WBL September 2015

W oodbridge Volume 5 ▪ Issue 49 ▪ Number 48

LIFE

Your Life. Your Community. Your News.

September ▪ 2015

September The speed limit set by California law for residential areas is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

Although a speed limit sign is not posted on every street, 25 mph is the speed limit throughout the entire Woodbridge community except on Daisywood Drive west of Shadow Berry Drive to Airport Way where the speed limit is 5 mph higher.

Thank you for driving safely and being mindful of the speed limit.

Photo contibuted by Linda LIttle.

Woodbridge residents LInda Little (center) and Kim Pella (retired French Camp school teacher, right) enjoyed watching children select new backpacks donated by Women of Woodbridge.

Inside

Bedford and Hancock . . . 7 Bridge Scores . . . . . . . . 12 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Events and Tours . . . . . . . 8 Garden Tasks . . . . . . . . 19 Groups and Clubs . . . . . . 6 Where in the World . . . . . 38

READ WBL ONLINE : http://issuu.com/ woodbridgelife

Contact us:

WBLIFE2012@gmail.com

WOODBRIDGE MAKES BACK-TO-SCHOOL BETTER WOMEN OF WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE RESULTS

By Linda Little

A

s to be expected, the residents of Woodbridge were very generous and donated a trove of supplies to three Manteca Unified School District elementary schools: French Camp, George McParland and Neil Hafley. Each year the amount collected increases as more new residents are moving into their homes. This year’s drive was extremely successful; the number of some items doubled compared to last year’s tally.

This year's drive resulted in the collection See

SCHOOL page 10

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

W

Fitting this month’s theme, Mike Spence contributed “An Apple for the Teacher,” revealing the interesting historical connection between apples and teachers on page 36.

Among the regular softball features, you will find Mel Bernstein’s creative and candid thoughts about playing the game

Page 3 • September 2015

By Dodie Miller, Activities Director

By Carol Jo Hargreaves, WBL Editor

Back-to-school and September’s “new year” are a favorite time of year for me and I eagerly contribute to the annual Women of Woodbridge school supply drive. We feature the Women of Woodbridge on the cover of this month’s edition of Woodbridge LIFE as our way of congratulating the group for another enormously successful school supply drive.

As drive organizer, Linda Little, said, “This is just another example of Woodbridge’s generosity and commitment to supporting the Manteca community.” Linda’s leadership and organizational skills to help children fulfill their dreams are the stuff of Judy McNamara’s Triker’s Travels column this month. See page 28.

Judy also writes about fascinating WBL photographer, shutterbug Volker Moerbitz on page 28.

From Dodie's Desk

From the Editor hat a joyous time my husband and I shared with our grandsons this summer! I hope the memories the four of us made together will endure now that the two have been back in school for a full month and other interests are certainly taking priority in their lives.

I Carol Jo Hargreaves, WBL Editor on page 24 and Roger Gibson’s well-informed discussion of balls, bats and games played with them on page 22.

Look for photo spreads of recent community activities. Maybe you will see yourself in one of the pictures!

A significant day in U.S. history is commemorated this month. Many may be too young to remember but all have been affected by Victory over Japan (VJ) Day celebrated September 2 this year. Jean Kavale’s unique insider’s perspective and knowledge of military leadership make her story, “Peace at Last,” on page 37 even more poignant.

On a related topic, Women of Woodbridge president Birdie Nieri announces the group’s fall USO event on page 14. Tickets for this patriotic event with “Blue Plate Special” dinner go on sale early this month.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Woodbridge LIFE. All associated with the paper devote countless hours to its planning, writing, layout and proofreading each month to make it the best it can be. Sometimes mistakes are

See

EDITOR page 10

The deadline for submission of articles and photographs for the October 2015 edition of Woodbridge LIFE is Saturday, September 5, 2015.

Please email your articles to wblife2012@gmail.com

t’s hard to believe, but summer will soon be over. I hope you all had a chance to get away to that favorite place or finally were able to take that vacation of a lifetime! Here’s hoping you enjoyed whatever and wherever your vacation took you and you have wonderful memories to savor.

The Woodbridge Lifestyle Committee will put on its first salad and baked potato bar. The committee has done a lot of preparation for this event and discussed many choices for the salad bar including chicken and ham.

The baked potato bar will also have six different toppings for the baked Dodie Miller, WOA Activities Director potatoes. I was ready to whip up a salad after the discussion of what choices we wanted. I know you’ll enjoy this first-time salad and baked potato bar. It will be a place to find good food and friends.

The September ladies’ luncheon will be here at the Clubhouse on the patio.

Sandwich and fresh fruit platters, assorted cheeses, breads and rolls will be served. The maximum seating capacity on the patio is 44.

We have a very informative presentation coming up on travel by Road Scholar Ambassador Bob Naquin. Road Scholar adventures take travelers off the beaten path to learn about a destination or topic from an authentic vantage point. If you would like information about this kind of travel, please join in and get the details. There are Road Scholar catalogs at the front desk

See

DODIE page 10

Page 4 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

From the Bridge S

www.ourwoodbridge.net

WOA Update

By Ramon Rivera

Emergency Contacts If you turn to page 16 of this paper, you will find an Emergency Contact Form. We are asking all residents to update their emergency contacts on file at the Clubhouse.

You may cut this form out, complete it and bring it in or obtain a form at the Clubhouse to complete and return.

The front desk has all the forms to update your emergency contact, phone number or email.

By Ramon Rivera

eptember will mark the completion of my first six months as operations manager. I feel as lucky as anyone in the world to be in the position I am in. The honeymoon stage is fading and now it’s time to deliver results! I have been, and always will be, eager to solve every Woodbridge resident’s concerns, but I now have an understanding this is easier said than done. With every decision I make, there will be some in favor and others against. This does not mean one side is right and the other is wrong. Differences of opinions will always be a part of this community.

Almost everyone has shared the advice, “You’re not going to please everyone here.” My response has been, “That may be true but that will not stop me from trying.” Feedback from Woodbridge residents is the key to achieving this goal.

When a concern is brought to my attention, I have always taken the approach of tackling it immediately. This is a method I am learning to improve upon.

As much as my instincts tell me to fix a concern as soon as possible, the whole spectrum of a situation needs to be evaluated first. Quick fixes can domino into other issues that could inadvertently affect a different group of residents. While doing maintenance, a rapid approach served me very well. When someone reported a problem in need of attention, I would get it fixed right away. Now the concerns I deal with involve rules, personalities, enforcement, disputes and more.

The major difference is I’m no longer dealing with fitness equipment or pool heaters. I am dealing with people. Every

Ramon Rivera, Operations Manager decision I make is subject to criticism, questions as to why I made a decision, and concerns regarding the adverse effect(s) on other groups or individuals. This, in particular, is why no decision is easy and why a change of approach was necessary. The understanding of what might result from each decision allows me to proceed confidently with the decision-making process. I guarantee every decision will be investigated from multiple angles as to whom it may affect and how the change will be received for the betterment of the Woodbridge community. Ensuring the proper amount of time is taken to carefully and thoroughly consider a decision remains crucial. My positive attitude and smile will remain a constant as I refine my decision-making process because these are traits I value in others as well as myself. This ever-changing process will keep evolving through constructive criticism, advice and putting in the effort to continuously improve as a leader of this community.

�

Lake Rockwell A group of residents has brought the problem with poaching at Lake Rockwell to the attention of the WOA. These actions are taking place after it gets dark. The poachers are after the bigger fish in the lake. Please alert the Manteca Police at the non-emergency number, 209-2398401, if you see any suspicious activity. We would also like to remind all residents that feeding the wildlife or adding species to the lake is prohibited. Examples are adding turtles, goldfish or any other type of species.

Community Listening Post I encourage everyone to participate in our monthly Community Listening Post. It is held the second Friday of every month at 1 p.m. I am a huge advocate of feedback and would love to see more participation. The discussions focus on improvements of operations, new ideas, updates on maintenance issues and much more. Community involvement is very important to have when these discussions are taking place. With the feedback we gather, we’ll supplement the information needed to carry out new ideas or improvements to better the community.

From the Boardroom

By Roger Cunning, Vice President of the Woodbridge Owners Association Board of Directors

T

he board of directors considered proposed changes to the Rules and Regulations document that were posted for a second 30-day period following the July board meeting for homeowners to review and provide written comment. Written comments were provided for a few details within Liberty Park’s Chipping Greens Course. The board, having considered the comments, incorporated them appropriately and approved the entire Rules and Regulations document dated August 12, 2015 during the August board meeting.

Our Woodbridge Owners Association attorney, Deon Stein, attended the August board meeting and provided a thorough background and review of appropriate California laws that address elections to boards of directors. Mr. Stein has focused See

BOARDROOM page 5

www.ourwoodbridge.net From

Woodbridge LIFE

Page 5 • September 2015

BOARDROOM page 4

supplies are acquired. his law practice on helping homeowner associations for more Our developer (Pulte) provided language that can be used to than 25 years. change our Design Guidelines regarding drought-tolerant front The board considered our community’s first-ever Election yard landscaping. Included in this option is the use of artificial Rules, required by the Davis-Stirling Act that governs turf that meets specific minimum requirements as well as more homeowner associations (HOAs) like ours. These rules were desert-looking landscape. posted for a 30-day review for homeowners to review and provide The board approved that the language for inclusion into written comments. No comments were received. The board our Design Guidelines be posted for a 30-day review so that approved these procedures during their August meeting. In homeowners may review and provide written comment. The a similar matter in the same meeting, the board of directors board will consider incorporating these changes once all approved a resolution that the WOA adopt and follow the comments have been received following the 30-day review. previously approved Election Rules.

The board of directors welcomes your input and hopes Our operations manager, Ramon Rivera, continued his residents attend meetings. There is no board meeting in thorough efforts ensuring that costs associated with entry September. The next scheduled meeting is October 22. The fountains at Del Webb Boulevard and North Union Road were Annual Board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the Annual understood. The fountains were considered for conversion to Membership meeting starts at 7 p.m. a drought-tolerant plant landscaping with irrigation. After weighing all options and their expected costs, Meeting Day Date Time the board of directors Architectural Review Meeting Tuesday 9/1/15 9 a.m. decided to keep the Property & Grounds Committee Meeting Thursday 9/10/15 2:15 p.m. fountains as functioning fountains but a certain Listening Post Friday 9/11/15 1 p.m. amount of repair and Policy & Procedures Meeting Monday 9/14/15 2 p.m. lighting replacement will Architectural Review Meeting Tuesday 9/15/15 9 a.m. be necessary. Funding is available to commence Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday 9/23/15 2 p.m. the maintenance effort Architectural Review Meeting Tuesday 9/29/15 9 a.m. once all vendors and

WOA Committee Meetings

From the WOA Upcoming Election and Election Rules

By Pamela Ciapessoni, CCAM, Association Manager

T

he board of directors approved election rules for the Woodbridge community at the August 12, 2015 board of directors meeting. The newly adopted election rules include a provision that eliminates the need to run a full election if the election is uncontested. The wording of this provision is below: Uncontested Elections. Notwithstanding anything contained in the association's governing documents to the contrary, if, at the nomination deadline, the total number of candidates for election to the board is equal to or less than the number of seats to be filled at the election, then those candidates are deemed elected to terms that shall commence upon the expiration of the predecessors' terms and the association can dispense with distributing ballots and conducting the election.

If the number of directors so elected is less than the number of seats to be filled at the election, the incoming board of directors shall fill the vacancy(ies) as provided for in the association's bylaws.

