The Alpiner A Lifestyle Magazine for Alpine Country Club Members May - June 2016 | Volume 3 | Issue 3
Outdoor Fun
Golf conditioning tips and Cruising with Motorcycles & Classic Cars
Member Events
Excitement & fun is just right around the corner with our upcoming events.
Landscape Recommendations Learn favorite techniques for a perfect landscape!
Outdoor Fun
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Nic Haun General Manager nhaun@AlpineCC.com Ext. 14 Mike Morin Food & Beverage Manager mmorin@AlpineCC.com Ext. 29 Megan Kenney Food & Beverage Manager mkenney@AlpineCC.com Ext. 21 Brian Schaffer, PGA Director of Golf bschaffer@AlpineCC.com Ext. 26 Liane McDonnell Director of Sales & Marketing lmcdonnell@AlpineCC.com Ext. 23 Scott Gabrielson Golf Course Superintendent sgabrielson@AlpineCC.com 401-943-0059 Amanda Greenwood Wedding & Events Coordinator agreenwood@AlpineCC.com Ext. 13 Culinary Team info@AlpineCC.com Ext. 12 Golf Shop 401-944-9760 Tricia Mallozzi Property Controller tmallozzi@AlpineCC.com Ext. 27 Stephanie Sauro Accounts Payable/Receivable ssauro@AlpineCC.com Ext. 22 Edgar Guzman Director of Maintenance eguzman@AlpineCC.com Ext. 32
Table of Contents 1 2 3 4-5
6 7 8 9
Showcase Your Specialty in The Alpiner Message from Nic Haun Message from the Board & Greens Committee Outdoor Fun at Alpine Sports Conditioning & Golf Fitness Motorcycle and Car Enthusiasts Landscape Recommendations & Social Spotlight Alpine Referral Program & Event Highlights Golf Shop, Golf Course & Dining Hours Events, Delicious Dish, New Members & Announcements
Back Mother’s Day Brunch & Summer Event Series Cover
Showcase Your Specialty in
The Alpiner We hope you are enjoying all the great information and news that has been featured in our special Member contribution section. At The Alpine, we are fortunate to have members that specialize in diverse industries. This new addition to our magazine provides you the opportunity to lend your knowledge and expertise to help fellow members. Please review the upcoming topics that are listed below. If you are interested in contributing an article, please contact Liane McDonnell at LMcDonnell@AlpineCC.com at your earliest convenience as space is limited.
• July & August – Healthy Lifestyle (Important Screenings, Sun Smart, Nutrition, Travel/Activities, Exercise) • September & October – Education for Adults (Social Media, Digital Marketing, Technology Trends) • November & December – Holiday Memories (Holiday Memories at Alpine from Members, Retail Information, Economic Outlook) We would also love to hear your thoughts and ideas for possible themes. Please let us know what you would like to have featured and we will do our best to accommodate!
