THE VIEW - January 2021 Jack "Jackie" Scholle: Broadway and Television Actor, Singer, and Dancer pictured above: Jack with Mimi Benzell and Frank ...
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THE VIEW January 2021 Jack “Jackie” Scholle: Broadway and Television Actor, Singer, and Dancer pictured above: Jack with Mimi Benzell and Frank Sinatra interview on page 18
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
HOURS OF OPERATION
CONTACT INFORMATION Please check www.scshca.com/coronavirus
for updated information.
Sun City Shadow Hills Community Association
80-814 Sun City Boulevard, Indio, CA 92203 ASSOCIATION OFFICE
www.scshca.com | 760-345-4349 Monday – Friday | 9 AM – 12 PM, 1 – 4 PM
By Appointment Only
Homeowner Association (HOA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1
First Saturday of the Month | Closed
Montecito Clubhouse Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 760-772-9891
Montecito Clubhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2120 LIFESTYLE DESK | Monday – Saturday | 8 AM – 5 PM
Montecito Fitness Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2111 Business Center Only
Santa Rosa Clubhouse Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 760-342-5976
MONTECITO CLUBHOUSE | Closed
Santa Rosa Clubhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2201
Shadow Hills Golf Club South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2305 FITNESS CENTERS | Closed
Shadow Hills Golf Club North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2211
Shadows Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2311 SHADOWS RESTAURANT | Daily | 10 AM – 7 PM
Jefferson Front Gate (Phases 1 & 2) . . . . . . . 760-345-4458
GOLF SNACK BAR | Daily | 6 AM – 11 AM
Avenue 40 Front Gate (Phase 3) . . . . . . . . . . 760-342-4725
Rich Smetana, General Manager SANTA ROSA BISTRO | Daily | 6 AM – 1 PM
richard.smetana@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2102 MONTECITO CAFÉ | Closed
Vanessa Ayon, Executive Assistant
vanessa.ayon@associa.us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2106 All hours are subject to change.
Tyler Ingle, Controller Visit www.scshca.com for the latest hours.
tyler.ingle@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2203
Bob Pantanella, Community Safety Director
robert.pantanella@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2202
Jesse Barragan, Facilities Maintenance Director
jesse.barragan@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2403
THE VIEW
THE VIEW is published monthly by the
Connie King, Lifestyle Director
Sun City Shadow Hills Community Association.
connie.king@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2124
This publication is copyrighted and may not be reproduced
Desiree Porras, Fitness Director
or reprinted without the written permission of SCSHCA.
desiree.porras@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2112
Liz Gutierrez, Lifestyle Coordinator MISSION STATEMENT
elizabeth.gutierrez@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2123 To promote the community and recognize the individuals
Veronica Moya, Lifestyle Coordinator who contribute to the identity of the community, and to impart
veronica.perez@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2122 information relevant to the community as a whole.
Gus Ramirez, Communications Manager THE VIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE
gus.ramirez@associa.us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2204 Dennis Sheehan, Chair; Beth Bolduc; Arnold Choy;
Rolland Vaughn, GM of Shadow Hills Golf Club George Erhart; Robert Firring; Julie Harris; Diane Nagy;
rmvaughn@troon.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2301 Art Nemiroff; Ralph Olson; Gina Pollack; Lee Powell;
SCSH Community Association Board of Directors Vicki Prince; Judi Sorensen; Steve Talbot
Kim Fuller, President . . . . . . . . . . . . kim.fuller@scshca.com STAFF
Fera Mostow, VP. . . . . . . . . . . . . fera.mostow@scshca.com
Editor-in-Chief | Rich Smetana, General Manager
Carey Thompson, Treasurer. . carey.thompson@scshca.com
Production Manager | Gus Ramirez, Communications Manager
Linda Aasen, Secretary . . . . . . . . . linda.aasen@scshca.com
Johnny Goodrum, Member . johnny.goodrum@scshca.com To inquire about articles, content, and advertising
– or to submit stories for publication –
For warranty or customer service needs concerning
please email view@scshca.com or contact
your home, please email: socalservice@delwebb.com Gus Ramirez, Communications Manager,
at 760-345-4349, ext. 2204.
2 | January 2021
NEWS FROM THE BOARD |
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
KIM FULLER | PRESIDENT
Happy New Year to everyone during this most are not allowed simply to change the wording in our
unusual time. We all hope this pandemic will end CC&Rs; we are required to have our residents vote in
soon, but for now we must remain focused and stay the change even though we must follow the new law.
the course. Although a vaccine is coming, we still must A change to the CC&Rs happens by a ballot vote to
be as vigilant as possible because we still have a few all residents and requires 51% of all homes to vote in
months to go. This is not the time to be relaxed and favor of the change. This will mean we will need 1760
let down our guard; this is the time to be very cautious, affirmative homes to make it happen. If we do not get
very responsible, and very aware plus do everything the 1760 votes, we will have to leave the language in
possible to keep this virus from infecting our families our CC&Rs the same even though it will not apply and
and friends. it will be different from the new State law. When the
Your 2021 total monthly assessment per homeowner ballot comes out be sure to vote for this provision so
unit is $306. This amount includes the $12 for your we can hopefully align our CC&Rs with the State law
Frontier Internet. However, the Board voted to issue we are required to follow.
each homeowner unit a one-time credit of $144. So, It is a most unusual time, but there is a light at the
your January 2021 assessment will be reduced by end of this tunnel. It is getting brighter by the day, but
$144, making the total amount due for January $162. for now we must all work hard to ensure the health and
The amount due for February through December 2021 safety of all residents. I look forward to seeing card
will be $306 per month. Please make a note that for players in every room again. I look forward to seeing
January your monthly assessment is $162 and not $306. the billiards room full once again. I look forward to
A new State law, California AB3182, has gone into seeing crafts being made and photos on the wall
effect on January 1, 2021. This new law requires that again. I look forward to seeing the Lady Putters
the minimum rental time for all HOAs cannot be and Tuesday Night Putters once again. I look forward
greater than 31 days. Our CC&Rs currently require the to the concerts along with gatherings like Meet and
minimum rental time to be 90 days. This means the Eat, Comedy Night, Tutta Bella, and dinner with
HOA can prohibit rentals of 30 days or less but cannot friends again.
deny a rental time of 31 days or more. Our HOA is The days ahead will be better. They are coming.
required to follow the new State law even though our I look forward to those special days again knowing…
CC&Rs state something different. So, effective January “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
1, 2021, our HOA will not allow rentals for 30 days or
less, but it does mean owners may rent their homes Contact the author at kim.fuller@scshca.com.
for 31 days as the minimum rather than the previous
90-day minimum.