For the 2015 election, we have two open seats in which we received two candidate nominations. With this new provision, the two candidates will be appointed at the annual meeting in October and no mailing or balloting will be required. This costPamela Ciapessoni, Riverside Management saving measure will save the association thousands of dollars.

Please take time to read the statements from both candidates for the board of directors and join us in October to welcome your newly appointed board members, Roger Cunning and Mike Spence.

See

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS page 17

Page 6 • September 2015

WOA Groups and Clubs: Groups & Clubs

Woodbridge LIFE

Contact

Phone

Meeting Day And Time

Artists & Crafters Ballroom Dance

Nedra Ball Patti Barnhart

815-9309 629-8838

Bocce Ball Bridge Bridge Groupies Bunco Bunco-also contact

Rick Hyden Don St. Lawrence Jeanne Thomas Mary Braun Susan Russitano

824-9257 825-7137 823-3545 239-0409 275-5817

M-F. Time & Workshops vary Thursdays @ 4:15 p.m.

SU @ 6 p.m., TH @ 8 a.m. Effective Oct 11, SU @ 2 p.m. and effective Oct 15, TH 10 a.m.

Mondays @ 10 a.m.

Thursdays @ 4 p.m.

3rd Monday @ 6:30 p.m.

3rd Monday @ 6:30 p.m.

Various Mondays and

Chair Volleyball Cooking 401 Crochet/Knitting Cribbage Drama

Jacquie Steffy Jan Spence Renée St. Lawrence Dave Steffy Dona Eberhardt

825-4805 924-8032 825-7137 825-4805 629-8069

Tuesdays.

3rd Tuesday @ 2 p.m.

Thursdays @ 10 a.m.

Tuesdays @ 7 p.m.

Thursdays @ 12:30 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays @ 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m.

W-SA-SU @ 1 p.m.

Thursdays @ 7 p.m.

M-W-F @ 9:15 a.m.

Fridays @ 6 p.m.

2nd Monday @ 10 a.m.

Patrols Mondays @ 6 p.m.

3rd Thursday @ 6 p.m. (some

Game Night Pat Buxton Game Night-also contact Rick Hyden

239-8663 824-9257

Hand & Foot Line Dancing Line Dancing (Evening) Men of Woodbridge Neighborhood Watch Paddle Tennis

Ruth Field Patti Barnhart Bill Goodwin Bill Goodwin Bob Hall Stan Sutfin Chuck Gary

229-6977 629-8838 823-9767 823-9767 239-5712 815-9735 834-6795

Photography Pickleball Pinochle

Rich Froisness Bob Hall Robert Philis

591-8662 239-5712 825-3053

Poker

Al Sanchez

239-8235

exceptions) M-F. Time varies M @ 2:15pm & TH @ 1 p.m.

Wed @ 1:30 p.m. & Fri @ 5:30 p.m.

Poker - also contact Radio Controlled Flyers Readers’ Group Second Chance Band Senior Golf Silver Sluggers Softball Strummin’ Wonders Tennis Trivia Veterans Walking Indoors Wheels of Woodbridge Wine 101 Women of Woodbridge Woodbridge Singers

Joe Victoria Bob Umberger Renée St. Lawrence John Green Chuck Gary Butch Larson Carla Marquardt Mel Topping Eileen Hill Jack Dauler Jacque Reynolds Bill Barnhart Jon Ford Birdie Nieri Elizabeth Cunning

815-9343 239-2983 825-7137 239-5256 834-6795 824-2062 624-3754 239-8718 624-3945 629-8575 629-8508 629-8838 815-9803 624-3779 647-4380

Wed @ 1:30 p.m. & Fri @ 5:30 p.m.

Days and times vary 1st Wed @ 10:30 a.m.

Days and times vary Various golf courses Seasonal Mondays @ 2:15 p.m.

SU - TU - TH @ 8:30 a.m.

3rd Tuesday @ 7 p.m.

2nd Monday @ 4 p.m.

M-W-F @ 8:30 a.m.

1st Tuesday @ 10:45 a.m.

Days vary 3rd Wed @ 11 a.m.

Every other Monday @ 7 p.m.

Non-WOA Sanctioned Clubs: Club

Christian Men's Fellowship 55er's RV Group "Just Fore Fun" Ladies' Golf Red Hat Ladies Senior Bowling Women's Bible Study

Contact

Phone

Dave Basehore Sue Edmiston Betty Buff Claudia Watkins Barbara Silva Carolyn Johnson

923-4905 601-9210 479-3568 823-8678 824-0262 239-0936

Please refer to www.ourwoodbridge.net for more detailed information

www.ourwoodbridge.net

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Reaching Out Lakeview Clubhouse: 824-7581

Board of Directors

John Johnson, President Roger Cunning, Vice President Christine Carlson, Treasurer Garry Dudley, Secretary Carl Hansen, Director at Large

Resident Directors

Roger: 647-4380 / Garry: 648-4868

Operations Manager

Ramon Rivera:

495-6803

Activities Director

Dodie Miller:

Lifestyle Manager

Erika Smith:

824-7927 824-7581

Management

Riverside Management PO BOX 697 Roseville, CA 9566 916-740-2462

The opinions expressed in

Woodbridge LIFE’s feature

articles, paid advertisements and editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or the Woodbridge Owners Association.

WOODBRIDGE LIFE MISSION STATEMENT: “Woodbridge LIFE is a celebration of the diversified residents of Woodbridge by Del Webb in Manteca – a look at their accomplishments, an exploration of their hopes and dreams, a place to share joy, announce activities and bring neighbors together.

Woodbridge LIFE strives to enhance the lives of all residents and exceed expectations with informative articles, lively features, a calendar of events and more.”

Woodbridge LIFE

Woodbridge LIFE

2401 Morning Brook Drive Manteca, CA 95336

209-824-7581

www.ourwoodbridge.net PUBLISHER

WOA

EDITOR

Carol Jo Hargreaves

824-7581

823-3538

ADVERTISING Erika Smith

WBL EDITORIAL TEAM Bill Barnhart Sharyl Burgeson, asst. editor Carol Jo Hargreaves, chair Jean Kavale Ann King Dreanna Langdon Judy McNamara Dodie Miller Volker Moerbitz Pepper Noble Ramon Rivera Erika Smith Mike Spence

824-7581 629-8838 239-1492 823-3538 629-8571 650-464-0151 613-3551 923-4718 824-7927 239-7965 239-1933 495-6803 824-7581 924-8032

Woodbridge LIFE is a free monthly publication of the Woodbridge Owners Association, a nonprofit organization serving the residents of the Woodbridge by Del Webb community in Manteca, CA. Woodbridge LIFE invites stories, photographs, comments, cartoons, jokes and any other information that would be of interest to residents. We reserve the right to accept or refuse submissions and edit for content and length. We also reserve the right to refuse advertising or articles that in our opinion do not reflect the standards of the newspaper. The opinions expressed, whether by paid advertisement or editorial content, do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or the Woodbridge Owners Association. Content submitted may be edited, reprinted and acknowledged without consent unless specifically requested. Woodbridge LIFE proofreaders use the Associated Press Stylebook, “the journalist’s bible,” as a writing and editing reference. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. Materials submitted with a self-addressed, stamped envelope will be returned. Contents copyright © 2015 by Woodbridge Owners Association.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Contact us:

WBLIFE2012@gmail.com

Page 7 • September 2015

Page 8 • September 2015

Woodbridge Owners Association Committees ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW • Carl Hansen, Chair carl.hansen@pultegroup.com 925-249-3213 FINANCE • April Oakland, Chair april@riversidemgmt.com LIFESTYLE • Dodie Miller, Chair millerdodie@gmail.com 824-7927 POLICY & PROCEDURES • Chuck Gary, Chair

cgaryjr@sbcglobal.net 834-6795 PROPERTY & GROUNDS • Ramon Rivera, Chair rrivera@ourwoodbridge.net 495-6803 COMMUNICATION • Carol Jo Hargreaves, Chair, Woodbridge LIFE Editor and Directory Chair cjohargreaves@gmail.com

823-3538 WELCOMING COMMITTEE • Diana Clements, Co-Chair tenor4@comcast.net 665-4353 •

Jeanne Tebbutt, Co-Chair jltebbutt@gmail.com 923-4356 NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

• Bill Barnhart bill.barnhart@mrbconsulting.us 629-8838

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Coming to Woodbridge EVENTS and TOURS - September 2015

By Dodie Miller, Activities Director STEVE’S MOBILE SUNSCREENS DINNER – Wednesday, September 2 @ 5 p.m. – Great pizza, salad, an ice cream sundae bar, ice-cold beer and lots of prizes. Exclusive discount information on security doors, sun-controlled products, retractable awnings and Christmas light installation will be given to participants. Bring two canned foods for donation to a local women’s shelter and receive an extra $25 off any Steve’s Mobile purchase. Sign up at the front desk.

SALAD & BAKED POTATO BAR – Thursday, September 3 @ 5:30 p.m.

The salad bar will include choices of ham, chicken, tomatoes, onions, celery, cucumbers, mushrooms, olives, green peppers, garbanzo beans, grated cheese, nuts and salad dressings. The potato bar will include choices of butter, sour cream, onions, chili, bacon bits, chives and shredded cheese. Tickets are $9 per person.

LADIES’ LUNCHEON – Wednesday, September 9 @ 12 p.m. – The luncheon will be on the Clubhouse patio with a buffet of tossed salad, fresh fruit platter, finger sandwich platter of turkey, ham, pastrami, roast beef, salami and assorted cheeses on bread and rolls. Iced tea and water will be available. There is a capacity of 44 for seating. Reserve your seat with either Jacqueline Andrews @ 823-9241 or Jacque Reynolds @ 6298508. $13 CASH ONLY (no checks, please).

ROAD SCHOLAR EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL PROGRAM – Thursday, September 10 @ 6 p.m. – Road Scholar Ambassador Bob Naquin will host an information session to learn about the Road Scholar educational travel program. Bob has participated in many Road Scholar programs and

Important Notice About Cancellations

will have details of his travels and answer any of your questions about any future travel with Road Scholar.

Sign up at the front desk.

ELVIS “LIVE” – Saturday, September 12 @ 6 p.m. – Jeremy “Elvis” Pearce is an “Elvis tribute artist.” In a world full of impersonators, Jeremy “Elvis” Pearce is the ultimate showman and Elvis stylist. He is an exceptional entertainer who will provide an evening full of all of our favorite Elvis songs. When he enters the room, you believe it’s ELVIS performing. You may bring your beverage of choice and snacks. Tickets are $8 per person, on sale at the front desk.

WINE 101 – Wednesday, September 16 @ 6 p.m. – This class will feature Don Vehrs, a resident of Del Webb and a first level sommelier. Don will speak about becoming a sommelier as well as the four levels of training and testing. This should be a very interesting class. Watch for the flyer.

SPEAKER SERIES – Thursday, September 17 @ 4 p.m. – California Faience: Ceramics for Cottages and Castles. Author and Woodbridge resident Kirby Brown will be the speaker. California Faience was an important art pottery manufacturer based in Berkeley, best known for the tiles they made for Hearst Castle.

Signs-ups will be taken at the front desk.

CANYON COUNTRY TOUR – September 20 to 26 – This tour is through Setness Tours and will journey through the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks, cruise the blue waters of Lake Powell and enter Navajo territory at Monument Valley. Reservations may be made through Setness Tours at 209-4768486.