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What a crazy start to spring here in Rhode Island! I think I feel confident that the weather has officially broken and we can finally start playing some golf. There has been a lot of buzz and activity around the Club since our last issue of The Alpiner so let me start with some reflection. First, I want to extend a special congratulations to Liane McDonnell, The Membership Committee, the entire team, and our members for all of the membership sales efforts that went into 2015. We recently received the Rockstar Award for Membership Sales Improvement from the Troon Corporate Office. Everyone has worked hard in the recent past to help the Club grow and improve, and we are well on our way to becoming the best private Club in Rhode Island! I would also like to thank the Food and Beverage Team along with all of the members who came out and joined us for Easter Dinner here at the Club. We had over FIVE HUNDRED members and their guests dine with us for a holiday dinner to remember! Many of the children got to enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt and the guest appearance by the Easter Bunny himself as well. Lastly, at the Spring Annual Shareholders Meeting in April, the Stockholders agreed upon and approved a motion to implement a Capital Improvement Fund across all membership categories. When you receive your May bill, you will notice a $35 Capital Improvement Fund Charge that reflects this fee. This fee will be kept separate from the General Operating Fund and will be used exclusively for capital improvements around the Club. I believe this is an important and strategic decision that allows us to continue to improve the product that we offer for the members on a daily basis, and will also position us to move forward with membership growth for the foreseeable future. More information on the fund is as follows: • $35 per month across all membership categories • 80% of 2016 proceeds to be used for Golf Course improvements Specifically: playability of bunkers and complete renovations to as many bunkers as possible • 20% of 2016 proceeds to be used for Emergency Capital Improvements as they arise • No less than 40% of the proceeds shall be used for golf course improvements each year • The fund will be used exclusively for capital improvements, never for operating expenses • The fund will be implemented for a period of three years and then re-visited by the Board of Directors in 2019 • Each year, at the Fall Annual Shareholders Meeting, the Board will present their recommendations for usage of the Capital Improvement Fund, to be voted on and approved by the Stockholders • The Board will also present the accounting of the fund each year at the Fall Annual Shareholders Meeting If you have any questions about the Capital Improvement Fund please don’t hesitate to contact myself or the Accounting Office. As summer approaches, the team has been hard at work planning for the season. The Golf Calendar has already hit full stride between demo days, member tournaments and leagues. Food and Beverage will kick off the season with Mother’s Day Brunch and then move into our Summer Nights event series. Last but not least, the pool will re-open at the end of May and kid’s camp will provide all of our younger Alpine Members the opportunity to enjoy the Club even more. Please read the following pages for more details on many of these events and activities. All of the talk about the outdoor activities has inspired me to leave you with another cigar pairing that I plan to enjoy myself as the weather warms up and we can enjoy the patio more. The Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto is another favorite of mine. It is one of the newest cigars in the Davidoff collection and the hints of bitter and sweet pair well with a local beer which I’ve discovered since moving to Rhode Island. I like to enjoy a pint of Foolproof Brewing Company’s ‘King of The Yahd’ with this cigar. The rye in this IPA compliments the cigar nicely, and I love the fact that the beer comes from our own backyard and the local Pawtucket Brewery! That’s all for this month, I hope to see everyone at the Club soon! Nic Haun, General Manager
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Message from the Board & Greens Committee Message from the Board Welcome to the 2016 Season at The Alpine! We have a lot of events planned this year from both the Tournament and Social Committees and encourage everyone to participate! As we continue to grow our membership base, I ask that existing members please give a warm welcome to our new members and don’t hesitate to invite them to join you for dinner or a round of golf on the course. We have an outstanding facility that includes a championship 18-hole golf course, a newly renovated world-class restaurant, and a resort-style pool and family area. We would also like to showcase the new Sports Entertainment Center (SEC) in Pub Amici! The SEC is a state-of-the-art, 20-foot wide HDTV screen, where you can play a full round of golf on over 40 classic and famous courses; watch a movie, TV show or sports event; or play games. This is completely unique to the Southern New England area! Recently, The Alpine has used Pub Amici and the SEC to host a winter golf league, which was a great success and allowed members to keep their games up during the cold and snowy days. The Alpine has over a 50-year tradition built on strong family values. While it has so much to offer with outstanding golf, recreation and dining, The Alpine thrives because of our greatest asset, the Members! On behalf of the Alpine Board of Directors, I look forward to meeting our new members and spending time with my entire Alpine “Family”! Respectfully, Dave Ruggieri Alpine Country Club Board Member
Message from the Greens Committee The Greens Committee held its first meeting in March. In attendance were Chairman Vincent Maggiacomo, Co-Chair Richard Carlone, Committee members David Barricelli and David Vinacco, President Leonard Accardo, General Manager Nic Haun and Scott Gabrielson, CGCS. In the introductory meeting the topics of discussion touched on: 1. The condition of the bunkers, consistency, playability and function. We will be planning future work similar to the work done on #1 and #16. 2. Continuing tree work, including pruning over this winter by the Ballroom, #2, 3, 5, and 11. 3. Irrigation to better cover in-play areas through the green. 4. Developing short videos to address common etiquette issues on the course. 5. Addressing the landscape and entrance to the clubhouse. The committee has been expanded from the past few years to better inform the membership through the committee members. Scott Gabrielson, CGCS and The Alpine Country Club Greens Committee
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Outdoor Fun
Sports Conditioning & Golf Fitness By Jason Vieira & Steve Zarriello Getting the opportunity to become a member of Alpine Country Club is a true honor, and my family and I are looking forward to embracing all that it has to offer. When Liane shared with us the Alpine Newsletter at our orientation, I knew that was the first thing I could help contribute to. So, I reached out to my friend Steve Zarriello who is a Titleist Performance Institute professional, a strength and conditioning coach and also co-owner of The Way to get his thoughts on golf fitness. Here is what he had to say:
The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) has been on the cutting edge of this research and has created an incredible network to educate professionals in the golf, fitness and medical communities as to how they can better prepare their golfers to improve their game and prevent injuries. While the old guard would tell you that lifting will make you stiff, TPI professionals actually use exercise to make you more flexible, give you more control over your body, and make you more explosive. Who wouldn’t want that?!