The new law also requires us to change our CC&Rs Next Board Meeting:
to conform to the new State law, which we will be Please check
presenting to the residents. Hopefully, we can get
enough ballots in favor of the change but, even if we
www.scshca.com/coronavirus
do not, we will be required by law to enforce the new for updated information.
law no matter what our CC&Rs state. Unfortunately, we
January 2021 | 3
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
TREASURER’S REPORT
CAREY THOMPSON | TREASURER
Contact the author at carey.thompson@scshca.com
4 | January 2021
NEWS FROM THE BOARD |
January 2021 | 5
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
2021 HOA ELECTION
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
Disclaimer: Neither the Association nor the management company made any revisions, alterations, and/or corrections
to the information submitted by the candidates. The information was transferred exactly as submitted, per Civil Code.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
When I ran for the Board four
years ago, I thought I had a
respectable understanding of how
our HOA Board operates. I was so
wrong! There was so much to learn
about our Governing Documents,
community operations, and our
SCSH budget and financials. I feel
Linda Aasen that after two years accumulating
Kim Fuller
My husband, Steve, and I have this knowledge, I must use it to do I have enjoyed my service on
lived in Sun City Shadow Hills since an even better job as a member of your SCSH HOA Board these past
2010. I have been a member of the our Board in the next two years. 3.5 years, as your President, and I
Information Advisory Committee I am detail oriented, an thank you for that opportunity. Your
(IAC), the Communications outstanding communicator, and a current Board has accomplished a
Advisory Committee (CAC), the team player. If re-elected to our great deal along the way, with
Ad-Hoc Facilities Advisory Board, I will bring these skills, continued fiscal responsibility,
Committee, as well as president of along with my Board experience to maintaining our facilities at the
the Tennis Club. I Chaired The work for all members of our highest level, keeping our Dues in
View Advisory Committee and community. I will focus on line with inflation, and our Reserve
have written many articles for the improved communication, levels amongst the highest in the
magazine. Steve and I participate continued fiscal responsibility, and Coachella Valley. The Board has
in countless activities and utilize maintenance of our facilities at the been a pleasure to work with as we
the wonderful facilities in our highest of level to help insure dealt with the Covid-19 crises,
beautiful community. stability in home values. I will work Frontier Cable Contracts, and
My professional career at 3M closely with the other members of other normal duties of everyday
for 22 years was centered in the Board in the best interest of all management. I take personal pride
marketing, sales, product residents of Sun City Shadow Hills. in the Board’s transparency, our
development, and project I believe, I will make an excellent open communications on the
management. Later I was owner of member of your HOA Board of many issues facing our community,
a consulting company focused on Directors and I would appreciate and in dealing with the many
staff training, developing and your vote. homeowner issues we encounter
implementing security plans, risk For more information, please every day.
assessment, and identity theft risk contact me at I would like to continue to serve
management. laasen3730@aol.com our community as a member of
6 | January 2021
NEWS FROM THE BOARD |
your Board and hope you will give My qualifications are: • Appointed Senior Client Manager
me that opportunity once again. • Leadership 4/2007-9-2009
When not tending to Board • 30 years of managerial experience JFFD, CPAS, LLP - Pacific Palisades.
duties, my wife Karla, and I enjoy in the financial services industry CA 90272
golf, hiking, the Fitness Center, • 10 years of experience as a senior Senior Staff Accountant/Senior
the great sunsets and movies. Client Liasion 11/2009-8/2015
liaison and senior accountant
Thank you.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
Education:
• Excellent communication skills
• Western Illinois University
(written and verbal)
Macomb, IL 9/1973-5/1975
• Excellent team building skills
• Pepperdine University, Malibu,
• Effective listening skills
CA 1984-1986/ BS Business
• Broad experience in team
Management
building skills • UCLA Landscape Horticulture
• Ability to make prudent decisions
Program L.A., CA 9/2013-
following a set of guidelines for 6/2015
the best possible outcomes.
“Big” John S. Experience:
Interests/Hobbies:
• Hiking, Golf, Pickleball, Travel,
MacDonnell Bank of America 8/1976-6/2007 Gardening, Birdwatching, Music,
• Retail Division - started as a teller. Entertaining
I want to be a Board member for
• Selected for Retail Management
the people of this community not Reasons to be a Board
Training Program
for myself. Plain and simple. Member:
• Selected for Consumer & Business
Thank You, I have chosen to run for the
Lending Programs
John S. MacDonnell Board as it is my way of giving back
• Appointed Manager- Villa Marina
to our wonderful community. This
Banking Centre, Marina Del Rey,
is one of the best places that I
CA 1/1987-9/1998
have ever lived. I believe that with
• Appointed Manager- Beverly
my skill set, education and a desire
San Vicente Banking Centre, W.
to make a difference in our
Hollywood, CA 9/98-3/99
community drives me to run.
• Appointed V.P. & Manager-West
I have a lot to offer and I believe
Brentwood, Banking Centre
wholeheartedly that I would be an
Brentwood, CA 3/99-5/2001
excellent addition to our board.
• Appointed V.P. & Manager-Pacific
I realize that it will be a large
Moira MacLeod- Palisades Banking Centre, Pacific
commitment of my time. I believe
Palisades, CA that I have the right temperament
Foster • 5/2001- 4/2007
and vision to do the best for our
I am running for one of the open Bank of America homeowners and our community.
positions on the Sun City Shadow • Wealth and Investment These are the reasons that I have
Hills HOA Board of Directors. Management made the decision to run.
January 2021 | 7
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
CITY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE
citydevelopment@scshca.com
Chair: Jim Basham
COVENANTS COMMITTEE
covenants@scshca.com
Co-Chairs: Deborah Gmeiner & Lee Powell
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
designreview@scshca.com
Chair: Ted Shettler
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SUBCOMMITTEE
epsc@scshca.com
Chair: Jeff Kirkpatrick
FACILITIES & SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
facilities.services@scshca.com
Chair: John Petersen
FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
finance@scshca.com
Chair: Bill Wethe
FOOD & BEVERAGE COMMITTEE From The Library
foodbeverage@scshca.com
BY CINDY DEGRAF
Chair: Jurgen Gross
GOLF ADVISORY COMMITTEE
As this article goes to print, the Montecito library is
golf@scshca.com
Chair: Dennis Hooper closed due to COVID-19 concerns. Until further notice,
HEALTH & FITNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
we will not be taking any returns or donations. We will
healthfitness@scshca.com notify you when we are again up and operating.