CHILI/BAKED POTATO FEED – Wednesday, September 23 @ 5:30 p.m. – The Men of Woodbridge group is putting on another delicious feed.

They will have all the trimmings for the chili and baked potatoes including coleslaw to go along with the dinner. Coffee and water will be provided and you may bring your beverage of choice. The cutoff to buy tickets is September 21. Tickets are $10 per person and available at the front desk. This is a fundraiser for the Haven of Peace’s “Kiddie Room.” Men of Woodbridge thanks sponsor Food 4 Less, Manteca.

LASAGNA FEED – Thursday, September 24 @ 5:30 p.m. – Another night you don’t have to cook because the Lifestyle Committee is cooking for you. They’ll have hot, homemade lasagna, mixed green salad with dressing and French bread. Coffee and water will be provided and you may bring your beverage of choice. Tickets are $10 per person and available at the front desk.

HAPPY HOUR – Friday, September 25 @ 6 p.m. – Our patio music will be by DJ Moises Martinez. The music will begin at 6:30 p.m. This will be another fun summer evening with your neighbors around the lake.

Bring your beverage of choice and an appetizer to share. We will supply the tables and chairs for the patio.

There is also seating on the lawn area around the lake but you need to bring your own lawn chairs. Tickets for patio and lawn area are $5 per person.

AUTUMN DANCE & FOOD – Saturday, September 26 @ 5:30 p.m.

– Dave Badilla will be back to play all those great hits for dancing and we’ll

See

EVENTS page 33

When you have signed up for an event, activity or tour and you find you are unable to attend, please, as a courtesy to others, call the Clubhouse front desk (824-7581) to cancel. If the event has a waiting list, the front desk can fill the vacancy from the list. Thank you.

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

September Activities Sunday

Monday

9 a.m. – Architectural Review Committee

6

7 LABOR DAY

8

Page 9 • September 2015

Winter Clubhouse Hours (9/1 through 4/30) Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday 1

Wednesday

Thursday

2

3

5 p.m. – Steve’s Mobile

5:30 p.m. – Salad &

Sunscreens Dinner

Baked Potato Bar

9 12 p.m. – Ladies’ Luncheon

Hospital Forum

Friday

Saturday

4

5

10

11

12

9:30 a.m. – Doctors

1 p.m. – Listening Post

6 p.m. – Elvis ”Live”

18

19

2:15 p.m. – Property & Grounds Committee Mtg 6 p.m. – Road Scholar Travel Program

13

14

15

16

17

2 p.m. – Policy &

9 a.m. – Architectural

6 p.m. – Wine 101

4 p.m. – Speaker Series

Procedures Committee

Review Committee

Mtg

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Canyon Country

Canyon Country

Canyon Country

Canyon Country

Canyon Country

Canyon Country

Canyon Country

(Setness Tours)

(Setness Tours)

(Setness Tours)

(Setness Tours)

(Setness Tours)

(Setness Tours)

(Setness Tours)

5:30 p.m. – Chili/Baked

5:30 p.m. – Lasagna

6 p.m. – Happy Hour

5:30 p.m. – Autumn

Potato Feed

Feed

27

28

29

Dance

30

9 a.m. – Architectural Review Committee 5:30 p.m. – Potluck Night

► Events and activities are listed on page 8.

More information about these as well as Woodbridge Clubs and Groups may be found on the Woodbridge portal and at the Lakeview Clubhouse.

This calendar was last updated 8/24/15. Refer to flyers or the Woodbridge portal for additional information.

s t n e v E g n i Com

As a courtesy to Woodbridge residents, we are providing the following event information to assist in planning and obtaining tickets. Please note: This information is subject to change. Contact the Clubhouse front desk if you have questions.

Purchase Tickets Starting:

Event Date

Purchase Tickets Starting:

Name of Event

Event Date

Wheels Car Show

10/3/15

No Ticket

Apple Hill (Setness)

10/15/15

Now

Wine 101

10/7/15

No Ticket

Joni Morris Show

10/17/15

9/18/15

Underground Old Town & River Cruise (Setness)

10/8/15

Now

Senior Softball Dinner

10/24/15

Ticket

Blue Angels @ Fleet Week (Setness)

10/10/15

Now

Potluck Night

10/27/15

No Ticket

"Duffy" Edgar Allan Poe

10/10/15

9/11/15

Doctors Hospital Halloween Social

10/28/15

No Ticket

Margaritas, Appetizers & Brain Teasers

10/12/15

9/7/15

Halloween Dance

10/31/15

10/6/15

USO Revival (Women of Woodbridge)

10/13/15

9/8/15

Name of Event

Page 10 • September 2015 From

Woodbridge LIFE

DODIE page 3

to peruse in preparation for the presentation.

I highly, highly recommend the Elvis “Live” show. Jeremy “Elvis” Pearce is one of the most popular Elvis tribute artists in the world. He really puts on a show at which you will feel you’re in the presence of Elvis. Tickets will go fast for this one. Jeremy has been to Woodbridge in the past and is always a sold-out show.

The Men of Woodbridge group will be putting on their Chili/ Baked Potato Feed toward the end of the month. It’s always a full turnout, so get tickets as soon as they are available. The flyer will have the menu and all the details.

We’ll be ending summer and starting fall with a dance and food.

Dave Badilla will play dance tunes at the Autumn Dance and we’ll be serving up a light fall dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad by caterer Mark Angelo. This event will get everyone charged up for fall activities.

There is another dinner coming your way. A Lasagna Feed sponsored by the Lifestyle Committee will be held toward the end of September. There will be a variety of lasagna dishes all made by the Lifestyle Committee. Another night you don’t have to cook!

We’re cooking for you and we are looking forward to having you attend this dinner.

We’ll end September with another Happy Hour with DJ Moises Martinez on the patio. Our monthly Potluck Night will follow this event. I don’t have anyone booked for October’s Happy Hour yet – it will depend on what the weather brings.

From

www.ourwoodbridge.net

EDITOR page 3

inadvertently made, however. My thanks to Rommel Parseh who contributed last month’s photo of the Bocce Ball group (see below) but for which we credited another resident. Thank you for your contributions, patience and positive attitude, Rommel!

Strangely, I have recently been entertaining the thought (albeit fleeting) of taking a class at an institution of higher learning. Hmmmmm. We’ll see … ~ Carol Jo and the Woodbridge LIFE team

Photo by Rommel Parseh.

The Bocce Ball group enjoyed Memorial Day games.

From

SCHOOL page 1

of the following items and amounts: Backpacks (46), binder paper (70 packages), construction paper (38 packages), copy paper (40 reams), crayons (92 boxes), dry erase markers (292), file folders (625), glue sticks (464), granola bars (51 boxes), hand sanitizer (15 large, 32 small), jump ropes (18), markers (108 boxes), paper towels (59 rolls), pencils (151 boxes), pencil boxes (38), pens (17 packages), scissors (100), spiral notebooks (347), tissue (41 boxes) and wet wipes (42 containers). Additionally, miscellaneous donations included binders, calculators, erasers, folders, glue and rulers.

Thank you to all residents who donated school supplies. This is just another example of Woodbridge's generosity and commitment to supporting the Manteca community.

Photo by Linda Little.

This is just a portion of the results of the Women of Woodbridge School Supply Drive.

www.ourwoodbridge.net

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Woodbridge LIFE

Page 11 • September 2015

By Bob Hall

O

nce again residents outdid themselves with 19 separate National Night Out (N.N.O.) block parties all over the Woodbridge community.

On Knollwood Court, approximately 120 people showed up to hear some great music and chat with their neighbors. Stockbridge Park also had a good turnout, and in the north, several new block captains set up their first party and everyone had a good time.

It is my understanding that some 1,000 people in Manteca participated in National Night Out this year, requiring city employees to cover a large area of homes in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, some of the parties were shortchanged on the amount of city visitors they received, while others had many guests arrive and partake in the food offered by residents.

The people of Woodbridge love to have parties, meet neighbors and welcome city workers who do such a great job for Manteca.

Next year for National Night Out, I think that a party held at the amphitheater in Liberty Park with a band playing would bring many residents throughout WBL photo by Dreanna Langdon. the whole community together and certainly make the Many neighbors turned out to share food and get better acquainted on Abbey Mist Street. visitors’ search for us much easier. Of course, those people wishing to have a smaller gathering would be able to do that and register with the city, also.

In the meantime, keep watching out for each other and I will look forward to another awesome N.N.O. next year.

WBL photo by Dreanna Langdon.

Everyone enjoyed socializing with their neighbors on Abbey Mist Street.

Page 12 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

At the Clubhouse

By Paul E. Serpa, Senior Fitness Specialist

By Don St. Lawrence

I

The Bridge group meets Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oxford Room.

Letha Watson Cherie Ford Phil McCallion Don St. Lawrence Kathy Comden Marilyn Larson Grace Pasion Betty Buff Robi Cornelius Don Harris Phyllis Tindell

AUG 10:

Betty Buff Cherie Ford Robi Cornelius Shirley Lopes David Lopes Kathy Comden Marilyn Larson Lee Stern Don St. Lawrence Grace Pasion Phil McCallion Phyllis Tindell Don Harris

AUG 17:

Betty Buff Marilyn Larson Don Harris Shirley Lopes Lee Stern

 FITNESS My Back Hurts — What to Do?

 BRIDGE

Bridge Scores AUG 3:

4980 4850 4290 4120 4070 3590 3530 3470 2350 2310 2290 4530 4190 3960 3890 3790 3520 3490 3470 3080 2960 2430 2400 2330 4990 4910 4540 4510 4210

Kathy Comden Cherie Ford Letha Watson Grace Pasion Robi Cornelius Phyllis Tindell Phil McCallion David Lopes

AUG 24:

Don Harris Phil McCallion Cherie Ford Shirley Lopes Betty Buff Marilyn Larson Kathy Comden Robi Cornelius Phyllis Tindell Don St. Lawrence Lee Stern

4060 4030 4010 3620 3230 2710 2350 2090 4370 4310 4150 4100 3960 3150 3060 3030 2910 2820 2740

n my previous article, I talked about what causes back pain.

This article will address some tips on what to do after your back is injured.

According to Dr. Liu, most back pain should resolve itself in a matter of weeks, using athome remedies such as overthe-counter medication and rest.

He suggests that if it does not go away, or if it keeps you up at night, if you have weakness, numbness or pins and needles in your extremities, seek the help of your doctor.

Your doctor should use a number of diagnostic tools to determine the extent of your injury or the cause of your pain and will help to develop an individual treatment plan.

www.ourwoodbridge.net More than 80 percent of back issues and pain can be alleviated without surgical measures. If you do need surgery, most can be done using minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopy, which will cause less trauma and pain.

At-home remedies such as hot and cold can be used to relieve some symptoms of back pain.

What to do? If the injury is from a sprain or strain, cold will work best for a day or two. After that, heat will help to relax and soothe the muscles.

In the gym, stretching, range of motion exercises, functional movement exercises, as well as core strengthening exercises will reduce pain and help to prevent re-injury.

Do not ignore your back pain – seek help from your fitness specialist, a chiropractor or other doctor to determine your individual treatment plan.

Arts  ARTISTS & CRAFTERS Get Creative with Arts & Crafts

By Penny Dauler

F

or many, August signals the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. For retirees, it might just be the beginning of travel season when there are not so many children at the state and national parks, amusement parks and RV parks. For others, now is the time to begin collecting fall and holiday decorations and to attend classes at the Westport Room. Or, now that summer is waning, you might want to help with one of the charitable projects handled by the crafters.