What is “Golf Fitness” and why has it become so popular?
The most important thing that someone can gain from working with a golf fitness professional is an understanding of their body. A good professional will not only help you to improve on your weaknesses, but also help you to understand what they are and how they affect your game. This information combined with proper golf instruction can be a powerful tool to help you not only decrease the chance of having issues like back pain, but also take your game to a level that you’ve never achieved before.
The sport of golf has been revolutionized, and not by a new development in equipment, but by a new understanding of how bettering one’s body can actually improve their swing. The old belief was that lifting weights would “ruin your swing”, however the constantly advancing fields of exercise science and physical therapy have recently taught us otherwise. Combined with new technology that allows us to capture the movements of the body and digitize them, we now have a whole new understanding of the importance of the relationship between golf and fitness.
Steve Zarriello, The Way HPI & Jason Vieira szarriello@thewayhpi.com
The most important thing that someone can gain from working with a golf fitness professional is an understanding of their body. 4
at Alpine Motorcycle & Car Enthusiasts By Joe Terino
The beginning of spring marks a time when everyone wishes to be outdoors. One of the enjoyable ways to do this is to be on a motorcycle! For those of you who have been on a motorcycle, you have experienced the feeling of being on two wheels, sitting on a powerful engine and feeling the wind in your face. For those of you who have not, it is a refreshing open-air sensation to enjoy the thrill of riding down a country road open to its freedom. I have been riding motorcycles since 1973, specifically Harley Davidsons. My friend Ronnie and I have traveled all over the country to see the beauty in each of the states we rode to. Each trip we take is always somewhat challenging due to weather but is always fun and exciting! Fellow bikers that we meet along the way are generally friendly and helpful, and have great stories to tell of their adventures. Unlike the days of yesterday when most bikers were the bad set, today’s modern riders are male, female, husband and wife, or good friends who enjoy the open road and feeling the wind in their face. In today’s world, riding on highways has become more challenging due to air conditioning, stereos and texting by people in cars. In my experience the safest way to ride is to always be watchful of other people. Staying far enough from cars in front of you allows you to react to unexpected maneuvers. Riding on country roads is a safe and wonderful experience. Be observant of intersections just as you would in a vehicle. Riding can be both pleasurable and rewarding if you use common sense.