Chair: Rick Halla If you are running out of book ideas, check out some
INFORMATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE of the “Best Books of 2020” lists that are out there.
information@scshca.com The New York Times has one. GoodReads is another
Chair: Stacia Armstrong great source for lists of the most popular or critically
LANDSCAPE ADVISORY COMMITTEE acclaimed books out there. Check your favorite
landscape@scshca.com publication to see if they have a list available.
Chair: Chris Stevens
Don’t forget that our local libraries are a great source
LIFESTYLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
for books. The Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Springs
lifestyles@scshca.com
libraries have options for online requests for actual
Chair: Pamela Castro-Lee
books for checkout/pickup and online access to
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
safety@scshca.com download books, if you prefer. Go to www.rivlib.info
Chair: Ed Chavez for more info from Indio and La Quinta and www.
THE VIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/library
viewcommittee@scshca.com for Palm Springs.
Chair: Dennis Sheehan Please contact Barbara Perler at 760-772-4484 or
baramp@verizon.net if you have any questions or
Interested in joining a Committee? Stop by the HOA
comments about the library. As always, thank you to all
office and fill out an Advisory Committee Interest Form.
who support us. Keep reading and stay safe.
8 | January 2021
ASSOCIATION NEWS |
Design Review Committee (DRC)
BY TED SHETTLER | CHAIR
Exterior painting, perhaps more accurately repainting, The home’s main color, that of its stucco, cannot be the
is one of the things that can have a profound effect on same as that of the dwelling units on either adjoining lot.
a neighborhood. A favorite example comes from New A photograph of the adjoining dwelling units must
Orleans, where one large, two-story, peaked-roof accompany the HIA. Additionally, the applicant must
home was painted in Mardi Gras colors: the left one- provide the approved Scheme Color number chosen,
house model, and elevation.
third was painted a large vertical stripe of purple, the
Property walls visible from the street, common area or
middle third a vertical stripe of green, and the right-
neighboring properties must remain the same color as
hand third a vertical stripe of gold. As you can imagine,
originally provided by the developer.
the streetscape was not improved by this choice,
Written approval by the DRC must be obtained prior to
presumably neither were the property values. commencing any repainting.
This example illustrates the tension inherent in the
question about colors in which homes in the Sun City Thus, homeowners now have 19 choices for the
Shadow Hills community can be repainted. On the one exterior colors of their homes: the colors in which the
hand, homeowners desire to express their creativity home is presently painted and 18 pre-approved color
and individuality. On the other hand, we have all schemes. Each scheme specifies four colors: one for
accepted an obligation not to make choices that the stucco, one for the garage door, and two colors
adversely affect the property values of our neighbors. for the front door and shutters, and the trim. A
The Design Review Committee is charged with the scheme’s stucco and garage door colors are fixed;
responsibility to resolve this tension in a way that within the scheme the application of the remaining
maintains and improves property values. two colors to the door, shutters, and trim may be
Recently, after a 28-day comment period and interchanged. The DRC will also consider an HIA
discussion by the HOA’s Board of Directors, the that proposes to use only one of the remaining two
following change to the Design Rules was put into colors in a color scheme. A proposal to repaint a
effect: home’s trim, shutters, doors, and garage door, but not
4.20 Painting the stucco, must employ the colors, other than the
Dwelling painting is based on color schemes. Owners stucco color, from one of the 18 schemes as defined
repainting the dwelling unit but not changing the color in the scheme.
scheme may do so without a DRC review. To change the These 18 color schemes provide 36 four-color
color of a dwelling unit, the owner must choose from one options, considering the two interchangeable colors,
of the eighteen approved complete color schemes and
and 36 three-color options for 72 different choices for
submit an HIA to receive written approval by the DRC
homeowners – substantially more than was provided
prior to work commencing. No individual item, e.g.,
doors, trim, fascia, etc., may be painted a color different by Pulte originally.
from the approved color schemes. Exchanging colors
between schemes is not permitted. Contact the author at designreview@scshca.com.
January 2021 | 9
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
SUN CITY SHADOW HILLS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee (EPSC)
BY JEFF KIRKPATRICK | CHAIR
Generators for Your Home happens regularly after every hurricane, forest fire,
Many residents have attended our Disaster large earthquake, and other large calamities.
Preparedness 101 seminar where electrical generators This article focuses solely on portable gasoline/
are discussed in anticipation of the predicted propane/natural gas fueled generators. Brand names
magnitude 7.8+ San Andreas “Great Bend Earthquake” are solely demonstrative and not endorsements by the
right here in our own backyard; and also in light of EPSC or the HOA. Whole-house permanent standby
natural disasters such as recent Category 3, 4, and 5 generators that run on natural gas and/or Liquid
hurricanes and flooding; and F-Scale 0 – 5 tornadoes Propane (LP) are another, more expensive option.
plus many massive events throughout Asia and the Their upside is they are automatic and kick in at the
South Pacific, Alaska, the Caribbean, Central America, start of a power failure, and they are quieter. This is
Gulf of Mexico, South America, Southern Europe, important if you are away. Their downside is 1) cost;
Western Asia, Mexico, and Hawaii. Then there are all and 2) if your natural gas supply is interrupted you
the recent West Coast wildfires! Where does it stop?! cannot run the generator without LP.
Each disaster shared things in common with all As an example, our home is a 2,850 sq. ft. Californian
the others; but a most critical issue was the lack of in Phase-3. We built it in late 2013 with the intent to
electricity for extended periods while local electrical have an emergency generator available to energize
grids were restored, oftentimes taking weeks, months, our new full-time home should power failures or other
and longer. Victim residents had no water (electric calamities inevitably strike. Depending on the season,
pumps), no refrigeration (spoiled food), no safe power failures in our desert climate can be fatal. We
lighting (safety and morale), no heat or A/C, no power bought a dual fuel (gasoline/LP) 9,400-watt surge/
for home medical equipment, or other provisions for 7,500-watt run, portable generator. (Current cost is
the basic necessities of life. about $700. Check portable generators available
If you are considering having a generator to power online or in stores such as Costco, Grainger, Harbor
your home when the public utility is unable to provide Freight, Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, and
electricity, the time to purchase one and ready it for others.) It energizes nearly our entire home! Since that
use is before you really need it! Once disaster strikes, purchase, TRI-fuel portable generators have become
you will not be able to buy one at any price. This available for nearly the same cost.
