Glenbrooke residents who scored  free RiverCats tickets are looking forward to Monday, August 2nd.  The game starts at 7:05 PM at Raley Field.    That night is also  Sacramento Baseball History Night. According to the RiverCats website, "Fans will enjoy baseball memories of past and present with trivia, video tributes and collections on the concourse. Also, as it is every Monday at Raley Field, Seniors Eat Free presented by Del Webb."   We thank Del Webb and RiverCats for the 50 tickets distributed to Glenbrooke homeowners.

The RiverCats just  returned to Sacramento after a road trip with three consecutive losses.   Monday's game will be against the Las Vegas 51s.  The weather forecast is for a high of 88 degrees but the  Delta breeze should cool the field and set the stage for a wonderful evening excursion.

PLEASE , If you pick up tickets and then find you are unable to go,  be considerate and return them  to the Lodge office, or post the availability here  so that someone else might use them.   The last game, there were homeowners that wanted to go but were told the tickets were all gone.  Then it was reported there were of empty seats.  What a shame for the homeowners, the  RiverCats and the sponsors.

I was reading the newsletter from the Senior Center of Elk Grove, and noticed a request for someone to teach Bridge. Games are on Monday and Friday at 1:00 p.m. Contact persons are Sara Ann Martin or Therese Schultz --- 685-3160. Maybe someone here  would like to volunteer to teach?

Also, for anyone who misses Bingo, which was cancelled here at Glenbrooke, it is available at the SCEG on Friday in the Dining Room after lunch at 1:00 for 50 cents per card.

Friday is a preview of these Highland Games.    If you think you may want to go, you won’t want to miss this free preview at the Arbour Lodge on July 30, 2010 at 6:00PM.   If you aren’t able to attend the actual games in Pleasanton, come see video, hear a bagpipe performance and learn more about the individual events.

The games include:

Athletic Heavy Events (for both men and women)

Rugby and Shinty

Soccer

Piping and Drumming

Dancing

Celtic Heritage

Sheep Dog Trials

Birds of prey demonstrations and exhibits

Musical Entertainment

Historical re enactments

Kilted Mile race

Clydesdales

Children’s Glen

Whiskey tasting

Ceilidh

Gathering of the clans

And a Grandstand show

There will be  msny vendord and  British and American Food at the Highland Games.

Come join us in forming a Choral group at Glenbrooke  on Tuesday nights, starting August 31st from 7:00 - 9PM.   The purpose of forming this chorus is to enjoy the beauty of choral music, have fun and perform the music rehearsed at Glenbrooke and outside venues.

Singing is a healthful exercise, learning to breathe deeply, improving your speaking voice and your longevity.

This is an exciting opportunity for all levels of singers.  You will have the privilege of learning under the direction Alex Gould, an amazing singer,  teacher and director.

Alex was a tenor soloist for Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians in 1948 and their performances were broadcast nightly on NBC. He was asked to replace Dennis Day on the Jack Benny Show but his faith called him to the full time Ministry of Music.  Alex  left Hollywood for a conservatory in Princeton to obtain a formal education in music which prepared him for teaching and conducting.    Alex Gould has toured as a tenor soloist and sang in Carnegie Hall.

In 1954 Alex created the Fremont Presbyterian Church’s Graduated Choir Program. It grew from 3 to 16 choirs with 750 singers. He has been the conductor of the Sacramento Symphony Chorus of 100 voices. He has conducted both Chorus and Orchestra in concert. Click HERE to hear a the Choral Selection "Good News."

Click  HERE to hear  Alex sing  "To You Sweetheart, Aloha.'

We are also looking for a Glenbrooke resident who can accompany our chorus.     We need a piano and accompanist.    If a resident has a piano to donate or loan to Del Webb we would be eternally grateful.

If you would like more information or to join the choir, come to the organizational meeting on  Auguest 31st at 7:00PM in the Arbour Lodge or call Alex or Dortha at 685-8059.

There have been some interesting conversations lately in the clubhouse and around the pool regarding people leaving an activity early.   There seems to be two reasons cited:

1.     There wasn’t enough room at the tables or seats were being ‘saved’ for someone.   It’s really a shame if a resident of Glenbrooke, especially a new resident, didn’t feel like they could stay.

2.     The second issue brought up was start times.   When an activity is listed in the schedule as starting at 1:00PM or 6:00PM people come to find games all ready under way.    Thus the person arriving on time feels left out.

I really feel sad if homeowners don’t feel welcomed in the Lodge.  Personally, I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to reach out to neighbors and be inclusive in all of our activities.

On the other hand, I also understand how you bond with certain people and look forward to a weekly game with them.  It is easy to arrange to meet at a certain time to resume last week’s challenge.