Whichever it is, you are invited to come, come, come.

Choices include: Prayer Bear Workshop, Monday, September 14, at 9 a.m. Bears are distributed to local hospitals and shelters for the little tykes.

Oncology Pillow Workshop, Monday, September 21, beginning at 10 a.m. This is another chance to provide comfort for others. Pillows go to cancer patients at three local Kaiser hospitals.

Special classes in September include Margo Flanagan’s watercolor class, Friday, September 11, at noon. The theme this month is “Autumn Barn,” a sepia painting of a barn and mountain. Contact Margo for details. Kathy Dezotte will once again teach her very popular leaf-stamping class Friday, September 18, at 10 a.m. Stamp fall leaves on t-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags. Kathy’s ever-popular Doodle Bugs class will also be taught this month.

Not all classes have been listed, so please stop by the Westport Room to check out the windows for class items on display and to pick up a monthly calendar for listings of ALL arts and crafts events being held each month.

�

www.ourwoodbridge.net

 WOODBRIDGE READERS' GROUP

By Marie Evans

T

Woodbridge LIFE

&

he readers' group met again on the first Wednesday of the month, August 5. The book for discussion was The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, written by Dorothy Gilman and the first book of a series with Mrs. Pollifax as the heroine. Mrs. Pollifax proved to be an unusual heroine in that she is not young nor is she glamorous.

She is an ordinary woman 'of a certain age,' with an extraordinary personality and willingness to take chances, to say the very least!

All of us enjoyed reading the book and many of us plan to read more of the series. It is easy to read, well written and funny as well as exciting – at times, very exciting. How many of us living in Del Webb aspire to be a secret agent? How many of us would just go off to a foreign country and proceed with our assignment, deftly dealing with everything that came our way – especially if that meant violence, danger, suspense, undesired travel to very exotic (but dangerous) places and we had little idea of what was to happen? How many of us could cope and eventually succeed? How many would want to?

However, if you have even a tinge of a desire for a more exciting life, this is the book to read because this story is about one fictional woman who does exactly that and not only survives but excels! And, we know she lives because there are other books about her written after this one – so no need to worry; just sit down, pick up the book and read – you will enjoy! One of our readers described this story as

Page 13 • September 2015

 ARTISTS & CRAFTERS Save the Date The doors for the 2015 Holiday Boutique, Bistro and Bake Sale will open at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 14, in the Clubhouse.

“a fun and wellThere will be changes to the boutique this written spy story,” year.

NO long lines! and that it was.

You will pay each vendor individually.

Our thanks go to Rene St. Lawrence A bistro serving soup, bread and dessert who agreed to will be in the Westport Room. Cost of lunch present the book is $5. in Ruth Fields' absence and to A bake sale will also be set up across the Ruth Fields who hall from the boutique. suggested the book but could not be Come and join the fun. at the meeting to present it. It was because of Ruth that we were introduced to this interesting character – so many thanks to both of you.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, September 2, where Ann Barden will present Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train. Helen Navarro will present the October selection, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. Every Del Webb resident is welcome.

 WOODBRIDGE SINGERS The Joy of Singing!

By Elizabeth Cunning

T

he most fun you can have on a Monday night is singing with the Woodbridge Singers! Rehearsals start again Monday, September 7, at 7 p.m. and are held every other Monday night in the Multipurpose Room of the Clubhouse. Our winter season

will include your favorite Christmas songs, maybe some new songs, concluding with a holiday concert the first week in December. If you enjoy singing, come try us out – we’re a friendly bunch! No experience is necessary and reading music is not required. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Cunning, 647-4380.

Blood Drive - July 30

B

elow is the list of donors for our first blood drive of 2015. Thank you for your willingness to share the gift of life. Ten were first time donors.

With the units of blood collected, Woodbridge Del Webb saved 51 lives!

Mark Bianchini Peg Meagher Larry Binkley Jeanie Mini Sue Binkley Carmen Mini Arthur DeSouza Victoria Mitchell Elaine DeSouza Nancy Ome Elizabeth Harvey Patricia Poleos Eileen Hill Warren Rogers Mike (Walter) Hill Geri Rogers William Jack Polly Smith Sam Larussa Sandy Stagno Linda Little Dick Turner Janie McIntyre

POTLUCK NIGHT TUESDAYS 2015 SEPTEMBER 29 - YOUR FAVORITE DISH OCTOBER 27 - OPEN POTLUCK NOVEMBER 24 - OPEN POTLUCK DECEMBER 29 - OPEN POTLUCK

Page 14 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

 MEN OF WOODBRIDGE

By Jon Ford

M

en of Woodbridge extends an invitation to any male resident of Del Webb by Woodbridge to join us for our monthly meeting Monday, September 14, at 10 a.m. Men of Woodbridge is a service-oriented club that meets monthly, generally at 10 a.m. at the Clubhouse on the second Monday of the month. We put on several dinners for the community as well as an occasional fundraising dinner to benefit an organization in the Manteca area or to assist with a need in our own community, such as additional automated doors in the Clubhouse.

In addition to sponsoring dinners, we have a monthly clean-up detail on the on- and off-ramps of Airport on the 120 Bypass. We also assist with the Wheels of Woodbridge sponsored golf cart races (raffle booth) and car show (hot dog stand). We go on occasional trips to visit sites of interest. Our last trip was to the Manteca Historical Museum in August. We also go off-site quarterly for a breakfast meeting at one of the local establishments.

Our next fundraiser will be our annual baked potato/chili dinner Wednesday, September 23, at the Clubhouse. Meals will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You may bring your beverage of choice to

accompany your dinner, but coffee will be available. All profits will go to the Haven of Peace Shelter. The price for this worthwhile cause is $9 per person. Tickets are available at the Clubhouse.

In addition, look for your special coupon in the October issue of Woodbridge LIFE for an invitation to the Manteca Chili's restaurant, Monday, October 26. Use this coupon to go to lunch or dinner. Present the coupon to your server and the Men of Woodbridge will receive a portion of the receipt, not including alcohol. Chili's is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on that day so you have a chance to enter into a win-win situation – no cooking and an effortless donation to a worthwhile fundraiser. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward the annual Marines' Toys for Tots campaign.

The Men of Woodbridge sincerely thanks the Del Webb community for all of its support throughout the year. We are always looking for new members and we encourage the men of the community to give us a try. Once again, our next meeting is September 14 in the Multipurpose Room of the Clubhouse at 10 a.m. We look forward to seeing new faces and getting to know our neighbors even better.

 WOMEN OF WOODBRIDGE

By Birdie Nieri

T

he Women of Woodbridge (WOW) is at it again. We are planning another new event for October. The ladies will decorate tables with patriotic themes for our 1940s USO Radio Show. There will be about 150 tickets available for the October 13 event. Mark Angelo, who never fails to impress us, will do catering. Dinner will be a "Blue Plate Special,” a three-course meal. Elizabeth Cunning and her band of radio show actors and singers will supply some wonderful entertainment with songs, radio flash backs, some specialty audience participation, a comedienne and a renowned screen star of the era.

You won't want to miss this one.

It is the hope of WOW that this event will coincide with the

dedication of the new park and/or the Veterans Memorial. This event will be colorful, patriotic, playful, and by the time we're done, you'll be amazed at the level of talent in our midst. We have been putting this together since June and each meeting is more creative than the one before.

Tickets will go on sale the last week of September for $25 per person.

As usual, the proceeds from this event will be for charity. The Women of Woodbridge has selected The Haven of Peace as beneficiary. We will have a charity raffle as well. Get your tickets early, come in 1940s garb or uniform and enjoy a look back at the ‘40s.

"Minions" Movie Review

By Carla Marquardt

I

f you want to laugh for an hour-anda-half, go see the latest “Minions” movie now showing at theaters.

Kids and adults will love it. This photograph was taken while celebrating my birthday after seeing “Minions” with Judy McNamara, Novie Kay and Elizabeth Cunning (not shown) who snapped the picture.

Photo by Elizabeth Cunning.

(L to R) Novie Kay, Carla Marquardt and Judy McNamara clown around in the Clubhouse after seeing "Minions."

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

Page 15 • September 2015

Page 16 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

www.ourwoodbridge.net From

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS page 5

Woodbridge LIFE

Page 17 • September 2015

WOA Board of Directors' Candidate Statements Michael Spence

W

e need new leadership on our Board; I’m ready to accept the challenge.

My wife and I have lived in Woodbridge for five years. During my working life, I was a detective for Covina PD and later owned King Crane Service in Scotts Valley. Along the way; I collected a MPA from the University of La Verne.

While on P&GC as Chair, we used research and teamwork and got results: the Clubhouse was repainted, the parking lots were resealed and we began the process to resurface our MPR and entry floors. Currently I serve as advisor on Reserve Study matters, on the LIFE Editorial team

and as an active member of Men of Woodbridge.

There are daunting tasks ahead: transition to a resident-controlled Board, revisions to our governing documents and managing our $2M annual operating budget and our $2M reserve account.

What I’d like to accomplish: restore the Board appointed Committee system, allow only residents to Chair Committees, continue the Town Hall meetings, add (new) Town Workshops and restrict Executive Session to the few topics that belong there. The Board is a deliberative body; those discussions need to be at a witnessed forum.

Roger Cunning

I

wish to serve on the Board of Directors for the next two years.

I’ll summarize by background briefly. My youth was a wonderful time but my father died when I was 16, so I worked my way through college as a night shift factory welder, graduated and became a USAF officer, and retired following my promotion to Colonel.

I then worked for the Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory until retirement. I served

in many roles in churches and I realize that all these experiences provided an excellent, balanced foundation to be a Board Member.

While I have chatted with many residents about our community, I am eager to discuss more with everyone I meet. Woodbridge prospers from a wealth of knowledge and experience by our residents. There seems to be an unlimited pool of talent living among us. Let’s talk more together to enhance our futures.

As our community grows, changes are inevitable to enable its vitality. Let’s work together in our transition from developer dominance in decision-making toward homeowner dominance.

While both desire only the best for Woodbridge, there may be different approaches to achieving success.

I hope to enable that on the Board of Directors.

WBL photo by Volker Moerbitz.

Roger Cunning

WBL photo by Volker Moerbitz.

Mike Spence

Page 18 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

Garden Tasks for September

B

Within the first two years of moving here, I realized we had grubs in our lawn, not so much from the look of the lawn but from hundreds (maybe not quite that many) of little beetles that had crawled to my front door and died on the porch. I looked up these little beetles and, sure enough, they were the beetle stage of the grub life cycle.

Why am I telling you these stories? As we have been cutting back on watering and possibly fertilizing our lawns less so they won’t grow as much, we’ve created the perfect storm for lawn issues. If you want more information about your lawn and what your problem could possibly be, go to http://www.ipm.ucdavis. edu/TOOLS/TURF/PESTS/index.html to find out more about pests and diseases of turf grass. There are other things that can cause browning of lawns such as soil compaction, too much thatch on your lawn, too much or too little water, and sprinklers not watering evenly on your lawn or being broken. I’m not an expert on what’s wrong with your lawn but do some research and see if it’s something you can control. With most of us using a gardener, we are likely to inherit issues that some of their other clients have.