10 | January 2021ASSOCIATION NEWS |
How large a generator should you have? How will to keep it and its connections dry. Do not place
you fuel it? What features will you want on it? Where flammable materials nearby that can catch fire from
will you store it? You should assess how many and the exhaust.
which circuits you want to energize and add up the Your main A/C unit will draw quite a bit of load,
total wattage from each circuit to help determine how especially when it starts or kicks on. Alleviate the heavy
much load you will have, then buy a slightly larger starting draw by having your A/C technician add a
portable generator. You may wish to make sure it kick-start capacitor to your A/C unit (nominal cost:
has wheels and a handle so you can move it like a $300). Also, consider raising your thermostat so your
wheelbarrow. A battery or push-button starter like your main A/C cycles less often while using a generator.
car has is nice to have. Some have remote controls and Mini-split A/C units are DC-powered and do not have
come with cloth covers, hours-run meters, efficiency the starting draw issue your main A/C unit will have.
meters, multiple outlets, and more. You should use a licensed electrician to install an
Fuel is an issue. TRI-fuel (Gasoline/LP/Natural automatic transfer switch for the generator,
Gas) portable generators have recently wiring it into and behind your breaker
become available for about the box (costs vary depending on the
same cost as dual-fuel units. LP is electrician, so shop around). The
easier and safer to store. Your City of Indio may require an
home’s Natural Gas line gas is automatic transfer switch,
available until the gas lines disconnecting your home
break during an earthquake. from street-power as a safety
Your gasoline-powered issue to avoid backfeeding
vehicles garaged at your into the street and seriously
home are a storage option. hurting utility repairmen,
We constantly keep our cars etc. Your breaker box should
fueled at full capacity for already have a manual
optimal fuel storage and keep Transfer/Disconnect switch.
a battery-operated transfer I switched out our interior/
pump. The more load drawn, the exterior lighting to LEDs with a few
more fuel burned. You will get less CFEs still to go, dramatically lowering
run-time on the cleaner burning propane the total wattage. Our 9,400/7,500-watt
and natural gas than gasoline, but the TRI-fuel option generator powers the entire house: refrigerators,
is a good thing to have in case one or another fuel microwave, TVs, lighting, and most important the A/C.
source is unavailable. However, during a crisis we will dial back our usage to
Carbon monoxide from the generator’s exhaust, as conserve fuel and stress on the generator.
with any petroleum-fueled engine, is an odorless killer. Last of all, be kind to your neighbors and be aware
Never run a generator indoors, in your garage, or near that any engine makes noise and should be minimized
open doors and windows! Only run a generator wherever possible. Hopefully this information is useful
surrounded by good ventilation where the exhaust to you!
cannot draft into living areas.
Together, rain and electricity are not your friend. Please join us and become prepared!
Although rare in our environment here in the It really is quite easy!
Coachella Valley, if you must run a generator in
the rain, cover it with a pop-up shelter or equivalent Contact the author at epsc@scshca.com.
January 2021 | 11THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
Finance Advisory Committee (FAC)
BY BILL WETHE | CHAIR
Work Completed
During the month of December 2020, the FAC and
FAC Subcommittee continued its work with the Board
as well as with DRM and Troon management on behalf
of the Association including: 2020 bank statements, bank reconciliations, and
• Review and recommend Board approval of the investment account statements.
unaudited November 2020 financial statements of • Regular meeting of FAC held on December 18, 2020,
the Association including the: using an audio and video conference call.
• financial statements and supplementary schedules • For the Board meeting on December 21, 2020:
prepared by DRM/Associa, Troon, and Controller. • Preparation of the FAC monthly written report to
• combining and combined financial statements the Board.
included in the Treasurer’s report for the Association • Review of the Controller’s monthly written report to
prepared by Controller. the Board.
• summary financial information on financial position Work in Process
and results of operations included in Controller’s • Review of firms providing non-judicial foreclosure
report to the Board. services, preparation of Request for Proposal (RFP),
• condensed Association financial information to be review of responses to RFP, evaluation of service
published in The View. firms, and written recommendation to the Board.
• Review of the year-to-date variance analysis prepared Potential revisions to Replacement Fund Investment
by Controller on the: • Policy and written recommendation to the Board.
• 2020 Operating Fund revenues and expenses.
Upcoming Work
• 2020 Replacement Fund expenses for the purchase
• Annual review and potential revisions to the:
and replacement of common area real property
• FAC Charter and Mission.
components and inter-fund transfers to the
• FAC Subcommittee Charter and Mission.
Operating Fund for the purchase and replacement
• Association Procurement Policy.
of common area personal property and equipment
• 2020 Audit.
components.
• Review and written recommendations on the 2020 FAC Members
Forecast (11+1) of the Operating Fund and FAC now has two openings on the Committee. We
Replacement Fund as compared to the 2020 Budget would love to hear from you if you have a background
and the 2020 Forecast (10+2) Forecast prepared by including accounting and financial reporting along
the Controller. with an interest in serving on the FAC or on the FAC
• Preparation of the Management Discussion and Subcommittee. Please contact the author if you would
Analysis (MD&A) of the 2020 Forecast (11+1) with like to discuss completing an Advisory Committee
comparison to the prior forecast and the 2020 Interest Form.
Budget provided to the Board. Further Information
• Review and written recommendations on proposed Additional FAC Members: Larry Anderson, Bob Jester, Bob
BAFs for the expenditure of funds from the Giovannettone, Jerry Cavoretto, Mike Whelan, and Bruce
Replacement Fund for the replacement or major Marley. FAC Subcommittee Members on the Replacement
repair of real and personal property common area Fund and Reserve Study: Chris Stevens, Don Salvatore,
components identified in the Reserve Study. Bruce Marley, and Bill Wethe, Chair.
• Review and recommend Board approval of November Contact the author at finance@scshca.com.
