12 minute read
Fitness Director’s Message
SAVE THE DATES FOR FITNESS IN 2023
Welcome to 2023! We have many scheduled events to kick off the new year. We hope you join us as part of your goal to take care of yourself by moving and learning.
Allison Adams Fitness Director Here’s what we have happening in Grand Fitness.
TUESDAY | JANUARY 3 | 11 AM–11:55 AM
WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 4 | 10 AM–10:55 AM
GETTING STARTED WITH TAI CHI AT THE PAVILION WITH TINA 10-week pre-paid workshop
THURSDAY | JANUARY 5 | 11 AM–11:55 AM
FRIDAY | JANUARY 6 | 10 AM–10:55 AM
ANCIENT CHINESE SECRET QI-GONG AT THE PAVILION WITH TINA 0-week pre-paid workshop
SATURDAY | JANUARY 7 | 2 PM–3:30 PM
ZUMBATHON! IN THE SAGEBRUSH BALLROOM This event is FREE to all members. No pre-registration required. Multiple Zumba instructors dance through 90-minutes of energetic fun. Bring a bottle of water.
JANUARY 10, 24 AND FEBRUARY 15, 24 | 9 AM–NOON
FREE SKIN CHECKS BY UPDEGRAFF DERMATOLOGY Pre-registration is required. Registration dates at Cimarron will be sent via email.
TUESDAY | JANUARY 17 | 11 AM–12:30 PM
FREE PRESENTATION ON CHIROPRACTIC APPROACHES FOR NEUROPATHY WITH DR. JENSEN MOORE AT CIMARRON Pre-registration preferred. Walk-ins welcome.
THURSDAY | JANUARY 19 | 1–2 PM
CULTIVATING POSITIVITY Researched-based Approaches for Brain Health and Dementia. Banner Alzheimer’s Institute & Sun Health Research Institute. Sagebrush ballroom. Pre-registration requested. Walk-ins welcome. FREE
SATURDAY | JANUARY 21 | 12:30 PM–2 PM
90-MINUTE INDOOR CYCLE RESOLUTION RIDE WITH SUE, CHRIS, AND JEANNE IN THE CIMARRON AEROBICS STUDIO This event is FREE. Must register in advance at Cimarron. Limited to the first 15 registrants.
WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 25 | 2 PM–3 PM
SINGING BOWL SOUND BATH AND MEDITATION WITH EMILY SLONINA Pre-register at Cimarron, $25. Please bring yoga mat or towel (lying on the floor), and water. Please arrive no later than 1:45 pm. No refunds.
We are looking for SCG men and women volunteers to help with Vacation Watch and Evening Patrol. We will supply vehicles and training. Call (CAM) 623-546-7432 or the C.H.A.P.S. office 623-546-7553 and leave a message if you are interested in joining us! You may also find more information about C.H.A.P.S. (including an application form to join) at suncitygrand.com – Volunteer Central – C.H.A.P.S. Resident Patrol
CARS, BIKES, AND PEDESTRIANS
Article submitted by Dennis Hanscom
C.H.A.P.S. member It’s that time of year again when we see more cars on the streets here in Grand. The posted speed limit is 35mph on Sunrise, Goldwater, Mountainview and Clearview Roads. It is 25 mph on all other streets. The 4-way stop signs mean just that…come to a complete S T O P! Not long ago, a homeowner shared with me that they were cited by the Surprise Police for failing to come to a complete stop, so beware! With the added pedestrian traffic crossing between the Palm Center and the Sonoran Plaza on Remington, please hold down your speed. It is not uncommon to witness cars traveling between 30 to 40 mph in that area. Also, pay attention to the crosswalks.
VOLUNTEER
And now a word or two about our C.H.A.P.S.* volunteer group. We serve two main functions. We patrol in the evening, checking for open garage doors, malfunctioning street lights and any suspicious activity. In the early morning, we provide a service known as Vacation Watch. Through Vacation Watch, we check on homes that have been vacated in the summer or any other vacation period lasting at least two weeks or more. Forms to have your home “watched” may be picked up at the Palm Center. We perform a visual check for unlocked windows and doors. This service is provided free of charge, but we do welcome donations.
WE NEED YOU!