September is a good month to: •

Look for bulbs in your garden center to plant for spring flowering such as daffodils, jonquils, tulips and hyacinths. I love the baby daffodils. Go to a full service nursery for the

Page 19 • September 2015

•

Prepare to purchase drought tolerant plants and Mediterranean plants that will establish themselves this fall as we hopefully start to get some rain in our area. Also, in October many native plant societies have their fall sales, so keep a look out for those. If you plant this fall, your new planting will be much better established in the spring than if you planted late in winter or early spring.

•

Look at your overall garden scheme and decide if any of your plants have overgrown their present location or if their exposure has changed. Boy, is that a hot topic! If you have lived here more than five years, I’m sure your exposures have changed. My backyard, which is west facing, is now bathed in pretty decent shade on one side. The other side is adapting to the recent removal of our tree, so we are still adjusting our plantings in order to get the right plants for the right places. For newer residents, Woodbridge soil is some of the most wonderful soil you will find in California.

This was actually one of the key reasons I moved here.

(Our number one reason was that our children couldn’t move back in with us!)

•

Start your fall garden of cold-weather plants if you’ve found that your tomatoes, zucchini and squash have finished the majority of their growth. Look for lettuce, kale, carrots, onions, radish and spinach, to name a few.

•

Start to clean up your garden now by cleaning up debris around plants and deadheading flowers. Do not do any major pruning this month, as it will stimulate new growth when most plants are beginning their dormant cycle.

•

Start dividing perennials such as daylilies, agapanthus, iris and Shasta daisies. Most of these plants slow down their flower production after three to four years and will benefit from being divided.

•

Feed citrus their final feeding of the year. If they are showing signs of chlorosis, they can use a foliar fertilizer, effective more quickly than granules or liquid in the ground.

Like many of you, I have a pretty good landscaper that I sometimes depend on to figure things out for me. For example, they brought to my attention that one of my crepe myrtles had white fly. I hadn’t even noticed it because it’s on the other side of the yard where I don’t always wander, especially when it’s 103 degrees out, until it’s almost dark.

Last week my landscaper help told me I might have anthracnose in my grass! Anthrax? No, something called anthracnose. He said he’d looked at it and the grass was damp where it was brown and he suspects I have the virus in my lawn.

He went on to say they have someone who can come in and apply a chemical to my lawn. I realized at that moment that I was paying my pest control company to fertilize and care for my turf. So I called my pest control company and found out they had already given me one treatment for disease in June. This was July. The supervisor said they’d send someone out to reapply the chemical but that it wouldn’t eliminate the anthracnose, a fungal disease. It would only contain it and possibly keep it from spreading.

best selection or, if you order online, make sure you order from a reputable grower.

By Sandi Larson, Master Gardener

oy, does anyone else feel like this has been a very hot summer? My plants Sandi Larson are stressed, my trees are stressed and my plants and furniture are dusty. Worst of all, now my grass seems to be having some serious issues.

If you are looking for a tree or shrub to highlight the fall colors, look for gingko, crepe myrtles, Japanese maple, burning bush and even heavenly bamboo, which all have pretty foliage in the fall.

San Joaquin Master Gardeners is having a class Saturday, September 19, in the McFall Room at the Manteca Public Library. The title of this seminar is “Creating Beauty with California Native Plants” – the perfect theme for September. If you plan to attend, we ask that you reserve your place at the class by calling 209-953-6100. Class begins at 10:30 and is over at noon.

September and October are great months to head into the foothills to visit Nevada City, Plymouth, Sutter Creek, Placerville and my favorite, Yosemite.

H

appy gardening!

Page 20 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Esther Chu Sharon Bayer (seated) WBL photo by Sharyl Burgeson.

Kathy Comden (in white)

Ester Guzman Genie Becker (seated) Elaine Ricard (in white)

Marge Nelson

Connie Reed

Duane Becker

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

Page 21 • September 2015

Kathy Dezotte (seated)

Art show attendees enjoy dessert buffet.

Patti Barnhart (in turquoise)

Margo Flanagan

Resident Art Show

AUGUST 1, 2015

Photos by Kathy Comden except where indicated.

Page 22 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Softball This Month NOT ALL BALL GAMES ARE ALIKE

By Roger Gibson (with help from Wikipedia and other sources)

A

t Woodbridge you will see softball being played on most Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and, occasionally at other times, at Del Webb Field. With both men’s and women’s teams, the sport is available to anyone who is interested, either as a participant or a fan. But how much of the history of the game is known by most of us?

The earliest known softball game of any kind was played in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day 1887. The first softball was a wrapped up boxing glove and the bat was a broom.

Harvard and Yale students invented the game while waiting to hear the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game. It has developed into what we now know as softball but there are some other “cousins” of the game that are not as popular.

Baseball (pictured #1) First there was the game of baseball, the origin of which is debated but may go back a few centuries. By the early 1830s, there were reports of a variety of uncodified bat-and-ball games recognizable as early forms of baseball being played around North America. These games were often locally referred to as "town ball," although other names such as "round-ball" and "base-ball" were also used.

The ball is nine inches in circumference, is very solid and was often covered in horsehide. The pitch from the pitcher is thrown either

MINOR LEAGUE CAP CHALLENGE

By Butch Larson

I

dentify the name, location, league and major league affiliate of the minor league team indicated by the baseball cap shown here. The first five people to correctly identify the four items will win a voucher for a Combo Lunch at our Snack Shack (hot dog, hamburger, or salad with chips and a drink). Just send your picks to me at WBLarson@comcast.net. You can’t win if you don’t play.

Good luck, baseball fans.

Photo submitted by Roger Gibson.

overhand or sidearm. Nine players are on each team and the game typically lasts nine “innings.” The most popular form of baseball today is played by professionals but it is also organized for children and adults, amateur and professional, male and female.

Softball (pictured #2) There are two types of softball. In the most common type, slow-pitch See

BALL GAMES page 25

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

FEATURED SOFTBALL SPONSOR: SANDI LARSON, REALTOR, REMAX EXECUTIVE

By Butch Larson

S

andi and her husband Butch have been Woodbridge residents for more than eight years. She bought their home when there were no models, just floor plans. From the beginning, Sandi and Butch were intrigued with the Del Webb concept and, though not retired, felt it would be a great fit for them.

While a good portion of her business is in Woodbridge (she has represented 30 buyers and sellers here), Sandi also works in other areas of the Central Valley and occasionally, the Bay Area. She has maintained her real estate relationship with the East Bay Association of Realtors since she left Castro Valley in 2007. A couple of years ago, Sandi was contacted by a buyer in New Hampshire who wanted to move to the Sierras and Sandi spent two days showing them property in Auburn, Nevada City and finally Placerville where they purchased a home. Sandi enjoys keeping in touch with her clients and really enjoys getting to know them and their families. She lives where she works!

For the last three years (2012-2014), Sandi has received the coveted Masters’ Club designation. She is very thankful that her business has continued to grow and she considers every client a blessing.

Sandi loves working with buyers and sellers and occasionally helps

Page 23 • September 2015

landlords search for tenants. Rentals in Woodbridge have always been in demand, so most rentals aren’t vacant very long. Sandi also has worked with many folks from out of our area who are relocating.

She’s had several out of the area homeowners who bought a home from her solely based on the pictures and description. All were pleasantly surprised with their homes.

In her spare time, Sandi enjoys writing gardening articles for Woodbridge LIFE, helping the Master Gardeners in various capacities, spending time with her family and traveling with Butch. Sandi and her neighbor Jean Benner originally started the Woodbridge Garden Tour and Sandi has worked on the tour for a total of four years. She thoroughly enjoys anything related to gardens or gardening and often Butch will suggest they visit a garden while they’re traveling. The couple has visited famous gardens in England, France and Victoria, B.C., to name a few.

Remax has been the only company Sandi’s ever worked with and she feels it’s a good fit. Remax has an international presence so many agents have contacted Sandi to ask for help with a client in our area.

She prefers to manage her transactions herself as her clients are very important to her.

Through the years Sandi has been able to use her love of photography successfully in her business. Showing a home in its best light is a benefit to the seller and the buyer.

Sandi has also sponsored many events including Silver Slugger Softball, Wheels of Woodbridge (Car Show and Golf Cart Rally), Women of Woodbridge, Garden Tour, etc.

Page 24 • September 2015

SOFTBALL WINNERS FOR AUGUST Name the Minor League Team

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

By Butch Larson

A

ugust cap winners correctly identified the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres playing in our own California League. The California League is also the home of the Stockton Ports, so you may have recently seen the logo in the opponents’ dugout at a Ports game. Correctly identifying the Storm were Debby Hickey, Laverne Cortesi, Jacque Reynolds, John Ochoa and Jon Ford. Congrats and enjoy our Snack Shack Lunch Voucher. Look for our next Minor League Cap contest in this edition of Woodbridge LIFE, page 22.

The Lake Elsinore Storm began in 1994, evolving from the Palm Springs Angels (1986-1993), the Redwood Pioneers (1980-1985) and the Santa Clara Padres (1979). They won league titles in 2004, 2001 and 1996. They set a league record May 18, 2007 for most lopsided victory, beating the Lancaster JetHawks by a score of 30-0. Since 2004, the opening day of Petco Park (home of their parent Padres), the Storm plays one home game as the second half of a doubleheader following the daytime game played by the Padres. Usually the opponent has been the California League farm team of the Padres same day opponents.

The main mascot for the Storm is Thunder, a special dog of the Canis thunderous family. He is known for his ability to walk on top of chairs, to dance and drive quads. He has a green coat and wears one of the

world’s largest pair of shoes. Thunder was Mascot of the Year in 2010 and 2011 based on voting conducted on Gameops.com. He has been entertaining fans since 2001 and makes 300 appearances a year around the Lake Elsinore area. Many are to spread the word about “Character Counts” to youth in the Inland Empire. His book, “Be Nice, Play Nice!

CHARACTER COUNTS! You Know” shares the importance of the Six Pillars of Character and has reached approximately 45,000 children in 15 cities and 60 elementary schools.

Other members of the mascot crew for the Storm include Jackpot, with Lake Elsinore since 1994 and known for his innovative dance moves– Gorilla, since 2008 and also known for his many alter egos such as Lady Ga Gorilla, Fat Gorilla, Wrestler Gorilla, Katy Hairy and Flasher Gorilla. He received the Best-Game-Promotion award in Minor League Baseball in 2011 along with the Gorilla Grounds Crew and was honored with a Golden Bobblehead.

Noted alumni moving on to the Major Leagues include: Nate Freiman, Xavier Nady, Jake Peavy, Darin Erstad, Josh Barfield, John Lackey, Kyle Banks, Rand Frese and Ryman Liriano.

WOODBRIDGE SOFTBALL THOUGHTS

By Mel Bernstein

H

eading for the Sales Office or the Clubhouse, Woodbridge visitors might notice a large sign for “Del Webb Field.”

Delbert Eugene (“Del”) Webb and partners owned the New York Yankees from 1945 to 1964, when the team was sold to CBS. In addition to being a successful businessman, Webb was a lifelong baseball fan. That may explain the impressive presence of Del Webb Field and the baseball stadium within, complete with an announcer's booth, an electronic scoreboard, dugouts, a snack bar and clean restrooms. As prospective residents, we were not aware of these details. A baseball field seemed to be incongruous with the age range of Woodbridge dwellers, stated as being 55+, and I wondered if this wasn't a waste of space and money. After all, seniors (old people) play bocce ball, practice putting and engage in other activities that don't require much physical exertion. Oh sure, I expected to see the walkers and the bicyclists, maybe even some tennis players … but baseball?