12 | January 2021ASSOCIATION NEWS |
Health & Fitness Advisory Committee
BY HEIDI WORCESTER
Ring In 2021 With Yoga
What, you’ve never tried yoga? Say it isn’t so! Well,
now is the time to give yoga a shot. Why not ring in
the new year with an activity designed to reduce stress
plus increase strength and mobility? So what is the
attraction to yoga? If you think it’s about chanting
mantras and sitting in a fixed position for hours, you
couldn’t be more wrong, silly…
Leesann Shefa has been teaching yoga for ten years
and almost four years at SCSH. Her initial attraction
to yoga was the healing she experienced. “Yoga is
beneficial to anyone, at any age, who wishes to live a
Peaceful views at a morning Vinyasa Yoga class. Instructor more integrated or connected life. The benefits are
Leesann Shefa demonstrates her flexibility. numerous including increased strength and flexibility,
Yoga is the scientific exploration of the mind-body awareness and correction to breath, emotional balance,
connection. Multiple studies have shown significant mental acuity, and the promotion of healing.”
benefits of practicing yoga including a decrease in Try something new in 2021 and sign up for Vinyasa
secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Yoga. Other yoga classes are also available – a link to
Between 2012 and 2016, the number of Americans the full list of fitness classes is below (after taking
practicing yoga grew over 50% to 36 million; and pictures of Leesann’s class, I was so impressed with it
popularity of the activity continues to rise. that I immediately signed up for her next class). Get
on the yoga bandwagon and try it out!
Upcoming Events
• January 8 & 22, 10:30 a.m. | Online Alzheimer’s
Support Group Meeting
• Online Eisenhower Health Lectures | Register and
view list of lectures: www.scshca.com/eisenhower
Resources & Feedback
Reservations and Exercise Videos: www.scshca.com,
login, select Fitness, then select Reservations or
Fitness Video Library
Email comments and suggestions to:
healthfitness@scshca.com
January 2021 | 13THE VIEW | www.scshca.com Safety Advisory Committee BY ED CHAVEZ, CHAIR, AND JEFF KIRKPATRICK | CHAIR-EPSC Protect Against Pool Equipment Thefts This may sound like closing the barn door after the number. Use a woodburning tool (on plastic surfaces) critters have escaped, but this article is a caution to all or a glass/metal etcher (on metal surfaces). Don’t use – reminding our residents that thefts are typically a marker-type pen to permanently mark your property. crimes of opportunity and happen right under our If the property is recovered, police can use your DL noses! During October 2020, a Phase 2 resident number to find you. Most police departments have reported that all of his pool-service equipment had an electric etcher available for free loan. been stolen from his yard. This included his pool • Better yet, record the real serial numbers of each pump, filter, heater, salt-water converter, electrical equipment item. panel/control box, and other associated items. A • Place a video camera over your pool equipment if $10,000+ loss! you have a video surveillance system. If not, install While Phase 3 was being built a few years ago, “fake” cameras as a deterrent. Such “cameras” are several homeowners suffered similar victimizations available at local hardware stores (i.e. Harbor Freight with the loss of their newly installed, brand-new pool +/- $10) and look just like the real thing. They even equipment. A crook was caught and punished. The have a blinking light to show they’re “working!” modus operandi (“MO” for you TV crime show buffs!) • Last of all, padlock gates to your backyards and is simple; but please know that we are not negatively entrust a key to your “legitimate” pool service branding all vendors as we explain further. worker. This is true even for golf course lots. Most Unscrupulous vendors (very few to be sure!), who, thieves are lazy – they wouldn’t be stealing if they under the guise of “swimming pool service workers,” were industrious! This will slow down the interlopers! arrive at a property and within 10 minutes, armed with nothing more than a battery-powered ‘Sawzall’ and a pair of wire cutters, cut the equipment free, load it into their trucks, and abscond with the equipment. Ten minutes is all it takes! So how do you protect your investment? Here are some suggestions: • Take note of any “pool service” folks near your home. If they have more than one worker present, be suspicious because it often takes a person with a hand truck or two people to lift and move the stolen equipment. Please help to make our community safe and sound! • If you see a vendor removing pool equipment Community awareness is integral to the effort. from your neighbor’s residence, call SCSH security Although we entrust our contracted Security personnel immediately at (760) 342-4725. The vendor may well with great responsibility, they cannot be everywhere be legitimately replacing equipment, but Security at the same time. They need our eyes and ears, just should check it out. like the police do! • Pool owners should indelibly mark their individual pieces of equipment with their Driver’s License Contact the author at safety@scshca.com. 14 | January 2021
ASSOCIATION NEWS |
PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER
Custodial Department Staff
ASSOCIA EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH | JANUARY 2021
CUSTODIAL DEPARTMENT | Josefina Amezcua, Dalila Arevalos, Margarita Barajas, Cinthia Garcia, Tanya
Garcia, Francisco Gorostieta, Maria D. Lara, Maria H. Ramos, Maria V. Rivera, Elizabeth Vasquez, and
Jose Zaragoza
The response to the pandemic continues to be an enormous undertaking, and the SCSH staff has risen
to the occasion with professionalism and understanding.
I would like particularly to acknowledge the SCSH Custodial staff for their efforts and hard work in
keeping the facilities clean and sanitized. From clubhouses and employee offices to the Shadow Hills
golf facilities, the custodial staff performs critical work every day and are the first line of defense in
ensuring the safety of our residents and employees.
On behalf of the SCSH residents and staff, we would like to thank the custodial staff for keeping
everyone safe and for the work they do every single day.
January 2021 | 15THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
HAVE WE SUFFERED FROM THE
PANDEMIC AS IT HAS EXTENDED?
BY AGGIE JORDAN
“Our fate is contingent WORKERS (18), and those not and 50% of those RETIRED noted
upon which element— working, RETIRED (32). The results that their fear of catching the
that of hope or that of fear— are from about one-third of the virus had decreased. But for the
emerges triumphant.” original group, but the responses remaining half, this fear remained
~ Jon Meachem, The Soul of America are especially meaningful. the same or got worse.
Ten items specifically focused on • Over 75% of both populations
In the September issue of The
the most significant responses in agreed that the amount of
View, we reported on the ways
our first survey: anxiety; fear of anxiety they experienced in the
people were affected by the first
getting COVID-19; relationships last three months was the same
three months of the pandemic.
with a partner, children, and friends; or got worse.