We are actively looking for new volunteers. All residents are welcome. We will provide classroom and field training. There are two-person patrols where you select your days/ evenings to volunteer and you select how many times each month you wish to volunteer. Call Carol Murr (CAM) at 623546-7432 or the C.H.A.P.S.* office 623-546-7553 if you would like to learn more.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 24th at 1:30 p.m. in the Aqua Fria Room at the Cimarron Center. All homeowners are welcome to join us! We hope to see you there!
Sun City Grand offers great walking /bike riding trails. Suggestion from this regular bike rider, bike riders call out “bike passing” when approaching walkers. Walkers, please raise an arm when a rider calls out “bike passing” to acknowledge the passing riders. Courtesy to each other goes a long way when sharing these great trails. I didn’t mean to get sidetracked, but cars, bikes and pedestrian safety cannot be overemphasized.
*C.H.A.P.S.: Community Homeowner Association Patrol Service C.H.A.P.S. MEETS THE 4TH TUESDAY EVERY MONTH (except December) AT 1:30 P.M. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH C.H.A.P.S.
Showcase of Toys—A New View
Contributed by: Andy Tofil, SCG Resident Photo Credits: Monica Tofil, SCG Resident The Grand Woodcrafters Club held it’s annual “Showcase of Toys” on December 1st this year at 7 PM in the Kiva Ballroom (Sonoran Plaza). We had great attendance for our show.
There were many new and intricate toys made, and of course, some of our traditional favorites. 1040 toys were produced this year. By the end of the next day, all toys were delivered to the following six charities: ➤ Charter School of Phoenix ➤ Eves Place (a shelter for victims of abuse) ➤ Faith House (New Leaf) (shelter for women in crises) ➤ Luke AFB (Operation
Angel Tree) ➤ St. Mary’s Food Bank ➤ St. Vincent de Paul (Dream
Center). This year, we tried something different for our toy presentation. Instead of viewing the toys from a shop cart and holding them up, we had two cameras trained on a table upfront and the toys could be viewed on the 3 large overhead projector screens. It was a big success and will be used for next years show. Special thanks to our SSG Communications Manager – Christine Helton and her assistant Rachel!
We host the “Showcase of Toys” to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our toymakers. They meet at the woodshop Thursday nights between 6-8, many of them year-round. Quite a few toy makers contribute their own money into building toys, some producing them at home. Also, we host this event to recognize the talents of our other Sun City Grand Clubs who participate in this effort. They include the Art Club who paint individual designs on many of the toys, Community Service of the Stitchers Club who make clothes, bedding and other items, the Beaders who make bracelets that are placed in every jewelry box, and the Paper Arts & Memories Club who made hundreds of generic Christmas cards for the kids. Finally, we want to show our community the ways that Sun City Grand gives back to our greater community. Our Toy Project operates on a donation basis only! If you would like to contribute, please stop by the woodshop and drop your contribution off in our donation box, located near the front door. Thank you!!!
BOARD PRESIDENT
Bob Aiken
The July Lifestyles contained an article titled Getting To Know You, where I reviewed ideas our Board Members submitted to support inclusiveness and community spirit. The event we have agreed to needs ALL OF US. We are joining the Valley View Community Food Bank (VVCFB) for the SUPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE. It will bring our community together to support those in need. They could be our fellow residents of Grand or neighbors living just outside our community. The VVCFB manages food pantries in Sun City, Sun City West, El Mirage, and Youngtown. With rising food prices, food banks everywhere are seeing an increasing number of clients. VVCFB is no exception. What sets this food bank apart from others is that they never say “no” to a person in need, regardless of where that person may live, while other food bank pantries have zip code restrictions. In 2021, over 700,000 West Valley clients were served by VVCFB, and seniors were 300,000 of the total. In the past four months (August-November), the number of senior visits approached 270,000 (including residents of Grand). These are our neighbors, the people we may sit next to at our places of worship, or meet in social gatherings. VVCFB also delivers food to more than 250 homebound Seniors. Why Super Bowl week? Following the holidays, giving (donations) becomes less even as the need stays the same and may even grow. We can help bridge that gap for those in need. VVCFB packs each food box when the client arrives and prides itself on meeting the needs of that client and their family including the size of the family and any dietary needs one or more members of that family may have. Please begin planning now to support this important organization. Every time