It had been more than 50 years since I played baseball and never with an organized league. At 65, I wondered, could I still hit the ball or would I simply strike out and embarrass myself? And, if I did manage to connect and send the ball toward the fielders, would I be able to run to first base? What about catching and throwing – were there some reflexes remaining from my youth or would I be uncoordinated? For a few months after moving to Woodbridge in May 2013, thoughts of playing baseball danced around in my head.

One morning in August 2013, I walked over to the ball field where

Photo by Mel Bernstein.

Del Webb Field. some men were playing. I asked a gray-haired fellow with a mustache, perched on his bicycle, who was in charge. “I don't know, but” pointing to a fellow on the infield, “that guy would ...” he replied. The bicyclist would later turn out to be Wayne and “that guy,” Perry, both of whom See

SOFTBALL page 34

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Woodbridge LIFE

BALL GAMES page 22

softball, the ball is 12 inches in circumference. When it is pitched, the ball must arch on its path to the batter so it does not arrive at the batter with great speed. There are 10 or 11 players on a team and bunting and stealing bases are usually not permitted.

In fast-pitch softball, the pitch is also thrown underhand but is very fast. There are nine players on the field at one time, and bunting and stealing are permitted. Softball rules vary somewhat from those of baseball. Two major differences are that the ball must be pitched underhand from 46 feet for men or 43 feet for women as compared with 60.5 feet in baseball—and that seven innings instead of nine constitute a regulation game.

The infield in softball is smaller than a baseball “diamond” but is identical to that used by Little League Baseball. Each base is 60 feet from the next as opposed to baseball's 90 feet.

Mushball (pictured #3) Did you know about the 16-inch softball (sometimes called clincher, mushball, cabbageball or blooperball)? It is a variant of softball but uses a bigger, squishier ball with no gloves or mitts worn by the fielders. It can be compared to standard or more popular 12-inch softball but is really a ball that is 16 inches in circumference.

Although it most closely resembles the original game as developed in the 19th century, it remains popular almost exclusively in Chicago, Illinois, (where I played it) but is also popular in Portland, Oregon, where mushball has had leagues since the 1960s. The 16-inch softball was eventually adopted in Chicago because it didn't travel as far as the popular 12- or 14-inch balls. This allowed for play on smaller playgrounds or even indoors, accommodating the Chicago landscape and climate. Another advantage of the 16-inch ball was

Page 25 • September 2015

that it allowed everyone to play barehanded. Gloves were a rare luxury as the Great Depression hit Chicago particularly hard.

Corkball (pictured #4) And then there is corkball, a game which originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1890s, which uses a 1.6-ounce ball that is stitched and resembles a baseball. The bat has a barrel that measures up to 1.5 inches in diameter and a maximum of 38 inches in length.

Playing fields are traditionally adjustable in width and 250 feet in length.

Different measurements are paced off to determine hits. A batter must hit the ball at least 15 feet in order to register a hit. Any hit between 15 feet and 150 feet is a single, up to 200 feet is a double, up to 250 feet is a triple and beyond 250 feet is a home run.

Measurements can be modified based on available conditions. A ball that is hit out of the side lines is considered a strike.

Base running is nonexistent due to the measured hits. Teams have a minimum of two players (pitcher and catcher) and a maximum of five players on the field at a time. Fielders may wear baseball gloves but are not required to. The catcher must wear a catcher's mask while behind the plate. Pitching rubber and home plate are the same distance apart as in baseball. "Runners" (tracking is kept in mind but doesn’t involve actual movement) advance as many bases as the batter gets on the hit. If a runner is on first and the batter hits a double, then the resulting runners will be on second and third. If a runner is on first and the batter hits a single, then the runners will be on first and second.

UPCOMING SOFTBALL DINNER

By Roger Gibson

The annual softball dinner and program is October 24 at 6 p.m.

Tickets will soon be available. Hold the date and look for more details in the October issue of Woodbridge LIFE.

2015 SPONSORS Softball Sponsors (in alphabetical order): Alhambra Water Antique Avenue Arvin Home Systems Center Appliance Cruisers (Boyett Petroleum) Delicato Family Vineyards Denise's Farmers’ Market Environmental Creations Fagundes Meats & Catering Farmington Fresh Manteca Lighting

Manteca Optical Old McGowan’s Feed Store Precision Auto of Manteca Sandi Larson (Re/Max) Second Chance Band Svenhard's Swedish Bakery The Lori's (PMZ Real Estate) Ultimate Furniture Uncle Frank's (Chez Shari) Walgreens

Page 26 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

FALL SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

A

t left is the softball schedule for the fall season's remaining games.

 GOLF

Submitted by Dodie Miller

Results of the putting tournament held July 25, 2015.

LADIES: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Margaret Kimura Mary Braun Brenda Just Joanne Norcup Patti Battistini Terry Cummings Lynn Heagney Sue Price Marilyn Ornellas Denise Ravazza Jennifer Aubin Dodie Miller Jackie Rudy Karen Perrin Karen Plummer

40 40 44 47 47 47 48 48 48 48 49 50 51 HM HM

Art Hogan Jerry Hein Tom Ravazza Jerry Just Dick Turner Carl Cummings Bill Norcup Bob Perrin Ben Kimura Stan Sutfin Craig Hoyer Ray Foxworth Mike Ancha Robin Adams Art Blevins

38 39 40 42 42 42 44 44 44 44 45 45 45 HM HM

MEN:

Team Colors, Names and Coaches Team 1 = Green Hornets Coaches: Bob Hall, Al Sanchez Team 2 = Blues Brothers Coaches: Bob Perrin, Will Weintz Team 3 = White Knights Coaches: Chuck Gary, Roger Gibson Team 4 = Orange Crush Coaches: Tom Heath, Bill Kistner Team 5 = Red Heat Coaches: Craig Hoyer, Ken Beaty

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

LADIES' CLOSEST TO THE HOLE: 1. Shirley Smith

2. Marilyn Ornellas

MEN CLOSEST TO THE HOLE: 1. Dick Turner

2. Tony Braun/Mike Ancha

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Woodbridge LIFE

Page 27 • September 2015

 WOODBRIDGE SENIOR GOLF CLUB Article by Charles Gary and WBL photos by Dreanna Langdon.

T

he Woodbridge Senior Golf Club will complete its second season October 13. Each tournament has averaged about 36 competitors. Members have enjoyed playing at Manteca, Swenson, Micke Grove, Lockeford, Elkhorn and Castle Oaks. On tap for the remainder of the season are Tracy Country Club, August 31, Dry Creek Ranch, September 14 and the final tournament at Manteca starting October 13. Our tournaments are open to Woodbridge residents. Individuals may join and participate in remaining tournaments.

Elections for 2015-16 officers will take place October 12 and 13 at the site of our last tournament, Manteca Golf Course.

Individuals may indicate their candidacy by completing the candidacy form which will be available at the kiosk in the Clubhouse. The form must be completed and turned in to the front desk by October 1. Available for your consideration are all offices of the executive council. They are president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and handicap chairman. The names of individuals who have completed the candidacy form will be placed on the ballot. The individuals receiving the greatest number of votes for each position will assume the position as of December 1, 2015.

The club is also looking for a communications person who loves to write and would submit results to Woodbridge LIFE next year.

The club would like to increase interest in golf and keep residents informed of the activities it sponsors. You don’t have to play golf to participate in this regard. Just have a love of writing!

Lanny Langdon tees off the first hole at Manteca Municipal Golf Course.

Bob Hall and Jack Dauler head for hole two at Manteca Municipal Golf Course.

Page 28 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

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Triker's Travels

By Judy McNamara

Retired Teacher Still Helps Students

S

omeone once said, “You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher.”

How true this positive statement is, particularly when it applies to Linda Little. How lucky we are in Woodbridge to have Linda’s leadership and organizational skills to help the children of Manteca fulfill their dreams.

Linda has, and always has had, the amazing abilities to not only teach but also to organize, create and fulfill all that she sets out to do.

Having grown up in Long Beach, California, Linda graduated from the University of California, Riverside, majoring in English and minoring in journalism before getting her teaching credential. She then taught for 35 years in Castro Valley Unified School District Photo submitted by Linda Little. beginning in 1973.

Thirty of those years Linda Little volunteers during a beach day for were spent at Castro Valley High School girls in the Liga MAC self-esteem program. and five were at the middle school. Most of her career was teaching English, but the last 12 years were spent as leadership teacher/student activity director.

She was also newspaper adviser for 15 years. Having done all this, she was awarded two Masonic awards as secondary "Teacher of the Year."

Linda and Jack married in 1978. They have one son together,

Trevor, now 31, and Tiffany and Jack Jr. from Jack's previous marriage and twin grandsons.

Having lived in Castro Valley since they were married, the Littles decided to move to Woodbridge in 2009. One of the first people Linda met was Marybeth Saari and the two were instrumental in starting Women of Woodbridge (WOW). WOW's first major event Judy McNamara was SIP for Scholarships in 2010, a scholarship fundraiser for students going into trade schools and community colleges. The first year WOW was only able to give one scholarship. From this year’s event, they were able to present five $1,000 scholarships and three $500 scholarships. Linda and Carol Edgren worked together to interview and select scholarship recipients.

Five years ago, with the assistance of several other WOW members, Linda started the Speaker Series where people from Manteca and beyond are invited to speak on a subject about which they are most knowledgeable and involved. The Speaker Series is presented every other month and promises a topic of interest to everyone.

Being ever involved in the education of our youth, Linda, through WOW, worked with others to begin the School Supply Drive where folks can pick an apple off the tree stating what they will donate to help the youth of Manteca get started in the school year. Donations are placed in one of the bins in the Clubhouse and are then distributed to several schools.

Linda and Jack spend three months in Mexico every year where Linda does charity work for Liga MAC (League of Mexicans, Americans, Canadians) doing fundraising to help poor students succeed in school. She assists with self-esteem workshops for girls ages 12-15 from low-income/no income families and also works with the English as a Second Language program.

The world is made a better place with people like Linda who are willing and able to give so much of themselves. Thank you, Linda, for all you do.

Woodbridge Shutterbug

O

ur resident Woodbridge photographer, Volker Moerbitz, is the man behind the camera taking many of the pictures for Woodbridge LIFE. He certainly has an eye for what to artistically capture through the lens.

Volker was brought up in East Germany and was from a family of teachers. He felt fortunate to have had a principal in high school who believed in an individual’s strengths and integrity. This was very unusual at the time since principals were supposed to be members of the Communist Party and adhere to strict didactic party teaching policies.

After graduation, Volker spent 21 years in the Merchant Marine and traveled to 81 different countries. It was during this time that he developed his interest in photography.

Volker received a college degree in engineering followed by a master’s degree in environmental policy.

He came to the United States in 1994 and worked for McGraw-Hill for 14 years. He went on to become a financial analyst and in 2013 he was one of only nine in the United States to work for radio and TV stations.

Volker works from home but still finds time to take many of the wonderful pictures for Woodbridge LIFE. He not only feels grateful for the education he had but wants parents and young adults to realize the importance of following their dreams and aptitudes and to be true to their interests and beliefs.

Photo submitted by Volker Moerbitz.

Volker Moerbitz with his grandson Landon.

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Woodbridge LIFE

Page 29 • September 2015

Doctors Hospital of Manteca Wine & Cheese Social WBL photos by Dreanna Langdon.

Jean Kavale enjoys conversation with friends.

Three Shirleys won raffle prizes. (L to R) Shirley Ann McCarthy, Shirley Smith, Shirley Bowers.