Anxiety was high, along with the
physical and mental health; the • The ability of the WORKERS to
fear of getting COVID-19, and
ability to focus on primary tasks; focus on their primary tasks
relationships caused frustration.
financial security; and boredom. improved for 50% of them, while
Survey respondents, both those
We asked each respondent to 60% in the RETIRED group found
employed and those retired,
answer on a sliding scale of 0 – 10 that, for them, it was the same or
seemed to adapt with creativity
with 0 being the most negative, worse for them.
and attention to long-delayed
0 being the most positive, and 5 Relationships
projects. They were satisfied with
being the same. • In the original survey ending
their financial situations and, in
general, they found ways to cope. in June, respondents were
We have now been living with the considerably frustrated by their
COVID-19 pandemic for over nine isolation from their friends and
months. We have had a seismic family. In the latter three months,
shift in our world with businesses relationships with friends got
being shut down, places of worship substantially better for WORKERS
unable to offer solace, and (61%) in contrast to those
attendance at live concerts or RETIRED (46%). So 54% of the
sports events no longer possible. RETIRED felt that relationships
We have had to shrink our own with friends did not improve or
world to accommodate this shift. got worse.
What effect has this shrinking of • With their children (for those who
our individual world had on each of had children), the relationships
us? What damage has it done to
Results of the Survey grew much to very much better.
our lives? Anxiety, Fear, and the Ability to In the previous survey, RETIRED
Focus on Primary Tasks folks were much more frustrated
The Survey Process • The fear of contracting COVID-19 with their relationship with their
We sent 100 follow-up surveys to and the anxiety level of the children. But, by the end of
original respondents and 52 people respondents was strong during September, the RETIRED (76%)
replied. As with the previous survey, the first four months of the indicated the relationship with
we were able to group responses pandemic. In the latter three their children had improved
into those who were employed, months, 56% of the WORKERS substantially. WORKERS (56%)
16 | January 2021FEATURE STORIES |
indicated their relationship with
their children had improved, but
this improvement was far less
than for the RETIRED group.
• For WORKERS, 100% indicated
their relationships had improved.
This is somewhat surprising
because, for the younger
WORKERS who had school-age
children who were at home
because of school closures, they
had the balancing act of working
at home, home schooling, or
providing care for their children
at home if they were working
outside the home.
• Both groups of respondents said the age of 60 were contracting Summary and Conclusions
their relationship with their the virus. Was it because those Approximately half the RETIRED
partner (significant other) had RETIRED saw no break in their population seemed to have been
greatly improved. Of the isolation from their friends? able to adapt to even a lengthy
RETIRED, 81% were very positive
Physical and Mental Health pandemic with all of its restraints.
and 63% of WORKERS agreed.
• A substantial difference existed For the remaining half of the
Happiness and Boredom between the two groups when RETIRED folks, life has not gotten
The respondents were asked, asked about their physical health. much better in the extended
“How happy are you today, period. Anxiety levels remained
Of the WORKERS 61% felt their
compared to the early days of the high for both populations. As the
physical health got better, while
pandemic?” number of months of isolation got
only 41% of the RETIRED agreed.
• A very large percentage of the worse, the stress became stronger.
This may be explained by the age
WORKERS (67%) indicated they We know that stress greatly affects
difference of the two groups,
were much to very much happier physical and mental well-being.
since, as we get older, our health
than in the early days of the For many it was difficult to keep
deteriorates.
pandemic. This was not the case a stiff upper lip and a gracious
• When asked about their mental
with the RETIRED population in acceptance of what is reality.
this survey. Only 48% indicated health, 52% of the RETIRED
Perhaps we can be aware of the
they were much happier, while indicated it was the same or
effects on our neighbors and
34% said there was no change worse while 44%% of the friends and find some ways to lift
from the earlier period. WORKERS felt their mental the burden on us all while keeping
• Was boredom part of the reason health had slipped. safe. Phone calls can help. For
for this result? Perhaps – 53% Was there anything in the study those comfortable with Zoom and
of those RETIRED said their that could enlighten us about the similar technology, we can create
boredom remained the same or deterioration of the RETIRED more interaction.
was worse, while 68% of the respondents’ physical and mental
WORKERS marked that they were health? Is it possible that the Contact the author
very busy. Were the latter RETIRED, those over 60 years of at aggiejordan@
disregarding the shelter-in-place age, are more vulnerable physically gmail.com.
order? Certainly, by the end of and mentally to the stress that the
September, more people under pandemic caused?
January 2021 | 17THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
AN INTERVIEW WITH JACK SCHOLLE
Broadway & Television Actor, Singer, and Dancer
BY ARNOLD CHOY | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JACK SCHOLLE
ARNOLD: Hello, tennis partner Then in 1950 I got the part of
(Jack and I played together at Michael Darling in the Broadway
the 2013 USTA National Tennis play, Peter Pan, starring Jean
Championships), so where did you Arthur and Boris Karloff. My
grow up? character had to “fly” so, with
JACK: I was born in 1943 in piano wire connected to a leather
Manhattan and grew up in a Lower vest underneath my costume, I was
West Side apartment in an area taught to fly across the stage.
called Chelsea. I grew up playing However, landing was the hardest
Jack, third from the left, singing with Jean
stick ball, stoop ball, roller hockey, part. I then did the national tour, Stapleton. I also got to sing “You’ve Got
and other street games. When I was “flying” through all the major to Have Heart” with Jean Stapleton.
two years old, our family walked 19 theaters between New York and
Chicago. I ultimately performed in over
blocks to Times Square to celebrate 1,200 shows of which 950 were on
the end of World War II. A: How many Broadway plays were
Broadway and about 270 were on
A: How did your acting career start? you in?
tour. So I missed a lot of school.
J: My mother was smitten by the J: I performed in seven Broadway
plays from 1948–1956, finishing up
lights of Broadway, so she had a
with Damn Yankees starring Gwen
mission to get her kids into showbiz.
Verdon and choreographed by
One day my older brother Lewis
Bob Fosse. I danced with Gwen
auditioned for a kid’s part in the
and possibly the best dance group
play Sundown Beach, starring Julie
on the planet.
Harris. I was just along for the ride
and was sitting in the audience
watching the interview process
when the director walked over,
looked down at me, and asked,
“Can you act?” I stood up and
shouted, “I sure can.” I was five L to r, 2nd from left is Steven Douglas,
years old, got the part, and the then Gwen Verdon, then Ray Walston.
Jean Stapleton is on the right side with
director was none other than Elia
Jack standing two from her right.