Another spring, summer and fall activity is cruising in a classic car or hot rod! Going back to the past (when we were younger!) by driving a car that was made 30, 40 or even 50 years ago not only brings back great memories but also provides more fun and adventure with family and friends. As president of the Rhode Island Street Rodding Association, I find great satisfaction cruising with members of our club and other clubs either for a Sunday ride to a location and stopping for lunch or going to a classic car show and looking at all the various custom built cars. On Memorial Day weekend at Johnston Memorial Park we have over three hundred of the finest classic hot rods the state has to offer at our car show. It is a fun day to bring your family to view these beautiful cars. Most of the cars have been restored or rebuilt by their owners, and their creations and ideas are inspiring as to the diversity of design and color. I started my collection by building a 1923 Ford T-bucket. The engine is all chromed with a blower and two four-barrel carburetors boasting 620 Horsepower! I had the pleasure of winning the top trophy at the Adirondacks car show at Lake George. Since then I have built a 1937 Ford Coupe, a 1939 Ford Coupe and after six years of searching I am finally rebuilding a 1934 Ford which was one of the most difficult to find. Beginning in May, there are cruise nights all over the state where you can come to view cars, talk to the owners who love to talk about their cars and maybe think about buying a car from the 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. They are listed on Saturdays in the car section of the Providence Journal. It is a lot of fun cruising down country roads in one of these cars, and I hope someday you may have the opportunity to enjoy motorcycling and cruising with an oldie but goodie like I do. As we riders say, “Live free, ride free”. Joe Terino, RI Street Rodding Association jterino@tercat.com
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Landscape Recommendations By Donald Coletti
Spring temperatures are warming up and that means it is time to come out of winter hibernation and get ready for the summertime. Spring is also the time for you homeowners with a green thumb to prepare for your landscape season. I would like to provide you with several tips to help your property look its best!
Flowers:
Spring installation of annual flowers (such as Geraniums, Impatiens and Marigolds) are a great way to add color and volume to your landscape. Annual plantings should be installed in May so the flowers can get an early jump on growth with cool temps and minimal watering. If you like perennials (flowers that return year after year), plant them early and space them enough for proper growth. Install your small annuals in front, and then incorporate taller perennials behind. For those who desire additional color in the fall, Chrysanthemums, Cabbage, Kale and fall perennials offer a variety of options for a hearty mix. Don’t let the fall frost stop you from continuing to plant! Late fall is the only time to install bulbs (such as Daffodils, Hyacinths and Tulips) for spring viewing, so plan accordingly!
Plants:
For shrubs and trees, design the area with the proper plant and growing conditions. When digging to install your plant, dig 1 ½ times wider and deeper than the root ball or container. This will relieve compacted soils, and will allow air exchange and proper drainage for the plant. Fill in the hole with water and allow it to drain, then install your new plant. Space the plants enough
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to allow for proper growth and maturity. Prune only when recommended. Fertilize annually for additional nutrients, and water during hot or dry conditions.
Turf:
Seed and sod in the spring and fall for the best results. When installing your new lawn, remember to choose the seed based on the area and amount of sunlight. Seed is available for full sun and also partially shaded areas. Sod thrives in full sun areas, and will not give you the best results in shaded areas. Regular maintenance will keep your lawn looking its best, and this includes: weekly cuts, irrigation, fertilizer applications, broadleaf/ crabgrass/insecticide applications, and also liming and fungicide applications if necessary. If you are doing your own applications, follow all the instructions and read all labels. Don’t over apply, and be sure to dress properly with gloves and glasses for protection. When installing any flowers or plants be sure to compact the soil firmly around each planting and provide an initial watering plus regular watering throughout the season. Remember, sunlight is very important to flowers, plants and turf. Therefore before installation determine what type of area you have (full sun, partial sun or heavy shade) and install accordingly. It will require some effort to make your property look its best, but hopefully the above recommendations can point you in the right direction and make your property stand out above your expectations. Finally, when working outdoors stay hydrated, apply sunscreen protection and tick repellent. Enjoy and have a great summer! Donald Coletti, 401-789-2419 White Birch Landscape, Inc.
ith the beginning of summer right around the corner, this is the time to book any graduation parties, pool parties or other summer events here at The Alpine! Dates are starting to fill up, so contact Amanda Greenwood today to book your special event. Amanda Greenwood Wedding & Events Coordinator
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Alpine Referral Program
& Highlight of Events
The New Referral Program has Started!
