email protected]

Make Exercise a Priority in the New Year

The new year is filled with opportunities to make some changes, take on some new challenges and try something new. It's also a continuation of the previous year and a good time to reflect on the outcomes of some decisions we made or actions we took or didn't take. What could fill our lives with more joy? What brings us more stress? And what can we do about it? While you're reflecting, start the new year with exercise. Exercise helps immensely in lowering stress and anxiety, it makes us happier and feel more confident. Walking, running, dancing, swimming, do what you love and feel good all year. 

If you have any questions or aren't quite sure how to get started in your exercise routine, reach out to me at [email protected].

-Jenn Sanchez, Hills Fitness Coordinator, [email protected]

To freshen up your workout with a PT session or to book your complimentary fitness orientation, email any of our certified personal trainers. We're here for you:

Jeff Allen, [email protected]
Jenn Nasab, [email protected]
Angelique Pine, [email protected]

Stay Tuned for The Hill's "Biggest Loser Contest" with Host/Trainer Jeff Allen

The holidays have come and gone, and now it's time to "hit the reset button" and work on our resolutions. What better time than to join Jeff Allen's biggest loser program and shed some unwanted weight. All ages are welcome. Get ready for fun, strength training, muscle toning and a motivating approach to weight loss. This 12-week program will include nutritional tips, bi-monthly progress checks, group training workouts and prizes. More information to follow in the coming weeks.

Jeff Allen 510-339-0234 x118 or [email protected]

Happy New Year from The Hills Pilates Studio

The Hills Pilates and Wellness Program has something for everyone. We offer Reformer Pilates 6 days a week, along with private lessons and duets. Pilates can be gentle and restorative, or very athletic and intense, depending on your needs. We have ballet for our youngest starting this month. In February, our Reiki Training program will resume with weekend certification classes. We also offer Reiki therapy sessions in our tranquil studio space.

Whatever you decide to do in 2024, let it be the beginning of great things! We wish you a Happy and Healthy 2024! 

In good health,
Therese, Barbara, Lawrence, Anne, Colleen and Elizabeth

Ballet is Back

Our popular ballet program returns for a Spring semester with Ballet Master Lawrence Chen. Please note our new schedule.
The Spring semester will start on Monday January 22 and end on Monday May 13 with a recital.
Pre-ballet (4-6 year olds), 4:10-4:50pm 
Ballet (7 years old and up), 4:50-5:35pm
You can download and fill out the registration form here:
Hills Ballet Registration Spring 2024 .pdf

Cost: $368 for members, $396 for nonmembers. 
A 15% sibling discount is available. 
Drop off your registration form at the club or email use the email below.
For information and to register for our spring semester, please contact [email protected]

Reiki Training & Reiki Therapy at The Hills 

The Hills offers Reiki in our Pilates and wellness space where we also offer training and certification in Reiki. 

Join our upcoming trainings:
Usui Reiki I Training and Certification 
Saturday, February 24, 9am-6pm
Usui Reiki II Training and Certification
Sunday, February 25, 9am-6pm

Cost: Reiki I $175, Reiki II $275, $400 for both

To learn more, try a Reiki session, or to register for our upcoming training(s), please contact our studio: [email protected]

What IS Reiki? Reiki is a Japanese healing technique involving light touch and working with energy, or Ki. Imagine an acupuncture treatment, but without the needles. Reiki can be a very helpful tool used along with conventional medicine. A good example is Reiki being used at many cancer centers to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and other treatments. Just like meditation and acupuncture, Reiki is a stress buster that helps us drop into our parasympathetic nervous system. During and after a Reiki session we can move into a more relaxed state where our body and mind can rest, heal, and recover. Anyone can learn Reiki and can benefit from doing Reiki on a regular basis.
Learn more about Reiki here: /services/massage[email protected]

Hills Reformer Pilates Program 

The Hills Pilates Studio reformer classes are very popular, in fact many of our classes are waitlisted. We are thrilled that so many members have discovered Pilates and its benefits. To meet the demand we have added more classes to our schedule this month.

You find our schedule here:

PILATES STUDIO SCHEDULE JANUARY 2024

Are you interested in trying Pilates on the reformer? 
Contact our studio to get started today: [email protected]

Book classes here and on the Hills app:https://cachstc.clubautomation.com/

Pilates Studio Policies 

Our Pilates studio policies are developed with everyone's safety and benefit in 

mind:PILATES STUDIO POLICIES.docx

Get news, updates, and inspiration for Pilates through our Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hillspilatesandwellness/

Serving Up Fun in 2024

Hey Tennis Players, 

Happy New Year and Happy 1st Birthday to the Hills Tennis Program! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends and lots of laughter. Welcome back home, to the club, and to your beautiful Diablo and Manzanita tennis courts. 

2023 was a legendary year for tennis at The Hills. In addition to our freshly resurfaced courts and brand new Wimbledon style tennis net, we are home to a thriving youth and adult tennis program for the first time in more than a decade. With the support of our members and the greater tennis community, we hope for 2024 to be the best year tennis at The Hills has ever seen. After all, there is no better time than the present to pick up an old hobby or learn something new!

Cheers, 
Coach Sydney
[email protected]

Notable Dates:
1/14 Spring Tennis Season begins
1/15 In-House Match Play resumes

Non-members are welcome to join our clinic program for an additional $20 non-member registration fee per session.

REGISTER TODAY!