Kazan, one of the most honored
and influential directors in A: Jack, share with us what life
Broadway and Hollywood history. was like behind-the-scenes of
He was also a very good judge of Broadway plays.
talent. Just kidding. But he gave J: It was always hectic with everyone
me my first start. preparing to go on, but beneath the
A: What happened next? stage there was the ever-present
J: In between getting minor roles, L to r, Lewis, Jack and Burgess Meredith. poker table, which was almost
I took singing and dancing lessons. Martha Scott is above and behind Jack. always busy. In the 1950s, cast and
18 | January 2021FEATURE STORIES |
crew were paid in cash. I earned J: TV was similar in that it was also Dad, who was very proud of it and
about $120 per week, but I was too “live,” but the chemistry was quite wore it for many years.
young to play poker. So I played different. Broadway was brimming • I was featured in a TV show where
round-robin chess with Ray Walston with camaraderie and energy, but I played the dying son of Maria
(of My Favorite Martian fame) and TV not so much. Riva. After a dress rehearsal, she
the stage manager Jimmy A: Are your theater and television asked if I wanted to have dinner
Hammerstein, son of Oscar credits on the internet? with her and her mom, who turned
Hammerstein. The matches could J: No, not really. I’m fairly private out to be Marlene Dietrich.
be intense, and often Walston and haven’t felt the need to ensure • In 1955 the New York Yankees
would barely make his stage all of my acting and singing credits baseball team came backstage to
appearance on time. are posted on the web. Child actors meet the cast of Damn Yankees,
Also, back then, adjacent theaters and we exchanged autographs.
are not known for transitioning
could be accessed through the Casey Stengel invited us to hang
smoothly into the adult world.
common fire doors. Casts would out with the team at Yankee
They grow up in a world of make
co-mingle and watch each other’s Stadium.
believe, fantasy, and way too much
performances. I watched and • One time Marilyn Monroe came
self-importance. I look at my past
enjoyed Yul Brynner in The King backstage and asked me to show
and see it for what it was: a lot of
and I. He was great. For fun, the her where Gwen Verdon’s dressing
work and fun. I was lucky to close
kids from different shows would room was. I stayed with them for
with lots of great memories. My
have water pistol fights. Sometimes about 30 minutes and even got a
wonderful wife, Judy, and I have
the adults would join in. Seems like big goodbye hug from Marilyn.
always cherished the gift of family.
everyone had a water pistol Yes, I was in love.
My daughters, Kim and Rob, and
stashed somewhere. • We had a summer cottage on
my sister, Gayle, are my biggest
Broadway casts were a close-knit Long Island, which was about 60
fans; and I theirs. Strong love of
group and very supportive of one miles from the city. I needed to be
family is great for keeping one
another, no matter how famous at the theater by 8 pm, so I would
balanced and grounded. A few
you were. When a play would catch the 5:30 pm commuter train.
months ago, a friend saw my name
close, we would all go to the I got to know the conductor and
listed with James Dean and Walter
unemployment office to collect our engineer pretty well, and my
Cronkite from a TV episode of You
$35 unemployment checks. mother would give them theater
Are There, but without my photo.
tickets just for watching out for me.
So, I sent my photo to IMDb
They, in turn, would sometimes let
(website for TV internet content)
me “drive” the train.
because I played the role of Jesse
To see a list of all Jack’s acting
James’ son. It is now posted and
credits plus a few more photos,
updated.
visit the SCSH website:
A: Jack, are there other highlights www.scshca.com/jackscholle
you’d like to share with us?
J: Do you have a few more hours
to chat? But seriously, as a kid you Contact the author at
really aren’t able to appreciate the choyarnold@yahoo.com.
very special nature of the events.
Top left is Ronnie (Christopher) Walken,
Jack is in front of him. In the middle is Jan
Here are a few that I do recall:
Murray and on the right side is Jerry Lewis. • Frank Sinatra interviewed me on
his show, and he presented me
A: How did television compare with with a very nice watch as a
Broadway? memento. I then gave it to my
January 2021 | 19THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
FROM COLLEGE TO COLD WAR
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RALPH OLSON
An interview with resident Ralph Olson, Major, USAF (ret), about his first assignment as a Minuteman Missile
Crew Commander during the Cold War.
THE VIEW: How did you get this job? TV: Tell us about the Minuteman missile. How powerful
RALPH OLSON: During my four years in Air Force is it, where is it, and how many do we have?
ROTC, I had a slot for pilot training, which was my goal. RO: During my time as a crewmember, there were
But leading up to my graduation, in the mid- to late 1,000 Minuteman missiles deployed in Missouri,
1970s, the Vietnam War was winding down and pilots Nebraska, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, and
were coming home. The slots were gone. I needed an Montana. Each missile is armed with nuclear warheads
operational assignment and was not interested in at least a thousand times more powerful than those
becoming a navigator. One of the instructors told me used in World War II. The way the missiles are deployed
my chances of regaining my pilot slot would be best if always fascinated me. Being hardened and spread out,
I accepted a missile assignment. they are very survivable; and an enemy attack would
TV: Did you have reservations about the job? need to involve a huge arsenal to take them out. The
RO: Not really. I knew the training was brutal, with a 40 200 missiles at Malmstrom AFB, MT, my base, were
percent washout rate. I was actually looking forward to deployed in an area the size of the state of Maryland.
spending the 12 weeks of initial qualification training
at Vandenberg AFB, CA. My wife and I had never been
to California, and we planned to use any free time we
had to take in the sights. I knew I had to give it my all,
and that’s what I did. I was one of three in my class of
25 to make distinguished graduate.
The Minuteman missile has a range of 5,000 miles and
delivers its warheads in about 30 minutes.
TV: What was life like for you as a missile crewmember?
RO: I thought moving to Montana was very exciting.
You had to make sure you winterized your car for the
frigid cold. My wife and I got a wonderful three-bed-
room, two-bath house on the base. We made friends
and enjoyed our on-base neighbors. Most of my
friends were also crewmembers or involved in some
aspect of the missile world. We were on 24-hour alerts
at the launch control centers eight times a month.
When not on alert, our duties involved intensive
training, frequent evaluations, and sessions in the
The author on alert at site Alpha One at Malmstrom AFB,
MT. The red safe containing the launch codes from the missile launch control simulator. Making the most of the
President and launch keys is located above his head. few days that you had off was essential. You had to
20 | January 2021FEATURE STORIES |
button that would end the world. I humored them and
told them it was not a button but a launch key. “And
you would turn that?” they asked. My reply was easy:
“Yes, it’s my job. And if my country needs me to do it,
I will without hesitation. Perhaps my turning the key will
save the world.”