Super Bowl FOOD DRIVE 2023
February 6 thru February 12 (Super Bowl Sunday)
you shop for groceries, buy a second item to save for our food drive. Most needed items include proteins (canned meat or fish, peanut butter, legumes), stews, hearty soups, and canned vegetables and fruit. VVCFB also gets requests for infant food, hygiene products, sanitary supplies, and packaged meals. VVCFB has a top rating with Network for Good. VVCFB’s federal tax number is 77-0696933. Donations can be included in your charity contributions. Even if you don’t itemize, you may deduct up to $600 per couple on your Federal return. For those who are Arizona Residents, you may take advantage of a State of Arizona tax program enabling you to deduct up to $400 per resident from your state income tax for contributions to a Qualified Charity Organization (QCO). VVCFB’s state tax ID is QCO#20405. If you would like more information on Valley View Community Food Bank, please check out their website at FeedingAZ.org. Donations may be dropped off beginning Monday February 6th. Donation barrels will be placed at entrances to Adobe, Chaparral, Cimarron, and Sonoran facilities. Food Bank volunteers will pick up donations daily and a new barrel will be placed. On Super Bowl Sunday (February 12th), from 10AM till 1PM, Volunteers will be manning drop off locations at the Cimarron Center and the Remington entrance to the Sonoran Plaza. We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to contribute. Let’s celebrate our good fortune to live where we do and support those in need. Start Shopping Now! Super Bowl Food Drive: February 6th through the 12th. Stay Well, Keep Moving, and Be Kind To Others Thank you.
NEVER SAY NEVER
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT René Mitchell
Well, in 2011 we purchased a house in Surprise with a bar by the front door, and two years ago I began serving on the HOA Board. Sometimes life has a way of changing the ‘never’ into ‘why not’. Like many new retirees, it was a time to explore new things that I did not have time to do when I was working. I realized that I was given the precious gift of time to do whatever I wanted to do and that I should take full advantage of it. During my first five years in Grand I tried new things like golfing, lawn bowling, paper arts, glass arts, fiber arts, jewelry making, cooking classes and attended Grand Learning classes. Friendships developed based on common interests, ability to embrace change and gratitude for the blessings we experience each day. My husband Mike and I became full time residents in the spring of 2016. We are in our ‘forever home’ and The Grand is our community. Even though I was thoroughly enjoying my retirement, I had a sense that I could do more with the skills and knowledge developed during my working years in the medical device industry. Researchers who study the stages of retirement would say that I left the ‘honeymoon phase’ and entered ‘reorientation phase’. It was time to give back, but how?
Volunteering was my answer. I began working at a walk-in center for women who are victims of sex trafficking. I focused on educating others on how to prevent children from getting lured into this nightmare. In Grand, I served on the Grand Glass Arts Board, Chartered Club Peer Group Council, Space Allocation committee and the Village Center remodel. These positions gave me the opportunity to use my skills, knowledge, and time in support of our community. In return, I learned how our community functions and was given the chance to work with some really terrific residents. Giving back is a way to show appreciation. Having a purpose is fulfilling. Serving on the Grand Board was a big step for me. With the encouragement from family and friends, I sought and was accepted to fulfill a one-year vacated position on the Board. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. It seemed that I was learning something new every day. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the challenge so much that I ran and was elected to serve for a twoyear term. My fellow Board members have a serving heart, and it is truly an honor to share in our community’s governance. Being a Board Liaison gives you an opportunity to work with our talented residents and staff. Some have asked about the amount of time it takes to serve on the Board. The answer is ‘it depends’. For me, serving as the Board Vice President, the demand on my time is quite manageable. There are times of the year when additional focus is required. The budgeting cycle is a good example because the Board is responsible for the fiduciary health of the community. There is a lot of information to consider when making these financial decisions. January begins the election cycle for positions on the Grand Board and committees. Perhaps you are finding that your retirement ‘honeymoon’ is coming to an end. If you are looking for something to do with purpose, please consider volunteering for one of these important positions. If like me you’ve said ‘I’ll never run for the Board’, just remember to never say never. You just might surprise yourself!