Thank you for all of the referrals that we’ve received so far this year. Our Members have been one of our greatest resources in selling new memberships, and we would like to give something back to you as we work together to help the Club grow and succeed. Starting immediately, we want to thank you for your referrals who become new members with a variety of referral gifts under our new Membership Referral Program! Refer a Non-Golfing Member
Refer a Golfing Member
Refer 5 Members to any category
Choose from the following options
Choose from any option
• Pack of 10 Pool Guest Passes • $50 Gift Certificate - Dining or Golf Shop • 2 Logo Glasses and Bottle of Wine • Complimentary Dinner for Two
• Golf Lesson 1 hour • Club Fitting • Golf Guest Pass • Box of Cigars
Automatic Platinum Status in Alpine Rewards(discount of 10% for golfing members, 5% for non-golfing members)
Refer 10 Members to any category 10% Discount on Dues for the Following Year when Prepaying
All referrals must be formally given to Liane McDonnell by email or phone call. Current member must be referring a prospective member that we are not already working with. Also, new member must write the referring member on application.
A Highlight of Alpine Events
Easter Sunday
Guest Chef
Trivia Night
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Golf Shop Info:
Golf Course Info:
Its official, the 2016 season has begun! Bob Clarke, Josh Hey and I are very excited for this season. We are here to help in any way we can, so please do not hesitate to ask. It looks like the warmer weather is finally here to stay, so if your golf swing is in need of a minor tune-up (or a major overhaul!) get in touch with the Golf Shop to schedule your lesson with one of the Golf Professionals.
Let’s not talk about the weather. We will just assume that temperatures are seasonal and it is a perfect time to be golfing. As we head towards the beginning of summer, conditions are great to be out on the course and around the club.
We are excited to announce that, for the first three Fridays in May, we will be hosting Demo Days from 11am-3pm with the top vendors in golf. On May 6 we have Taylor Made, Nike and Ping. On May 13 we have Titleist, Cobra and Cleveland. Lastly, on May 20 we have Callaway. If you are not currently in the market for new golf clubs, consider having your equipment re-gripped. We currently have plenty of grip options to choose from in stock and can special order any grip you may be looking for. We will once again be running the Weekly Tournaments in the Golf Shop. The sign-up process this year will be different than in the past. The Weeklies will be set up as an opt-in tournament, meaning there will be a signup sheet posted in the men’s locker room. All membership types are welcome to join and the cut-off date will be June 1. Weekly Tournament competitors must be registered in advance for the weeklies and must play in a threesome or foursome to enter a qualifying score. The top 16 finishers and ties will compete in the Tournament of Champions. The Tournament of Champions is the culmination of a season-long competition with the entrants being determined by total money earned in the Weeklies from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Thanks and Great Golfing! Brian Schaffer, PGA
As of this writing, our first aerification has healed up and the greens will be picking up pace. Here are a few things we are looking forward to:
• The Summer Solstice is June 20th, at 3:34PM; summer is officially here!
• We will be addressing sand in the bunkers, focusing on the green side bunkers primarily.
• Director of Golf, Brian Schaffer, PGA, and I will be producing
a series of short videos reviewing golf course etiquette and local rules around the golf course for your viewing pleasure. Tentative name for the segment is “The Long and Short Of It.”
• Please remember to fix your ball marks on the green
and repair any divots you make while playing. Help us keep our golf course in great shape!
• The short game area is for chipping, short pitches and
bunker practice, please be thoughtful of fellow members by saving full wedge shots for the driving range.
• Speaking of the driving range, the artificial practice tee has
been removed and is being replaced by grass. As soon as it is ready for play we will open the area for usage.
The Greens Staff and I appreciate your consideration and support, we look forward to seeing you enjoy all The Alpine has to offer. Yours in golf, Scott Gabrielson, CGCS & The Greens Staff
Give your friends and family the Alpine Experience! Guests are always welcome for lunch or dinner! You can also invite guests to enjoy the fun member events at Alpine, such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Dinner for Two, Trivia Night and more! Keep an eye on the website calendar for details on all events.
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Dining Hours:
May & June Mondays: Closed Tuesdays: 11am – 9pm Wednesdays: 11am – 9pm Thursdays: 11am – 9pm Fridays: 11am – 9pm Saturdays: 11am – 9pm Sundays: 11am – 8pm
This Season’s Exciting Member Events! May Sunday 5/8 .....................Mother’s Day Brunch Saturday 5/14 ...............Disco Dance Friday 5/20 .....................Trivia Night Sunday 5/22 ...................Chicken Dinner Saturday 5/28 ...............Dinner for Two Sunday 5/29 ...................Movie Night Monday 5/30 ................Memorial Day
Recipe:
Spring Berry Salad A colorful salad filled with fresh fruits to welcome in summertime!