TV: Did you ever come close to launching a nuclear
missile?
RO: It’s something I’ll never forget. It was late October
in 1980. By then I had upgraded to Missile Crew
The topside portion of a launch control facility. The two-person
Commander, and my deputy and I were on alert at
launch control center is located deep underground directly below.
Delta One. I kept an eye on the world news for obvious
reasons; we still had hostages in Iran and a huge
presidential election coming up, but nothing else
seemed important. My deputy was going into rest
status when we got the emergency action message to
open the red safe, get out the launch code documents,
and insert our launch keys.
After triple checking the message, it hit me that I was
not in the simulator. We opened the safe, busted the
seals over our launch switches, and inserted our keys.
Then we waited … and waited. It seemed an eternity,
The entrance to the underground launch control center is through and I knew the next message would be either a stand
a nine-ton blast door. down or a launch. That was as close as I hope anyone
balance the reality of your responsibility with proficiency ever gets. We were instructed to stand down. I came
in carrying it out. The pressure was immense; your away from this job knowing that the crews still on alert
performance in the simulator was rated in every area, today are keeping us safe.
and written test scores of less than 90 percent were a
fail. Life was a living hell if you did not perform well.
More than a few crewmembers opted out at the earliest
opportunity.
TV: How often did you think about having to actually
do this job?
RO: You must mean to actually launch the missiles. Most
people say that’s the unthinkable. As crewmembers we
thought about it almost all the time. The last thing you
wanted to do was bring your job home. But, when we
were on alert duty or in training, we were constantly
rehearsing every launch scenario thrown at us. You
could be sitting on alert at a Launch Control Center
The author (right) on his last day of missile duty, returning
and, at 3 am, they would throw a major launch exercise from an evaluation mission.
at you. That’s just the way this job was.
When I went on vacation and visited relatives, they For more information, contact Ralph Olson
all asked what it was like to have my finger on the at rrolson2001@yahoo.com.
January 2021 | 21THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
to locate. The growth of this activity is truly amazing
considering it started in Beaverton, Oregon, in the
year 2000.
So how do you get started? First, assuming you have
a cell phone, download the free geocaching app.
If you really want to dive into this deeply, there are
more advanced apps that are available for a fee plus
GPS devices, into which you can enter the cache’s
coordinates. But all I used to find the caches described
below was the free app and my iPhone.
Once you open the app, you will be amazed at all
the cache locations that appear within a few miles of
your house. I found it helpful to click on a site, then
click on “activity” to read comments by folks who
found the cache. I also looked to see if it was a recent
find and if there were additional clues.
THE WORLD OF Geocachers also seem to use a very abbreviated
code. For example, TNLN means “Took Nothing Left
GEOCACHING Nothing”; TFTC means “Thanks for the Cache.” The
treasure is often referred to as the “swag.” Sometimes
BY GEORGE ERHART
pictures are posted, but not often; any pictures are
PHOTOS BY ARNOLD CHOY AND THE AUTHOR
usually of the lucky finders and don’t reveal anything
that would help identify the location.
Why not try geocaching? It’s a perfect activity during For my first attempt at geocaching, I convinced my
the current restrictive pandemic. It will get you outdoors wife, Betty, to join me. We headed out to a couple of
and away from people, require some degree of physical sites on Washington Street opposite Sun City Palm
activity, and inspire a lot of exercise for your mind. Desert. However, walking in the desert sand, while
Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunt looking under trees and bushes and finding nothing,
using GPS-enabled devices (like cell phones) to didn’t really appeal to her.
attempt to find hidden geocaches. The cache will be
in something as small as a prescription pill container, or
more likely the size of a pint- or quart-sized container.
The hidden cache usually contains things like
trinkets, key chains, and small toys plus a log sheet to
record the date you found the cache along with any
comments. The real “treasure” is the sense of
accomplishment in finding the cache. Rules are simple:
if you take something, leave something of equal or
greater value; and record your find on the log sheet
while respecting the environment.
If you have never heard of geocaching, you may be
surprised to learn that it is active in 190 countries.
Worldwide, there are over three million hidden caches.
Here in the Coachella Valley, there are 1,188 caches Betty with her “treasure in a plastic bag.”
22 | January 2021FEATURE STORIES |
So I picked a site that appeared to be in a more app to my nine-inch iPad. I wrote notes as I planned
“civilized” location. Betty was out of the car and “on my searches while relaxing in my chair at home.
the hunt” before I gathered my hat and camera. By (Because the iPad doesn’t have GPS capability, it’s
the time I had caught up with her, she said, “I think it’s useless outdoors.)
right here!” And sure enough, I reached down, undid • Although you can go geocaching solo, I wouldn’t
something, and there was our first geocache! We both recommend it. Trying to drive and watch the small
felt a great deal of pleasure about our first success. cell phone screen to guide you would be extremely
For my next attempt, I chose a more remote area dangerous, not to mention illegal. I recommend
and selected a few sites in the desert located along inviting a partner to watch the information on the
Dillon Road. I asked my friend Arnold if he would cellular map and give you updates about distance,
like to join me. He had never heard of geocaching turns, and where to stop. Besides, four eyes are
but immediately said, “I’m in!” We took off, and I better than two. (At one of our sites, I told Arnold,
drove as Arnold monitored the cell phone, giving me “Let’s give up!” But shortly thereafter, he found it.)
instructions on when to turn and where to stop. In
three hours, we searched for six different sites and
found three caches plus another that had a string
attached to nothing. I signed the log at the successful
finds and took pictures to document our success.
George inspecting his “swag.”
Arnold inspecting his unusual cache container.
So, what I proved is that an 87-year-old “newbie” to
geocaching, equipped with a cell phone and a free My wish to anyone who tries geocaching: good luck,
app, can enter the “world of geocaching,” venture and happy hunting!
into the great outdoors, and successfully locate hidden
“treasures.” Now, if I have spiked your interest, I urge
Contact the author at george.erhart@aol.com.
you to go try it…it beats sitting at home during the
pandemic watching Law and Order reruns on TV!
If you go, here are a couple of things that I found
helpful:
• The screen on my cell phone is so small that I found
it difficult to plan my outing. So, I downloaded the
January 2021 | 23You can also read