Session Dates 2024:
January: 1/14 - 1/25 (2 weeks)
February: 1/28 - 2/22 (4 weeks)
March: 3/3 - 3/28 (4 weeks)
April: 4/7 - 5/2 (4 weeks)
May: 5/5 - 5/16 (2 weeks)

Youth Clinics (6 players per class)
Little Stars age 6&7: Sundays @2:30-3:30pm
Rising Stars age 8-11: Mondays or Wednesdays @4:30-6pm
Supernovas age 12-17: Tuesdays or Thursdays @4:30-6pm

Adult Clinics Sign-up for The Hills In-House Match Play League(4 players per class)
Adult Beginning: Tuesdays @6-7:30pm
Adult Intermediate: Sundays or Thursdays @6-7:30pm
Adult Advanced: Mondays @6-7:30pm (select dates)

All Spring
The 'All Spring' package is available for all clinics and is a chance to sign up for all sessions from January to May at a discounted rate! 

Private Lessons Available with Coach Sydney
Private lessons are available by request. Contact Coach Sydney to schedule [email protected]
Private (1 player): $100/hour
Semi-Private (2 players): $70/hour/player
Small Group (3+ players): $50/hour/player

In-House Match Play

The Hills In-House Match Play league is on hiatus until 2/15/24 to account for travels around the holidays and rainy winter weather. If you are looking to meet new players and spend more time on court, sign up for The Hills In-House Match Play League and be ready to start in 2024! This program gives members an opportunity to have coordinated match play at The Hills. While this program is competition based, each match is meant to be friendly and played in good-spirit. Sportsmanship and courtesy are regarded above all else in this league.

Free Adult Tennis Clinics Jan 8

For those adults new to the club, new to tennis or looking to improve your backhand, we welcome you to join Eddie Pasternak on the second Monday of each month for our complimentary Adult Tennis Clinics! This month's clinic will be held on January 8. This monthly event is free, and open to members only. From 6-7pm, beginners get an hour of instruction; 7-8pm is for intermediate/advanced players. Eddie leads these clinics each month for adults with all skill levels. We are asking that members register in advance here for the beginner clinic or here for the advanced clinic.

Kick into the New Year

Our Tae Kwon Do program, led by Sensei Jeff, is where kids learn the Korean style of martial arts. Tae Kwon Do is a great sport for school-aged kids, as it provides a wide range of physical, mental, and social benefits. Physically, it helps kids improve their coordination, balance, flexibility, and overall fitness, while also teaching them self-defense skills. There are currently 12 students enrolled, ranging in age from 5-13. Register your child/children today!

Tuesdays & Thursdays
3:30–4:45pm Beginner
6–7:15pm Advanced

Members: $95 per month
Non-members: $110 per month

For more information or to register your child for Tae Kwon Do, please contact Jeff directly via email or by calling 510-339-0234 x118.

Pool Rules

Lap Lane Swimming Rules:

• Lap Lane reservations remain weekdays from 9am-2pm in lanes 4, 5, & 6. All other lanes and times are available for shared member swimming. Our reservations open at 8am 3 days in advance. For example, on Friday morning at 8am, members can log in and book a lap lane for Monday. 
• Please Note: Hills Hurricane Swim Team will be using no more than 4 lanes from 4-8pm, Monday-Friday.

Swimming: An Essential Skill for All Ages

If you are interested in swim lessons for yourself or for your child(ren), we offer both private and semi-private lessons for all ages. To request a swim lesson, please email an instructor with the age and skill level of the swimmer and the times/dates that work best for you. The more flexible you are the more likely an instructor will have a spot available. Please be aware that instructors may only respond if they have availability.

Koung Chaiyasane >>  (no availability)
Mat Borawski >>  (a lot of availability)
Erin Lucas >> (limited availability)
Taylor Rolefson  >> (limited availability)

NOTE: We only allow instruction by Hills employees. Outside instructors are not allowed. The Hills swim instructors are trained to uphold the club policies and proper guidelines.

Please be mindful that our priority is for the membership and their time in the pool, so we are only allowing a certain number of lessons at one time. Please follow the directions when requesting a lesson and have a high level of flexibility as peak times are generally full and we do not offer a wait list. Instructors may not respond if directions are not followed properly.  Learn more about our offerings here!

Swim Team: Competitive & Pre-Comp

Next tryout dates for our Hills Hurricane Swim Team is tbd. Manta Rays and Tidal Waves, our pre-comp groups, are currently on a holiday break through January 9. The winter session will run from January 10 through March 1. These groups are currently full. We will post here about any openings.

Resolve to Play More Pickleball

Our sport court is reserved exclusively for pickleball from 11am to 1pm on weekdays. Games during these "open" weekday hours are friendly, social games with some accommodations made for beginning players. Pickleball is fun for people of all ages and athletic ability and it's good for you, improving your cardiovascular condition, working memory and reaction time. The best way to learn the rules of play and scoring and the order of serving is if you play with someone who already knows them, so mark your calendar and/or book a reservation and head up to the club to join in on the fun!

Whether it's pickleball or basketball (or maybe even both!) members can book an hour "block" of time to use the court. In other words, if our "open" weekday pickleball hours don't fit into your schedule, you have no excuses!

Your reservation does not mean that the court has to be used solely by one family unit during the hour; feel free to welcome and/or challenge other members to a friendly pickleball or basketball game. Pickleball paddles and balls are available in the Pickleball Bag at the front desk, as well as basketballs. All we ask is that you kindly return any borrowed equipment to the front desk when you are finished playing.

Just outside of our enclosed court, we have 2 ping pong (or table tennis) tables. The front desk also has paddles and balls for members to borrow. All three of these activities are a great excuse to come up to the club, get some exercise and maybe even make new friends! All we ask is that you kindly return any borrowed equipment to the front desk when you are finished playing. 

Celebrate January Employee Birthdays  

Please join us in wishing each of them a happy birthday and thanking them for all of their hard work!

Bobbe Skiles, 01/03
Lucas Walker, 01/06
Jana Ramirez, 01/20
Evgenii Somov, 01/28
Therese Brewitz, 01/31