May Newsletter 2015
UPDATE FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER
Dear Members:
Usually, “April showers bring May flowers” is a popular adage this time of the year. Unfortunately we didn’t receive the showers that we needed. That’s forced us to be diligent in our efforts to conserve water — with a target reduction of 25% overall. I am asking for your help to make sure we all have enough water this year and to see that the club achieves compliance within EBMUD guidelines.
The Hills is being proactive about saving water with many initiatives already underway. For example, we are installing flow restrictors in the shower heads. This change will produce an approximate savings of 15%. Further, we’re asking that you help us by limiting the length of your shower. That will save even more.
Changing some basic habits will also make a big difference. Don’t leave the water running while you lather, brush your teeth, or shave. Why not rinse your swimsuit in the shower, instead of the sink? Use one of the club-provided fitness towels, instead of two. Simple efforts like that will help a lot. We’ll post some helpful reminders in the shower and locker room areas. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. I’ll keep you apprised of other water-saving efforts that we are pursuing.
As reported, we continue to cooperate with the County Building Department to advance our gym expansion plans. A required public hearing is now scheduled for May 18th. I don’t anticipate any problems with our application and if everything falls into place, we could begin construction in the fall.
Once complete, the new gym will be outfitted with almost an entirely new array of equipment. Also: Pending county approvals, new lights on the Diablo tennis court should happen very soon; New air conditioning is being installed in the clubhouse over the next two weeks to keep things cool all summer; Our recent wifi upgrade will give you better performance all around the club. (Note that you will be prompted for a username and password. The front desk can provide help.)
Finally, the warm summer weather is almost here. Weekends will be especially busy this time of year. Please remember that the club’s rules are in place so that everyone can enjoy The Hills — with safety. I’ve posted a few important reminders below, so it would be great if you’d review these rules with your family and guests. Let’s make this summer season the best ever!
To your health and happiness,
DerekIMPORTANT RULES & REMINDERS
1. No glass allowed passed lobby doors. This includes dishes, wine and beer bottles, or anything else that can shatter, causing an evacuation of the pool and deck.
2. Parental Supervision. This is one of the most important aspects of club membership. Parents are responsible to observe and, when needed, correct their children's behavior at all times and in all areas of the club. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to be at the club without direct adult supervision. Please don't leave your children unattended while you swim or workout. In the pools, any child under 43” tall must be within arm’s reach and wearing a Coast Guard approved flotation device.
3. Lane sharing is required in the lap lanes. Lap swimming etiquette guidelines are posted on our website and near the adult hot tub.
4. NO MORE THAN 4 GUESTS may enter the facility per membership, per day.
5. We will not be booking any parties or events from May through August.
6. Taking calls in the gym, locker rooms, or studios is not allowed. Even when you have to take a call outside, please be courteous to other members who are enjoying the peace and serenity of the club.
7. Be courteous to other members. If you observe discourteous or dangerous behavior, please be polite in approaching other members or inform a staff member who can handle the situation.
Please review all of the club’s policies and procedures on our website:
http://hills.caclubs.com/club/scripts/library/view_document.asp?NS=PM&DN=RULESMEMBER SPOTLIGHT
On April 8th, we celebrated the success of The Hills Passport program by crowning our grand prize winner, Christine Ferreira. Members and staff shared a delicious potluck dinner and applauded the presentation of a $250 account credit to Christine. She and many other participants shared stories about the positive impacts of the Passport program. It was a great to see so many of you try new activities and explore new areas of the club. Let’s do it again next year! PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Special Evening at The Hills: Jazz, Wine, Books
You’re invited to a night of fine dining, jazz, books, and free wine tasting at The Hills! The jazz program will be provided by a three-piece set featuring Eddie Pasternak, Jeremy Cohen and Marcos Silva. We will offer an optional dinner at $20. We will also introduce some of The Hills esteemed authors. (If you’ve published a book and would like to participate, please contact Derek.) To top it off (no pun intended), there’s a free wine tasting hosted by three local wineries. We’ll have drawings for bottles and for a dinner for two on San Francisco Hornblower Yacht (over $200 value!). Tickets are limited, so purchase soon!Friday, May 29, 6:30-9pm
Tennis Program Expanding
We’re making some improvements to our tennis programs. Through tennis, we can better connect and build the community at The Hills. We are forming an email chain where players can find players with similar skills. There’s a signup sheet at the front desk. Coming soon: A website to make scheduling with other players easy!
Free Tennis Clinic
Join USPTA Elite Professional Eddie Pasternak for a free one-hour tennis clinic at The Hills! Eddie does these clinics once a month, and the class is open to players of all skill levels. Check out Eddie in this YouTube video as he explains his coaching approach and offers a few tips!
Saturday, May 9, 12–1pm
Kids Summer Activities Be sure to register your kids for The Hills’ popular week-long Summer Activity sessions. Choose from Sports Camp, Tennis Lessons, Swim Lessons and Junior Lifeguard instruction. Sign up early to get the weeks that work for your family’s summer schedule. Registration is fast and easy online.
Group Fitness
Family Yoga CancelledDue to low attendance, we are taking the Saturday morning family yoga class off of the schedule.
Summer Substitutes
With summer almost here, many of our instructors have vacation plans upcoming. We will do our best to provide alternate instructors to cover scheduled classes, so we ask that you please be open to possible changes in format in your favorite classes. All of our instructors are caring and experienced, so “go with the flow!”
Memorial Day MondayA modified holiday schedule will be posted at the front desk for Monday, May 25.
Aquatics
Junior Lifeguard CampThe Hills’ Junior Lifeguard Training Program is designed as a community-based water safety program for youths 11 to 15 years old. In this program, water safety is the primary goal. Along with water safety activities, we engage in CPR and First Aid training. A secondary benefit for participants is establishing the foundation for good work skills, responsibility, certification, skill development, competition, and leadership. To provide a well-rounded training experience, we include a 30-minute daily fitness session, lectures, demonstrations, and team-building activities. An additional two hours per week of volunteering may be required from each junior guard. Course prerequisites: 50 yards of freestyle or breaststroke; retrieve a 10-lb. brick from a depth of 12 feet; swim 25 feet underwater.
Two sessions: June 15-19 and August 3-7
Register online:
https://thriva.activenetwork.com/Reg4/Form.aspx?IDTD=5507582&RF=11909831&mode=0
Pilates Studio
Get in “Summer Shape” with PilatesSummer is just around the corner! Are you planning a trip this summer? Would you like to look and feel better? Check in with our Pilates staff about creating a routine that yields quick and lasting results. We offer both one-on-one training and small group classes on the reformer.
New to the reformer?
Pilates training on the reformer builds true core strength and long sleek muscles. We hold classes six days a week, morning to night, for all fitness levels. But hurry, these classes fill up fast! For more info, please contact our studio: [email protected]. Ask about our free Pilates pass!
Personal Training
Evening ClassesFunctional Fitness, Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm, beginning June 2
TRX, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4;30-5:15pm, beginning June 1