Eileen Hill (L) and Sue Atherton share a funny moment.

Page 30 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

 WHEELS OF WOODBRIDGE Rods, Roadsters and Cruising Cars Car Show – October 3

By Bill Barnhart, President & Head Lugnut

T

he eighth annual Wheels of Woodbridge Rods, Roadsters & Cruising Cars car show will be here before you know it.

Saturday, October 3, is the date and everyone at Woodbridge is invited to check out all the beautiful cars. This fundraising event, in addition to raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank, has resulted in at least a dozen home sales through the first five years plus another six just from the 2013 car show. I don’t have any figures for the 2014 show. The show will be held in front of the model homes, stretching from just west of the Sales Center on Americana Street to Daisywood Drive. We anticipate around 100 classic, muscle cars and trucks to vie for the many awards. All awards at our car show are based on people’s choice, so we really want everyone to come and help pick out the best cars in each category. Ballots will be available the day of the event or you may cut out the one below and bring it with you to the show.

Exhibitors from all over northern California take part in our car show but we also welcome cars from surrounding communities and

Photo by Bob Abreu.

Truck 1st Place, Wayne Gordon (R).

Woodbridge residents as well. In fact, at last year’s show, Woodbridge residents took home awards in the categories of Classic Modified, Hot Rod, Truck and the special Lori’s Sponsor Trophy. Check out the winners’ pictures accompanying this article. The gentleman shown awarding each trophy is Mike Mallory, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank.

For entertainment this year, we plan to have the Second Chance Band play three sets of great dance music, so if you’ve got ‘em, bring your dancing shoes along. As an added entertainment bonus this year, See

WHEELS page 31

Photo by Bob Abreu.

Classic Modified 2nd Place, Ron Plummer (R).

www.ourwoodbridge.net From

Woodbridge LIFE

WHEELS page 30

the car show will take place at the same time Woodbridge softball players will play intramural softball games, so plan to enjoy some softball after you check out the beautiful cars. More information will be published in the October edition of Woodbridge LIFE that will be delivered to your home just a few days before the show but put the car show on your calendar now so you don’t forget: 10 a.m., October 3.

Past success of the car show can be measured in many ways but the sure sign of success important to the car club is the amount of money raised for Second Harvest Food Bank. After expenses over the past five years, we have raised $37,000. Second Harvest tells us that, with their purchasing power, this amount of cash actually equates to $185,000 in value. This money is used to feed the underprivileged throughout communities in a sevencounty area. We can be proud that quite a large number of our residents volunteer each year to help make the show a success. This year the Men of Woodbridge will do an awesome job preparing and selling hot dogs while the Women of Woodbridge will make this year’s bake sale one to remember. The coordinated effort by all volunteers really makes one proud to live at Woodbridge. The best part about it is that the majority of the money raised is brought in through sponsors and other sources from outside the Woodbridge community but yet Woodbridge residents get to enjoy both the car show and receive recognition for having performed such a worthwhile service for those less fortunate.

Photo by Bob Abreu.

Hot Rod 2nd Place, Horace DiMaggio (R).

Page 31 • September 2015

Photo by Bob Abreu.

The Lori's Sponsor Trophy Winner Mary Jo Kusalo (L) with Lori Little.

Page 32 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

 WINE 101

By Jon Ford

T

he theme for this month's newspaper is "An Apple for the Teacher." What a great introduction for the Wine 101 class. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jon Ford and I coordinate the Wine 101 class. I am a retired elementary teacher having served the Fremont Unified School District and New Haven School District in Union City for 37 years.

I also have worked in the wine industry, part-time, for 18 years. I have had 80 hours of formal wine training from four master sommeliers in Napa, and I have taught wine appreciation classes to groups ranging in number from six to 200. In addition, I am an amateur winemaker working with three other highly qualified friends and their wives. I love to drink wine, especially with great food, and I love talking about wine and educating people about it.

Our classes are informal and any resident of Del Webb Woodbridge is invited to attend. You simply must sign up at the front desk at the Clubhouse. You may call in your registration as long as the class does not exchange any monies between parties. The range of expertise of participants in our class is from having no knowledge to the sommelier level. These classes are a great opportunity to socialize with old friends and new neighbors as well. The format of the class is generally a short presentation by me or a guest, followed by a two-hour social involving wines shared by all as well as three tables of luscious appetizers.

Participants are always asked to bring their own glasses, a bottle of wine tying into the theme for the evening (corked and recorked) to place on the community tables (you may bring other wine to share with your table) and an appetizer. The classes generally run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with a special start time of 5:30 p.m. in December.

All classes are currently free to attend, but we accept donations to help defray costs of napkins, utensils, plates, tablecloths, water and occasionally wines used in a demonstration.

Our Wine 101 classes have been extremely popular. We are filling up our classes in just days after registration begins. The August class was very interesting as we had Bob Schulenburg, a local, longtime Lodi grape grower speak about "A Year in the Life of a Grape Farmer.” Since he was from Lodi, all participants brought a Lodi wine to share with the class along with the always-awesome appetizers that are shared.

By the time you read this article, the September class will be full. However, for your calendar I am posting the remainder of the year’s schedule in hopes of helping you out with your planning.

October 7 - "Wines of Washington." Sign-ups for the class start September 17.

November 4 - A wine trip to Lodi. Sign-ups have been ongoing since July. These trips generally fill up quickly.

December 9 - "Christmas Potluck and Bottle Exchange.” Signups for this class start November 5.

As some information appears late due to scheduling times with Woodbridge LIFE, you can access this information at other sites. The Del Webb Woodbridge portal contains all of this information and current flyers are in the Clubhouse. If you'd like to get an extra jump on information regarding the Wine 101 class, you can request to be put on the mailing list for the Wine 101 newsletter by emailing Jon Ford at jluvswine@aol.com.

See

WINE page 33

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Woodbridge LIFE

WINE page 32

Our September 16 class will feature Don Vehrs, a resident of Del Webb and a first level sommelier. He will speak about becoming a sommelier as well as the four levels of training and testing. This should be a very interesting class.

I am continuing to add interesting topics, speakers and trips to our portfolio of classes. I currently have my iron in several fires with winemakers and representatives of wineries.

I have a full calendar of ideas for 2016 and hope to bring the majority of them to our classes.

CHEERS, JON SO MANY WINES, SO LITTLE TIME

Pain Management – “From Head to Toe” Dr. Foad Elahi Submitted by Kelly Carpo, Coordinator Business Development and Marketing Doctors Hospital Manteca

T

he active senior population comprises the fastest growing segment of the world’s population. The United States Census Bureau asserts that there were 38.9 million people 65 and older in 2008, making up 12.8 percent of the total U.S. population. Of this population segment, 5.7 million are 85 years old and older, and this number is growing. As patients age, the incidence and prevalence of certain pain syndromes increases. Pain may be underreported, as some patients incorrectly believe that pain is a normal process of aging. A board certified pain doctor does a comprehensive pain assessment that includes a thorough medical history and physical examination, review of systems and pertinent laboratory results, imaging studies, and diagnostic tests. Pain physicians have a broad range of understanding of the pharmacologic and physiological changes that occur in the geriatric population.

Foad Elahi, M.D., has joined the medical staff at Doctors Hospital of Manteca. He is double board certified through the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He currently practices at California Center of Pain Medicine & Rehabilitation in Manteca.

Dr. Elahi is a graduate of Shahid Beheshti Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, and practiced neurosurgery for 14 years. Previously he was assistant professor at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. He has spent the past five years practicing pain management.

Come join your neighbors on Thursday, September 10, at 9:30 a.m., for the Doctors Hospital Healthcare Forum in the Clubhouse Multipurpose Room where you will hear about the latest pain management methods for what ails you.

From

EVENTS page 8

be serving a light autumn dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad.

You may bring your beverage of choice. Tickets are $10 per person at the front desk.

POTLUCK NIGHT – Tuesday, September 29 @ 5:30 p.m. – This will be another open potluck so bring that favorite dish whether it be a meat dish, pasta dish, side dish, salad or dessert. Please be sure your dish will feed eight to 10 people. Coffee and water will be provided and you may bring your beverage of choice. Please sign up at the front desk so we can accommodate everyone.

Page 33 • September 2015

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SOFTBALL page 24

Woodbridge LIFE

would be my future teammates. I asked if I could play. He said practice was over but offered to let me hit some. “Could I borrow a mitt?” I asked. Perry looked at me sideways and said, "Probably not." I was not sure I'd be capable of playing and didn't want to waste money on a glove which might only be used a few times.

“No,” he said. It was unlikely that anyone would lend me a glove.

So I went to a local retail store and spent $40-$50 on a nicelooking mitt, better versions of which cost well over $100.

Although recommended, I didn't have to buy a bat because, unlike mitts, some players didn't mind sharing their bat(s). Years ago, baseball bats were made of ash or maple wood. Nowadays, most bats are metal (except in Major League Baseball which still uses wood) and I had to get used to that. Joining the softball club late in the summer of 2013, I initially struck out a lot. Many visits to batting practice cages later, I could hit grounders or unintentional bunts and often made it to first base. I soon experienced something unexpected – camaraderie with the guys not only on my team but on other teams also. Most of the players were/are in their 60s or early 70s. Now in my third year of “playing ball,” I have been on three different teams and met many guys, some of whom I couldn't recognize out of uniform. Sometimes a full head of hair is under the “W” baseball cap and without the cap, I can barely recognize Dave or Roger or Bobby...

Softball games at Woodbridge are played by the Silver Sluggers (five intramural teams), the Wolverines (a traveling team), an over-70 team and the women's Diamond Gals. The author's experience and remarks are limited to the Silver Sluggers team.

Preceding the first baseball game of the day at Woodbridge, opposing teams line up along the first and third baselines. The 8:30 a.m. start time challenges some but the temperature has not yet risen to the 90s or higher and it feels good to be outside.

Caps are removed, hearts covered and everyone turns to face the American flag. The national anthem is then played from the announcer's booth and on breezy days, the flag shows its colors as it flies above Del Webb Field. The last strains of music are followed by the traditional command, “Play ball!” As these words float across the baseball diamond, gloves are pounded, protective equipment is donned by some (mostly by the pitcher and catcher), bats are gripped and umpires prepare to officiate. After the last out is made, players from both teams form a dual conga line, “high-five” one another and say, “Good game...” I try to recall each guy's name as our palms slap.

"If you build it, they (he) will come,” from Field of Dreams ( http://mentalfloss.com/article/63209/25-fast-facts-about-fielddreams), a 1989 film based on a book titled, “Shoeless Joe.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoeless_Joe_Jackson). Kevin Costner stars as an Iowa farmer who hears voices that tell him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfields. He does, and the Chicago White Sox of 1915-1920, including Jackson, magically appear.

In 2006, Del Webb Field, Woodbridge, was built and indeed, they came. Each spring, the field seems to magically attract softball players, aged 55 or older (some over 80), who are residents of Woodbridge. After being “dormant” for nearly six months, one gradually gets back in shape by initially just “playing catch,” which means tossing a hard 12-inch ball back and forth for about

www.ourwoodbridge.net

10 minutes. I often try to throw a curve ball to my warm up partner because it feels good to show that I can affect the ball's trajectory. It's kind of funny, since slow-pitch softball requires the pitcher to throw underhand and I doubt that a curve ball can be produced. Strange as it may seem, pitcher is a dangerous position to play, as it carries a risk of the batter hitting a line drive at the pitcher and nailing him.