June
Sunday 6/5 .....................Chicken Dinner Saturday 6/11 ...............Dinner for Two Sunday 6/19 ...................Father’s Day Thursday 6/23 ..............Lobster Night Friday 6/24 .....................9 & Dine Saturday 6/25 ...............Motown Night Tuesday 6/28 .................Cigar Night
Early July
Monday 7/4 ...................Fourth of July Saturday 7/16 ...............Board of Directors’ Beach Party
Ingredients:
6 Raspberries 3 Blackberries 10 Blueberries 1 Large Handful of Mixed Greens ¼ cup sliced almonds 1 cup Basil, chopped fine ½ tsp Minced Garlic 1 tsp Sugar 1 tbsp Olive Oil 2 tsp White Vinegar
Directions: Toss together the berries, mixed greens, and sliced almonds. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, basil, minced garlic, sugar, and white vinegar to form a vinaigrette. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Toss with greens and enjoy! Also makes a great accompaniment to grilled chicken or shrimp.
Welcome New Members! If you see any of these members around the club, please say hello and make them feel welcome! Thomas & Denise Breckel, Johnston RI Gregory & Jessica Fecteau, Cranston RI Frank & Dawn Ferranti, Cranston RI Daniel Fogg, Coventry RI Mark & Danielle Fraenza, Cranston RI Marc & Kristin Fryman, East Greenwich RI Joseph & Peggy Lancellotti, North Scituate RI
Shannon McKenna, Cranston RI Christopher & Teri Morgan, North Scituate RI Jeffrey & Amanda Reuter, Cranston RI Jonathan Russo, Greenville RI Jason & Kelly Vieira, Warwick RI Pamela Vierling, West Greenwich RI Michael & Laura Wild, Coventry RI
Member Announcements
We have started a fun new way to share your exciting news with the entire Alpine Family! If you have a new baby, a new pet, an engagement, an award or anything else you would like to share, please email Liane McDonnell anytime!
• Len and Roz Accardo would like to announce the wedding of Lauren Accardo to Mark Murphy on May 7th. The wedding is at The Alpine, and is the first ceremony in our new ceremony area.
• Joe D’Antonio has been selected as the Commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association.
He had previously worked with the BIG EAST for over 10 years, and also Providence College for 8 years.
• Armand & Linda Sabitoni’s daughter, Amanda, has recently won the Ladies’ Club Championship at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, FL.
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Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 8th
Reservations available 11am –3 pm, on the half hour Adults $46 Kids ages 4-10 $15 Family Photos 12:00 - 3:00pm
Antipasto Station Artisan Bread Display Shrimp Cocktail Carving Station Herb Encrusted Leg of Lamb Prime Rib with Au Jus Pasta Station Penne Marinara Tortellini Pink Vodka Cavatelli Aglio é Olio Buffet Menu Scrambled Eggs Sliced Ham Bacon Sausage Hash Browns Chicken Tuscani Baked Haddock
Sides Rosemary Red Bliss Potatoes Green Beans with Holland Peppers Children’s Station Pizza French Fries Chicken Fingers Franks in A Blanket Dessert Mini Pastry Display
RSVP Required Please contact Michael Morin 401.943.2670 ext.29 or mmorin@alpinecc.com
Join us for the
LONG LIVE SUMMER NIGHTS SERIES! All events will have drinks, dinner & dancing More details to come soon!
Saturday, May 14th Disco Dance
Saturday, July 16th Board of Directors Beach Party
Saturday, June 25th Motown Night
Saturday, August 20th Summer Soiree
boogie the night away in the ballroom with the sounds from DJ Tony
featuring live music under the tent from The Dave Macklin Band
featuring live music poolside from The Driftwoods
end the season with a sunset celebration RSVP Required
If you have any questions or would like to RSVP please contact Megan Kenney 401.943.2670 ext.21 or mkenney@alpinecc.com 10