I admit I don't know the answers.

I just bring this with the hope of having a dialog about it.  Maybe people will be more aware that it is often difficult for someone to decide to try a new activity - especially if they are by themselves and new to the community.

Someone suggested drawing numbers and being seated that way.   Another person suggested rotating tables/players after each game or hand.   As we grow, this is bound to come up more frequently.

What would you suggest so that everyone feels welcomed?

What’s that?   You don’t know how to post a comment or submit a classified ad or article?    It is easy  but requires a couple of things the first time.

To comment on an article,  go to the bottom of the article, enter your name in the box (first name and last initial).  Then in the next box enter your email address (this will not be posted but it’s needed to verify it’s not computer generated spam).   Then post your comments!  People don’t have to agree on issues but we do insist on being civil.

The first time (only) you post, there will be a delay to verify you’re a real person; after that your posts will appear immediately.

For the Forums, just email  newsofglenbrooke@gmail.com with your first and last name, email address and say, “request password.”   You will receive a return password (you can change it anytime) and your user ID which is usually your first name and last initial.  Then you are ready to post on the Forums.   You can sell things, let people know of community events or just start a topic.

If you have any trouble, please call Darcie at 647-6594.
We hope everyone will help pass the word about Glenbrookenews to new neighbors!

If you  are interested in getting more information about the bike club,  call AJ Petruzzi at 684-5830.

At today's Board Meeting,  the motion was made and carried to have the start time changed from 6:00PM to 5:00PM to allow the Inspector of Elections, Jennifer Jensen,  time to open and count the ballots.     The statement was made that she could established a membership meeting with  a quorum  based on the  number  of ballots received.

All homeowners are welcome to witness the ballot counting.    The comment from the Board was they did not need to watch someone open envelopes, so they would arrive  at 6:00PM.  Both Pam Ciapessoni, of Riverside Management,  and Mina LaCuesta said they would be there at 5:00PM.

This is a very sad and distressing story for all of us animal lovers. On the one hand, we want animals to be treated kindly; on the other, a runaway population of feral cats could spell disaster for songbirds and other canal wildlife.

I would like to urge folks in Glenbrooke to please keep their own cats indoors. I have seen several pet cats in the canal while trapping. I am afraid one of these will wind up in my trap and I won't know how to contact the owner (these cats are wearing no identification that I can see). I am also worried that the housecats could fight with the feral cats or catch disease from them. Then, too, housecats kill a lot of songibrds whenever they can catch them.

This feral cat issue is a real problem I am trying to address in a humane way on a small scale.   If you have any questions, please call me for more information (685-0603). Thank you - Peter Gaffney.

On July 25 Peter asked that we post the following Flyer:

FERAL CATS TRAPPED IN THE WHITELOCK PARKWAY CANAL

Residents whose backyards face the Whitelock Parkway canal have recently noticed a sudden increase in the population of feral cats in the canal area. In response, we have begun a trapping program to humanely remove these animals. Using a Have-a-Heart trap (see photos above), we have safely captured the mother and three of the kittens. There may be three or four more kittens, so the trapping will continue in hopes of capturing all of the cats. The captured cats have been turned over to Elk Grove Animal Services, who in turn takes them to the SPCA for placement if possible.

Feral cats are a real problem for several reasons:

• · They kill native songbirds and waterfowl
• · They carry disease and can spread it to domesticated pet cats through fighting or other contact, usually nocturnal
• · They reproduce frequently and will quickly overrun a neighborhood.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PET CATS INDOORS, AT LEAST AT NIGHT, AND PUT A COLLAR WITH IDENTIFICATION ON YOUR CAT. IF YOUR CAT WINDS UP IN THE TRAP, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO OWNS IT SO WE CAN RETURN IT TO YOU!

PLEASE CALL PETER GAFFNEY (685-0603) IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

Most of us had never gone before;  we were transported back in time to witness the genteel Viennese waltzes of Strauss.

The highlight for our group was when a handsome man left the Grand Parade route, stepped over numerous blankets and people to present Sally Sullivan with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.     She obviously caught his eye from hundreds of spectators!   While I took numerous pictures, I later learned I had forgotten to put my memory card back in my camera so we missed the "Kodak moment ".

The sun went down, the breeze was perfect and the costumes were gorgeous.  The music from the orchestra sounded wonderful floating across the lake to the audience.

During the song Edelweiss, which was dedicated to long time volunteers and supporter of the Strauss Festival, a giant swan of white lights sailed slowly out from behind the stage.

The show ended with a display of fireworks over the lake.

If you have never seen this community production, you might want to go tonight or tomorrow night, it is free but parking is $10.00.

The event could not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers, if you are interested in becoming involved next year, visit their website HERE.