For about a month before opening game day in early April, practice is optional and any member of the Woodbridge Softball Club who shows up can join. Once the season starts, five teams of about 15 players each will compete. Some baseball rules are modified to produce a “safe” version of senior slow-pitch softball.

This means no sliding, no physical contact, and so on. To the average spectator, baseball, especially the softball games played at Del Webb Field, seems like a slow-moving sport. Yet even with the “safe” rules put in place, muscles are regularly pulled, bones occasionally broken, and other bodily insults are sustained playing softball. It is common to lose guys for the entire season due to injuries or joint replacements, often because the mind is willing but the body just can't execute like it did 50 years ago.

“Thunder only happens when it's raining.

Players only love you when they're playing...” (Dreams from Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, 1977) “Coming up to bat is the catcher, Mel Bernstein,” states the announcer from the booth where the electronic scoreboard is controlled. All eyes are on me; at least that's how it feels. I waggle the bat and the outfielders move way up close and the infield waits for a slowly rolling ball to launch from the batter's box. I hit the ball and run as fast as I can. My ears are filled with yells to go faster and I try to oblige, jumping the last half step to the first base bag.

Sometimes fly balls get lost in the sun. The skilled (and courageous) will brave the almost painful rays to make the catch. A cheer goes up from the stands and the player bathes in a moment of glory. But misjudging a high fly ball, with gravity accelerating its speed downward, could do one in, resulting in head or eye injury. We are a bunch of old guys who can look back 50 years and an unknown amount in the forward direction who play the game. Some believe that as long as one can throw, catch, run and bat, one exists. One can imagine various versions of Descartes', “I think, therefore I am...”

“I catch, therefore I am.”

“I hit, therefore I am.”

“I throw, therefore I am.”

“I run, therefore I am.”

The ancient Rabbis believed the Angel of Death could be forestalled if one was studying Talmud, the cumulative commentary on the Old Testament. Perhaps, if one is playing baseball in Del Webb Field, the same protection is afforded the guys who try to play like they remember they used to.

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Woodbridge LIFE

Page 35 • September 2015

DID YOU KNOW...

Apples and Other Things Compiled by Mike Spence from sources including USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service, United States Apple Association, National Service Animal Registry and Rocket Chemical Company (now WD-40 Company) San Diego, California •

The science of growing apples is called pomology.

•

The apple blossom is the state flower of Michigan.

•

The household lubricant WD-40® was abbreviated from the phrase "Water Displacement, 40th formula."

•

It takes 2 pounds of apples to make a nine-inch pie.

•

It takes about 36 apples to make 1 gallon of apple cider.

•

The largest grower of apples in the world is China (five times the U.S. production).

•

Golf cart is a misnomer because a cart is not self-propelled. It probably should be golf car.

•

Apples have five seed packets called carpels.

•

Washington state is the largest producer of apples in the U.S., accounting for over half of the country’s production.

•

There are only two recognized species of service animals: dogs and miniature horses (horses can live for 30 years).

•

Apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol free.

•

In the 1900s the per capita consumption of fresh apples was 21 pounds.

•

The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.

•

An apple tree can take four to five years before producing its first fruit.

•

It takes the energy of 50 leaves to produce one apple.

Page 36 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

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An Apple For the Teacher

By Mike Spence using the following sources of information: Smithsonian magazine, University of Illinois Extension, PBS, Wikipedia and United States Apple Council

T

he apple has been around a long time. One of the earliest references to the apple is the forbidden fruit of Eden in the book of Genesis. The apple was not specified, but popular Christian tradition identifies the fruit as an apple. The apple has been found in graves dating to 6500 B.C.E. (before the Common/ Current/Christian Era). The tree seems to have developed in the Middle East. Kazakhstan, regions of western China and Turkey are often suggested as the birthplace. The apple has a storied past. We know the temptation part. The Latin word for apples is malus, the same word and spelling as their word for evil. The Greeks were a bit kinder. Heracles was tasked with retrieving a Golden Apple from the Tree of Life. Aphrodite suggested that throwing an apple at someone was a declaration of love. Mark Twain wrote: The apple was long associated with the downfall of man, but has managed to do pretty well for itself since.

Teachers of ancient times were not paid but merely provided room and board for their services. The practice of paying teachers with food was beginning to take hold. The apple’s association with payment to teachers comes in part because of the fruit’s nature. A fall-harvested apple, when stored properly (dark and cold but not freezing) will last for months. It’s been reported that in 16th century Denmark, Sweden and what became the U.S., teachers were paid with bushels of apples and potatoes.

Colonists brought the apple tree to America. The tree was easy to grow. The fruit was on the bitter side but nutritious. What was

more important was that apples made excellent hard cider (in a time when water was considered more dangerous to drink than alcohol).

Consumption of hard cider and its distilled cousin, applejack, were daily indulgences, according to documentation from Colonial Williamsburg.

During the 1800s in the U.S., the practice of giving teachers entire bushels of apples or potatoes as payment waned. At the same time, industrious farmers were improving the apple’s texture and sweetness. The tradition of giving apples to teachers now involved a single polished sweet apple given as a token of approval of the teacher’s skills and efforts. This new practice had some problems and unanticipated interpretations. A new phrase appeared: an apple-polisher. This was a derogatory reference to someone trying to curry favor with a teacher. Bing Crosby didn’t help much. The lyrics to his 1939 tune “An Apple for the Teacher,” read: “An apple for the teacher will always do the trick, when you don’t know your lesson in arithmetic.”

The tradition of giving an apple to a favored teacher continues but it is evolving as well. Now, the actual fruit is rarely given; in its place token gifts are given. These gifts are decorated with pictures of apples. Some of these gifts might include rulers, stationery and the like. If I were a student today and had the wherewithal, I might consider giving my favorite teacher an iPad Air 3. I can live with being called an apple-polisher.

Our Woodbridge Library

By Jacque Reynolds

R

esidents are welcome to borrow books from our Community Library at the Lakeview Clubhouse. Books are shelved alphabetically by author, with paperback books located inside the cabinets.

Our volunteer librarian, Jacque Reynolds, reminds us to please return books to the BOOK CART located in the Library on the right side wall. From there, she will return the books to their proper places on the shelves.

There have been several requests to separate nonfiction from fiction books. A small area has been created below the TV for nonfiction books. The library does not have a large selection and because of lack of space, the collection will have to remain

small, but you can now find nonfiction books on this shelf.

If you would like to donate books, please leave them on the cart in the Library with a note.

“Self help,” history, cook and garden books are not accepted because there is not room to display them. For book donations of 20 or more, please call Jacque Reynolds at 209-629-8508.

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Woodbridge LIFE

Page 37 • September 2015

V-J Day: Peace at Last

By Jean Kavale

Editor's note: Resident Jean Kavale joined the Woodbridge LIFE Editorial Team one year ago. As the daughter of U.S. Army Major General Howard Peckham, and growing up during WWII, Jean developed a unique insider’s view of, and appreciation for, military leadership and politics.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she traveled to and lived with her family in many places including Washington, D.C., France and Germany. Jean’s unique experiences, knowledge and perspective are valuable assets to our community and to Woodbridge LIFE. By early June 1945, strategic bombing and a naval blockade had caused significant damage to Japan and its economy, but its military refused to surrender. Many Americans believed that an invasion of Japan, a horrific option still in the planning stages, would result in thousands of U.S. casualties. On July 16, a new option to end the war occurred when the U.S. secretly detonated the world’s first atomic bomb in New Mexico.

Ten days later, the Allies issued a declaration demanding the unconditional surrender of all the Japanese armed forces. It warned that failure to abide by the declaration would mean the destruction of the Japanese armed forces and “utter devastation of the Japanese homeland.” Japan ignored the ultimatum, and atomic bomb explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki canceled any plans made by the Allies to invade Japan. The bombing also caused the Japanese to surrender unconditionally, thus ending the Pacific War and World War II. On August 14, when Americans heard a public announcement of the news, they responded by cheering, dancing in the streets, and hugging their loved ones tightly. It was a day for much celebration.

They even embraced strangers, as was the case with Eisenstaedt’s famous photo of the sailor and a nurse taken that day in Times Square. A book published in 2012, "The Kissing Sailor," solves the mystery of the couple’s identity.

Many U.S. Navy personnel serving in the Pacific War had a hard time believing it was over, but Raymond Brittain got a close-up view of the devastation. For example, he had been on his way to Asia when the war ended, but his ship went on to Japan for repairs.

While in Manila Bay, he saw that “it was full of sunken Japanese ships.” For him, the reality of the enemy’s defeat became as clear as his ship’s bell.

The deck of the USS Missouri, a battleship anchored in Tokyo Bay, was chosen as the location for the surrender, but the ceremony was delayed until September 2. This was so that representatives of the major Allied countries had time to make preparations. Navy personnel on board the ship also needed time to prepare for the big event. “We can’t have a formal surrender on a mess table,” surmised Robert Mackey, a young lieutenant.

Part of Mackey’s job on the Missouri was to ensure that furniture on the deck was appropriate. Because no other table was available, Robert got the idea of camouflaging a mess-hall table big enough to accommodate the dignitaries and their papers. Along with several shipmates, he was on the deck watching the ceremony when he saw that the desk worked out well.

Two Japanese representatives were the first to sign the surrender document, signing on behalf of their country’s government and armed forces. General MacArthur, looking both strong and grim, accepted the surrender and signed on behalf of the Allied powers.

A representative from each of the following countries signed next: United States, China, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The ceremony was broadcast throughout the world.

“I served as best as I could under trying circumstances with my parents. . . ,” said Yukio Kawamoto in a postwar interview for the Veterans History Project. The U.S. Intelligence Service in the Pacific had appreciated his diligent work of translating documents and interrogating prisoners, but the sergeant was given an early release from the U.S. Army in 1945 due to an urgent family matter.

He needed to help his parents move back to their former home of Berkeley, California. They had been interned in a relocation camp in the United States for the entire duration of the war. Along with all the other camps, it was being closed.

For personal stories of other veterans (maybe your family member) interviewed by the Veterans History Project, go to this website and search by last name: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/html/ search/browse-vets.html

Page 38 • September 2015

Woodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

1. Kathy and Mike Belcher visited Lucerne, Switzerland, during a river cruise of the Rhine, July 2015.

Where in the world ?

2. Seven Woodbridge residents saw "The Music Man" at the Fallon House in Columbia's Historic State Park. (L to R) Carolyn Gibson, Bob Naquin, Barbara Jordan, Dona Eberhardt, Michelle Paradis, Nick Music and Kathleen Music.

Wow! Woodbridge LIFE has been circling the globe with our wandering residents!

We will do our best to include ALL travel photographs, but space and clarity will dictate. Preference will go to those not featured in previous editions and, yes, to those in exotic locales and interesting photo ops! Send images electronically to wblife2012@gmail.com using high resolution or actual size. Thank you for your contributions. We're happy that you continue to enjoy Woodbridge LIFE. If your picture isn't here, look for it in the coming months and keep sending them in! Sorry, we can no longer accept print photos.

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s o t o h P l Trave

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1. Mike Hamiel played golf at El Rodeo Country Club, near the city of Medellin, Columbia, South America 2. Novel Sefein took a gondola ride with his July tour group in Venice, Italy.

Send travel photos to WBLIFE2012@gmail.com

Please use highest resolution and type WB TRAVEL in the subject line. All travel photos MUST be submitted electronically.